Stitching Retreat

 Oh my goodness gracious me, it was June last year when we last wrote a post on our blog!  The time sure seems to fly by so quickly.  Cornelia and I have been sewing though and have some photos to share with you so I hope you have time to sit down and have a look at what we’ve been up to.  Our most exciting news is that recently we joined Anni Downs at the ‘Heavenly Escape’ Stitching Retreat at Lake Okataina organised by Jill and her team from Cottage Flair and what a heavenly escape it was.  Our weekend started on Thursday night when I picked up Cornelia from Auckland Airport at 11 o’clock at night.  She caught the ‘Night Rider’ plane up from Wellington (real cheapie flights at only $30) and because it was so late we decided to stay at a motel near the airport and travel to Rotorua the next day from there.  However before we left Auckland we popped into Patchwork Passion at Onehunga and of course couldn't walk out without any material.  It’s such a yummy shop and we both got material needed for our projects at the retreat before heading off to Rotorua.  We had never been to Lake Okataina before and the last 7 kilometres of road was really narrow and windy through beautiful bush and we thought we were never going to get there when all of a sudden there was the lake in front of us and what an amazing picture it was:

Cornelia standing at the end of the jetty

 Looking back at the lodge from the jetty

I should have taken photos on the first day when we arrived as it was picture perfect with the sun shining on the lake but never mind, these photos with the cloudy sky will give some idea of how pretty it was.

Friday evening was spent getting to know everyone followed by a delicious meal together which was then followed by a ‘show-and-tell’ by Anni.  She is a fabulous designer and her fabric ranges are just so pretty.  We really enjoyed getting to know her over the weekend.  She is a really lovely person, so gentle and kind and generous.  Here she is giving some tips to a couple of the ladies (see one of her beautiful quilts in the background):

Our projects for the weekend included a sampler bag that has six panels - two of hexagons, two of stitcheries, two wool panels (one with birds and flowers and the other with little round button shapes); a button purse using a metal frame and a zippered purse that is made with hexagons on one side and applique on the other.  I think there was only one lady that finished a project and Cornelia was a close second with only the zip to put in her purse which she has now finished.  Here’s a couple of photos of it:

with needle turn applique on one side and hexagons on the other

Isn't the material just the cutest!

I’ve finished the hexagon panels for my bag.  Here’s a photo of what I’ve done so far and you’ll have to watch this space for the finished project in the not too distant future (I hope):

 

Too soon it was Sunday afternoon and it was pack up time.  It was such a neat weekend of great food, learning new techniques, a lot of fun and most of all fabulous company.  

Here we are all together holding up a quilt made using one of Anni’s patterns (A Boy’s Story), made by one of the ladies and Cornelia holding her little purse:

  

If you haven’t seen any of Anni Downs patterns before you should pop over to her website and have a look: http://www.hatchedandpatched.com.au/.  I’m sure you’ll feel inspired when you see her beautiful designs.

Until next time treasure your creative moments.

Corrina and Cornelia