Just back from Arizona

I have so much to tell.....you might want to sit down with a cup of coffee.

I'm just back from Arizona where I taught for The Attic Needleworks in Mesa, Arizona.

The weather was just amazing.....I couldn't have asked for better.

It was hard to come back to the cold and dreary.

And these cactus were the most incredible things I'd ever seen.
They are everywhere around the Phoenix area.
From what I understand they only grow one other place in the US.
They are called sorrow cactus. (I hope I have that right)
And they are 60 years old before they grow their first arm.
Can you imagine how old this guy is???
Just amazing.
I had a little bit of a fear that I would accidentally fall into one : ) Yikes

I had the great pleasure to meet Jean Lea, owner of The Attic Needleworks.
She is the sweetest thing and as addicted to cross-stitch as I am.
Double bonus : )
She invited me to come out and teach....and how could I pass up an opportunity like that.
She planned 3 fun filled days complete with a field trip to Vickie L. Jennett's reproduction 19th century farmhouse in Chandler Arizona.
There are no words to describe Vickie's beautiful house.....it was an oasis in the desert.
The walls were absolutely covered with gorgeous antique samplers.
I felt as if I had dies and gone to sampler heaven : )
Jean planned for us to have a boxed lunch and we sat in Vickie's beautiful backyard and enjoyed the sunshine and scenery.
And after lunch Vickie graciously invited us into her home to view her collection of samplers and antique notions.
It was a day I won't soon forget.

Vickie's wonderful offerings and patterns are available at The Attic and other needlework shops....hopefully one near you.
Look for or ask for Needle Work Press.

I purchased ~A Sampler Enthusiast's Book of Days for 2011~

Linda Lautenschlager from Chessie & Me was there also. It's always a pleasure to see her.
She was teaching a Unfinished Sampler class.
If you ever have the chance to take this class you won't be disappointed .....it is amazing.
I will see her again in a few months in Spring Green Wisconsin and I so hope she will offer this class again.

I purchased a handful of Lakeside Linens and a silk floss that I can't wait to try.
The colors are amazing.
And Jean's selection of linen and floss is fantastic.
The floss is a 12 strand 100% spun silk from Belle Soie.

Jean will do mail order and she also has a wonderful newsletter that is worth signing up for.
The Attic Needleworks Website

How sweet are these little faces? I knew I had to have them as soon as I laid eyes on them.

Now I have to tell you about a dear sweet friend....Renee Plains.
And I will tell you why these little cuties remind me of her.

Renee offered to let me stay in her home during my stay in Arizona.
Heck, Renee is the reason Jean asked me to come.
I am so blessed and thankful to have such a wonderful friend.

Renee is a very talented quilt designer.....her patterns and books are to die for.
She offers the best sewing notion and tote bag patterns along with wonderful old quilt patterns.
And since my Mom is the seamstress in the family I have a stack of Renee's patterns waiting for her to make for me : )
I know how to work things around here : )

Stop by and check out her website...my descriptions just don't do her justice.
Also look for her designs in your local quilt shop.
Liberty Star

I know you will fall in love with her designs....and her website is as sweet as a button.

So....the story of the dogs.
Renee has 2 wire hair Jack Russel's that I fell in love with.
Hailey & Axle

Hailey welcomed me in their home like we were old friends but Axle just wasn't sure.
It took a little coaxing for him to finally give the o.k.
I'm a dog lover so I was honored that he let me stay : )
Renee took time off to drive me around like Miss Daisy and she took me to the best little shops.
In one of the antique shops I spotted this little dog family and knew it had to be mine.
I will keep them close to my stitching and when I look at them it will remind me of the time I spent in Arizona.

Olde World Quilt Shoppe is another fun place Renee and I went.
I found so many wonderful things......I had to stuff wool and fabrics in every empty square inch of my suitcase but it was worth it.
I purchase 2 big rolls of wool....brown and mustard.

And you know I can't pass up a good homespun.

And these 2 fabrics and the ribbon are ~French General~ by Moda
Love love love French General

And the other spool is linen thread. I loved the look of it so I had to have it.



And I hate to spoil the fun with this but I have to count my blessings.......

I got a phone call early this morning from my son Michael. His voice was calm and collected....he told me he hit black ice and slid off the road on his way to school but that he was ok.
As soon as he said he was not hurt I started thinking of ways that we could get the truck out of the ditch that he slid into.
Then I hear the words.....'well the truck is a little beat up.....I flipped it'
And my world came to a crashing halt.
Flipped it....what do you mean flipped it....

My heart felt like it was going to pound out of my chest.
Taylor and I threw on clothes and I drove out to him as fast as I could.
Thankfully Taylor was with me....it would have been easy for me to break the land speed record.

But we are counting our blessings tonight. He was not seriously injured and we can always replace a truck.

I'm just thankful that he waited for me to get home from Arizona before he sailed into the ditch
upside down : )

Happy Stitching my friends....