On Friday we headed up to Raleigh for the Spring Needlepoint Retreat with Needlepoint.com. Mum was attending a ribbon needlepoint class for the afternoon, and after the long drive, I took some time to relax on one of the obliging couches in the shop.
![There were lovely arrangements of Ranunculus in the classroom for the Ribbon Needlepoint Class. Check out this close up!](https://i0.wp.com/theavidpen.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/IMG_9481.jpg?resize=1024%2C1024&ssl=1)
![Everything's all ready for the class.](https://i0.wp.com/theavidpen.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/IMG_9482.jpg?resize=1024%2C1024&ssl=1)
![Close up of the canvas.](https://i0.wp.com/theavidpen.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/IMG_9475.jpg?resize=1024%2C1024&ssl=1)
![Mum finished the piece for the class that had been stitched by Jinny Barney.](https://i0.wp.com/theavidpen.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/FullSizeRender-1.jpg?resize=768%2C1024&ssl=1)
Before the wine and cheese event, we headed over to the Renaissance Hotel, in the North Hill’s Shops to get checked in.
![The Balcony was a lifesaver.](https://i0.wp.com/theavidpen.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/IMG_9497.jpg?resize=1024%2C1024&ssl=1)
![Our room for the night.](https://i0.wp.com/theavidpen.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/IMG_9486.jpg?resize=768%2C1024&ssl=1)
![New dress and shoes debuting on this trip. Love!](https://i0.wp.com/theavidpen.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/IMG_9490.jpg?resize=768%2C1024&ssl=1)
Time to head over to the Wine and Cheese Welcome Party back at Needlepoint.com… Where I won this canvas. This is the first time I’ve ever won a drawing.
![Cute, yes?](https://i0.wp.com/theavidpen.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/IMG_9496.jpg?resize=1024%2C1024&ssl=1)
After we returned to the hotel, we were too exhausted to think about going out for dinner, so we decided to indulge in one of the things we like most on our travels. Room Service!
![Chicken Sandwich for me.](https://i0.wp.com/theavidpen.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/IMG_9501.jpg?resize=1024%2C1024&ssl=1)
![Coconut Cake for mum.](https://i0.wp.com/theavidpen.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/IMG_9502.jpg?resize=1024%2C1024&ssl=1)
Stay tuned for Day 2 tomorrow.
![](https://i0.wp.com/theavidpen.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/christa-signature.png?resize=200%2C100&ssl=1)
🙂 Love living the weekend with you. So sad I couldn’t attend this past weekend
There’s always next time! 🙂
Looks fun!
coconut cake looks amazing! sounds like a lovely get away with your mum 🙂 have fun!
Thanks, Annie! 😉