Pit Stop before the Grace Notes Retreat 🛑

Brenda and I took a little detour on our way to the Grace Notes Retreat at the HodgePodge Cross Stitch, in Strasburg, PA.

Colleen mentioned that Marcia would be open on Sunday after the retreat for those of us that would be able to stop by on our way home. But we decided to go on the way since we knew we probably wouldn't have enough time on Sunday.

What a lovely shop! So many lovely things to look at.

There were even some antique items for sale.

As hard as it was, I contained myself and only bought these two sweet charts. I had never seen anything by Stitches by Ethel before, so many cute patterns!

And I also got this holder I've seen others with. There is a bigger one, but I like the small one.

Our next quick stop was at the Strasburg Antique Market, just down the road from the shop.

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So many precious needlepoint and cross stitch pieces. Nice to see, but sad at the same time.

And you wouldn't be in Lancaster County if you didn't see at least one Amish Buggy.

This one looks like their version of an open pick up truck!

The 2nd Grace Notes Retreat 🎶

So I'm a month behind, but the Grace Notes Retreat 2024 last month was super funtastic! 

This little guy was cute, but he was a PITA!

But even with his "help" I was able to finish!

This was Kate Stitcher's design in last year's book, using Grace Notes Fabric.

I did change the colours, I used what I had already.

Colleen taught several classes on lacing, she did a great job!

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Although I didn't have the correct supplies, I helped my friends and here is Annette (Mind your Needle) with hers. Looking good!

The group that took the lacing classes.

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They had some really crazy people in that hotel! 😆

And here's the fabric - OMGoodness, so many beautiful colours.

If you've never seen Grace Notes Fabrics, you're missing out!

Charts for sale.

And then there were the trade tables.

Once again, I found way more than I needed.

I would show you what I found, but I put it away already.

And what sweet friends I have, I was given this adorable bee and gorgeous dragon.

Our group went out to dinner and I "had" to drink this spiked bath water so Annette could get the tub!

And here's our table, a fun time with this lot!

Here's the whole group at the retreat.

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And here we are, the Maryland stitchers!🦀

This year's Quilt Raffle, once again made by dear Sheri. Isn't it gorgeous?

This year, $1500 was raised! It was split between the Breast Cancer Research Foundation and Precious Life.

And again, she made needle books for EACH one of us! I think about 150?

Gifts from friends, stitchy friends are the best!

Some of these were in the goodie bag.

I won the last year's cup, I love it.

And this is what I purchased. I didn't get very much, but only because I have enough fabric to last me quite a while.

I got these too, two fun thread beds from Shiba Designs.

And before we knew it, it was Sunday and time to go home. Until the next time, ladies... this week as a matter of fact, for our next retreat together!

A Lovely Sponge! 😋

I know this was yesterday, but I do love sponge cake and I just started making them.

This was my first attempt, for my DH's birthday last month. 

I totally wasn't paying attention to the recipe and didn't use self rising flour or baking powder. 

Can you tell?! It came out of the oven the same size as it went in!

It wasn't terrible, but it definitely could have been better.

I

Then I made this one last week for a weekend getaway with friends.

Ah, so much better! Next time I think I'll make a regular one instead of chocolate. 

Has anyone ever made a lemon sponge?

While we were with our friends, three of us decided we needed tea, and it was wonderful.

 

Fully Finished Gallery - August 2024 🖼

 Welcome to Rachel's 

Fully Finished Gallery SAL for August 2024.

Back to my normal, almost too late, self!

Here is August framed, I think September will still look good in this?

I've been looking for a fall/winter one, but I haven't found anything yet.

This sweet piece is from Kate Stitcher. It was in the Grace Notes retreat booklet last year. I used their fabric and changed the colours to go with it.

I modge podged this wooden piece with a fall napkin and painted the post and bottom. I thought you would be able to see it from the front, but the stitched piece was too big. It can be seen from the back and I've thought about adding something Halloween there so I can turn it around. We'll see.

And here it is with a small display, getting ready for a fabulous fall. It feels like it tonight, nice and cool, the bedroom windows are open!

I'm once again way behind on my blog reading and replying to comments, one of these days I'll catch up!

But be sure to check out the others and their finishes, I hope to get to them tomorrow.