Download here.

Announcement:

Retreat 2025 will take place at the Crowne Point Minneapolis West Wednesday, August 13 -

Saturday, August 16, 2025. This lovely hotel/conference center setting allows the greatest

flexibility for everyone attending retreat. Staying overnight at the hotel is optional. Our roo

block includes both single and double rooms. Parking at the hotel is free.

Teachers

Jennifer Riefenberg - Download Here

Jennifer Riefenberg will be coming from Colorado to visit us. She is a visual artist with particular expertise in painting, photography and needlework. Her background includes degrees in engineering and mathematics. She loves teaching people skills and also the love and joy of art and creativity. Jennifer will be teaching two two-day classes, August 13-16, 2025. “Winter Fire” is a sampler of 33 different stitches, each petal of the poinsettia is a different stitch. The design is approximately 7.5” x 10” on 18 ct. white hand drawn canvas. The kit includes mostly silk threads with a bit of metallic and cotton floss accents. Each student should bring 12” x 14” stretcher bars and basic stitching supplies, including a laying tool. Kit fee: $120

“Tall, Dark, & Handsome” is a 4” x 10” charted design on black 18 ct. canvas. The beautiful teal/blue/violet colors on geometric shapes provide strong visual movement to the final product. Threads include stranded silk, Neon Rays, Accentuate, Petite Very Velvet, Watercolours and metallics. Each student should bring 8” x 14” stretcher bars, lap cloth (recommend light blue or green) for working under black canvas, basic stitching supplies, including a laying tool. Kit fee: $120

Dawn Fisher - Download Here

Dawn Fisher has never been to Minnesota, so she’s coming for a visit in August. Dawn lives in Kenneth City, Florida. Dawn has been 

Q & A

Will there be classes?

Yes, registration fee includes four days worth of teaching fees. You may choose to attend class

all or none of the days or something between. You’ll decide at the time of registration.

Will there be independent study?

Yes, independent study is the place for people who want time to work on projects of their own

choosing. Classrooms and independent study rooms are in close proximity to each other.

May we stitch at all hours of the day and night?

Yes, we have control over locking and unlocking the doors to the stitching rooms. You may

leave things overnight if you choose.

What about meals?

11 full meals are included in the registration fee, beginning with Wednesday breakfast and

ending with Saturday lunch and afternoon snacks.

Breakfast buffet near our stitching rooms includes two hot breakfast items, hot oatmeal, fres

fruit, bakery items, individual yogurt cups and granola bars. There will be a designated

conference room for eating so that food will not migrate into our stitching rooms.

Lunch and dinner buffets will be held in the Europa dining room complete with outsid

windows and a woodland view. Lunch buffet includes soup, full salad bar, daily grill item, tw

hot entrees, etc. and dessert. Dinner buffets will be slightly lighter meals; soup and salad on

evening, pasta a second and backyard BBQ the third.

If I am a day stitcher, do I need to pay for the evening buffets?

Yes, our registration fee is the same for everyone. We anticipate using the evening meal time

for our welcome meeting, etc. Besides, we all want more time to visit with old and new friends!

Will the chef understand my food allergies?

Yes, we will ask for allergy information on the registration form and convey that information to

the chef. The hotel is experienced in making accommodations for allergies.

Do I need to bring my own snacks and beverages?

No outside food is allowed in our common spaces. The hotel will have continuous beverage

service throughout the day including coffee, assorted teas, juices and soft drinks. There ar

morning and afternoon snacks provided. Guest rooms have mini-refrigerators.

Are there other things to do?

The hotel is located on the site of woodlands and protected wetlands. There are picnic tables,

a bonfire pit and walking paths right out the door. There is a full athletic club with swimmin

pool, whirlpool, sauna, tennis courts, weight room, etc. There is a spa that offers massages b

appointment. Your retreat time is yours to spend as you choose.

May we stay extra days?

Since guest rooms are not included in registration fee, you may choose to stay however many

nights you would like. Some of us will check in to the hotel Tuesday to be ready for breakfast

and classes Wednesday morning and stay through Saturday night. Our group rate extends a

few extra days. Overnight hotel reservations need to made by July 21, 2025.

Will there be shopping opportunities at retreat?

Yes, we hope so! We’re exploring the possibility of a pop-up shop. In addition, one of our

teachers wants to sell her designs.

Will there be show and tell and stash reallocation?

Yes. Details unknown right now.

What’s the timeline?

Retreat invitation will be sent electronically to members in late March. Registration will be open

April 1 to June 1 for classes. Registration for independent study only ends July 1. Last day to

cancel for partial refund is July 15. Last day to reserve guest rooms is July 21, 2025.

May I register for just two days?

Aargh. Generally not. It’s difficult to vary daily meal counts (costly for us!) for the hotel.

special cases with circumstances, it may be possible, but the cost would be more than half.

Registration fees from everyone cover the cost of meeting rooms, teachers and other whole

group obligations.

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