Monday, May 25, 2009

What goes on the craft weekend....

In the great tradition of "what goes on the craft weekend stays on the craft weekend" please understand that full disclosure of the previous weekends escapades may not be possible.

I can tell you that Sewjourn is the PERFECT place to have a craft retreat. Being a crafter herself Jan has everything covered. The house is gorgeous, heaps of room, everything you could need or want is there and the studio is amazing. Once you are in the studio, there is no trekking back to the house for tea or coffee or even the loo - the studio has everything you need to keep you crafting the hours away.

I can also tell you that Lara, Nikki, Rachel,Emma, Annie, Kathryn and soon-to-have-a-blog Megan were the perfect mix of people to spend a weekend with. When I say we spent a lot of time laughing - I mean hang on to your bladder, cross your legs shrieking laughter !

Lots of beautiful things were made, and everyone swapped and shared and learnt from each other. Nikki inspired us all to let go a bit and she shared so generously all her knowledge, time and whisky.

The rumours from the neighbours that loud out-of-tune singing and yodelling could be heard coming from the studio at 2am were greatly exaggerated, whilst the reported sighting of the rare and endangered flannel-clad ABBA dancers is merely the stuff of local legend.
It wasn't all fun and laughter, we did out bit for the planet while we were there, by emptying quite a number of glass bottles so they could be recycled and Lara almost single-handedly fought off the global economic crisis for the town of Lancefield when she found a clothing shop with a sale rack and then an op-shop !

Jan came in for a visit on Sunday (and not because the neighbours had called her in fear) and she yo-yo'd away the day with us ,visited the local quilt show, made us coffee and was just perfectly gorgeous.

Staying at Sewjourn was the BEST fun I have had in a very long time. Jan has created a wonderful place for crafters and it was such a warm and welcoming spot, it felt like we staying at her home (which I guess in a way we were.) If you can find a spare weekend on their calendar, get some friends and get a booking. I can't guarantee flannel clad middle-aged dancing women - but I can guarantee you'll love it.

So by the end of the weekend, this is what was left of us

The Sewjourn Seven.

hmmmm ........ good name for a movie girls?

38 comments:

Michelle said...

Oooh. What a fabulous weekend! Am I allowed to be jealous?

Christie said...

What a weekend, I think our weekend there was far too tame- guess it's time for another!

Andi said...

Amazing!!
I'm getting out my address book now to start finding some flannel clad stitchin' friends.

RED PEPPER QUILTS said...

Definitely checking in! I can even find some flannel PJs if I have to!

Nikki said...

I'm still laughing out loud at the last line there, Ellen... I mean Jodie.

Still smiling and humming ABBA songs..... What a fab weekend!

xxx
wynona

trashalou said...

give me 24 months notice of the next one so I can save up for my ticket. Well..... someone has to be ready to have the salad pedicure!!

rachelmp said...

Laughing still Jodie! Best fun in ages (x Natalie x)

beccasauras said...

Hilarious, all the posts have left me laughing and going 'wow' at the sewing.
All jealous in bloggerland right now!

Thimbleanna said...

You are SO darn funny -- what a crack up! It looks like you've all had a fantastic time. What a wonderful get-together with friends!

Katy said...

it does sound amazing - I wonder if i could convince the other half I need to go? Flights from the UK wouldn't be TOOOOO expensive, surely?

Please tell me that really complicated bargello quilt was made over the course of about 3 months, and not just in a weekend, because if it was whipped up in a weekend I want whatever she's been drinking!

Gillian aka Silly Gilly said...

Love that last photo of you all... and do I spot a massive pile of selvedges there up in the mosaic of fun?? So very glad you relaxed and had a crazy time.

Tania said...

Hey, it's not like I wasn't sold already! Well done girlies...

Lucy Locket-Pocket said...

Jealous, Jealous, Jealous, Jealous!!!

Me xxx

ladydi said...

Also jealous jealous jealous jealous. But you did inspire me to quit whining and get busy. :>}

Farmyard Crafts said...

Glad you had such a great and crazy time together!! No pressure from any of the attending people about Parsley and Beet?

Jenny said...

Sounds like a good for the soul bonding good time-we all need one of those-often!

thornberry said...

We are the dancing queens! Loved it all. Renee xxx

our shabby cottage said...

Oh Ellen, I had one of the best weekends and have only (just) recovered. My cheeks are still sore from so much laughing. Looking forward to next year, Reece. XX

sewjourn said...

Aw Jodie you are too kind.....glad you had such a super weekend though...and can't wait for the red carpet on opening night.

busy lizzie said...

Crafting, Abba and pyjamas, with a good deal of planet saving recycling going on, sounds like the ideal weekend!!!

sue said...

Jodie it does seem that you had a wonderful weekend at Lancefield. My sister and my daughter went up there on Sunday for the quilt show and loved it. Do I see a new pattern from you with the gorgeous elephant you are making. Reminds me of the characters from Baabaar!

Eleanor said...

I'll be there in 2 weeks' time!! I shall be the resident writer I suppose....so I'm flexing my typing muscles in preparation for a lot of letterpressing and poetrypatching.

So excited!!

Tinniegirl said...

First weekend in July, pajama clad and ready for dancing. Can't bloody wait.

One Flew Over said...

What a weekend! I bet you need another holiday to recover?

Kerryanne English said...

That's my idea of a perfect weekend Jodie. Glad you all had a great time.
Hugs ~ Kerryanne

Gina said...

Sounds like a perfect weekend... what fun!

Anonymous said...

Oh don't make me so jelous!

ifonlyihadchocolate

bluebird-lyn said...

Hi Jodie, sounds like you had the best weekend retreat.......Warm Regards Lyn

Lorraine said...

Too funny , when is the next one .
I have the PJ's !!!

Louise said...

That looks like the bestest fun EVER!!

clare's craftroom said...

I'm really only a little bit jealous , ok a lot .

Chookyblue...... said...

sounds like a wonderful time away........

Kellie said...

I wish I could have come! :(

Julie said...

Sounds like a hoot!
Just had our own girly retreat too, managed some "recycling" of our own. Didn't want to come home.

monda-loves said...

Can I come to the premiere of 'The Sewjourn Seven'? I imagine it will be like Calendar Girls, just maybe without the nude calendar (or maybe with? - who knows what really went on?!)
Sounds like a fab time was had by all.

Monda
x

chunkychooky (Cath) said...

I couldn't be more envious!!!

laura said...

Whiskey? I'm there!

Stomper Girl said...

I'm going there next weekend too. But I'll bring my tap shoes and try and get choreography done, I am far too pathetic a sewer to assay it in front of people like Sooz and Pea Soup...