What do you do when a Zombie invites you to her stitching group? Which just happens to be a beautiful three hour drive north? You pack your bags and hit the road that's what you do!! I still can't believe I was there. Getting to meet Monica, her friends, and her wonderful family was such a treat. Let's start at the beginning.
Upon arrival, Monica, my girls, and I met the stitching ladies for tea. We left my dear husband and Cowgirl Rosie at the hotel for t.v. cuddle time.
Big sis was sure to bring Josie, her Blythe doll, who has been eagerly waiting to meet Monica's mini Blythe, Triskit. Josie just had to try on Monica's camera case, which is a mini backpack. It's the cutest camera case in the world!
Tea time was full of yummy treats, and lots of laughs. Monica's friends were all so welcoming to my girls and I. I even found out that a couple of the ladies read my blog! That was so nice to hear. A special shout out to my girl Blop!!! Wooooowooooo!!!
Josie had a change of outfit mid tea. I think she was eyeballing Blop's scone.
The kid food was so cute! And we all loved this plate. I wasn't quick enough to slide it into my bag.
After tea we headed out to Karen's studio for the redwork stitching group. It was so fun, and a bit overwhelming (in a good way). Every detail of Karen's home and studio were divine. She is such a kind and welcoming lady, and has a beautiful smile! I hope I wasn't too annoying with all of the pictures I was taking. I took lots and still didn't take quite enough!
While stitching, there was show and tell around the table. There were gorgeous quilts and beautiful stitching projects, and me walking around with my camera.... sorry ladies.
Here's my show and tell. Finished cottages! Woohooo!! And look, Karen's butterfly shirt matches her studio. She's a snappy dresser!
Linda stitched her name on the pocket of her apron, when she was 5. So cute.
Little Sis's stitching. She loves pie.
Big Sis stitching away.
I loved this lady. I have to ask Monica what her name is again. She had THE BEST laugh! One of those laughs that makes you laugh each time you hear it. And she's a talented quilter and stitcher. I keep saying 'stitching'. Should I be saying 'embroidery'? I like saying 'stitching' so there.
Monica is even MORE sweet and funny as you would imagine her to be. She's always cracking up. I love that about her.
Can you believe this studio? Karen has really done an amazing job with it. She's a wonderful fabric designer and had shelves of her fabrics for sale. If I wasn't so overwhelmed I would have done some shopping. Next time! Next was a tour of her beautiful home.
I didn't take too many pictues inside the house. Oh I would have if I knew Karen a little better. I didn't want to be some weird girl that she just met snapping away pictures of the inside of her house. But, I did take a picture of this. I almost fainted when I saw her kitchen. And this fridge. I want one of these!!
You'll never guess what's in the woods behind the house. A little mini cabin for the grandkids. My girls couldn't believe their eyes.
After visiting the enchanted cabin, we walked through the backyard, and then back to the car. This was SO much fun. Thank you Monica, and Karen for sharing her lovely studio and home.
In the next installment..... a visit to Happy Zombie's studio. Can you imagine?! It was FABULOUS!!!! I'm a lucky girl. See you tomorrow! x
Wow. Just WOW.
And hey! That's Over The River! I'm working on that quilt today in fact.
Posted by: Missy Ann | June 23, 2009 at 12:53 PM
http://anyonecanquilt.typepad.com/.a/6a00e54ffa175d88340115705431be970c-pi
can you tell us more about this picture? do you know about the pattern? I *love love love love love* them... seasonal! so wonderful!
Posted by: CBear | June 23, 2009 at 01:12 PM
I can't even imagine having a studio like that. The lighting is wonderful! I am drooling over those shelves of fabric. What a great opportunity for you!
Posted by: Trisha | June 23, 2009 at 01:13 PM
I've never seen anything like it before, what an incredible studio.
Posted by: maria | June 23, 2009 at 01:19 PM
I see what you mean about overwhelming (in a good way). Wow - I love that studio, I love all those quilts, I love the fridge, and the mini cabin... I'm swooning! I can hardly catch my breath!
You are so lucky, lucky, lucky!
Posted by: Rachel | June 23, 2009 at 01:36 PM
Oh my goodness. I think my mouth would have been hanging open. Too much beauty for one post and TEA too!
Posted by: Stephanie | June 23, 2009 at 01:53 PM
It was so nice to meet you and your girls. Your pictures of Karen's studio were wonderful.
Robin
Posted by: Robin | June 23, 2009 at 03:43 PM
What a magical day (and night!) that was. So much fun we had, and your girls are the best girls in the whole wide world! THe ACQ family is just the best. The best of the best. Though, the ACQ family has one flaw... well, more like 3 flaws... a flaw for each hour that you live so far away!
I loved my gifites too... thank you so much. ANd how funny that "Coffee Time" was so fitting since I had coffee instead of tea - at tea! I love the pic of me (not a common sentence to come from my mouth) - and I love that Karen is not amused at whatever I'm cracking up about. Hahahahaha.
I <3 ACQubees! <--- That sound really good in my head... my lame attempt at I heart Huckabees.
Posted by: happy zombie | June 23, 2009 at 03:49 PM
PS, sweet sweet lady with the darling laugh is Loretta.
Posted by: happy zombie | June 23, 2009 at 03:51 PM
Wow...how lucky are you! There's so much here in this post! Can't wait for part 2!
Posted by: sherri | June 23, 2009 at 05:44 PM
You know, I could totally see you and Monica being buds. You both have great senses of humor and happy attitudes toward life. Now if we could just add *me* to the mix somehow...!
Karen's studio is like the nicest quilt shop I've ever seen. Looks like a fun group! And how cool your girls were there to stitch as well! So glad you had a fun trip. Beautiful, beautiful pictures! Can't wait to see more!
Posted by: Jen in NY | June 23, 2009 at 06:02 PM
OhmygoshOhmygoshOhmygoshI'mhyperventilatingoverhereican'tbelieveyougottomeetSW1!!!!!
AAACCCCKKKKKKK! It looks like a fabulous day -- what lucky, lucky girls you ALL were!!!
Posted by: Thimbleanna | June 23, 2009 at 07:12 PM
Ohandiforgot.Breath. . . As a person who loves thistles, that thistle water pitcher is fabulous!
Posted by: Thimbleanna | June 23, 2009 at 07:14 PM
Seriously I could cry. I am crying. I want to be there! I've never ever in my life seen a studio like that. On my first glance through the post I thought it was a quilt store. Then I thought no! It can't be a studio. Who is this Karen and why is she not my best friend!!! Orange and turquoise swooon. Be still my fat little heart. Seriously. Oh my gosh Sarah. I could only dream of a trip like this. I am in shock and I want to be that cute little doll and come along. Can't wait for more! My dream is to meet Monica. I'm not star struck by people like Angelina or Brad. I'm star struck by people like you, Monica, Pam . . . need I go on? I'm a total groupie. And now this Karen just may have a stalker!
Posted by: Nanette | June 23, 2009 at 08:06 PM
Everything about this post is fantastic and beautiful! I just wish that we lived closer and I could enjoy all of this with you in person! What a treat to get to share through all of your journaling! How fabulous to see the ladies with needle in hand too! Be still my heart!!!!
Posted by: mts | June 23, 2009 at 08:53 PM
This was such a delightful post!!
Your photography as always...sends me over the edge!!
Thank you for stopping by Sarah...and tea? anytime!!!
Posted by: HOPE | June 23, 2009 at 09:08 PM
WOW!!!
What a wonderful long post, with wonderful persons and pics. You lucky girl, you!!!
I can´t wait to see more and I wish I could stay there with you!
Hugs,
Sabine B. xxxx
Posted by: Sabine | June 23, 2009 at 09:49 PM
i love the pincushion that holds the spools of thread and looks like a flower... is that a pattern somewhere?
Posted by: jaybird | June 24, 2009 at 06:00 AM
OH MY.....all the orange 'thingies'...AND all the other good 'thingies'...!!!
Posted by: belinda | June 24, 2009 at 06:39 AM
OMG!!!!I am so jealous!......Looks like the most FABULOUS day!
Thanks for sharing and letting us drool over everything!
BTW-Love the Blythes!
Posted by: Stefanie | June 24, 2009 at 06:51 AM
What a wonderful bunch of eye candy! What I wouldn't give for a studio like that. Thanks for sharing.
Posted by: Susan Ramey Cleveland | June 24, 2009 at 07:34 AM
wish i was there, too! what fun and your daughters got to go! ☺ your pics are always so gorgeous...come here for a photo shoot soon?????!!!!!
Posted by: t | June 24, 2009 at 08:44 AM
WOW!!! We are so lucky that you are Camera Happy! One doesn't get to see things like this often enough. and to actually have been there. I love that studio.. and thank you for all the wonderful close-ups of the vintage double wedding ring.. that was awesome!
Posted by: Eileen | June 24, 2009 at 11:07 AM
Is this her HOME studio? So not fair! Really. Even if I did enjoy the pictures - and I definitely did. Wow. Just wow.
Posted by: Gwendie | June 24, 2009 at 12:23 PM
It was a wonderful day, wasn't it?? Meeting you and your daughters (lovelies, they are like their mama) and to have tea, too! So glad that you were able to come to Redwork, too! It is always a fab time, hopefully, you can come again!
Great shots of tea, the studio, the quilts, the gals....very nice camera work, my dear!
Posted by: blop | June 24, 2009 at 08:44 PM