Road Trip to Madison 3

On Saturday we went to our first class.  It was held at Lynn's of Madison.  Our class was small but that was a big plus.  We got lots of attention and help from the teacher.  Now, I have to admit that I had doubts about this class.  All I knew was that it was a round pin cushion with some ribbon decoration around the edge.  No cross stitching at all.  What is there to it?  Just seam two circles together and there you go.  I was so wrong.  There was a lot to learn about this project.  It was much more complex.

First, the kit came in a nifty container.  What a cool box!

I loved the class but it was really challenging.  I learned about using hand dyed silk ribbon woven on the bias.  There was velvet, crinoline, sequins, beads and roving as well as two magnets in it.  I never thought I could get a pin cushion stuffed that tightly.

 We got some great tools.  I never heard of using a porcupine quill.  What a handy tool!  One end can be an awl, the other can help stuff and tuck and many other things.  You can file off the end like a fingernail.

 We got a variety of needles.  We used a new kind of beading thread that I like much more than Nymo.

And to help us keep our energy up and encourage us, we got chocolate in a very nice package.

During break times, we got to shop at Lynn's.  She had a framed Death by Cross Stitch on her wall.  Oh my, was it fabulous.

The teacher was fabulous.  She was very helpful and answered our questions completely.  The directions were nicely illustrated and very complete.  The kit was put together perfectly.  I finished the pin cushion shortly after I got home.  I'm very happy with it.  I'm actually impressed that I did it.

As you can see, I'm using it too.
After class a group of us went out for pizza for dinner in the hip college area.

It was a great day.
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