FUN AT CREATIVE RETREAT!!

Last weekend I attended one of my favorite 3-day events:  Creative Retreat!!  Ronda Wade puts this event on 4 times a year now -- because so many want to attend.  Everybody brings the craft(s) they like to create (we have quilters, card and 3-D enthusiasts, scrapbooking, and so much more).  Some just come to see old friends and do Ronda's classes.  I usually take my scrapbooking materials because this is what I love to do the most.  However, I had tons of card kits that I needed to catch up on, so I worked on them and visited with many friends I haven't seen in a long time.  Here are pictures of a couple of cards I did and one of the many, many pillow gifts we receive from Ronda: 

I love this card -- it is so pretty in real life.  It is called a "Fan Fold" and you use your scoring tool on the Stampin' Trimmer or your Simply Scored Scoring Tool to create the "fan" affect.  In this one I used the gorgeous Pop of Pink Specialty Designer Series Paper. 

Here is another "Fan Fold" using the Presents & Pinecones Designer Series Paper.

I loved this card also.  Ronda Wade created the design as part of a kit I received from her Create for Christ one-day retreat.

One of our pillow gifts sitting at our work stations when we got up Saturday.  I loved this and plan on making more.   The treat box is made using the Envelope Punch Board.

Until next time,

Sandi

 

"It's good for our hearts to be strengthened by grace."  --  Hebrews 13:9

CREATIVE ESCAPE RETREAT -- PART 1

I've lost count of how many retreats I have attended, but it is somewhere in the neighborhood of 15.  Ronda Wade has this event twice a year and, to me, it is like going to a Stampin' Up! Convention, but more intimate because she only accepts about 60 attendees.  And we always, always have a blast -- I mean, REALLY, why wouldn't 59 women and 1 man not have fun (yes, the last 2-3 events we have had a male attendee!!).  Today I am going to focus on the gifts we received in our goodie bags, one of the projects we did for a make'n take, and a gift bag I made.  So let's get to it!!

First, I need to show you what I packed -- mind you, Ronda brings all the punches, inks, stamps, etc.; but I wanted to bring my own so I could have them at my table (and on the floor -- LOL).  The top half of my ink carousel is in the back seat along with other "stuff."

This was my thought when I looked at all I packed, "seriously."

Here are some of the product we received in our "Goodie Bag."  Don't you just love the Gumball Green bag we received!!

A close-up of our name tags for our table and the pillow gifts (love my new monogram stamp that says, "Stamped by Sandi").  The butterfly box had the new Wooden Elements Essentials in it and the cellophane bag from the Sale-A-Bration Twisty Treats Kit  has miniature wooden spools with Sweet Sorbet Baker's Twine wrapped around them.

This is one of Ronda's make'n takes I made.  It has been a long time since I have done a paper bag mini album, so I was thrilled this was one of the make'n takes.  Isn't this adorable (with matching envelope)!! 

This is the inside -- I plan on attaching another layer on the right for an extra picture.

And this is tucked in the paper bag so you can add a couple more pictures -- loved this project!!

 

I created this little bag for a thank-you gift to one of my customers.  The little clips at the top really don't belong there but I forgot to insert the card in the bag so I just clipped it on the bag.  The flower was made using the new Spiral Flower Originals Die.

I have lots more projects to show you in my next post, so make sure you come back to see them!!

Until next time,
Sandi

"The Lord your God is with you wherever you go."  --  Joshua 1:9

CREATIVE RETREAT PROJECTS

Yes, I have been very busy and didn't get a chance to post until now -- so very sorry!!  Friday, Saturday, and Sunday I attended Ronda Wade's Creative Retreat.  She has had 2 of these events every year, for the last 8 years, and I have never missed one of them!!!  She and her assistant Tamie Ackerson spoil us rotten and we truly have a blast.  It will take me 3 posts to show you all the neat stuff we did and received, so watch for updates on my blog to see more of the fun.

Today I am showing some projects I took with me to finish or create; along with 3 of the make'n takes Ronda had for us (I didn't get to make one as I was probably busy with something else -- LOL). 

Right-click on the picture and select "open in new tab" to enlarge so you can see the detail.  These are card boxes, that will hold 20 cards and envelopes.  I'm having my Christmas Stamp-A-Stack class next Saturday and wanted to make boxes for my stamping friends to hold the cards they will be making. 

One of the make'n takes using the Winter Frost Specialty Designer Paper (everybody received a whole package of this in their goodie bag).

Another make'n take using Stampin' Up's Winter Frost Specialty Designer Paper.

Another make'n take project.  This is so beautiful in person.  It is a gift card holder using 2 Top Note dies (front and back) and there is a pocket on the inside made with the Winter Frost Specialty Designer Paper.  You can't tell but it is embossed with Silver Embossing Powder.

This gift bag uses all Stampin' Up retired product because I was experimenting making a sample gift bag.  I didn't like it so will be making a different one in the next couple of weeks for a craft show I am attending.

I have some really awesome projects lined up for my next post, but I hope some of these projects inspire you.

Until next time,
Sandi

"Open my eyes, that I may see wondrous things from Your law."  -- Psalm 119:18

STAMPIN' UP MEETS SPLATTER PAINTING

Whew, it has been a very busy last couple of weeks!!  I have done tons of projects, just not enough time to post -- so sorry!  I will try to make it up with lots of pictures today.  I am still working on my granddaughter's album for graduation open house, so I'll show a 2-page layout I did this weekend. 

Speaking of this weekend, I got to attend Ronda Wade's Creative Retreat for 3 days of solid enjoyment stamping and taking classes.  Ronda only does this twice a year, so for me it really is a "retreat" to get away from home and be pampered (no cooking, cleaning, or answering the phone)!!  Between Ronda and our co-host Tamie Ackerson, they wine and dine us from Friday through Sunday with tons of gifts and games included.  I am also posting a few pictures of our pillow gifts and make'n takes (all included in the price -- woohoo!!).

First, here are 2 more album pages completed for Holly's album:

This picture really doesn't show up the ink sprayed on the background -- it is much brighter in real life.  You will recognize mostly discontinued Stampin' Up product on these pages (e.g., designer paper, brads), but I did get a chance to use the new Stampin' Spritzers to apply the ink splatters.

A close up of the left page, which looks better if you enlarge (right click on picture and select "open in new window").

Right page enlarged.  These pictures of Holly were taken by a school classmate, who used Holly as her model for the photography class she was taking.

This is our Creative Escape bag we all received at retreat, filled with Stampin' Up product.  The dress-up card was my name tag for my table, and the other three items were pillow gifts (Petite Pocket had Daffodil Delight Stitched Grosgrain Ribbon inside, the purse has chocolate inside, and the Daffodil Delight flower was attached to a container of Silver Soda Pop Tops.

Two of our make'n takes.  So cute!!

More Stampin' Up product in our goodie bag!!

The gift card holder was another make'n take and the soda pop top was another pillow gift from Ronda and Tamie (so beautiful in real life).

Thank you Ronda and Tamie for an awesome weekend!!  I have a few more pictures that I will show in my next post.

Until next time,
Sandi

"I command you:  be firm and steadfast!  Do not fear nor be dismayed, for the Lord, your God, is with you wherever you go."  --  Joshua 1 1:9

FALL CREATIVE ESCAPE

Today I have tons of pictures to show you because I was so blessed over the weekend with so many awesome gifts.  I forgot to mention in my last post that I was going to the semi-annual Creative Escape, hosted by Ronda Wade and Tamie Ackerson.  As usual, they pampered us from Friday through Sunday afternoon with pillow gifts, make'n takes, games with prizes, food and more food, and awesome fellowship with new and old friends.  I always have so much fun at these retreats and have went to every one since the first, on March 14, 2008 (10 events in all)!  And I'm already registered for 2013!!  Pictures are always better than words, so here they are:


At Stampin' Up's 2012 Convention, Shelli Gardner showed us how she created a personal album made from an old book.  I loved the idea so much that I decided right then and there that I was going to create one for myself.  My book will contain journaling and pictures of things I am grateful for in my life.  All of the product used is Stampin' Up, but the majoriety is discontinued product that I have kept because I loved it so much.  I used my old 2007 Daily Bread Book Calendar because I am so grateful that I have God in my life.  This is my book after it was covered.

This is the back of my book covered with discontinued Cottage Wall Designer Paper and Flower Fantasy Printed Window Sheets.

You will not see a lot of journaling in these pages because I decided that would be too personal, so you will have to imagine what the page on the right will look like after I add a journaling layer.  This is my mom, who started it all!!  Please enlarge these pictures by doing a right-mouse click and select "open in new window."

No journaling here (sorry), my 2nd daughter on left, Deborah, with her older sister on right.

My firstborn, daughter Christina.  All of my tags/greeting stamps were selected expressively for the page they are on.

We made 2 cards, an album page, and a pocket card for our make'n takes this weekend.  The rest of items above were gifts we received from Ronda (right) and Tamie (left, in the picture above).  Yes, we were totally spoiled!!  We received a lot more product in our bag but I didn't have room in the picture to show you.

 I saved the real blessing for last!!!  I was blessed with a beautiful great-grandson (1st great-grandchild) on Saturday.  This is my favorite picture taken after one of his first feedings.  My grand-daughter, Emily, did an awesome job during labor; but as you can see here, mom and baby Kail are totally exhausted from the big event.  God is good!!!

Emily and baby Kail, born October 21, 2012; 8 lbs. 13 oz.; 22" long.

Sorry this post is a little long, but I wanted to share my happiness with all my cyber friends!!

Until next time,
Sandi
"When a woman is in labor, she is in anguish because her hour has arrived; but when she has given birth to a child, she no longer remembers the pain because of her joy that a child has been born into the world."  --  John 16:21


CREATIVE ESCAPE RETREAT

What happens at Creative Escape Retreat?  Whatever happens at Retreat, stays at Retreat!!!  Okay if you really want to know, I will tell you it is always awesome; we are pampered, laugh a lot, make new friends and catch up with old friends, eat a lot, sleep very little, win lots of prizes, receive lots of goodies, and of course we do some crafting when we aren't doing all of the above (LOL). 

Ronda Wade and Tamie Ackerson deserve all the credit and then some, as they hosted a flawless retreat.  Tamie made the most awesome decorations and pillow gifts.  Ronda had so many prizes that I seriously doubt anybody went home without winning something.  All 62 ladies spent their time doing different crafts that they love.  Some sewed or created cards, scrapbooked pages, or 3-D items; or prepped for upcoming classes (as Cofounder and CEO of Stampin' Up, Sheli Gardner, would say:  crafting "your way").

As far as the juicy stuff that went on at Retreat, my lips are sealed!!  You will just have to attend the next one in October to find out.  However, I will show you a "few" of my pictures (click on the pictures to enlarge for better view):

This is our Retreat bag full of free product!!  The name tag and candy vase (with flower) were on our table when we arrived, and the purse and box (with product inside) were pillow gifts sitting on our table each morning.  Make sure you enlarge this picture to really see how cute these are.

My daughter, Tricia, won a new Big Shot!!!  First time I have seen her speechless!!!

We had 5 people in our "group corner."  Ronda did an awesome job pairing up friends/family so they could sit together.  This is one of my "adopted" daughters and customer, Amy Krumm (Tricia's table is right next to hers).

Ronda (holding bag) and Tamie drawing door prizes and a shot of the front room (gosh, looks like a lot of people went to bed already!!).

And our hostesses:  Tamie Ackerson (front-left) and Ronda Wade (back-right). 

The little 6" x 6" square on the left page (bottom-right) was one of our make'n takes that I converted into a 12" x 12", 2-page album spread.  I got the idea to convert the 6" x 6" page into a 12" x 12" spread from  my friend Patti Matejewski.

Close-up picture.

Close-up of other page.

I will post pictures of the other make'n takes and classes I took in my next post. 

Until next time,
Sandi
"The Lord lifts up all who are falling and raises up all who are bowed down."  -- Psalm 145-14
Thank you Heavenly Father for always being my rock!