More photos and putting off winners!

So it's now 11.18pm and I've finished the photos! Yay but I haven't got through the comments and I have to go to the gym at ridiculous-o'clock because life is interfering with my normally civilised schedule. So I'm not announcing winners of The Craft Sessions At Home giveaway like I promised. I'm adoring reading your stories, and some of you are so gorgeous with them words about that connection stuff you are making my heart happy. So Yay and I'm going to keep reading them without stress tomorrow.

Instead here's a few more photos, and have a read of the comments if you feel like some joy and we will chat next week. Thanks for your patience lovely women.

Felicia x

The Craft Sessions 2016 - Some Photos x

I have some photos for you!

I'm not done yet with my editing though, so here are a couple of beautiful random images, because I really need to get to bed. :)

I'll post some more next week.

Felicia x

PS. If you missed my post from Tuesday there are a couple more photos.....

The Craft Sessions 2016 - So much joy!

The weekend was the best yet! By far. Joy, beauty, so very many smiling faces, quite a few tears, and people doing what it is that they love to do. I am totally basking in the glow of the weekend that was.

It was also an absolute pleasure for us to run. And as crazy as it sounds - when bringing over 100 people together from all over Australia and NZ - there was not a single hitch.

Well... ok that wasn't entirely true. Four women, who will remain nameless (as you know who you are!), forgot their toothbrushes :). Luckily, the ever-lovely Claire did a shop run on Saturday morning to deal with "the issue" and after returning with a suite of replacement brushes, joy was reinstated in the bush.

I wanted to have all the photos edited and up on the blog this morning, but that is what is called an "unrealistic expectation". And we aren't fond of those around these parts. I also wanted to have some winners chosen for the prizes by today but there were 203 beautiful comments that I really want to take my time perusing. Again with the unrealistic, thinking I'd get it done today..... so I'll be back Friday with both those things.

Can I just tell you though, I started downloading the photos tonight, as you will see from the random couple I have added here, and jeepers they are pretty. The few hours it takes to edit those puppies is going to be a total joy. I get to relive the whole retreat over again.

So big thanks for following along. And big thanks for coming. You lot - obviously excepting the toothbrush forgetters - are totally ace.

Felicia x

Spooncarving with Alichia Van Rhijn

Pojagi samples from a class with Anna Farago.

Outfit ala The Craft Sessions 2016 retreat. The Virginia Leggings by Megan Nielsen - and the Tote Bag - which is the Genoa Tote by Blogless Anna - were both made by Amy in a class taught by Anna Ng.

Nita-Jane teaching Garment Fitting.

Elizabeth holding her yarn haul from Circus Tonic Handmade at our mini-market.

Kirsten and the lovely Jo sharing a moment of joy over lunch.

Nat. x

The Craft Sessions At Home - A Giveaway!

Well today is the day. Kickoff of The Craft Session's 2016 retreat. Another year and we can't wait.

It's hard to explain what this weekend means to us. It is the culmination of a year of work, and thought, and intention, but it is also the result of the community we have around us, and the connections we have made. If it's possible, it actually becomes more meaningful as the years tick by.

And in big part that is because of you. It is because of how you follow along with the retreat, even if you live on the other side of the word, sending us well wishes and love. It is because of those of you who have been in the past, or plan to come in the future. It is because of the connections we have made around our joint passion; the practice of making as part of our daily life, and the beauty we share because of it.

And so in celebration of all that connection, we have a few things to offer you who are following along at home.

A Giveaway!
We have a couple of this year's retreat gift bags ready to send out to you, as well as five skeins of gorgeous Shibui Pebble generously donated by Sunspun. We are also lucky enough to have two of my favourite patterns to giveaway from Tessuti. So five prize packs in total with a variety of absolutely beautiful goodies from our sponsors. I have been posting about some of the beautiful things they have sent us on instagram if you fancy having a look.

To enter - all you need to do is leave a comment on this blog telling us about how "making encourages your connection with your community". We will close off comments on Sunday at 9pm Melbourne time and this offer is open internationally.

Another Giveaway!
In addition to that I want to point you over to another sensational giveaway one of our teachers, and sponsors, and all round good women, Kirsten Johnstone of Assemblage has on offer The Craft Sessions at Home Giveaway on her blog. There is a sweater's worth of over $300 of Shibui goodness, and one of her spectacular patterns on offer. Head over to her blog to enter.

Thanks again for the love you are sending our way this weekend and for the community we are lucky enough to be part of. Craft, connection and community is where it's at.

I thought I would leave you with a few photos of last year just to get you in the right mood.

Fel x

PS. I also wanted to add a big thank you for the wonderful response to the Anna Maltz Top-Down Colourwork workshop and her Marlisle workshop. In particular our Country Victoria workshop only has a couple of places left.

I've had quite a few emails asking how good of a knitter you need to be to take one of these workshops .....and the answer is you can be either a rather confident beginner, an intermediate OR an advanced knitter. As long as you can knit in the round and have some experience of colourwork then these classes are for you. You will come away a more confident knitter, about colourwork techniques, top-down knitting and about colour in general. We rarely have access to someone with Anna's unique skills in knitting, teaching and art so take advantage of her while you can. In a good way, obviously!

The lovely Robin. x

Me looking blurry but feeling the joy - I can't wait to meet you all.

One month till retreat time!

One month! Till we get to do it all again - and I can't wait. It is my favourite time of the year, watching everyone meet again or meet for the first time. The community and connection make it such a special space, I feel lucky to be part of it.

The next month will be a little busy for us - finalising what we need to finalise in order to make it the special weekend it is. But also this week we are going to release the Anna Maltz one day classes. I can confirm that we have classes organised in September for Melbourne, Country Victoria near Kyneton, Sydney and the Southern Highlands so far. So if you are interested in those then please join our mailing list. I'll send out all the details in the next few days and they will go on sale this weekend..... Yay!

As I'm sitting here listening to the pitter-patter of rain on the roof tonight, I'm updating the blog and feeling pretty bloody blessed. I'm adding the sponsor logos to the sidebar and feel so chuffed that the retreat is sponsored by such a gorgeous and generous group of businesses. All of these businesses value what we value - making and community - and I feel lucky that they make it so easy on me each and every year, supporting us to make the participants at the retreat (and readers of this here blog) feel that bit more special.

I would like to welcome back past sponsors Sunspun, Tessuti, the Fabric Store and Assemblage. And welcome Miss Matatabi, Stitch 56, Wool Days, Yulki's Home Decor, Maze and Vale and Circus Tonic Handmade. Truly big love and thanks to you all for your support!

One month to go my lovelies! I can't wait to welcome you back, or meet you for the first time. It is going to be super. And for all of you following along at home like last year we have a giveaway or two planned for you too! I know you will be with us in spirit.

Felicia x