Stitchers Dream Day Catch Up!

Wow! Here it is, Friday again & I don't know where the week has gone. I thought I'd better pop in to catch you up on my doings ... There are LOTS of photos, so grab a cuppa & get comfy ... Chookyblue you might want to brace yourself! Tee! Hee! Hee!

The annual Stitchers Dream Day is hosted by the GORGEOUS mother/daughter team of Marion & Steph Marshall of the Quilters Angel at Highfields & is always a fantastic time of friendship, fun, food, chatting ... & some people even STITCH! :0) Friday was set up day, which is always organised thanks to the awesome planning skills of Marion & Steph ... Seriously, if I'm ever wanting to organise a royal gala or invade a small nation, I'm getting these ladies to plan it! :0P Fabulous Fiona & I were in charge of dressing the chairs ... We decided that over the last few years we've tied hundreds of bows in all sorts of colours, different fabrics & a few different methods, so we deserve an honorary doctorate in bow tying! Tee! Hee! Hee!

Organza & satin bows this year & dotty giftie bags. There were lots of "Ooh" & "Aah" noises when the crowds arrived & it was time to introduce the guest designers ...

That's Lesley from Faeries In My Garden showing off her design, with her stitching partner Kate in cream & Leeanne from Petals & Patches in black ... With Marion to the right of the pic, looking fabulous. Each designer was given fabric packs of fat eighths in two different colourways to create two new project designs ... Though Kate & Lesley took one each as they stepped in close to the eleventh hour when another designer had to pull out for family reasons. Wanna see the projects??

Lesley's journal folder. Gorgeous embroidery on the front ...

... Inside has two pockets that will fit a paper journal or an iPad ... Or you could make it your sewing pouch.

Kate's sewing set featuring a hexie pin keep, a needle book & a lidded basket ...

Pretty & handy.

Leanne's manicure fold out case ...

... With pockets to store everything ... Could also be a sewing pouch. :0)

And I think my favourite (despite it featuring my least favourite colour ... PINK!) Leeane's reading cushion with a pocket for a book. Love the cute bunny! Then it was time to socialise ... Er ... Stitch! :0)

Lyn & Julie got Stitching ...

Blogging buddies Robin & Fiona played on their phones ... Who said it was just Gen Y that did that?! :0P

Another familiar mother & daughter team.

Then there were mini workshops & demonstrations ... Leeanne showing watercolour pencil techniques ...

Lesley showing how to stitch grub roses (I need to practice!)

And Kate sharing more embroidery tips. Then it was time for show & tell ... So many gorgeous projects that people had created ... But one that caught my eye was a version of my "French Amour" pattern ...

A lovely bright, happy version for a daughter who loves all things French. And there was show & tell from the designers, too with lovely pattern samples on display ...

I LOVE Leeanne's mermaid quilt! A friend & I who are both March gals, so star signed Pisces, call ourselves mermaids ... More romantic than being fish! :0) 

More of Leeanne's lovely work.

Some gorgeous embroidery projects by Lesley & Kate.

And the lovely ladies who made the day happen ... Marvellous Marion on the left, Stupendous Steph on the right & the guest designers Kate, Lesley & Leeanne. Thank you to you all for creating gorgeous projects & a fabulous environment in which to enjoy a day of stitching indulgence! :0)

I discovered that Leeanne has popped into my blog from time to time & we've 'seen' each other on Facebook, so it was fun to catch up in real life ... Looking forward to more cyber chatting, too. :0)

And it wouldn't be Stitchers Day without a visit from my Bestest-Buddy-Since-We-Were-Nine Lynette ... Pictured chatting to Lesley.

So ... There you have a wrap up of my busy weekend last week. I think I've kind of sleep-walked through the work week & am looking forward to a quiet catch up weekend with my Beloved Geek Boy. We're heading off on an exciting adventure in three weeks so there's lots to do before then ... Though I'm hoping for some sewing time, too. :0) Whatever you're up to this weekend I hope it includes some time to relax with your special people ... & maybe some sewing time! :0) Til next time ...

BEAR HUGS!

CHEERS!

KRIS