Fun at the retreat

My fiber arts group held a day long retreat on January 17 from 10 am to 5 pm on the campus of the University of Notre Dame. This was our first time to try an all day event.

Chris organized the event and I helped her out where I could. There was a lot of details to handle. Next time, we'll recruit more help to share the work. Chris didn't have time to knit a stitch at the retreat. I only got as far as demoing the cast on for the shawl class. So much for packing my knitting projects with me. :-) We're not complaining though, we had a blast!

About 14 members of our group braved the weather. Even though it was still cold and snowy, it was much warmer than it had been the previous two days. Once inside, you completely forgot about the cold and snow outside.

The first order of business was checking everyone in and handing out goodie bags. Here's the table with the fun stuff. Everyone got a canvas tote bag. We're working on transfer for the bags. The weather played havoc with getting anything done in the week leading up to the retreat. I whipped up some beaded row counters and packaged up some favors with treats and surprises. Carol contributed some de-lish chocolate covered pretzels with almonds and M&Ms she had made. And, of course, we had to have a skein of novelty yarn for the bags. What's a goodie bag without novelty yarn? LOL! Though we gave everyone their choice from the pile on the table.

We had two vendors. Jenny from Winterhaven Fiber Farm was there to sell felting kits, spinning fiber, and hand dyed yarn. That's her spinning on her Majacraft Little Gem wheel. (She's my spinning wheel dealer.) Nancy from Oak Meadow Alpacas had alpaca products such as socks, woven scarves, and spinning fiber. Several people purchased alpaca socks. And do you think I could stop myself from indulging in some spinning fiber and yarn? :-) Both vendors donated a door prize for our drawing.

Sandy in my group was selling the cutest little knitting totes she had sewn. See the pic? It's 6" high and 5" along each side--just the right size to carry a small project. It even has a pocket inside. The handles are a long loop and a short one. Slip the long one through other one to close the bag. You can slip the long loop over your wrist to carry it. It's reversible too so you can show off the pretty fabric inside. Of course, I had to buy one. (Want one for yourself? I don't blame you! Go to Sandy's blog and ask about them or find her on Ravelry as Moonlightserenad.)

Lunch in the dining hall was included with our admission fee. It was fabulous! The food was all-you-can-eat with little stations for all kinds of different foods. I don’t think I saw all that was on offer even though I went back a second time. Everyone’s trays were groaning. We all were too after eating lunch. LOL!

Then back upstairs for some fun classes in knitting backwards, weaving on a triangle loom, and a shawl class for my new (and yet to be released) shawl pattern. That's Jess standing up showing all of us how to knit backwards. Too soon it was time to give out the door prizes and wish everyone goodbye.

Seven hours seems like a lot but it flew by quickly! Everyone had a great time and were all asking as they left when we were going to do it again! We'll wait until warmer weather before the next one.