SBTS Last Minute Notes – Fall 2016
It is getting close to time for our sewing and arts retreat Tuesday November 1 through Sunday November 6. The studio will be open by 8 AM on Tuesday, November 1, 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 4th floor. The entrance is near the elevators.
HOTEL: You should have made your hotel reservations.
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 if you wish; 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, power strip 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 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.
Also, we recommend you put your name on your tools. Many tools look alike. If your name is on your tools they are more likely to find their way home if mislaid.
OPENING EVENING PROJECT: Our project will be led by the Brandywine Valley Quilters. Come to the Ballroom for the Opening at 8:00 PM on Thursday. We will provide most of the supplies. No sewing is required. You only need to bring 3 things.
Bring:
Scissors
Pressing cloth
Cotton print fabric you like: Several large scraps, +/- 8”x10”
Choose medium size prints. You want prints that make sense visually in pieces of about 4.5”x6” or 3 3/4”x5 1/4”. They can be realistic or abstract. This project can be done with either portrait or landscape orientation of the print. Novelty prints work well and can be fun to use. You could even use pieced fabric from left over quilt blocks. And, of course, you can shop the Give-Away tables for fabric J
[If you have an idea for an opening project please bring a sample and show Sandy. We are always looking for ideas for future retreats.]
SHOW-&-TELL: We will have 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’ll 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 the workshop descriptions and schedule. If you have not pre-registered for the workshops and you want to take a class you may sign up at the Opening – if there is space available. Please be on time for classes. Kit fees are paid to the session leader in cash at the workshop.
The Painted Pendants class would welcome some extra supplies. Whether or not you are taking this class, if you have some old nail polishes (regular or glitter) you do not need please bring them for the group to share. Give them to Edie Evans.
Remember you will need to bring whatever is on the supply list ----- or make a run to Wal-Mart or Michael’s :-) !
First Aid supplies: We will have a few first aid items (like band aids) in a box on the registration table. You may use them if needed. We do NOT offer first aid to anyone. You are responsible for taking care of yourself. Hopefully nothing will be needed J
Things 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.
Sandy Sapienza is collecting used gift cards and hotel keys for an art project at the community college. Do you have some you don’t need? When you check out from the hotel, if you don’t want your room key she would appreciate having it.
“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. You may shop for 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!
To make shopping easier, Lois Uditsky and her team will arrange & organize the Give-Away Tables on Thursday afternoon. When you bring your stuff, put it on the tables. If the tables fill up, put your donations under the table. If you want to help arrange the tables let Lois know by Thursday morning. NO SHOPPING until after the Opening on Thursday. Please keep the tables neat as you shop.
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 in which to dump them and cups and/or plastic bags to fill with the buttons you find.
The Button Buffet will open on Opening Night, just like the give away tables, so you can pick and choose some new buttons …… and have fun doing so.
Just pack up those old 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 tablet 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.
SAFETY: Here are some safety items to keep in mind. (We usually announce these at the Opening Program on Thursday but so many people come early we want to share them now.)
ALL power cords must be taped to the floor. There will be duck tape in the room, probably on the registration table, for you to use. Please return the tape as soon as you are done with it.
When you leave the room UNPLUG YOUR IRON if you are using one.
Last person out should check that the two irons at the shared ironing stations are unplugged.
The last person to leave the ballroom can call the front desk (there is a house phone in the hall near the entry to the Ballroom) to have some one lock the door.
If you arrive in the morning and the Ballroom door is locked just call the front desk and ask to have someone open it.
SPA: Shiela, the Manager of the Aqua Day Spa wants us to know that the spa is giving a 10% discount to our group on services over $25. Tell them you are with the NeedleArts group when you make your appointment. They offer a variety of services including manicures, pedicures, hair styling, massage and facials. Many of us have been very pleased with the Spa services. The staff is highly skilled and they always take good care of us. You may wish to make your appointment before you arrive. Call 410-289-4066. (The massage and facial appointments 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 4th floor in the Ballroom. The room will be set up by 8 AM Tuesday for Early Birds. Someone from NeedleArts Adventures will be in the area Tuesday. Stop by the Ballroom and pick up your nametag and find your workspace and get set up.
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 who will be sitting in each cluster. We will put all the table markers and name tags for that cluster in a folder 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. ***** Do not move tables to other clusters. 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 a large group so we need everyone’s 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.)
DIRECTORY UPDATES: Are in the e-mail we sent you.
This is going to be a wonderful, relaxing and productive retreat. We are looking forward to seeing one another! There are a number of new people joining us. In the mean time, if you need more information, please e-mail me at sandra351@comcast.net. NeedleArts Adventures, PO Box 331, Crownsville, MD 21032
Remember: You can always find the all the SBTS information on our blog
http://www.needleartsadventures.blogspot.com
See you soon,
Sandy
