We really had such a wonderful time. The second day brought a few new students and a fresh set of classes to the studio. As before, the excitement of being in the studio with Mary generates a special buzz (possibly stoked by the neighborhood Starbucks a few steps away)! Mary and Barbara welcomed everyone so warmly. For me, it's always like coming home.
My Sunday class was Old-fashioned Ornaments. Lots of loveliness!
I think the favorite was the paper houses. We snipped house numbers from old book pages.
We cut up my upcycled felt stash and made some little mitten ornaments.
Kathy's class made stunning paper wreaths.
Nancy's class made beautiful holiday tag books.
Everyone enjoyed the day so much. I thought it was especally sweet that several students used the event as a girlfriends' getaway reunion.
It felt like that for me too. Having the chance to weekend with my old friends was so great. Mary brought out her stitched version of my little house sampler. So darling! I left her with a few new designs to try out.
And then .... drum roll ....
She signed a copy of her beautiful new book - as a gift for one of you!
It's amazingly beautiful, so richly illustrated with the magic of her style, Christmas, sugar plums and fairies galore. If you'd like a chance to win this signed copy of the Nutcracker, please leave a comment on this post and a winner will be drawn Sunday night.
Thank you, Mary and Barbara, the studio staff and all the wonderful students! What fun!
Charlotte! What a wonderful weekend you all had...I'm thrilled at the opportunity to win a signed copy of Mary's book. It looks beautiful, of course, how could it not!?! Wishing you an abundance of blessings. Best, Jeanette
Posted by: Jeanette | November 16, 2011 at 09:41 AM
What a fun weekend! I would love to win a book. I've been a fan forever!!
Thanks for all your great designs.
Terry
Posted by: Terry | November 16, 2011 at 09:50 AM
The little houses were adorable, Charlotte!
Thanks for the giveaway. I have a special friend who is a huge ME fan, so, if I win, it's her best holiday gift ever!
Posted by: Suzy McQ | November 16, 2011 at 09:58 AM
I would love to win the book. Being from St. Louis (now in Alabama) I am definitely a Mary Engelbreit fan. My house has little touches of ME everywhere, as does my daughter's house!
Thank you, Charlotte, for the chance to win.
Posted by: Julie Bee | November 16, 2011 at 10:14 AM
What a wonderful way to get into the Christmas spirit!!!! Would love the book.
Posted by: Susan in Texas | November 16, 2011 at 10:24 AM
Such fun,,, always such inspiring ideas on your blog. I check it every day.
Posted by: Lisa S. | November 16, 2011 at 10:50 AM
The houses turned out esp wonderful and I am loving the unqiue variations of the mittens too! What a creative way to kick off the holiday season...
http://mel-designs.typepad.com/my-blog/2010/10/silvered-bird-home-decor-projects.html
Posted by: Melony Bradley | November 16, 2011 at 10:50 AM
Enjoyed the post and would love to win the book!
Posted by: Anita Tinlin | November 16, 2011 at 11:17 AM
Oh Charlotte,
How wonderful. The classes look like so much fun. Thanks for sharing. Laurie
Posted by: Laurie Hodson | November 16, 2011 at 11:40 AM
Wow, I can "almost"" feel the excitement of being right there with all the good stuff going on---- very sweet embroidery of your house done Mary style---lovely to look at, and did I hear you say maybe some new designs in embroidery coming? ...........yes?..... Xox
Posted by: Penelope | November 16, 2011 at 11:48 AM
The weekend looks amazing and surely got everyone in the holiday spirit! I would love to make it all. Will you have directions on how to make the cute house ornaments on your blog? I have always admired Mary's illustrations and would be so happy to have a copy of her new book!
Posted by: Diana | November 16, 2011 at 12:19 PM
The paper houses are sweet -- gets me in mood for holidays! Still cry when I tell people about my pillow! Hope I win the book!
Posted by: Jane B | November 16, 2011 at 12:37 PM
What amazing things you all made!!! Those paper wreaths are fantastic and I love those sweet little mittens!
Count me in for the giveaway! I have had my eye on that book!
-Amy
Crafting by Candlelight
Posted by: Amy | November 16, 2011 at 01:09 PM
I like the little ornaments you guys made....cute!
And the wreaths are cool.
Fun that Mary did your little house stitchery....
It is really what we all need to be doing, isn't it?
xo
Posted by: jone | November 16, 2011 at 01:15 PM
Oh thanks so much for sharing your photos of the weekend... love the mitten ornaments, the houses, it is all so darling! Please throw my name in the dish for the book... what a sweet addition to anyone's holiday cheer! Also, how cute that Mary stitched a fat flower on the house sampler... made the sampler her own. How fun!
Hugs!
Posted by: Monica Fullerton | November 16, 2011 at 01:21 PM
what a great giveaway - I love Mary's style (and yours).
Posted by: Lori Kay | November 16, 2011 at 01:51 PM
Wish I could have been there! My basement has one section of ME ornaments and decorations. Can't wait to get them out again. Would love to have this incredible book also! Thanks so much, Nancy
Posted by: Nancy Lohman | November 16, 2011 at 02:53 PM
Yummy! The whole weekend sounds like heaven to me. Would love to savor Mary's book with my family.
Posted by: Mary | November 16, 2011 at 03:09 PM
I think I may whip up a pair of mitten ornaments from my own stash! We have Mary's "Night Before..." and would enjoy having "Nutcracker," a story my daughter truly loves.
Posted by: MoniQ in WI | November 16, 2011 at 03:20 PM
Lovely stuff!! Really like the decorated houses a whole lot! Julierose
Posted by: Julie L | November 16, 2011 at 03:31 PM
I love the ornament houses. I think a village would be fun. I own all of ME books (and your's too) and look at them constantly for inspiration and a jolt of happiness. Thanks for the opportunity and sharing your special weekend.
Posted by: Jeannie | November 16, 2011 at 04:44 PM
Sounds like a great weekend, wish I had been there. Those paper houses came out so cute.
Posted by: Sam | November 16, 2011 at 05:38 PM
Charlotte, How fun not only for your students, but for you and your sweet friends Mary and Barbara! What a sweet give-away; I've seen this book and it is truly a treasure, as are you!
Posted by: Julie B. | November 16, 2011 at 05:39 PM
Such joy! The photos give me inspiration for a weekend coming up filled with creativity and coziness! I cannot possibly pick a favorite... Here's to the warmth and comfort of friends, creating, and color! My Mary Engelbreit collection would love another beautiful book....my fingers and toes are crossed....
Posted by: Alaine | November 16, 2011 at 05:40 PM
What a wonderful weekend you all had. And, wow, a book giveaway by the one and only ME! Thanks so much.
Posted by: Troy Louise | November 16, 2011 at 05:40 PM
It was an inspirational post...I need to kick it in gear :)
What a sweet retreat!
Posted by: Leisa Firth | November 16, 2011 at 06:00 PM
Mary's workshop is going on my "must do" list. Looks like so much fun! Thanks for the chance to win her wonderful book.
Posted by: Lora | November 16, 2011 at 06:23 PM
What a delightful time you must have had. Your pictures are so inspirational. Mary has always been a favorite of mine. I would love to win her book. Thanks for the chance.
Posted by: mary k | November 16, 2011 at 07:03 PM
I love Mary E. and that book looks fantastic! Please throw my name into the hat.
Danielle
Posted by: My Blessed Serendipity Life | November 16, 2011 at 07:16 PM
What a lovely giveaway. Mary's book looks beautiful!
Posted by: LindaSonia | November 16, 2011 at 07:27 PM
I love your site -- all your ideas send me to the sewing room to rumage through my stashes of pretty little scraps. Thanks for sharing so openly. Blessings on a wonderful holiday season.
Posted by: Leslie | November 16, 2011 at 08:34 PM
Wow! It looks like it was a wonderful time. Please enter me in the contest.thank you!
Posted by: Teah | November 16, 2011 at 09:14 PM
What a wonderful giveaway! I love all things ME! And thank YOU for inspiring me to try my hand at stitchery again. I'm loving it!
Let the Holidays begin!
Posted by: Kathy R | November 16, 2011 at 10:56 PM
What wonderful projects.I hope someday I can go to one of ME's workshops and have you as a teacher, that would be the icing on the cake.
Would love to win the book as my grandson is a collector of Nutcrackers.
Posted by: ginny | November 16, 2011 at 10:59 PM
What fun projects! I love Mary E. and would love to win her book! Now, when is your book coming out? You are so darn creative too! Thanks for all the inspiration! karen...
Posted by: karen | November 16, 2011 at 11:42 PM
I follow your blog religiously! It is great! I also follow Mary's! Hope I win the signed copy! Thanks!
Posted by: Deb Zoulias | November 16, 2011 at 11:55 PM
What a treat! That looks like so much fun. Thanks for sharing!
Posted by: Kristin | November 17, 2011 at 12:16 AM
What a heartfelt gift to share! I would love The Nutcracker as I have her beloved "The Snow Queen" as a gift from my Aunt many years ago. It would be a lovely companion. : )
Posted by: kristine gilbert | November 17, 2011 at 09:12 AM
I have loved Mary Engelbreit and all her works for years. Boy, I miss her magazine! I would LOVE to get the signed copy of her book.
Posted by: Louise | November 17, 2011 at 09:30 AM
who is better than u!
happy holidays
Posted by: bridget | November 17, 2011 at 09:36 AM
i have Mary's Twas the Night Before Christmas and would love to add The Nutcracker (MARY STYLE!) to my kid's Christmas book collection. Love Mary's little house sampler, too.
Posted by: tammy stieren | November 17, 2011 at 10:22 AM
Okay, now I am OFFICIALLY super excited about Christmas. I especially love the paper wreaths!!!
Posted by: rebekka | November 17, 2011 at 10:46 AM
What a wonderful way to kick off the Holiday Season with a sweet book from Mary and Charlotte! Thanks for this chance to MAYBE win!
Posted by: jackie | November 17, 2011 at 10:48 AM
I love the paper houses. My second son and I make a few each year. Looks like so much fun.
Posted by: d | November 17, 2011 at 01:10 PM
Sounds like a fun time. Would love this book for my grand daughter...someday!
Posted by: susan | November 17, 2011 at 02:51 PM
So inspirational! Would love to win the book - my son's fencing class is going to be in a local production of the Nutcracker as the Mouse Army.
Posted by: April | November 17, 2011 at 03:18 PM
What fun you had!
I would love to win a copy of this book!
Posted by: Gill | November 17, 2011 at 05:02 PM
Oh my goodness! What fabulous, fun projects. Thanks for sharing. I'd love to win Mary's book--my mom and I are huge Mary E fans!
Posted by: Leigh Ann | November 17, 2011 at 06:01 PM
What fun! Wish I could have been there! And the new ME book . . .wow!
Posted by: Kary in Colorado | November 17, 2011 at 06:48 PM
A workshap at Mary's studio?! Sounds like a heavenly time ... oh to just play and learn with her. {Can you tell I'm a little green with envy?} Thanks for sharing photos of the goodies made - I'm now inspired to get going on more Christmas treats {I had been feeling a little overwhelmed and stuck.} Thanks for the little extra push I needed by sharing your heart and art! And thank you to you and to Mary for a chance to win a very special book.
Posted by: DeniseLynn | November 17, 2011 at 07:33 PM