weekend away

Once a year St Paul's has a weekend away for the whole church. It's a real family event. Everyone goes - from little babies to the oldest couple in church (who are in their 80's!!). Families, children, young people, couples, singles.... everyone is welcome. I love it! I get to hang out and chat with all sorts of different people and get to know them in a way that is difficult in the busyness of everyday life. This year's theme was Hands On. This was worked out in a variety of ways. Here are some of my highlights....

....the (girls only) Colour Me Party. We sewed and embroidered fabric squares to be put together into a quilt for Homes of Hope. Sewing and chatting with the girls - two of my favourite things!!

....the opportunity to add some colour to yourself. Painting beautiful nails!!

....the Hands On workshops. Beth and I ran a Crafty Goodness workshop where we made button brooches. Thanks to Megan Robinson for the inspiration and "how tos". As you can see this was definitely enhanced by having beautiful nails!

....the gorgeous Sam Mockett's Cup Cake Decorating workshop (right next door to us). This worked out well as we managed to score some of her delicious cupcakes. They are divine!

As you can see the cupcake is also enhanced by Beth's beautifully painted nails!

....the Don't get caught red handed! "hand" printed t shirts.

....this lively bunch (who I spent a lot of my weekend with). Fun times!!

....and the venue - Totara Springs. I managed to sneak out early before everyone was up to capture some images. It's such a beautiful place. (That is if you don't count my cabin. It had a faint toilet smell! You'll be glad that I didn't include any images of that!) Back to the beauty....

Bye bye Totara Springs. See you next year!