MN 2004 cont

Eden Prairie, MN 2004 Fun Report- Continued!

Kelly and sisters Diane & Janet

Before we knew it, our stitching was actually really looking like something! Jeannette managed to get us through all the stitches painlessly! And you know what? We really did a great job!! We were so impressed with ourselves!! Even though we were working right on the sampler itself, it was a generous cut of fabric and some of us tried out the new stitches on a side so we could learn with the class while going at our own pace on the sampler itself.

That night after dinner we went right back to stash enhancing (afterall, you never know when there might suddenly be a needlework famine!). And then we had a great time receiving wonderful door prizes!! They were donated by Brightneedle, Calico Crossroads, Charles Craft, Glory Bee, Just One More, Nordic Needle, Rosewood Manor, Stitcher's Hideaway, Stitchy Kitty, The MonkeyWorks, The Victoria Sampler, and Wichelt Imports, Inc. And all this was on top of the ones from Stitchville USA. There were some VERY, VERY happy stitchers!! It was so much fun to see Kenne receive the doorprize from The Victoria Sampler because she had told me just that morning that Thea Dueck was her favorite designer.

Oh, I hated to see the retreat end! I didn’t want anyone to leave! Couldn’t we just stay and stitch together for the rest of our lives? {sigh} Some of us stayed once again and stitched to an unreasonable hour, but one by one we eventually bid farewell and wandered off to bed.

The next morning Jeannette and I were joined by Vicki and Loretta for a trip to Perkins for breakfast. Afterwards Jeannette headed off for the Mall of America with her Canadian friend who had returned from Des Moines. Me? I collapsed! No kidding! It was clear to me that I needed to when I noticed a big iron grid over a drain in a sidewalk and thought to myself, “Hmmm...that must be about a 4 count.” And when I began noticing the weave on a tablecloth and figured it was about a 40 count, I knew it was time to focus on something else for awhile! I took a walk in the hotel courtyard and enjoyed the flowers and cool air. Then back in my hotel room I plopped myself into a comfy chair with ottoman, drank lots of ice water and watched mindless tv for a couple of hours. At some point I realized that the floor lamp next to the ottoman with its built in tray was just the most perfect stitching nook. Out came the sampler again and I finished up all my beautiful lady slippers! I went back to spacing out again and realized I was sitting there smiling to myself. I was thinking about all the stitchers I’d met and the fun we’d had.

I’m going to miss you, stitchers! But I’ll see you at next year’s retreat with Thea Dueck as instructor!! YAY!!

Sue

Above: Mary and Vicki taking a sneak peek at Jeannette’s work on the sampler for the Mystic retreat scheduled for November. We saw the ancient stone walls stitched up and they were really neat!

“I just want to say how much I enjoyed the retreat. I am still working on my piece but I stopped in to Stitchville yesterday and Kenne has already finished hers.
I really enjoyed getting to know Jeannette, she was so much fun. I guess if you had to sum up the weekend it would be 'Laughing, stitching, eating, stitching, laughing, eating and stitching some more'. What a great group of stitchers. Thanks so much for organizing it, it was good to finally meet you after reading all your emails and I am looking forward to next year. I am hoping I can go to Mystic in November. I would really enjoy another weekend with Jeannette and her piece for Mystic looks great. Besides, It would be nice to really get away from it all and explore someplace new.” ~ Diane

“Can't wait to see the "Fun Report"! That was the best time I've had in a long time! I've been able to make some progress on my sampler and have REALLY enjoyed impressing my stitching friends! Thanks for making the whole thing possible!...You arrange a great place with terrific rooms, wonderful service and nice meals. You have a wonderful designer - and yes, she IS a REALLY good teacher and her instructions are perfect! You even did most of the work on the thank you notes for us. Thanks again for such a special, relaxing time!” ~Mary

“I had a wonderful time at the Eden Prairie Stitcher's Hideaway. It far exceeded my expectations, and I think much of its success was in its simplicity ... stitch ... eat ... stitch ... eat ... stitch ... eat ... stitch ...eat! I have been lucky enough to have had classes with Jeannette Douglas before, but in a more crowded and rushed venue. Having two full days, and some elbow room, to work on Jeannette's unique versions of "specialty stitches" was a treat. Also, the Minnesota sampler she designed for us was stunning. I knew it would look better than the scan; they always do, but again, this exceeded my expectations. Sue, you did a great job, and I'm also thankful to Stitchville for their part--and happy that some travelers got to visit our amazing LNS as part of the experience!” ~ Virginia

“Thanks again for a great retreat. It was perfect: so well organized, nice facility, terrific door prizes! Jeannette Douglas is a wonderful teacher. Her sampler, a special design for Minnesota, is a joy to stitch. Great time! I'll see you next year at your '05 retreat!” ~ Loretta

“Thank you so much for that wonderful weekend. I had so much fun. Being with a group of stitchers is heavenly.
As you have heard, my piece is done. Deb framed it and it is hanging in my living room. It looks wonderful.
I can hardly wait until the next Hideaway. If I could sign up now, I would. It will be fun to see you again. Keep stitching - and thanks again.” ~ Kenne Jean

Read More Fun Reports