Monday, January 31, 2011

It was a Sewing Santuary


Heather Ross's Workshop in Palm Springs was AMAZING!!  Imagine a weekend spent with a room full of fellow crafty sewists from all over AND Heather Ross, Lotta Jansdotter, Gretchen Hirsch (aka Gertie), Kelly Wilkinson and Melanie Falick.  We laughed, we printed, we ate, we lounged and we sewed.  Then we sewed some more.  My little crafty heart is so full it could burst.  Do I look sheepish and deliriously happy in these pictures?  I was!  It was like being at a secret sewing sanctuary nestled poolside, in the desert.

I was one of the first to arrive and while checking in I turned to my left...  The woman standing right next to me at the counter was the Heather Ross!  Before I had a chance to freak out (oh come on, you would have!) I introduced myself.  She was so warm and welcoming and had a sparkle in her eyes.  I was instantly at ease and so happy to be there.  

Lotta... Oh how I loved Lotta.  She was so fun to talk to!  First thing Saturday she taught a printing workshop out on the patio.  It was a lovely sunny morning and she walked us through the steps of creating a stencil and pouncing the paint onto fabric.  She's one super talented lady and a great teacher.  Once I had my stencil cut and my paint mixed I couldn't be stopped.  : )




Gretchen and I got to be roommates.  How lucky am I?  She brought a closet full of gorgeous handmade dresses.  All totally Mad Men worthy.  ; )  We both cursed the teeny tiny table top ironing board.  What is a girl to do?  She was such a big help in the sewing room.  Lots of tips, tricks and garment construction knowledge.  Her book will be released later this year from STC craft.  We all learned a lot from Gertie!!



Sometimes I just sat back and soaked it all in.  There was so much inspiration and creative goodness swirling all around me.  Heather gave a presentation on creating fabric designs and repeats.  I loved seeing her  process and watching her artwork come to life.  Melanie Falick talked to us a bit about the publishing world and what to look forward to from STC craft.  I got to thumb through a copy of the new Oliver and S book and I can't wait for the March 2011 release.  If you haven't see the preview video they did you have to check it out.  It's really cute.

The weekend flew by and before I knew it, it was time to say goodbye.  I left with a smile on my face, two *almost* finished projects (to be revealed soon) and a bunch of new friends.  Thank you Heather and Co.,  let's do it again sometime!!  : )

If you want to read even more about the weekend... see these blog posts.




17 comments:

  1. Wow! Just what you needed. What a wonderful sewing retreat.

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  2. oh my! This must have been so much fun and so inspiring too!

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  3. Sounds like you just had an awesome time....

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  4. Oh wow!! What a wonderful time you must have had!

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  5. What a great entry! It was so fun meeting you and spending such an amazing weekend together. I can't wait to see your finished items!!!

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  6. EEEEEeeeek!!! (That's about all I can get out currently)

    How much better can it get?? IT JUST CAN'T!!

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  7. Wow, this sounds like an amazing weekend! How cool to get to spend a few days learning from Heather and Lotta. And what a thrill to be roomies with Gretchen. Her clothes are fab! Thanks so much for sharing this with us!

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  8. oh you are one lucky girl! this sounds like an amazing amazing time

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  9. It looks like you had a great weekend. I wish that I had sewing friends! One day, I will convince my friends that they need to learn how to sew!

    Angie - http://craftedAngles.com

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  10. looks like a fabulous weekend! I went the first but wish I could have done both. You guys were so lucky to have the print workshop with Lotta. What a dream!

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  11. Wow Adrianne! It looks like it was an amazing weekend, and you sure fitted a lot in! I love your print design and the grogeous little dress - is it for H to wear?
    I wish I could have gone and been your room mate! A little far to travel though... ;-)

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  12. Wow, thanks for posting about this! It sounds like a blast, so glad you had a good time. Love that painted fabric (Spoonflower, here you come!).

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  13. I didn't realize you made that fabric for the dress. I am even more impressed!!

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