ILCS Retreat - Thursday

Thursday

Wednesday I had texted Vickie, because I knew her and Karin were going a day early. They started having fun without me. ;( They found two beads shops for me. YEAH! Thursday morning I texted Vickie "Are you up?" Vickie "I am now." (Tee-Hee)

Thursday morning I was up and ready to pack the car by 1 am EST and was on my way to Berly's house.
I had a detour that was going to take me up to Valpo. I was not going to go that far out of my way. So, I turned around and went back to where the detour started. There was a gas station on the corner and I thought I would ask the person working, the best way to get around the detour and back on track. He told me that 8 west was open that I could go around and make it through. So back to the car and I tried to go around. But my side of the road is torn up and there is just gravel on my side of the road. The other side is built up with new pavement that is about 2 ft higher then my side. I went through one big water puddle and then came another and I decide I wasn't going to go any further and backed up all the way. Took the first cross road, hoping that the next road I could just go around the road work. It took me in a circle. So, I went one more road and it took me right back to 8 pass the road work.
Arrived at Berly's and we packed her car and was on our way. Karin and Vickie met us at the front of the Hotel and we went to Starbucks, Berly needed her fix. Then we went to Bass Pro and Vickie and Karin showed me all the things I should buy. You think that they are bad (good) enablers in email, what till you get them in person. LOL! Which reminds me I was going to go back and buy that carrier and then forgot about it. (Duhhhh)
Then we were off to the Historical District. Vickie and Karin had did some exploring the day before and they knew what shops we wanted to check out first. Debra H and Aleyna met us there.
Our first stop "Stitches Etc." What a great shop, the ladies working were so nice they even helped me find things on my list.
There was a bead shop in the Historical District called "String Along With Me" and I picked up a few things there and later that day we went to "2nd Street Beads". What a great bead shop, of course I bought a few things.

While we were in the Historical District I wondered off into this cute little shop called "Memories In The Attic". That is where I bought the frog ring and a frog for the stitcher who frogs during the retreat. I had forgotten to pick one up before I left. The monkey dolls they sale there are so cute. She let me take a picture of them.

From left to right...Karin, Vickie, Debra H and Berly. If you look closely in the picture you can see me in the window reflection, taking the picture. YEAH! Meari arrives.

Starving we decided to stop and eat at "Garden Cafe Ala Fleur".


We are all checked in and started setting up our stitching room. It was small, but it worked out just fine. Notice now how empty the stitching room is and how nice the table looks. More pictures later.
Left to right...Karin, Berly, Meari, Debra H, Aleyna, Vickie.

Meari gave everyone a gift bag of goodies.
I showed the "Quiet" to Bob, he read it and laughed. Thank you Meari, that was very nice.
I went swimming then layed out in the sun for a few minutes and just enjoyed the moment.
From the Free For All table.
My goodie bag from the designers.
Around 9 Monique Keylon from "My Mark" joined us and we had our own private trunk show, then she stayed and stitched with us. She gave everyone a thread keeper. Thanks Monique, it was a pleasure to have you at our retreat.

Vickie won the first door prize. She picked her own name out of the cup. LOL!


I won the second door prize and I picked my name out of the cup.

(all pictures should be clickable for better viewing)