Where did 2015 go -- Welcome 2016.

2015 was a very busy year for Russellee BnB both from the BnB side and the Craft Retreat side.  We had the largest number of people staying at the BnB during the year than we ever had in any of the past 13 years we have been operating.  We also had 10 groups of crafters, (card makers, quilters and scrap bookers) as well as our Quilting Cruise in February and Bali Quilting Retreat in July/August.

  

2016 is shaping up to be another busy year.  To-date we have 10 groups booked in with many as repeat bookings and new ones as well.  Unfortunately our 2016 Quilting Cruise was cancelled due to the Australian $ exchange rate with US $.  However, Russellee is having a five day ‘Quilting Cruise without the Boat’ in place of the cruise in February. The teachers and classes are the same as offered on the Cruise.  This retreat has filled very quickly; however, a couple of vacancies in some of the classes exist, with accommodation available in Tumut. Class information can be seen below.

Our Bali Quilting Retreat in September is almost full with only two spots available.  This two week retreat allows for the making of a personal batik fabric, time for sewing, the opportunity to see the culture of Bail and not to mention the fabrics.  Contact me if you are interested in sharing in this wonderful Quilting Retreat.

 

The BnB is also filling up with Easter fully booked.

Tony and I would like to thank all of those who supported us during 2015 with both the BnB and the Craft Retreats.  We look forward to catching up again in 2016.

Five Day Patchwork Retreat Filling Fast

Russellee BnB Craft Retreats Five Day Patchwork Retreat the 22nd - 25th February has been filling very fast.

Russelle's accommodation is fully booked for this. We now have ladies booking accommodation in Tumut which is a 6 minute drive for the Retreat and has several options available. This retreat has two 2 day workshops and a 1 day workshop with a bonus Mystery class on the Wednesday evening.

The cost of the five days is $300 and includes lunch each day. We have ladies coming from Sydney, Canberra as well as locally.

There are vacancies in the following classes.
Two day classes - 'Country Colours', 'The Brumby.', 'Dogwood Rose', 'Cordination and Contrast',.
The one day class - 'Braid Ruler Cover'. 'Baliy Island Hobo Bag or 'Travel Bag'.

Our class numbers are being kept small to allow plenty of individual tuition. If you are interested please contact me. The tutors are Chris Dowell from Toowoomba, QLD, Juanita Bugge, Melbourne Vic and Dorothy Clee of Russellee BnB Craft Retreats

Five Day Retreat at Russellee February 2016

FIVE Day Retreat 22^nd – 26^th February 2016

Monday to Friday

Relax and enjoy your love of patchwork on a five day retreat. The retreat will be in the comfort of a beautiful Ranch Style Bed and Breakfast set in a Parkland Garden only minutes from the picturesque town of Tumut, country NSW.

Options include:
Limited live in shared accommodation, meals, and tutor fees. Optional pre and post nights accommodation with breakfast available.

Day participant places are also available. Tumut has several accommodation options if you are travelling to the retreat.

 Workshop numbers are kept small to allow individual tuition to all participants so don’t miss out! A $50 non- refundable deposit is required at time of booking to secure your place.  Full payment must be made three weeks prior to the retreat.  Instalment payments are welcome.

We are offering a variety of classes however, you are most welcome to work on your own projects and help can be provided with these projects.

Tutors

Christine Dowell, Art Quilter Toowoomba Queensland

Juanita Buggé,  ‘Sewing Buddies’ Melbourne Victoria - An authorised Judy Niemeyer teacher

Dorothy Clee, Art Quilter and Thread Painter Tumut NSW

 

Retreat Cost

Five days of workshops, most meals and four nights shared accommodation $550.

Pre Retreat accommodation Sunday night with breakfast $55

Post Retreat accommodation Friday night with breakfast $55

Other pricing options please contact Dorothy russeldr@bigpond.com or 02 69474216.

Limited places book early

Sandy's Quilters October Retreat

Sandy's Quilters, eight lovely ladies from Canberra, were at Russellee for a quilting retreat on the weekend. It never ceases to amaze how much can be achieved on a two day retreat. The group worked on their own projects. Some were new and some were UFOs. A lot of larger quilt tops were achieved as well as some smaller projects
Russellee's  Retreat  calendar for 2016 is filling fast. If you have a group of ladies looking for a retreat venue please contact me.
Dorothy

Julie's Quilting Retreat

Last weekend Julie had a quilting retreat at Russellee Bed and Breakfast and Craft Retreats . Julie had nine lovely ladies from Canberra and surrounds. It never ceases to amaze me the variety of quilting projects the ladies work on. They ranged from large quilts, to table runners, fabric bowls and luggage tags. Next weekend I have a group of scrapbookers have a Christmas in July retreat.

Five Day February Retreat Workshops

Workshop No 1 22nd – 23rdh February choice of

Chris Dowell

Country Colours ‘Buddies Strip Quilt’ with optional appliqué Kits include Outback, Australia Bush, The Sea

Dorothy Clee

 ‘The Brumby’
This workshop is designed to teach simple techniques to create a stunning art quilt.
Suitable for the beginner to the advanced quilter. A kit is available.

Juanita Buggé

Judy Niemeyer Workshop. This workshop gives the option of a two day—Bali Fever, Fractured paint Box, Stepping or Five day workshop.– Paradise in Blue, Glacier Star, Mariners Compass

24th February 2016 
Choice of Baily Island Hobo Bag and a 22” Ruler Bag.  Kits available.

Workshop No 2 25th – 26th February choice of

Chris Dowel

‘Dogwood Rose’ This workshop features raw edge appliqué combined with piecing to create a shaped wall hanging. Suitable for the beginner – advanced.

Dorothy Clee
Coordination and Contrast
This workshop is designed incorporate panel prints or large scale prints. Suitable for the beginner to the advanced quilter.

Juanita is again offering the 2 day Judy Niemeyer Workshop and continuing the 5 day workshop. This workshop gives the option of —Bali Fever, Fractured Paint Box, Stepping Stones Kits available.

Mystery Workshop 23^rd February
Kits are provided for this workshop

 

Date	Port	Arrive	Depart
14 Feb	Sydney	--	6:30 PM
15 Feb	Cruising	--	--
16 Feb	Cruising	--	--
17 Feb	Isle of Pines, New Caledonia	8:00 AM	5:00 PM
18 Feb	Noumea, New Caledonia	8:00 AM	5:00 PM
19 Feb	Lifou, Loyalty Island	8:00 AM	8:00 PM
20 Feb	Mystery Island, Vanuatu	8:00 PM	5:00 PM
21 Feb	Cruising	--	--
22 Feb	Cruising	--	--
23 Feb	Cruising	--	--
24 Feb	Sydney	6:00 AM	–

 

Bali Quilting Retreat 5 September 2016

Cost is $1895 land only.

Airfares are not included and are around $600. Virgin and Gruda have direct flights and are very reasonable in cost.

INCLUSIONS:

Accommodation in twin rooms (single accommodation is also available).
Hotels as per the itinerary.
Breakfast daily.
Lunch daily.
Dinner days 1, 4, 11 and 12
Tours and lessons as per the itinerary,
Use of a sewing machine. (Cutting boards and irons are provided)
Mystery class kit.
Not included: Travel insurance and Visa.  The Visa is $35 US obtainable at the airport on arrival

Day 1

Monday 5 September
Flight from Australia to Bali.
We will meet  you and transfer to the Dutch Colonial Hotel Inna Bali Denpasar. All rooms are air-conditioned and there is a nice swimming pool. Dinner tonight is at the hotel and is a recreation of the Dutch rijsttafel
Day 2
Tuesday 6 September
This morning to Denpasar to visit the material shops, material by the metre also jelly rolls and fat quarter packs. Other materials and quilting backing are also available as well as layer cake, six packs and charm packs. Afterwards  to the outskirts of Kuta for lunch, then visit two wonderful haberdashery shops and French fashion outlet. Before returning to Denpasar visit the large Galeria mall with its Matahari department store, shoe shops, bookshops and perfume shops.

Day 3
Wednesday 7 September
This morning you will have a batik-making workshop and learn how to make your own piece of batik, which you can take home as a souvenir. Batik-making copper stamps of various designs and sizes are available for purchase.

After the lesson to Batubulan and lunch at John’s house . After lunch to Celuk, centre of the silver jewellery industry where you will visit a silver smith and see his traditional family compound.Then to Mas, just before Ubud and your hotel Taman Harum (fragrant garden), owned by one of Bali’s most prominent woodcarving families.

After checking in a short drive into Ubud centre for a look at the shops followed by dinner, after which return to the hotel.
Day 4
Thursday 9 September
This morning travel north through the Tegallalang valley and craft villages, where many of the handicrafts sold locally and for export are made. Stop also at the beautiful 700 year old rice terraces. This area specializes in crochet, and clothes, table cloths and bedcovers are available. At Tirta Gunung Kawi visit the temple dedicated to the rice goddess and see the spring where the water from lake Batur emerges. Continue north to the Batur caldera, then drive down through recent lava flows from this active volcano to Tirta Sanjiwani hot springs beside the lake. After time to enjoy both the hot and lukewarm pools lunch is in the restaurant overlooking  the lake.  After lunch return to the top of the caldera and then travel east to Klungkung, stopping at the fabric markets, one of the largest in Bali, visited by few tourists, so prices are very competitive. From Klungkung continue east to Candi Dasa, a quiet and pretty seaside village and hotel Ashyana for your quilting retreat.
Dinner tonight is included and will be accompanied by a traditional Balinese dance performance.

Day 5
Friday 10 September
Today is the start of quilting. Sewing machines are provided.  Opportunity to relax at the pool or wander down the street and visit the local shops.
Day 6
Saturday 11 September
Today is a quilting day
Day 7

Sunday 12 September
Morning visit to Tenganan ancient village to see geringsing – double-weft weaving – found only here in Bali. You will also see other handicrafts traditionally made in the village. Lunch is in Tenganan after which return to Candi Dasa to continue quilting
Day 8
Monday 13 September
Quilting Day
Day 9
Tuesday 14 September
Quilting Day.  Dorothy will present a Mystery Workshop.  Kits will be provided.
Day 10
Wednesday 15 September
This morning travel east to the coast and visit a small hospitality college, where the students will have prepared lunch for you. They will wait on you at the table and are keen to practice their English skills.
After lunch to the Royal Water Gardens of Tirtagangga, then to Amlapura and a visit to the king’s palace and fabric shops in the town. Finally to the other royal water gardens at Ujung on the coast before returning to Candi Dasa.
Day 11
Thursday 16 September
Quilting Day. Tonight there will be a show and tell of quilting followed by a farewell dinner.
Day 12
Friday 17 September
After packing travel to Kemenuh village and visit Eddy’s family compound for lunch. Afterwards return to Denpasar fabric shops for any last minute shopping needs, after which to the airport and your flight home.
Final dinner at Jimbaran.

Day 13
Saturday 18 September Arrive back in Australia with wonderful memories, fabulous fabric and new friends. 

UFO Quilting Retreat

Last weekend Russellee BnB Craft Retreats hosted a UFO Quilting Retreat.  Nine lovely ladies travelled to Tumut from Sydney, Braidwood, Queanbeyan and Canberra for this retreat.

Most of these ladies had not met before the retreat and new friendships were made over the weekend.  Quilt tops were completed and lots of ideas were shared.

Tony again did a wonderful job of providing food for the ladies.  It never ceases to amaze me the beautiful meals that he presents to the ladies.
A couple of the ladies had to leave on the Sunday afternoon but the rest stayed an extra night to enjoy a wonderful Quilting Party presented by Maru Soto of Material Girls Down Under.  Maru had a great range of gadgets, fabrics, and books for the ladies to purchase.  Maru  also made the morning special with games with quilting themes and demonstrations of gadgets and quilt blocks.

Local ladies from Batlow and Tumut also came to the 'Quilting Party'.  A highlight of the morning was a show and tell.
Geraldine Fleming from Batlow showed her wonderful NZ themed quilt.  Geraldine made the centre panels of the quilt in Amanda Daleys workshop on our 2ns Australian Quilting Cruise.  Well done Geraldine.