It was a cool day in more ways than one! Just a few days ago it was 90 something out and I was hanging out in shorts and enjoying Talenti Sea Salt Gelato with AlleyCat, yes she loves, loves, loves ice cream…did I say love? It just 48 hours, the temperatures dropped drastically, the rain and wind arrived and all of a sudden I am thinking sweats and chicken soup.

The other cool part of the day was I happened to take a little ride up north, just a quick 60 miles or so. Yes it was raining and I would have much rather stayed home and stitched, but I was on a mission!

I was headed to the Ritz Carlton in Laguna Niguel where Aristea was having their annual retreat. I was stopping in to say hi to Susan and to see what magic that they were creating.

I didn’t attend this year’s festivities as I had other commitments that sorta kinda got in the way.

This was the piece that they were stitching, a canvas by Patti Mann. Check out those toes!

and of course there was a little show and tell of some of Susan’s work such as…

this Santa by Brenda Stofft. Susan has been teaching this piece at many shops….check and see if it is being taught at your favorite needlepoint shop. When it is finished, it is then rolled up for that special addition to your holiday decorating.

and this piéce de résistance! I’m in love with this piece…a gingerbread house by Shelly Tribbey.

Notice how Susan works in the well with her stretcher bars? the reason is not to make it easier for ending your threads, but rather it protects your stitching from bumps and bruises. See too how the magnets are not in the stitching area? these are all things that I learn from her everytime I am around her.

Visit was over and it was time to head back home to catch a little playoff baseball.

A little chill time with the cats before I start stitching. and until next time…keep on stitching