Sew. Much. Fun

I am at summer camp!!  This week I am with 20+ like-minded crazy women individuals and fabulous teachers for a stitching extravaganza.  It is Country Sampler’s (Spring Green, Wisconsin) Grand Olde Flag event.  Unlike some of my table-mates this is my first time partaking of a Country Sampler event.  I certainly understand why so many come back time and time again.  Let’s try a visualization exercise…close your eyes and imagine six full days of quilting and stitching workshops with Paula Barnes (front row, right), Linda Lautenschlager (front row, left), and Carol Hopkins (front row, second from right) along with an incredible hostess, Jeanne Horton (front row, second from left).  Are you picturing it?  Okay, now add in breakfast, lunch and dinner everyday, kits for every class packaged with ribbons and extra treats, space to cut and sew and press from morning ’til night and tell me what you think.  Heaven?  You betcha!!  Wait a minute, I forgot to add that you are doing this at the Country Sampler store in Spring Green, Wisconsin.  If you need a break you can wander over to the shop and browse the shelves of fabrics and drool over the complementary decorating items for sale.

The first workshop was with Paula Barnes, fabric designer for Marcus Fabrics and pattern designer with Red Crinoline Quilts.  The  pattern is Sampler Star by Paula and the fabrics were selected by Country Sampler staff with their impeccable aesthetic for combining country/primitive fabrics that result in a completely modern combination.  That red sashing in the middle of the class model is from Paula showing us an alternate idea.  Going this dark in fabric choices isn’t something I would have braved without a push but I am so thrilled to get the chance to try it and love the way my own top is turning out.

After a full day of sewing on day 1, Paula treated us to a trunk show of her quilts.  I love hearing the stories behind the designs.

Did I mention the food here was de-lish?!?  Yesterday we trooped over to a local restaurant for a Greek pasta salad lunch, followed but some chocolate treats awaiting us on our sewing machines when we returned and then dinner was a lip-smacking chicken and rice casserole, phyllo wrapped asparagus, green salad, homemade rolls and strawberry shortcake.  I know I am repeating myself but what beats quilting all day and not having to cook?  Uh, not much.  Today, after pancakes for breakfast and healthy nibbles at lunch we had an early salad with shrimp and homemade chicken soup at another local restaurant.  Then, this evening we were treated to root beer floats in mason jars and s’mores over a real fire.  I took my picture after the treats were scooped up but you get the picture.  As anyone who uses Pinterest can tell you, everything is more fun to eat from a mason jar!

One more photo of the event hostess/organizer (Jeanne in the front) along with our great teachers.  My next post will show the wonderful cross-stitch project by Linda.  I wasn’t even a cross-stitcher until I saw the project we had in store.  Now it’s time for bed.  Breakfast is at 8am.