I’ve just unpacked from craft camp. I’ve admired my finished items, I’ve giggled at memories of long nights of hilarity, I’ve sworn I’ll never eat again, I’ve read the emails we’ve all sent to each other filled with the wonder and joy of our shared retreat. A first ever completed quilt left behind in the rush has been delivered home, new clothes fit for a growing baby bump have been hung up ready to wear, a seemingly endless crocheted blanket is that much bigger, a five piece batman costume has been donned by a very excited 3 year old, a new scarf has been knitted on an ancient vintage knitting machine. The scale and variety of projects my fellow campers tackle never fails to amaze and delight me.

Is it really almost two years since my first visit to Sew Journ? It seems like only a blink ago that I was following the renovations on the blog, watching the unfolding story of the birth of an institution. Before my first visit in October 2008 I had organised quite a few craft camps. I’d scoured the internet for houses for rent for groups of 5-12, not too far from Melbourne, not too expensive. Every place I’d stayed had shortcomings of fairly large proportions from unsleepable beds to zero table space to unpleasant landlords. And quite frankly the never ending venue search was pretty tiring and anxiety provoking with every camp a venture into the unknown.

And then came Sew Journ. Perfect, ideal, slice of heaven Sew Journ. If you’ve been you know what I’m talking about. The buzz of inspiration, the shared energy and enthusiasm, the sense of possibility in the air. The perfectly set up tables and lighting, the roaring fire, the handmade quilts. The stashes opened and shared to ensure just the right buttons are found, the 35cm red zip you never knew you were going to need miraculously materialised, the patterns and recipes and techniques passed from person to person.  Just yesterday someone, a complete stranger I kid you not, saw me knitting on the tram and regaled me with stories of a magical weekend at this amazing place called Sew Journ. Her eyes glazed over and she looked all dreamy and far away. I knew just how she felt.

But this weekend we moved into a whole new level. More than just a great craft camp, in a great venue. A story is beginning to emerge that exists between and beyond the individual groups who visit and it is a testament to the spirit of the place. It started out as the story of a stork in a cactus garden, a stork needing some warmth and handmade love. Leg warmers appeared first. Sometime later someone added a scarf, then a woolly fish caught in its beak then a hat. Someone’s inspired idea given life, caught fire and running away. I see the cacti are getting in on the act now and I can’t even imagine where this story might lead.

I’m already planning the next camp. I’m thinking about what projects I’ll be taking, what meal I’ll be cooking and the people I’ll be sharing my adventure with, returning campers and newbies alike. I’m also thinking about where the story of shared creative imagination might be by then and what I might be able to contribute to it.

Sewjourn Experience August 2010

On a cold, wet and windy Friday (aren’t we all pleased to be having a REAL winter for a change?) five friends ventured forth for their second visit to Sewjourn, full of anticipation and excitement.

 After fully loading the car (how can 5 women have so much STUFF?!) we set off down the freeway, first stop Gisborne to visit Lorraine at Quilter’s Bazaar and Mary at Drapers of Mount Macedon.  Several packages later (which we weren’t quite sure would fit in the car) we lunched at a lovely café and then headed off to Lancefield …….. except the sign at the freeway said Romsey straight ahead so we thought, let’s bypass the freeway and go to Lancefield via Romsey.  Well that was the only sign we saw (VicRoads please note, we need more signage!).  After the third road we tried led off bitumen and onto gravel it was time to get out the tomtom – and thank goodness it was available otherwise we’d still be traveling backroads!  Tomtom led us on a delightful tour of Mount Macedon through mist and rain, and then Sewjourn was in sight.  On the way we saw four rainbows and a fifth after arriving at our destination.   A good sign for our weekend away.

Because of the weather, we’d already allocated tasks, number 1 being Karen “light the fire”, number 2, Vikki “put the kettle on” and the rest of us unpacking.  We soon had a blaze going and settled in for a cuppa and some sewing.    Off to the pub for dinner and back for more sewing and dvd’s.

Saturday morning most of us spent sewing, and Vikki headed off to the Antique store.  Just as we were starting to worry she came back full of the sights seen, prompting a visit there in the afternoon.  (Don’t worry Phil, there won’t really be a truck pulling up on Thursday filled with Kaye’s purchases!)

 Then dinner and several dvd’s later, Meredithe headed off to bed leaving the others to wonder over the fate of the nation’s election results.

A beautiful, blue sky morning Sunday and after a slow start, more stitching, more dvd’s, one nanna nap by Meredithe after a late lunch (she saw the start and finish of a dvd, but what happened in between???), a quick clean and pack up.  We left feeling refreshed and relaxed, but wishing to stay for at least a week.  Thanks Jan for making your wonderful retreat available – we just love staying!

 Helen’s beautiful embroidery.

Kaye’s appliqué, inspired by a Robyn Falloon project.

Karen’s stunning William Morris on black

Vikki’s gorgeous ode to William Morris for her daughter and son-in-law’s wedding present.

Meredithe was hand quilting (and still is hand quilting……)

Sunday’s lovely morning weather – it rained later.

We love the new look stork!  Very fashionable!

 Our delicious lunch

 Kaye spoilt us all with a not-so-edible but just delicious cup cake pincushion each.

…………from the Mindil Market

…………for the Crotcheted Room at Sewjourn

Maybe it’s because the ducted heating is playing up and they realised how cold it was outside.  Or maybe it’s just because the kind crafty peeps at Sewjourn last weekend felt for the poor stork who has to sit amongst the prickles day in day out.  Or maybe they just wanted to let future guests know they’d been there.  Or maybe the scarf was meant for themselves but they read the pattern wrongly. 

Whatever the reason – the stork is the lucky one!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/24938442@N05/4782809546/

Question is – who is the clever crafter?

Winter can get cold in Lancefield………but at least the stork will be warm.

the stork all set for winter, originally uploaded by [Suse].

Our weekends are basically booked out at Sewjourn this year (unless mid-December interests you!) but just before Christmas I did have a cancellation for 19-21 March and have been really slack doing anything about it!  Anyhow, it’s only 3 weeks away now but I have finally gotten around to making it available on the Calendar and blogging about it.  SO, if you and a group of friends are free on those dates and would like to book a crafty weekend away please email me.  Alternatively, if there is just you or one or two friends and you would be interested in sharing Sewjourn with some other like-minded crafty people then let me know too and if enough people are interested we might be able to organise a weekend.

PS.  The girls who were there this weekend have added their photos to the flickr group.  If you have been to Sewjourn and have photos please feel free to join the group and upload your photos too!

…I was sipping champagne and getting to know the other 6 girls at our workshop at Sewjourn whilst Kellie entertained us with the story of her quilting journey (and showed us her gorgeous quilts and cushions…….up close!!)

It was the start of an amazing weekend. Lara summed it up beautifully. It’s sometimes hard work learning a new skill. And for me who is used to precise rotary cutting, sewing straight lines and matching seams and points this was out of my comfort zone! But Kellie is a fantastic teacher and her patience and encouragement nutured us all towards producing pieces we could be proud of.

We appliqued…..

And quilted….

And watched and listened….

And unpicked….

And practised….

And stayed up very late………

Needless to say I was absolutely exhausted by the end of the weekend between concentrating hard on learning and cooking for everyone as well.  But it was worth it!  I came away inspired by Kellie and by the other 6 lovely ladies who had joined us. By early afternoon Sunday we were at the stage of hanging the fruits of our labours on the new design wall. 

It always amazes me to see the different color combinations that people come up with……they were all so different but all looked fantastic!

These are the faces behind the masterpieces…….

Back L to R: Me, Kerry, Mary (one of the gorgeous girls who made the drive from Canberra to join us), Kylie, Donna (Mary’s travelling companion)

Front L to R: Lara and Leah

What a creative group of girls………and hopefully they all had the chance to relax and enjoy as well.

And here’s some close ups of my first attempt at raw edge applique and free motion quilting………..there’s lots of room for improvement but it’s not too bad (especially when it’s home here and not sitting next to Kellie’s exquisite work!)  The plan for this weekendis to make it up into a cushion……and then there’s the Pretty in Pink pattern to start on……..

because it’s only one more sleep until Kellie’s workshop at Sewjourn!!  Along with 6 other girls I’ll be spending the weekend sewing, learning and eating!  I’ve gathered together all my threads and fabrics and I’ll be heading off in the morning.  Can’t wait.  So come back next week and hopefully there will be lots to tell……..and who knows even some photos of finished projects!!!

Meanwhile last weekend we had our Giveaway Day at Sewjourn.  A few friends and I spent the day chatting and sewing along with 6 other creative ladies.  Here’s a few photos…………

And Saturday we spent the day doing this!  We’d always planned on having a design wall here so finally it’s ready to go…….just in time for this weekend’s workshop!

Edit…….this was meant to be posted about five days ago but due to lack of reliable internet access here it’s been somewhat delayed!  Sorry….fingers crossed this time.

We’ve had lots of fun over the Christmas week spending time with both families, giving and receiving gifts and eating lots!

And now it’s lovely to be in Lancefield just spending time together, relaxing and doing a few odd jobs around Sewjourn (well, Mal is anyway!) 

There hasn’t been much time to reflect on the past year but it has been a busy one.  I was reading my declarations here and whilst they probably haven’t all been achieved I don’t feel like it’s been a total loss either.

 I DID turn 40…….whether I was really fit I’m not sure!  It was lots of fun though. 

 As for finishing one project a month, well lots of things have been finished but probably not one per month.  There was of course the unexpected quilting for those affected by the bushfires and there were many projects finished there so if you count those then I think I can give this point a tick.

 Has this year been less busy?  Yes I think so although it has still been pretty crazy.  Maybe that’s just the way it’s destined to be!

 2009 has seen me join Around the Block  which is fun and challenging, meet lots of nice people through the Bushfires Quilting Bee which flowed on into making a quilt for Breast Cancer in October and with more get togethers planned for  next year, do a stint of full time work, have a couple of lovely holidays, got to know lots more bloggers, (and quite a few more so please don’t be offended if I’ve left you out), go to a few Quilt Shows and watch our gorgeous girls continue growing up.  And it’s been an incredible year for Sewjourn.  I continue to be amazed by the number of bookings and the positive feedback from everyone.  Sure it’s been hard work at times but it’s also been really rewarding and I’ve met some lovely people along the way.

 So….what’s in store for 2010?  Lots of things!  But I’ll tell you them in another post.  For now, wishing you and your families a very happy and peaceful New Year.

When I got home yesterday there was an nice surprise waiting at the front door!  The  gorgeous Suse had dropped by and given me one of her amazing calendars…….twelve months of Sewjourn!  Suse takes incredible photos……..we are getting a digital SLR camera for Christmas so I can only hope that my photos might be half as good but I suspect know that there’s heaps more to it.  I love it when Suse and her friends visit Sewjourn because I know I’m in for a photographic treat when they load all their photos to flickr!  Anyway, if you would like images of Sewjourn hanging on your walls for all of next year you can purchase the calendar here.  Suse also has another calendar for sale along with a lovely collaborative one that you can see here.