FONDNESS FOR FLAGLER

Happy end of March friends !

Another month has flown by and I planned to come back and visit sooner.  Oh well, I'm here now and I have a couple of fun trips to report on.

Virtually NO finishes occurred in the month plus I have been away from blogland.  A couple of little cuties did get finished and this candy square pincushion by Betsy Morgan.  It was taught by DF Loretta in our duClay EGA chapter with permission from Betsy .  It was first published in Inspirations magazine and there are 4 or 5 other patterns.  This one is bargello but there is also  blackwork, assisi etc.  Would love to fill this bowl with them.

 Next is this little Shepherds Bush Travel Trifle.  This is Ciao!  Italy - it will be added to the duClay opportunity basket to benefit the upcoming Sun Region EGA seminar in Orlando in May.  It was expertly finished into a little cupboard hanger by DF Patricia.

Had a fun weekend last weekend going to Tampa with same DF Patricia.  We were busy with our region EGA board meeting held at the Marriott Westshore.  Look at our spot to stitch by the indoor/outdoor pool and yes there were plenty of people in that pool !!!

 This was a lovely tranquil moment before all the shrieking kids entered the pool.  EGADS - I can only take that for a short time.  Typical comment by an old bag with no kids !!!!

 Last month DF Carol and I attended a lovely Textile Symposium in St Augustine at the forever opulent Flagler College.  The symposium focused on Indigo production in the antebellum south and they assembled an awesome panel of speakers.  It was an amazing weekend.  Here are a few photos if you've never been there or ever seen or heard of it.

Flagler College was built in the late 1800's by Henry Flagler, railroad magnet.  It was built as a hotel for mostly northern guests escaping the cold winters. 

 These photos are taken outside the front entrance.

 Here is DF Carol, she knows a lot about Flagler so she was touring me around a bit.

The grand courtyard fountain.  So gorgous!

A lot of this area is dorm rooms for the students.

The college is open for public tours.  Look at that magnificent relief over the door.   The woodwork inside the grand foyer is simply amazing.

They also have a fabulous collection of Tiffany windows especially in the student cafeteria.  Look at this breathtaking ceiling.  So old world............

Another amazing relief, I know I've used that adjective a lot but there is no other word to describe the beauty of Flagler.  Old world opulence and workmanship.  Across the street is the Lightner Museum another hotel built by Flagler.  it is open to the public and is another wonderful example of old world craftsmanship and awesome details and construction techniques.  There was a huge indoor pool that took up almost the whole lower level of the hotel and now is a collection of shops and a restaurant.

 

St Augustine is less than an hour from my house but anytime I go there it's like going on a vacation.  Lovely beaches, beautiful bayfront , historic buildings, fantastic restaurants.  I have such a fondness for St Augustine, my grandmothers sister settled there with her husband and had 4 sons and their legacy is still present in my many cousins in that area.  If you have never been there - do plan a visit to Florida's First Coast. 

 

I know many of you are still experiencing winter conditions - I hope spring is coming for you !