Last month we had a “Bagineer” Retreat/Workshop and there was so much going on I don’t think I’ll be able to include it all in one post. I had plans of showing my version of the bag we made but I think I’ll save that for later this week so I can share everything we did during the weekend. The weekend was held in Kamloops, BC (aka “The ‘Loops”) and even though I’ve been there several times, this was my first Springtime visit, and the locals tell me its the best time to come, because the snow has melted and the summer heat (and accompanying brown lawns) hasn’t started yet. So very scenic and I really enjoyed my weekend there. Like many years, the river was quite high and some areas were blocked off. I couldn’t quite get over this as a usual occurrence, but the locals seemed pretty unfazed by it.
I picked up a friend on my river walk, a Hoary Marmot, who whistled at us as we walked by. A curious little cutie!
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Janelle from Emmaline Bags
Before I get any further, I need to shout out from the mountain tops how amazing and generous Janelle from Emmaline Bags is. Janelle came up with a bag pattern for us to sew at the retreat. The Double Flip Shoulder Bag is a new pattern and well, you’ll have to wait for my next post for more details, but you’ll love it! Janelle wowed us Friday night with a trunk show, where she passed around samples of many of her bags for us to touch and feel, and talked about her design process. On Saturday and Sunday, she joined us at Katja’s Quilt Shoppe to answer questions, offer tips and give demos for certain steps. Also, Janelle is so funny and modest; she’s such a treasure to be around, truly! Oh, the goodies! Us lucky ladies were happy recipients of bag bling courtesy of Emmaline Bags!
Meeting Janelle at the Trunk Show
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The Workshop
We had 2 days in the quilt shop classroom space to sew and wouldn’t you know it, I didn’t finish my bag while I was there! I talk too much, but I had fun and I learned so much. Patricia did such a fantastic job organizing everything and I’m very thankful she persisted with this little idea we had and pulled it off! Others did finish their bags and worked on extra projects, or started on a second bag. It was really nice seeing different fabric combinations come to life and watch how others complete their projects. We even had some poetic musings from Line (aka Vanna White)!
Door prizes!
Everything’s more fun with prizes! We asked some of our favourite places and were generously given prizes to hand out. Thanks to Jay Lily Handmade, MM Cork Supply, Vinyl Cafe Ontario, Overseas Fabrics, and Emmaline Bags.
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Goodie Bags
Each participant went home with a bag full of goodies from sponsors. Thanks toSwoon Sewing Patterns, Noodlehead, Emmaline Bags, Marsha‘s mom, Line for the lovely cards, and Patricia for the soaps! I made each bag, with canvas from Overseas Fabrics, and then had them screen printed by a local company,Locomotive Clothing.
Our progress!
Thanks to all who came, and to those of you who contributed your time and/or goods to our event. I hope we can do it again…see you next year?
So jealous!!!!!!!! Looks like such a great time!!!!
It was! Hopefully you can make it to the next one.
If you had been there, we would have needed 2 naughty tables.
You’re being modest, Reece. One of the highlights was meeting you, the second slowest sewist in the world. 😉
I agree though that Janelle and Patricia outdid themselves to make it a magical experience. I’ll be there next year!
Thanks Marsha! I’ll accept that title, lol! It was great finally meeting you too!
It was a great weekend and so glad I was able to participate. Thanks to yourself, Patricia and Janelle for all of the organizing and goodies. Line for the unparalled entertaining! I never expected to receive ANY goodies at all so it was a big surprise to come away with a bag and a bag full. I finished my bag after I arrived home and it is a beautiful, interesting pattern with the serious bling from Emmaline’s. I will definitely go next year.
I’m so glad you had a great time, and that we were able to surprise you with the goodies. Thanks so much for coming, and it was nice meeting you!
Reece it was a pleasure. Organization is fine as long as the team is there for each other. You’re a great wing woman and I wouldn’t have tried it do this without you and Janelle and everyone else who helped pull it off.
Yes, let’s do it again.
All in favour say ‘Ay!’
This weekend was fantabulous. I so enjoyed everyone’s company. I’m waiting to have Joe give me a hand with the last bits of hardware and I’m done. I’ll post a pic. Love to all. Thanks to Reece, Patricia and especially Janelle.
Hi Reece, I would like to thank all who were involved in organizing the weekend. It was a fun time. Thanks to Janelle for alll her useful tips and all the bag goodies it was a nice surprise and also for all the other surprises. I have had a lot of comments on my bag (all good).I am looking forward to making the bag pattern from my goodie bag.Thanks again to all the ladies for a great time.
Marcia Campbell
I had such an amazing weekend with all of you ladies! So much fun. Thank you, Thank you, Thank you!