Last Minute Notes: Spring 2014

Last Minute Notes

It is getting close to time for our sewing and arts retreat Thursday afternoon March 13 through Sunday March 16, 6 PM March.  The studio will be open by 8 AM on Wednesday, March 12, for early birds. The retreat Opening Program will be at 8 PM on Thursday. Here is some last minute information that may be useful to you.

MEETING ROOM: We will be using the Ballroom on the 4^th floor.

HOTEL:  You should have made your hotel reservations. If you have not, call the Grand Hotel immediately. The hotel’s reservation number is 1-800-447-6779 or 410-289-6191. (When you make your reservation you must identify yourself as part of the NeedleArts Adventures Group to receive the special group rate.) Check-in is assured by 4:00 PM. Checkout is 11 AM.

Remember, there is a 72-hour cancellation policy. This means if your plans change you MUST cancel your reservations at least 72 hours before your scheduled arrival or you will be charged for the first night’s lodging. It is hotel policy to charge for the total nights originally reserved by guests when they check out earlier than scheduled. If your departure date is changed by 24 hours prior to arrival there is no early checkout charge. There is an additional charge for more than 2 in a room. We hope there are no family emergencies and no one gets the flu, but these things DO happen so please be aware of the hotel policies.

CLOTHES: Casual clothing is appropriate. The weather can be changeable so plan accordingly. Bring a bathing suit; there is an indoor pool.

BASIC EQUIPMENT: Bring the sewing, beading and art supplies and equipment you need. You will have one 6-foot banquet table for your workspace.   You may wish to bring a chair cushion for added height and comfort.  A long heavy-duty extension cord and a work light may also be useful.  It is a very large room so we will need lots of long power strips. If you have one it will come in handy. We will have one or two irons and ironing boards set up for all to share.  A “wheelie” (a carry-on bag with wheels) or collapsible rolling box is handy for transporting your supplies and equipment.

We can leave supplies in the ballroom overnight. (Note: Some people use small chains or computer security cables [wire covered with plastic, with a lock] to secure their sewing machine to the table when they leave the studio area. You may want to do this.)  The hotel will lock the door when the last person leaves the room. We have never had a problem, but you don’t know what may happen.

OPENING EVENING PROJECT:  Our project will be led by Tricia Mattes. Come to the Ballroom  for the Opening at 8:00 PM. We will provide most of the supplies. You should bring hand sewing needle and strong thread, a scrap (8 inch square) of quilting weight fabric, and scissors.  (You can “shop” for you fabric at the at the give-away tables if you wish J ) This is a hand sewing for this project. You do NOT need a machine.  

SHOW-&-TELL:  We will have our show-and-tell of our weekend’s accomplishments on Sunday morning 10:00 to 11:00. We must keep Show & Tell to 1 hour. Please do not take photos during Show & Tell. We have a lot of really interesting work to see and a very limited amount of time in which to do it. So, if you want a photo of something please arrange to take it before hand.

          

INFORMAL SHARING:  Carrying on our tradition of sharing, we are planning several informal workshops during the retreat.  You should have already received workshop descriptions and schedule. If you have not already pre-registered for the workshops and you want to take a class you may sign up at the Opening – if there is space available. Kit fees are paid to the session leader in cash at the workshop.

The workshops are:

1. Juice Box Wallet with Sandy Sapienza, (Friday 10:30- 11:00 AM)

2. No Piecing Bow Tie Block with Ellen Nobles-Harris,  (Friday 1-2 PM)

3. Planning and Laying Out a Memory Wall Quilt with Judi Ward, (Saturday 11AM  to 12 noon)

4. Spiral Bracelet with Doris Slye, (Friday 2:30 – 4:30 PM)

5. Organized Doodling with Doris Slye, (Saturday 1:00 – 2:30 PM)

 Remember there are kits for some classes so you will need to bring whatever is on the supply list  ----- or make a run to WalMart or Michael’s  :-)  !

Memorial Quilt in memory of Vickie McPeters – A note from Betty Jean Boyd:

Vickie passed away suddenly in December. She has been attending Sewing by the Sea for many years. I would like to make a "1600" quilt at our retreat in her memory. It will be sent to her daughter and granddaughter.  Vickie always used jelly rolls to make quilts so this would be very fitting.  If you care to donate strips to be used in the quilt please  bring them to SBTS.  I can use 2 1/2" wide by width of fabric in girly fabrics in pastels in pinks, lavender, green, blue etc.  Bring them to the March event and I will get to work.  Vickie is missed by all who knew her and I thank you for being a part of this quilt project.  Betty Jean.

Soaps and Toiletries Needed: Lois Uditsky is still collecting soaps and personal hygiene items   --- like the shampoo, lotion and soaps you get in a hotel room.  Bring whatever you may have to share and save what you do not use at the hotel during the retreat.

“GOOD STUFF” EXCHANGE:  We all have a lot of fun sharing “good stuff” we no longer need. If you have some fabric, books, sewing, art or craft supplies, patterns, etc. that need a new home please bring them to share. We will have “Give Away” tables in the Ballroom. These must be things you’re willing to GIVE away --- no sales. We will put out these treasures after the Opening on Thursday evening.

         Note: Please be sure your give away items do not have pet hair in them. Some people are allergic to cat/dog hair. We want to keep everyone healthy!

         Button Buffet: Judi Ward will again organize this buffet. Have some fun with your unneeded buttons! If you wish to dispose of those "thousands" of buttons you have but are not using please bring them. We will have some shallow bins to dump them into and cups and/or plastic bags to fill.

     One bin will be for loose buttons and one for carded buttons.

     The Button Buffet will open on opening night, just like the freebie tables, and you can pick and choose some new buttons …… and have fun doing so. 

    So pack up those buttons and be ready to pick out new ones to take their place or simply be rid of the no-longer-needed buttons for good!

SNACKS:  The hotel policy is that any food in public spaces, for general consumption, must be provided by the hotel catering services. This is because of the health laws.  This means we cannot have a snack table from which we share. You may have your own snacks at your own table and share as you wish.

SOUND CONTROL REMINDER: If you want to bring a tape or CD player or a TV, it should be small enough to fit in your work area and MUST have earphones so it does not disturb others.  

SPA:  The spa is giving a 10% discount to our group on services over $25. They offer a variety of services including manicures, pedicures, hair styling, massage and facials. You may make appointments before you arrive. Call 410.289.4066.  (The massage and facial appointments often fill quickly.)

WHAT TO DO WHEN YOU ARRIVE: When you arrive check into your hotel room and get settled. A lot of us are coming a day early and departing on Monday morning. Our studio space is on the 4^th floor in the Ballroom.  The room will be set up by 8 AM Wednesday for Early Birds. Someone from NeedleArts Adventures will be in the area Wednesday. Stop by the Ballroom and pick up your nametag and find your workspace.

Some of you have asked to sit with certain other people.  We have asked the hotel to arrange the tables to accommodate your wishes to the best of their ability. Because of physical constraints in setting up the room we are limited in the placement and sizes of clusters of tables.  

 Near the entrance we will post a map of the room with the table clusters marked and a list of the people we anticipate will be sitting in each cluster. We will put all the table tags for that cluster on one table in the cluster. The people in that cluster decide who sits next to whom. *****Please DO NOT move table markers to/from another cluster without consulting Sandy Sapienza or Judy Lapato. *****  We have done our best to assure that people who want to be together are close to one another. We can make last minute adjustments when we arrive but we need to be coordinated about it.  Remember, while it is nice to sit with old friends it can also be good to meet new ones. We have an especially large group this time so we need your help to get the final seating arranged as smoothly as possible.

    You can set up and start working when the room is ready. We strongly recommend that you do not leave your sewing machine unattended. While the hotel is safe and secure, anything can happen. (Remember: Some people use security cables to secure the machine to the table when they leave the studio area. You may want to do this.) 

This is going to be a wonderful, relaxing and productive retreat. We are looking forward to seeing one another!  There are several new people joining us. In the mean time, if you need more information, please call me at 410-923-6133 or e-mail at sandra@annapolis.net. NeedleArts Adventures, PO Box 331, Crownsville, MD 21032