Stitch Away

Mother’s Bistro & Bar: Restaurant of the Year

2010-02-07T12:21:00.001-08:00

Serving up slow-cooked food featuring authentic cooking from mothers around the world -- all made from scratch with a special dish from a different mother each month! Mother’s Bistro has been named: Restaurant of the Year, Best Comfort Food, Best Brunch, Best Lunch Spot and by Food and Wine Magazine, one of “America’s Top Restaurant Bargains

The Button Emporium & Ribbonry

2010-02-07T12:20:00.001-08:00

This charming shop is a must-visit for needle workers. The store specializes in buttons, heirloom sewing, ribbon and trim, embroidery threads, ribbons, silk fabric, patterns and a variety of embellishments. Kathy visited the shop last weekend and tells me she did a little “pre-shopping.” Prior to the retreat, we will make special arrangements with the store to ensure that they are open and staffed during our free hours or during our breaks from class time. You won’t want to miss seeing this shop.

Special Drawing for all Registered by April 2nd: $120 value

2010-02-07T12:17:00.000-08:00

We’re happy to announce that all reservations deposited by April 2nd will be automatically entered into a drawing for Bongo Design’s “October 31” Needlepoint Sampler Kit, a $120 value. Drawing to be held during the retreat. (Guests who are currently registered with a deposit have already been entered.) Note: If the winner of the drawing has previously purchased this canvas or kit, they will receive $120 credit in the "Bongo Store."

Stitch In Bliss - February Newsletter for Eternity Spa Retreat

2010-02-07T12:08:00.000-08:00

Happy Valentine's Day!

Only 8 months remaining ‘till our “Stitch in Bliss” weekend with Kathy and I am getting busy with arrangements!

Kathy and I are working on the details to make the weekend super fun as well as relaxing. Until then, to keep you informed and entertained, here are some announcements and information we think you’ll want to know:

Special Drawing for all Registered by April 2nd: $120 Value
We’re happy to announce that all reservations deposited by April 2nd will be automatically entered into a drawing for Bongo Design’s “October 31” Needlepoint Sampler Kit, a $120 value. Drawing to be held during the retreat. (Guests who are currently registered with a deposit have already been entered.) Note: If the winner of the drawing has previously purchased this canvas or kit, they will receive $120 credit in the "Bongo Store."

Focus on shopping and dining in the Fiber Arts District
In each issue of this newsletter, leading up to our retreat, we’ll provide some details on what to see and do within a very short walking distance of our hotel.

The Button Emporium & Ribbonry
This charming shop is a must-visit for needle workers. The store specializes in buttons, heirloom sewing, ribbon and trim, embroidery threads, ribbons, silk fabric, patterns and a variety of embellishments. Kathy visited the shop last weekend and tells me she did a little “pre-shopping.” Prior to the retreat, we will make special arrangements with the store to ensure that they are open and staffed during our free hours or during our breaks from class time. You won’t want to miss seeing this shop.

Mother’s Bistro & Bar: Restaurant of the Year
Serving up slow-cooked food featuring authentic cooking from mothers around the world -- all made from scratch with a special dish from a different mother each month! Mother’s Bistro has been named: Restaurant of the Year, Best Comfort Food, Best Brunch, Best Lunch Spot and by Food and Wine Magazine, one of “America’s Top Restaurant Bargains”

Eternity Needlepoint Canvas Kit – Threads
Stitchers would you like to know what threads Kathy has included in the Eternity Kit?
The piece is stitched entirely in silk with Japanese glass beads.
From Kreinik, we will be using Silk Serica, Silk Bella and Silk Mori.
From Rainbow Gallery, we will be stitching with Silk Splendor.
We will add a variety of Toho Beads: seed and bugle beads, in both matt and metallic finishes.

Need a Flight, Want to Extend Your Stay in Portland?
If anyone is in need of assistance with flights to Portland, please let me know so I can assist you. Will you need a transfer to the Hotel? I have options for you to take a Hotel Shuttle or Max Light Rail. I will supply the full details as the time draws closer or you can call me anytime to make arrangements.

Hotel Monaco will honor a 3 day pre and/or post stay of our event, please contact me if you are interested in more details and pricing.

What a great Valentine gift the Eternity Stitching Retreat would be… For yourself? For someone you know?

Does that someone special in your life need a hint as to what you would like? (Or, perhaps you and a friend will want to gift each other the retreat…)

Kathy & Gina

Needle Artist Spa Retreat ~ Eternity, Thank You Gift

2009-12-21T19:16:00.001-08:00

Our way of saying thank you for reserving a place for the Spa Retreat. A bottle of Aveda Lotion compliments of Hotel Monaco, Kathy of Bongo Design and Gina of Travel Counsellors.

Needle Artists Spa Retreat ~ Eternity ~ December Newsletter

2009-12-08T19:31:00.000-08:00

As Gina informs me of the recent flurry of sign ups, I’m getting excited about my Eternity Retreat next October. Sounds like a long time from now, right? But when I think of the stitch guide to be written and developed, the kits to be assembled and the myriad details to be worked out, I believe the next ten months are going to fly by.

In my life I strive for a balance between developing new ideas and directions and completing what I’ve begun. The Eternity project was once a new idea I had about designing a canvas that communicated a specific theme with some depth of thought and expression, rather than one that is light in nature. I also wanted to design something beautiful, rather than whimsical and I wanted to challenge myself with designing in a monochromatic color scheme. (If you know my work, you know I use color in a big way.)

With this piece I am exploring the theme of the beauty found in the eternal cycles of life. I wanted to remind the viewer (and myself) that we are all a part of the whole. To deliver this message, I employed the elements of: earth, air, fire and water; the four seasons; and Kanji, translated as “Eternity”.

To stay within my design guidelines of a monochromatic palette, I chose black, white and gray. Then I added gold as my accent color. Because we in the needlepoint world “paint” with threads, gray can become silver and any color can be stitched in a matt, shiny or metallic thread. While a challenge to “do it right,” I discovered that working with a monochromatic palette was anything but limiting or boring. I then worked the design in a variety of interesting stitches and beads and it became not just another piece of needlepoint, but to my mind, a work of art.

As a footnote, the completion of Eternity spawned a whole new line of Asian-inspired designs and yep, they are all very colorful. Some things never change.

Happy Holidays,
Kathy Paterson
Bongo Designs

Needle Artists Spa Retreat ~ Eternity ~ October Newsletter

2009-12-08T19:25:00.000-08:00

Happy Halloween!

We have some spook-tacular details to share with you about next year’s needlepoint spa retreat!

We’re looking forward to a blissful three days of stitching with Kathy Paterson and her elegant “Eternity” canvas, October 22-24, 2010 at Hotel Monaco and Aveda Spa in Portland Oregon. This limited-space retreat is designed to provide you with a wonderful stitching experience with lots of opportunities to relax, indulge and enjoy.

We’re excited to announce that on Saturday night, Oct. 23, we’ll transport the group from our hotel to a nearby wine and cheese reception at Needlepoint Plus, hosted by owner Cindy Humbard. Cindy, Needlepoint Plus and Cindy’s finishing work have been featured in the September/October 2009 issue of Needlepoint Now for “Boo Kitty” stitch guide and finishing; and in November/December 2006 for “Finishing Challenge.” Cindy has a wonderful shop and plenty of ideas for all your needlepoint stitching and finishing needs.

After the reception, we’ll move on to the Cheesecake Factory for a no-host dinner and more surprises. Our goal is to pamper and delight you each day of the retreat -- stay tuned for more details as we get closer to the date.

If you haven’t done so already, mark your calendar and sign up now to be with us in Portland, October 22-24, 2010. You can secure this exclusive weekend with a deposit of $150. Contact Gina at 541-610-6719 or email gina.wearin@travelcounsellors.com to receive additional information.

Have a happy haunted stitching weekend,
Gina

Bongo Designs

2009-11-18T13:46:00.000-08:00

This is "Beautiful" Kanji

Bongo Designs

2009-11-18T13:39:00.000-08:00

I thought it might be a good idea to share some of Kathy's other designs to get a feel for her work
This painted canvas design is "Asian Squares"

Wine & Cheese Reception for Needle Artist Spa Retreat

2009-10-31T15:23:00.000-07:00

We’re excited to announce that on Saturday night, Oct. 23, we’ll transport the group from our hotel to a nearby wine and cheese reception at Needlepoint Plus, hosted by owner Cindy Humbard.

Needlepoint Plus and Cindy’s finishing work have been featured in Needlepoint Now Magazine:
September/October 2009 issue for “Boo Kitty” stitch guide and finishing
November/December 2006 issue for “Finishing Challenge”

Cindy has a wonderful shop and plenty of ideas for all your needlepoint stitching and finishing needs.
After the reception, we’ll move on to the Cheesecake Factory for a no-host dinner and more surprises.

Stay tuned for more details to be announced!

"Eternity" Needle Artists Spa Retreat

2009-10-31T15:12:00.000-07:00

October 22nd to 24th 2010 at Hotel Monaco in Portland, OR

Explore the theme of beauty in the eternal cycles of life

The elements: Earth, Air, Fire and Water

The four seasons: Winter, Spring, Summer and Fall

A monochromatic palette of white, black and silver accented with gold and beads

An Exclusive Design from Kathy Paterson of Bongo Designs

From $523.00 per person* and includes:
~ 3-day's instruction featuring Kathy's new and exclusive design
~ 2-night's lodging (tax included), Downtown Portland Boutique Hotel with Art Gallery
~ Complete Kit #18 hand-painted canvas, all silk threads, Japanese beads and color stitch guide

Explore Porltand's Fiber Arts District all within walking distance
Indulge yourself with in-room Spa services or visit the Aveda Spa on site.
(Additional costs not included and are the responsibility of the traveler)

Visit a Needlepoint Store, a Knitting Shop, Button Emporium & Ribbonry.
Enjoy a walk along the Willamette River or the Rose Gardens with a view of Mt. Hood

*Based on double occupancy, single rates and commuter pricing available.
***Cancellation with full refund up to August 6, 2010. There will be no refunds after that date but you may find someone to take your place***
***make your reservation today with a $150.00 Deposit, 2nd Deposit of $150.00 due by March 3, 2010 ~ Final Payment due by August 6, 2010.

Finished Pieces

2009-01-23T22:27:00.000-08:00

I took 17 pieces to the Needlepoint Shop in Portland this week for finishing!
17 pieces - my goodness, I figured I had pieces completed from 2005 that were waiting to be finished.
I told her to finish one a month so the bill wouldn't be huge and hopefully the husband wouldn't be any wiser - isn't that a terrible thing to say!

I'll post the completed pieces as they arrive

I'm really looking forward to seeing the Cowboy Picture Frame for Cody and the the Candy Corn Family (5 pieces) to display for Halloween!

I'm thinking of donating a few of the pieces to raffle/auction off for fundraisers here in La Pine. Will see how that goes.

TTFN,
Gina

Cody

2008-10-12T19:39:00.001-07:00

Cody and Chad went to the Exotic Car Show in Sunriver prior to picking me up at the airport on my way home from seminar in Indian Wells.

Opportunity Baskets, ANG Seminar Indian Wells

2008-09-21T11:47:00.000-07:00

Boy, have I been neglecting my blog - last posting was January 2008.

I wanted to share the results of the Opportunity Baskets at Seminar in Indian Wells. We sold 8,164 tickets which means we raised $8,164.00 for the Educational Programs of ANG.

I really enjoyed Seminar and my first year as the Chairperson for the Opportunity Baskets. I have learned so much in the last year and I promise that Milwaukee will be just as spectacular.

Meeting people in person that I had been emailing with for a year was great - it was like seeing an old friend.

I will attempt to keep the blog more updated with everything going on.

Gina

Wine Country Chapter, ANG

2008-01-25T15:20:00.000-08:00

Presidents Challenge 2008
List of UFO's to complete

Furth Sampler
Pepper – Candy Corn Family - finished Jan. 2008
Summertime – Margaret Bendig
Mystery Sampler – Gay Ann Rogers
Cobblefield Road – Cyber Class – Ro Pace
Unveiling by Stitch Elegance
Airplane – painted canvas
Christmas Mitten – Gay Ann Rogers
Beaded Halloween – Gay Ann Rogers
Raspberry Sorbet – Gay Ann Rogers
Hawaiian Beach – Lois Kershner
Dog Days – In Good Company – painted canvas

Southwest Sampler by Margaret Bending in Needlepoint Now

2008-01-10T18:48:00.000-08:00

I was so excited when I received the January issue of Needlepoint Now yesterday. On the cover was Margaret Bendig's "Southwest Sampler", Margaret taught this to the Wine Country ANG Chapter in July of 2006.
I really enjoyed this piece and my first class from Margaret. I only made two adjustments - I was unable to get the technique down for the Ceylon stitch used on the Cactus so I used the Double Cross Stitch which was the same stitch used on the Cactus for the Name Tags at Seminar in Tucson. Then for the outer border I used Turquoise Beads, in the center.
The picture has gone back to the framers though because the Mat is not right.

I am now working on Margaret's "Summertime" in the Geranium color way.

Don't miss out on taking a class from Margaret she is a wonderful person.

Gina

“Get Crafty in Portland's Fiber Arts District”

2007-12-06T08:11:00.000-08:00

Just finished reading a small article in the December 2007 issue of Sunset Magazine –
“Get Crafty in Portland's Fiber Arts District” http://www.sunset.com/sunset/travel/article/0,20633,1683157,00.html

The article reviews that in a 4 block radius there is a needlepoint shop, bead shop, button & ribbon emporium, etc...

Merry Christmas!
Gina

Daisy Flowered Heart

2007-11-07T20:18:00.000-08:00

I just received the finished piece back from Cindy at Needlepoint Plus in Tigard, Oregon. She did an excellent job and the price was even better. I've been robbed by other places that have done my finishing and the quality was poor. I will be sending her quite a few more items after Christmas that I have been stashing away - The other Stash Pile. Thank you, Cindy.

Cody - Halloween 2007

2007-11-01T20:25:00.000-07:00

King of the Jungle!

Cody - Halloween 2007

2007-11-01T20:19:00.001-07:00

"Ferocious Lion" a.ka. Cody - Trick or Treating at Dad's work - Mid State Electric Co-op.

Opportunity Baskets

2007-10-24T16:25:00.001-07:00

I forgot!
I received our first monetary donation towards the opportunity baskets for Indian Wells the other day. Yippy Skippy!

Personal Travel Counsellor

2007-10-24T16:17:00.000-07:00

I made it back from New Jersey and training. I am so excited about being back in business for myself and Travel Industry again. I have renewed excitment, this is a wonderful company and they offer amazing tools and technology for me to take care of my clients and there travel wishes in the manner I want to. They offer unsurpassed support to the home based agents so we can focus on our business better and take care of the clients more attentively.

So as you can imagine with starting my travel business back up and becoming the new opportunity basket coordinator I haven't found much time to stitch. And of course, I added to my stash by purchasing 2 heart kits from Gay Ann Rogers during her E-Merchandise Sale - Don't Tell the Husband! I'm stopped at window #3 on the Redwork Mystery Sampler and row #3 on Cobblefield Road, Ro's ANG CyberClass.

I'll try to start making a weekly post and add photos.
Gina

Travel Counsellors

2007-10-12T15:05:00.000-07:00

I'm flying to New Jersey on October 15th to start training with Travel Counsellors so I can start working from home as a travel agent again. I'm very excited about this company, they offer so much more than the previous company I was with and it gives me a much broader range of services to offer to my clients.

I'm also hoping to start offering Stitch Away Retreats (hence the name of my Blog) - for Needlepointers, Stitchers of all Types of Needlework, Knitters, Quilters.

I would like to offer weekend retreats to getaway and stitch and relax. On occassion we will have a National Teacher come to teach a small piece for us. The possibilities are limitless and if you have any ideas you would like to share please let me know and will try to put them into action.

Happy Stitching!

Gina

Opportunity Baskets

2007-10-04T14:30:00.000-07:00

Well here I go - I am the new Coordinator for the Opportunity Baskets at ANG National Seminar. I'm excited and a little nervous, keeping my fingers crossed it all works out.
Don't be surprised if I ask for help and remember the Baskets are a Fund Raiser so all the monies earned from the sale of the raffle tickets goes towards Educational Programs.

Figuring this Blogging Thing Out!

2007-10-02T15:40:00.000-07:00

Well I'm slowly figuring out how to become a blogger and post pictures. I've been playing around quite a bit and looking at other stitchers blogs and wondering now how did they do that.
Hopefully I can keep this update so everyone can see what progress I'm making and whats going on in La Pine, Or.

Anasazi Song - Carol H. Lake

2007-10-02T15:38:00.000-07:00

"Southwest Sampler" by Margaret Bending

2007-10-02T15:35:00.000-07:00

Class taught at ANG Wine Country Chapter in July 2006

"Golden Opportunity" by Nancy Cucci

2007-10-02T15:31:00.000-07:00

Pilot Class taken in April 2007 held by Willamette ANG in Eugene, Or.

Quadrille - Laura J. Perin

2007-10-02T15:28:00.000-07:00

Variegated Color Dance

2007-09-17T16:33:00.000-07:00

Hi

Well here it goes, this is my attempt at having a blog and sharing with others my needlework pieces and progress, etc...
So be patient with me as I work this all out.

Gina