We couldn't have asked for a more wonderful stitching retreat experience than we all had at the first New England Stitcher's Retreat Spring 2010 weekend! Belilnda Karls-Nace, of Blue Ribbon Designs, not only created a very special project for us, but included a meticulously organized notebook of all the charting and finishing instructions so that we would be able to finish every aspect of the project when we returned home. I don't know about you, but I almost never finish my class project at a retreat, and thank heavens for great instructions so that I can finish it on my own later!
There were late hours of stitching, talking, laughing and giggling well into the night in the stitcher's lounge of the Great Stone Dwelling House, where we all experienced what it was like to stay in a 200 year old Shaker dwelling.
We all enjoyed wonderful meals too, with one delicious meal after the other, including wine with dinner and great desserts! And of course, we can't forget about the "chocolate" for all of us "chocoholics"! There was chocolate everywhere, even in the Stitcher's Lounge, just in case anyone needed a late night "chocolate fix"!
On Friday night, after dinner, we all had fun enjoyed admiring everyone's personal needlework pieces, both finished and unfinished "works in progress".
My favorite part of the weekend was the Saturday afternoon trip to ABC Stitch Therapy for some shopping and an English style afternoon tea in a cozy section of the shop. After we had explored every nook and cranny of this wonderful needlework shop, searching through rows and rows of charts, fibers, fabrics and other necessities of needlework, we happily sank into comfortable chairs and sofas, to sip on hot cups of tea and enjoy some delectable tea sandwiches and dessert. Nothing could have been more perfect. I was in stitching heaven, with my favorite cup of tea and having the time of my life with my new found stitching friends!
After resting from our exhilarating time of shopping, and some rest and relaxation, we returned to the Great Stone Dwelling House at the Enfield Shaker Museum, where we were once more treated to another great meal. Then it was time for some doorprize! Yea!!!. It was great fun seeing what everyone received!
Before we realized, it was already Sunday morning and time to say our "good-byes". There were new friendships made amidst the old ones, and many said that they couldn't wait until the next time we would be together again for another great needlework retreat. Belinda was one of our best new stitching friends, for sure, and we knew that we would never be the same for having come together to do what we enjoy doing best...needlework of course!
Now, I can't wait until the next New England Stitcher's Retreat, which will be with Thea Dueck of The Victoria Sampler, from October 8-11, 2010, again being held at the Enfield Shaker Museum and Great Stone Dwelling House, in Enfield, New Hampshire. I can't wait!!
