Monday 24 September 2012

A Magical Experience…

Helloooooooo, I am  back thank you for your patience.

Earlier this year I took a decision to single handedly  organize and run a crafting Retreat for 30 amazing women. It was a big and very scary undertaking that involved a huge amount of work and planning but boy was it worth every single second. The whole weekend was such an amazing experience from start to finish. The stunning hotel with beautiful surroundings and as much character and charm as you can stand  had the most amazing team of staff  members who expertly looked after us, discreetly taking care of our every need ensuring we were both happy and comfortable, they really couldn’t do enough for you. We were spoilt with fabulous food and treats the whole time and I am sure all 31 of us have started a diet this morning :).

I will share lots more over the next few days but here’s a few pics of the room all set out. I took these on Friday night so not the best pictures but you will get an idea.

room

The room is just beautiful with oak panelled walls and the most amazing inglenook fireplace.

room 1 Next the goody bags

bags

I decorated (with a lot of help from Carol of course), a lovely jute tote with some Stampin'Up! Twiterpated fabric for each attendee, they were the perfect Ridinghood Red colour and turned out so cute. I filled the oversized bows with brown paper to keep them nice and puffy popped in all the crafting goodies and topped everything with some white tissue paper.

Next the centrepieces

table decs 1

I totally cased these from an upcoming Stampin’up! publication, I was so lucky to be able to borrow this amazing new rosette die that will be available on the 1st of October, its a definite must you can decorate for every kind of event with this die. Carol gave me the tiny pots and I covered them with newsprint designer paper. I mixed some wallpaper paste, dipped strips of dsp in the mixture and laid them over the pot. Filled them with the floristry oasis pushed the sticks in and covered the oasis with dried moss, again given to me by my very own fairy Godmother Carol. You see Carol is not only a keen crafter and amazing with her crochet and stitching skills, she ran her very own successful Florist Business her entire life so her garage is an Aladdin's cave filled with all kinds of treasures, she also likes me very much (feeling is mutual) as she so selfishly gives up her free time to come and help me, thank you my sweet.

table decs close

I numbered each table using the fab Memorable moments stamp set, Letter It alphabet stamp, butterfly sizzlets and tiny flowers from the Itty Bitty punch.

I loved them and at the end we raffled each one per table.

Most attendees travelled down Friday before the Event and I arranged a little pillow gift for them all.

pillow gifts 1

Pinterest is to blame for this, I nearly squealed when I came across this idea. It is a Sundae cup filled with bath salts in place of ice cream a bath scrunchie to act as the whipped cream and the cherry on the top was meant to be an oil ball but I could not get them anywhere so I had to substitute for some solid Belgian milk chocolate.

I made the bath salts (with Carol),  one day using SPA grade Epsom Salts pure Vitamin E oil, Pure Lavender essential oil and dried lavender flowers, it smelled beautiful and left my skin so very soft (had to try it you understand in the name of research).

pillow gifts

The tag was made using the gorgeous Layered Labels set again (told you I used it lots), sentiment was so perfect for this it came from the Petite pairs set and the gorgeous paper straws I found on Ebay.

Thank you for stopping by I will share more tomorrow if I get a chance, I have tons of emails to reply to so please bear with me while I catch up with life again.

Before I go however I need to tell you that there is only one week left from the current catalogue please do not leave it too late, email me if there’s anything you need before its to late.

Till next time Big hugs xxx

 

 

 

 

 

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17 comments :

  1. Holy cow, Monica!! I might just have to come over (from the US) for your next retreat! Everything looked soooo beautiful and I love that you even provided adorable pillow presents! GREAT JOB!! :) :) :)

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  2. You are just amazing my love. I can't imagine how wonderful it was !!!
    I miss you !!! See you soon ! Love. Vanou

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  3. Wow Monica, everything looks fabulous and just perfect. I'm so jealous 30 women got a whole weekend of you and your crafting expertise to themselves! Well done to carol too. Quick, share some more photos! xxxxxx

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  4. WOW Monica your retreat looks first class, you are an amazing lady. Can't wait to see more.
    xx

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  5. WOW Monica - Amazing! Amazing Amazing. Your retreat looks first class, can't wait to see more
    xx

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  6. Dearest Monica!!! How thrilling it was to be able to scoot over to be a part of your amazing retreat! Very last minute, lol, but we managed it! I had so much fun and everything was planned to perfection! I can't wait to hurry home to my wonderful family....and my stamp room to finish those lovely projects!!! THANK YOU!!!!

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  7. Monica,as one of the lucky 30 who shared the weekend with you I am suffering from very serious withdrawal symptoms today! We had the most amazing time,you worked so hard for us all. Thank you once again - cant wait to do it all again!
    Joolsx

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  8. Aw looks fantastic, so sorry I missed it will have to come to the next one, keep me posted pleeeze!

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  9. Aw looks fantastic, so sorry I missed it. Will defo come to the next one, keep me posted pleeeeze! Yx

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  10. Wow! Wow! Wow! All your hard work paid off hun, it looks stunning! Can't wait to see more pictures :o) xx

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  11. I am speechless!! It all looks fantastic. Are these retreats open to anyone? !!!

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  12. I am speechless! Everything looks so fantastic and so professional. You are a very talented lady. Are these retreats open to anyone?!!!

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  13. Looks fantastic Monnie! Well done you and I'm so glad it was such a success. See you soon. Hugs Zx

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  14. Hi Monica, Wow what a wonderful weekend you all had, I'm in awe of all you made, and what a lovely place to make them in!!! I just love the Sundae glass idea, how wonderful. What did you use for the straw?? Well done.

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  15. Had the most amazing time ever!! thank you Jo Jo xx

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  16. Wish I was closer and could have been part of that. It is lovely.

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  17. All your projects are absolutely gorgeous.
    Excuse the rather nerdy question, but do you offer online lessons at all?
    My email is twigg18739@yahoo.ca
    I would love to learn some new techniques for my minis.
    Thanks!

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Thank you for taking the time to leave me a comment, I really apreciate it as I love hearing from you. Hugs Monica xxx