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?
Oooh. What a fabulous weekend! Am I allowed to be jealous?
ReplyDeleteWhat a weekend, I think our weekend there was far too tame- guess it's time for another!
ReplyDeleteAmazing!!
ReplyDeleteI'm getting out my address book now to start finding some flannel clad stitchin' friends.
Definitely checking in! I can even find some flannel PJs if I have to!
ReplyDeleteI'm still laughing out loud at the last line there, Ellen... I mean Jodie.
ReplyDeleteStill smiling and humming ABBA songs..... What a fab weekend!
xxx
wynona
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!!
ReplyDeleteLaughing still Jodie! Best fun in ages (x Natalie x)
ReplyDeleteHilarious, all the posts have left me laughing and going 'wow' at the sewing.
ReplyDeleteAll jealous in bloggerland right now!
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!
ReplyDeleteit 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?
ReplyDeletePlease 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!
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.
ReplyDeleteHey, it's not like I wasn't sold already! Well done girlies...
ReplyDeleteJealous, Jealous, Jealous, Jealous!!!
ReplyDeleteMe xxx
Also jealous jealous jealous jealous. But you did inspire me to quit whining and get busy. :>}
ReplyDeleteGlad you had such a great and crazy time together!! No pressure from any of the attending people about Parsley and Beet?
ReplyDeleteSounds like a good for the soul bonding good time-we all need one of those-often!
ReplyDeleteWe are the dancing queens! Loved it all. Renee xxx
ReplyDeleteOh 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
ReplyDeleteAw Jodie you are too kind.....glad you had such a super weekend though...and can't wait for the red carpet on opening night.
ReplyDeleteCrafting, Abba and pyjamas, with a good deal of planet saving recycling going on, sounds like the ideal weekend!!!
ReplyDeleteJodie 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!
ReplyDeleteI'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.
ReplyDeleteSo excited!!
First weekend in July, pajama clad and ready for dancing. Can't bloody wait.
ReplyDeleteWhat a weekend! I bet you need another holiday to recover?
ReplyDeleteThat's my idea of a perfect weekend Jodie. Glad you all had a great time.
ReplyDeleteHugs ~ Kerryanne
Sounds like a perfect weekend... what fun!
ReplyDeleteOh don't make me so jelous!
ReplyDeleteifonlyihadchocolate
Hi Jodie, sounds like you had the best weekend retreat.......Warm Regards Lyn
ReplyDeleteToo funny , when is the next one .
ReplyDeleteI have the PJ's !!!
That looks like the bestest fun EVER!!
ReplyDeleteI'm really only a little bit jealous , ok a lot .
ReplyDeletesounds like a wonderful time away........
ReplyDeleteI wish I could have come! :(
ReplyDeleteSounds like a hoot!
ReplyDeleteJust had our own girly retreat too, managed some "recycling" of our own. Didn't want to come home.
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?!)
ReplyDeleteSounds like a fab time was had by all.
Monda
x
I couldn't be more envious!!!
ReplyDeleteWhiskey? I'm there!
ReplyDeleteI'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...
ReplyDelete