Happy as a pig in MUD! The “Girls Stitch In” report…….
WOW! What a fantastic weekend we’ve just had, with the most amazing ladies! Thank you so much to all!
Many had endured lots of obstacles to get here ~ but come rain, hail and shine, nothing stopped them! Our prayers go out to those all affected by the floods, and our thoughts are with those ladies who had no possible way of attending the event, due to the flood water.
I went all goose bumpy once the marquee was arranged, my dream was coming to fruitition! And luckily when the wonderful men from Toowoomba Party Hire arrived to errect the marquee, the rain stopped, and the sun decided to poke through! Talk about a blessing!
Everything was in place, well as much as we could do at that stage. Silk lining was in, chandeliers were hung,
A final check on Friday night and we were all set for the weekend!
Saturday we awoke early to more glorious rain, and the marquee was still dry from above!
(Wes told us that the marquee’s were waterproof, and now we know they really are!!!)
With our rain coats (and garbage bags!) on, we put the final touches inside the marquee - it looked AMAZING!
Natalie and Lesley arrived to display their samples…
Everyone arrived, all excited, with lots of chatter. Due to the constant week long rain, and a misplaced down pipe, we had a ’river’ of rain water flow through the marquee! But no worries - Shoe’s off - Let’s puddle!!!
I’ll bet no-one expected the ‘pampering’ we were going to provide, the unique ‘extra’ of a day long ‘mud pack’ for your tired feet! Even we didn’t know!
Then…
Then…
And finally…
There were lots of surprises for the ladies. Rob Jordan from “Homespun” Magazine arrived and entertained the ladies.
Linda Blake of “Bella Embroidery”, who is one of our guest tutors for 2011, tantilized the creative juices with a trunk show.
L toR: Natalie Lymer, Marion and Linda Blake
A truly scrumptious lunch was created and served by Kaye from The Chocolate Cottage and her mulit-skilled staff who were very brave facing the ‘Mud Pit”!
Thank you ladies!
It was a first for them as well, to serve meals bare foot, in the mud! All this was happening whilst our singers, Kathy Drummond and Katie O’Shea provided beautiful entertainemnt. The “bubbly” beverages certainly helped set the mood, and the dancing feet!
Lesley (Faeries in my Garden) and Natalie (Cinderberry Stitches) were AMAZING!
They just ‘went with the flow’, ditched their shoes and embraced everyones enthusiasm! They were just an absolute delight to have with us as guest tutors for the weekend!
Thank you ladies so very much for your understanding - it was honestly a joy to have you visit us!
Both Natalie and Lesley created GORGEOUS new projects from the weekend, in the fabric kits provided to all our participants in their gift box.
Natalie’s Creation…
Lesley’s Creation…
Both these projects, patterns and fabrics are available from our shop. Contact us for more information.
It never ceases to amaze us on what our talented designers come up with! We really do have sooooo much talent in this country!
A HUGE thank you must go out to my wonderful band of ’extended’ family!!
Ethel (my Mum), Marg (my Aunty), Alicia (my Sister), Paula and Marcia for assisting with all the little extras on the weekend.
Rachel and Linda, who beared the mud in the marquee to help me! These two really know me better than I know myself!!!
To Christina and Sue, who manned the shop. These weekends are absolutely crazy in the shop, and it is a credit to both of them for all their help!
Colin, my husband who does all the ‘boy’ stuff for the weekend! He never whinges or complains, just does what is asked! Thankyou!
So Thank you,
and to all the particpants who make all the work and preparation that goes into these events… absolutely worth it!
We have had LOADS of emails and phone calls, with lovely comments so to all who have taken the time to let us know, Thank you!
We are still running on a high - so we have most probably missed lots! In that case, we will update you all again soon!
Our aim was to focus on us, as women, and to really spoil ourselves! We hope we have achieved this!
We hope that the first “Girls Stitch In” was one to remember (no doubt it will be with all the MUD!)
Visit our website for information on next year’s event.
Visit Natalie’s blog for more pictures and her story! (We hope it wasn’t too traumatic for you Nat!!)
http://cinderberrystitches.typepad.com/cinderberrystitches/2010/03/here-i-am-back-home-again-typing-on-the-laptop-and-watching-the-rain-fall-outside-thinking-how-much-fun-i-had-over-the-weeke.html
On Angels Wings,
Marion
P.S. On behalf of all the participants and staff, I would like to congratulate Marion on all her massive efforts in bringing events like this one, to life!
There is so much behind the scenes work and organising, (and stress!) which is very much appreciated. We all dream, as stitchers, of events were the focus is on friendship and stitching, and thanks to Marion, it is now a reality.
THANKS MARION!!!!! xoxo
