Girls just wanna have fun.

There is no word sweeter to an appliqué lovers heart than "Retreat".
There is so much to love about our quilting retreats and it is great to get together and compare notes, try new venues and talk about our old favourites.

A few of us have been away on retreats this week and it us got us thinking about all the great places there are to escape too.

Warm and tropical.
Warm and tropical.

 

To start off, Just look at where our Membership Secretary and all time fabulous designer and teacher Irene Blanck from Focus on Quilts has been....now if that doesn't look like heaven on earth we don't know what does.
It looks tropical and warm and perfect for those in the colder states to enjoy a mid winter break...
It is so easy to search for cheap airfares online now so is easier than ever for us to get together with our favourite group of hard core appliqué fans and spend a few days sewing in luxury.
Another group has been enjoying the delights on offer at Millrose retreat this weekend and there is nowhere lovelier for total luxury. And as if luxury and beautiful interiors are not enough....Millrose retreat is right next door to Millrose fabric shop....now retreats don't get anymore temping than that.

Millrose Cottage
Millrose Cottage.
Millrose retreat.
Millrose retreat
Visit as many shops as you can. Millrose Cottage.
Visit as many shops as you can. Millrose Cottage.

But it is not all fun and games and heading off on retreat does come with some hard decisions that we have to make....we would love to hear from you all about the places you love to go and your handy tips to make retreats fun.
Do you like self catering venues or do you like to have your meals included....there is so much more time for sewing if all meals are prepared for us, but it is great fun to all get together and share some cooking and swap some recipes.

Always start with a lovely breakfast.
Always start with a lovely breakfast.
Eat lots of healthy food for extra energy.
Eat lots of healthy food for extra energy....on retreat ALL food is healthy.
When on retreat you must always have desserts.
When on retreat you must always have desserts.

And then there is wine o'clock...does happy hour start at 3.00pm or 5.00pm, or does the sound of champagne corks start at lunch time.

Wine oclock
Wine oclock
Nibbles.
Nibbles.

Now we have to talk about packing the car...good grief.  Military logistics officers could learn a thing or two from a frenzied sewer packing for a retreat.

Packing for retreat is a science. Always take more than you will need.
Packing for retreat is a science. Always take more than you will need.

Do you like to take your sewing machine, just in case you may need it, or do you just like to pack every single appliqué project you have started since the last retreat you went on.
Then there is the extra fabric we have to pack, just in case, clothes and lovely posh PJ,s in case we want to spend all day sewing in comfort.

Pack your appliqué and take all your gadgets.
Pack your appliqué and take all your gadgets.
Retreat essentials....chocolate, champagne and wine.
Retreat essentials....chocolate, champagne and wine.

We have to pack our irons and lamps and a special carry case for every gadget we have ever bought.
There has to be room in the car for chocolates, the cakes we have made to share, the cheese and biscuits and assorted nibbles that will be needed at wine o'clock...and at least one corner of the car has to be put aside for safe transport of the wine itself.   There also has to be room left in the car to bring back extra fabric purchased on our journey, as retreat rules dictate that  we have to stop at at least one fabric store on our journey and multiple visits are a must if our retreat is close to a fabric store....and if you are flying make sure you have plenty of luggage allowance.  It is always fun to travel with a friend but many times we all arrive alone in our cars because there is simply no room in the car for all our requirements.

Visit as many shops as possible.
Visit as many shops as possible.
Stash replenishment is essential.
Stash replenishment is essential.
Always stop for coffe and cake between fabric shops.
Always stop for coffee and cake between fabric shops.

How many times a year do you like to go away...one retreat a year is surely not enough....two, hhmmm, still not enough...we think the answer to this question is simply as many times as we can manage it.

And always remember the golden rule...WHAT HAPPENS ON RETREAT STAYS ON RETREAT.
Please tell us some of your retreat tales, we would love to know about some of the lovely places you go to and some of the fun things you do while you are away....we would love to hear from you, and who knows how much fun we will have if we start to swap retreat stories.

One comment

  1. There’s no word sweeter than “retreat”! I LOVE retreats, be it just sewing with friends or teaching a bunch of enthusiastic women and spending time getting to know them. I am so fortunate that i get to do both! I spend time every year with a bunch of quilting friends that I have been hanging out with for over 15 years. For me the best thing about retreats is “no responsibility” – eat when you want to and what you want to, go to bed anytime you like, and sew sew sew!

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