Cross Stitch Retreat – Stitching in the Wild

Happy Independence Day to all my US friends! (A day early)

Hard to believe the first half of 2023 is behind us. Time sure flies these days for me. What about you?

 

Back in May, Gary and Ronny Hovatter hosted their first cross stitch retreat at the Sheraton Suites Cypress Creek in Fort Lauderdale, FL.

They own and operate GaRon Stitchery, an online business that sells all things related to cross stitch. Once a month they have a project bag sale and they also offer several monthly clubs for project bags, fabrics and threads. Ronny makes the most beautiful and quality project bags. (I may have one or two or thirty-ish)

 

I first met them the weekend before the world shutdown in 2020 and instantly felt a friendly connection. I’m a big supporter and also fan of their flosstube which you can find here.

Most Sunday afternoons you will find me stitching with them and many others on Zoom, which they are so kind to host. I was able to meet quite a few zoom friends in person at the retreat.

 

WARNING: this post is photo heavy.

 

The format of GaRon's Stitching in the Wild retreat was very casual. It wasn’t designer focused but quite a few designers created exclusive charts for the event, many of which were free. And Fabrics by Stephanie was there to sell her hand dyed fabrics in GaRon’s shop annex.

We stitched all day and some stitched all night! The stitching was interrupted with frequest customer appreciation drawings and giveaways.

 

My table mates with Gary and Ronny

Zoom friend Joy

Friend Marja from the Netherlands on the right and her cousin Susan, who is now a friend on the left

Zoom friend Connie

Gary, Me, friend Andrea and Ronny

Another friend, Kanday holding a pillow I made for her.

Kanday also has a flosstuble The 614 Stitcher

I also made the pins

I gifted Gary, Ronny and Marja special ordered pin cushions in handmade shaker boxes, adorned with my pins of course

My tablemates received tomato pin cushions with pins

I gifted the other attendees candy and a needleminder

Here a few photos of the shop annex

Connie waiting in line to check out

Marja beat her to it

Kristi Bernstein of Salty Stitcher Designs charted a special piece for the retreat

The attendees were asked to stitch their initials on it, as a remembrance stitch for Gary and Ronny. It won't surprise some of you that I had to put my initials front and center.

Most cross stitch retreats offer a Brag Table where you can bring previously finished cross stitch projects to show off.  Here are a few beauties...

I didn't do a very good shop documenting the event and I surely didn't get a lot of stitches in. Socializing with an amazing group of friends was what it was all about.

I'm looking forward to the next Stitching in the Wild retreat which will be held September 12 - 15, 2024 in Montgomery, AL. Registration opens on August 12, 2023 at 2:00 pm CENTRAL time. If you are interested, create an account at GaRon Stitchery , log in on that date before 2 pm...and be quick on the trigger. There will only be 125 spots available.

I attended one other retreat after this one but that story is for another day.

Everyone who is celebrating, I hope you have a nice and safe July 4th.

Until next time, may this critter stay away from your stitching and sewing...no frogging!