Sold out in 5! ...And so what would you like?

Just in case you missed registration on Sunday night - we sold out the full places for this year's retreat in 5 minutes! Five!! Totally crazy and overwhelming.

Thank you for putting your faith in us once again.

And I just double checked the list and over half of you coming this year are coming for the first time. I am so thrilled that you have decided to take the plunge. It really is a wonderful weekend!

And now for my question!

Obviously I feel super excited that it sold out so quickly ..... but there is a big bit of me that is concerned about what's just happened, knowing that so many people have to miss out!

As The Craft Sessions is a true passion project, about connection and community for me, rather than a full time business, I hesitate to ask. But here it is.... what do you want?

IF.... and it is a big if.... but IF we were to run a second retreat, what would it look like?

Would you want another one in Melbourne? Maybe in May? What month? Or would you want one in Sydney? Or the Southern Highlands maybe so it was in between Sydney and Canberra? Should we do one further north? Or do you like the fact that you have to go on an adventure to get here?*

And do you have any venue suggestions?

This is all totally pie-in-the-sky at the moment as it wasn't on the cards but I just thought I would ask while you were all thinking about it.

And thanks again for the amazing response! xx

Felicia

*About half of you who come travel from interstate and NZ!

Registration opens today! And an updated Registration Page.

Exciting times! I can't wait to see which of you is coming this year and what you will chose as your workshop preferences.

Driving through the Yarra Valley into the retreat each year is such a joy, knowing that we have a weekend ahead of us full of the things we love; great food, beautiful scenery, great women and inspiring teaching. My favourite weekend of the year!

It always surprises me which classes fill up first, but equally what always amazes me is how broad your interests are; how the knitters choose weaving and the sewers choose natural dyeing. One of my favourite parts of the retreat is that there is space and time to dabble in something new!

Anyway, I wanted to let you know that I've updated the Registration page with the latest details - including the simplified registration process, all the details about the day places, how workshops preferences are collected and the cancellation policy. If you are thinking of coming then please have a read through before registration starts so you are totally in the know.

One more thing.... If you are hesitating because it is your first time, and you are coming by yourself, then please take the leap. SO many friendships have been formed over our past retreats, and we are incredibly chuffed by what a welcoming and friendly atmosphere the event has each and every year. The women really do bring the joy!

You can email admin@thecraftsessions.com with any questions you have - I'll keep a good eye on it and try to respond promptly. And good luck!

Felicia x

Registration and Scholarships and a Podcast

Thank you thank you for all your wonderful comments about the Workshop List for our 2016 retreat. I'm so glad so many of you are thinking of coming. This year is going to be our best yet. A weekend of great women and great craft.

Registration Info

So the super important info is that registration opens on Sunday 24th April at 5pm. Two days! For those of you that are new to the event then please be aware that last year we sold out in a couple of hours so you will need to be a little bit speedy.

All the details are on the registration page. But two things that you need to make sure to read before you purchase are;

1. How the workshops are assigned. After registration we will send you a link to the preference form where we collect all your details - including your top three workshop preferences and any dietary restrictions.
2. Our cancellation policy.

Scholarship for 2016

Thanks so much for your applications so far. And if you haven't applied yet then you have until Saturday 23rd at midnight to get your applications in. You can find all the details here.

After applications close our selection panel are going to make a decision next week and you will be notified by Monday 2nd May.

 

A super fun Podcast!!

I was thrilled to be able to chat to the lovely Elizabeth of Squam fame in her fabulous Morning on the Dock podcast. You can find the podcast of our chat here.

Elizabeth's written intro did make me laugh. She talks about some of my quirks (really just run-of-the-mill face shyness!) but really for you lot Instagram's just about the clothes. Am I right or am I right?

The gorgeous retreat Elizabeth created, Squam, was part of the inspiration behind The Craft Sessions' existence. I had such a good time having a chitchat to her about all things craft and life in general. She is one of those people who you could chat to for days; she is a total joy. And if you haven't listened yet to Mornings on the Dock then go have a look - her lineup of guests is inspiring!

A gift!

I asked what your favourite class was out of our workshop list and promised to put something in the post for someone who commented. The gift is going out to @iwishihadchocolate on instagram. So great to get everyone's feedback.

I'll be back next week with normal blogging! And I can't wait. I have so many things to tell you. About flipping hems and a new favourite dress and the great starting and finishing divide. I get a little twitchy when I haven't had the time to get my thoughts on the page. I hope to see you here then.

Felicia x

Almost-all-inclusive Day Places at The retreat!

We are very excited to be able to announce that we are going to offer 12 tickets to The Craft Sessions this year as day places. Special day places! Day places that are in keeping with the feeling of the retreat - that still involve community, and great food, lovely company and time to just be in the beautiful Yarra Valley. And generous teaching and great classes. And retreating! 

So Why?

Well - quite a few of you have asked. You live locally or you have small babies or animals to care for, so a residential retreat just isn't really possible for you at the moment.

And we have a few more spaces in at our meal tables and in our workshops, but no more beds!

What do the day places include? How are they different?

The day places are for a nearly-all-inclusive weekend, where you will enjoy;

• Two full days of workshops (over two and a half days!) with our very talented and super encouraging teachers.
• Welcome drink on Friday night
• All meals including
  • Friday drinks and dinner
  • Saturday lunch, afternoon tea and dinner
  • Sunday lunch and afternoon tea
• Saturday afternoon there is the option of free time to spend with your new friends relaxing and crafting in the beautiful environment OR participating in optional extra workshops or restorative yoga
• A gorgeous arrival gift

The difference between a day place and full registration is simply that there is no accommodation included or breakfast. All other meals are included!

Registration and Costs

Registration will follow the same process as full retreat places, you will just purchase a day place rather than full registration. Details for when registration will open and the how registration works are on our registration page.

The price for the day places is $649.

Accommodation if you prefer a day place but don't live locally?

So obviously finding accommodation would be up to you but the venue have suggested that for alternative accommodation you could have a look at www.visityarravalley.com.au. And I understand that Devine Estate is only a few minutes away. http://devineescape.com.au/accommodation/

If you have any questions feel free to ask in the comments!

Felicia x

Announcing Our 2016 Retreat Scholarship.

Craft has been an ongoing, incredibly important support mechanism for me over the last ten years of early motherhood and life in general. It has supported me emotionally and physically, giving me small windows of joy, quiet, and space, while the world went on around me, doing what it does. It’s given me mental (good) health. And I know I’ve said it before but I truly believe it’s saved me. So the announcement of our first scholarship today is very personal and important to me. I want to give someone who couldn’t afford to come, the opportunity to come to the retreat.

Scholarships were always something I wanted to offer as part of The Craft Sessions. I grew up in a family that had ongoing financial stress, and I remember it well. We were a family that loved to make, and crafting was a big part of my childhood. Speaking as adult Felicia, looking back I would have loved to see my mum have the opportunity to come to something like the retreat. She needed a break, and she loved her craft.

The Craft Sessions Retreat Scholarship

What is the Scholarship?

A full place at The Craft Sessions retreat + $500 stipend.

What is the $500 for?

Because we wanted to really make it possible for someone to have a break. So the $500 is for you to spend however you see fit. In order to come you might need to pay for travel, babysitting, you might miss a shift at work, or you might need materials. Whatever you need – it’s totally up to you.

Who is it for?

Someone who is struggling financially and probably will be for the foreseeable future. Someone who loves making, and maybe needs some joy.

Your name won’t be announced. The only person who will know you are the recipient are the panel and me.

And one more thing - we very kindly want to ask that you don't apply if you can afford to come. 

The process:

1. Applications open on April 16th 2pm and are open for one week. They close at midnight on Saturday April 23rd.  You will have a week to get your application in.
2. You will need to tell us a little bit about your circumstances and why you would love to come. There will be an online form to fill in.
3. You can nominate someone for the Scholarship if you would like to, as long as you know they would be able to come and you have their agreement.
4. The chosen applicant will be picked by a small external panel.
5. You would be informed of your success (or not) a week after the retreat has gone on sale to the general public.

Just to be super clear - we will not be announcing a scholarship recipient as we want to keep it totally anonymous for you in order to protect your privacy. That said if you want to tell people then you are totally welcome to!

So just to reconfirm all the dates for this year's retreat!

1. Our 2016 workshop list will be posted on Friday April 15th!
2. Applications for the scholarship open on Saturday April 16th at 2pm.
3. Applications for the scholarship close on Saturday April 23rd at midnight.
4. Registration opens on Sunday April 24th at 5pm.

We are thrilled to be able to finally do this, and give someone the opportunity to come and share in the joy that is The Craft Sessions retreat.

Felicia x