Scrapbooking Getaway!

I am home from a fabulous weekend away at Scraptacular (http://scraptaculargetaways.com/). What a weekend it was! I have had customers ask me how I can take the time away from my family to spend an entire weekend to myself. Honestly, by taking this time to myself, I end up a better mother. Scrapbooking relaxes me. I come home a much calmer mom, and my kids appreciate me much more. This weekend was my Mother's Day gift from my family. A calm me is a gift from me to them. I whole heartily recommend that everyone take a weekend to themselves. If it isn't paper crafting that calms you, find what does and do it.

Scraptacular runs a fun getaway. There are three different rooms to choose from-- the main scrapping room, the cozy croppers, and the quiet room. The main scrapping room is filled with people, vendors, the scrap squad, music, and games. It is a high energy room. The cozy croppers room is similar to the main room without the games and vendors. The quiet room is just that quiet- limited distractions. I prefer the main scrapping room. I love the games and the music and I am always talking with someone new. The scrap room is open all night long.

Here's the main room at 3 in the morning. I wasn't there. I was in bed asleep but my good friend, Meridith, was still up and was one of the last croppers to bed that night.

I love buttons and many crops give out buttons.

This button was given out to the crop. One more piece of bling for my collection.

Scrapbook U (http://scrapbooku.com/) also offers some great getaways. I am a regular patron of their retreats. The Carmel location is just 5 minutes away from the beach. It is wonderful to hop over the beach and take a walk along the beach in the middle of the day. Scrapbook U's retreats are quieter. Fewer games and less energy. But perfect too. Monica and Veronica make you feel right at home.

What else can you do on a getaway? Have a massage, check out paper crafting vendors, laugh with your friends, have a glass of wine, hide out in your room or next to the pool, and of course, get your craft on!

I worked on a display tray this weekend and am very happy with the results.

I used the CTMH display tray and Avonlea paper to showcase my family photos.  I was inspired to make this after seeing a pin on Pinterest from Lisa Stenz . It was quick and easy to make.

I also worked on my 2013 project 52 binder, completed a mini album, created 8 12x12 pages and 5 cards. My next few blog posts will highlight some of the things that I worked on.

I had a great time playing with my paper and laughing with my friends, but the biggest benefit of the weekend is a calm and relaxed me.

Workshops, Getaways, and more!

I had a great time meeting people at Scrapbook Expo this weekend.  So many new faces. I can't possibly remember everyone so I hope I took some good notes. If you had a question and I don't get back to you in a few days, I lost the note.  PLEASE, contact me again.

I spoke to a lot of people about workshops. Here is a list of my current workshops, hopefully clarifying what is happening:

This Thursday, August 16 at 7:00, I am holding a card workshop featuring the Avonlea paper pack. I have 4 projects planned. Cost is $10. You must register by August 13. I will have all the supplies ready for you, including the paper cut. If you have a favorite adhesive, bring it along. I will have some CTMH adhesive available if you aren't married to yours. This class is at my home in Fremont.

On Sunday, August 19 at noon, the Avonlea card workshop will be repeated in Oakland. Register by August 16.

If you are wondering how to use the Cricut machine or wondering which cartridge (Art Philosophy or Artiste) you should buy, then my class on Thursday August 23 is for you. At 7:00, we will get together for a FREE hands on workshop with the cricut machine. I will have two machines running, one with Art Philosophy and one with Artiste. We will make a couple projects and then you will have a chance to just play with the machines. I will only take 6 for this class, so sign up early. (Fremont location)

Want a day time workshop? I had several requests today for a day time workshop. In the past I haven't had a lot of luck getting people to show up for a workshop during the day. But because of the requests, I thought I'd try it out for a few months. Thursday, September 13 from 10-noon, I will host a card workshop featuring the Flirty paper. We will work on 4-5 projects. The cost is $10. Please register by September 10. Without 3 people signed up, I will cancel. (Fremont location)

That evening, I will repeat the workshop at 7:00 for those who can't make it in the morning. 

Next, we need to get ready for the Holidays! I am teaming up with a couple of other consultants for a huge event. We are putting together a Holiday Extravaganza. At this all day event on October 20, you will make at least a dozen projects-- cards, tags, and gifts-- for Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas. All supplies except adhesive are provided. Plus-- we  serve you lunch! This will be held in Sunnyvale off of the Lawrence Expressway near 101. This is a project making day only, not a shopping opportunity. This location does not allow us to exchange money on site. So, if you want to do more of a project and need materials, you can order after the event. Or you can order beforehand and I can deliver it there. Because of the size of this event, I need you to register with payment by September 22.

To sign up for any of these workshops, please email me at cathryno@gmail.com.

Don't forget that you can host your own workshop. I'll be happy to come to you with supplies for you and your friends to make cards or scrapbook pages. I love holding workshops for people. I love to watch everyone have fun with their craft.

Several of you asked about getaways. Scrapbook U puts on a great getaway. Check out their website at http://www.scrapbooku.com/. I am looking forward to the November crop which I will be attending with a few friends. It is a great crop for those who don't want things too loud. Perfect to laugh with friends while doing your crafting.

Scraptacular (http://scraptaculargetaways.com//) is a getaway company with  bigger crops, a lot of games, and a lot of vendors. I attended this one in May and had a great time.

I recommend both companies. It all depends on what you are looking for and what weekend works with your schedule. I did meet with another woman who runs a getaway company in Northern California. I seem to have misplaced her info. But as soon as I can check her out I will pass along the info and let you know what I think. I love going to crops -- working on my pages and talking with people.

Are you planning your own event? Why not invite a massage therapist? Kristie at Clients Kneaded (www.clientskneaded.com) has a wonderful set of hands ready to give your shoulders a massage. I've spoken with her (and had massages from her) at the last 2 Scrapbook Expos and would recommend her for your next event.

Well, the excitement of Scrapbook Expo is over until March. Now, we need to keep up that excitement by using the products we purchased and trying out all the new techniques we learned. I'd love to help. Let's get together and play with paper.

Preparing for a Scrapbooking Retreat

Have you ever thought of spending the weekend crafting? There are a lot of fun retreats out there. And I really recommend you check them out. It is a wonderful way to spend the weekend- relaxing, working on pages, and laughing with friends.  I used to work for a company called Gotta Crop. We had so much fun on our weekend getaways. I do miss those times. I have also attended Scrapbook U Creates (http://www.scrapbooku.com/) and Scraptacular (http://scraptaculargetaways.com//). Both companies put on a fabulous retreat. You can stay up late into the night scrapbooking in your pajamas, take a class, check out vendors, and leave your scrapbooking stuff out all weekend. Often you can get a massage, play games, and get a pedicure. These getaways are really a time to get a way from everything and just think about your craft.

Once you have signed up for your retreat, you do want to be ready when the time comes. So, do a bit of prep work.

I start with pictures. I will print out all the pictures I want to work with. I plan out how many layouts I want to work on during the retreat and then add a few extras. I like to have more than I need just in case I get more done than I expect or I end up hating a layout and I end up putting it away for another time.

Lay out the pictures in groups along the table and then pick the paper you want to use with it. If I am planning out an entire album, I might lay everything out across the floor so I have plenty of room. This is a difficult option if you have little kids or cats in the house.  (Actually the cats will sometimes walk across the papers on the table too.) I feel it is really a time saver to plan a lot of pages at once. If you look at multiple sets of pictures, you have everything in your mind as you are going through your paper. You might find paper for the last page before finding something that works for the first.

OK- so we have the pictures and the paper. Next is embellishments.  Do we need stamp sets? Bling? ribbon? Flowers? I put the embellishments you might use with the paper and pictures.

Then I make notes about the layout. Sometimes I have this great idea and then the day comes I open up my box and have no idea what I was thinking. I need notes. 

Put each page kit together. Sometimes I stack them up in a 12x12 box. Other projects such as mini books are bigger and need a project bag. However I decide to store it, I need to keep each project together. 

Next, we go to tools. Adhesive is the first thing to think about. I always make sure I have extra. It's terrible when you run out of adhesive at midnight. Most retreats have vendors on hand with adhesive, but we all have our favorites. Make sure you have plenty of your favorite glue. Then we need a paper trimmer, scissors, inks, tweezers, punches, ... The basic things you use at every crop. Think about the layouts you have planned. Is there a special tool you need?  I usually pack a pack of unscented baby wipes since I always end up with ink all over my fingers. I can't just throw it all in a bag. I need it in a bin that I am able to see where things are. Find what is right for you.

Other things to think about bringing: an Ott light, Cricut, computer. I always bring my light since many hotel ballrooms don't have proper lighting for color matching. Some retreats have a tool station with a Cricut or other die cutting machine, punches, journaling computer and printer. Take a look at the website and find out what is offered before coming. Remember to bring an extension cord for your electronics and some duct tape to tape it to the floor.

Then of course, I think about food. Many retreats offer meals and snacks. But I always have my own snacks. Water, chocolate, chips and salsa, an apple,  even a bottle of wine.

Now I am ready to pack it all up. It's important to pack so you can find everything. Nobody wants to spend the entire weekend looking for things. Being organized will help you get things done and help you relax.

With a little prep work, you can have a fun and productive time on your retreat. Happy crafting!