Well, Madrona Fiber Arts Retreat was really awesome in spite of some unusual coincidences.

First, I was going to take off for Tacoma Wednesday morning when we got a snow storm! I dropped the kids off at school, which is in a very hilly area. I was re-routed to the Washington State University campus where they made us wait until the snow cleared the hills which are at the entrance and exit to the campus. The kids school (The Gardner School) is on the East side of the campus. I waited for about an hour and a half for them to clear the streets so I could escape to Madrona.

Here's the view from the deck (not too bad here) and then the view at the WSU campus where I was stranded.

Of course, as it is here in the Pacific Northwest lowlands, the snow melted by noon. So, I finally got out to Madrona.

On Thursday I took class with Anita Luvera Mayer. Anita is an internationally recognized weaver and versatile fiber artist, designer and author. She was first introduced to weaving in 1955 when her mother-in-law gave her a floor loom as a wedding gift. Her focus on weaving contemporary garments began in 1972 and she has focused the last 12+ years of her work about women's stories. Although she still weaves, her creative fiber work has evolved to include many types of innovative surface design techniques as well as incredible beadwork, embroidery, freeform knitting and crochet. Anita's garment collection, Women of the World, featuring ethnic designs from the traditions of many countries, is currently touring galleries in the US.

Here are some pictures of her garments. We got a fabu up-close-and-personal look. My favorite one is the first one pictured here. It's called Renewed/Reborn.

In Anita's words...

"Recycling cloth fragments by stitching them into a whole cloth has been practiced in Japan for centuries. The resulting garments represent to me a profound story of perseverance and survival experienced by many women as they attempt to find their way in this life. We life in a youth-oriented society, and I want to share and celebrate the joys of self-discovery that come with age. I believe that gray hair, lines on the face, and gnarled hands signify that a woman has had a full and challenging life, and with the years has gained knowledge and wisdom. Renewed/Reborn is my tribute to our worn exteriors, and, on the reverse side, a celebration of the beauty within."

Does this not sum up my life right now? Finding my way in this life? I am about to turn 43, entering middle age and celebrating the changes I've had over the years, and the one's I've more recently made. I've had many careers, worn many hats and I'm looking forward to what the future is going to throw at me. I often cry in classes that move me and there were many tears of joy in Anita's class. She's so inspiring, beautiful inside and out.

Here's more of the garments...

I don't have a printed card of this piece, but she talked about all the anonymous women that did handwork and lived full lives. This piece celebrates anonymous women. All the doilies that she uses in her pieces were hand made. The photographs she got in antique shops and various other sources.

Here's another piece with her handmade scarves in the background. I apologize for not knowing the name of this piece.

On Friday, I taught Introduction to Double Knitting. The class went well. I had a typo in my pattern, but thankfully, the students found it. On Friday night, I went out to dinner with friends and wasn't feeling too hot. As it turned out, I got a virus and had a fever, chills, etc. Not fun. I was worried because I had two classes to teach on Saturday. Saturday morning I woke up, and the fever was gone replaced by cold symptoms. Must have been a 24 hour bug.

Saturday's classes went well. I've taught them both a bunch of times, so I really relaxed and enjoyed teaching this year. They were Yarn Substitution and Going To The Dark Side (Knitting with Your Opposite Hand).

Saturday night's speaker was Franklin Habit. He was a hoot! Very funny man and I share his love of ancient knitting books and patterns. He has a great blog. Here's the link to Franklin's blog.

And of course, I purchased some items in the market from Morgaine, the owner of Carolina Homespun. I purchased a beautiful, handmade weaving shuttle and a niddy noddy (can you believe I didn't own a niddy noddy?).

I absolutely love teaching at Madrona Fiber Arts retreat. The students are enthusiastic, very knowledgeable and challenging. This year, I'm teaching three classes; double knitting, yarn substitution and a class I call "Going to the Dark Side" - how to knit with your opposite hand. I'm also teaching beginners in the rotunda on Friday. I love teaching beginners and seeing their "ah ha!" moments. The retreat begins Thursday, February 17th thru Sunday, February 20th.

I'm taking class on Thursday with Anita Luvera Mayer - a fiber artist. When people leave a class with Anita they say "She's changed my life". At this stage in my fiber arts career, having left yarn shop ownership, I'm ready for and embracing change. I'm taking "Play with Surface Design" where we will experiment with surface design on fabric and come home with samples of each technique experienced in class. Since I just started weaving I like the idea of painting my finished cloth, learning how to applique, burning felt and foiling my work. Anita is Thursday nights speaker and with have her extraordinary garments with her. Her garments have toured galleries around the country.

On Friday and Saturday, I mostly teach, but I'm looking forward to seeing friends and doing a little sightseeing. I have to make a stop at the Museum of Glass.

The Hotel Murano is beautiful. Here's a picture of the Lobby and one of their rooms. The hotel itself is a museum with different glass artists showcased on each floor.

The market is really great, catering to knitters, weavers and spinners. One of my favorite yarn shops, Churchmouse Yarns, is in the market this year, as well as Carolina Homespun, owned by the lovely Morgaine Wilder who helped me to start my weaving journey last year. I also love Toots LeBlanc and Black Water Abbey Yarns.

The hotel is within walking distance from the Museum of Glass and Tacoma Art Museum.

The Chihuly Bridge of Glass is a 500 foot pedestrian bridge that links the Museum of Glass to downtown Tacoma. Dale Chihuly is an American glass sculptor and his work is phenomenal. You have to go and see it!

We have officially closed our doors. Thank you so much for your words of encouragement and your understanding of my quality of life change. I'm going to be continuing with the blog. We will change the appearance of the site after the dust settles, but stay tuned.

For all of you that purchased fixtures, pick up is on Saturday, February 12th, between noon and 4pm. If you cannot make that schedule, we need to make a personal appointment. To do that you may email nicholette@stitchcraft.us.

Last night, Jilian surprised me at the shop and we went out for drinks to celebrate the future! Here's pics..

Well, it's down to the wire. Our last day open is Saturday, February 5th. Our hours this week are Tuesday thru Saturday 10am - 5pm.

We have a little bit of yarn left and there are cross-stitch and embroidery threads and fabrics. There are only two fixtures left, which are pictured below and six chairs from Ikea.

The deal of the week is...

50% off of yarn and 60% off of everything else. The discount does not apply to fixtures!

First, the beautiful cutting table and cutting mat. $500, dimensions are 65" x 39".5 x 37".

The front counter. $300, dimensions are 73" x 25.5" x 40".

IKEA Jules chairs $17.50 each (there are six).

Come on in for great deals on yarns, patterns, books, needles and embroider and cross stitch products. Your entire purchase is 40% off!

Here are some pictures of the fixtures we have left. These cabinets could be great in your kitchen, craft room or garage...

Cutting Table, A Crafters' DREAM!!! It's $500. Includes the $90 cutting mat. Room to store your sewing machine, fabrics, yarns, whatever you have in your stash!

Dimensions: Length 65", Width 39.5", Height 37"

Front Counter $300

Dimensions: Length 73" x Width 25.5" x Height 40"

Embroidery Counter $500

Dimensions: Length 86" x Width 25.5" x Height 37"

Kitchen Counter and Wall/Microwave Cabinet $200/$100

Counter Dimensions: Length 49.5" x Width 25.5" x Height 37"
Wall Cabinet Dimensions: Length 24" x Width 12" x Height 39"

40% OFF YOUR ENTIRE PURCHASE!!!!

We have further discounted our closing sale to 40% off your entire purchase. There is yarn left for hats, gloves, mitts, scarves, some sweater quantities. Most of our fixtures are sold, but there are cabinets and the cutting table is still waiting for a new owner. Handmade shop samples are available. We have a list of fixtures and our asking price for each. All samples are labeled with price tags. All of our fixtures come from IKEA, so if you were thinking about going to IKEA to shop for some new shelving unit,, or chairs...here's your chance at a great discount!

Our hours during our closing sale are as follows. Our sale will continue until it's gone, gone, gone!

Tuesdays - Saturdays 10am - 5pm
Sundays - Noon - 4pm

If you read our newsletter, you know our shop's been for sale since last April. While we've had many inquiries about the sale, none have been serious. Over the last three years, we've had a remarkable time supporting and educating Clark County in the needlearts. Now, it's time for me to move onto another chapter in my life. Owning my own business is a great experience and opportunity. I've learned a lot and I'm happy to say it's been successful, but never easy. Having two small children makes it hard to maintain family and work-life balance. I have an extra appreciation for all the women that work full-time and still come home to cook, clean and put their children to bed each night. I can say that this wasn't the "right" time in my life to run a retail business. I'm ready to try something
different.

What's in store for me? The open-ended road is exciting! Taking care of my family and organizing my house is first. I'll be volunteering at my children's school. I have a book idea to pitch. I've just scratched the surface with weaving and its endless patterns and possibilities. At some point I want to go back to school and get my Master's degree. I am involved in the fiber arts through teaching at Madrona Fiber Arts retreat, and the StitchCraft instructors are brainstorming about ways in which to continue serving our community. The local guilds are a great way for you to continue educating yourself in the needle arts.

I will continue to maintain the Blog and Facebook communication links although it won't be as regularly as it was. Feel free to email me with questions, or inquiries about classes and teaching. I can direct you to the right instructor. I want you to continue your needlearts education. The StitchCraft instructors are available for private lessons.

I want to say thanks to my husband for his never-ending love and support. He gave me the green light to open the shop even though he knew he'd be the one to pick up the pieces at home. While working his full-time job as a software engineer, he made us dinner for the last three years, did the grocery shopping, cleaned the house and took care of the kids (they were 3 and 7 when we opened). He did all that in spite of having a job transfer twice, working out in Hillsboro, having a stroke, getting swine flu, than pneumonia, and lastly, injuring his back while gardening - an injury that partly paralyzed his foot. I couldn't have asked for a better partner in life.

Thanks to all of our customers. You kept our doors open and profitable through the worst of economic times since the great depression. The needle circles of which you are a part are very important for inspiring others to continue with these hand arts. Keep stitching and sharing your lives with one another. What great therapy this makes, no?

Thanks to my staff and instructors; Jilian, Janeen, Betsy, Amy, Leah, Jean, Linda, Christa, Charlene. Without you I couldn't have done! Your emotional support and commitment to teaching over the years made going to work everyday a pleasure.

And thank you to my friends! Without any family here in the northwest to support us, you brought meals to my family when Brooke had his stroke and took care of my kids so Brooke and I could go on the occasional date and reconnect.

Nicholette

Well it's out with the old and ring in the new! We're having a New Year's Sale!

The whole week of January 4th through the 9th, you receive 10% off your total purchase! So come on in and don't forget to bring your gift cards that you received! Yes, this includes items already on sale. We are open our regular hours.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

We wish you and yours a Happy Holidays and Happy New Year. Travel safely out there!

Our holiday hours are as follows:

There is no Open Project Class on Thursdays, December 23rd and 30th. Yes, we're open for Soiree. You can get help on Sundays during the Holiday Stitching Group which meets from noon until 4pm.

We are open on Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve from 10am - 3pm.

We are closed on the following dates:

December 25th and 26th for Christmas

January 1st for New Years Day

Just a reminder...We are closed on Sunday for our annual inventory.

We're having a Thanksgiving sale!

A big thanks to all our wonderful customers that continue to support our little business!

• Friday 11/26 and Saturday 11/27
• Buy three, get one free on yarns and threads only!
• The special if for the SAME yarn or threads, but you may choose different colors.

Our hours during the sale are:

Friday, 10am - 5:30pm

Saturday, 10am - 5pm

See you at the sale!