Another successful Retreat

Today was the first day that I have had off in the many weeks following Gitta's Getaway Retreat (I need another getaway already).  It was raining all day; I couldn't have asked for better weather to stay at home and work on posting the photos from this year's retreat.

Upon arriving at the Hotel, our attendees were greeted with smiles and their Welcome Package filled with many goodies from our sponsors and a souvenir kit as a reminder of an awesome weekend.

Everyone had also been asked to bring a stitched item that we could display for everyone to enjoy, as part of our "Project Parade".  They were all beautifully finished and all held special meaning to their stitcher.

This display of the Project Parade was set up by the time all the attendees arrived in our stitching lounge for the Pajama Party. 

The Pajama Party, Friday evening, was the start of another awesome weekend.

With all the fabulous donations from our suppliers we were able to play many games, both for an opportunity to get to know each other and to win prizes of course.

On Saturday we began our day with a delicious breakfast in the Hotel's Breakwater Restaurant.  The sun was shining and we had beautiful views overlooking the Credit River.


Once back in our stitching lounge we started the day with our Exclusive workshop.

For this year's workshop I had designed a Bargello "Surf and Sand" Scissor case and  Scissor Fob.  By lunch time we had all completed the scissor fob.  Everyone was so taken with the design and the fact that they would actually go home with something completed.  The kit also included the scissor to which they could attach the fob.



After lunch we continued with the workshop, working on the scissor case.  First was a lesson on the Continental (Tent) stitch, as the scissor is stitched in the Continental stitch.  The remainder of the case was then also stitched in Bargello.

 Although most of the ladies finished the scissor design, the bargello portion of the case would have to be completed at home.  Since the weekend I have heard from 2 of our attendees.  They have competed their stitching and have even restitched the case pattern minus the scissor motif for the backing of the case.

 

Saturday evening began with our Banquet Dinner.  The food was delicious as always, the prizes were numerous, and the company was wonderful.   But this by no means was the end of our weekend.  

Sunday morning was the Random Act of Kindness exchange, as well as some more prize draws for all.   One attendee had also very generously made enough beaded scissor fobs for all of us to choose one.                            The Hotel serves a Sunday Brunch from 10am to 2:30pm.  Thus, by having our stitching lounge available to us until 4pm,  we could enjoy a fabulous Breakfast and Lunch. 

I thoroughly enjoyed myself this year.  By holding only the Retreat, the weekend was truly relaxing, and a wonderful opportunity for all of us to bond and chat with one another.

As always, the Hotel staff worked hard to ensure that we were well pampered, well feed, and comfortable.    Ryan, our night manager, had big shoes to fill, as Tony had always charmed us all in previous years.  Ryan lived up to all of our expectations.                                                                            

The weekend would also not be as much fun without all of our games and prizes, and these would not be possible without all the donations from our generous sponsors.  All the prizes were made possible due to these suppliers:

A Needle Pulling Thread

Alessandra Adelaide

Beth Russell Needlepoint

Brenda Franklin Designs

ByGone Stitches

Caron Collection

Colonial Needle

Dessins

Ehrman Needlepoint

Elizabeth Bradley Needlepoint

Gitta's

Gloriana Silks

H.A. Kidd ( Canada's DMC distributor)
Hearthside Craftworks

Hoffman Distributor

Ink Circles

Jeannette Douglas Designs

Kreinik Mfg.

Linda Meyers Designs

LoopyLou Designs

Needlepoint Inc. Silks

Notions Marketing (Laurel Burch bag)

Rainbow Gallery

Riolis

Rosewood Manor

Silk & Ivory threads

Sweetheart Tree Designs

Stoney Creek Designs
Stitching Studio

Sue Hillis Designs

Thread Gatherer

Vervaco

Victoria Sampler

Weeks Dye Works

Wichelt

Zweigart

and the Maggie B bag and your Souvenir kit from Gitta's 

 

And let's not forget our attendees.  Thank you again for joining us this weekend, and playing along with all the games.  I hope you all enjoyed your weekend.

To view the full photo album from this year's Gitta's Getaway please Click Here.

Welcome !!

Today is the DAY !!  Welcome ladies to a fabulous weekend of stitching, luxury suites, good food, games, prizes, and meeting new friends.

When you arrive at the hotel, Gitta's staff will greet you with your Welcome package.  The Welcome package is a Maggie B bag filled with lots of goodies.  Some of these items have been donated by:

H.A Kidd (DMC, Gutterman, Klasse), Kreinik, LoopyLou Designs, Sue Hillis Designs, Riolis, Weeks Dye Works, Zweigart and Gitta's.

In this Welcome package you will also find a  kit, "Stitching Friends", that Kathrin designed as our special Souvenir gift to you.  She has finished it into a needlecase with beaded trim.  All instructions and finishing supplies are included. 

Getaway Goodies

I received a wonderful surprise in the mail today.   Having thought that all the supplier donations had arrived, you can imagine my delight.  Gloriana Silks has always been very generous every year, and this year is no exception.  She has sent several fibre packs, each with a collection of her various fibres.  I generally use these beautiful fibre packs as the prizes for our Name Tag Contest.

So I hope you have all worked hard on your nametags!!  Good luck to you all.

There are so many other wonderful prizes to be won, and as our attendance is low this year everyone is sure to go home with a nice stash.

Our suppliers have been soooooo generous !!!!

Those suppliers that have donated to make our Getaway memorable are :

A Needle Pulling Thread

Alessandra Adelaide

Beth Russell Needlepoint
Brenda Franklin Designs

ByGone Stitches

Caron Collection

Colonial Needle

Dessins

Ehrman Needlepoint

Elizabeth Bradley Needlepoint

Gloriana Silks

H.A. Kidd ( Canada's DMC distributor)
Hearthside Craftworks

Hoffman Distributor

Ink Circles

Jeannette Douglas

Kreinik

Linda Meyers Designs

LoopyLou

Needlepoint Inc. Silks

Notions Marketing (Laurel Burch bag)

Rainbow Gallery

Riolis

Rosewood Manor

Silk & Ivory threads

Sweetheart Tree

Stoney Creek
Stitching Studio

Sue Hillis

Thread Gatherer

Vervaco

Victoria Sampler

Weeks Dye Works

Wichelt

Zweigart

and lets not forget the Maggie B bag and your Souvenir kit from Gitta's 

If anyone would still like to join us for a weekend of fun and stitching, there's still time!!!

The Weekend's Meal Plan

All our meals at Retreat are prepared by the chef of the Breakwater Restaurant.  The Breakwater is the only restaurant in Mississauga to have a 3.5 star rating from Toronto Life, the Award of Excellence from Wine Spectator and a CAA 4 Diamond Award.

Friday evening during our Pajama Party we will enjoy chicken skewers, stuffed Mini Pitas, Spring rolls, Hummus, and more.  Also brought back by popular demand are the warm home backed cookies at 10pm.

Saturday morning we will enjoy a "Farmers breakfast" in the Breakwater Restaurant.  With it's floor to ceiling windows we will have great views of the Port Credit marina and the Credit River.

For Lunch we will have a market fresh soup, salad, and a selection of assorted Paninis.  The dessert is my absolute favourite and brought back by popular demand - Crème brûlée.

Afternoon Tea will be held in our Stitching lounge.

For Saturday's Banquette dinner you will have some decisions to make.
There is a choice between French Onion soup with french baquette and gruyere cheese OR Caesar Salad with crispy bacon, shaved parmesan cheese and anchovy dressing.

Then there is a choice between Thyme & lemon marinated Grilled Chicken Supreme, Veal Tenderloin medallions, OR seared Atlantic Salmon.

And lets not forget dessert - Cranberry Cheesecake.

Sunday Morning we will awake to hot coffee and fresh muffins. Just something light to tide us over until 10:30am when we will enjoy the Breakwater's fabulous Sunday Brunch lasting 4 hours.

Delish, can't wait...

Room Upgrade Winners

The Winners of the Early Bird draw this year are 

Linda C. and Catherine B. 

 Congradulations ladies your rooms will be upgraded to either a Penthouse or King Suite.

If you would like to view more photos of the luxurious accommodations at the
Waterside Inn please visit their website www.watersideinn.ca

Exclusive Workshop

Here is a sneak peek at the fibres used in this year's exclusive workshop

Moreover, as in previous years,  guessing the workshop is our first game of the weekend.  Two techniques will be covered during the workshop.  Guess the techniques and you could win a prize.  One winner will be drawn from all the correct ballots submitted.   Ballots must be submitted at check-in on Friday, April 5th.  Good Luck!!

This Friday is our Early Bird Draw deadline.

   We will draw winners Saturday morning, from all those registered by midnight Friday.
Winner's will have their rooms upgraded to either a King Suite or Penthouse Suite.

So if you have not yet registered there is still time.

Best of both worlds

I have had many inquiries from those living close to the Waterside Inn, wanting to attending Gitta's Retreat, but sleep at home.  My first thought had been how can you have a true relaxing weekend if you go home each night.  After giving it another thought, and of course checking with the hotel, this year Gitta's Getaway will evolve to a new level.

For those of you wanting to participate in a pampered weekend of stitching, relaxing, playing games, winning prizes, great food, attending an exclusive workshop, and making new stitching friends, but sleep at home - No Problem.  At the end of the evening as some of us will retire to our hotel suites, you now also have the option of heading home and then rejoining the rest of us in the morning for breakfast and all the day's activities.
This of course will also save you the cost of a hotel suite.  The new Registration Form reflects this third option. 

Not much longer!

I can't believe 2 months have gone by since my last post.  As we get closer to the Getaway, I am getting a little frantic even though I have been busy preparing and planning.  Much has been accomplished and many of the very generous donations from our suppliers are arriving.  So far, we have received goodies from

Sue Hillis Designs, Collonial Needle, Beth Russell Needlepoint, Ehrman Needlepoint, Needlepoint Inc Silks, Caron Collection, and Wichelt.  Plus many more have promised to send something for Retreat.  Yeah !!!

If you have not yet signed up, don't forget that the Early Bird Draw is Friday March 1st.