Monday 18 November 2013

A Fun Weekend at the ScR@P's Retreat........

Hi there, I hope you all had a good weekend, I had a great time spent with some fab friends at the ScR@p Retreat. We didn't think this retreat was going to go ahead but because of the lovely, kind hearted, determined lady named Tracie Hudson, the generosity of Bo Bunny, Echo Park, Simple Stories, American Crafts. Carta Bella, Stix 2, the designers, Jen Gallacher, Morag Cutts, Jane Dean and Ansty Hall, where we stayed, it did happen!!!!

Kerry and I arrived at the beautiful Ansty Hall hotel on Friday afternoon, where we went straight to our rooms to unpack.


My room was gorgeous, it was huge just for little old me but very comfortable, as soon as we unpacked we went downstairs to see who if our other friends had  arrived. We saw Helen and Sarah in reception, so met up in one of the lounges for a coffee, our weekend had begun!!!!!!!

Registration opened at 4.30pm, so off we went to The Orangery where we would spend most of the next three days. We bought a raffle ticket and an American Crafts challenge kit which was lush, full of Dear Lizzy Polka Dot Fun Party, everybody who bought a kit was entered into a prize draw.




This is what greeted us as we walked in, isn't it amazing?!!!!!! There was a table decoration filled with yummy chocolate and little gift boxes with our names on, with goodies from the generous manufacturers.

There was lots of chatter and catching up with people until dinner , we all knew each other on our table, from Bromsgrove Crop. I can't tell you how much fun we had over the weekend, thank you, Kerry, Helen, Sarah, Sue and Dot for making this weekend so much fun and full of memories.


After dinner , the wine was opened and we started our first class with Tracie Hudson. It was a Simple Stories album, the kit we received, included the album and crammed full of papers and embellishments, they were so generous. This was the front cover finished and I added all my little journalling cards, ready to add my photo's and embellishments.


Next morning we had a class with Jen Gallacher from Carta Bella, she was such a nice lady and very sweet. The mini Christmas album was gorgeous, she is an excellent teacher, very patient and her written instructions were so in depth and easy to follow.


Our afternoon class was a double LO by Morag Cutts, we used Simple Stories 24/7 range, again so generous with their product and a great LO, perfect for our Harry Potter trip back in September.



After dinner it was party night with make and takes, a quiz and lots of door prizes given away, I won some Echo Park papers and some Crate Paper wooden bingo numbers. Of course, out came the wine again, this was such a fun night, I haven't laughed so much in ages.






 There was a photo booth which was hilarious, these photo's sum up our weekend. FUN, FUN, FUN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Thank you so much to Tracie's sister, Wendy who gave up her Saturday night to do this for us, everybody has been so kind and generous.




Sunday morning, up bright and early again, we were doing another class with Jen using Carta Bella Wildflower. I love this LO, the papers and embellishments are beautiful. I didn't worry about taking photo's with me, other retreats I've been too, I've spent so much time sorting out photo's then when I do the class they don't really go or were the wrong size.

As soon as I saw the finished LO, I knew straight away what photo's I'd be printing out when I got home. Last year, Paige and I took Olivia for a walk along the canal, I love the photo's I took of them especially the one where they are holding hands.



I've finished constructing the album and just need decorate the pages and add photo's, Bo Bunny were so generous with their products. This will be Paige's 18th Birthday album when it's finished.

Sunday afternoon, when the weekend was winding up, the pulled out the winner of the prize draw, first prize was a place on next years retreat, all expenses paid. You'll never guess what, I won it !!!!!!!!!!!!

Back in September, we didn't think this retreat was going to happen but thanks to Tracie's hard work and generosity of everybody, she pulled it off and it was better than ever, so a massive thank you to everybody who made this weekend what it was!!!!!!

Thanks for stopping by, have a good week.
xxxxDebxxxx

18 comments:

Sarah said...

What a fab post about a fab weekend! Good to see you've already got some photos on your Wildflowers LO.
I still haven't looked through the photo booth photos yet, but good to see Helen and I have some up-to-date photos if they're ever needed for Midlands Today!

Unknown said...

Wow! What a memorable weekend! Looks like you had a blast! Chrissie x

Lisa said...

So glad to hear that the weekend went ahead after all the problems and what gorgeous projects! Looks like you had loads of fun. :-)

Jo said...

I would have loved that weekend, it looks so great. Your layouts are fabulous, I bet you hardly had time to spend in your gorgeous room. Say hi to Sarah. Jo x

Hazels Crochet said...

It looks like you had an amazing weekend, I am glad the little retreat happened for you all as it looks like so much fun!x

Amy at love made my home said...

Obviously a very serious hardworking weekend!!! Glad you had such a fun time and congratulations on your prizes, hope that next year is as much fun for you, and how lovely to have that to look forward to! xx

Jennifer Hays said...

Looks like such a fun weekend! I am sure you learned a lot in addition to having a terrific time.

Julie Tucker-Wolek said...

How fun!! LOVING all your photos ... and the projects look amazing!!!!

Lynnda said...

How fun and exciting Deb!!!! Loving all your beautiful projects!!! Lovely photos too... Awesome... hugs...x

Stefanie said...

Man, you ladies know how to have a good time! What fun sweets to feast upon and outstanding cards made. Wow.

Ros Crawford said...

Oh it sounds like you had a wonderful time and I love seeing the photos ... Well done on your win!! How lucky was that! Your creations are beautiful!

Joy said...

What a wonderful time you all had - and what gorgeous projects you produced - I was thinking you might be worn out afterwards but perhaps the weekend invigorated you and you're really inspired to do more, more, more! Hugs, Joy x

Jackie xxx said...

Can't believe you finished most of your layouts, especially with all the laughing coming from your table - I'm well impressed.

Big congratulation on winning the 1st prize and I'm sure you will have a fab time at next year event.

It was great to catch up and see you very soon.



elns said...

Wow that looks like so much fun! I can't believe you're into the paper crafts as well! Sheesh, what aren't you fantastically crafty at? Very cool, I'm glad you had a good time, and especially had some good laughs.

Unknown said...

What a fabulous time you had Deb, wonderful, wish I could have been there too! Have a great week ahead
Lots of love
Dorothy
:-)xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Hannapat said...

What a fun weekend away and in such a gorgeous looking place. I am really pleased it went ahead in the end and it looks like you have learned some more gorgeous crafty talents! xoxo

thesnailgarden said...

Wow, what a wonderful weekend you had! Best wishes, Pj x

Paperesse said...

Looks like you guys had a blast! And your projects look wonderful!!!

The Handmade Sock Society 3 by Helen Stewart

Hello there, I just wanted to let you all know that Season 3 of  The Handmade Sock Society  is available for pre-sale  here  with an Ea...