Sturbridge 2013
Fun Report

The Red, White, and Blue was very present with our Patriotic Theme at the Stitcher’s Hideaway Retreat in July of 2013!  It was held at the wonderful Publick House in Sturbridge, MA and our delightful instructor was Jeannette Douglas of Jeannette Douglas Designs.  Jeannette designed her “Patriotic Sampler” for this retreat and we love, love, love it!

We had the best of times working on this project and just being together! 

Attendees came from CA, CT, MA, ME, NJ, NY, SC and VA.  The four ladies from California arrived with patriotic surprises for us all -- what a hoot!   They decorated their tables, themselves, Jeannette, and yours truly!  Oh, we were quite a patriotic sight with “tatoos”, necklaces, headgear and more!

We arrived ready for fun!!

 

 

 

 

In they came and each person grabbed a spot, played in their Stash Bags, greeted each other, and even had a little time to begin shopping among the wonderful goodies Chris’s Collection had set up for us.  Our Stash Bags had goodies from 123Stitch, Calico Crossroads, Elizabeth’s Designs, Giulia Punti Antichi, Glory Bee, Nordic Needle, Rosewood Manor, Tempting Tangles, Victoria Sampler, Weeks Dye Works and Stitcher’s Hideaway!

We were a little out of control with our excitement during the first hour (can you blame us?!?) - but then we all settled right down so very eager to get started on the Patriotic Sampler.

 

We loved the kit presentation!

 

And the framing -- WOW!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Jeannette did a wonderful job guiding us along each step of the way as we worked on our project.  She was patient -- and hilarious!

She had also designed some patriotic smalls that we could purchase and demonstrated the finishing to small groups at a time.  So helpful!

Throughout the retreat great doorprizes were given out.  Many of the donors provided items with a patriotic theme to add to our fun.  Doorprizes came from 123Stitch, Nordic Needle, Praiseworthy Stitches, Rosewood Manor, Stitchy Kitty, With My Needle, and Karen Cappello, a friend of Stitcher’s Hideaway.  In fact, a very special donation came from Karen Cappello -- so awesome that we had a special game to determine the winner -- Stitchers Bingo!  Each person filled in their bingo sheets with names of designers and companies and then as names were drawn we used red, white and blue jelly beans for markers.  The very lucky winner was Kim from California!  She received the complete kit to make “House on a Hill Beckons To Thee” by Merry Cox!  You see, Karen and her mother used to take all the same classes together.  When her mother passed away Karen generously donated this item and many others to Stitcher’s Hideaway in memory of her dear mother.  What an awesome way to remember her by bringing joy to so many other stitchers!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cynthia received a doorprize from Rosewood Manor.

 

Lara received a doorprize from 123Stitch.

 

 

 

 

Katie received a doorprize from With My Needle

 

Laura received a doorprize from 123Stitch

 

 

 

 

Linda received a doorprize from Rosewood Manor

 

Mary Ann received one from 123Stitch

 

 

 

 

Terre received a doorprize from Nordic Needle.

 

Stephanie received a doorprize from Rosewood Manor.

 

 

 

 

Yvonne received a doorprize from With My Needle.

 

Patty received a doorprize from Praiseworthy Stitches.

 

 

 

 

Emma received her doorprize from Stitcher’s Hideaway.

 

Kim received a doorprize from With My Needle

 

 

 

 

Donna received a doorprize from Stitchy Kitty.

 

Linda received her doorprize from Nordic Needle.

 

 

 

 

Robin received a gorgeous kit from Karen Cappello.

 

Pat received a doorprize from Praiseworthy Stitches.

 

What good little stitchers we were!   We made a lot of progress on our project during the retreat -- and were quite impressed with ourselves!

 

 

 

Chris

 

Cynthia

 

 

Pat (look how much she got done!)

Laura

 

 

 

And all the while we had plenty of laughs!

 

Emma & Mary Ann

 

Lara

 

Yvonne & Jeannette

Katie & Gina

 

We also had an optional stitching exchange.  All participants stitched something in keeping with the patriotic theme.  It was great!   All the items were gift wrapped and then each participant picked a gift in order of drawn numbers.  They had difficulty making their choices!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mary Ann

Patty

Emma

 

 

 

 

 

Kim

 

Donna

Katie

 

 

 

 

Terre & Yvonne

The gifts revealed!

 

 

One night we had a fabulous Show ‘n Tell.  It’s so inspiring to see each other’s works of art.  Here’s some pictures of just some of them.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Patty & Yvonne from California made these wonderful bags for their California buddies and Jeannette and me.  One side had a quilted American flag, and the other side had a quilted Canadian flag! 

 

Jeannette and I thought we were so cool with our patriotic Tats!

 

 

Emma & Mary Ann found themselves a little stitching nook

 

 

Here’s a little surprise kit that every attendee received -- “Sturbridge Sparkler” -
 designed by me.  :)

 

 

Breakfast in the Publick House Restaurant

 

We had wonderful meals together

 

 

Jeannette autographed our charts.
What a pleasure it was to be able to spend time with her!

 

 

 

 

What an amazing time we had!  Ladies you were awesome!  Jeannette -- you rock!!!

See you at the next retreat!

Sue

“We sure did have a good time in Sturbridge in July. Jeannette Douglas is charming, funny and a swell teacher. Her "Patriotic Sampler" is a great design-not too hard, but with enough variety of stitches to keep things interesting. The whole Stitcher's Hideaway was great. We all remarked how your Hideaways are like an experience out of a fairy tale. We get to spend all our time doing what we love (stitching and shopping), someone is there to cook and clean for us, and we can turn off the phones and computers so family and work responsibilities are just a memory for a few days. Thank you for providing such a welcoming atmosphere; I can't wait for the next Stitcher's Hideaway!”   ~Linda E.

“Love the project, the retreat, instructor, hostess and location.  I particularly like Jeanette's Socratic Method of asking us what we would do and why.  It really made us think about the stitching.  Also appreciated her focus on color and variations.  Found that very interesting and helpful.  She is a hoot and so personable.   You also are to be commended - did a great job in putting together the activities and menus.  Thanks for all your hard work.  Look forward to another retreat in the future.   ~ Katie M.

“Sue - Can't thank you enough for the great class and the great event.  You really covered all the bases.    To say some of the ladies really got into it would be an understatement.  The California girls even painted their toenails red, white and blue.  The arrived with glitter, sparkle headbands, and patriotic themed everything.  They made matching red, white and blue bags which featured an American flag on one side and a Canadian flag on the other side.  These girls were clever!  You did a fabulous job covering every detail, making everyone feel welcomed, arranging a great menu and having TONS of give-a-ways.”  ~Robin T

 

“Had a great time as always! Jeannette is so much fun! Luv luv the project.” ~Donna S

 

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