Hi everyone, where has this week gone? I got back from my weekend retreat on Sunday evening and I am not entirely sure where the last four days have gone. Of course there was a little unpacking and sorting to be done and I also have my team event at Bicester on Sunday and that will take a lot of planning and prep too so I have not been sleeping behind the scenes!!!
First of all, thank you to all the lovely ladies who came along to the weekend crafting retreat that myself and Marguerite organised last weekend. We had a blast! It really was a great weekend, the weather was beautiful, the venue was so pretty and so quiet, the ladies were up for a fun weekend and Marguerite and I had worked so hard perfecting all the finer details to make it an unforgetttable weekend for all.
This is the outside of the hotel, the grounds looked so pretty.
the sunshine made everything look 100 times more stunning.
We had refreshments available 24 hours a day as well as chocolate and sweet treats, I mean who can craft without choccie??
We had 5 classes to choose from, the classrooms had lots of light and space…….
Lots of concentration going on here……
This was Lynney's first ever scrapbook layout, look how lovely it is….
deep in concentration!
Nessa's foxy layout.
These are two of the projects that Cassie made and also two cards from the FREE make and take station.
And I had to show you a close up of the cupcake trinket box, everyone was so pleased with them and everything used to make it was from Stampin Up apart from the glass candle holder and polystyrene ball!
We asked all the attendee's to bring along a 6×6" scrapbook layout of themselves so that everyone could get to know eachother a little better, this is Diane's which I loved.
and here she is busy creating some gorgeous layouts.
This is the room we had dinner in on Saturday night, how posh!!
We made a shutter album and I taught how to make a beautiful flower to adorn the front. Two of the ladies could not resist trying the technique in several different colours and sizes and I think they look like enamel. I plan to do a video tutorial in the coming weeks to show you how to make them.
I am not feeling self conscious at all here 🙂
We made sure we really looked after our guests and made hand made name badges and place cards as well as leaving pillow gifts with treats inside for all our over night guests, all hand made of course…..
There was a raffle too.
This is Sandie making the most of the chocolate and marshmallows for the hot chocolate!!
I snuck a little photo of Sian's table space. One thing I loved is that nearly everyone finished their projects whilst they were at the retreat. I have been to crafty weekends several times and still have the unfinished projects sat in cello bags to show for it!
These ladies were looking at old photo's ready to scrapbook them, this is one of my favourite pastimes and hearing them recount their memories made me realise why I love to scrapbook 🙂
Marguerite and I had spent weeks making samples and we had lots of displays in the two rooms but we had a central display in the centre of the crop room with lots of really beautiful ideas and projects. People were coming from all over the hotel to see it including the chef and also one of the porters. I know that I guests took lots of photo's so I really hope that it helped them to fall in love with Stampin' Up products as much as we have.
Gosh we look shattered – but happy. Thanks to everyone who attended. We really appreciated you taking the plunge and joining us for our first retreat. We have a date for another retreat next year, we are still undecided on whether we will host another retreat until we have looked at venues and costings but if you would be interested in coming along next year leave a comment so we can guage interest. Potential date for next year is May 18-20th 2012.
Thanks for getting to the end of this huge post, hope you enjoyed it xx
It looks amazing! I am sure that everyone had a wonderful time. X
You are right, what a lovely weekend it was! Thanks a million again, we had lots of fun!
And we are definitely up for a repeat next year 🙂
Oh Michelle, the pictures are gorgeous and have truly captured what a wonderful experience last weekend was… I loved every moment of it (it went by too quickly and though) and I am already saving for next year! Thank you both once again for a perfect weekend, crafting till our ‘lil hearts content and meeting such wonderful ladies who share our passion too!
Lynney
xxx
You know how much I am up for it next year!! Its in my diary – and the deposit’s paid!! I had the most wonderful time – and met some lovely people
Looks like you had a fab weekend ! Your guests could not expect to be taught by such a fab no 1 demonstrator you are the best xxxxxx your pink lad andy x
Oh how fab your weekend looks, fabulous projects too, I cant wait for sunday now!…
ohh it all looks so lovely!! I’m sure everyone had a most wonderful time…I’d love to go away for a weekend to craft with no distractions! xx
Wow! It looks like you both did an exceptional job and organised a brilliant retreat. I am so impressed with all the details. I would definately book for next year if I didn’t live in Australia! Well done Michelle!
So pleased the weekend went well for you all and looks like you had a fab weekend with lovely projects, so gutted I couldn’t be there but the next date is already in my diary, lol, Paulaxx
Hi Michelle … what a lovely place to spend your Retreat! Choccies as well … darned if I’ll miss the next chance! Don’t all your ladies look deep in concentration … I’m sure they all had lots and lots of fun! -x-L-x-
It certainly was all that Michelle has said – and more! Brilliant weekend and wonderful company, thoroughly enjoyed it. Love the piccy of Sandie, even if it wasn’t a Malteaster Bunny! Thanks M & M you’re stars
Margaret x
Glad it all went so well, would like to think I could make it next year
Wow, looks like heaven!!!! Jo x
it looks and sounds like you all had a fab time!!! so glad it went well for you !! i would love to come next year!!! debbie xx
Looks amazing- you can tell you must both have put oodles of work into it! Well done- I bet the girls had a weekend to remember!
Looks like you had a fab weekend – so sad I couldn’t make it this year! Thanks for sharing the photos. Looking forward to a tutorial on the “enamel” flowers! Nx
WOW: The weekend retreat looked like it went down a storm! What a superb venue, lots of effort/hard work you put in and what lovely projects made. I bet those ladies had a great time and can’t wait for the next one! 😉
Thanks for sharing the pictures, all the display goodies look stunning!
Alex
The venue looks amazing! Thanks for sharing the pictures 🙂
looks like everyone had a great time and the venue looks gorgeous best wishes Lesley x