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

Our 2016 workshop list is live!

We are thrilled to announce that our 2016 workshop lineup is live! We know you are going to love and we couldn't be more chuffed with how it has come together.

I'm not going to give you too many details in this post as I really want you to wander on over and take a look ..... but I do want to tell you that we have some stellar new teachers in our lineup this year along with some of our favourites back to lead you through our twenty fantastic workshop topics.

Joining us this year, for the first time we have the incredible Anna Maltz, our first European teacher, Nita-Jane McMahon from Pattern Fantastique, bringing her incredible garment fitting skills, new-Melbournite Clare Devine bringing her knitting skills, Anna Ng coming to share her beautiful sewing skills, and the talented Alichia van Rhijn with her gorgeous handwork.

And we are lucky enough to be joined again by teachers Belinda Evans, Anna Farago, Elizabeth Barnett, Leslie Keating, Ophelie Lechat, and joining us again after a year's break is knitwear designer Kirsten Johnstone.

Photo and work by Siri Hayes.

As always we have a mix of knitting, handwork, sewing, printing and dyeing; predominately textile based with a couple of exciting additions to allow you to have a dabble.

I want to make special mention of our teachers - past and present - who, as always, have brought the goods. This workshop list wouldn't look this spectacular without them and their skills, their professionalism, their generosity and their kindness. We are so lucky to have them!

If you do plan on coming this year then you can find the workshop schedule here so you can start planning your classes.

So go have a look - it's very pretty!! - and leave a comment to let you know what your favourite/favourites are!

I'll pop a present in the post to one lucky commenter - you can be from anywhere in the world and even if you can't come to the actual retreat!

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