Barb's beautiful Christmas Trees on display
Stitch, eat, sleep... repeat! That was the theme for this weekend and the
Knowledge & Needles Retreat, actually its the theme every year! The event and stitching commenced Friday evening and we didn't stop until lunch time today! This is one of those events I look forward to every year, getting together with my good stitching friends (some years meeting a new one or two). Friday evening 18 of us descended upon the
Timberhouse Country Inn outside of Brighton Ontario and quickly settled into our little stitching nests.
Joyce showing off her amazing Mona Lisa!
The tables were beautifully set
Chef Dan with Maitre'd Bruce explaining the day's menu
Sylvia, impatiently waiting for lunch!
It was a lovely couple of days of stitching, gabbing, eating, and some shopping! Saturday afternoon we all took a break from our stitching and headed to Knowledge & Needles HQ where Ann, the owner's husband had a most excellent lunch waiting for us!
Barb checking out the goodies in the gift boxes we each found at our place
Clare, Bernie &
Ann enjoying a glass of wine before our first course is served
Leek & Potato Soup - our first course (and very tasty!)
Seven Layer Salad, Chicken & Broccoli Braid, Cinnamon & Nutmeg Carrots - main course
Lianne doing a little shopping at Knowledge & Needles
After the starter and main course we took a break from food for a little while to go shopping! I was pretty restrained this year and bought only 1 piece of 40 count linen for a SAL I'll be starting in the New Year with some of my stitching friends, one little Lizzie Kate chart, and three JBW charts. Quite tame compared to some of the other ladies shopping that day!
Lianne pouring over her new stash with Clare, Sharon, Sheila, Judie, Ann, Barb, and Berine all ogling!
From shopping we went back to eating with this fantastic trifle that Ann made. After we had done enough eating and shopping for one day it was back to the Timberhouse for more stitching (are you surprised?). The evening brought on our 3rd annual ornament exchange, and what fun we have with this! Upon arrival we all put the ornament we've stitched (and kept top secret) in a paper bag that goes into a basket. Saturday night we take turns drawing names one by one picking ornaments. I'll just let the pictures do the talking.
Judie showing off Ann's ornament that she picked
Naan, our oldest retreat member showing off
Bonnie's ornament
Beatrice with I think Joyce's ornament
What amazes me is that we NEVER have a duplicate!
Our little tree all decorated with the ornaments after the exchange
This year I received Beatrice's beautiful ornament, I've been lucky so far and received ornaments from different people each year! I'm sure many of the ladies walked away looking forward to putting their new ornament up on their trees in the near future, and planning next year's ornament!
Here I am showing off
Beatrice's ornament, as usual lots of bling!
Ann, serving shrimp Saturday evening
We stitched late into the night, but sadly Sunday morning, then lunchtime rolled around all too soon where we one by one started to pack up and say goodbye. Some of these ladies I won't be seeing again until the New Year or spring, which is always sad! This is such a fantastic group of ladies I love them all!
24 comments:
Wow! Looks like a lot of fun. I have sways wanted to attend a stitching retreat such as this...someday!
Wow! Looks like a lot of fun. I have sways wanted to attend a stitching retreat such as this...someday!
Oh what a fun time it looks like you had, Dani--from the meals, to the stitching, to your special friends! I can see why you look forward to this retreat each year...
It was so much fun to see you over the weekend.
The ornie I got was stitched by Shiela.
Thanks for sharing your pictures. Between us we will be covering the event farely well!
It looks like it was another successful retreat! Glad that you enjoyed yourself.
I really envy you these retreats, they look like such fun. All the ornaments are gorgeous, but I especially like the idea of planting the tree ones into little pots
Looks like you all had a great time.
ohhh a fab time was had by all :) love the ornaments from every one .. those at the beginning are gorgeous and sorry you have to wait so long till you next see them all :) love mouse xxxx
That retreat looks like so much fun! Glad that you had such a great time. The ornaments all look so lovely.
Hugs, Kaye xoxox
wow i can see it is so much fun.looks like a fun day...i so much wanted to attend a retreat too..may be one day..
the ornament are so beautiful x
Thank you for sharing such wonderful photos. It looks like you all had a blast, and well done you for being so restrained with your stash shopping! I don't think I would have been that good. Best wishes to you.
Nothing better than good friends, good food and a great stitching weekend. Glad to see everyone having fun and what beautiful ornaments.
Be always in stitches.
What a wonderful weekend! All the stitched pieces are so beautiful.
I just love retreats! I've only been to 2 but they were so much fun. I'm sure you came home very relaxed and recharged!
Looks like you had an amazing time Dani!
Looks like a fun time was had by all. Love the idea of the stitches trees in pots. Very clever.
Teresa's Heartfelt Stitches
There is some major league stitching there --- WOW! Mona Lisa???? That is unbelievable. What patience (and talent) that lady has.
The ornaments are adorable.
Glad you had such a good time.
Wow - what an amazing weekend! Thanks for sharing the pics of the stitching and food :)
Love the ornamentin a pot, might have Tory that myself, clear fit Ida.
Looks lie lts of fun,super stitching on the ornaments everyone
This retreat always looks like so much fun, and the FOOD always looks so great!!
Awesome!! You always go to the best events, man. *pout*
I'm smiling here at my desk despite my envious feelings. Congrats on a wonderful adventure.
Wow, what an amazing time! Sounds like a wonderful way to spend the weekend and all those ornies are gorgeous!
It is always fun when we all get together! Can't wait to do it again on March.
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