Tuesday, April 13, 2010

Hi Friends,

Can you even believe that we are almost to tax-day? I'm still having trouble writing 2010, and soon we are going to be half-way through it. I don't know how it is where you are, but Spring is coming very reluctantly to my home. As you can see in my photos, the Easter weekend gifted us with a lovely blizzard bringing almost as much snow as we had all winter. That's Utah for you. Oh well, we so need the water that I can hardly complain. I think it will make 100 degrees in July that much sweeter. Not! I was surprised when I went into the back yard at the shop to see that the lilac bushes are well into bud. Now that is exciting. My trees at home look positively dead. I wish Teri could share the joy since lilacs are her favorite flowers, but we are trying to keep her from venturing out back in her tall shoes for fear that she might fall off them and become injured. We might not find her for days. If they bloom quickly, she might be safe because she has been forced to put them away for a week due to their sever pain-inflicting properties. Yesterday our printer, Ray, stopped by and began to bemoan the painfulness of his new shoes, so we are beginning to wonder if it is something going around in the shop. Hmm......just as I was contemplating a new pair of shoes myself.

This has been a busy couple of weeks here at the shop. The Retreat is nearly filled up, and we are so excited for September. We have all enjoyed seeing the names come in on the registration forms. It is always wonderful to see all our friends coming back for the weekend and also fun to anticipate meeting those coming for the very first time. This one thing I know for sure--we are going to have the best time ever. Who knows--you might get to see Teri's great shoes.

She has been busy re-arranging the shop and it looks just perfect for spring. I think that you will find pictures of her new displays towards the end of this letter. We are just waiting for the new Blackbird leaflet--A Wish for You--which is the third in their new house series. I think we have a picture of the first 2 houses already stitched by our friend, Mindi Bruner. I think they are just sweet and the third one is darling. Wait until you see it--you will just love it.

Here are some of Teri's fabulous wall displays.

This is our side wall. It is full of weddings, hearts and sweet sayings.

Here is a small sheep display for Spring.
This is the beginning of our Mother's Day and family display.

This is our center display, sweet sayings and a bit of spring. Please notice the great lunch bags in the top left corner. They come in green or rose stripe and a free pattern comes with that says, "Recycle."

Teri tells me that we are also getting a planner/calendar from Blackbird sometime this week. I am excited about it, but I can't really imagine what it is like enough to tell you, so I will re-visit this next week. Can't wait!

Another sweet picture which we have just gotten back from Jill is Plum Street's Hurray Spring. Isn't it just darling? I love how Teri put it together and how Jill framed it. I kind of want to take it home and put it on my kitchen mantel, but everyone here says no. So I have to just enjoy it here.

Another fun piece that is new for us is Count Your Blessings by Shakespeare's Peddler. It isn't very big and would work up quickly. Certainly a perfect sentiment for these days.

And finally, we are at last putting up a picture of our sweet little pin cushion--Joy. It features a little sheep--what else--perched in a heart and standing next to a silver tulip charm. This was a piece that Teri did for Nashville, and I just love it. It is a free pattern with the purchase of the tulip charm, or we also sell it as a complete kit including the overdyed silk ribbon around it.
Oh--one more thing. I don't know if you know that Carriage House designs is "closing her doors." I am so sad. I love her designs, and had a good friend call last week to order a bunch of patterns from them. When she told me, I felt bad. I have to admit that I had fun going through all her patterns looking for the ones she ordered and finding many for myself. Anyway, if you are in need of any of those patterns, let us know. I think we can get them for a couple of more months.

New mugs!! We have been able to find a few more of the sheep pin cushions! They are all $11.00.

Well, I have to go. Kari is ready to do the shipping for the day and it is almost time for me to head home. Have a great week--rain or shine--or snow. Be safe and be stitching.

fondly, Tina

PS--Here is a recipe that Teri has discovered and refined that we have all been enjoying at the shop:

Happy sort of cooking

S'More Bars

In a sauce pan heat 1/2 cup heavy creme until bubbles form around the edges. Add 1 3/4 cups milk chocolate chips. Stir until smooth and silky (off heat) and add 1 t. vanilla. In a large bowl place 3 1/2 cups mini marshmallows and 3/4 pkg of chocolate covered graham crackers broken up into smaller pieces. Pour chocolate mixture over this and stir to combine. Put into a 9 x 9" pan lined with saran or parchment. Let cool until solid again--overnight. Cut into bars. The last time she made it, she added toasted almond pieces and I liked that even better, but Teri claimed she didn't like the nut addition. So you try and see what you think. Yumm!