More on the retreat

I learned a thing or two or three about retreats. One thing I learned is that if I want to finish something I should bring along a project that is almost complete and not a bunch of new projects.
I had brought along a couple of little booklets that I had made earlier.

 This is what they look like when they are open and laying flat.

And this is what they look like then they are closed.  They are made from three envelopes and I made mine to hold some of my favorite recipes. One is made to pull the recipes out from the right and the other is made to pull from the left.

 The other little number is also made from envelopes and you can find the instructions on how to make this super cute mini book here.

Then Kathy showed us how to make this adorable book that is the same concept but using brown paper bags.

I thought they were super cool and have several of them in the works.  This one I distressed the edges and will be used for some old family photos.

School and more school

Yesterday we went to Alex on business and learned about some new stuff.  I won a wonderful door prize.  Most of the prizes were taken, so my choices were, a canvas tote bag, a badminton set or this wonderful plant.

There really was no contest  and I didn't have to think twice about that one.

From Alex we headed right to Willmar for the last of our dog obedience classes for Lucy.

 She didn't graduate "Top Dog", can you see the disappointment in her eyes? But she did get an honorable mention ribbon. One of our downfalls was a spider on the floor that keep distracting us both.  And I have taught her to "get it" when there is a bug in my house. She was just trying to do what she had been taught at home.

This was the Best in Show dog, but it was her second time around in school so she deserved to win.

My First Retreat

I'm back from my first retreat and it is certainly a tradition I want to continue. Friday morning six of us headed off to Baxter, MN to the Steppingstone Cottage. We all managed to fit into a mini van along with many projects, wine, snacks and a few clothes. I'm the newbie in the group but one thing I knew before we left was that food is major in this group. Our first stop was at the Jitters Java Cafe for a wonderful lunch.

 Kathy, Jeanette, Bev, Cindy, Sally and Evy.

Sally had a wrap and soup, the rest of us had Spinach & Swiss Quiche.
We arrived about 3:30 and unloaded the van.

Everything had to be strategically packed to leave room for us.

 The food was scrumptious and the table settings were so fun to look at with every meal we were blessed with a different set of plates, silverware, napkins and tablecloth.

 Sunday was Kathy's birthday so we all got fabric cupcakes and her's had a candle in it.

Sally, Bev, our lovely host, Linda, Jeanette, Evy, and Kathy

We worked until wee hours of the night, some working harder than others.

There were times when some got a little squirrelly. And then there was Evy ...........................

 She worked like a crazy woman and made 154 cards.

 We had a great time and we'll be back next year, same time, same place.

A Great Find

I stumbled across this wonderful magazine called Creating Vintage Charm and found I just had to have it.  You can find out more about it here.

Unfortunately I haven't had much time to read it cover to cover since I had to brainstorm idea to insulate and sheet rock out garage.

We aren't really do-it-yourself-ers kind of people. But when our son volunteered to come home and help, it just seemed to be an offer I couldn't refuse.

With a little help from our friend and neighbor, we did manage to get it pretty much done.

And in the end we were all dog tired.