I started stitching twenty years ago when I found out I was going to have a little girl. I decided I wanted her room to be full of cross-stitched teddy bears, so I pleaded with my mom to pick up her long-forgotten hobby of stitching and help me get some decorating done. She agreed, since it was for her first grandchild, and we headed to the nearest place that sold cross stitch supplies and purchased a book called Priscilla's Precious Bears.
Soon we discovered Treasured Stitches, a cross stitch shop that was within walking distance of my parents' home (and co-owned by Darlene Anderson), and it is there that I discovered Shepherd's Bush patterns: my first true cross stitch love.
Mom and I continued with the teddy bear theme for Breanna's room, and they all turned out quite adorably. But oh, those sweet little sheep, designed by the hands of Tina and Teri Richards... who could resist them? I soon acquired quite a collection of their gorgeous patterns and kits, and even called the shop once, awkwardly asking them if they would please consider designing a "Quilt Gatherer" piece to go with their other 'Gatherers.
That must be one huge piece they're doing for me, bc I haven't seen it released yet.
Soon I became active on the internet, and met my first-ever cyberfriend, Chris. She was also a Shepherds Bush addict, and we exchanged many emails oohing and ahhing over whatever new patterns came out. When Tina and Teri decided to hold their first retreat, I could hardly breathe for wanting to attend. But alas, for one reason or another, I've never been able to.
Excuse me while I have a moment of morosity.
Okay, I'm fine now.
Every year that Shepherd's Bush has had a retreat, Chris has attended. And every year, I've said to her, "One day I'll go too!" My mom, knowing my obsession with SB, visited their shop years ago and had Teri autograph a shop-exclusive kit for me. I think if George Clooney would have walked into the room, I would have said, "Oh, hi, Mr. Clooney! LOOK WHAT MY MOM GOT FOR ME." (And then I would asked him to sit next to me and pretend I didn't know how to stitch so he would put his arms around me and hold the needle and fabric "no, like this," like they do in the movies.)
I cannot believe how chatty I am today.
Since it's entirely too late for long-story-short, I'll continue. Fast-forward to our trip to Park City... when I realized I was going to be within walking distance (66 miles in -3 temps is totally doable), I knew I had to be there. I simply had to go! So while Mike and Marty ski'ed the blacks, I headed to Ogden in our rented Ford Flex. Sabrina and Sophie came with me in case I swooned and needed smelling salts.
Btw, that's Nancy on the left. Hi, Nancy!
Here's Sophie, rifling through all the stockings... she found it quite amusing that the original name of the stocking I stitched for Sabrina is Sophie's Stocking.
Somewhere in this glorious section of the store, you'll find Sabrina...
And here she is again, telling me to take a picture of Primitive Needle's Adam and Eve... I love how Tina and Teri convert the color schemes of so many designs to their signature soft palette...
I truly wish I could have photographed every nook and cranny of this transformed carriage house. What an experience it is to see something new every time you blink!
I am so very happy I was finally, after twenty years, able to visit this loveliest of shops. I was also honored to meet Teri, who was as hospitable and kind as I imagined her to be.
When my girls and I got to our car, Teri came running after us, telling us she forgot to give us something. She then presented each of us with the sweetest little sheep pins, and I found the gesture to be so lovely that I felt happy the rest of the day.
Thank you, Tina and Teri, for sharing with all of us your amazing talent, and for being mindful of the nuances that make each visitor to your shop feel warm and perfectly welcome.
I made this same pilgramage when I attended a conference about 100 miles from SB. I experienced the same welcoming that you did and truly loved the shop and the folks there. I still enjoy my memories nearly 10 years later.
Posted by: Cindy | January 19, 2011 at 10:58 AM
I would run over everyone in my way to get to that shop. How neat!!!
So inviting!!!!
Thanks for sharing too.
Margie
Posted by: Margie Cooper | January 19, 2011 at 11:16 AM
I have sooooo many SB kits, but, alas, I have not done a single one. Someday......
Posted by: Julie Forslev | January 19, 2011 at 12:06 PM
SB was not my first cross stitch love but maybe my second, tho i probably have equal amounts of each stitched! and i LOVE their older charts! so much that some day maybe i'll get to the ones i've not stitched yet!
and needlerolls? did someone say needlerolls? i think i've almost everyone they put out! :)
i am SO happy for you that you got to visit the shop! maybe you'll get to that retreat one day?
thank you for sharing your pics of the shop! now i can say i've almost been there myself! :)
Posted by: joann tx | January 19, 2011 at 12:40 PM
What a special visit! I am so glad you got to go! I would love to spend a month or two browsing there!
Posted by: michele | January 19, 2011 at 12:49 PM
Oh, I made that same trip when I was in Park City a couple of years ago (I stayed at the Marriott Mountainside)! SB is oh so drool-worthy, I agree!
Normally they always have something baking, too, so not only are you tempted by every.last.goodie on the wall, but then the scent of fresh cookies and...bam... you'll never want to leave. I very nearly moved in.
Posted by: Wendy | January 19, 2011 at 12:56 PM
Lucky, lucky you! I would love to visit the shop. It looks so warm and inviting and so many, many things to look at (or drool over)
Thanks for sharing your wonderful story and great pictures.
BrendaS
Posted by: [email protected] | January 19, 2011 at 01:29 PM
Great post Paulette. I feel the same way each and every time I'm in their shop. It's almost magical isn't it? Hugs and thanks again for sharing.
Posted by: Cari | January 19, 2011 at 02:27 PM
I envy you! I have always wanted to visit this shop, but alas I have not been out west! I think I could spend hours there. I have stitched 2 of their stockings and a few smaller designs in my 20+ years of stitching. What fun it must have been.
Posted by: Leslie | January 19, 2011 at 02:36 PM
What a gorgeous gorgeous post. Thanks for sharing all those lovely pictures. x
Posted by: Hazel | January 19, 2011 at 02:41 PM
Lucky you!!! I want to go too, someday! Love the little sheep pin, and Lisa's A&E looks so pretty done in SB colors.
Posted by: Michelle | January 19, 2011 at 02:57 PM
Thank you for a wonderful post. I love love love Tina and Teri and their beautiful designs!
Posted by: L. Rudd | January 19, 2011 at 03:15 PM
I am swooning! What a gorgeous shop! What a cute little pin!
Thanks for sharing, Paulette. :)
Posted by: Kristen from MA | January 19, 2011 at 03:36 PM
I'm truly and without a doubt totally jealous! I would love love LOVE to get to this shop one day. I hope they have a soft floor, because they would not get me out - I would just sleep there....
Linda in VA
Posted by: Linda Huson | January 19, 2011 at 03:41 PM
I'm so jealous. That fabric wall really got my attention. I think I would have to throw myself against that wall of wonderful fabric. I've added another shop to my bucket list. Thanks for sharing your wonderful pictures and the story of how it all started.
Posted by: connie | January 19, 2011 at 03:45 PM
Ah, so lucky! And yes, I do think meeting these rock star xs designers is like meeting real celebrities. I'm sure I would be the same way meeting you too! SB looks so nice!!! PS was my first love with xs. Just like SB was for you. I loved the story of Breanna's room.
Posted by: Margaret | January 19, 2011 at 03:57 PM
Thank you for sharing your visit! I love the photos! So happy you were finally able to make the pilgrimage there!
Posted by: Elizabeth | January 19, 2011 at 04:51 PM
Wow...that's all I can say......wow!
Posted by: Catherine | January 19, 2011 at 05:47 PM
I want everything in that store!!!
The funny part, for me, is that you swoon and need smelling salts. That is how I would react if I got to meet you and your family. :)
Posted by: Lynn in Alabama | January 19, 2011 at 05:52 PM
How lucky you are Paulette! This shop looks fantastic.
Posted by: Claulem | January 19, 2011 at 06:00 PM
Oh my! you certainly have been to heaven and back. Wonderful photos - I am sure I would have totally forgotten to take photos if I had been there.
I taught myself to stitch on SB Winter Hearts.
I thoroughly enjoyed the postings and photos from your holiday - thanks for sharing.
Mary
Posted by: Mary Kelly | January 19, 2011 at 06:30 PM
I am so jealous!!! Would love to visit their shop one day and I too have wanted to go to their retreat for what seems like forever, but like you something always comes up. So glad you were finally able to visit and it was everything you imagined it would be and thanks for sharing your visit with us.
Posted by: LaDonna | January 19, 2011 at 06:47 PM
Maybe in my lifetime I will be able to get there some day....I know your head is still reeling!! The photos are absolutely beautiful....Looks like about every nook and cranny was covered with wonderful~~ Take care, Faye
Posted by: Faye Riggsbee | January 19, 2011 at 08:29 PM
WOW! Twenty years ago, I bought a cross-stitch book of Pricilla's Bears, because I wanted to make something for my baby to be......I didn't know what I was having, but I wanted to make this child a "big and beautiful" cross-stitch..it had become my new hobby.....I had a daughter, I made her this cross-stitch, and she still has it (packed away)....and my love for cross-stitch REALLY began after that accomplishment!
LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the shop you visited!!
Marion
Posted by: Marion | January 19, 2011 at 09:36 PM
What a great store! I want to go there..... Too bad we don't have stores like that in the Netherlands...
Posted by: Simone | January 20, 2011 at 05:10 AM