the final card from the Abbey Retreat

It really was such a productive weekend!!!   But I need to back up a little since I haven't been doing so well keeping up with my blog (promise I am trying to do better!)  Last month, on 1st Friday at the Marketplace Shops, we painted on glass.  You probably can't tell, but I did an olive branch that has 7 limbs as in a menorah.  It was a fun night and you can see all the photos here

I wanted to make a card for the owners at the Marketplace so I downloaded their logo,

 added stickles, rhinestones, a dressform over a paperclip dressform and a flower.  Thought it jazzed up their logo just a bit!

 

Then I slid the photo off their FB page of my sis and I painting our glasses.  Well, OK, she's painting and I'm drinking some home made sangria that was just off the charts yummy!!!  If you stop by, be sure to pick up some of the Two Crazy Chicks Salsa - best Salsa anywhere!!!  Not sure who gets credit for the sentiment....but it was appropriate for the class.  Fun card I made Friday afternoon, then took it with me to the rock painting party.  They just loved it!!!

First Friday nights in Canon City is really an adventure - so much going on!  October's class at the Marketplace Shops is bling bracelets - only $5 and I'm sure it will sell out fast!  Call them to get on the list...I'll be there (yep, more for the sangria and party than the bracelet class!!!)  LOL!!!

Cards made at the Abbey scrapbooking retreat

I promise that next time I'll take photos of all the other gals playing.  And the food.  And the rooms!  I was just way too busy this time!  So I made the 2 cups, the entire journal and still had time to make all these cards....mostly with leftover scraps.  I dearly LOVE the Julie Nutting stamps by Prima.  Again, you can order these by calling Design U'R Memories at 719-275-2526.  Tell them "Jenny" sent you!

We did the background for this first one in a make-n-take using Viva inks.  And I added the denim diecuts which I covered in stickles.

I won the ribbon on this one in one of the give-aways.  Her dress is glitter on scrapbook paper.

Judi from the Stamp House brought us each a goodie bag and I made these cards from items she gave us.

And, of course, I had to try one of the Prima dolls with a denim and lace dress, shoes and headband.  I really want time to make more of these paper dolls - I just think they are so adorable!!!

I stayed on campus this time so I could check out the rooms.  1970s style dorms which brought back a ton of memories from my year at Bob Jones University!  Not bad at all.  The swamp coolers kept it very comfortable all night long.  It was so quiet, I slept well.  The mattresses were just fine.  They provide sheets, blankets and towels, bar soap, kleenix.  So you really only to bring your personal stuff which made packing very light (for the bedroom - not the crop room!)

There's also this guy who schleps all your stuff from your car to your spot in the crop area!  I took my chair this time which really helped my back.  I had 4 totes, my suitcase and 2 other bags. It was so nice to have him take it all in and then take it all back out to my car!  And that's included in the price of the weekend!

Considering that my creative juices were really flowing - the weekend was a huge success!  Sure hope you can join us on 1/31/14 when the next one starts!  

Denim country journal at The Abbey Scrapbooking Retreat

First, I have to tell you about the food at this retreat.  WAY TOO MUCH!!!  A complete 20' long candy bar that they kept stocked the entire weekend!  I will not eat anything with sugar in it for a whole week!!!  The meals are included in the price and they are amazing.  I understand they are prepared on site by the Abbey's kitchen.  Well....you'd think we were at a 5-star restaurant the whole time!  The Chocolate Lasagne may have been my favorite, but I really liked those sandwiches we had.  The stuffed waffles were amazing - I will have to take photos next time!

I started out the weekend making this journal.  I had finished my denim towels last week and had pockets leftover.  Then I went to a garage sale and picked up some little kids denim shorts for 50 cents each and just wanted to play!

Sizzix dressform diecut and the flowers are another Sizzix die.

Bo Bunny paper - with loads of stickles all over it.  Made pockets that things can go down it.  Used my white pen to outline some of the items on the paper.

If you want to do this - you'll be cutting out a lot of the elements in the papers and putting them on other papers - something I truly enjoy doing.  But I know there are those who don't like to cut things out!

But when you take the time to cut the elements out - you can create whole new looks.

Lots of distress inking with faded jeans and vintage photo...

This one will go for sale in our new space in the Marketplace Shops.  It's ready for you to simply add photos and words!

The page on the right is actual denim.  On the left, I did a lot of doodling with my white pen.

and my favorite page - the chocolate page!  I may have to do this page in every journal I make - simply because you need a little chocolate in every day!

I had fun putting this together the first afternoon - it was an easy way to get into a creative weekend!  And easy to do while chatting with all the other gals.  Thanks to everyone for making this such a fun weekend!

If you want to order this paper, you can do so by calling Design U'R Memories at 719-275-2526.  We are truly blessed to have both a scrapbook store and a stamp store in this little town!!!

Mom's teacup and the Abbey Retreat

If you remember, a year ago, I went to the Abbey Retreat and created and amazing teacup in honor of mom.  Well, this is the 1 year anniversary of her "running" to heaven, and I was inspired by a brand new Sizzix teacup die.  Boy!  Was I inspired!!!  (I bought the die at the local Stamp House  719-275-8422)

Isn't this adorable?  I used mostly Bo Bunny Press stuff....lots of die cut cardboard.  I cut the cup in chipboard and covered both sides.  Some of the silk flowers are from old hats.  I used Memory Box dressform die cuts.  The paperclip dress forms are Maya Road.  Prima flowers.  Distress Inks.

I titled this on "Make things happen".  I know that mom would have just loved it!

So on Sunday, I did a demo of how to assemble the teacup.  Used my Xyron 910 to adhere adhesive to everything.  It's really easy to prep and get the stickler down and dried before you even start!  For this one, I really used leftover scraps and I love how it came out!  You almost have to ask, "where's the teacup?"  LOL!

You can look at these from any side as everything is covered or hidden.

I also made an entire journal and several cards....I'll blog them tomorrow.  It was a fabulous weekend.  My first time to stay on campus and I'm so glad I did that!  I scrapped til about 10:30 at night and was back in the hall by 7:30 in the morning.  Several old friends and many new ones - a real treat!  I already have the next one marked on my calendar - Jan 31 - Feb 2, 2014.  If you book before Oct 31, you get 10% off!!!