Sturbridge, MA 2006 Fun Report Continued...
After a very delicious breakfast at the Publick House and a bit of shopping, we jumped right into working on our Briar Rose Etui. Jackie continued with her most excellent instruction. Bit by bit throughout the day we learned the different steps to finish our etuis. Jackie even had a sewing machine there to show us some of the steps.
We laughed out loud when sweet Jackie had some momentary difficulty with her laptop and said in her always ever-so-pleasant voice, “Oh @#(&. Oh @#(&. Oh @#(&.” LOL!!
During a break, Laurel took a walk and took time to smell the flowers. Unbeknownst to her, when she leaned into a lily it left blotches of bright orange pollen on her face! When she came into the classroom like that, it caused a good deal of laughter! We advised her that next time she should probably just stick to taking time to smell the roses!
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Look at us busy at work!
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And here? Well, who knows what on earth was going on, but it appears that I am giving Jackie “the finger!”
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Bev received a door prize from A Whimsical Element
Margaret with Rosewood Manor doorprize
What a pleasant time we had -- going from shopping to meals to stitching and back again, peppered with door prizes and fun. Jackie went over all the finishing details and responded to our every question. It was such a nice relaxing day together. We had time to work on stitching the flowers on the outside of our etui and many of us experimented with the direction we worked our varigated floss within the colorful flowers. The results were really cool -- especially one that came out looking plaid!
After another incredible dinner together, we had Show and Tell. This is always so much fun to see! There are so many different techniques and designs that are represented when we each bring in some of our work to show off.
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Cynthia the Sweet shows Sue the Crazy one of her masterpieces
Left: Rosemary shows us a WIP (Work in Progress).
Right: Deborah shows us her beautiful stitching.
Left: Bev shows us her work.
Right: Some of Jackie’s other teaching pieces.
Oh, I have my eye on one of Jackie’s other teaching pieces!! I must have it!!! I’m just going to get her back to teach at another retreat!!! LOL!!
Well, as usual, it was sad to see the retreat come to an end that evening. There were many hugs and goodbyes and see-you-next-times. And they weren’t kidding, either! A bunch of them have already signed up for future retreats!
And now, read on for more photos and comments from the attendees....
Sue
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Just a brief note to let you know how much I enjoyed the Stitcher’s Hideaway retreat in Sturbridge. Jackie’s class was great, the food was yummy, and everyone was very friendly. It was a very relaxing weekend! Thanks for all of your efforts to make the weekend such a success! ~ Patty
Left: Ann with doorprize from With My Needle.
Sue - thanks again for setting up another wonderful weekend! ~ Ann Marie
Thank you for a wonderful retreat. The company, food, stash enhancement and project were all excellent. I’d come to Stitcher’s Hideaway every year if it wasn’t so far away – can’t you do one nearer to me!!!?? Love, Rosemary (from Wales!)
(Rosemary, why certainly! LOL!! ~ Sue)
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Sue, I just wanted to let you know what a super time I had at the Sturbridge retreat. I loved the project, and Jackie’s teaching, and the Publick House, and all the fun events. It was so terrific getting to meet so many nice people who all have the same stitching bug. Speaking of bugs, your ladybug design is adorable and I am enjoying my frog nightshirt a lot. I have sent the thank-you notes to the donors of the door prizes I won, but I also wanted to thank you so much for organizing a wonderful retreat. I know it’s tons of work, and you did a super job. ~ Barbara G.
Thank you for the great weekend in Sturbridge! The class with Jackie was the perfect choice as was the Publick House – nice rooms, good food, wonderful door prizes and fun kits. I was lucky to win the Sudbury pin cushion. Thank you very much! I am looking forward to my next Stitcher’s Hideaway. ~ Mary M.
Sue – Thanks for another fun weekend. Your hard work for our fun and relaxation is sincerely appreciated. ~ Peggy
(And thank YOU, Peggy, for the cool frog button! ~ Sue)
I just wanted to let you know I finished your Lady Bug case! It was a fun and easy piece and I am currently using it for my business cards! I had fun in Sturbridge and hope to return next year. Thanks for all you do in putting these retreats together! I appreciate your hard work and attention to detail. Thanks again. ~ Margaret
(Margaret, I was so excited to see the picture of your Lady Bug case! I loved how you used a detached button hole and another lady bug button to close yours! ~ Sue)
Thank you so much for a wonderful weekend!! This was my first retreat, but definitely not my last. The weekend was so much fun, and the food was great. Everyone was so wonderful. The "mini mart" was a nice little touch, and oh, all of the surprises!! The lecture was a nice touch. Sturbridge is a wonderful venue for an event like this, since there is so much needlework history in that area of New England. The village is not to be missed. I am eagerly working on my Briar Rose, and hope to have it finished by the next retreat!! Thanks again. Regards, Barb N.
RIGHT: Barb with door prize from Glory Bee
Good food, good company and a weekend to stitch; who could ask for more?! I so enjoyed Jackie’s class. She is such a delightful person and generous with her finishing secrets. Once again, I recognize and appreciate the time you put in and everything you do to make such a wonderful time for us. I look forward to attending future Hideaways. My daughter-in-law had a boy (finally) – Trent James, on the 13th. Enjoy your summer! ~ Fondly, Mary B.
Mikki with door prize from Knotted Tree NeedleArts
AND HERE’S A MESSAGE FROM JACKIE: Thank you to every one of you ladies at Sturbridge for the wonderful - super - grand - time. I had a blast sharing my design and finishing techniques with you all.
Thank you to - Peggy and Margaret quietly in the back stitching away. Patty having to stitch another Sweet Strawberry - too funny!. Ann, I hope Atlanta is not too hot - Can't wait to see you in 2007. Sali and Deb - It was so good to see you again. Robin, thank you for the threads. Melissa, have you oiled your sewing machine yet?- you did a wonderful job with your Bee pieces, thank you for sharing. Suellen, please remember to think of me when you shop for shoes in Florida. Allyson the speed stitcher - of should I say flying needle - I am so jealous! Laura and Barbara, hope your next trip to France will be equally grand. Mikki and Mary, big hugs to you both - you are sweet treats!!! Rosemary, hope those budgies were happy to see you - thank you for traveling so far to stitch with us. Barbara G and Deborah B, hope you had fun, I did - hope we did not scare your hubby, Deb. Nancy, I am keeping my fingers crossed - hope to see you soon with the other Nancy. Hope she is doing better. October 2007 - Buffalo, Ann Marie if you can't take a day from work - I know Debby, Mary and I can make a plan to get you fired - only joking. I am looking forward to spending more time with you three. Linda, Cynthia and Beverley - the middle three - it was so great to see how you enable one another - great to see the stitched projects, I loved your hardanger Cynthia. Chris, Pam, Sue and Deb - my four in the back - Thank you for everything - the shopping, the retreat, dinner and great conversations. Kerri and Laurel, let’s see many more finished pieces. You are great friends and I had so much fun with you both. Laurel - smell the roses!!! Not lilies. Cyndi - thank you for your kind and sweet heart - I feel so lucky to have had this time to spend with you all. Enjoy your project, it is your treasure to show and use. I treasure our time shared and feel so grateful for the opportunity to share this and stitch together. I am honored that you are stitching The Briar Rose Etui - thank you for attending my retreat. Have a good summer. Please stay in touch. ~ Fondly, Jackie
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I just wanted to write you and say "thank you" for a great weekend. It was top-notch!! I couldn't have asked for a greater time. Jackie was an absolute doll. I enjoyed learning from her, as well as enjoying her sense of humor. The door prizes and goody bags were just fantastic. I can't believe how generous the designers and manufacturers are to the retreat. The Publick House was a beautiful setting for the retreat and the food was most delicious. The lecture on sewing accessories was great. I thoroughly enjoyed it. And, of course, the shopping was to die for. I know I spent more than my budget allowed, but who could resist. You are one terrific hostess! Thanks again for a great weekend. I'm looking forward to next year! ~ Cynthia
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LEFT: Sue models the Hop into Bed nightshirts! LOL!
RIGHT: Jean shows a small to Mary B.
LEFT: Nancy with door prize from Kreinik
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