Stitchaway Retreat

Hey all!  I'm back as promised with a proper post about the retreat last weekend.  I can not believe we have blown through another week already.  I guess having a holiday on Monday might have helped it speed by!  So let's get to it...go grab a cup of tea, this is going to be a long post!

Here's where we spent the weekend!  Can you see the steam coming out of the chimney on the left side of the lodge?  Yep, it was really really cold this past weekend and we even had some flurries too.  None of this mattered because we were all tucked away in the stitch room cozy as can be!

Here are the gifts the LNS gave us!  See that big strawberry on the right, our hostess made us all one of these!  Can you believe that?!  It's just too cool especially since I collect strawberry emerys.  I have a basket full of them.  Somehow I don't think this big one is going to fit in the basket.  LOL!

In the back is a frame, chart and all the floss plus the beads for a Lizzie Kate design.  The box next to it is pretty cool too (see below).  The three charts and thread winder in the front were a gift from Rosewood Manor!

Here's the box's inside.  Look at all that strawberry goodness.  Let me just tell you it smelled wonderful!!  See that pattern in there?  It goes with the floss and the buttons on the lid.

When it's stitched up, it will go on the lid like this.  Isn't that just too dang cute?!

Speaking of gifts, here's my gift from Bunny^Hop.  She made several of us felted baskets and filled them with goodies.  She knit this herself too!  I'm amazed since I do not knit.  See the tiny acorn button?  Love that!  Thank you so much sweetie!  It was so thoughtful of you to make these.  We miss seeing you too!

Here are some pictures of the "store" our hostess sets up for us in one of the conference rooms!  There were six trunk shows there!!!  There was Kathy Schmitz, Homespun Elegance (one of my faves), The Workbasket, Rosewood Manor, JBW Designs, and Designs by Lisa.

Just look at all this potential new stash!

Jenny actually took a bunch of close up pictures of the trunk shows.

Go pop over and see them but come right back!

Here's what came home with me.  There's no way I was getting out of there without spending those gift certificates.  There was just way too much temptation for me to resist dontcha know!

Check out my fancy new pink hot/cold mug!  Love that!  It's pink!!!!  I got some buttons from Rosewood Manor but I'm not going to use them for their intended purpose.  We'll see how my crazy idea for them pans out.  You'll have to stay tuned for it.  So here's what's in the haul:

Chessie & Me - Scarlet's Pincushion
Stitch Happy pink hot/cold mug
Homespun Elegance - H is for Halloween
Rosewood Manor - Bag o'buttons
Clip Bytes:  To Do/Joy

Here's a group pic of most of the peeps.  See Senior Frog?  He's hiding behind a light there.

Here are the other two peeps that escaped the above picture.  Betcha two didn't know I took that one.  I'm naughty like that!

There's Senior Frog keeping an eye on the M's.  You know we can't stitch without the M's and Senior Frog's ever watchful eye.  Thankfully he kept his friends away from us most all weekend.

There was plenty of silliness this weekend too.  Check out my buddy L.  Looks like P is sayin "what the heck?"

Here's some more silliness.  Marsha and I's attempt at a self portrait.  Just look at that photo bomber in the background.  We laughed so hard I thought the tears were going to run down our legs over that one!  That girl just cracks me up.

Believe it or not, we really did get some stitching done.  Here's proof!  Check out that house and those second floor windows.  I'm really glad I worked on this piece and made some visible progress.  I am just soooo close on this one I just can't stand it!

I really love the way this one is turning out too.  I actually finished the side piece but didn't get a picture of it.  It's become my lunch time stitch now but I may work on it this weekend.  We'll see.  Those bees just make me swoon and those pink flowers too!  Did I already say I love pink?  Um...yep I really do!

Here's the make it and take it we did on Sunday morning.  How stinkin' cute is this?  I just love it.

Here's where we made these little lovelys.  Yes, that is a real fire and it was really cozy sitting there making our strawberry's French knot seeds too!  It was a great way to wind up our strawberry themed weekend.  We were all sad to see it end but we are looking forward to next time.

Well folks, there you have it!  Thank you for reading down this far. Thank you so much for visiting with me today.  I appreciate each and every comment and email.   I hope you all have a great weekend.

Until next time,

The Inspired Stitcher