Stitch By Stitch in Larchmont NY each year has a retreat that is hard to get into. I believe there were 80 seats and close to 600 people that wanted one of those seats !! You can enter their lottery either as an individual or as a “team”. I entered as a team with 3 other NJNA members. Stitch By Stitch does a Live Face Book drawing of the lucky winners and for the first time they pulled my name !! The “team” got in!
If you have read in prior blogs that I have done, Stitch By Stitch is always a favorite. The way they handled this retreat was with precision !! They pulled the names in September for an event held March 22 – 25th. You were informed all along the way what was coming next and what you had to do so that everything ran smoothly. If you had a question – they had the answer !! It was a pleasure going to an event that had it all covered.
The Mohonk Mountain House building is from the 1860’s and there is a glacial lake in front of it. The Smiley Family have owned the property for over 150 years. There is plenty to do at this place from riding to golf to the spa – and even dance lessons. The room was very comfy and had a balcony with a rocking chair and an amazing view. In fact there are little sitting areas and porches with rocking chairs all over.
Unfortunately we did not have the best weather (it even snowed one day) so we did not get to enjoy to much of the out doors but we were there to stitch ! The food in this place was not only delicious but plentiful. You ate in a beautiful room that had wood everywhere in the Craftsman style. We did have dinner 2 nights in the “Founder’s Room” – a private dining area. The interesting part was getting your dinner buffet style “In The Kitchen” ! A unique experience as you stood on line next to the organically growing herbs !
The stitching room was in a separate building that was filled with light. Eight people to a table and our table had women from Long Island. We couldn’t have asked for nicer women to sit with. Actually, all the attendees were very friendly and helpful. The 3 trunk shows in the stitching room – Elizabeth Crane Swartz, Gingham Stitchery and Plum Stitchery along with other items from Stitch By Stitch gave you plenty of shopping opportunities. Elaine Adonidis was also on hand for some short classes on embellishments.
You also did not want for snacks and drinks – they were plentiful all day every day. There were lovely raffle prizes, a pajama party and the topper of it all was the “Swag Bag”. What was at your seat as a gift was over the top. So many great items too numerous to list. I will tell you that when I got back and showed friends what we got – I believe some ordered a few of the items as they loved them and couldn’t not have them.
No matter where you walk there it is a distance. You were also so busy all the time that you were tired everyday. Turn down service even made your night a neat experience with a note and chocolate on your pillow. After a good nights rest we were all ready to go again !
There is so much more to do there that it makes a great get away place that is close to home yet far removed from daily life. It was a wonderful experience and a fun day every day because Betty, Susan, Linda, Catherine and Karen did such a good job of making sure you wanted for nothing ! Good luck to all who enter the lottery in the future. You will not be disappointed.
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