Squam 2012, part 2

(Squam, part 1. More Squam recaps here.)

When you come looking for sugar,your bag will be examinedto see how much it can hold;it will be filled accordingly.

                                              --Rumi

This year's Squam adventure kicked off early with a lovely surprise from Amy Lou, who was fresh off the plane from India (she sent this before she left but it took awhile to get here):

I left for Squam feeling a little bit stressed about my manuscript--how the heck am I going to fix this thing?--but by the end I felt totally chill. Everything seemed doable again and I felt loved and serene and nourished. It's the kind of contentment you can only reach by spending four days in the woods making art with 200 friends.Okay, so I didn't have a chance to chat with all 200. As they say, a stranger is just a friend you haven't met yet.Evenings at the Playhouse. Incandescent Elizabeth. Ahhhhhhhhh.I made new friends, and grew to love my "old" ones even deeper. It is the loveliest feeling to know there's noplace else you'd rather be, and no one else you'd rather be with.

So in love with @pettymagic. One of the most beautiful people I know! http://t.co/3Nswl36b— Anne Weil (@flaxandtwine) June 10, 2012

 Mumsy came along this year, and we had a great time. We took an embroidery class together, and she also took Helene's food photography class:Savory scents wafted out of the Deephaven kitchen while we worked on our personal monograms in Jessica's embroidery class:Jess's "E," Crystal's "J," Carol's "B," my "O," and Suzanne's "S." The "A" in the background is Jessica's sample. What a great gift idea! And Jessica is a fantastic teacher.This shot is so Amy.Bonnie had her sampler from Rebecca's class last year beautifully finished.Renee's project inspired some serious embroidery envy! (There's a flamingo on her head!)As you can see, I took two embroidery classes, and they were both awesome. Jessica and Rebecca have very different styles, and I really admire them both.I was a total enabler at the art fair ("should I?" / "BUY IT, BUY IT!") That gorgeous dress Anne's wearing is from Hodgepodge Farm. My goal for next year is to draft that pattern out of Cal's book and get it sewn! Also, the lovely sweater I have on is Bonnie's Pomegranate. I can't wait to knit it!(I will also be blogging soon about the dress I'm wearing in that photo. Yes, I made it!)

There will likely be a "Squam, part 3," since there are more photos I'm hoping to get from friends (especially one Jessica took of me and Elizabeth!) And how did I fail to get a photo with my dear Kathy (aka Sweeneybird)?! Oh well, I guess I'll just have to hop on a bus to Boston ASAP...