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 !!!

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.