Sunday, June 13, 2010

More Things to Leave Me Speechless

Today was a really great and fun day.  Terri and Julie (no blog), took me out to lunch at Panera (yummmm) for a late birthday celebration.  They both outdid themselves and I'm so thrilled with the wonderful things they gave me - just about speechless again!!  

Terri gave me the greatest Vera Bradley bag.  She must have been embarrassed for me because of the pitiful excuse of a bag that I hauled back and forth to our Sampler Guild - Kindred Spirits.  But now I'm definitely styling:



I don't know which side I like better.  They're definitely my colors and what's so great is that the bag is reversible, so whatever mood I'm in, I'm all set.  Then in the bottom of the bag all wrapped up were three small presents:

Yahoo - I'm the recipient of her famous strawberries.  Have you seen these turning up all over blog land?  Well, I was coveting some because I'm too lazy to make my own!  LOL  These are just the cutest things.  She made them out of felted sweaters!  Cute, cute, cute!!  Then a wonderful pincushion made out of the same fabric (and there are some buttons hidden underneath - I haven't taken the pretty bow off yet), and a wonderful pair of Girly Scissors with one of Terri's famous beaded fobs.  Love, love them.  Actually love, love all of it!  Thank you so much Terri!!

From Julie I received this:

 A Tilda doll!  I can't believe that she made one for me!  I've wanted to make one for myself for the longest time, but you know how that goes - what you want to do and what you actually do are two different things.  But isn't she absolutely adorable?

Does she not have the sweetest face!  And I don't know if Julie reads my blog, but thank you, thank you so much!!  I know that these are not easy to make so I am just thrilled that she will be keeping me company in my craft room.

After lunch we had our Guild meeting and today's speaker was Kathy Barrick from Carriage House Samplings.  She came to look at our year-long class project - one of the Hawk Run Hollow pieces.

Here's a few of them:

I'm sorry that the pictures aren't better, but I was afraid that the flash would glare off those that were framed.  The two unfinished ones in the front are mine - such a slacker.

This one was so pretty - the stitcher added a wavey border all around the piece.  I think if you click on the picture it will enlarge.

One stitcher (and heaven help me I don't remember her name) took blocks of Shores and made into a Wedding album.  Here's the inside:

Here's the outside:

This was truly a stunning piece in person.

And a couple more:

It was so much fun to see these finished.  A lot of people added their own things into the pieces - renaming buildings around their lives or ancestors lives.  It was so nice to see all of them.  Kind of got me sparked to put needle to one of mine again.

Now you would think that I would have a picture of Kathy, right?  Well, I took a couple, but neither one of them came out worth beans.  Teaches me to use my son's camera instead of my own.  But Kathy brought some of her charts to sell, and in addition, just for our Guild, brought a new chart for us.  I love, love it!!!!

Do you not love it?  I do!!  And I think that as soon as I'm done with Sarah Seifer it's going on the scroll rods!

Well, that's it for me.  DH has steaks on the grill and corn on the cob boiling away.  I love those days when I don't have to cook dinner.

I've been up to no good in the sewing room and I'll post those pics in a few days.  Thanks for stopping by and leaving all your wonderful comments.  I truly love receiving them.  And Terri and Julie - thank you so much for your wonderful presents.  I just love them!!!!  Well, more than love them - I'll treasure them!

60 comments:

Devon said...

Oh Debi,,,you are truly loved,,,I have the matching wallet to your bag,,and I love it,,what awesome gifts your received and wow on the stitching pieces,,and how awesome to meet Kathy Barrick,,I am sadden she is not designing anymore,,well I am glad you had a wonderful day,,and thanks for sharing it with us..

Cari said...

Oh my gosh -- Your friends are the best...as are you!! I love the Vera Bradley bag and the Tilda doll too!! Terry and Julie are some very talented gals. And getting to meet Kathy Barrick in person...how cool is that? I saw on her blog that she was coming to your guild so I've been anxiously awaiting pics of her visit. And the 'Wash Day' she designed for your guild. I love it!! She's one talented lady too isn't she? Have a great stitchey week Deb!!

Brynwood Needleworks said...

Hi Deb:
The Hawk Run Hollow samplers are fabulous! I'll have to see if I'm able to find one to add to my collection. Yours look great, too!

It looks like Terri and Julie made sure you had a fabulous birthday. I love all your goodies!

Have a great week, my friend.
xoxo
Donna

jayne@~an eye for threads~ said...

Nothing like having great stitching friends like yours. Congratulations on all of your goodies and to the talent from which they were formed. Looks like a wonderful display of needlework. Thank's for sharing Deb.
Be always in stitches.

valerie said...

OMGosh, I'm in love with the Tilda doll...what a wonderful job Julie did. How exciting to meet Kathy Barrick! Lots of wonderful samplers too...I can't wait to see your start on Wash Day...terrific design!

Laurie in Iowa said...

Great gifts! Loved seeing all the CHS designs stitched by your Guild's members. There were some very creative alterations of the designs.
Great new chart... can't wait to see it all stitched up.

Margaret said...

Oh my! What lovely presents you received from Terri and Julie! And the CHS pieces! And hey! No fair -- a new chart from Kathy?! How about the rest of us out here? Did she say she would release it to others??? It's so pretty!! Lucky you, all around!

JOLENE said...

What fabulous gifts your "friends of a feather" made for you in honor of your birthday. Love that colorful black bag and all the goodies Terri made for you. The Tilda dollie is sweet, also. What a better way to spend a day with your friends and meeting Kathy. Wow! I am sooo jealous. I am in LOVE, LOVE, LOVE with that Wash Day pattern. I would love to stitch that one, do you think she will be selling those to the public? Must~Have~One!!! Enjoy your BBQ and corn, what a sweet hubby you have. Smiles....

Karen said...

The doll is delightful!

corinna said...

fantastic stitches,gifts,and new chart!

Andrea said...

What wonderful treasures you received Deb! Love them all! That Vera bag is awesome, I love me some Vera!! I've never seen that style of bag...do you know what it's called? It's really lovely.
Those little strawberries from Terri are to DIE for! I die, seriously!! I wonder if she'd sell me some cause not only am I too lazy to make any...I'm not sure that I know how!! LOL!
What a lovely little Tilda doll! That takes a lot of talent, making one of those!

All of those CHS HRH pieces are amazing! I esp. loved that one with the wavy border, how perfect!
Guess Kathy won't release that pattern to the public since she's quitting in July. Boo!! Love her designs, and that one is no exception! Enjoy stitching it, you'll be the envy :-)

Such a great post, as always! Love visiting your blog so much!


xoxo

Myra said...

You truly had a spectacular day. I enjoyed seeing all those HRH pieces, such creative stitchers there. I too am in love with the "Wash Day" pattern - I sure hope she releases it to the general public.

Anonymous said...

You've certainly got some good friends who have treated you very well indeed!

carol fun said...

Sounds like a wonderful way to spend your special day -- great friends and great gifts! I love looking at the samplers and I am coveting the new chart from Kathy Barrick - sooo cute! Happy stitching -

Glenna said...

Your gifts are fabulous--I hadn't seen the VB pattern before. And the strawberries, the scissors and the sweet tilda doll are just wonderful. I loved seeing the guild photos--I really think that wave pattern around the outside of the Shores design is a great idea.

Jackie's Stitches said...

I've truly had no interest in Shores. None. But in the last day or so, it is popping up everywhere. I'm going to order one!!! Thank you for the enabling!

It sounds like you had a wonderful day with friends. Your VB bag is fab.

WoolenSails said...

What a wonderful way to spend the day and wonderful presents from your friends. What a great guild meeting and topic, love her designs.

Debbie

Annie said...

What a super array of gifts! You really have the best stitchy friends. Vera Bradley bags are so great and that Tilde doll is too lovable.

And those Shores finishes are too much. So many at once! That's a lot of collective hours of stitching!

Rugs and Pugs said...

Deb ~
What wonderful gifts, and those samplers. Oh, la la! They are fabulous. Thank you so much for sharing!
Pug hugs :)
Lauren

Ranae said...

Wonderful gifts from such talented ladies. Love the Vera bag, very pretty.
That must have been awesome to see those CHS, what inspiration!
I love Wash Day, will we be able to purchase it??? I do hope so.

Karen said...

Great birthday gifts...love the strawberries too!

Love all of the Hawks...those are amazning, especially the album. Thanks for sharing.


Love the new design for your group...very pretty.

Barbi said...

Oh my gosh! You had a truly wonderful and envious day!
I am drooling over your new chart! As soon as I can I'm getting my hands on that one for sure! WOW It's a beauty

Kim said...

What WONDERFUL gifts!!! LOVE those strawberries and the pincushion!!! And OMGosh I do love that chart Kathy bestowed upon your guild! Every time I see finished HRH pieces, I think of starting one! LOL They're great! Hope your dinner was good! They tend to be better when we're not cooking them! ;o)

Sherry :o) said...

LOVE your presents! It was great to see you, Deb...and I love the pattern too - looked at fibers for it tonight, but know it won't be done for awhile....fun to dream of lots more stitching time than I really have. Happy belated bday! See you next month! And thanks again for the blogging answers to my questions as to how things are done here in blogworld. I loved talking quilts with you today!

Sharlotte said...

Oh goodness Deb! You were truly spoiled and are so deserving of it!! I loved seeing all the CHS WIP's and finishes and makes me want to work on mine. I love that extra wave border on the Shores piece that the stitcher added. It's just perfect! I loved reading this post!

Jane said...

Oh to have such wonderful stitching friends with such kindness - I'm truly jealous!
That beautiful bag would go everywhere with me and puts my current one to shame and the doll is so pretty. I'm slowly giving in on buying a Hawk stitch but so worried it will be toooooo big-a-stitch for me ~ sooooooooooo tempting. Great post and really enjoyed the pics xxx

samplerlover said...

Hi Deb,
Wonderful post. Who is a lucky girl lately. I can see why you are just gobbed smacked this week lol.
Beautiful bag from Terry and I love her strawberries. The Tilda doll is beautiful and it looks as if you had a really good time at your Sampler Guild. Lovely new chart from Kathy. A good one to keep. - Sandra.

KarenV said...

Lovely gifts Deb, that Tilda angel is wonderful! How nice that you got to meet Kathy Barrick in person too!

Chocolates4Breakfast (Terri ~ Boog) said...

It was a fun day, wasn't it? I'm glad you liked your presents! I can't wait to start on Wash Day - it may be my trip project. Have a good week - the last week of school is finally here!

Isabelle said...

Oh Deb , what a lovely day for you with your both friends and how they spoiled you ...I love the Vera Bradley bad and of course the tilda doll too ....it sounds like you had also a great day at your guild ...that CHS designs display is really fantastic and the little blue border with wavelets for the Shores is a great idea ; sure, I am going to remember it to finish mine :-)
Have a great and sunny day ,here it is raining :-((
Isabelle

Sherry said...

How wonderful! I just love the bag with goodies and the beautiful doll! You really hit the jackpot! I would love to be close enough to be in your guild. That special chart is just wonderful!! I can't wait to see it stitched up.

Alice said...

What lovely birthday gifts! I love your sampler pictures... and especially love Wash Day. I might have to do one of these samplers myself!

Vonna Pfeiffer said...

Well....crap, I wish I wouldn't have seen that purse. Now I want one in a really bad way....your blog is bad that way :)

Those beautiful, beautiful HRH pieces at your guild make me red with shame. I have one going and I know I would absolutely ADORE it when I got done with it and I can't get my butt to work on it. Soon.....

Carol said...

What a wonderful bunch of gifts, Deb--you are one lucky girl. And to be able to see all those amazing HRH pieces in one place? Amazing work and creativity in them. I agree with you, that wedding album is so special. Why can't I be that creative?

Have fun stitching the new design--too cute!

Siobhán said...

Oh wow, Deb!! You sure were spoiled. You deserve it!! Between Isa, Terri, and Julie, they sure do have great taste in gifts. :) YGG!

Faye said...

OMGoodness!!! You are some lucky lady Deb~~~ I LOVE that VB pocketbook~~~ Terri hooked you up!

Do you know how lucky you are to have a Guild like that?? I would LOVE to be close enough to a Guild~~ The pieces you saw in person are absolutely stunning~ Very creative on the lady who put the wavy border around hers...hmmm..that's an idea I might have to give more thought to~

And the CH design given to you is beautiful...Again, you are one lucky lady and most deserving~~ Enjoy your day, Faye

Lenora Jenkins said...

Belated birthday wishes for May 31. You have some truly talented and generous friends, good on you for being the lucky recipient of such beautiful gifts. Thanks for sharing some of your guilds work, you must find it so inspiring to be involved with such a group.

Littlebit said...

Oh my goodness! Happy Belated Birthday, Debbie! That VB bag is gorgeous, and SUCH a weakness of mine!! I LOVE IT!!!
What wonderful pics of the HRH pieces..I have a mind to start mine this very minute..LoL! Ok..I guess I don't have a mind after all; it's Monday!

Kathy said...

A belated Happy Birthday to you. And boy oh boy did you get treated to some lovely things. I just adora that VB bag. And the doll is just too too cute.

All those gorgeous photos of HRH pieces are breathtaking. So many finished one. And that pattern Wash Day is absolutely fabulous!

Enjoy.

Anonymous said...

You have some awesome friends! What a fun gift. Thanks for the photos of the HRH pieces. I ordered my silks for the Autumn piece this morning. Kathy is such a talented lady, and I will miss her. :)

Anonymous said...

Happy Belated Birthday, Deb! What fantastic pictures. Thanks for sharing the creative ways folks have finished the HRH pieces. I may have to steal the wavy border. I can't wait to see your wip photos of your new Wash Day chart. It's adorable!!

Alice said...

Love the colours of your Vera Bag. Its a really great gift. Now why can we not find lovely bags like that in France? Cute scissors and pinkeep too. That Tilda doll, AWESOME!! I so enjoyed your photos from the Guild. I am really motivated to start on Shores. Everyone's stitching is just beautiful. Great new pattern from Kathy too. Such a gifted lady.
That grill sure sounds good! Yum!
Alice
xxx

woolwoman said...

Deb don;t you just love it when those birthdays just keep on giving ! Love your post - so much to see and admire - your gifts from DF's are wonderful - the report on kathy's visit to your sampler guild is awesome however I must admit pains of jealousy over that special chart - I've met Kathy several times at market and she is one neat lady - I will sure miss her wonderful designs. Mel

Kaaren said...

Okay, Deb...so now I'm getting jealous. *wink* You have some terrific friends who think the world of you. What wonderful gifts!

Enjoy them all!

mainely stitching said...

I am so envious of your meeting with Kathy and your gorgeous new design from her! :D

Angela said...

Sounds like you had a fun day! I love that bag too those colors are definitely me as well! Thanks for sharing those wonderful CHS finishes and what a fantastic new project!

Stitch By Stitch said...

Happy belated B-day! What an awesome group of friends you have! And that bag, I love Vera! Yea for you!

Berit said...

Deb, why is your blog always "the best"?! You are a bad influence--or is that a good one, lol! :D

I love it all--but can't say that I really "get" Vera Bradley. Just too much going on at once for me, but then I've only seen a few items.

Looks like you had a great b-day. :D

Jan said...

I just recently (in the last week!) came across Kathy Barrick and her wonderful Hawk Run samplers. What a treat to see these pieces from your group...and what wonderful adaptations some have done! Thanks so much for sharing.

Sally said...

Wow what fantastic gifts Deb! I absolutely love your Vera Bradley bag!

All those Hawk Run pieces look stunning! The wedding album is a wonderful idea!

Loraine said...

What fabulous birthday gifts! You are so deserving. If I could get my rear in gear, I'd make something great for you too!
Love those pictures. Love the personalization on the one with the wave border. So great!
The new pattern is too cute. Is she going to be selling it?
Have a great day. You are such a doll!

Giovanna said...

I'm absolutely in awe of all the HRH pieces! And how lucky of you to get a new CHS design! Thanks for sharing the pics.

Anonymous said...

Sounds like you had a wonderful birthday.
Love your new purse...so cute inside and out. How fun that it is reversible.
Love the Tilda doll...I have all her books and am hoping to make up some of the dolls and other goodies for my craft shows this Fall.
~Cindy~

Maggie said...

What beautiful and thoughtful Birthday gifts! Love, love the VB bag, i keep looking but the postage to the UK is nearly as much as the bag :-0 perhaps one day, sigh.
The little angle is so cute too, you are one lucky girl :-)

The photos of all the Hawk Run Hollow's sook amazing, so lovely work there!

Happy belated BD wishes BTW :-)

Anonymous said...

What goodies you received!!! How fun. and I love the Hawk Run pieces!!! They are truly STUNNING!
Thanks for sharing.

Mylene said...

WOW! Such GREAT gifts recieved from your friends. Enjoy!!

Love the new CSH design. Thanks for sharing all the pics.

Arlette said...

Hi Deb! Happy belated birthday!!! You received some really lovely gifts from your gal pals. Your handbag is beautiful but I especially love all of the handmade goodness that you received.
Thanks so much for stopping by my blog and for your sweet comments.
Take care.
Aloha!

MyLifesAStitch said...

Dude - seriously??? The gifty goodness is overwhelming!! Adore the bag from Terri, and the other goodies form her as well. And that Tilda doll??!! Leah (and I, to be honest) might be willing to break an arm for that!! It is perfect!!! You have some great friends, and they really blessed you well for your birthday!! YGG!!! :)

Oh wow... all those perfect CHS pieces... love love love... just awesome! And super awesome that you got to meet and chat w/ Ms. Barrick!! Love the Wash Day pattern!

Hope you're having a great week! I've been pretty absent from blog & email land since mid/ late last week - will catch up soon. :)

Susan said...

The bag is fabulous!

Thanks so much for showing all the CHS pieces. It's impressive to see so many of them and the various ways they are finished. It must have been amazing in real life!

Unknown said...

Deb, what sweet, sweet gifts from your friends! I just love the VB bag and the doll is absolutely gorgeous!

How fun to have Kathy Barrick come to speak and to bring you guys your own design - I am going to miss her creativity.

I have been such a slacker the last 2 weeks but am slowly getting my drive back. It's summer and I wanna be lazy, lol.