Retreat layouts

OK, so I had a some spare time and managed to photography and uploads the layouts I did over the weekend at the Cronkhill Retreat. Really surprised on how much I managed to get done, but as well as these I did some 8x8 pages for the Journal Your Christmas album which starts on 1st December.

This is one from the Scrapagogo Retreat that was designed by SJ.

Cosmo Cricket - Nutmeg Collection

Cosmo Cricket - Nutmeg Collection

October Afternoon - Farm Fresh

October Afternoon - Report Card

This is for a Sketch Challenge over on Scrapagogo using Prima Marketing Papers

Scrapagogo November 2009 kit & Hybrids

Scrapagogo November 2009 Kit, Stamp & Hybrid

So at the moment that all I've done in the scrapping department, but hope to have some more to upload next week, after another 'scrappy' weekend.

Cronkhill Retreat

This last weekend I was away again at a Retreat, I was asked by Chelle, a friend of Sheena, who runs the Nuneaton crop to join her and a group of friends for a crafting weekend away. She had booked this lovely cottage in Shropshire.

So off we went, in total there should have been 9 of us, but one didn't make it due to illness. But what a fun time we had, late nights, laughing, eating, and of course scrapping all made the weekend so great.

The Cottage

View from one of the windows. The water you can see is a waterlogged field, not the river.

This was one of the bedroom - actually the one that me and Sheena shared.

A large spacious kitchen

A very large scrapping area

The gang sitting down for a meal.

We also had a few challenges over the weekend, one was to decorate a cupcake then we voted on the one we liked the best.

Then there was "Hunt for Bob" - which I only managed to find 4 times, but at least I found him eh!!!

Bob hinding behind the curtains ...

We also had "Bitchy Raffle", which was such fun and we all had a great laugh "stealing" each others raffle prizes - but we did all manage to get at least one prize each.

And if all that got too much we had a "roaring" log fire in the lounge where we could get away from it all and just relax and of course watch Strictly Come Dancing, X Factor and I'm a Celebrity .....

This was a weekend away that I was not sure what to expect, has it's not a kind of Retreat that I've been on before - but it was a complete different experience for me and one that I really enjoyed and look forward to going back again next year.

I've got loads of pics to upload, especially of our 'Supendity Day" on Sunday, were we all dressed up in a particular colour and spend the day just laughing, so please pop back and see what other fun we got up too.

I will try and upload them as soon as I get copies, but I'm away again this coming weekend, going with Sheena to the Scrapagogo Christmas Crop, staying over then going to the Exhall Green Christmas Workshop Crop on the Sunday, but between then and now need to get some housework sorted.

Thanks for stopping by ....

Update on Layouts - Use it Up Nos. 32 - 33

A few of my layouts that I've done over the past few weeks, but only got around to uploading. I'm counting a couple of these has my Use it up total, bringing it to 32. But I really think that I've done my 50 total because I've been doing loads of Christmas cards, and using up my old papers, I think I've done about 70 cards as far so definately over my mark.




No. 32 - This one of of me and James in our Garden - just messing around with my camera - Cosmo Cricket - Earth Love





No. 33 This is one I did at the Getaway - using the Lovely October Afternoon - Farm Fresh


Scrapagogo October 2009 kit



These last few shots are of toadstool that a friend and I found whilst on our daily walk, we finished the walk then got into the car and went back to take photos - I know, I know it defeats the object of getting some daily exercise but it was raining, and we did get some funny looks from cars passing of us trying to get as far down as possible on the ground without getting completely wet!




There were loads of these types and they are something that I've never seen before in real life only in books or photos that other people had taken, and one garden not only had these, but some that looked like upside down coconuts.

I have got a few more layouts to share with you, but I've not taken the photos yet, so please pop back and check them out over the weekend.

Almost ... but not ....

In September after spending the day in Bristol at the ScrapaGoGo Day Event, I received an email from Scrapbook Inspiration saying that a LO I'd submitted was going to be published in Issue No. 61. Well as most of you will know by now, SI have stopped publication of the magazine from Issue No. 60. Just my luck eh! one of my aims this year was to have a LO published and when one finally get accepted then the magazine folds, so here it is - I hope you like it.

October Afternooon - Road Map Collection

The one is from the Getaway designed by Sam (who just happens to be in the photo) and used alot of Gems.

So over the past few days I've been trying to get back on track with my "Use it Up" challenge, but the temptation of my new stash was just too much and I've cut into some of my new stash now, but hopefully I'll get back to completely my 50 before the end of November.

October Afternoon -Farm Fresh - photo of my Son and nephew - who even thought theirs 7 years age difference between to two they get on extremely well and enjoy being together.

Cosmo Cricket - Nutmeg Collection



A selection of the Christmas cards I've done from this year.

Big, big apology for the quality of the photos, I did take them in daylight, but they seem to be very dark, when I've upload them.

Thanks for stopping by .... I'll be back with more shortly.

Back to normality ...

but before I get completely bogged down in 'stuff' need to update you on the last day of the GoGo weekend.

So Saturday night Laura did a class called 'Date Night' where we put together a desk calender, which was done in three separate parts as shown, and you can change to picture and the left hand side when you mood take you - great idea.

Then on Sunday morning, it was my friend Sam turned to do her class 'What a Gem' sorry not taken photo of this yet, going to change the photo I took, but a great class, she didn't let herself down - love her and it.

Followed by lunch, more laughs and the the final class of the weekend with SJ, using Cosmo Cricket - Boyfriend - cutting, tearing, inking, distressing, mini books, mini envelopes, I really don't know how they think of all these things and all on one page - fabulous, as this was only an hour class I need to finish off a few bits then I will upload.

A final farewell from Lorraine and Janice, after taking these photos that will no doubt appear in some layouts over the next few months.

Meeting up with Sheena and Sam again - what a great pair of girls - they made my weekend and I just love spending time with them both - roll on March 2010.

Me and Sheena - I'm sure that I'm not alone when I say that sometimes you meet people that you instantly connect with and Sheena and Sam and two that I have, and I thank them for their friendship and all the laughs. Love you both.

This is "Symbol" formally known as Jane Dean or Anne (depending on how you spell her name - LOL) - with a great pop-up Haleoween Minibook.

Angie, Chloe, Rachael and Vicki - Chloe and Vicki I've chatting to over on the Clubhouse and UKS, and I'm in their CJ groups and they are both great. Angie and Rachael are both very talented Scrappers and I have, I think most of their layouts in my favourites over on UKS - so I did confess to being abit of a stalker of their work- which they found highly amusing - I really do hope that they can make one of the Getaways next years because it would be fantastic to meet up again.

me and Rachael - this will definiately appear on a layouts - title 'Stalker meets Star"- sounds good to me - LOL.

Di, me and Jacqui - what can I say about Jacqui - she was an absolute SCREAM and and mean SCREAM ... she had us in stitches the whole weekend - what a wonderful lady - I will be waiting for my phone call from Gok!!! Di thanks for the laughs and looking forward to the end of month - keep smiling girls.

I sat next to Ally (AllyCat) - and I do hope that someone took a photo of us together, thanks for the laughs - speak soon.

My Stash shopping from the Getaway.

And finally the journey home, well just has we got onto the motorway Sheena heard a noise so we pulled over and her car had a flat tyre, so after over an hour wait the AA man, we finally got home 2 hours after the schuduled time. But it all adds to the weekend right - but maybe the next time I'll drive. Hubby suggested that I go on a Car Maintenance course - what is he thinking of - spend money on something other than craft - he must be mad - LOL

Right thanks everyone for making this weekend so much fun, I so enjoyed meeting you all, sorry if I've not mentioned you on here, but I will do over the next few days.

I know over on UKS and ScrapaGoGo I mentioned a big, big thanks to Lorraine and Janice and and all the DT girls - the weekend was fun packed, inspirational, and very well organised. Looking forward to meeting you all again and L&J thinking about the format for the 'fan club' LOL.

Hope you enjoy my insight into the weekend, I will be uploading more photos over the coming days.

Thanks for stopping by ...

2nd Day of Fun - what a day

This is a long blog, couldn't get onto blogger this afternoon, so ended up doing it at 1am in the morning.

I've taken photos of the classes I've done, as well as a few photos of the weekend, so I hope you enjoy seeing what the GoGo Getaway is all about.

Forgot to mention yesterday, found myself sitting opposite Rachel Elliott, Angie Woodall and Chloe (from my CJ team) both Rachel and Angie are two scrappers who's layouts I just love, so will hopefully be getting loading of tips, did say to Rachel not be be surprised if I just straigthforward scrap-lift from her work, and also said that I might even video her, now that I know how to do it with my camera - LOL.

So what with sitting next to Vicki, Sam and Sheena and then Rachel opposite, my scrapping style, should improve, well it should, shouldn't it?

So lets begin, these two layouts are the ones I did on Friday in Lisa class 'Find It' both layouts being 6" x 12" and with a vintage feel.

Woke up at 5 this morning, raring to go, updated my blog, quick shower and then down to the crop room, followed by Breakfast, with classes starting at 10am.

The Restaurant

my breakfast

I will apologise now for the quality of the photos, I'd taken them between each class and all the other things going on here (yes shopping was involved - LOL).

1st up was SJ - using some polka dot papers from Jillibean Soup, hand cut petals to form flowers, paint, buttons and ribbons.

Sorry not a very good photo of SJ, took in mid conversation - sorry SJ.

Then lunch,

On first inspection this looked like a Mushroom flan, which we throught was a bit strange being with the desserts, but it turned out to be a Banaoffee pie, which was just yummy !!!

A selection of the desserts.

followed by Shimelle Class which was using Cosmo Cricket boyfriend papers and chipboard alphabets.

The a break and Jane Dean classes, using Srassfras Lass - Sweet Marmalade papers, stickers, cards and a full sheet of Doodlebug alphabet stickers, this layout also included a small envelope which held a mini book for journalling (bottom right of the LO).

After another great meal, it was back to the class room for Laura class 'Date Night" which was a lovely desk top calender, using a bind-it-all - this involved alot of cutting, but the end result was well worth it. Sorry folks you will have to wait till Monday before I can upload.

Each and every class was full of inspiration, tips and new techniques, which is just what I wanted from the whole weekend. Each class kits included enough to complete the project and with loads of things to spare.

Coffee, Tea, cold drinks available 24/7, a wide variety of meals 3 times a day, a gorgeous shop with a lot of unusual products, great company, a comfortable room and the chance to relax and just enjoy being with like minded people.

It's now 1.30am on Sunday morning and so far the weekend has lived up to what I have come to expect from Scrapagogo, they have topped the fun, value and excitements of their June 09 Retreat and I'm looking forward to returning again in March 2010.

So a big, big thanks to Lorraine, Janice, Zoe and Kirsty and to all the DT Team you have all worked really hard to make this even better than last time. Thanks girls you rock.

Will be back on Monday to upload more photos.

Thanks for stopping by

xxx

Let the fun begin ...

Well, has you might have guested I'm at the ScrapaGoGo October 09 Retreat, arrive at the hotel after a 5 hours journey, but it was well worth it, but has I couldn't get into my room till after 2pm, I just had to use the Spa - great but abit lonely on my own. Then meet up with some of the others in the bar for lunch.

I will have to take photos of the bar and spa facilities because I'd left my camera in a secure room, anyway, it was just great to meet up with some of the girls I 'talked' to frequently online and others I'd meet previously at other GoGo events. We were all chatting and laughing like like old friends which was just great.

After lunch I got my keys and this is my room,

why did I take this photo - funny eh!

View from my window, not great of the car park, but has a scrapper just had to take it.

The crop room opened at 6pm with a greeting from Lorraine and Janice, and introduction to the DT team then at 7pm it was time for tea (will have to remember today to take my camera in because the choice of food is great brill. There was something for everyone, and the dessert - well, will have to take pictures later and upload, and you can decide.

Not sure how it happened but ended up sitting on the table with most of the DT Team - oh well - someone has too - LOL, so sat with SJ, Laura, Sam, Sheena and Vicki and then Jo (from Bristol) and Alison (Preston) came to join us, then back to the crop room, to get ready for our 1st classes of the weekend.

But before all that the "GoGo" shop opened, I know, I know I don't need anything else, but it would only be bad manners not to go and have a look, so what if a few items slipped into my hand and ended up going onto my account, as I said I've not got bad manners and everyone else was doing it too - LOL. When the light is better will take a few snaps of what I got.

Then at 9am went into my first class with Lisa called "Find it" a great class where I produced 2 No. 6x12 layouts, both with a vintage feel, distressing, cutting out, ripping and tearing - all the things I love to do. Photos to follow. The class finished at 10.30pm so couldn't take photos last night.

Back to the crop room, for a glass of wine and see what the others had done in their chosen classes, more shopping, more chatting, more laughing and catching up with Jane Dean again, who arrived at 8.50 after being struck in traffic for ages, so didn't get to see here till around 11pm, we had a great laugh and she is just lovely, so no doubt more laughing tomorrow.

Then off to bed about 12.30, to get ready for Saturday.

So after the 5 hour journey down, I will end by saying that the 1 day was a great success, what more can I ask for eh! meeting up with friends, laughing! shopping! more laughing! more shopping!

Will be back later to show you the classes.

Thanks for stopping by ....