Ideas and Joy and Sustenance!

Wow!! - so I asked the question and you responded - which I truly appreciate! - and now I have some thinking to do. I've heard all your wonderful suggestions and they will go into the mix with all the other things we need to think about - like other non-craft sessions work commitments and family life and some more travel. Big decisions. I'll let you know in time what magic we come up with. But let me tell you I am excited by the idea of doing something more!

Scholarships

We have some great news that we are really thrilled about!

We are going to give away TWO scholarships!

If you saw the original scholarship post you will know that the scholarships are very personal to me. So to finally be able to offer them was very exciting. After putting in place the things I needed to - like an external scholarship panel to make the decision - and then we were good to go.

But when the applications for the scholarships started coming in and we started talking in more detail about why they were so important and why we wanted to run them in the first place - because we believe in the power of craft to provide joy and sustenance for our souls - then we realised that actually they were even more important than we thought. And so we decided to offer more. I think initially the idea was to start small and build, but in the end we have decided that we might as well start where we want to go on from! 

So two scholarships this year and then two scholarships next year and so on.

The panel is getting back to me today with their decisions and the two recipients will be notified by Monday.

Happy days!

Felicia x

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