Friday, January 9, 2015

Seminar Dreams...

Note SFS Participants: There will be an email coming out tonight confirming you're in. If you don't receive one please send a message to StitchFromStash@gmail.com to inquire. 

Some of you may remember that at one time I was a member of a guild in Cochrane (just outside my city of Calgary) that was a part of the EAC. Which is the Embroiderers Association of Canada. They many things for members throughout the years.
After leaving my guild I let my membership lapse and carried on in my own little ignorant of EAC world. Until today... 

I just saw that a week of seminars/classes and other fun stuffs are being held here in Calgary!!! Just blocks away from where I work in the downtown core. And there's even a class being taught by the lovely, (and local) Jeanette Douglass that looks gorgeous (see pic to right). So, of course, I immediately went over to see if I could attend. Suddenly I had a dream that in May of this year I could be at a 2-day course, learning new speciality stitches with a designer I admire. 
That was until I saw the costs... and then my DH said... um... yeah, not gonna happen too much money. :( 
I won't lie, crushing defeat ensued. 

Obviously last year with the creation of SFS I was trying to SAVE money on stitching not spend it. And I seriously have enough stash, even at only 31, to stitch for the rest of my life. So of course I do have to concede that almost $500 for the 2-day class + membership + supplies is just too much money for only 2 days. Besides SFS would barely get me my supplies over the next 4 months in budget. And who are we kidding me, only get the supplies for one class and nothing else. HA! That is a dream indeed!! 

Okay I'm done whining now. (lol) No need to feel bad for me, but I just had to share that I was so excited and then experienced the crushing reminder of reality as we all do at many times, over many things. Maybe when I'm much more senior in my job or retired I will be able to do these things. But with a mortgage, appliances starting to go and other house costs I just can't do it. 

So I will remember that I LOVE my house that I get to own and change as I like; and keep stitching Dragons. I've got a finish for next week to share. :) 

Happy Stitching! 

18 comments:

Margaret said...

You have my sympathy. I live in New Zealand and drool over the wonderful classes available in USA and Canada but the prices! Even on line prices are too much for me.

Unknown said...

Yep, like Margaret, I would also be factoring in air fare from the UK... double nope. A girl can dream though.

Brigitte said...

Oh my, what a price for the two days class plus supplies. I'm sure that the class would be wonderful to attend but that's a great bunch of money that can also be used in a different way. But as you say - dreaming is always allowed, lol.

Leonore Winterer said...

That design really looks pretty, I understand how you are disappointed...but it really is a whole bunch of money, so it's probably I good thing you stayed strong :)

Emma/Itzy said...

I think we need to start a retirement fund and put in what we don't spend each month while doing SFS lol

Jenn M said...

I can totally relate! I still don't know why such things are so expensive, but it's a total drag. If it included a hotel room, perhaps it would be worth justifying. Maybe you will have the extra money when you're retired but you might be crippled with arthritis from all your stitching so what good would that do you?LOL! Do you have a small collection of local friends you could get together with on a weekend and just stitch away? Pot luck, sleeping bags and Youtube tutorials?!
Jenn:)

Tricia T said...

I know how disappointing that must have been, but it was good reality reminder for me! I like the line at the end about your liking your little house. Sometimes it is hard to remember on the spur of the moment that needs are more important than wants!!

Happy stitching!!

sew.darn.quilt said...

It appears that there's quite a few of us in the same boat! I agree that a lot of these classes and retreats are outlandish in their prices. I appreciate that the instructor is passing along their knowledge but to charge so much is ridiculous!

Susan said...

I do hate being a responsible adult sometimes and seminar/retreat attendance is one of those times. Those pieces do tend to get released a few years after the event, so you may not be totally out of luck.

Justine said...

I had no idea how expensive these courses were! Save your money for some lovely things for your new home, and try to finish some of your gorgeous projects so you can frame them and have them up on display!

Irene said...

Like Margaret I live in New Zealand and often drool over classes. Doing a class or going to a conference is on my bucket list... one day in the future.

Vickie said...

I feel your pain! There is a local retreat here I never get to attend because it is $300 and I can't take off work! sigh.....

Tiki said...

Well, maybe its time to put out a call to any budding designers out there who are open to requests and are looking for some model stitchers.

rosey175 said...

Ouch, that's very expensive. I never hear of stitchy retreats around here but if that's the cost...! I think I would teach myself the stitches. :) Your forever home deserves the love too!

Susan said...

I understand. I would like to take a class at Stitches West but at $85 each that's still beyond my budget. I'm just hoping to be able to save enough money by next month to be able to take DH and I to Stitches West - gas to get there/home, food/drink while there, and to buy a skein and maybe a new hook.

Lieselotte (BlackCat) said...

I can understand you well. 500$ are a lot of money. I do not have this problem. Here in Germany there are no courses like these.

Yesterday I have confirmed my registration for "Stitch from Stash". About my g.mail address (BlackCat....). I do not know whether this has functioned. I immediately write to you once again about my web.de address. Nevertheless, I would like to take part soo with pleasure and already have a picture ready.

Kind regards from Germany
Lieselotte

D1-D2 said...

I was thinking of going as well, but I already spent a lot on the Creative Festival. I was really tempted to go anyways, because the classes look amazing. I might go to next years. It will be in Ontario, so the plane ticket won't be so costly (I'm coming in from Lavel, Quebec)

Lisa Dunn said...

I understand! I love going to seminars, but they just cost so much now. And then the project just adds to my UFO pile. :o) Dragon on! :o)