Wednesday, May 6, 2015

From Our Hands & Hearts~Part 1 revised


After 6 hours of driving and losing an hour with the change in time zones (which I had forgotten), I arrived at Cuyahoga National Park. The sweet town of Peninsula is situated inside this lovely park.

I was so thrilled that my Bittersweet Sister, Linda of Georgia was able to meet me there. 
(If you have been following my blog for a while, you know that there is a group of 6 stitching sisters from across the country that meet once a year. Bittersweet that we live so far apart and can't get together more often. Simply search on my blog for Bittersweet Sisters for more about our adventures...)

We drove through Peninsula the night we arrived so that we knew where to head in the morning for class and then enjoyed dinner at Fisher's Cafe & Pub. I didn't take a picture, but I have to tell you that if you are ever there, be sure to order the eggplant fries - absolutely delicious! Especially if you are an eggplant fan like me.


The next morning we arrived at the beautiful Boston Township Hall. This gorgeous building was built in 1887 and was designed by John Eisenmann. Mr. Eisenmann also designed the state flag of Ohio.


Such a lovely and unique structure. Originally a high school, I am so glad that it has been preserved.


Look at these huge old windows! Perfect for letting in lots of natural light for needlework classes.


The inside is lovely, too. Perfect to retain the history of the building.
 
Before I share about the class, I should share about "From Our Heart & Hands". I assumed that everyone knows all about it. You can read about these wonderful gatherings on their website here and their blog here.

Then it was time for my first class with the one and only Rebekah L. Smith.
Rebekah has a lovely website here and a blog here.


Here is the class project. Rebekah was so kind to have our kits all prepped so that we may sit down and start right in with the stitching.


And that is exactly what we did!
Everyone busy at  work. The class was nice and small so that we each had time to visit with Rebekah and discover what a lovely and kind woman she is inside and out!


She even gifted us with a lovely little box filled with a bit of stitcher's bee wax for waxing our threads, if we liked.


Linda, Rebekah and me.


The four hours of our first class swiftly passed and here is what I accomplished.
I was having fun visiting and didn't get as far as I should have :)
Rebekah taught us her preferred method for blanket stitching and I really like the way the thread laid. Unfortunately, as I chatted I had a tendency to slip back into my old method and then I would rip it out.
I think I have the hang of it now! 

What a marvelous morning!
I'll be back soon with the afternoon class.

"Therefore confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another, so that you may be healed. The prayer of the righteous is powerful and effective."

~James 5:16

Blessings, Patti

15 comments:

Marilyn said...

What a great building, and a great project.
Glad you could meet up with 1 of your friends.
Marilyn

Mary @ Neat and Tidy said...

Patti, I did a search and found that Peninsula is just a couple hours from my home. From what I read, it sounds like a cute little place with interesting shops. Would you mind telling a bit about what you saw in Peninsula?

Also, I would be interested in participating in an event like this. How did you find out about it?

Jacqueline said...

I did not attend any classes but went to the vendor sale on Saturday. So many beautiful and unique items. Wool to drool over and beautiful threads and kits.

Lori from Notforgotten Farm said...

Oh Patti isn't it a beautiful place? When we were at the very 1st From Our Hands Show last November, it was snowing gently and the entire town looked like a Christmas Postcard from long ago! How I wish I could have attended this event, but it coincided with the PSS Retreat ~ I am looking forward to being in Penninsula again this coming November ~ and HOW LUCKY you are to have been taught by sweet Rebekah!
Thanks so much for sharing, can't wait to read more….
Lori

marly said...

Thanks for taking some photos and sharing!

Patti said...

Hi Mary,
I just updated my blog post to include links for "From Our Hands". I'll be posting more about Peninsula in the coming days. It is very small, we visited two restaurants and two shops - although we were very busy with the classes. There are also many lovely shops in the area that I will be blogging about.
Thanks for asking!

Kathy L. said...

What a lovely building. I would love to get there this November.

Your project is so sweet. I love the little pocket.

Pamela said...

Looks like you had a great time! Love your project!
Pam

Lana Manis said...

What a wonderful time you had! I'd love to go to something like that sometime.

Rugs and Pugs said...

Rebekah is SO TALENTED!!!
So happy you had a wonderful trip to Ohio.
Hugs :)
Lauren

annie said...

Sounds wonderful!
Love the stitching!

Beth Anne said...

I am hosting a class with Rebekah Smith on June 19 th and 20th, 2015. It is being held at Wheaten Woolens in Davenport, IA. You will also have a chance to buy her art during a class or the Open House on Saturday.
See my website or Rebekah's for more information.
Beth Anne
wheatenwoolens.com

Faye said...

What a beautiful place~~ I love hearing about this class and Rebekah Smith... A true icon~

Doreen Frost said...

Hello Patti. IT was so very lovely to have meet you in Ohio. I too LOVED the Boston Town hall, such a gorgeous old fellow!

Wishing you a great day, doreen

Robin at The Primitive Hutch said...

Such a beautiful building!
Oh what fun you must of had ~ I wouldn't of got much stitchin' done either ~ gift of gap will always do that!!!
What a beautiful box you were gifted too!
Looking forward to hear more.
Blessings
Robin