Back from Annual Retreat

Yes I am back. I could have sent another week with these ladies but reality must rear it's ugly head and I have to come back to work. As always the time spent with this group is so inspiring. The talent and variety makes your head spin. I did not get as many pictures as I would have liked because I have been volunteered to be the activity coordinator. This means I am getting less time to stitch and just relax and look at all the projects but it also means I am having more and more fun with organizing fun games to get members to mingle and win prizes.

This year we had the annual crossword puzzle that had an awesome gift prize. And also a prize for the most creative guesses.

We also had a picture Scavenger hunt. There were 25 picture clues whoever got the most got a prize. And lastly we had 5 small plastic Easter eggs, we would hide them each of the 3 FULL days that we were at the retreat and when they were found each person was able to pick a JBW pattern with a floss inside and a hand-dyed fabric to stitch the pattern on. It was very fun but boy some of those ladies are very competitive....;-)

I was sewing project bags for a week before the retreat and I took those and a few other sewing projects with m to sell. I did quite well of the 20 I took I sold 12 along with 5 previous bags and 4 wallets.The 8 bags I have left I have added to my Etsy account. I will be making more and adding those and I will be accepting custom orders. I have 3 sizes 13X14, 15X16, and 19X16.

There were some amazing projects brought to display.

  I did not get as much stitched as I had planned. To much to see and appreciate, plus hand out prizes, and this year we organized a gift basket for our Retreat Coordinator. She organizes and schedules these retreat all on her own time without compensation so we collected gift certificates and other small gifts and organized them into 1 big presentation. Yes as the activity coordinator I was the 1 collecting it all to give as 1 large present. And I did not get a picture of the final gift but lets just say it was a fabulous collection. We were 33 participants this year with 3 that had to drop out last minute due to medical situations.

I did get sometime with several of my projects. Spring Village, a Nutcracker, and Death by Cross Stitch. I also worked on the 2004 Christmas Tree Counted Canvas pattern. I am going to continue with that until it is finished since I am so close to the end.

 

All in all it was an amazing time. Already planning for next year. How fast can 12 months go?????

March In like a Lion

Well the old expression of March comes in like a Lion and out like a lamb so far has been pretty accurate. I am not complaining because we need this rain so badly and it is nice to have it. So of the rest of you may not agree with this but here in Cali we can use all we can get.

My trip was quite nice. Time with the kids is always fun and we went to alot of places, of course the camera on my phone chose to take a powder and I got zero pictures. I will have the kids send me the ones they took but since I have been home I have not had much time. Work is busy!!!!! Yay and I am getting ready for my stitching retreat. Plus I have family members coming for a visit this week. So lots going on. I did get stitching done on the plane and some time in the evenings while waiting for my son.

I have been doing some sewing during my time back. We are putting together a thank you gift for the lady that organizes our retreat. I was handed the job of gathering the gifts because the lady that started this has had to have foot surgery and is unable to complete the task. I made an envelope project bag instead of putting all the gifts into a basket. I also made a needleminder for her. Both have owls because she is a big fan of owls.

I will hopefully have some pictures of our retreat to share with you in a couple weeks. Both stitching pieces and al the fun we have during out stay.

Happy stitching all!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!