Hey gang! Welcome back. I’m happy to report that even though it’s only about five degrees outside (with windchills around -15), the sun is shining and I’m feeling a heck of a lot better than I was just a few days ago. After keeping things fairly low-key this weekend, I think it’s safe to say that I’m on the road to recovery – even if it might take me a while to feel 100% again. Good thing too, since my Love is All You Need day retreat is only a week away! I had a blast at this event last year, plus I’m a sucker for Valentine’s Day so I’m really looking forward to this year’s shenanigans. Haven’t heard about Love is All You Need? Let me tell you all about it!
Next Tuesday, February 7th, 2023 is my annual “Love is All You Need” Valentine’s Day Retreat at The Gathering (sorry, the Saturday class is no longer available). It’s a fun-filled, Valentine-themed day class, full of creativity, friendship, good food, and of course, LOVE! We’ll start the day with Erica’s fresh-made mocha lattes and raspberry scones to help break the ice and get us in the mood for stitching. After that, we’ll spend the day working on two new projects that I recently designed exclusively for this event (class participants will be the first to see and stitch these fresh new designs before they’re available to the general public).
I know you’re probably curious about what those projects are so let’s take a look. The larger of the two projects we’ll be working on for the day is “Love Quilt.” At 80″ X 92″ “Love Quilt“ is on the bigger side for a one-day class, but also quite simple so don’t worry about the size. Big, easy blocks will make quick work of this darling quilt, making it the perfect challenge for a weekend project or new quilter.
My favorite part about this quilt is the ombre effect – or visual gradation – the hearts create as they go from light pink on the ends to dark red in the middle. As I mentioned, the large heart blocks are super simple to make and go together fast but if “Love Quilt“ seems like it’s still too large for you, no worries. We can simply adjust the size and/or the number of hearts used to your liking.
The smaller project for the day is going to be my latest wool appliqué pillow design that I so cleverly named, “Flower Heart Pillow.” It features – you guessed it! – wool appliqué flowers delicately laid out in the shape of a heart. “Flower Heart Pillow“ is literally the definition of dainty – small and pretty – making it a unique and elegant addition to your Valentine’s Day décor.
If you’ve not done wool appliqué before but have always wanted to give it a shot, now’s your chance! Come spend the day with me at The Gathering where I’ll be available for one-on-one help and advice throughout the class. Not to mention you’ll leave with a least a good start on what will be a stunning work of art you’ll be proud of in the end.
The class fee for this event is only $150 per person, which includes a “red inspired lunch” and exclusive class party favors! It will run from 9:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. at The Gathering on Tuesday, February 7th, 2023. Maybe you have a special someone you’ve been struggling to find a gift for… If not, maybe you’re single and would rather mingle with a bunch of your fellow stitching comrades than spend another Valentine’s day all by your lonesome. Either way, I’d love to have you join us! So come hang out with me next week while we stitch, laugh, learn, and eat entirely too much. It’s going to be a great time! Space is limited so please call Gloria at 920-778-8031 to reserve your spot. I can’t wait to see you there!
As much as I would LOVE it if every single one of you could make it here for retreat, I realize you can’t. That’s why in order to be able to include everyone as much as we can, I’ve decided to go ahead and make both the “Love Quilt“ and “Flower Heart Pillow“ available to pre-order now, rather than implementing our usual waiting period of several weeks to months. That means that though these projects will not ship until sometime after the retreat is over (anticipated shipping date on these items is February 14th, 2023) you will be the first to receive them once they are officially released. If that sounds like something you’d like to take advantage of, simply hit the links above to pre-order now!
I really hope you had a nice weekend. Tell me about it in the comments! Did you stitch? Stay indoors due to the cold? Or were you laid up like me? I can’t tell you how glad I am to be feeling better. Thanks again to everyone who sent well wishes – you really made it better! Even though I hate it when it happens, we all get sick sometimes and it’s nice to know I’ve got so many people backing me up when I do. Just know that I really appreciate each and every one of you! Have a wonderful evening and I will catch you soon!. Take care. ~Lisa
I wish I lived closer. I spent the weekend working on a quilt in the morning and hand stitched binding down on two quilts.
Lisa I love both the quilt and the pillow. You are an amazing designer. Thanks for keeping us busy. 🥳
That pillow is darling!
Glad you are on the mend, hope you are fully recovered soon.
I had to have a second knee replacement early last year so I prepared about 15 wool kits to work on during my down time. I hurt so bad after surgery I didn’t get any stitching done. Now I feel great and I’m stitching away. I love your kits and patterns.
Thank you!
I cut up a gazillion scraps for two scrap quilts!
Awesome Maria!
I am mourning the loss of my golden retreiver. She has been my best friend for 11 years. I can surely understand you and Nick’s loss with Jeter. I am trying to cope by stitching Meet Me In The Garden to take my mind off my little Bailey.
Glad you are on the mend.
We had 5 more inches of snow, then it got cold. I made my grand a Valentines dress and some cute undies. I also started a apron for asking friend. No pattern, just copying an apron she had. I also made sourdough bread. I am just glad to be retired and can tuck in when it gets cold. Your retreat day sounds so fun. Hope to get there 1 of these days. Love the red pillow.
Glad to read you’re feeling better. I spent time this weekend quilting a table topper. I decided to “do my best quilting” my ufos instead of letting them sit in a pile unfinished.
I received my wool box on Saturday. I sat and went through the box looking at all the beautiful projects. I can’t wait for the video to rip my background. I love everything in that box!!!!!!
Cannot wait for Tuesday class, starching my fabric and counting the days. I am currently getting my “Weave quilt” on the long arm. Only thing good about it being cold is getting things done in the house!!!!
Carrie D
Love the pillow! It’s so pretty!
Wish I could attend the Valentine event, but living about six hours away, and the ever changing weather conditions, I am a bit hesitant about the drive. Over the weekend, I began last year’s “O Say can you Sew”. It is one step at a time, as I am in the process of updating my sewing area. I look forward to your blog and check it frequently. Glad you are feeling better and look forward to the inspiration you bring to all of us.
Thank you Alice!
So happy to hear you’re back to feeling “in the pink”, just in time for the classes and your favorite holiday.
I want to let you know your staff are all extraordinary. When I had a question I called and was told to add a note to my order and they’d take care of it. I called to make sure I hadn’t caused a problem since more time than usual had passed with getting my shipping notice. My order was up for processing that very day and all was well. I was assured I had not caused a problem, the shop had been slammed with orders and returning the gorgeous red and white quilts. I can’t wait to get the order to see what backing fabric PG staff selected for my two projects. Thank you Lisa and everyone at PG.
Love the new flower heart pillow. Glorious! Wish I was closer do I could attend all the great retreats & events at the Gatherings. ❤️💔❣️
Lisa, I am SO glad to hear you are improving healthwise. This weekend during an Iowa snowstorm, I worked on my 1,152 HST for OSCYS on my new Juki …. Thank heaven I waited for this challenging step for my new machine …. Total game changer!! Plus the LauraStar is also pretty sweet too ….😉
Glad you’re feeling better and I’m looking forward to seeing you Tuesday
I’m so glad you are finally feeling somewhat better. No fun being sick and run down.
Day 8 with no power. Tree came down and ripped the power lines off our house. Haven’t been able to stitch. 🙁
Sounds horrible. Hang in there!!!
Glad to hear you’re doing better. I love the Valentine pillow. Wish I lived closer to The Gathering. Cold and a little raining but love to stitch wool and watch football. So it was an awesome weekend.
I cleaned house, then put two bindings on quilts and prepped some wool. Stitched on the dragonfly dreams…. I am so behind but trying to catch up because I am so excited about the new wool project! I am so glad I found you way back when we were in Korea! Sometime I want to make it to your shop!
It may be sub-zero this morning, but the sun is shining! My weekend had a small amount of stitching time because we celebrated my mom’s 87th birthday and a sleepover at our house with the granddaughter and favorite Auntie Kelly. I am starting a few Itty Bitty Celebrations pieces to mail to a friend and brighten her day!
Nice! What pattern or design was used to quilt “Love” ? Both are pretty & look to be fun.
Love the patterns and wish that I was close enough to come. I spent the weekend shoveling our never ending snow and doing some embroidery!
Glad to hear you are on the mend. It’s hard to imagine anything keeping you down and out for very long. Happy Stitching! Wish I could join you for the stitching event.
Ordered your wool box subscription yesterday. Spoke with customer service. Just wanted to let you know Joanne is awesome. Talked me through things very patiently. Love your designs. Wishes for speedy recovery.
Thank you. Teresa! Joanne is lovely and we’re lucky to have her!
Glad to hear you are on the “upswing” to feeling better. I lead a BOM project at the local quilt shop and spent my weekend sewing the 12th and last block for the quilt top.
If I lived near you I would be at The Gathering all the time! Love all your events advertised! Glad your feeling better!
Thank you for the wonderful show of the Red and White quilts, it was fun seeing my quilts hung and presented in such a nice way…thank you again…the new challenge sounds great…I spent the weekend sewing, eating and relaxing…! Glad to see that your feeling better…