CQI Retreat 2010

Well, it's that time again. As crazy quilters near and far gather their fabrics, beads, laces, and assorted goodies together, and prepare to make their pilgrimage to the 3rd annual September Stitchin' Shenanigans Retreat. This year we will be meeting up beautiful Estes Park, Colorado, at the YMCA of the Rockies.

Our first retreat took place in 2008, the year I moved to Colorado from Texas. And the timing couldn't have been more perfect for me. Up until that point most of us had become friends through sharing photos and online chatter. And for the most part, these wonderful ladies were simply a group of world wide "Internet friends" who shared their crazy quilting techniques and ideas through groups and the postage service. That first get together changed all of that. We were finally able to truly put faces to names. To chat and stitch in person. To set aside a small block of time for ourselves and for each other.

Sadly, not everyone from last year or the year before will be able to join us again this year. But we are excited to be welcoming a few new stitchers. And as you might expect, our little gathering gets bigger and bigger each year. And I for one, have really enjoyed being part of this yearly event and look forward to attending for many years to come.

This year we will have all 4 of our CQI list moms joining us - HOW FUN!!!! And just who are the list moms, you might ask? Well, there is Leslie from Colorado, Cathy from Utah, Kerry from Canada, and Hideko from Japan.

As you might imagine the logistics for this type of gathering could be quite the undertaking but Leslie and Cathy have done an excellent job of coordinating transportation, and setting up a 'buddy system' of sorts. Cathy will be heading up a small convoy and driving in. Leslie (and others) will be picking up those who are flying in to Denver, while other members of the group will be car pooling, meeting up at other points along the way, and/or meeting up at the resort.

My buddies are Hideko and Josie (from Texas). As such, I will pick them up from and return them to the Denver airport, get them to and from the retreat, and make sure they have transportation during the retreat. I'm also very tickled that they have opted to stay a couple of nights at our home during their time in Colorado. I can hardly wait!

Now the hard part...deciding what to take. Or more accurately, what doesn't have to go. I mean, you never know what you might want to work with. What if you get there and don't have the ONE thing that you really need? I also have a bunch of 'show and tell' type items. So, this is what I think I need. Of course, depending on how quickly I run out of room in the Beast, that could change. LOL.



Remembering that I also need to find room for a case of water, 3 camp chairs, a few loaves of bread, and some clothes. That should be a small bag, though. Clothes aren't nearly as important as the other stuff! Oh, and Hideko's and Josie's stuff. Hmmmm, maybe my DH will have to follow us up in his pick up truck :-) Luckily, we're less that 30 miles from the resort. And he was sweet enough to offer.

Well, I better get off the computer and finish getting ready for my house guests. I want everything to be perfect for them. I'm even making a lasagna today.

Have a great weekend and I'll be back with photos and (tall) tales in a few days!



Until Next time...Happy Needling!!!

Gerry