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.

Sewing Geek

Make Grow Gather

Gertie's New Blog for Better Sewing

Lotta Jansdotter

Marirob

Heather Ross