A couple of friends and I just spent the last weekend on retreat. Two full days (return journey) of travel for two days of stitching retreat may sound a little crazy but when the combination of
Lisa Cantlay of fig 'n' berry creations and
Katie Dawson of Cottage Garden Threads was advertised we just couldn't resist! We decided it would be quite nice to have a wee trip to Mooroolbark, Victoria, Australia to join in.
Lisa and Katie had each organised a project for us to work on (if we chose to) —
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| This is what I worked on |
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The two projects.
Hmmm, maybe I was too busy chattering; I didn't get it finished! |
In the past,
the retreats I've been on have been with a small bunch of friends. At those we all worked on whatever and we all helped with meals. This time there were about 70 of us (I think) and we were provided with 3 square (delicious) meals a day :-)
It was lovely to meet new people and spend time with them. Everyone was so friendly - all just loving being away on retreat!
Although it looks rather long here, it was a good sized room, fitting us all in comfortably.
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| Our table mates :-) |
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| Kerryn and Bernice receiving some expert advice from Katie .... |
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.....and showing the foxes they stitched with Katie in her Inky Stitches SAL.
(These are adapted from an Adult Colouring Book and have a variety of stitches
and colours in them - lovely). |
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| I may or may not have done a little shopping... |
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...the wee lamp was my other purchase; the other bits and bobs were
gifts and prizes (including the cutting board!). |
Lisa's right hand person Hazel kept us entertained with games and activities. Quite a few laughs were had.
Katie's Mum, Pam (who does all the dyeing at Cottage Garden Threads) kept us entertained with stories and her tips for successful stitching - even more laughs were had.
I didn't pull my camera out very often. Below was the only wildlife photo I took —
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— and I'm not even sure what it is!!
HELP! please my Australian friends...if the photo is even clear enough for
you to identify the bird! |
The crochet below was my flying project; just a wee baby blanket.
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One ball on the way to Australia and one ball on the way home!
I reckon I need one more trip 'over the ditch' to complete it! |
Maybe we were a bit crazy but we had a great time - and it was well worth it!
I've just popped back to link up with
Linda and
Julie's fortnightly Stitch-sew-snap-SHARE. These lovely ladies are doing their bit to keep the blogging world alive and interesting. Visit them
*here* or
*here* and spend some nice time discovering what other bloggers are up to ☺
Till next time,
happy stitches,
What's a little travell when you can enjoy an amazing retreat 😊
ReplyDeleteLooks like a fun retreat and well worth the flight over the ditch..
ReplyDeleteSome nice things jumped into your bag and that little light is great. I have one too.
Hmm any reason for the cute blue crocheted blanket?
it sounds like you had a wonderful time so it was worth it to you and you probably made new friends too.
ReplyDeleteOh what fun! And yes, I would definitely travel two days for two days of retreat fun! Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteSounds like a worthwhile travel experience, to me! Love the term "over the ditch". :)
ReplyDeleteI can just imagine how much fun this was. I only traveled 30 minutes for three days of retreat in January, but I would definitely say it would be worth it to travel farther for such a delightful time!
Looks like a fun retreat. Always great to get away and spend time with other people with similar hobbies.
ReplyDeleteWow, 70 of you!! Sounds like you had a wonderful time! Lots of inspiration and lovely to be spending it with like minded people! xx
ReplyDeleteLooks like a great weekend Raewyn, well worth the travel. ... you got quite a bit of stitching done by the look of your piece..I have known ladies who have gone to those kind of days and done 2 stitches!! You did some wonderful shopping..hope lots of inspiration happened for the shop too. I would guess that bird is some kind of pigeon but not sure.
ReplyDeleteIt looks such fun!!
ReplyDeleteSounds like a great retreat Raewyn - some wonderful projects there. Love your new purchases too. How wonderful to hop on a plane & fly off to something creative :-)
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful special escape!
ReplyDeleteIt looks like a great time and well worth the trip.
ReplyDeleteIt was such a wonderful weekend Raewyn and I can't tell you how wonderful it was to meet you in person. Do hope you get to come again . The bird could be one of our many native pigeons ( but hard to tell sorry)
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful thing to do. Those projects and patterns are gorgeous.
ReplyDeleteSome times you need a little crazy in your life. What a wonderful opportunity, I imagine if I went on a retreat, I probably wouldn't get much done either. Looking forward to seeing it finished. I do like those emu in your first photo too.
ReplyDeleteHi Raewyn it's always fun and good value at a Fig'n'berry day,Lisa' s designs are so funky,love them. Looks like you were sitting with my friends Fiona and Kaye so glad you had a wonderful time. Love the emus and your work,hope you have a lovely day my friend xx
ReplyDeletewow what fun... retreats are just what the doctor ordered...
ReplyDeleteWhat an excellent treat.... looks like heaps of fun and great shopping...
ReplyDeleteHugz
Looks like it was worth the trip, a well deserved break for you hard working girls.
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful idea. great way to spend a weekend. The projects look lovely. Sounds like you had a wonderful time all round.
ReplyDeleteTHat is a Common Bronzewing,, aka Rainbow Pigeon, I believe. I’m so glad you were able to get away and that you had such a lovely time!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful embroidery and crochet. Refreshing and exciting, good for you.
ReplyDeleteGreat fun I am sure Raewyn and well worth the travelling time. xx
ReplyDeleteOh, that sounds like so much fun! Love seeing the pics and your beautiful projects!
ReplyDeleteI think we all need to have a little retreat every so often... no justification needed!!
ReplyDeleteGlad to hear that you enjoyed your little trip to Oz.
What a wonderful retreat. Looks like a good time was had by all! Love to see those goodies and I also liked seeing your crocheted piece.
ReplyDeleteWhat fun!
ReplyDeleteThis was a fabulous post to read and view. Reading about your retreat reminded me of retreats I have attended and taught at in the past. I miss them and need to go back. There is just nothing like getting together with other quilters and sharing with one another. Your embroidery project is GORGEOUS!
ReplyDeleteAll your work is lovely Raewyn, and what a lovely thing to do....flying to Aus. for a retreat. I go to one when I can just out of Brisbane, but this year its to be held on the same weekend as the retreat I run at Long Bay, so I wont be going.
ReplyDeleteLovely reading all the work you are doing, and the crochet is beautiful.