Sewing Retreat 2026 ~ (Part two)

Greetings lovely friends & readers

I spotted the first daffodil in bloom in my garden this week - June (mid winter here) seems very early to me.

I have a few more photos to share from Retreat, mainly scenery ones. It is situated in such a beautiful spot, between Lake Taupo & Turangi & has lake views from the Retreat itself.
  I meet up with my dear friend Leeanne who also travels to Retreat & we get to spend special time together including lots of lakeside walks.

Some of us partake in the swings 😉

I captured some stunning sunsets while we were there.

These photos are taken just outside the Sewing Room looking towards the Lake ... midday Saturday, & then evening.   Just such a magical place  💛

I first met Pam on Instagram & although we have corresponded for many years, we had never actually met up.  I was very excited to hear that Pam was coming to Retreat & it was wonderful to finally meet her in person - she was every bit as nice as I imagined her to be.  

When we were leaving on the Sunday Pam presented both Leeanne & I with a package.   It wasn't until much later when I got home that I got to open my package & inside was all the goodies below  .  .  .  .

There were choccies in the bag too but I ate them a ginger cat ran off with them!!!

Pam had sewn a beautiful patchwork project bag & filled it with a mixture of sewing related goodies - I was truly blown away by her kindness & when I messaged her to thank her she replied that it gives her immense pleasure putting together handmade gifts for people.  Thank You so very much Pam - I am still in awe of all my treasures. 

The week prior to Retreat I cleaned my sewing machine thoroughly, put in a new needle then packed everything away ready.  I needed some projects that didn't require sewing machines.  

This wooden trug was a thrifted find & I decided to paint it & fill it with some goodies to gift to Leeanne as we both share June birthdays.

I gave it 3 coats Vintage White chalk paint & then applied a decor transfer as I knew she loved both dahlias & the colour Red.  

I painted the handle in a contrasting red,  then added some grainsack stripes to give a bit of cohesion.  

I had been gathering sewing related supplies for awhile & I wrapped these & filled the trug with them.  Leeanne was thrilled with her gift 💗

After my cross stitch post * here * I found * this * free pattern & stitched it up in the called-for threads.  I remembered to tea-dye my aida cloth first & not have a repeat of the colours running.  I loved the simple primitive look to this design.  I found this hexagon design fabric in my stash which I thought went well with the stitchery.

Also in my stash was this thrifted board, light in weight so not a chopping board.  I painted it 2 coats linen chalk paint.  I really had no idea where I was going with this but carried on anyway  .  .  . 

I covered a piece of card in wadding & the hexagon fabric then sewed a pocket in the same & handstitched the stitchery to this.  I added some rusty hearts & keys to my piece, tea-dying the lace to match.  I put Mums reading glasses in the pocket & a couple of old photos of her.  When I was lightly sanding the wooden board I accidentally sanded the edges of the stitchery but I loved that this gave it such a timeworn effect.  

I've written before about my "Mum Corner" - her table, canteen of cutlery & some other bits of hers.   I tucked my board into the corner along with all my Mum treasures ❤

Pippi is delighted that the Painters finished this week after 6 long weeks.  (Her Mother is rather delighted too  😉) 

To make her even happier The Mr received a package inside a box that was almost big enough for her to squeeze her ample proportions into !! 😉

Thank you dear friends, for your ever-welcome visits here today,

Sending much love & friendship to you all,