Tag: #Stickers

It’s a Sticky Situation…

Hey everyone! How’s your day going? Mine has been pretty great so far. Even though it’s Wednesday and I should technically be working from home today, I needed to stop into the studio to pick up a couple of things and have yet to make it back there. I can’t say I’m surprised considering that between both our Wool and Cross Stitch Clubs, we have a full house over at The Gathering. The shop has also been super busy with all the buzz going on around here, so I’m super happy about that. You can definitely tell that the holidays are approaching as we’re starting to see more and more people working on, and shopping for future Christmas gifts. Don’t you just love this time of year? And it’s just going to keep getting better…

As usual, I’m not the only one busy as a bee here at PG. Each and every one of my staff has been hard at work helping to prepare for our upcoming annual Primitive Christmas Event, scheduled for November 17th through the 20th, 2022. If you haven’t heard of it, Primitive Christmas is an open-house event we put on every year designed to welcome the holiday season with open arms. Guests are invited to join us for fresh cookies and hot cider, Make-n’-Take projects (Thursday through Saturday), complimentary patterns (with a minimum purchase of $40.00), and more! Plus this year I’m excited to have our Red & White Challenge Quilt Show going on at the same time, so even if you’re not in the mood to shop (is there such a thing?) you’ll have plenty to look at. Not to mention, part of each $5.00 entry fee collected will go to help animals in need through the Our Pack Animal Rescue in New London, WI. It’s going to be great! We are still working out the final details, so stay tuned to the blog and my facebook pages for more information as it comes out. Also, be sure to watch upcoming episodes of both STITCH with Lisa Bongean and Shop Talk with Shelley for the latest scoop, including some sneak peeks of the projects and Make-‘n-Takes that will be there. You can tune in to STITCH with Lisa tomorrow at 1:00 p.m. CST by clicking the STITCH button below!

Have you started your Christmas shopping yet? Every year I swear I’m going to start earlier so that it’s not such a hassle at the last minute, but do you think that ever actually works out? All I can say is thank God for technology and the internet because I’m not sure how else I’d get it all done. I mean yes, I do make a considerable amount of my gifts for people by hand, but there’s no way I could make them all – I’m only one person! I guess you could say I am a tiny bit spoiled having both the shop and my boutique right here in my lap, because I certainly take advantage of them when I need to. We pretty much have everything a quilter could possibly want, but we also have a ton of unique items for the non-stitcher like home décor, jewelry, and apparel to choose from – all of which make excellent gifts. I really wish you could all visit! Obviously that’s simply not possible for everyone, so once again I’m grateful for the magic of the internet. At least you’re still able to shop with us even if you are on the other side of the country, or just stuck at home.

Speaking of shopping with PG, if you’ve made any online or in-store purchases over the last several months you hopefully noticed that we threw in an extra little bonus with your order/purchase as a way to say thanks – a custom designed Primitive Gatherings collectable sticker! Anyone who knows me at all knows I have a major sticker addiction. If you need proof just look around. I have them stuck all over everything! I have stickers on (and in) my car, covering my computer, on my bike and skis, and all over every water bottle I own – they’re everywhere! So of course, a while back I decided that we should have our own custom sticker collection here at Primitive Gatherings because, why not!? My lead graphic designer Teri and I have teamed up every month since then to come up with super cute sticker design that’s especially geared toward stitchers and other creative people. So far we have eight total designs with more where those came from. Check em’ out!Adorable, right? And just think – they were free with a purchase of over $30.00 (limit one per order/purchase) both in-store and online! We are currently in the midst of finalizing our design for December and it’s looking super cute to say the least. I can’t wait to see it done! If what you like what you see in the collection so far and want one for yourself, all you have to do is something you were most likely going to do anyway – spend $30.00 (before tax and shipping) at Primitive Gatherings!

Are you a sticker freak like me? As you know, I love to find inspiration in other creative people so I thought it might be fun to have a little contest involving our monthly stickers. If you have any ideas you’d like to see made into a future PG sticker, I’d love to see/hear them! If your design is chosen I’ll send you a nice prize for your efforts. Plus your sticker will be printed and distributed for an entire month! You can submit your ideas to my blog manager Heidi at: heidin@primitivegatherings.us.

Alright everyone, time to sneak out of here if I can manage. I have things to do! I will see you all tomorrow at 1:00 p.m. CST LIVE during STITCH with Lisa! Remember to like and comment and you might just win a prize! Tell me how your Christmas shopping is going. Have you started yet? What’s your routine? Are you a list person or do you go all willy-nilly? I’m curious. See you tomorrow! ~Lisa

lisabongean31 Comments

Stick em’ Up!

Do you love stickers as much as I do? They are seriously one of my favorite things. I have them all over the place – on my computer, my water bottles, planners – even on my sewing machines! I’m always brainstorming on my next big idea, and sticker designs come to my mind often. So often that I decided that I finally need to put all these great ideas to good use. I think you’re really going to like what I came up with…

I’m excited to announce that starting April 1st, 2022 we will be featuring a “Sticker of the Month” here at Primitive Gatherings! Each month I will feature a new custom, collectible sticker. With every purchase of $30.00 or more (order must total $30.00 before tax and shipping), you will receive one of these adorable stickers as a FREE GIFT while supplies last! Once the month is finished, stickers left over from that month will be offered for sale. We only have a limited quantity, which means when they are gone, they are gone! You can imagine my delight when the first batch of stickers was delivered here to Primitive Gatherings yesterday. Take a look at how cute they are!

I can’t agree with these words of wisdom more! I have found that in order to get ahead in life – in any aspect, creative or otherwise – we have to take risks. Not every decision you make is going to be the right one. News flash – nobody is perfect! We have to step outside of our comfort zones and push ourselves to try new things. That includes trying to get better at the things we HAVE tried, but aren’t very good at. Why are we so afraid to fail? Why isn’t it ok to really stink at something? Without risk-taking there would be no innovation, no growth, no progression! You really can’t win them all, so why not take a chance? Being wrong isn’t so bad, trust me. In fact, when it happens to me I usually end up getting an even better idea out of the results, which I then turn around and make into my next great success. That’s why I really love this sticker! Don’t let the fear of being wrong hold you back. Live your best life!

Taking risks is a huge concept in the creative world as well, and not to mention just as necessary. Do you ever feel like you’re in a creative rut that you just can’t seem to shake? I understand that, I really do! We all have the potential to fall into the trap of our own minds sometimes. I feel like one of the best solutions to get out of the rut is to surround myself with other creative people. Sometimes just being in a different environment is just the nudge I need to push my mind back onto track. That’s one of the reasons hosting retreats at The Gathering is always a treat for me. Even though I’m technically the teacher, I never leave an event without having found inspiration, or learning something new through my guests. I’m very proud of the judgment-free environment The Gathering provides, where stitchers of all ages and abilities are encouraged to come together to learn, laugh and enjoy each other’s company. Whether you’re just joining us for our weekly “Sit & Stitch,“ a day-long workshop, or a full retreat stay, there is plenty of opportunity to step outside the box to give something new a try.

If you haven’t joined us a for a retreat at The Gathering, the time to book for upcoming spring and summer retreats is now! I have an awesome week-long event coming up in May called “Tulip Festival” that I’m super excited about. We’ll be working on one full quilt, and two adorable wool projects that I can’t wait to show you!

Class runs from Tuesday through Saturday from 9AM until 4PM. Of course we’ll also be taking our exclusive behind-the-scenes tour of Primitive Gatherings and a local field trip (weather permitting) to add to the fun! We only have 5 spots lefts for stitchers, and one double occupancy room available for Tulip Festival, so if you’re thinking you want to sign up don’t wait! I suspect it will be full by the end of the week. You can reserve your spot by calling The Gathering at 920-778-8031 or via email at thegathering@primitivegatherings.us.

Speaking of The Gathering, I currently have our “Hello Spring“ event  underway. My guests are working on a couple of super cute projects just in time for St. Patricks’s Day and Easter. They include the, “17″ Pillow, and my new St. Patricks’s Day banner called, “Lucky Charm.” We’re also working on a sweet little carrot and bunny themed lap quilt called, “Nibbles.”

Pillow with shamrock and number 17, shamrock mini quilt and bunny and carrot lap quilt

Currently both the “17″ Pillow and “Lucky Charm” banner are available to purchase on our website. “17“ was designed to be easy and simple. It’s done with a cream flannel background and wools including Emerald Herringbone and Mill Dyed Natural for the appliqué. If you, or someone in your life is new to stitching or working with wool, “17” is a great beginner project that can be done easily and fast. Finished size on this lucky find is 16″ x 17.” I recommend an 18″ pillow form.Lucky 17 Pillow with cream flannel background, green wool shamrock and cream flannel 17

“Lucky Charm” is the new St. Patricks’s Day banner I made for my on-going holiday banner series. I especially love these for holiday decorating because they are not only easy to swap out for a quick change up, but they’re also really easy to store and take up almost no space to display. This one is done with cream flannel and wools including Emerald and Hunter Green. Finished size is 11 3/4″ x 11 3/4″. If you’re familiar with the series, you may already have “Believe in the Magic,“ “Love Each Other,“ and “Fall Harvest“ in your collection. If not, you can find them all available on our website. “Nibbles” is not yet available for purchase through the website quite yet because it was designed exclusively for the, “Hello Spring“ retreat. We will however, have it available in the future so please watch the blog and website for that.Square hanging banner with 8 Green Shamrocks

Ok! Time to get back to work. Jess and I are busy organizing everything I’m going to be talking about Thursday during “Stitch with Lisa Bongean“ LIVE on YouTube at 1PM CST. I have some awesome spring-themed wool mats I want to share with you, along with some of my favorite quilts that I think deserve an honorable mention. Then, as an extra special treat we’ll be introducing you to our very own Chef Erica – the little gem responsible for all the wonderful food coming out of the kitchen at The Gathering! After we pester her with the usual third degree about who she is and how we got so lucky to find her, we’ll switch it over to the kitchen where she’ll be taking us through the process of creating her signature St. Patricks’s Day Mint Chocolate Cream Puffs (yes, I’m serious)! I have a feeling we’ll be in no shortage of volunteer taste-testers on this one…

You can catch “Stitch with Lisa Bongean“ LIVE at 1PM CST every Thursday on YouTube by hitting the link below! We have a bunch of great prizes already picked out to give away during the LIVE broadcast, so be sure to leave me a comment during the show! You can also win a prize by leaving me a comment here on the blog. Remember, you can’t win if you don’t play! Tell me what you’re up to for St. Patricks’s Day! Does your family celebrate? Will you be eating corned beef and cabbage, and if so do you go out to a restaurant or make your own? Tell me all about it. I will see you tomorrow! Until then, take care! ~Lisa

 

lisabongean34 Comments