I want to blog but....

It's a bugger to blog on the IPad and it seems such a pain to get the laptop out. Maybe I just need to shut up and do it.

Anyway, since my last post, I had a weekend at The Retreat (perks of being an owner). As usual I didn't get anywhere near as much done as I had planned but I still managed some finishes. Since then, home has been madness and I only just got a chance to unpack and tidy the sewing cave - it was looking like there been some sort of fabricy yarn explosion.

I did manage to make the PJ pants I'd planned for birthday gifts for Harvey's friends.

I got two robot quilts cut out for the boys.

They are eventually going to have a very roboty bedroom! 

And one little helper had his first play with an IPad care of 'Aunty Bron'. He was loving it. 

After the big tidy up yesterday, I got to working on this very well marinated WIP.

I had stalled due to the blanket stitching that needed to be done on the wheels. I finally did them at sewing last week.

Unfortunately I've now decided it's too small for the intended recipient so I'll set it aside and ponder what to make instead....lucky I've got lots of other fabric to choose from!!

Abbe

The Retreat Woodend - Want a discount?

Remember this little place?

I realised that I haven't really spoken about The Retreat for ages and I'm happy to say it's because it is soooo busy! I've just had a nice break, as December/January is our quieter time. I am refreshed and ready for the influx of guests between now and next December.

We did have a few groups over New Years and January, mostly families, utilising the five bedrooms to bring the generations together and celebrate. Keep The Retreat in mind for a family jaunt.

What's news at The Retreat in 2014?
We are constantly making improvements to make your stay as pleasant as possible. Recently, we had a big split system installed in the studio so now there is THREE kinds of heating - you're never going to get cold in there, and of course cooling for the hotter times.
I have two new full length mirrors which will come in handy for the seamstresses at the house.
There are new fly screens and a screen door on the studio to help with airflow.
We also have had our fences repaired and looking great.

There are still several weekends and lots of mid-week dates available. Check out the calendar and see if you can find something to suit.

Abbe :-)

Mention this blog post to get a 10% discount on any booking made before 28th February, 2014.

Crafting weekend - an open invitation

You’re invited!

Come to

‘Chat n Craft’ at The Retreat Woodend

on

Saturday the 12^th and Sunday the 13^th of January

10.00am to 4.00pm

Or make a whole weekend of it and stay at The Retreat.

Bring your crafty projects to work on, some show and tell and your sense of humour, bring a buddy or meet some new crafty mates.

Any type of craft is welcome, if you want to work on it - bring it!

Cost: $50 per day or $150 to stay for the weekend.

Cost includes morning tea, lunch and afternoon tea each day.

Breakfast and dinner are also included if you’re staying.

Goody bags and prizes throughout each day.

Limited places available so contact us now to book.

Contact Abbe on 0412 932 880 or at abbe@theretreatwoodend.com.au

www.theretreatwoodend.com.au

And the Winner Is......

Nic from Yardage Design!!!!

I tried to copy the Random Number Generator but I couldn't get it to upload in the pics for some reason.

Anyway, Nic is the lucky winner of a whole weekend at The Retreat,

a prize valued at $950!!!!

Congratulations Nic and thank you to everyone who blogged about the GIVEAWAY and about The Retreat.

Thank you for entering.

Abbe xx

Dresdonian

I meant it when I said I have a new addiction.

The Retreat needs some cushions for the four couches and of course another quilt so I'll make a few more Dresdens of various sizes and then start putting everything together.

I'm handing quilting this cushion cover. I realised I was a bit rusty when I shoved the wrong end of the needle, yes the blunt end, into my finger. Ouch!

I tried to take some pics of Harvey's oh so comfy butt in the air sleeping position but he woke up.

It seems he does not suffer from morning grumps.

How's the cheeky grin?

And giggles!!

Back to the hand quilting.

Ab xx

It Opened and it was Grand, oh and some FINISHES!

The Grand Opening of The Retreat was fun filled and exciting.

Several people came to see what The Retreat is all about and I got heaps of positive feedback.

I also got to have a wonderful weekend with some very special friends and family.

It's one thing to have an idea but actually doing it and then putting it out there for all to judge is rather nerve wracking.

Lucky there was some nerve calmer (I managed to wait until 11am on Saturday which I was advised was a decent time...somewhere)

Due to the GIVEAWAY there are lots of photos popping up of the retreat so I thought I'd show off some of the quilts that I've managed to complete and get onto the beds.

I must say, I had help! It's handy to have mates who love to bind. Very handy.

I'm very proud of the Giant Dahlia quilt.

It hangs on the huge wall in the Studio to really show it off.

I made it with Michelle Yeo in a class at the now closed Primitive Patches.

I had the top done for several years but I knew it needed some special quilting to do it justice.

Kerry from Black Forest Quilting did a brilliant job with the most perfect feathers quilted onto the petals.

I love how it looks - it's even better in person.

'Chocolate Lollipop' was in the pipe works for a long time. It's super busy and crazy and no doubt not to everyones' taste but it's fun and I like fun. It lives in the purple bedroom these days.

There was no way that I could cut up this stunning Amy Butler fabric and same goes for the backing.

My lovely friend Jenny from Bayside Quilting did this one and it looks great.

This quilt didn't have a name other than 'More bloomin Amy Butler fabric!!!??!?' until I took it to Kerry for quilting. After a quick chat we settled on 'Persian Princess' pantograph pattern and I fell in love so meet my 'Persian Princess'

It's a very cool pattern.

Under the influence of Dresden Girl aka Dear Fii I made a quick trip home from craft camp, grabbed some extra supplies and zoomed back. A fortifying sip of champas and I cracked out my dresden templates. I have been stashing hoarding my fat quarter set of Hope Valley by Denyse Shmidt for quite a long time. 

Now that I've cut into it, I actually like it more than I previously did.

So much so, that I now intend on using some of my other all time favourites so that I can enjoy as the patchy, quilty gods really intended.

For some great house pics check out Nic's blog at Yardage Design and Cam has done a post at Curly Pops.

It was so wonderful to see them both as well as Bronwyn who stopped in for some crafty time.

Dates are starting to fill up at The Retreat.

If you're hankering for a getaway, don't forget 20% if you pay and stay before August 31st.

Thanks again for all of the emails, messages and posts of support. I'm a lucky girl.

A HUGE thanks to my helpers - Jules, Fii, B, Faith, Pam, Jude, Gis, Bec and of course my CP boys.

I'm really, really lucky.

Ab xx 

GIVEAWAY!!!

As part of the launch of Victoria's newest Crafters Retreat,

The Retreat Woodend is having a GIVEAWAY!


Grand Opening on July 14th and taking bookings now.

A giveaway valued at $950!!!!

The Retreat Woodend is offering one lucky person and up to NINE of their friends, the chance to win a whole weekend at The Retreat.

Interstate and International people you don't miss out - if you are unable to claim the prize due to distance, you will receive a voucher for $100 to spend at the Fat Quarter Shop online fabric store.

Yes, that's right ONE HUNDRED DOLLARS!

One of our pretty bedrooms.

The Studio (it can be set up in various ways)

What do you need to do?

Book a weekend at The Retreat to receive TEN entries into the giveaway. Yep, ten.

(You do NOT need to have a blog to receive the 10 entries, just make a booking and pay your deposit before 31st July)

OR

Blog it. In order to receive one entry into the giveaway, all you have to do is blog about it. Please include a link to our website: www.theretreatwoodend.com.au

Then just come back here and leave a comment telling me that you blogged and add a link so I can verify your entry.

Each time you blog about this massive giveaway, you will receive another entry. There are not limits!

Please Note: I've done this giveaway to say a huge thanks to all of the wonderful bloggers who have encouraged and supported me. I appreciate non-bloggers can't blog to get entries although you can get 10 entries if you make a booking.

Down the track I will do another giveaway that will include non-bloggers.

Good luck!

Abbe

Conditions of entry in our GIVEAWAY:

1. Eligible entries must publish their blog post, linking our website, prior to July 31st, 2012.

2. The Giveaway will be drawn on August 1st, 2012 and will be published on this blog.

3. Winner will be notified by email, please make sure your comment enables reply via email. 

4. Accommodation voucher valid until December 31st, 2012.

5. Long weekends and peak holiday periods excluded, date to be negotiated with winner.

6. The Giveaway will be redrawn if winner is not contactable by email prior to 7th August, 2012. 

7. Booking must be confirmed and deposit must be paid in order to receive ten entries into the giveaway.

8. Giveaway weekend is not exchangeable for the booked weekend or for cash and must be used by winner and cannot be gifted to another party.

9. Gift voucher will be valued at $100 Australian dollars.

Bound for Glory

Bound Up, In a Bind, Bounding Along....

I have several quilts to bind.

Not my favourite part of quilting but I do feel rather accomplished with this lot.

Less accomplished with this lot....actually all of that cardboard equates to a hell of a lot of flat-pack furniture that has been put together so maybe it is an accomplishment. We'll be visiting the local tip that has a cardboard recycling area. I think it might take a few trips.

On our visit to Ikea we couldn't resist buying this Circus Tent for Ring Master Harvey.

It's quite cool and enjoyed some lovely quiet time in there the other day.

Lucky he's willing to share his toys. 

I don't photograph my food that often but the other night we had sticky date pudding for dessert and mine was extra decadent because I ate it while snuggled in bed.

Thank you Sara-Lee 

My new interest in knitting hasn't abated, just been slightly sidelined with all of The Retreat setting up.

Danielle tweeted that there was a sale at Suzy Hausfrau so of course I had to have a look and somehow these goodies ended up being purchased. The Cashmerino is sooo soft and it is such a deep berryish colour.

No idea what it might become, I guess I'm starting my stash.

Busy busy times around here but we're nearly there with all the furniture buying and setting up at The Retreat.

I can't wait to show off the finished product to you all.

Sew happy,

Abbe x

You're Invited!

The Retreat Woodend is 

OPEN FOR INSPECTION!

You're all welcome to our GRAND OPENING of

The Retreat Woodend.

Come and see Victoria's newest Crafters Retreat.

From 10.00am until 5.00pm on Saturday the 14th and Sunday the 15th of July the doors will be thrown open.

We'll supply the nibbles, sparkling wine and a comfy place to sit and sew. Bring friends, bring your enthusiasm and bring something to work on.

Contact me: abbe@theretreatwoodend.com.au

for further details.

Our rather fab bathroom.

I hope to see you there.
Abbe


Stay tuned for the HUGE GIVEAWAY!!

INTRODUCING

THE RETREAT

Woodend Self-Contained Accommodation

We're open for business from July 14th, 2012.

Our five bedroom house comfortably sleeps 10.

Beautiful kitchen with huge double oven.

Stunning Hanging Rock is only 10 minutes away.

After several years of planning we are finally launching The Retreat.

It's a dream turning into reality for me and I hope that we'll help fulfill some crafty dreams of yours. The house can be booked for Weekends, Weeks and Mid-Week.  

More pics will be added to the Website once we have finished off furnishing the house.

Contact me at abbe@theretreatwoodend.com.au

for bookings and enquiries.

Keep an eye out for a GIVEAWAY that begins at the end of this week.

A huge thanks to all of my Crafty Friends for all of the encouragement. You know who you are,

Abbe x