Second Annual Plushcation!

Last weekend (May 10-14) was the second annual Plush Team retreat. Just like last year, there was so much joy, warmth, fun, laughter, and productivity all weekend. I'm sure it sounds like a tired refrain by now, but seriously, I can never adequately express just how awesome this team is, and how lucky I feel to be a member.

This year's retreat was in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, and was organized by the amazing Yummy Pancake. Though there were six fewer of us who made the trip this year, it was no less fun. I'm not sure I ever laugh quite as hard as I do when I'm with this group.

Our view this year was very idyllic and peaceful. Most of us spent a few hours taking in this view each morning while sipping our tea or coffee.Two geese families lived on the pond, and each day we were visited by deer, hawks, vultures, herons, bald eagles, and all manner of backyard birds.

A few bird families even lived in the walls of the cabin. Unfortunately for me and Ann-Claire, this was directly behind our beds, and we were awakened to a chorus of very loud cheeps every 20 minutes or so starting just before dawn.

One of the highlights of the trip was the PA Fabric Outlet. It wasn't quite as big as S.R. Harris here at home, but the wall of buttons and trims was much more impressive. And cheap!

We also explored downtown Lititz, which was incredibly quaint. We had the most amazing meal there at the Tomato Pie Cafe (if you are ever offered tomato pie, eat it! You will not be sorry. It was so delicious that most of us became obsessed with it the rest of the weekend, plotting ways we might get it shipped to us or how we might make it ourselves.) and had a great time exploring the little shops and reading plaques on all the historic buildings.

Back at the house, there were tacos once again, Amy's famously delicious margaritas, and waaaaay too much sugar and chocolate (between the Amish homebaked goods we picked up at the Green Dragon farmer's/flea market and the chocolates from the Wilbur Chocolate Factory, we were guaranteed weekend-long sugar comas).

Of course there was much crafting, as well, including the awesome group-produced giant plush taco you can see in the first photo of this post. There were zombies, moss balls, poopsticks, appliqued onesies for the Moon Bun in the Oven, caged gouda, angry panties, and so much more. . . . We also once again participated in a white elephant swap and the goods were so amazing that actual tears were shed when certain items were stolen.

But none of these things were quite as amazing as all the laughter. The conversations were hysterical and often we laughed until we cried.

I sincerely love this whole group, and I can't wait for next year's retreat!

Plushcation

As you may know, I had the privilege of attending the first ever Plush Team retreat last weekend (March 31–April 3). Seventeen Plush Teamers descended on Luray, Virginia, for a 3-day craft fest. As testament to how awesome the Plush Team really is, note that 17 women, all armed with multiple sharp stabby implements, managed to share 3 bathrooms for the whole weekend and no one got hurt. But even cooler, there was so much joy, warmth, and inspiration flowing all weekend long. This is truly an amazing group.

I started my trip early Thursday morning and touched down in D.C. around noon. The super talented and sweet Chris picked me up from the airport (who despite spending about 6 hours in a car with me that day (it's a long story), failed to mention until the retreat was almost over that she's a breakdancer. And was in an episode of Ace of Cakes. See what I mean about this being an amazing group?), and we proceeded to make our way southwest to this gem: which boasted this view: Rough, right?
 
 

The next few days were a whirlwind of hugs, laughter, fluff, sewing, crocheting, needle-felting, tacos, amazing home-baked goods, hilarious stories, plush-stealing (and sharing), memes, and all-around crafty bonding. We all had so much fun, we're already starting to plot next year's retreat. Hopefully more of the Plush Team will have a chance to join us, because I can't say enough good things about this group of people.