Wild & Wooly Escape

This past weekend Mom and I attended the Wild & Wooly Escape 

in Shipshewana, Indiana.

This retreat has been going on for a few years, but this was the first year we attended.

Mary Blythe of Blythe Girl Designs was one of the featured teachers!

This was part of her display of current designs in her classroom.

So much eye candy! 😍

Mom and I each took a class with Mary.

Mom took this class

And I took this one.

Mary is a wonderful teacher and I highly recommend taking a class if you ever have the opportunity!

She is so generous in sharing her knowledge and in all the little extras.

Of course I couldn’t leave class without a few more of her delightful patterns

And her amazing book filled with great designs 

And a few of her favorite notions.

The retreat also featured “destash” tables.

I didn’t think to take pictures when they were chock full, but here is a pic from the last day.

Mom and I brought three large tote bags of items to sell and just about everything found new homes -

Providing lots of funds to restash LOL!

I was delighted to find this sweet kit on the destash tables 

Along with this darling pattern

And this amazing project bag made with Blackbird Designs fabrics 

Made by fellow attendee Monica.

Love it! ❤️

The Blue Gate Garden Inn had lovely areas for stitching both inside and out 

when you wanted to move around a bit.

This was my view when stitching outside one afternoon.

The retreat also had a show and tell one evening where each attendee could present a finish. 

Mine is on the left - Rebekah L. Smith’s Thistle Runner and Mom’s Koi Pond by Crane Designs. 

The finishes were all stunning! To see them all, be sure to visit 

the Wild and Wooly Escape page on Facebook.

There were vendors on site as well. 

I promised myself not to buy any wool as I have enough to vend myself lol,

But who could resist these tonal packs?!

Each and every attendee also received a door prize and mine could not have been more perfect!

A quilt book and kit based on Christmas at Marshall Field’s on State Street in Chicago. 

So many family memories have been made there starting with my grandparents taking me and your sister to The Walnut Room as children and my husband and I doing the same with our boys…

Of course you have to shop when in Shipshewana!

A visit to Yoder’s Department Store is required!

They have an amazing selection of cookie cutters and a few went home with me.

Along with this great fabric collection and two pairs of shoes - 

LOL they have it all!

I did a little antiquing and those water spout handles caught my eye.

Here are my tiny treasures.

The tiny red tin box was special and the ruler says “for the ladies work basket”.

I made some good progress on my class piece while there.

I had some delayed surgery on my foot two days after returning, but it’s given me an opportunity to slow down and think about how wonderful this retreat was! 

Mary and Lisa did a phenomenal job putting everything together - from the classes, to the vendors, to all the activities - it was just perfect! 

And Mom and I are signed up to return next year!

We can’t wait!

And what does the Lord require of you?
To act justly and to love mercy
    and to walk humbly with your God.

~Micah 6:8

Blessings, Patti