The Stitcher's Garden

I know it's been a month since I was in New Mexico, but there are STILL things to talk about! Second only to my family, there is cross stitch.  For some reason, I have NEVER bothered to look for a cross stitch store when I've traveled.  This makes me sad.  Why???? (yes I'm whining...what was in Chicago and Richmond and Charlotte???)  Been missing out BIG TIME!

While planning my trip down to New Mexico I asked myself what was in Albuquerque?  The Stitcher's Garden!  Keeping Albuquerque in stitches for 25 years!  Who knew??!! I certainly didn't and if you didn't and you have a habit of traveling through Albuquerque it is a MUST.

My brother, who is wonderful, took me to THE shop...and after some directional confusion, we found it!  

LO! The rather large signage stating very clearly that nirvana was just a few steps away!  

The excitement mounts!  He drops me off right there so I don't hurt myself running across the parking lot.  

I don't run anymore, but I did a pretty good brisk walk to the door and found a sign.....

Of course.  I traveled thousands of miles and it just figures the store would be closed on a THURSDAY of all days, ha ha!  That is my silhouette of sadness and disbelief and shock and....I can see heavenly things through the glass but was inches away from touching all of the things I have shopped on line for for years!  Right there!  POOP!

After smudging the glass with my tears, and drool, I stood back and looked at the store hours sign and started laughing.  

This is starting to sound a bit bi-polar, or terribly middle-aged or maybe because it was seriously hot out there...or maybe it was because I was so close....too many emotions in too short a span of time...whatever...the laughter was a relief and the reason for that laughter is the sign with the hours on it.....

Any sign with store hours that have the letters "ish" after the time....well that kind of made up for the other sign that we will now pretend never happened.  Personally, I think it's hilarious to have "ish"...it's HONEST.

Okay, so 10-ish it is!  On Friday because the first sign that we are pretending never happened is hopeful and stated very clearly that I needed (and it said hope) to be seen on Friday.  So FRIDAY, yes.

This Stitching Terminator WILL BE BACK.

Getting in the car, I tell my brother the store was closed and he says, "That's okay I'll bring you back tomorrow",  Have I told the world how much I love my brother??!!

Friday dawns..hotter than hot AGAIN, and we once again make the trek to the stitching store.  I feel like a little kid going to their first toy store.  Oh dear, I may have to clarify that I haven't been to a REAL cross stitch store since 1996 or 1997 when that one in Anchorage opened and immediately closed....does this help you all to understand the IMPORTANCE?  Oh yes....since then it's been online shopping for me.....so much risk has been taken over the years by shopping this way you never are really sure what you will get when the mail arrives.

I enter the store, nervously.......and am welcomed by Petra. Lovely and patient and probably concerned that I have lost my mind (we know it's true, but she didn't need to know that ha, ha).

I don't know where to begin!  Ink Circles? Redwood Manor?  Lizzie Kate?  What??!! Flosses?  Fabrics??  It's too much!  I can't think! I'm all over the store, babbling questions, looking at EVERYTHING all at once. Need.....to.....focus....I turn to my phone and message "the girls" and ask them if they need anything since I am HERE!  Ashley needs pink Kreniek #4 braid...okay, good.  Petra leads me to the DRAWERS AND DRAWERS of threads and says, "which one?"  EGADS WOMAN!! Which one??  I'm hyperventilating here as Petra pulls out three beautiful spools.  Ashley is, fortunately, not here freaking out with me and has no problem choosing (thank you Ashley!).

Okay, now somewhat more settled, I start a slower wander around the store. I ask if the stitched items hanging on the walls were stitched by the owner and she laughs and says no, they are from local stitchers.  HOW WONDERFUL!  I ask if I may take pictures and she says yes and we have the discussion about making sure I'm not there to "take patterns from pictures".  It was a moment of sadness to be reminded that people do that so I made sure to not have close ups.

See those lovely stitched pieces??  I was able to see them in person!  The owner has a rack that holds the patterns for the stitched pieces so that one does not have to go hunting them down...a really great idea if you ask me.

Everything is so beautiful.  To show off how beautiful, I will share this lovely store with you in full photogenic glory!

 

Strangely I didn't get pictures of the flosses and fabrics on the back wall, but there were some.  All of this yummy stuff was overwhelming!  Petra was so kind to allow me to photograph the store and as promised, it shows off this wonderful place beautifully. 

Now you are wondering what I picked up?  Well, only a few little things...more than I should have but how often do I get to go to a store?  AND, I can email requests for goodies if I so desire!

Yes, over all, so WONDERFUL.  I cannot tell you in words or in pictures how much this visit meant to me!  Visiting this store and having such a wonderful person assist me was priceless.

With my precious purchases safely in a bag, I stepped outside into the blazing heat to find my brother.  I was worried I had spent too long in there even though he said to take my time.  I found him and my nephew....taking a much needed nap in the car!

Adorable!

Like I said, if you are going through Albuquerque, make this shop a MUST SEE stop on your travels.  And don't forget to tell Petra HI for me, she truly is a sweety!

Until next time.....Keep on Stitchin'!