Oh Sew Thrifty

Creativity Camp for Adults Only!

(Sorry to take such a long break. I will pick up where I left off.)

Two weeks of peace and quiet…  No way!  My husband and son were planning a wonderful trip out west with the Boy Scouts while I was busy making plans of my own.  I have always wanted to attend summer camp for adults with opportunities to socialize and be creative both day and night.  It took a while to figure out the details, but I finally came up with a workable plan – please see below.  (Special thanks to my daughter who was a huge help and so tolerant of all the women in the house.  Between the cupcake demo and the s’mores, she was pretty happy to help!)

The highlight of camp was really all the time we spent visiting while we worked on our projects. We made new friends and got a lot accomplished.  The Goodwill Challenge in my last blog post was skipped when we realized no one needed another project to add to their already lengthy list of goals for camp!  One person not only slipcovered a chair but also made a duvet cover and shams. 

Dinners had the highest attendance.  The cupcake demo was the biggest draw.  (We were too full the first night to eat s’mores so we fixed them for dessert the last day.)  Everyone made it day camp, so I only fixed lunch and dinner.  If I get the opportunity to do this again, I think I will probably have some takers on sleeping over.  A full day of food and fun topped off by theme based drinks made staying over pretty tempting.

If you are thinking about hosting  a creativity camp of your own – plan ahead!  I sent out my invite emails only about 2 -3 weeks in advance.  So many people responded that if they didn’t already have summer plans they would have loved to have come.  Many encouraged me to do this again next year and they would plan their summer around it.  I think it would also make a great church retreat – minus the alcohol!

Creativity Camp 2011

June 27 - 29

Thanks to those of you who blindly committed to coming to camp! To those of you who are still on the fence, I hope the following details will give you a better idea of what to expect. Dinners are open to all. Please join us even if you can't make it to camp during the day.

Please see appointment times/reservation info below for massages ($75), Intro to the Enneagram ($10), and Individual Enneagram Counseling ($10).
Simply email me to sign up for camp, dinners, enneagram activities and the cupcake demo. Fees are in () for all events and activities.

Camp Schedule

(Camp Time! is free time to explore your projects and ideas.)

Monday

10:00 am Camp Check In - Unload your supplies, meet other campers and settle into your room/space. This is check in time for Day Campers and Overnight Campers.
11:00 am Camp Opening Activity followed by Camp Time!
12:30 pm Lunch - A collection of cold salads, breads and summer drinks (Just make a donation)
1:00 - 5:00 Camp Time! Work on the projects you brought or visit the Inspiration Table and try something new!
Special Attraction - Joan will be on hand to help with embroidery projects. Beginners and experienced stitchers alike can bring an item to decorate or use scrap fabric that will be provided.

3:00, 3:30, 4:00 and 4:30 - Individual Enneagram Counseling with Tavye ($10) - a 30 minute one on one session with Tavye. Sign up with Laura.
5:00 Special Event - The Enneagram with Tavye ($10) Do you feel like some of those around you are talking in code? She's such a 3! My husband is a

classic 5... What's your number? Tavye will lead an introduction/review of the enneagram. Sign up with Laura or Tavye.
5:00 - 6:30 Free Time/Clean up Time/Cocktail Hour
6:30 - Dinner Mexican Night (Donation) - Enchiladas, Guacamole, Corn and Black Bean Salad, Rice, Sangria, and Mexican Beer

Special Event - S'Mores and Magazines After dinner instead of sitting around the campfire we will gather around a HUGE pile of magazines and look for inspiration or purely for entertainment. (Please bring a favorite magazine to add to the pile!)

Campers are always welcome to keep working on their projects. Attractions and events are optional.

One hour massages ($75) available Monday night - 6:00, 7:30 and 9:00. Kim lives just down the street and is a certified massage therapist. She truly feels called to this work and it shows. Her massages are divine. To book a massage with Kim, please call her at …

Individual Enneagram Counseling with Tavye ($10) - 30 minute one on one sessions with Tavye are available Wednesday mornng as well.

Tuesday
8:00 am Walk with Lisa - As many of you know, Lisa will be busy walking the length of New York City for a month this summer. She will be missed at camp, so in her honor we are going to walk with her in spirit! We will send her a picture so don't sleep in.
9:00 am Coffee, breakfast, social time
10:00 Camp Time!
Special Attraction - Maxine will lead beginners through the first steps of knitting as well as assist those who would like guidance with their current knitting projects.
12:30 Lunch - Corn Dogs, Fish Sticks and sweet potato fries in addition to cold salads, etc. (Donation)
1:00 Camp Time! Keep working on those projects and new ideas.
Special Event Goodwill Repurposing Challenge Those who are up for a challenge will head to Goodwill and look for a diamond in the rough! (Repurposing is the hot new term for taking someone else's trash and turning it into a treasure. I will post on my blog a picture of a skirt I made from a Goodwill purchase to give you an idea. Although, the purpose of the item actually stayed the same. You might want to Google repurposed thrift store finds for examples.) We can stop at Ace for anyone who needs spray paint or other supplies. Please pack a few basics like elastic, a variety of threads, paints, etc. if you are going to participate in this event.
5:00 Free Time/Clean up/Cocktail Hour
6:30 Dinner Asian Night (Donation) - Asian Slaw with mix-ins, spring rolls, orange slices and fortune cookies

Special Event - Susan's Cupcake Secrets!! We will bake and decorate dozens of cupcakes while learning Susan’s secrets for decorating and flavoring custom cupcakes.

One hour massages ($75) available Tuesday night - 6:30, 8:00 and 9:30. See note above.

Wednesday
8:00 Coffee/Breakfast Bar
10:00 Camp Time!

Individual Enneagram Counseling with Tavye  ($10) - a 30 minute one on one session with Tavye. Appointments available throughout the morning.
12:30 Lunch - Leftovers - A true last day of camp tradition!
1:00 Closing Activity
2:00 - 5:00 Finish Up/Clean Up/Pack Up

Camp Notes

Packing List: Supplies you would like to have on hand, sewing machine if you are sewing (I have an extra but it is very basic.), clothes that can get messy, supplies you would like to share, anything that inspires you, and any snacks or drinks that make you happy.

Space Planning: To give everyone a place to create, the house will be divided as follows:

2nd floor - Quiet Zone - for writing, napping, and any activity that requires quiet.

1st floor and porch - Food and Social Zone - Meals, snacking, games (Scrabble, cards, etc.) and hanging out.

Basement - Creativity Zone - This is where the magic happens! Anything messy needs to be done outside or in my sewing room which has a tile floor.

Vegetarian Options are available at all meals.

Please let me know if you will be joining us so that I will have plenty of food and supplies!

Laura