Happy Easter!

Woodland Forest Retreat - Part 3

I had totally intended to publish this last night.  I went down and did my treadmill time and started watching Mad Men on my nook.  And, that was it for the evening.  I could not tear myself away from Mad Men to do anything else, even stitch!  Hope you have a great day today.  Back to the retreat.

Saturday morning our first class with Pam Reed from Olde Colonial Designs began. 

She gave each of us one of these bags.

Inside the folder was a great picture of the finished project as well as  the charts.

The first thing we did was mount the nameplate on top of the box using a jig that Pam provided so that it would be centered precisely. A nice way to do that.

Next we began stitching the scissor fob cube.  Three at a time we were called to the front of the room for Pam to help us line our boxes. Each of us had a box that looked like this one by early in the afternoon. Now, we did not have the scissor fob finished before lunch!  But, I forgot to take a picture of the empty box.

When we went to the dining room these adorable needle books were at each place.  Along with the counting pin that I've shown.

 

 

Back to the classroom after lunch to finish working on the cube for the scissor fob.   Pam had lots of helpful hints and tips as we progressed with these.  She was on hand for one on one instruction throughout the afternoon.  We also had cookies for dessert in the classroom after lunch.



 

Then it was back to the dining room for dinner.  And these were on our table at each place. Aren't they pretty.  These were made by Belinda Karls Nace of Blue Ribbon Designs.  These are one of a kind, made just for retreat attendees with fabric provided by A Stitcher's Garden.

After dinner we returned to the classroom to continue working on the fobs and start the needlebooks.  This is as far as I got with my needlebook.  I'm sorry for the blurry picture. If you ever get the opportunity to take a class with Pam Reed from Olde Colonial I highly recommend that you do it.  She is a patient instructor.  Her kit was complete and well organized.  Pam is a delight to work with and has so many helpful tips and pointers that can be applied to any project that you are finishing.

 

 

There was dessert, different from what we had in the afternoon. 

 

Then it was time to say goodnight. 

Woodland Forest Retreat - Part 2

Friday night we got together for the first time.  It was a time for the teachers to tell us a bit about the projects. Also, I think this is when the goodie bags were distributed. Boy, were they full.  Look at all these goodies.

The bag was so full.  Then it was time for a bit of stitching and dessert before turning in for the night.

Woodland Forest Retreat - Part 1

I had the pleasure of attending the Woodland Forest Retreat in Syracuse, New York sponsored by A Stitcher's Garden.  I had originally intended to leave for retreat on Friday morning after completing a full morning of errands.  At luncthime on Thursday I check the weather forecast.  There was as Lake Effect Snow Advisory beginning Thursday evening and continuing through the day on Friday.  I decided that it would be in my best interest to leave right after work on Thursday night and hopefully beat the snow.

Thankfully, I had assembled my name tag on Wednesday evening and ironed my completed pre-stitch.  Each year there is a name tag challenge.  A Stitcher's Garden and the Retreat Committee provide fabric, floss, and a theme for the challenge.  You can finish it any way you wish and use any embellishments you desire.  I kept mine fairly simple this year.  I finished it by putting it in a Tin Pin,  a nice, easy finish.

I used white and gray squirrels because I see them in my neighborhood. 

The pre-stitch looked like this.

I arrived without incident on Thursday night.  It did snow the last half hour of the trip.  It was dry snow that swirled like fog on the roadway.  I find that type of snow to be hypnotic when driving at night. 

I awoke Friday morning to find that it was still snowing and continued to do so for most of the day.

Late in the afternoon I picked up my schedule for the weekend.

I made a visit to the boutique conveniently located in thehotel to say hello and browse. 

Last Weekend

Last weekend my sister, Ali, of Northwoods Creative Studio came for a visit.  She arrived on Friday night.  And we were up until 2:00 laughing so hard we cried and talking.  It was great.  

Saturday we went to Berks Bead Bazaar in Reading.   So many beads, I bought a few things that I will turn into scissor fobs one day soon.  She bought several lovely things which you can read about on her blog.  She has turned some of hers into finished works. 

We went to lunch at CrossRoads in Reading.  I love to eat there.  They have more than ample portions, food is fresh, and the most wonderful baked goods.  I look forward to trips when we can eat there. 

Then after lunch it was on to Stitch n Stuff, my not-so-local LNS.  I had a wonderful walk through there and came home with a few new things, shown here.  Just a bit of stash enhancement.  

We finished that outing with a stop by Cabela's which was on the way home.  One of those places that has to be seen to be believed.  I like to look at the wildlife displays. 

Home for some short naps before we went to dinner.

Dinner was at Sophia's with Mr. S, little boy and his fiancee.  Again, more good food.  And then home to settle in for the evening.  We had originally planned to watch part of Season 2 of Downton Abbey, but that requires us not to talk.  And we just didn't get to it.

Sunday was sad,  having to say goodbye to her again, but with promises to meet in the spring at the lake. 

We did make a pact to check in with each other daily for accountability.  I have been telling her that she only needs to post one thing a day to her etsy shop.  I am to get on the dreadmill for just 15 minutes a day.  We have been checking in by text this week.  It's been fun.  Kind of funny that we are doing these things at about the same time some days.   The accountablility has helped me immensely.