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Blessings,

Julie

Every year at the beginning of August the Needlework Guild of Minnesota hosts a teaching retreat for needlework in Buffalo, MN.  The venue is the lovely Christ the King Retreat Center, a place where many of the sleeping and teaching rooms, as well as the dining room overlook the lake and offer the chance to see amazing sunsets over the water.

The retreat is well priced and full every year–generally without even having to open it to non-guild members. This says a lot about the enthusiasm of the needleworkers who make up the membership. It also says a lot about the careful planning that goes into making every year a success.  I want to add my resounding ‘thank you’ to those involved in this year’s effort because it was fabulous.

I had the joy of going to Retreat this year with a group of friends I have fondly referred to on this blog as the ‘stitching sisters’.  They include a sister from North Dakota, a sister by marriage and several local sisters, all of whom are wonderful friends.  This talented group (both within the world of needlework and without) made this year the  best ever for me. To each one of them…dear sisters of my heart…thank you.

The Retreat is also amazing because of the instruction available to all attendees.  Each year top notch national and international teachers come for 4-6 days to share their talents, new ideas and teaching projects.  In the past we’ve had the likes of Janice Love, Tanya Berlin, Kay Stanis, Barbara Mayo-Grass, Jane Nicholas, Cayla Conn Tyler, Diane Fitzgerald and Shay Pendray (this is by no means an exhaustive list).  This year was no different.  Robin Laukhuf of Olde Willow Threads, Leslie Granbeck (teacher of all things felted) and Carole Lake were our teachers.  All and I do mean ALL the projects were fabulous.  My choice was to stitch in Carole’s class–the fabulous St. Basil’s Cathedral (needlepoint). I was joined by three of the sisters and we had a great time.  Carole is an exceptional teacher and we went home with a fair amount of canvas covered. (I will edit this to share a photo of my work in progress later.)

St. Basil's in progress 1

The pace was just right and four days flew by in a flash.

So, Retreat may be over for another year, but I have my memories, echos of shared laughter and a beautiful project.  I am…grateful.

Blessings,

Julie

PS: To Mom…yes, I am knitting.

I am setting up ‘the room of my own’ and when that gets done, I will have freedom to take photos and to use my computer somewhere other than the dining room table. The biggest problem with working in there? Well, the air conditioners are in the master bedroom and in the living room…so it gets warmer than I like in the stitching room.

Hope all is well with every stitcher in blogland.

Blessings,

Julie

–from Celtic Prayers from Iona by J. Phillip Newell

“Bibles that are falling apart  usually belong to people who are not.”
~Author Unknown~

Today…and everyday…I am grateful for God’s word.

Blessings,
Julie

But since you would probably just pull out the cheese and your tiny violins, I shall change the subject to something far more interesting.  I actually have done a bit of stitching and a bit of knitting and I have loads of things in my camera to post. Now…wasn’t that exciting? Bad-dum-bump….

As a small token of my earnestness in trying to return to blogdom, I did update my 2009 finishes page. That should give y’all an idea of what’s coming in the way of photos!  I promise…soon.

So in the immortal words of…someone (gimme a break-I’m downing Nyquil!)… ‘I SHALL RETURN!’ (Or so’s my doctor tells me, providing I’m a good girl, get lots of rest and pay my bill. )

Stay well!
Blessings,
Julie

p.s. I am thankful for my doctor-who puts up with a good deal from me, Nyquil and my warm blankie today!

Blessings,
Julie

Yesterday, the first, I was home sick with the flu. I either curled up in bed or sat in my chair covered with a soft (and hand knitted by moi) afghan. I was and am thankful for a warm house, leisure to rest when I need rest and better living through chemistry (Thera-flu TM-no commercial intended, but it works for me).
Today, I am thankful for my DH who always…always…cares for me in a gentle, tender way that oftentimes is far more than I deserve. He is a gift from God and, after 26+ years I can still say I am so very blessed by my life’s partner.

What are you thankful for today? How would the world change if we focused on thankfulness? How would our perspective change? How would MY perspective change.

Blessings,
Julie

Blessings,
Julie