And the Winner are . . .

Darlene came into the shop on Saturday and helped with the Early Bird draw.  We had 20 people that had already registered for the Getaway. 
All 20 names were each written on a slip of  paper and then with those in the shop at the time as witnesses, the names were drawn.  Drum roll please!!

And the winners are ......       Barbara Salmon

                                               Jean Clinton

                                            Bonnie Hockings

Congratulations ladies, your rooms will be upgraded to either a 1 bedroom Penthouse or King suit.

The luxurious Penthouse Suit

Only 6 more days until the Early Bird Draw.  

Everyone signed up for the Getaway by midnight on January the 13th will be entered into the draw.   3 lucky winners will have their rooms upgraded to either a Penthouse or King suit. 

We had another sign up today, so as of today we already have 18 attendees, 17 of which are returning Retreaters.  Remember there are limited spaces available.

Teddy & Me Tea Party Workshop

It's about time that I post something again.  The shop (Gitta's) always gets busy in the fall and this year is no exception.  Although for the last few weeks I've been busy thinking and preparing for our Christmas Open House on December 3rd, I have also been working on the Getaway and the Needleworkers MarketPlace.  I know its still 4 months 2 weeks and 6 days away, but great things can't be left to the last minute.

I'm very excited about the exclusive Teddy & Me Tea party workshop that will be offered to our retreaters.  For the workshop, I wanted to offer a technique that not all of us have much experience with and then uniquely finishing it, other than simply framing it or turning it into an ornament. Not having much experience myself with this needleart form I have invited an expert to help in both the design and teaching.  So not only will the project be a surprise, the instructor will be as well.  She will join us for the pajama party, and take part in the Designer Meet & Greet displaying her own designs.
For those of you that were at Gitta's 1st retreat in 2010, you will remember that guessing our Secret designer will be rewarded with a prize.  We will start posting clues in March of 2012.

Please note: that the Early Bird draw has been extended to January 13th, 2012.  Everyone that has signed up for the Getaway by that date will be entered into the draw.  The lucky 3 winners will have their (already luxury accommodations) upgraded to either a Penthouse or King Suite.

What's in a name?

During a conversation with a returning Getawayer, I called our weekend the Retreat.  She thought this word gave the wrong image of what our weekend is all about.  Although it has been officially baptized Gitta's Getaway, I do say Retreat a lot.  Possibly because other  shops or guilds generally refer to them as such.  We came by Getaway by playing on the G in Gitta's, even though we only go as far as the West Village of Port Credit.


Retreat, I was told, makes it sound like a religious- spiritual- finding yourself kind of gathering.  She felt our  weekend was more of a gathering of old friends and family; a fun sharing of times and laughter with other stitchers.  So then I commented, maybe we should call it  Gitta's "Get Together" as a better description of our weekend.


But what is in a name anyway?   Although for us, the Gitta's Gang, and those joining us from Mississauga and Toronto the hotel is only "down the road", we also have friends travelling in from Ottawa, Montreal, Aurora, Barrie, and Gravenhurst, to name a few, who are getting farther away.
But in essence aren't we all getting away from something?

As for the religious aspect associated with the term Retreat, after thinking about this I thought,  Retreat is actually not an incorrect reference, as the weekend allows us to reconnect with like minded people, to share our love of stitching, and to make new friends.  It is truly a mind cleansing of our everyday stressors -  isn't that soul fulfilling?!

Looking Forward to 2012

Plans for Gitta's Getaway  2012 are being finalized.  Our plan, once again, is to pamper all our attendees;  with the luxurious atmosphere of the Waterside Inn, the fabulous gourmet meals, and time to stitch and mingle with other stitchers.  The stage is set for a stress free weekend to enjoy and relax.
Much of the schedule and weekend events will be unchanged, but we are always thinking of ways to make the weekend fresh and exciting.
But just how much can you improve on perfection?
Kathrin is busy designing her exclusive workshop, to be held on Friday evening during our first Teddy & Me Tea Party.  As in past years, we'll post clues to the design as the weekend approaches, but for now consider the title your first clue.

So mark April 13th-15th, 2012 on your calendar.
This is your weekend to be pampered and getaway from it all !!!

Registration will begin June 1st, 2011.
Be sure to register in time for the early bird draw.

Mommy it's oveerrrr!!!!!!!

Our second Getaway has come and gone, and what a weekend it was.  We were pampered, well dined, and enjoyed the company of designers and stitching friends. 18 of us were returning retreaters.
Friday night at the Pajama Party, while snacking on gourmet pizza and melt in your mouth chicken skewers, we were all treated to an exclusive designer "Meet & Greet".

The exclusive Round Robin workshop was held after the Meet & Greet.  This Celtic Bellpull on the left is the collaborated creation of 4 Canadian designers, Jeannette Douglas (top), Laura Dickson (middle), Kathrin Ellison (bottom) and Brenda Franklin (tassel).  What a wonderful project to have as a remembrance of this weekend.


The Project Parade, photos on the right, was on display in the stitchers lounge for all of us to enjoy all weekend.  All the finished pieces were amazing,
what a special treat to see everyone's work.

The bowl of biscornus was adorable.  Except for one, they were all the patterns from my blog.  Everyone's colour choices looked great; you'd be hard pressed to choose just one.  The photo of the sampler behind the biscornus is made up of the same motifs, but with a border.  For all of these patterns visit Kathrin's Blog

Saturday morning we enjoyed a " Taste of Europe" breakfast in the  Breakwater Restaurant.  At 9:00am  the NeedleWorkers MarketPlace opened and my kids welcomed both Gitta's Getaway Retreaters as well as the public.  The Workshop models were on display and everyone that came to the Market could enter into our draw, visit with the exhibitors, and attend workshops.  From each designer you could also collect a free pattern, all together these free designs could be finished into a 15 sided Biscornu.


All day the Retreaters could hang out in the Stitchers' Lounge, shop in the Designer Booths, vote on their favourite name tags, win prizes, enjoy a "Bistro" lunch, and afternoon Tea.  In the evening we held our Banquette Dinner with more Prize Draws.  Afterwards we returned to our Stitchers' Lounge and stitched until midnight.

Sunday started with Breakfast, followed by our Random Act of Kindness exchange.  Everyone had done such a fabulous job at putting their gift packages together.  31 of our retreaters participated and we drew names to determine the order of who could choose a gift package first.  The Stitchers' lounge and the NeedleWorkers MarketPlace were open until 5:00pm.  None of us wanted to go home; but all good things do come to an end.  I posted a photo album on my facebook page.  To view all the photos click on this link.

We all had a great weekend and everything ran smoothly.  There is much preparation and planning involved in the Getaway, that I would not be able to hold such an event without the help of so many.  Barbara was instrumental in preparing all the Confirmation packages you received once you signed up for the weekend, she liaised with the hotel, and organized and wrapped all the MaggieB Welcome bags, prizes, and banquette packages.  Darlene kept the blog up to date, keeping you all informed on the happenings and preparations under way for the Getaway.

Banquette Prizes

 Helen won the Name tag Contest

                                                                                                    

Our suppliers this year once again donated a wonderful selection of prizes.  This year everyone won something.  Our suppliers that donated to the weekend were:

A Needle Pulling Thread

Christine's Swedish Weaving

BeadAddict

Black Tulip Designs

Brenda Franklin

Caron Collection

Crescent Colors

Daylight Lamps

Embroidery Canada

Enchanting Lair

Fleur de Paris

Gentle Art

Gitta's Charted Petit Point

Gloriana Silks

H. A. Kidd and Company Limited

Hoffman Distributing Company Inc.

Jack Pizioli Enterprises (Royal Paris)

JBW Designs

Jeannette Douglas

Kelmscott Designs

Kelsea sales (Loran Distributor)
Kreinik Mfg. ( Metallic Threads)

Lynne Nicoletti Designs

Norden Crafts

Rainbow Gallery

Rosewood Manor
Siemens Canada

Stoney Creek

The Printing Mill

The Thread Gatherer

Threadworx, Inc.

Victoria Sampler

Weeks Dye Works

Wichelt Imports

X's and Oh's

Zweigart

I would like to thank them for their generosity.

After dinner and all the prizes, everyone enjoyed looking through their Banquette Package 

Ietje was our only Stitch Wizard  in the Stitcher's lounge this year to help everyone with any of their stitching inquiries.  She had a great time with all the Retreaters; she is always welcoming and eager to share her love and knowledge of stitching.  Mary was unable to be with us this year, but she did manage to drop by for Lunch on Saturday.  It was wonderful seeing her.  

The rest of  Gitta's staff, including Gitta, were in the shop welcoming all retreaters and stitchers that dropped in over the weekend. 

  A special thank you goes out to all the designers that came to exhibit at the NeedleWorkers  MarketPlace.  They did a fabulous job decorating their suites, and added a new dimension to the weekend.  It was wonderful seeing all their finished designs and let's not forget the shopping.
                Oh, the shopping!!!!!





The Waterside Inn, as always made us all feel welcomed providing excellent service and food.  Their pampered rooms with luxurious bedding, extravagant decor, and scenic views, made us want to stay forever, well OK not forever, but atleast a little longer.  And the cute little washer/dryer in the kitchenettes were so tempting, that one retreater wanted to do laundry just to give them a try. Not me, I left all that at home.

And a final thank you to all our Retreaters and MarketPlace attendees.  Without our loyal stitchers we would not be here.  Many of you had commented on how wonderful the weekend was and that you were looking forward to next year.  All of the designers were just as enthusiastic about returning next year. They loved the concept of the Market and they loved all of you.

Not sure when, but as decisions regarding next year are made, we will post to the blog.  If you are not on our email listing please send us an email to add you, as I will notify everyone by email once we have more information regarding next year.

Thank you to all
Kathrin

Day Two

It's now the end of the second day and some of the stitchers were in the lounge until midnight again tonight.  After a wonderful banquet dinner with many wonderful prizes, a number of stitchers quickly got back into pajamas to continue the pajama party that started last night.

Here is a picture of the Gitta's Getaway Gang taken just after dinner.

Gitta's Getaway Gang 2011

As you can see the friendships from last year are continuing and new friendships are being made.  Everyone is enjoying spending a weekend with like-minded stitchers.  The MarketPlace meant a lot of shopping, comparing of new stash, trying new techniques and chatting with designers that we love.

Have lots more to say but sleep is calling and there is still another day of sharing good times and creating lasting memories.