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.

Registration now open!!

Over the last few months several events have greatly weighed on me.  Having put much thought into and worked through some of my concerns regarding next year, I am happy to announce that Gitta's 4th Annual Getaway Retreat will be held over the weekend of April 5th - 7th, 2013.  It will follow much of the same game plan as previous years -  games, prizes, great food, luxurious accomodations, wonderful company, an exclusive workshop, and surprises for which you will need to be patient.  It is however, with heavy heart that the NeedleWorkers MarketPlace will not be held in conjunction with the Getaway next year.

Do not dispare, this will in no way dampen our fun.  Many of my plans are already in the works, and the donations from Needlepoint Inc have already arrived.

See you in 4 months, 3 weeks, and 3 days.

Plans for 2013

2013 will be Gitta's 4th Getaway, and I have been trying to think of a theme to make this Retreat as memorable as the others have been.  This theme will inspire the designs for our exclusive workshop, and souvenier fridge magnet/ornament kit (that has always been one of Gitta's gifts to our attendees).  As the Waterside Inn is located by the Lake, one of the obvious themes I have been considering is "Water".  What  makes this such a wonderful theme, is that so much can be found on the surface and even more below, so don't assume the designs will only be blue, or filled with sailboats.  Remember, lily pads and frogs live in water too (and green after all is one of my favourite colours).  But before I get locked into one mindset, I would love to hear from you.  If you love the theme or have another in mind, please leave a comment.

Finished Tea Cup pin cushions

During our Getaway's exclusive workshop Carol Arsenault, our instructor, had commented that if even just one of us gets hooked on Stumpwork she will have been successful.  Well, Monika J. finished hers during the week after Retreat.  She has even bought several Stumpwork books and has incorporated stumwork critters into her "Nature" quilt.   

This is her finished Tea cup



Kim B. also finished her Tea Cup upon returning home, and has sent photos of her finished pincushion.  Kim even elaborated on the design to make it her own.

    Well done ladies.  

If anyone else has finished their Tea Cup Pincushion and would like to share it with the rest of us, email a photo and I will post it.

Awwwww!!!!! It's all over!

This year's Getaway once again followed a very successful and proven agenda, but with it's own unique surprises to make it another memorable year.  On Friday all our retreaters were welcomed with a MaggieB bag filled with wonderful treasures donated by Gitta's very generous suppliers.  We later started our evening with a Designer Meet & Greet, pizza & chicken skewers, and playing "get to know each other" games.  We played Bingo, completed a Designer matching game, and ended the evening with a "Guess the Teddy Bear" Trivia and a Pajama contest - and all winners were rewarded with prizes.  But in between all the games, we had our "Teddy & Me Tea Party" workshop.
Our surprise designer/instructor this year was Carol Arsenault.   She is a Stumpwork artist, and in the current issue of "A Needle Pulling Thread" magazine, Spring 2012, you will find an article about and a pattern from Carol.
Our workshop project was a Tea Cup pincushion.  The floral top was embroidered with some of the flower's petals done in stumpwork.  Carol was an excellent instructor and made it all seem very straight forward and easy.  She stayed for the weekend, answered all our  questions, and finished her workshop on Saturday at afternoon Tea.  Thank you, Carol, for all your wonderful insight and tips. You took the "stumped" out of Stumpwork!!!!!

Every year we have had decadant warm cookies later in the evening for that sugary boost.  This year, with Gitta's Birthday being on the Friday we all enjoyed decadent Birthday cake - Blueberry Cheesecake and Chocolate Fudge.  I had to have one of each - absolutely to die for!!!

                                                               This is a photo of myself, my mother and sister.

The rest of the weekend was worry and chore free - stitching, chatting, playing more trivia games, winning prizes, and enjoying free access to the NeedleWorkers MarketPlace.  

Saturday evening, at our Banquet Dinner, Carol once again held our complete attention with her inspiring words, encouraging us all to devote our time to those projects we feel most passionate about.

During dinner we played our traditional word game - this year's phrase was "Collaboration Sampler" - the winning table found 514 words contained within the phrase.  Congatulations ladies.

The winners of our Nametag contest were also revealed after the dinner,  names were drawn for 5 Grand prizes, everyone received a gift package, and someone at each table won the table centre piece - a Bouquet of needleart Goodies. 

The weekend was a blast!   We all had a  great time! 

 

So much so, that some of us were not anxious to head home! 

There is much work that goes into a weekend such as this, and I want to take this chance to thank everyone involved in making this weekend the success that it was.  

First off, I would like to thank YOU, all our attendees; 

without you handwork and needlework would become a dying art form, the Stitching Lounge would be a very quiet room, and all our preparations would be for naught.  A few of our attendees need an extra mention.  Sam C., attendee at every Gitta's Getaway Retreat and just recently turned published designer, presented each of us with a kit of her first design, Winter Sampler.  Marilyn R. knitted a stash of dishcloths, more than one for each of us.  Jessica C., a first time attendee brought bags and bags of Hershey chocolates straight from the Hershey Chocolate factory in Hershey, PA. Delish.!!!  And finally Darlene K. who once again was a great help, especially with our "Guess the Teddy Bear" game by bringing along her power point projector.

Next I would like to thank the Waterside Inn.    The staff goes well beyond their job description and service expectations to ensure we are all happy and want for nothing.  Tony the night manager, was our evening contact again this year.  He put on quite the show for us, when we asked him to once again take our group photo.  He had us laughing so hard we were almost in tears.                        Thank you again for a wonderful experience.                                                                                   

A heart felt thank you is extended to all of Gitta's staff, in preparing all the kits for the Getaway,  for my Make-it & Take-it workshop kits for the NeedleWorkersMarketPlace and packing for the weekend;  those that kept the shop running while I worked on the Getaway -  designing this year's souvenir ornament, designing my MITI Tea Cup, designing my contribution for the NWMP Sampler,  finishing my Stitch for a Cure fundraiser,  contacting suppliers for gift donations, and planning our games.   And finally to Margaret for all her work in helping with the plans for the weekend, all the paper work, organizing all the supplier donations, and keeping the weekend agenda flowing smoothly.

And lastly a much appreciated thank you goes to our suppliers.  I was blown away this year with their generousity and the wonderful products they donated for our Getaway, making this weekend even more memorable.  And these generous companies & designers were:

Access Commodities

A Needle Pulling Thread

Beadaddict

Brenda Franklin Designs

Brown Paper Packages ( Silk & Ivory)

By Jupiter (charms)

Caron Collection

Christine's Swedish Weaving

Daylight Company

Elizabeth Bradley

Gentle Art ( Sampler threads)

Gitta's

Gloriana Silks

H.A. Kidd and Company Ltd. (Needleart accessories & notions)

Hoffman Distributing Company Inc.

Ink Circles

JBW Designs

Jeannette Douglas Designs

Jesse James and Company (Button It Up buttons)

Just Another Button Company

Kelmscott Designs

Kelsea Sales (Distributor of LoRan & Clover products)

Kreinik Mfg.

Lizzie Kate

Needlepoint Inc. (Silk threads)

Quiltsource Canada Inc.

Rainbow Gallery

Riolis

Rosewood Manor

Stitching Studio

Sweetheart Tree

Threadworx, Inc.

Verachtert / Lanarte

Victoria Sampler

Wichelt Imports

X's and Oh's

Zweigart

Thanks to everyone for their efforts in making it another memorable weekend.

If you would like to see the entire photo album from the weekend please visit my facebook page, Kathrin Ellison or click on the link below

http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.403219469709865.94374.100000654471706&type=3&l=e8b8935faf

See you next week

Only 7 more sleeps until Gitta's Getaway retreat. 

I thought a final check list might be a great help while packing for the weekend.

1) What is a Pajama Party & sleep over without your favourite Teddy Bear.  And being that this year we also have a Teddy & Me Tea party workshop, why not bring your favourite Fuzzy Wuzzy.  But that is not to say,  it specifically has to be a Teddy bear.  Here are my two!  But sadly one will have to stay home. 

2) You will also need some awesome PJ's or flannels, fuzzy slippers, and anything else you would like to wear for Friday night's Pajama Party.  Each hotel suite has luxurious bathrobes, just incase you do not want to be seen in your PJ's as you make your way to the stitching lounge.  So no excuses!

3) Your Project Parade item.  Every stitcher has a special project that they are extremely proud of or has special meaning.  They will all be on display in the stitcher's lounge for all to enjoy and appreciate. 

4) Your Random Act of Kindness exchange item(s), if you wish to participate in the exchange.

5) Your "Guess the Instructor" guess must be handed in at 6pm, at the start of our Pajama Party.  So go through all the clues again,  put them all together, and submit your best guess.     Good Luck!!

Have a Happy Easter and see you all next Friday.

Guess the Instructor Clue #4

Only 12 more sleeps and another Gitta's Getaway begins.  How exciting!  And this year will prove to be the best one of them all.  Our suppliers have out done themselves this year, with fabulous gifts for everyone and others that will be drawn at random and used as game prizes.  And, oh the games! The games will already begin at check-in.   Speaking of that, here is your next clue for our first game, "Guess the Instructor" for our exclusive GG Workshop on Friday evening.

Clue #4: Not an Exhibitor
Although, she has attended other shows and taught at guilds, she is NOT one of the exhibitors at the NeedleWorkers MarketPlace.  We will also have the pleasure of her company all weekend;  she will stay over and join us as a Gitta's Stitching Wizard on Saturday.

The photo is a little snippet of her workshop project.

Guess the Instructor Clue #3

Clue #3:  Inspired by Nature

Taking her inspiration from nature, she makes her blossoms everlasting with needle and thread. 
This picture is also a clue as to one of her most recognizable designs.

Still stumped?  Then you'll have to wait for Clue #4.

Guess the Instructor Clue #2

                                                                Clue #2:  Tools of her trade!!

She requires more than just needle, fabric and thread to complete her craft;  two scissors, one to cut thread and another to cut "cloth covered wire".  Also necessary will be a hoop and tweezers.  No symbol chart to follow, just an outline brought to live through free style creativity.  Guess her specialty, and this combined with last weeks clue may help in solving her identity.

Don't forget your guess must be submitted at check-in on Friday, April 13th.
Good luck, another clue will be posted next week.

What's for Dinner?

As last year, you have a choice of appetizer and Entree for the

 Saturday night Banquet Dinner.

Your selections must be in to us by March 20th. 

Please choose a soup or salad:
- Soup: Fire Roasted Red Pepper - with shaved Parmesan and chili
- Soup: Potato and Leek - with chive sour cream and bacon lardons
- Salad: Caesar Salad - Romaine Hearts, Crispy Bacon, Shaved Parmesan Cheese and Anchovy Dressing
- Salad: Baby Spinach - Toasted Almonds, Fresh Black & Blueberries, Blue Cheese and Red Wine Vinaigrette

Please choose an Entree:
- Pork Tenderloin Medallions
- Thyme and Lemon Marinated, then Grilled Chicken Supreme
- Seared Atlantic Salmon

Guess the Instructor Clue #1

It's only 35 more sleeps until the Getaway.  How exciting is that!  Are you all packed?  Or at least finished your Nametag?

The Getaway Exclusive Workshop will be held on the Friday evening.  By guessing the identity of our workshop instructor/designer you can win a prize. Your guess must be submitted to us at Check-in on Friday, April 13th.  One winner will be drawn from all the correct guesses. 
Clue #1:
Born in England, living in Canada for the past 30 years, this designer has been published in several issues of A Needle Pulling Thread.

Drop by next week for Clue #2.

Stitching Lounge

As some of you already know, for Valentine's Day weekend I treated my husband (and me too) to a weekend away.  I took him up to The Rousseau Marriott.  We had a wonderful time.  Saturday afternoon we found ourselves a wonderful spot by large windows overlooking the frozen lake.  I stitched and my husband edited the photos we took on our hike that morning.  While I was sitting there I kept on thinking how wonderful is this;  this is the atmosphere I need to create for our Getaway.

 And then it hit me; the south banquet room at the Waterside Inn has huge windows looking south over the lake.  In the past years we have always held our banquet dinner in this room.  So this year, this room will be our Stitching Lounge; we will be able to enjoy those large windows while it is bright and sunny.
We may even open the doors and enjoy the fresh spring air.

Only 7 more weeks until another great weekend.  

A weekend spent stitching with friends, and no cooking or cleaning.

Is there anything better?  See you there!!

Stash, stash, and more stash !!!

Every year I am blown away with the generousity of our suppliers.  Part of our goodies from HAKidd, the Canadian distributor for DMC arrived today.    They sent so much stuff; and everything they sent they sent for each retreater.  I was so thrilled that I just had to share some of the surprises that await Gitta's Getaway 2012 attendees.  The gifts and prizes will not disappoint.  Other designers that have already sent goodies are - Rosewood Manor, Ink Circles, Lizzie Kate, Vervaco, Gloriana Silk, Kreinik, Kelmscott, Gentle Art, Just Another Button Company and Silk & Ivory.  And there is still more to come from Zweigart, Threadworx, Victoria Sampler, Sweetheart Tree, Weeks Dye Works, Threadworx, and more.  

Tomorrow I'm off to meet with our Events Co-ordinator at the Waterside Inn.  This year's menu is now available and we will be finalizing our meals for the weekend.
The  Waterside Inn has a 5 star rating from the Toronto Star.  The executive chef takes great care to provide a unique and exciting taste experience in an atmosphere of elegance and comfort.  How devine !!!