Dearest Friends of The Crafting Cottage,

This past weekend was a very productive weekend on several fronts. First of all - thanks to Allyson Dennis, the Crafting Cottage's website is getting closer to how I originally wanted it to be. We are still going to do some tweaking - but Allyson is a technological Wizard. I also appreciated her patience with me as I am not a technical Wizard - barely an apprentice!

One of the main improvements that Allyson created was to separate the Classes/Workshops & Events Registration Page from the Reserving Weekends at the Inn Page. Allyson also did her best to try and have the listed items in a friendlier order so that you crafters out there didn't have to hunt to find what you were looking for. This is a huge deal, in my book.

Then, Diane Wilson and I worked on a retreat which is bringing back The Creative Goddess Weekends!! September will host the first of these creative retreats. Several workshops have been planned, samples created and more on all that in a few weeks.

Today, Tony Ferrito, delivered the TOWER that will house many, many of the Accu-Cut dies. Some brand new dies just arrived, too.

Currently, like everyone else in this neck of the woods, the Cottage is enjoying the mounds of ice melting away. Of course, that brings the challenge of flooding - but - hey - this is living in the Northeast.

We've got seats available for the upcoming Craft n Chats. I hope to see more of you sign up and treat yourself to some well deserved crafting and chatting.

So - my friends. On to the Musings...

Please visit the Crafting Cottage's Booth

located on the first floor

AT:

Lots of activity happening for 2025.

I will be hosting several "Retreat Weekends" this year. These weekends will be geared towards combining serenity and bliss with paper crafting pursuits. I will be announcing the first retreat dates as soon as I have confirmed some of the outside instructors.

Additionally, several groups have already booked the Inn. The following weekends are already reserved:

March 14th - 16th - Group of 4

March 20th - 23rd - Scrapbook & Cards Virtual Workshop Weekend Group/2

March 28th - 30th - Group of 4

April 11th - 13th - Group of 4

April 26th - April 29th - Group of 4

May/June/July & August: Flexible availability for groups. Contact for info.

September 4th - 7th - Group of 4

***Weekend of September 12th is now available due to a group switching to different weekend.***** Contact me at: info@thecraftingcottage.com if you are interested in this weekend.

September 25th - 28th - Creative Goddess Retreat

October 3rd - 5th - Group of 5

October 10th - 13th - Group of 4

October 27th - November 1st: Week Long Craft 'n Chat & Retreat Weekend

The Calendar on the website has been updated. Feel free to check it out to see what weekends are available for you and a group of friends to enjoy a relaxing, stress-free time crafting away.

Staying at the Crafting Cottage is a more intimate experience compared to the large crops held at hotels around the country. Throughout one's stay, the option to stay in one's pajamas for the entire time is fine. Order food to be delivered or enjoy "Crockpot" competitions with your fellow crafters. Guests staying at the Cottage have full use of the kitchen. Many guests bring a LOT of food so that they can just stay nice and cozy at the Cottage and never have to leave until it's time to head home.

The Library Lounge also received a "refresh" at the same time that the main Workshop and Tool Room got refreshed.

This room has become a lovely get away sanctuary to simply catch up on emails, read a magazine for some inspiration or simply to sit and relax by the faux wood burning fireplace.

I moved some furniture out of the room. I moved the daybed/couch to a better spot.

This room will also become a back-up first floor guest room, if, at any time more than three guests need to avoid stairs due to any physical or health reasons.

Get Me Through the Winter Club

Received pictures last week from Debbie using her Kit.

The cards below are great examples of using various techniques such as faux stitching, ink blending, using an embossing folder and unique corner rounder punches to change things up a bit.

Great job, Deb!!!!

The February Creative Challenge Kits will be fun to see what the members create. To give a hint: Imagine a Vintage Lighthouse....

Remember - you can sign up for the Creative Challenge Club anytime. To get more information - CLICK HERE!

Here are pictures of the newly refreshed and remodeled Workshop Room.

Each crafter now has their own "station" with lots of room to stash their stuff. Four of the stations even have rolling carts to be able to put some of their crafting tools, etc. in and keep them easily nearby.

Thank you to Tony for building the new Tower for our dies!!!

Reserve YOUR spot for the following Craft 'n Chat Events!

Some of the events will offer "sleep over" options. Some of the events will have a minimum number of crafters needed to sign up. Make sure you check all the information before you register.

Online registrations READY now - just click the links that match the day or days you wish to join in the fun.

Day Trippers' Craft 'n Chat

When:



Thursday, Feb. 26th: 11 AM - 9 PM

Friday, Feb.28th: 11 AM - 9 PM

Registered thus far:

Sue L.

Jan V.

Saturday, March 1st: 11 AM - 9 PM

Registered thus far:

Sue L.

Jan V.

Sunday, March 2nd: 11 AM - 4 PM



Prices: 1 Day Only - $25 per person (Either Thursday, Friday or Saturday)

Enjoy 2 Days for just $35 per person

(Any two days in a row)

Enjoy 3 Days for just $50 per person

(Thursday, Friday & Saturday)

Sunday Only: $20 per person (minimum 4 crafters needed)

• What is included?
• Your own table with cushy office chair & ample lighting
• Full use of the kitchen - please bring your own snacks/lunch/dinner
• Access to the Tool Room
• Enjoy the complimentary Beverage Center which includes coffee, tea, ice, water and mixes for lemonade, ice- tea and hot cocoa
• A goodie bag including a coupon for a shopping discount
• A Make 'n Take Project to create and take home

To Register for the event you want - just click on the link.

Just Thursday - $25

Just Friday - $25

Just Saturday - $25

Just Sunday - $20



Looking to $ave some $$ - then register for more than one day. Your options are below. Click on the link that matches what you want to register for.

Click Here to register for 2 days - Thursday & Friday $35

OR

Click Here to register for 2 days - Friday & Saturday $35

Click HERE for THREE days - Thursday, Friday & Saturday - $50

For those who wish to stay overnight and craft the nights away...

A minimum of two nights is required Either Thursday & Friday nights

or

Friday and Saturday nights

Please contact me at: info@thecraftingcottage.com if interested.

Week Day Craft 'n Chats:

$15 per person per day

Just click on the day you wish to register for the Craft 'n Chat.

Tuesday, March 11th - 11 AM till 6 PM

Registered: Cherrie H., Eva G.

Wednesday, March 12th - 11 AM till 6 PM

Registered: Cherrie H., Eva G.

Tuesday, March 25th - 11 AM till 6 PM

Registered: Cherrie H., Eva G.

Wednesday, March 26th - 11 AM till 6 PM

Registered: Cherrie H., Eva G.

Starting Wednesday, March 5th in the month of March - every Wednesday night from 6 PM till 8 PM will be "Card Sharks" night. A great way to break up one's week.

Each Wednesday night, "players" will be dealt a set of blank cards. Additionally, each player will receive a special bag or box filled with a variety of products, embellishments, die-cuts and more.

Each "crafty player" will receive an envelope with their secret assignment. Using "the hand" each player was "dealt", they get to enjoy "playing" with their stash for about 1 1/2 hours. The final thirty or so minutes is spent "declaring" what each player was given and how they worked with the hand dealt to them.

Everyone goes home with a prize and more, including their completed projects.

Light refreshments are provided.

Card Shark nights are a way to not only break up one's week and get over the infamous "hump day", but players will get to use a variety of products, tools, inks and discover a variety of techniques, ideas, short-cuts and more. This is a very low key, low stress - let's just have some crafty fun time.

Card Shark Nights are $18 per person per night.

Register for one or all!

March 5th, 12th, 19th & 26th.

Register HERE for Wednesday, March 5th

Register HERE for Wednesday, March 12th

Register HERE for Wednesday, March 19th

Register HERE for Wednesday, March 26th

We are just flying through the months, my friends. March is arriving this coming Saturday.

March supposedly comes in like a lion and out like a lamb. We'll see.

March is the birthday month for both my hubby and son!!!

St. Patrick's Day is in March!!!

For those into College basketball - there is "March Madness"!

I am hoping to get some more work done at the Crafting Cottage in March. I have not even had a chance to work in the back building which will become the second Workshop room - which I have decided to call "The Studio". I am excited to get that project moving along.

Mark your calendars - Too Much Fun Promotions is COMING BACK!! in May at the Finger Lakes Mall in Auburn, NY. The weekend dates are Friday, May16th and Saturday, May 17th. For more information - keep checking their website as they will add new information as it becomes available.

Visit their website by CLICKING HERE!!!

In the meantime - stay strong. Stay safe. Stay healthy. Stay in touch.

As always - Stay Crafty My Friends!!!

Cheers,

Georgiana