Another retreat is over and it's always so hard to leave. It's not just that I spent three wonderful days doing my most favorite thing, but I spent those days in the company of 6 amazing friends, surrounded in luxury at the Walden Inn (staffed by the best and friendliest people), and being spoiled silly by Jan (OOE Needleworks owner and Retreat Planner Extrordinaire!)
Picking up where I left off... Saturday afternoon brought us the end of the Silent Auction, Ewe Games and our informal class. We were all very happy with the figure collected for Care Net (over $300!) and we all got wonderful pieces to use and enjoy. I was lucky to win the crocheted doilies made by Sally & Lani! Then on to the games! Jan had filled 2 jars - 1 with floss of all different types and 1 with lots & lots (& lots!) of buttons of all kinds. We had to guess how many were in each jar and let me tell you - it isn't as easy as you might think! Kathy won the buttons - there were over 800 in that jar!!! And the floss was a tie between Sharon & Brenda, so they split them. I think the total in that jar was 48. Jan then showed us how to do the pinhead stitch. What a joy that is! I hate using a waste-knot approach to start my thread (I don't tie a knot - just hold it until it's caught by the other stitches) because it wastes such beautiful overdyed threads. With the pinhead stitch, I can anchor my first stitch with very little waste! She also showed us the top loop-method start. She had shown this to me before and I always use it now. It's so much easier to start your doubled thread from the top rather than having to flip your piece over and back. Sharon took over after that and discussed the many ways to work with overdyes. It was a wonderful talk and gave me lots of ideas to try out that I never thought of! We stitched a bit more after that. Jan talked to the staff and asked if it was ok for us to eat at 6:30 instead of 6. It had been a full afternoon and we just weren't ready to end it yet! Dinner was in 2 West for the Pasta & Salad buffets. And we all ate too much yet again. Everything is so yummy, it's hard not to try lots of things! Jan's daughter Megan joined us for dinner after she got off of work, so we got to catch up with her as well.
Our last evening of stitching got underway. As has been tradition for the past 2 years, some of us changed into jammies for the evening. Several of us did our last shopping in Jan's shop room and she checked most of us out. It was obvious to me that everyone was thinking about it being our last evening for this year. Conversations were more subdued and expressions were a little sad at times, knowing that tomorrow would bring our good-byes for another year. Candace, Jan, Brenda, & I were the last to head up to bed at around 12 or so.
I was up to see Candace off at 9. She was the first to head for the airport. Kathy & Sally were down shortly after that to load up their cars and check out. We stayed and chatted in the lobby/library area until the others came down for brunch at 10. Brenda borrowed my car so that she could attend her Sunday meeting. Kathy & Sally headed out about 10:45 and the rest of us headed off to check out. I brought my things downstairs to the meeting room since Brenda had my car. I did my last shopping and Jan checked out Sharon & I. Brenda got back and we all started packing up our things. Then we helped Jan pack the shop up and Megan & I loaded it all into Jan's truck and my car. Sharon & Brenda were heading to the airport and we all said our last goodbyes and gave our hugs and then we all left the Walden Inn together.
Another year's retreat comes to an end. And I'm all ready for next years' to begin! LOL
Thank you, Jan, for the amazing time... for spoiling us all rotten with your beautifully designed retreat piece and all the goodies that you gave us. Thank you, ladies, for the wonderful friendships and support that we give each other. I am so truly blessed to have each of you in my life! Goodbye 'til 2009!
#2 is my 2nd incentive piece, called The Old Doll by LHN. I'm using 32ct Vintage Maple Sugar and CC.
