About Us
Sherry Johnston, artist and needlework designer, has lived on the west coast, in the deep south, the mid-west and
currently resides in the Commonwealth of Virginia's historic and scenic Shenandoah Valley. Family, childhood
memories, beloved animals and her surroundings all come together to ignite her artistry and bring you these
needlework designs. Be sure to visit our Background Stories page to read interesting insights about where many of
her designs got their start. When Sherry (pictured at left) began designing, she realized that she would need a name
for her company. She thought about the mood she wanted to convey with the name. She thought of her Scottish
ancestry - the annual gathering of the clans, crisp fall days spent around the kitchen table with a warm mug of coffee,
currently resides in the Commonwealth of Virginia's historic and scenic Shenandoah Valley. Family, childhood
memories, beloved animals and her surroundings all come together to ignite her artistry and bring you these
needlework designs. Be sure to visit our Background Stories page to read interesting insights about where many of
her designs got their start. When Sherry (pictured at left) began designing, she realized that she would need a name
for her company. She thought about the mood she wanted to convey with the name. She thought of her Scottish
ancestry - the annual gathering of the clans, crisp fall days spent around the kitchen table with a warm mug of coffee,
cherished family and good friends. Over time it was that GATHERING that
stuck in her mind. What she wanted was a PLACE to bring all those warm
feelings she had in her head; all those ideas, memories and dreams. And
so, The Gathering Place was born. And it really has turned out to be more
than a ephemeral idea. Along with her needlework designs, Sherry has
gathered people too; people she cherishes, devoted friends, and the dogs
and cats in her life. She says "This is 'US'; it's not just me - this is all the
talent it takes to get this done". We heart you too, Sherry! In addition to
Sherry, the personalities, talents, and ideas of the following people make up
The Gathering Place:
stuck in her mind. What she wanted was a PLACE to bring all those warm
feelings she had in her head; all those ideas, memories and dreams. And
so, The Gathering Place was born. And it really has turned out to be more
than a ephemeral idea. Along with her needlework designs, Sherry has
gathered people too; people she cherishes, devoted friends, and the dogs
and cats in her life. She says "This is 'US'; it's not just me - this is all the
talent it takes to get this done". We heart you too, Sherry! In addition to
Sherry, the personalities, talents, and ideas of the following people make up
The Gathering Place:
the stretching and matting to the technical aspects of what frame, mat and glass
and special effect is best for the piece. Angel doesn't only frame needlework either.
She does clothing (like signed football jerseys), prints, and paintings, as well as
archival materials. In addition to all that, she stitches when her mother can't find
anyone available to do it and has the unenviable task of telling Sherry that she is
"outside of her mind" when she comes up with some of her ideas.
and special effect is best for the piece. Angel doesn't only frame needlework either.
She does clothing (like signed football jerseys), prints, and paintings, as well as
archival materials. In addition to all that, she stitches when her mother can't find
anyone available to do it and has the unenviable task of telling Sherry that she is
"outside of her mind" when she comes up with some of her ideas.
Brenda Foushee - Sherry says that "Brenda is the best 'wife' I've ever had." Brenda's husband, David, completely agrees. Brenda
(center back in photo below) checks and improves upon the color conversions (especially for Sherry's early designs) that the design
programs spit out - and changes them all. This makes life much better for those of you who would rather stitch in DMC than Needlepoint
Silks. Her forte is fibers - what colors are available, the makers of them and which work better than others. Brenda has more than 20
years needlework experience and shares this knowledge by teaching. She designs most of the pieces she uses to teach with in her
classes held in the Winchester, Virginia area. In her free time Brenda designs samplers, ornaments and other quick-to-stitch items.
While her work is mostly concentrated in cross stitch, Brenda is proficient with most counted thread techniques including specialty stitches
and hardanger. Brenda recently won blue ribbon at the Warren County, Virginia fair for her red rendition of "Mystery Sampler". This
piece was co-designed with Sherry and will be available through The Gathering Place soon.
(center back in photo below) checks and improves upon the color conversions (especially for Sherry's early designs) that the design
programs spit out - and changes them all. This makes life much better for those of you who would rather stitch in DMC than Needlepoint
Silks. Her forte is fibers - what colors are available, the makers of them and which work better than others. Brenda has more than 20
years needlework experience and shares this knowledge by teaching. She designs most of the pieces she uses to teach with in her
classes held in the Winchester, Virginia area. In her free time Brenda designs samplers, ornaments and other quick-to-stitch items.
While her work is mostly concentrated in cross stitch, Brenda is proficient with most counted thread techniques including specialty stitches
and hardanger. Brenda recently won blue ribbon at the Warren County, Virginia fair for her red rendition of "Mystery Sampler". This
piece was co-designed with Sherry and will be available through The Gathering Place soon.
Carol Eackles - is one of the most lovely people you will ever meet. She's just as nice as nice can be. "I don't know what I would do
without Carol!" Sherry says. "She is a stitcher extraordinare and takes on some of my toughest projects." Carol (who has not had her
photo taken for this page yet) completes each and every project she does for Sherry with precise and meticulous stitching. Although
she's been a stitcher longer, Carol lost her husband 20 years ago and says that since then stitching has been her life-saver and her
sanity-keeper. There is seldom a time when she doesn't have something to stitch around - and she "thoroughly LOVES it". In addition to
stitching, Carol makes beaded amulet necklaces. Other than that she says, she's a homemaker with 5 children and 9 grandchildren
(WOW!) You go Carol!
without Carol!" Sherry says. "She is a stitcher extraordinare and takes on some of my toughest projects." Carol (who has not had her
photo taken for this page yet) completes each and every project she does for Sherry with precise and meticulous stitching. Although
she's been a stitcher longer, Carol lost her husband 20 years ago and says that since then stitching has been her life-saver and her
sanity-keeper. There is seldom a time when she doesn't have something to stitch around - and she "thoroughly LOVES it". In addition to
stitching, Carol makes beaded amulet necklaces. Other than that she says, she's a homemaker with 5 children and 9 grandchildren
(WOW!) You go Carol!
Cheryl Higdon - is just funny. She's such a happy person that even if you're down, she's gonna make you laugh; at least for a little while.
According to Sherry "she's an all-around super stitcher and great gal." Cheryl's best friend, who no longer stitches, is the one who got
Cheryl hooked on counted cross stitch. The funniest stitching story she can tell is when she took a finished piece into a craft store for
framing - - "can you believe it?" she says, "they framed it back side out!" She used to needlepoint, but got bored when it came to filling in
the background - cross stitch is so much more entertaining. Cheryl (back right in photo below) is very proud of her gorgeous son who will
graduate high school next year. When she's not stitching, Cheryl is a CPA. That means she's better with numbers than she is with
names. Consequently she's come up with a system to remember people - she assigns them a number, usually their birthday. As a
member of the Red Hat Society, Cheryl has a much more complicated name - there she is known as the Countess of Beans and Stitches.
According to Sherry "she's an all-around super stitcher and great gal." Cheryl's best friend, who no longer stitches, is the one who got
Cheryl hooked on counted cross stitch. The funniest stitching story she can tell is when she took a finished piece into a craft store for
framing - - "can you believe it?" she says, "they framed it back side out!" She used to needlepoint, but got bored when it came to filling in
the background - cross stitch is so much more entertaining. Cheryl (back right in photo below) is very proud of her gorgeous son who will
graduate high school next year. When she's not stitching, Cheryl is a CPA. That means she's better with numbers than she is with
names. Consequently she's come up with a system to remember people - she assigns them a number, usually their birthday. As a
member of the Red Hat Society, Cheryl has a much more complicated name - there she is known as the Countess of Beans and Stitches.
Katherine Genung - is "Miss Organization and keeps me in line" says Sherry. She is the group finisher as well as the web master.
Katherine has done cross stitch since she was a child (the printed kind). In the mid-80's a friend introduced her to the "Cross Stitch and
Country Crafts" magazine and her interest was rekindled; this time in counted stitches. After a few years on aida she graduated to linen
and hasn't looked back since. There is never a time when she is not stitching something. Now Katherine runs her own business that
includes finishing as well as ghost stitching and needlework repair. She has a husband, two boys, a daughter in law and granddaughter as
well as two dogs. Between them, the gardening, canning, cooking, genealogy research, historical society volunteer work, DAR
membership and stitching, there's not much time left over. If there were, she'd be bored. Her absolute favorite thing to do is to "watch
Jane Austen chick flicks and stitch with the fire going, the dogs asleep, and the guys at a soccer match. Ahhhhh - heaven".
Katherine has done cross stitch since she was a child (the printed kind). In the mid-80's a friend introduced her to the "Cross Stitch and
Country Crafts" magazine and her interest was rekindled; this time in counted stitches. After a few years on aida she graduated to linen
and hasn't looked back since. There is never a time when she is not stitching something. Now Katherine runs her own business that
includes finishing as well as ghost stitching and needlework repair. She has a husband, two boys, a daughter in law and granddaughter as
well as two dogs. Between them, the gardening, canning, cooking, genealogy research, historical society volunteer work, DAR
membership and stitching, there's not much time left over. If there were, she'd be bored. Her absolute favorite thing to do is to "watch
Jane Austen chick flicks and stitch with the fire going, the dogs asleep, and the guys at a soccer match. Ahhhhh - heaven".
Kim Mueller Is sweet, delightful and very creative. She's been stitching for six years and does her own designs for cross stitch that are
mostly primitive country; many feature cats - she's crazy for them. "When I first saw her latest piece I asked her whose chart it was."
says Sherry. "I was SO impressed when she told me it was hers. It's one of the most darling things I've seen in years." Kim (seated at
right in photo below) began stitching when she was looking for something to keep herself entertained while her husband, a member of the
Air National Guard, was away on duty. She picked up a stitchery magazine and taught herself; She absolutely adores stitching and can't
seem to get enough of it. Now she's teaching herself how to be crewel - from a video! To the point that she has to choose now
between her husband (who's home now) and the stitching. For some of us that's a really tough choice! Her three kids, age 7, 10 and 14
keep her away from stitching too since she home schools them.
mostly primitive country; many feature cats - she's crazy for them. "When I first saw her latest piece I asked her whose chart it was."
says Sherry. "I was SO impressed when she told me it was hers. It's one of the most darling things I've seen in years." Kim (seated at
right in photo below) began stitching when she was looking for something to keep herself entertained while her husband, a member of the
Air National Guard, was away on duty. She picked up a stitchery magazine and taught herself; She absolutely adores stitching and can't
seem to get enough of it. Now she's teaching herself how to be crewel - from a video! To the point that she has to choose now
between her husband (who's home now) and the stitching. For some of us that's a really tough choice! Her three kids, age 7, 10 and 14
keep her away from stitching too since she home schools them.
| THE GATHERING PLACE |
|
Angel Johnston - "She's my favorite
daughter, emergency stitcher and idea
bouncer-offer", says Sherry. Angel
(pictured at right with dog Sadie) is the
Framer that you will read about on the
Frames page. Her dedication to her craft
comes through in every single frame; from
daughter, emergency stitcher and idea
bouncer-offer", says Sherry. Angel
(pictured at right with dog Sadie) is the
Framer that you will read about on the
Frames page. Her dedication to her craft
comes through in every single frame; from
