Stitching In The Barn with Jackie du Plessis

Apologies for not always leaving comments on your blog's but have been very busy with visitors,  a very big thank you for leaving inspiring comments on my last post.
 
Finally Finished, that is what I have been stitching in the past few weeks (and no time to post).  
Last Thursday I went to Deddington in Oxfordshire to  meet up with my fellow stitching friends to do the workshops at "Stitching in the Barn". 
We all had dinner in the hotel that evening (fantastic food), it was lovely to meet old & new friends. My jaw still hurts!! we laughed so much. Jackie joined us for dinner and it was great to  meet her. She is an outstanding teacher and  a lovely person.
Thank you Jackie for making us welcome in your workshops, which I did understand, even though they are quite complicated!! and look forward to the next time :-))

Jackie teaching the Queen's Crown

On Friday morning Jackie presented a surprise workshop which we signed up for, a Queen's Crown needle case, just gorgeous and has scrimshaws inside. The instructions were very well presented because I understood it all, which is a first for me!!
Because we did get this kit in class on the day, there was no pre-stitching.

 Queen's Crown Class

We had the opportunity to buy the little accessories kit which accompanies the project. When I saw it finished, well we just have to have it :--))

In the afternoon we proceeded to learn how to assemble the Treasures of Comfort needle book, and I did finish the stitching apart from the personalisation. The instructions were very clear and in the finishing kit there are plenty of photo's to finish it.

The basket is stunning and accompanies the needle book, it is a separate item and have to figure out how to do this by myself, help help!! Does not look to difficult though, and must make time for that and leave the housework for another day.

 Sandra, Grace and Linda presented us with a wonderful goodie bag on Friday;

A threadwinder from Jackie, a lovely needle book which was made by Janet and Heather, and a pad for making notes. 

Thank you so much Grace and Sandra for all the hard work, the lunches were superb, we were impressed with the organisation and perfect setting at "Stitching in the Barn".

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Friday evening was spend in a Pie Pub, and we all ate these lovely pies and a glass of Pinot Griggio (I will speak only for myself) which was splendid and good company, Mary you should be an actress really! and lots of giggles in our room later with treasured friends, have you recovered Carol!!! :-))

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Saturday the Briar Rose workshop, we had a whole day for that, but you know how it goes, need  many more days for that to finish it. Yesterday I stitched the silk ribbon on the rim. I did  managed to do a bit of stitching by machine and finished the silk lining in class.

 I did get all the scrimshaws which will be put on the pieces and under the ribbon. In the middle is a scrimshaw which Jackie included in this project. The loose pieces will have to be machine stitched and have to get the thread before I can finish those.

We met lovely ladies from the USA, Mary Sharon & Connie (nice to meet up again Connie) thank you so much for the lovely presents you gave us. 

A silk strawberry, wooden gauge and a quarter dime, they will always remind me of you. You have been so wonderful and made me laugh a lot, hope to see you again soon.

Wishing you all a great week in London and Paris, I am sure it will be a good holiday.