Squam Afterglow

I don’t know that I have the right words to describe the five days I just spent at the Squam Arts Workshop. The word “magical” is so over-used, but there is a kind of magic that goes on at SAW. In fact, I was so taken with it that magic that I spent the first few days trying to capture it with my camera, and becoming frustrated when my efforts fell short. That’s when I decided to put down my camera and give myself over to the experience.

Some of the highlights for me were:

-Re-connecting with Lizzy House and taking her Block Printing class. Lizzy is as warm and authentic as she is talented, which is saying a lot. [I've been a fan of her fabric since last year's Squam and I'll do a separate post all about her new line, Castle Peeps, later this week.] I probably won’t be doing a lot of block printing in the future but I wouldn’t trade my time in that class for anything.

-Hanging out with my cottage-mates. Kris and I agree that we hit the jackpot, both with our cottage, Nirvana, and all the amazing women staying in it.

I didn’t think to take a picture of my cabin mates until many of them had already left, darn it.

So many talented women in one house! I made so many great friends and enjoyed several lovely evenings drinking gin & tonics and knitting on our screened porch. Hi Peg, Kristin, Emily, Maggie, Barbara, Rosanne, Carol, Caarin,  Cheryl, Lisa, Diane, Jenny! I miss y’all and can’t wait till next year.

Jenny was just the most lovely, inspiring person! She gave the keynote talk on the first night about how art and craft can save people. I didn’t know Jenny’s work before Squam but I am now a big fan.

I’m also a big fan of Emily of Red Bird Crafts. I got a couple of her wood block prints (not pictured in her shop) to give away here later this week. Emily is as sweet as strawberry pie and very talented.

- Rebecca Ringquist’s embroidery classes. Okay, I admit it. I picked these two embroidery classes back in January without even reading the class descriptions. (The pictures were really, really colorful and pretty.)  I was in a hurry and June seemed so very far away. Turns out this was one of those amazing accidents! Rebecca’s work is so beautiful and inspiring and un-traditional. And I was GOOD at embroidery (I think), which is huge for me.

Classmate Polly’s beautiful embroidery.

My new friend Sarah, from Scotland.

If I sound evangelical about SAW, it’s because I am. This retreat was so good for me, so healing and inspiring and relaxing and important. The only downside was that I kept thinking about how much all of you would love it and I wished you were there. I want you to seriously consider coming to the 2011 Spring SAW. Yes, it’s expensive but there is a payment plan and, I promise you, you will leave feeling like you would have paid 10 times as much for the experience.