Hey everyone – happy Valentine’s Day, 2025! How’s the big day going for you so far??? Did your Valentine hit the nail on the head this year, or did you end up with gas station candy again? Do tell! Either way, your Valentine’s Day isn’t quite over yet because unless you already grabbed it yesterday, I’ve got one more Valentine in store for you… Now through this Sunday, February 16th, 2025, I’m giving away a FREE pattern download for my exclusive 2025 Valentine’s Day pillow project, “Forever Love.”

Have you seen this piece of Valentine’s Day eye candy yet? “Forever Love” is a beautiful love-themed 18″ x 18″ pillow that is done using Primitive Gatherings Hand Dyed Wools appliquéd onto our soft and buttery flannel. This pillow was designed with two possible versions in mind, including one that features a variety of valentine colors and fancy stitches, while the other is a more simple, single color option. Which one do you like best? Get started on your own version of “Forever Love” by clicking the button below!

Can’t decide which version of “Forever Love” is your favorite? The sweetest thing about this project is that there is enough fabric and wool in the kits to create both styles shown. All you will need to provide is the backing fabric and a 20″ x 20″ pillow form for stuffing – all of which are available on our website by clicking HERE!

Now – the fact that it’s Valentine’s Day means that it’s already mid-February – which also means we’re knee-deep in winter here in WI, with no end in sight. Sure, the days are getting bit longer, and warmer temperatures tease us with their periodic appearances, but let’s be honest – spring is still just a rumor at this early point in the year. To get our hearts set on warm weather being here to stay prematurely is only setting ourselves up for disappointment. The old saying that March comes in like a lion and out like a lamb is usually only partially true for us up here in Wisco… A lot of years it’s more like in like a lion, OUT like a lion, with crazy weather all over the board for the entire month, and often times into April. In other words – the real slop is yet to come!

How are you holding up? Has winter gotten the best of you yet, or are you staying content and cozy waiting for warmer days with a stitching project in your lap? If you’re in a similar environment as we are here at PG, and need a break from staring out the window at an endless sea of blaaa, I’ve got just the thing to distract you with – an overnight retreat at The Gathering!

I cordially invite you to quit focusing on the weather, and join us at The Gathering on March 21st & 22nd, 2025 for a special little getaway where you can escape the monotony of winter, spend time with your fellow stitching enthusiasts, and maybe actually put a dent in a UFO or two!

Sip, Sew, Shop, & Stay retreats are all about sewing, sewcializing, doing some shopping at your favorite quit shop, and taking a load off. You might even get something done! The best part? There’s no cooking, no cleaning, no responsibilities. Just you, your machine, a handful of other stitchers with a similar goal, and a chance to get away to unwind – even if just for a day! Sound good? Here are the details!

• EVENT: Friday, MARCH 21st – SATURDAY, MARCH 22nd, 2025

    – CHECK-IN: Friday at 9:00 a.m. – CHECK-OUT: Saturday by 3:00 p.m.

• EVENT FEE: $200.00 per guest – Includes lodging, all meals, a Primitive Gatherings wine tumbler, open sew sewcial time with snacks and goodies, and daily homemade treats (bring your own wine and spirits)!

* Quad, triple, double, and single rooms are available for this event!

Ready to sign up??? Online registration isn’t available for this one, so call The Gathering at 920-778-8031 to reserve your spot. If you have any questions you can always call, or shoot us an email at thegathering@primitivegatherings.us. We’re always happy to help!

Speaking of winter not going anywhere anytime soon… If Weatherman Chase is as accurate with his weekend storm forecast as he has been with the last few, it sounds like we’re in for a real treat!!! Both WI and MI, along with portions of MN, IA, IN, and IL should all be getting measurable snow, with 4″-8″ expected in our immediate area tonight through late Saturday night. Some areas are predicted to see an inch of snowfall per hour at times. Yikes!

Of course, it’s too early to tell whether or not this “weather event” will turn out to be one for the books or just another tease – time will tell. That being said, if you are local and planning to make a stop out to the shop this weekend, PLEASE check our recent Facebook page posts to make sure that we are open! Pending on the weather, I will be making the decision on what our hours will be before we open tomorrow, so again – please check! I don’t want anyone making the trip for no reason. Drive safe and stay warm everyone. I’ll see you all next week! ~Lisa