Friends In Stitches 2013

As promised, I didn't blog about my 'Friends in Stitches' Saturday until the weekend was over so as not to spoil it for the Sunday 'FiS' girls...

Unlike last year I didn't take lots of photos -  rather I got down to the job of having a good time...  This year I had a very special 'buddy' with me - my eldest daughter M who had up until Saturday had never embroidered a day in her life...  She had suggested to me last year when I was telling her about Urban Stitches 2012 that she would like to go with me if ever I went again... I didn't need to ask her twice when it was announced that bookings were open for Friends in Stitches 2013 and so I booked us in...

I understand that there were about ninety in attendance on Saturday and I would imagine much the same for the Sunday. And from what I can gather people came from all sides of Australia to share in the day... People reconnected with those they met at previous retreats and workshops and made new friends with  people they shared a table with... I saw a couple of the ladies I met last year but alas didn't catch up with them again through the day...

Goodies bag contents

Each person had a 'goodies' bag at their place on the table. Each bag contained three fully kitted projects - one from each designer. I now can reveal that each day got different designs and they were all equally wonderful... There were also  a selection of project cards from each designer, a card of needles and a square of stabilizer to start your desired project....

M and I chose Gail Pan's design to stitch for the day as I thought that M being a first time stitcher might find it the most straightforward. Lol - she took to like a duck to water and powered ahead... What's more she loved it!!! And has told me she wants to do more. She bought a Natalie Lymer project book and we oohed and ahhed over the various designs... The fairy patterns were a firm favourite and I can see many more relaxing afternoons ahead stitching together...

I added a few more stitches when I got home...

Towards the end of the day  Natalie, Leanne and Gail presented each person with a little brown box tied up with string - in each was a pendant, that had words... As M said and I agreed - that gesture gave us a  feeling of being pampered and that made the day extra special...  M and I both got the words 'I create' on ours which seemed very fitting especially for M as she is 'creating' a 'little project' of her own who is due in late November... A nice keepsake and touch to remember the day...

I Create

There was also a 'show and tell'  time which gave people the opportunity to show us all projects that they had been working on throughout the year... There was some very beautiful quilts shown - they rivalled any that you may see out at the various shows and their makers would have to be extremely proud of their work... Seeing all those dedicated hours that people have put in to their work gives you an adrenalin rush of your own - to bring those UFO'S languishing in dark places into the light and finish them. My inital enthusiasm wore off by the time we reached home but it didn't stop me dreaming of a time when I would have more time to do more... Perhaps one day I might even get to go on one of the overseas retreats - now that would be living!!!!

Of course the day wouldn't be complete without having somewhere to satisfy those itchy retail fingers...Craft Haven from Berwick was 'the shop' for the weekend. They had a good range of lots of goodies to quench one's stitching thirst - and of course I just couldn't resist with a little purchase of my own...

Each of the girls gave freely of their time and wandered between the tables looking at past and present projects offering tips and genuinely admiring the work shown to them...Nothing seemed to be too much of a trouble...

What else can I say about the day??? Not much other than I loved it and I can only begin to imagine how big a job it is to pull off a weekend such as this so that appears to be seamless and effortless...

Perhaps like swans - Gail Pan, Leanne Beasley, Natalie Lymer and their band of helpers were paddling furiously 'under the surface' so that they appeared to calmly 'glide' across the weekend... I was once told 'if you want to appear calm and relaxed - you have to work bloody hard beforehand!!!!'

In finishing I would say if you want a good day out which is offers value for money, good company, prepared food at your fingertips, is fun, relaxing and a break from the everyday grind plus much, much more then keep a watch for next year's 'Friends in Stitches' announcement... You never know who you may meet there!!!

Until later, take care and keep supporting our Australian designers - they deserve it!!!!

Sharon x

*M is still stitching like a mad woman :)