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.