Minnetonka 2006 Fun Report - Continued
After a hearty breakfast the next morning we headed back to class to learn more of the stitches and techniques for creating our Dreamkeeper.
We spent many happy hours together just learning, chatting, and stitching. We had lots of time for individual help, too, which was great. As we stitched Ann & Liz shared about their lives and designs. It’s really great to be able to spend 2 days like this with instructors and get to know them!
I find that I always learn from other stitchers at each retreat. Someone always has a good tip or has a helpful needlework tool I’ve never tried. It’s a great opportunity to learn and expand your needlework skills.
Sisters Kenne Jean and Mary, and Diane
During the afternoon some of us played in our new stash. Kelly picked up a punchneedle project and Janet was able to show her how to do it. Several of us were interested in learning how so we all gathered around for a demonstration. Thanks, Janet!
I brought a little project along with me that I showed to everyone. The designer is Teresa Layman of Teresa Layman Designs. Teresa started out making little miniature rugs out of French and Colonial knots for doll houses. Her disigns are adorable and stitchers quickly became interested. I’m doing one called The Bunny Run Around. The knots are done on muslin that has the design stamped on it. You basically fill in between the lines with knots in the designated color. The French knots are only wrapped once for these designs, and because they are done on muslin you don’t “lose” the knots in the fabric. Liz gave it a try with dubious results -- ha! Then Ann gave it a try and nailed it immediately. Afterwards I stitched their names with lines pointing to their knots on my muslin just for fun. Since the retreat Ann told me she fell in love with the design and is now doing it herself!
And so we had a cozy, lazy afternoon of stitching and chatting together.
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Interspersed throughout the retreat were doorprizes, doorprizes, and doorprizes!!! What fun!
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That evening, omigosh. We had a wonderful meal and were being totally pampered. A conversation began at one table about a subject which I can’t totally divulge on this website in order to protect the, um, guilty! We had a wonderful waiter named John who was going about his business taking care of our dining needs. John overheard this certain conversation and finally could no longer contain himself. He said, “So this is what you ladies do at Stitcher’s Hideaway!” LuAnne quiped back, “What happens at Stitcher’s Hideaway, stays at Stitcher’s Hideaway.” We began llaughing pretty much out of control -- so loudly that a huge wedding reception in a ballroom next door could hear our wild laughter over their music!! Well, I think LuAnne is right and that some things just need to stay at Stitcher’s Hideaway, because I’m sure not going to detail it here!!
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Stacy the Birthday Girl, John the Waiter, LuAnne the Crazy
That evening we had Show ‘n Tell! You just never know what you’ll see at a Show ‘n Tell since many of us also have other addictions to show off. This time, in among the fabulous stitching, were knitted socks and ceramics!
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Look how talented we are!!
Well, once again, another retreat has come and gone, leaving the attendees with some very pleasant memories, new friendships, and lots of new stash! See you next time, Minnesota Stitchers!
Sue
“Thanks again for the wonderful retreat!! It was definitely worth traveling from Maine to attend this retreat and I even won an awesome gift for coming the furthest!!! It was also nice to take a class again with Ann and Liz! They are both so nice and fun to be with. It was great to meet new stitchers and also to see old faces again! The trip to Stitchville was totally awesome! I wish I lived a little closer but then again, I'd probably be broke all the time because I'd always be there shopping. Famous Dave's was just yummy and so was the General Store!! As usual, the retreat meals were great! Thanks Sue for all of the hard work you put into these retreats....it is truly appreciated!” ~ Linda
Linda with Earth Threads Doorprize
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“First and foremost, thank you for putting on such a wonderful event! I can't even begin to imagine the balls you have to juggle to pull off a retreat like this; but I can assure you I appreciate your hard work!
Kudos to Ann and Liz of Brightneedle for teaching us such a beautiful project. I, for one, can't thank them enough for modifying their etui to a sampler over two for we, the over one-challenged. They are so talented and it was touching to hear the story of how they met and to share with us their extraordinary friendship!
And Deb from Stitchville? Class act all the way around. Her store was a stitcher's dream; but what can you say about having your stash enhancement experience delivered right to your door! Thanks, Deb, for all your efforts.
The people of Minnesota were kind and generous. Thanks, Linda, for carting us to Stitchville and Famous Dave's! The Marriott staff were fabulous and, if it would've fit in my suitcase, I would've taken that bed home with me!
I can't end this note without special thanks to John, our evening waiter, for being such a good sport and providing us so much laughter on our last night there. I don't know what was more fun...watching John or watching Sue turn beet red with laughter. Thanks again.” ~ Michelle
“Hi Sue - Well, it was a blast! However, those Minnesota girls are wild! Saturday night dinner with "John" was too fun, I haven't laughed that hard iin a long time! Thanks for a great time!” ~ Debby
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“I had another great time at the Hideaway. Number five was another new and entertaining experience. I love the project and met some new llocal stitchers as well as meeting some from other states. l wish I could go to a Stitchers Hideaway once a month. We laughed a lot, we ate well and we spent money on more new projects. Liz and Ann were great and they have a wonderful working friendship. Their designs are terrific and I just want to go home and stitch. I can't wait until the next Hideaway.” ~ Diane
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“Thank you so very much for inviting us to teach at the Minnetonka retreat. It was such great fun – and we hope the stitchers enjoyed themselves as well. Everything was lovely – we felt totally pampered. The food was yum, and we especially loved all your thought retreat “extras.” It was all wonderful! And it was awfully nice to see you again! Thanks again, Sue!” ~ Liz & Ann
“Just a quick note to thank you for putting together such a wonderful retreat in Minnesota. You really have an eye for detail – right down to the frog stickers on our name tags. I really appreciate and notce all those special little touches. It takes a lot of thought and you put together a fabulous event. I’m just sorry it wasn’t twice as long! See you next year!” ~ Stacy H.
Stacy’s Itty-Bitty Show ‘n Tell
“Sue, I registered for the Minnetonka 2006 retreat as soon as registration opened and now it's over! How I looked forward to another class with Ann and Liz, and I was not disappointed. Such talented, humble designers at a wonderfully organized retreat. Stash is my favorite word: I look at my treasures from the retreat and have wonderful memories. Although I will not finish all the stash I received, I'll always have great memories of the two days I spent at the Minnetonka retreat with some really neat stitching "sisters". My only concern: too much great food! Garry and I had a wonderful time driving to and from Minnesota as well as a great visit to the MOA and Dave's Barbecue. Thank you for bringing this all together.” ~ Marianne
Marianne & Gary, who earned 5,000 Husband Points
for Driving Marianne from NY to MN for the retreat!
Mary with With My Needle Doorprize Michelle with Stitchy Kitty Doorprize
Rita & Connie posing with the singing Frog!
The Birthday Girl! Sherry
Pig Pile on Liz!!!
Kenne Jean at Show ‘n Tell
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