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Now I know how my Stitching Sisters attendees feel!

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Many of our students tell me one of the things they love about attending a Stitching Sisters event is they just show up. They don’t need to do any prep work, lug any machines or even bring a piece of stabilizer. They walk in and begin to stitch.

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Last week, I had the same experience when I went fly fishing for the first time.  We scheduled an outing with a fishing guide and then drove to the Crooked River near Bend, OR.  He met us on the river bank, opened his truck and completely outfitted us.  We looked way more professional than our skill level but it made our first-time experience quite enjoyable. He did all of the hard work and let us just enjoy the experience, just like a Stitching Sisters event.

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The whole reason I was able to dabble in the clear waters of Oregon was my Stitching Sister, Marie Zinno, and I taught two Stitching Sisters events, one in Kennewick, WA and the other in Bend, OR last week. The stores, owned by Karen and Ed Jarrett, are located 247 miles apart.  Marie opted to return home for the four days between events while my husband joined me in Bend for a little R & R.  What a week!

It started with a drive through the Columbia River Gorge from Portland to Kennewick. Marie and I had never been east of the Cascades in Oregon so imagine our surprise at the landscape we traversed.  We saw everything from lush forest to dry desert.  We met delightful students in Kennewick and had a very successful event – so many new Brother Quattro sewing and embroidery machine owners!

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Then my husband joined me and Marie headed out for the airport. Pete and I took the scenic route from Kennewick to Bend and boy, what a drive! We saw miles of unspoiled terrain under a crystal blue sky and not another car on the road. It was an all-day affair and then we were rewarded with the little-known jewel of Bend.  Charm oozes from the river that runs through Bend. Mirror Pond is the town’s center of attention with the reflection of the Sisters Mountain gleaming from its smooth surface.  Every turn produces another gorgeous vista.  Pete and I were stunned by the region’s beauty and the warmth of every person we met.

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We spent a few leisurely days fishing, sightseeing and eating. Bend has fantastic restaurants! We drove to Crater Lake – jaw dropping; the High Desert Museum – educational; and the Stitching Post Quilt Shop – a delight.

Eventually, it was time to get back to work and I said goodbye to Pete and hello to Marie again! The Jarretts rented a light-filled empty store front for the event and before you knew it, it looked like sewing event!  As we set up all of the equipment, I thought of my fly fishing experience. I remembered how great it felt to try something new under the guidance of an experienced professional with only the best equipment.  That’s how a Stitching Sister student feels – pampered and ready to learn!  I hope you’ll join Marie and me at an event in the fall – we’ll be heading to Louisville, KY, St. Louis, MO and Portland, OR.

 

Here’s your assignment this week:

Look closely! Tell us what you think you see in the Stitching Sisters image at the top of this post. One comment will win a mystery prize! Oh the suspense…

The winner of last week’s assignment is:

Oh the stories we could tell! Leave us a comment on your oddball embroidery problem and solution if you found one. One comment will win a $25 gift certificate to the Designs in Machine Embroidery website. Thank you for visiting Eileen’s blog.

And the winner is…“My problem was with my 6 needle BMP9. I could never put the bobbin in correctly. I purchased the magna-glide magnetic core bobbins and now I know that the magnet tip goes into the bobbin case. No more problems! P.S. Eileen, I had so much fun at the Stitching Sisters event at Moore’s. I really learned a lot! Can’t wait to get a class from you on Craftsy.” – Karen R.

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88 COMMENTS

  • Angela Bavuso

    Looks like a fly for fly fishing, to me.

  • Vickie Reinhardt

    Love the colors of the hot pink, you should lower the letters a little bit or make them smaller, almost in to Eileen chin, would look better if not so close to your face.

  • Deborah Howard

    A homemade fly for fly fishing

  • Robin Davis

    Is that a big metal or bronze fishing fly?

  • Carolyn Rollberg

    Well, since I don’t fish, I don’t know about the homemade fly… What I thought of was Christmas jingle bells 🙂

  • Mary Haggenmaker

    I see two happy ladies who enjoy doing what they do and we are so lucky to have them come to us. Other than that the background appears to have a large pink feather that appears to be attached to some sort of button fastener.

  • Jackie Branscum

    I see a what looks like a fly for fly fishing in lower right corner.

  • Chrystina Power

    I am thinking Christmas!!!! Besides two beautiful ladies dressed with lace and baubles, it is starting to look like Christmas!!!

  • Kathy Van Klaveren

    What I see in the lower right hand corner is a Hot Pink fishing fly and two very happy ladies. It look wonderful like you ahd a wonderful time and the scenery is gorgeous.

  • Ellen Perry

    Fly fishing lure
    Ellen

  • Leora B

    I see a great picture of two ladies that Really do look like they are sisters and a great pink fishing fly( i am assumming)in the lower right corner. It looked like a fun trip and place to check out.

  • Donna

    At first i thought it was a pink party favor then I looked closer and after reading your post I realized it was a hot pink fishing lure. Did you tie it yourself?

  • Karen Frank

    fly fishing lure – looks almost like the head of an elephant.

  • Martha

    Looks to me like a hot pink ostrich feather and clip and two lovely ladies.

  • AJ

    a super cute feathery pink fly fishing lure

  • Kimeran

    It definitely looks like a hot pink lure. Is it only for girls trout?

  • Terri

    Definitely a fly-fishing lure!

  • Susan Novak

    I see two sisters who genuinely like each other. The background reminded me of Christmas.

  • Anne Marie Reilly

    It looks like Christmas to me, beautiful embroidery designs and jingle bells.

  • Annette Luth

    pink fishing lure

  • Lisa Krupa

    A pink fly fishing lure.

  • Barbara McKenzie

    It’s a fly-fishing lure, but wouldn’t it be pretty on a Christmas tree?!!

  • Jennifer P

    I think I see a fly fishing lure. Beautiful color!

  • Virginia

    I see 2 sisters who love each other and can share their love of what they do together.

    Lucky you are to have each other.

  • Terrie Underwood

    A hot pink fishing lure!

  • Nancy Jacobs

    I don’t know anything about fly fishing so it looks to me like a piece of jewelry.

  • Judy G

    A fishing lure.

  • Beth R

    Looks like a pink lure for fly fishing!

  • Barbara

    It looks like a fishing lure with a little weight attached to it. How wonderful that you can make ANYTHING look stylish — I’d use a pair for earrings!

  • jan

    looks like a hand tied pink fishing fly

  • Enis

    Looks like a pink fishing lure to me. Kind of cute actually.

  • Norma Jean McDarmont

    I think I see a “hot pink” fly fishing lure.

  • Becky

    Looks like a fly fishing lure made from a hot pink feather, some strips of gold or brass colored Mylar held together with a brass or gold colored weight with a loop for attaching it to your fly fishing line. Sounds like you had fun. Fishing teaches patience like a seam ripper teaches patience in sewing.

  • Berenice

    I see two smiling ladies and a hot salmon pink lure. My aunt & uncle lived not too far from where you were relaxing. I agree the area is breathtaking and a real change from my SoCal beach scenery!

  • Ronda Halvorsen-Ferns

    Might that be a caddis fly from your fly fishing event? I so enjoyed the first day of the Bend event but had to return home and hook up to my IV and medication but what a great time and learned alot in the short time I was there. Was disappointed I could not attend the second day! My friend Maggie that was there from Springfield said it was awesome!!! Thanks again Marie for helping gain some ideas to embroider on elastic, will be ordering my new hoops from you soon! Eileen so happy you got to enjoy our beautiful vistas out West! I hope you got to snag a trout on your line when you were fly fishing on the Crooked.

    Cheers

    Ronda

  • Carolyn H

    two embroidery divas!

  • Jackie Ames

    Looks like a Pink Fly for lady fisherwomen!! Plus 2 very lovely ladies that are so talented and share with all of us.

  • [email protected]

    I see 2 sisters with great embroidery on their tops and some crazy pink fishing lure just waiting for a big pink salmon!

  • Marci M.

    It’s a fishing fly – my DS ties his own and I’ve always been fascinated by them but definitely don’t need another hobby!

  • Lisa Garcia

    The pink looks kind of like a sea annenome. The bottom corner looks like big fly eyes but I think that might possible be a worm between them??

  • Kristi D.

    A fly fishing bug!!!! Loved attending the Stitching Sisters event in Bend. You and Marie are a hoot and wonderful ladies. Thank you for coming to our little slice of heaven here in Central Oregon.

  • CY

    Must be a fly fishing lure, as that was your new adventure. But you didn’t say if you caught any fish!?!

  • Casie Williams

    Beautiful hot pink fishing fly!

  • Joanie

    I think that you and the other lady look like sisters and there is a fishing fly in the lower right hand corner. If you were referring to the photo below that, it looks like a group of ladies holding up your newest Designs magazine and having a whole lot of FUN!

  • Laurene

    I see a gold elephant, but it’s been a long day!

  • Jenn

    A pink mosquito! lol

  • heather

    Hi Eileen I can see a beautiful Christmas tree.Excited to see who wins. Heather

  • gayle

    Two very happy ladies with beautiful embroidery on their tops. Gorgeous.

  • Terri

    I see a bright pink fly fishing lure and two beautiful sisters.

  • Nancy Weber

    I think it is an ornament made like a fly fishing fly! Hugs.

  • Nancy Weber

    You know, we can always learn something no matter how long or how many times we have done it. Can you believe I tried to embroider with a regular sewing foot?!! Takes a while to figure it out too. Hugs.

  • Nita

    It looks like a pink feathered bug with big gold eyes that would catch any fish when put in water!!

  • judy williamson

    It looks like a hot pink fishing lure. Wish you would do an event is North Alabama!!

  • Vicki L in MN

    It’s a fishing fly/lure. A nice looking one, too. Did it catch any fish for you?

  • Dorothy

    I see a fly fishing lure. Also two ladies that enjoy what they do. Besr sewing event I ever attended when you did it for Quality Sewing.

  • Bonnie Gray

    Looks like a glamorous fly fishing lure that could be used as a shawl pin.
    I attended a Stitching Sisters event in CT and had to come from MA, it was great not having to lug all my equipment, definitely a pampered experience!

  • Patty Sack

    I see a fishing fly. Did you make it?

  • Rosalee

    Two gorgeous sisters wearing tee-shirts with your beautiful designs! What a great story–would love the chance to attend one of your events!

  • Kathy M.

    It looks like a fishing thing to me. One of those fly’s I guess they are called that you try to tease the fish with 😉

  • Carol Seavitt

    What an amazing trip — thank you for sharing (beautiful pics). And I see two angels along with a Christmas fly for fishing.

  • Denice Weys

    I thought we were looking at the picture from the stitching event and was all ready to comment, that it appears everyone received the current issue of Designs In Stitches, which certainly would have been an awesome gift then I realized you ment the the header photo not the event photo. I have to say it looks like a fishing fly, making one wonder what colours fish actually see. Do wish I could attend a stitching event. Perhaps when I retire.

  • Linda Boerner

    I believe it looks like you may have taken lessons on making fishing flies! It looks like a pink & gold fishing fly. Have a great day & thanks for the opportunity to win.

  • Carol Howell

    I see two beautiful, talented sisters with a pink bunny in the background and a pink decoration that sorta looks like a fishing fly.

  • Glenda

    I think it’s a hot pink fly for fly fishing, but it would great being used as an earring.

  • Greta Kanegae

    a hot pink, beautiful, fly fishing lure 😀

  • JudiC
  • Kathy

    I see a fly fishing lure. Can we embroider one?

  • Lorraine

    Great Looking Ladies!!
    Looks to be “Fly Fishing by Princess Rules” as the fly fishing lures are PINK!!

  • Marilyn Weiss

    A Christmas decoration?…no. Something to do with Mardi Gras?…no. I think a fly fishing lure. Looks like several Designers think so too.

    And yes, not only do you just show up at a Stitching Sisters event, you leave with lots of goodies, new knowledge and friendships. It just doesn’t get any better.

  • Diane S.

    Hmmmm. Eileen, do you have a new hairstyle?

  • Kim M Harrington

    Ok I admit it. I had no clue what it was even with your whole story of the fishing trip and such. Now I know that it is probably a fly for fly fishing from what everyone else has said!!! LOL
    I never would have gotten it 😮

  • Cheryl Lindemann

    Well that’s a Rainbow Trout Fly!!

  • debe

    Well except for an earring I wouldn’t have had an idea till I read others answers! I got snagged in the leg by a fly fisherman once on a bike path along the river, lucky it wasn’t deep. =0

  • Donna G.

    A fishing lure! And quite a pretty one.

  • Kari Kechter

    Looks like a fly for fly fishing.

  • Jane Jarvis

    A fly for fly fishing. I remember my dad fly fishing. I gliding of the line as he whipped the fly in nd out of the water. It was so calming and wonderful to watch. My favorite memories of my dad! He was a great fisherman.

  • Eliset

    Looks like a hot pink fishing fly, really pretty

  • Doreen

    The pink background does look like a Christmas in July ornament but I think it’s a pink jig or lure for fishing.

  • Cheryl

    It looks like a close up of a fly fishing lure. Oregon is a beautiful state and Bend would be a beautiful area fornyour first fly fishing experience.

  • Jeanne Knudsen

    In the sisters photo, it looks like a pair of eyes in the background, maybe a troll with a tall hat.

  • Nancy Gross

    I see the reflections of 2 people in the gold balls on the bottom right hand side. Maybe the reflection of the person taking the picture of you and your sister.

  • Paula Somers

    Pink fishing lure. Hope you caught a lot of fish with it.

  • Sheila Forrest

    The background of you picture looks like Christmas. I am sure that you are all ready thinking and planning for Christmas 2013. I can’t wait to see what you have come up with for this year. Thanks for all that you do for the machine embroidery industry. I would like to see one of your events come closer to our area.

  • Deb MacPhail

    Looks like it could be used as a wedding or party in multiples

  • Deb MacPhail

    Happy ladies

  • Tilly

    Hi, jus has to be a pink fishing fly.. Tell me it is pink marabou and that you,figured out to make it with machine embroidery?? Maybe An in-the- hoop project to come??

  • Vici Fallin

    My first thought was that there waqs an eye up over your sister’s head and this was an exotic Mardi Gras mask. ( but I do happen to be from Louisiana.)Probably is a fishing fly. Surely wish you would be coming to Louisiana, East Texas or Mississippi.
    ps Your super strong hoop is GREAT!!!I have really enjoyed it and have not had it but two days. 200 x 260 for a Pfaff. Wonderful product

  • Denyse Rose

    Everyone is guessing a fishing lure since you did go fly fishing and after looking and looking, I think so also. It’s probably something totally different like feathers from a fuzzy pink sweater but I’ll wait eagerly to find out. Thanks for the mystery!