Our Enchanting France-Embellishing Fabric begins today and La Cascade is ready for the retreat participants to arrive. While it is a pleasure to prepare for our retreat there is a lot of details that need to be confirmed. Rae has been on the ground for the last 3 weeks and assures us that all is ready.
First off, we have to plan the week’s schedule which includes, tours, activities in the studio and out and about, meals out and picnics arranged, dying experience confirmed and our hostess ready to make our week complete. The cars are rented, the sewing machines tested and the health reports completed by each traveler. The weather report predicts sunny summer days, not too hot, and evenings in the 60’s.
Here is a little preview featuring some photos from years past and a reminder that we will not be writing next week as it is our last day of retreat and Carrie and Rae will be need their own retreat.
One of my favorite events during our La Cascade week is our dyeing experience. Our friend and teacher Denise Lambert will keep us busy all morning and into the afternoon dying all the goodies we have brought along.
This year, Rae’s daughter Anna has provided a number of little baby outfits to add to her daughter’s collection, and some for gifts. Check out these photos showing the dyeing of a white jean jacket, also from the same give away closet where Rae’s embroidered jacket came from. It is like magic, starting white, entering the dye pot, coming out green and changing to blue. Year after year, it continues to have the same rich colors thanks to its vegital nature.
The La Cascade studio always offers time for exploration and play and the doors are always open, even in the middle of the night if jet lag keeps one from sleeping soundly and there are dreams of new creations to be acted upon.
This year there are new materials to add to the studio collection as we have some returning participants like Marijo who will be back for the 3rd time. Such an honor to have her return and build on her creative experiences. This project from last year honored Rae’s grandson, and was worked into a blankie for his loft at the French river house.
We cannot wait to see what she does with the washed wool, perfect for a needle book, or the sheers to stack, reminiscent of Rae’s article in Threads. Carrie actually wore the featured top from that article while in Lyon, did you see it on social media?
Why not plan to join us next year, August 15-23 when La Cascade will again be ready to receive our wondereful retreat participants.
Happy Summer Stitching, RAE and Carrie
