Scrub Stitchin' why do I do it?????????

 Scrub Stitchin' and Chookshed Stitchers have never been more entwined...........I love gathering people together and sharing the same interests.........

This retreat started when another gathering ended and there was a big group of bloggers connected wondering how we would meet up again........and there was a few extra friends connected to the bloggers too...........

This was the 6th Scrub Stitchin' with 2020 held online on zoom due to "C"..........

following the Scrub Stitchin' online day I went onto to hold the Chookshed birthday online also a short time later.............previously it had only been sewing virtually with everyone doing a post during or after the weekend showing there progress..........

from then on I kept hosting zoom gatherings and eventually Gail named us the Chookshed Stitchers...........

But lets get back to the retreat...........I love to make the room look good and get everyone in the sewing mood when they walk in the door.........lucky we have the ability to hang quilts on the walls very easy......it really adds to the atmosphere......

the tables always have flowers of some kind........

there's even a vase of flowers in each cabin.......

This year with the Australiana theme I was able to get some natives and thanks to Brenda we added some more bits from her garden to make all the vases look great...........

Mum always makes us scones but this year one of her friends helped out also and they are always a hit with the girls............we did have to educate those Americans that they are scones and NOT biscuits.........and the only way to eat them is with jam and cream on top...........

the whole group........just two missing I think from this photo.........

such a diverse amazing group of women that I am privileged to call friends..........even Tracy who I had not met (virtually or in real life) prior to her arriving with Deana.........she slotted right into the group...........

they are a friendly welcoming bunch and it ia wonderful to see everyone just mixing with everyone.......enjoying seeing what each person is making..........the cheers when someone has a finish........and the photos also required at that time.......

the beautiful comments I get from everyone esp from those new to the group saying how lovely the group is..........

(I don't even have to tell them to mix each meal time now - it just happens)

Above if you join the Chookshed Stitchers these girls have all joined in at times and most are bloggers still..........

(Tracy USA, Me, Lou NZ, Gail USA, Raewyn NZ, Deana USA, sitting Sylvia Germany and Chris Canada)

I am always so excited about SS each year..........I can't wait to catch up with everyone coming.............this year was a little more special and we had a few more make the journey from overseas...............

Raewyn was finally able to join us again.......finally all the "C" travel restrictions have been removed and she was able to cross the ditch............Lou was finally able to use tickets she had to Oz that she had postponed during "C"...........

SOOOOOO exciting to meet all the girls............most friends with for so many years..........never thinking we would be able to meet.............

Tracy although you maybe have "been told" lucky you "made the right choice" lol........

Back to the goody bags............

once Scrub Stitchin is done I am working on the next one.........thinking of ideas.....With the scrub and the local area always in mind..........

This year I found gorgeous Australian native flower mugs.......I ended up with Sturt's Desert Pea, But there was also waratahs, banksias, gum blossoms, wattle and bottlebrush......

I popped in chocolates and the kit............

this year the designer was Anni Downs from Hatched and Patched..............

out of kitty as an extra this year I got some bags printed............this is the front........the other side has all the girls names etc who attended this year........

Very kindly a couple of the girls made a gift for everyone........

Snugglepot and Cuddlepie fabric pin cushions/clip holder and the heart and the star have magnets in them and will hold things onto the fridge.........

they fit into the theme perfectly........thankyou to the girls who made them..........

the saying is "No matter where they are......friends are never far" (Lea's finished bag)..........this is so perfect for this group...........lets take out the international girls cause that's a given it's a long way to get here BUT the Aussie girls travel long distances to get here too.......we come from NSW, Queensland, Victoria and South Australia.......thousands of KM's travelled to get here......

I even had an extra couple of trips this year to get all the gear over.........wasn't just me in the car this year.......

A few hiccups in the setup and over the weekend but we all just made it work...........

thanks also to everyone who helped set up and pack up.....

I just want to say thankyou to everyone for making the long trip to join in Scrub Stitchin'

you are what makes it great.....

I feel blessed......

Catch you later.....

Chookyblue......

PS this is just post one from Friday........