Sunday, April 17, 2011

I Can't Believe It's Over Already!

I  don't even know where to start!  We had such a wonderful time.  It was a fabulous group of ladies... the hotel was amazing... staff there was even better... the beds were heavenly... food was great... store was awesome... and I'm so tired, I could DROP!  Here we are last night after dinner... I'll post more pics later on.  Gotta get back to unpacking!  Thanks to ALL of you for a wonderful RETREAT!

I

Tuesday, April 12, 2011

It's Almost TIME! And I'm ALMOST Packed... are you?

Well... this is it!  Tonight is my last night to pack!  My group and I will be heading to Branson in the morning.  We plan to be there about 9:30 or so and start the unpacking and setting up.

I just wanted to wish you all luck with your final preparations and be sure to travel safely when you do get on the road!  If you need anything... like directions!!!  Don't hesitate to call me on my cell... 417-880-2426.

We will see you when you get there!

Ok... I really can't wait now!!!

Stone Castle Hotel and Conference Center 
MAP 
(just in case you need it!)
So, come on!  Get some rest, then get your car loaded and be careful driving to Branson!

Happy traveling and see you when you get there!

Sunday, April 10, 2011

Just Posting My To-Do List for Today.

I got up this morning after a very well rested night,  I must have needed that get-away yesterday to a Crop that I had nothing to do with, as far as planning!  Plus, I did some stretching exercises (thanks to my friend, BettyAnn) and I didn't have ONE leg or foot cramp to disturb my sleep!  So I woke up in a GREAT MOOD!  Ready to tackle the day!

And here's my TO-DO list for TODAY! (including some statuses)
  • WalMart run (last batch of stuff for the retreat) - DONE... did that at 9am)
  • Get Nails done - putting that one off til Tuesday, when I'm off for the afternoon
  • Office Depot run to get ink cartridges - didn't go to Office Depot because when my sister came over for coffee, she told me about a great sale going on at the HP website... ordered it online, saved some $$ and will have them Tuesday!
  • Hem my TShirts because they were so long, they hung below my knees - DONE
  • Get my SWAPS done - still pending!
  • Get all the Cricut Cartridges labeled and packed - DONE
  • Pack TShirts - Pending
  • Print pictures of my Grandkids for 2 - 2page layouts I did yesterday so I can show the April Special at the Retreat - DONE
  • Print 2011 FALL Registration forms - DONE
  • Figure out how to print pictures on my new HP printer - DONE (and this was HUGE!)
  • Finish Ice Breaker Game and print - DONE (oooh!  this is going to be so much fun!)
  • Unload car and repack for retreat - Pending
  • Laundry done for work this week - Pending
  • Get Food Order done and ready to turn in Tuesday - DONE
  • Finalize Welcome Brochures, Print and Fold - DONE 
  • Pack some more stuff - Pending... always!
  • Go help out my sister who was stranded on the Pricecutter's parking lot!  (THAT wasn't on my original list, but came up in the middle of the day! - DONE
  • Watch as many episodes of LOST as I can get into one day! - pending.... I'm on Episode 7 of the 1st Season and I just atarted it today!  I totally did not know it was streaming on Netflix!  WOOHOO! - thanks Suzy!
Ok, I'm going to stop now and come back on later to update!  Phew!  That made me tired!

Friday, April 8, 2011

We are getting SO CLOSE NOW!

Are you packed yet?  Maybe I should just ask... ARE YOU READY!

I am going to an all day crop tomorrow.  I really can't believe I am doing that... less than a week before the retreat.  Do you know what that means?  That means I have some AWESOME people helping me get ready.

Here is my SHOUT-OUT to my awesome friends and helpers..

Vickie Alcorn
Lavon McGinnis
Beth Bruner
Suzy Bruner
Michelle Leigh
Becky Pearce
Lyla Crawford
Deb Cunningham (and she's not even attending the retreat!)
and if I've missed someone... I'm SO SORRY!

Well, I've done about all I can do today (which included finishing up embellishing a prom dress for a friend's daughter... yes, I am now certified crazy!).

But wait.  I think we need one last  
EXTRA DRAWING TICKET OPPORTUNITY!

You are going to have to work fast.  Any email or blog entry after Monday night will not be  counted!  We HAVE to have time to calculate this crazy amount of tickets that have been given away over the past 4 weeks!   

Have you had fun earning tickets?
Have you had fun with the blog?

Simply email me and answer both of those questions and you will earn
5 MORE TICKETS!

Leave a Blog message under this post, with the answers, and earn  
5 MORE TICKETS! 

And that will be the END of tickets before the retreat!  But don't despair... you will be able to win MORE at the RETREAT!!!

BRING ON THE TICKETS!!!

I truly can't wait to see you ALL!!!

If you have any questions, do NOT hesitate to send me an email or give me a call... I LOVE questions and comments!
So... off to finish packing for the Crop tomorrow, which will benefit the Children's Miracle Network, what an awesome cause! 

Just another reminder... get on the blog and earn those tickets on there as it will shut down (for ticket earning) Monday night! 

Happy packing!

Wednesday, April 6, 2011

I Almost Forgot the Menu!

I almost forgot to tell everyone the menu!  
And I know how important food is to Scrapbookers!  
So, here goes...

Thursday Dinner
Lasagna and Fettuccine Alfredo
Bread Sticks from Olive Garden
Salad by Lyla

Friday Breakfast by Hotel (check out their website for selections)

Friday Lunch
Assorted Meat and Cheese Trays
Assorted Breads from Panera
Vegetable Trays with Dip
for Sandwiches

Friday Dinner
Selection of Pizza
Salad

Saturday Breakfast by Hotel

Saturday Lunch
Assorted Meat and Cheese Trays
Assorted Breads from Panera
Vegetable Trays with Dip
for Sandwiches

Saturday Dinner
BBQ Chicken and Beef from Shorty Smalls
Slider Buns
Potato Salad
Cole Slaw
Baked Beans

Sunday Breakfast by Hotel

Sunday Lunch.... leftovers are free game... help yourself!

If you have any special dietary needs, please let me know.

One WEEK AWAY! WOOHOO!

Busy, Busy, Busy HERE!

This email is just sort of a checklist for you while you are preparing for the retreat.  Some of you have started packing... some of you are thinking about it... some of you know what you want to do... some of you have no idea because this will be your very first retreat!

I know it can be overwhelming if you've never attended one before.  But one thing I can tell you is you are going to have a blast! 

Don't worry if you forget something.  Someone there will have anything major.  And probably even minor.  So don't STRESS!  Just enjoy packing up your stuff.  And the car.

For me, it will be one week from today!  We will be loading up the truck in the morning.  And will be heading down to get all set up for you all to arrive one week from tomorrow!
WOW!  It really is almost HERE!

So, on to the checklist... not of what you need to pack, but what all will be going on next week! 

The Stone Castle Hotel and Conference Center(formerly Settle Inn)
3050 Green Mountain Drive, Branson, MO
Click HERE to go to their website for directions
 

Check in times for the Hotel Room is 2pm.

Check out is 11am. 

Check in times for Crop Room

If you are a 3 night-er, 1pm on Thursday. 
If you are a 2 night-er, 1pm on Friday. 
The Crop Room will be open all night!
We do have to be out of the scrap room by 1pm on Sunday.

Your Space... you will be sharing an 8 ft table with another person (this was not in the original plan, however, we were forced to move to another location... long story!).  There will be another shared table (trust me, you will plenty of space!).  Everyone will get an L-shaped work space.  You will have approximately 3 feet behind your chair, so you will have lots of room for your stuff... so bring whatever you want! Some people even bring their own chair since you will be in it for so long!   You might want to pack an extension cord and power strip if you have anything that needs to be plugged in.  And don't forget a personal lamp as the room seems dark to me.

Scrapbooks Forever... our onsite store.  I'm so excited to have Shirley this year.  And wait until you see all the technique classes she is going to teach!

Meals... there is a hot breakfast in the hotel and the other meals will be catered in.
Breakfast - 6am - 10am, Lunch - 12:30pm, Dinner - 5:30pm

Drinks... Coffee, Iced Tea, Lemonade, Hot Chocolate and Hot Tea will be available the entire time the scrap room is open.

Snacks... get you extra drawing tickets when you check in...
Here are those categories again....
BEVERAGES - 1 Ticket per item(ex - a 2 liter bottle of soda, a box of hot chocolate, etc)
STORE BOUGHT ITEMS - 1 Ticket per item (ex - a full size bag of candy, package of cookies, a cake/pie/donuts, full size bag of chips, dip, etc)
HOME MADE ITEMS - 2 Tickets per item(a full recipe of something homemade,like a cake, cookies, snack mix, etc)

DROP and SHOP table... This is simply an exchange table.  If you've got something you want to get rid of, leave it and if you see something you want, TAKE IT.  That's what it's there for!!  At the end of the retreat, what is left gets donated to a local woman's shelter.

the SCRAP POOL... is where you can sell items you no longer want and buy stuff at great prices!  Make sure you label your items clearly and place them so they can be seen.  Don't forget to include your FULL name and price. 
  SWAPS...All swaps are due to be turned in to Beth and Suzy by noon on Saturday...

Massages
Operation Write Home
(just a card drop off, no contest... email me if you have any questions)

Tool Station
Prizes, Prizes, Prizes
GRAND PRIZES
T-Shirt Deliveries
Close to My Heart Order Deliveries
Tombow Deliveries

Holy Moly!  We have a busy, busy week coming up! 
And with such a wonderful group of people! 

I truly can't wait to see you ALL!!!

If you have any questions, do NOT hesitate to send me an email or give me a call... I LOVE questions and comments!
So... off to finish preparing!  Time to sort the T-Shirt and Tombows!  Don't be a slacker and stop reading my emails... you never know when there will be another EXTRA TICKET OPPORTUNITY!

Tuesday, April 5, 2011

2011 Spring Retreat - Taking AWAY 10 Tickets!

I'm JUST KIDDING!!!

But let me tell you... I've been working on these "Questionnaires" everyone has completed (well, MOST everyone has completed :)

This is going to be so much fun!  You should know NOTHING is safe with me, SO, you MIGHT be seeing your answers again... sometime SOON!

So, are you all packed?  Yeah, RIGHT!  I heard you say that!  You've got ONE week, so you better be getting ready!  I am!

I know.. I know... you're wondering aren't you... is there a ticket or two here?  What do I need to do?

Ok... I give... this one is worth 5 EXTRA DRAWING TICKETS!

But first, does everyone know what the tickets are for?  They are to get into drawings for PRIZES!  There are 75 prizes this year and 3 GRAND PRIZES!!!  That's like 25 a day PLUS a GRAND PRIZE every day!  Gotta love that!

Ok... here's what you need to do to earn your 5 tickets.  Email me with answers to these 3 questions...
  1. What is your favorite scrapbook tool?
  2. Where is your favorite place to scrapbook?
  3. What is your favorite snack to eat when you are scrapbooking?

That's it.  Email me your answer or leave it on the blog.  Your choice!

Sunday, April 3, 2011

You Just Got 10 Extra Drawing Tickets!

Are you wondering what you are going to have to do?  NOTHING!

I am celebrating!  NO... I didn't get my taxes done, but I did have a revelation Saturday.. thanks to Lavon and her sister!

I filed for an extension and the IRS granted it less than 10 minutes later!  WOOHOO!!!  I am not stressing about my taxes anymore!  I can get back on them after the retreat!  SO, that means I can go on to more fun stuff, like RETREAT STUFF!!!

And that means you are going to be getting more emails from me!!!

But, the MOST important thing is YOU now have  

TEN EXTRA DRAWING TICKETS  

and you didn't have to do a single thing!!!
(and guess what... we got all of the prizes sorted, packed, sealed AND moved to the garage today, ready to be loaded up to head to Branson in a little over a week!  and guess what else... there are over $2,000 in prizes waiting just for you to try to win!  And this year is going to so different... I CAN'T WAIT!)

Saturday, April 2, 2011

It's April! - We are Less than 2 Weeks AWAY!!!

Are you getting excited?  I know I am!!!  My house looks like a tornado hit it... there are prizes and orders and Tombows and paperwork and just "retreat stuff" in general... EVERYWHERE!  But, that's actually a good thing! That means we are getting SO close!

It's been a little bit since you've heard from me, so I thought I better send out another

EXTRA TICKET OPPORTUNITY!!!

This on is SO easy!  All you have to do to earn 2 TICKETS is to respond to me by email or on the BLOG and tell me what you plan to work on at at the retreat! 

It's THAT simple!  You can do that, right?  Go do it!!!  The first 20 responses by email will earn you DOUBLE tickets!!!  That's 4 for the email and 2 more if you post on the blog!!!  (you do know this is an information keeping nightmare for me, don't you!)

Thursday, March 24, 2011

Hope For Japan - Fundraiser

Ok, you know I have to do this!  Most of you have received the email regarding this stamp set... and a few of you have already ordered it... WELL... I'm sweetening the pot!  Each stamp set purchased for Hope for Japan will earn you 2 Drawing Tickets!!!  And before you ask... YES, if you have already given me your order, you WILL get your TICKETS!!!
Hope for Japan
Hope for Japan
 
From now until April 30, purchase this exclusive, "Hope for Japan" A-size stamp set for the special price of only $5 (retail value $7.95 US ) and Close To My Heart will donate 100% of the profits to the American Red Cross' efforts in Japan. This stamp set is beautifully designed with hearts, wings, and butterflies.  It expresses our love and hope for the people of Japan and reminds us of how our hearts are hopeful for those who are in need. 
  
I have an order that is going to be submitted Sunday.  If you are interested in owning this set, I am making a special offer to you.  I am going to pay the shipping and you will only pay $5.30 (including tax) for yours.  (no other purchase required!)
  
Here is the kicker... I HAVE to have your order by this Saturday, March 26th, no later than 5pm.
  
After this initial offer to you, you can still order it, however, it will include shipping (for a total of $5.75).  It will, however,  only be available until April 30th. 
  
There is no limit to how many you can order.  I will be asking for you to mail me a check (no credit cards or Paypal on this one) as this is non-commissionable, which means I will make nothing on it (nor do I want to!).
  
Look at these awesome examples!
I am going to purchase 10 of them and will be giving them away as prizes!  (Spring Retreat go-ers, this mean you all will have a chance to win one of 10!)

So, don't delay!  Click HERE and send me your order NOW!

Wednesday, March 23, 2011

Did Someone Mention FOOD?

I know it's MY Favorite Subject!!!
* * * FOOD * * * 

I am still working on the menu for the retreat... it'll be good, I promise! 

And if you've attended my retreats before,
you know we always have good and plentiful meals. 

But, Scrapbooker's cannot live on MEALS alone!

We need SNACKS!!! 
And Snacks mean EXTRA TICKET OPPORTUNITIES for you!!!

Here are the categories.  If you'd like to participate, I just need to hear from you!  Click HERE to send me an email and let me know what you plan to bring.  

EARN AN EXTRA TICKET
just for emailing me and telling me what you THINK you will bring! 

I don't need specifics, just in general.   

And for those of you who have never attended one of my retreats, you are in for a TREAT...
the SNACK TABLE is probably the most visited area of the event!  WOOHOO!!!

BEVERAGES
1 Ticket per item
(ex - a 2 liter bottle of soda, a box of hot chocolate, etc)

STORE BOUGHT ITEMS
1 Ticket per item
(ex - a full size bag of candy, package of cookies,
a cake/pie/donuts, full size bag of chips, dip, fruit, etc)

HOME MADE ITEMS
2 Ticket per item
(a full recipe of something homemade,
like a cake, cookies, snack mix, etc)

Remember, we will have endless coffee, iced tea and lemonade.

The tickets you will earn for bringing stuff will be given to you  
when you check-in and  
SHOW ME THE GOODIES!

Tuesday, March 22, 2011

Re-Posting of SWAPS!!!

It's been a while, so we wanted to re-post the info on SWAPS!  
 Ok... Here we go!  SWAPS!!!  This is going to be a bit different this year.  Read on and if you have any questions, ask Beth and/or Suzy Bruner!!!  Yeah... not MY inbox!  Just kidding!!!  Click HERE to email them!

Deadline for swap sign-ups will be March 31... for both.

And remember, you get an EXTRA DRAWING TICKET for EACH Swap (that's 1 for the Cards Swap and 1 for the Embellishment Swap - maximum of 2 tickets) that you sign up for AND complete!!!   

CARDS SWAP:
3 categories:   
  • Adult Birthday
  • Child Birthday
  • Thinking of You
Depending on how many sign up:  if 10 or more sign up for a category, you make 10 cards and get 10 back.  So if we have 15 people for child birthday, each one makes 10 cards and gets 10 different ones back (they would not get back one of their own.)  You would not get every card, it would just be random.  If 10 sign up, you get one of each including your own.  If less than 10 sign up, we would advise the group to make that number of cards, eight people = eight cards for example.

After reading that, here's a couple of questions with answers.
What size?  Any size is fine
Include envelopes? Envelopes are preferred, especially if you use non-traditional size cards 
How should I package them?All in one zip lock bag with your first/last name and which swap category it is on it (adult birthday, child birthday, thinking of you)
How do I label them?  If you want to label each card on the back you can, so people know which one you did.  Either way you also need to put your first / last name and which swap it is on your zip lock bag.
Can I join more than one Card Swap?  Yes, the more you do, the more variety you end up with! 


EMBELLISHMENTS SWAP:
1.  Ribbon/Fiber Swap.  There would be two groups of six people.   We can do more groups if there is more interest but these are the two color categories:
A.  red - yellow - blue - purple - orange - green
B.  black - white - brown - metallic - pink - light blue

Here is how this one works:  you sign up for a particular color.   (You can email us OR you can comment on the Blog to do that).  First one to pick a color gets it.  Then you bring 6 yards of identical ribbon or fiber.  It does not have to be solid color, as long as it is predominantly the color you chose.  Cut these in 1 yard lengths.  Turn your ribbon/fiber in at the retreat and you get back 6 different ones, including the one you submitted.

2.  Embellishment Swap:  Also done by color (predominantly the color you choose).  You assemble six (6) identical "kits" of three (3) different embellishments each.  Some ideas to choose from:  
·        buttons (4 pc)
·        brads / eyelets (5 pc)
·        paper / silk flowers (3 pc)
·        rhinestones (5 pc)
·        1 yard fiber / ribbon
·        a sheet or half sheet of stickers
·        die cuts (1 large or 2-3 small)
·        a stamped image on cardstock. 

You get back sets for each of the six colors in your group, including the one you submit.
A.  red - yellow - blue - purple - orange - green
B.  black - white - brown - metallic - pink - light blue
Here is how this one works:  you can choose to just put colored embellishments together with no theme, or you can choose a theme that goes with your color.  For example if you pick orange you could do Halloween or Autumn.  Pink or light blue could be baby boy / baby girl theme.  Your die cuts or stamped images can go along with your theme.  If you don't have a theme you could still do die cuts of flowers or animals that go with the color you have.  When I say identical kits, some things can be slightly different, for example buttons and paper flowers.

Categories will be:
A1 - yellow, red, blue, purple, green, yellow
B1 - black, white, brown, metallic, pink, light blue

and A2, B2, A3, B3, etc. if we need more groups.  Colors for A* and B* will remain the same.  We will let you know which group you are in by posting on the Blog and emailing participants.

How should I package them?  i.e. make a kit?  The ribbons / fiber can all be in one zip lock bag together.  Each set of 3 embellishments needs to be in its own zip lock bag.  So you'll have six baggies.  To help keep it more organized, please put these in another bag, whether a plastic WalMart bag or another zip lock bag.
How do I label them? 
For the Ribbons/Fibers:  Put your first/last name and which group swap you are in on the outside of the zip lock bag.  Either write it with Sharpie or use a stick on label.
For the Embellishments:  Put your first / last name on each embellishment bag, and which group swap you are turning it in for.
Can I do more than one Embellishment Swap?  Yes, the more you do, the more variety you end up with!

So, come on!  This is going to be fun!  I love card swaps, but I LOVE the idea of the Embellishment SWAPS!  Can't wait!

Get Ready - It's Time to Win EXTRA TICKETS!!!!

Ok, ladies... this post is just a tease!  It's to get you awake and ready!  I've got some ideas on how YOU can win some more tickets.  And with the amount of PRIZES I've ended up with YOU are going to want to win a TON OF TICKETS!!!

I'm thinking about different contests and activities and I'm open to suggestions! 

Starting tomorrow, March 23, you are going to want to keep an eye on your email!  And the blog!  Remember, you don't HAVE to post (I know some of you are having problems posting), you can always email me your responses and I will post for you!!!

OOOHHHH!  I can't wait!!!  BRING ON THE EXTRA TICKETS!!!!

So, come on!  Watch your emails and get ready to respond!

Thursday, March 17, 2011

T-Shirt Orders due by March 15th - extended to Monday, March 21st

If you haven't ordered your T-shirt yet, you still have time!  I talked to my vendor today and I actually have until Monday, BUT... that is my "drop-dead" deadline!  So, if you want one, I need to know over the weekend! 

Enjoy this beautiful weather!  I'm heading to Joplin Saturday to do 3, yes THREE, Cricut classes!!!  I'm excited!

Tuesday, March 15, 2011

Ok, Here's a Tricky One

Figure out how to go to my "Life with a Crazy Cropper" blog... read, follow directions and comment on the "Get a Ticket Here" post and win another DRAWING TICKET!

Thursday, March 10, 2011

T-Shirt Orders due by March 15th

I totally forgot a DATE!!!  Thanks, Robin! 

T-Shirt orders are due by March 15th!

Upcoming Important DATES!!!

Ok... I know we are all busy, so I want to help you with a reminder!
Here are a couple of upcoming dates you need to remember.

March 15 - Tombow Orders DUE!
March 23 - Close to My Heart Orders DUE!
March 31 - Final Day for SWAPS Sign Ups!
 
And, NOW, we are going to see if you are reading!!!
It's simple... if you are reading this, click HERE to send me an email and TELL me you are reading my emails (THAT WILL EARN YOU AND EXTRA TICKET)  A N D
leave a COMMENT on the BLOG telling me and EVERYONE you are reading the BLOG (THAT WILL EARN YOU ANOTHER EXTRA TICKET!)!

Yes... I've GONE CRAZY!!!  TWO, that's TWO EXTRA TICKET opportunities!!! 

I'm needing validation this week!  
Humor me and win yourself some tickets!

Tuesday, March 8, 2011

What is a SCRAP POOL?

Scrap Pool, huh?  Well, I can tell you that some people are going "huh?" and some people are literally jumping up and down!

Who doesn't have scrapbook stuff they have bought and have never even opened?  Or bought a scrapbook tool and MAYBE used it... once?

Well if you fall into this category AT ALL, the SCRAP POOL is for YOU!!!

Gather up your new and gently used scrapbook items, clearly label them with your NAME and PRICE.  Bring them to the Retreat where there will be a couple of tables set up for you to drop off your stuff and watch them sell like hotcakes!

Oh, and don't forget to shop early AND often because let me tell you... this stuff goes FAST!!!
So, come on!  Get into your scrapbook stuff and clean it out and bring your stuff to the retreat where you will "clean up"!  You'll be amazed how much stuff you can get rid of!

TOMBOW Details

I've had several questions about the Tombows and I've done some research!

Here are the Tombow Stats...
#1 - Small Blue - $2.50 refills - 39 ft of adhesive
#2 - Lg Blue - $4.50 refills - 82 ft of adhesive
#5 - Lg Blue DOTS - $6 refills - 49 ft of adhesive

Click HERE to view more pricing and pictures!  Any questions, just let me know!  Deadline for ordering is March 15th! 

Thursday, March 3, 2011

Busy Tonight!

My "retreat mode" has had me working on the seating chart tonight.  I am really excited about it.  I think you are going to really like the room at this new place.  But, I want to mention a couple of things.  (Remember, I was forced to change venues AFTER I already had registrations coming in for this one!)

The room is a little smaller than at Cobblestone, but I think we are still going to have plenty of room.  PLENTY!  I have a little concern, though.  The ceilings are low and the lighting is not great.  Can't do anything about the "lowness" of the ceilings, but it does make the room look small, but I am getting used to it!

As for the lighting... all I can say is YOU have any concerns, just bring yourself a workstation light.  My contact at the hotel has said that's what everyone else who has attended scrapbook retreats there did that and were just fine!  So, we are going to go with that.

Outlets are plentiful, but it never hurts to put and extension and/or a multiplug surge protector in just in case.

Don't worry... I'll be reminding you of all of this as we get closer!  I was just sitting here tonight planning and I have to put my "thoughts" somewhere!!!  So, if you are a blog reader, you get to read my mind!

Reminder to self... put out email/blog entry about...
Scrap Pool
Food wants/needs
Snacks/drinks
Tool Table
Prize Ideas

Ok... that helps clear my head.  I'm gonna go take inventory of prizes.  Wish me luck!

Wednesday, March 2, 2011

List of Attendees

Well, here goes!  Here is the list of attendees.  I know a lot of people like to see who all is coming and by putting it on here, it helps me, too! And probably those Swap Coordinators, Beth and Suzy!  And, I'm very pleased to announce I have emails for everyone who has email!  Ladies, can you believe we are only 7 weeks out from the retreat?  I can't wait.  I am SO ready to be there, be set up and be greeting all of you wonderful people!  Old friend and new friends.  I can't wait.

Alexa Martin
Alisa Stanton
Ame Kepley
Barb Francis
Becky Pearce
Berdina Beamer
Beth Bruner
Bettyann Shuert
Brenda Beamer
Brenda Boyd
Brenda Stewart
Carol Adkins
Cathey Hicks
Cathy Troy
Dawn Grizzell
Debbie Hill
Duska Carter
Erica Pennington
Gwenda Warner
Heather Cottle-Dillon
Holli Harter
Janis Purves
Jennifer Hendzlik
Jessie Kelb
Judi Hough
Julie Netland
Julie Windle
Karol Conine
Kim Lewin
Laura Huffman
Lavon McGinnis
Lennette Davis
Lindsey Amschler
Lori Ball
Lyla Crawford
Mel Davis
Michelle Leigh
Miranda Paladino
Missy Kaiser
Myriam Boter
Pam McEntire
Pam Thiesen
Pat Reitmeyer
Patricia Ervin
Rebecca Clark
Reness Nasca
Rita May
Robin Kimery
Ruth Haley
Suzy Bruner
T.C. Sanford
Tammie Patton
Tammy Flippen
Terry Hinson
Toni Huffman
Tysha Shay
Vickie Matthew Alcorn

Sunday, February 27, 2011

Final Payment is Due - MARCH 1st!

Just a reminder everyone...  
Final Payment is DUE MARCH 1st!

If you are putting it in the mail tomorrow, please send me an email and let me know!  I don't like to be pushy, but the new hotel, I am under different requirements, so if you haven't paid, please let me know your intentions... SOON!  
 
So, come on!  Don't delay!  You don't want to miss THIS retreat!

Thursday, February 24, 2011

Are You Ready for SWAPS!!!

Ok... Here we go!  SWAPS!!!  This is going to be a bit different this year.  Read on and if you have any questions, ask Beth and/or Suzy Bruner!!!  Yeah... not MY inbox!  Just kidding!!!  Click HERE to email them!

Deadline for swap sign-ups will be March 31... for both.

And remember, you get an EXTRA DRAWING TICKET for EACH Swap (that's 1 for the Cards Swap and 1 for the Embellishment Swap - maximum of 2 tickets) that you sign up for AND complete!!!   

CARDS SWAP:
3 categories:   
  • Adult Birthday
  • Child Birthday
  • Thinking of You
Depending on how many sign up:  if 10 or more sign up for a category, you make 10 cards and get 10 back.  So if we have 15 people for child birthday, each one makes 10 cards and gets 10 different ones back (they would not get back one of their own.)  You would not get every card, it would just be random.  If 10 sign up, you get one of each including your own.  If less than 10 sign up, we would advise the group to make that number of cards, eight people = eight cards for example.

After reading that, here's a couple of questions with answers.
What size?  Any size is fine
Include envelopes? Envelopes are preferred, especially if you use non-traditional size cards 
How should I package them?All in one zip lock bag with your first/last name and which swap category it is on it (adult birthday, child birthday, thinking of you)
How do I label them?  If you want to label each card on the back you can, so people know which one you did.  Either way you also need to put your first / last name and which swap it is on your zip lock bag.
Can I join more than one Card Swap?  Yes, the more you do, the more variety you end up with! 


EMBELLISHMENTS SWAP:
1.  Ribbon/Fiber Swap.  There would be two groups of six people.   We can do more groups if there is more interest but these are the two color categories:
A.  red - yellow - blue - purple - orange - green
B.  black - white - brown - metallic - pink - light blue

Here is how this one works:  you sign up for a particular color.   (You can email us OR you can comment on the Blog to do that).  First one to pick a color gets it.  Then you bring 6 yards of identical ribbon or fiber.  It does not have to be solid color, as long as it is predominantly the color you chose.  Cut these in 1 yard lengths.  Turn your ribbon/fiber in at the retreat and you get back 6 different ones, including the one you submitted.

2.  Embellishment Swap:  Also done by color (predominantly the color you choose).  You assemble six (6) identical "kits" of three (3) different embellishments each.  Some ideas to choose from:  
·        buttons (4 pc)
·        brads / eyelets (5 pc)
·        paper / silk flowers (3 pc)
·        rhinestones (5 pc)
·        1 yard fiber / ribbon
·        a sheet or half sheet of stickers
·        die cuts (1 large or 2-3 small)
·        a stamped image on cardstock. 

You get back sets for each of the six colors in your group, including the one you submit.
A.  red - yellow - blue - purple - orange - green
B.  black - white - brown - metallic - pink - light blue
Here is how this one works:  you can choose to just put colored embellishments together with no theme, or you can choose a theme that goes with your color.  For example if you pick orange you could do Halloween or Autumn.  Pink or light blue could be baby boy / baby girl theme.  Your die cuts or stamped images can go along with your theme.  If you don't have a theme you could still do die cuts of flowers or animals that go with the color you have.  When I say identical kits, some things can be slightly different, for example buttons and paper flowers.

Categories will be:
A1 - yellow, red, blue, purple, green, yellow
B1 - black, white, brown, metallic, pink, light blue

and A2, B2, A3, B3, etc. if we need more groups.  Colors for A* and B* will remain the same.  We will let you know which group you are in by posting on the Blog and emailing participants.

How should I package them?  i.e. make a kit?  The ribbons / fiber can all be in one zip lock bag together.  Each set of 3 embellishments needs to be in its own zip lock bag.  So you'll have six baggies.  To help keep it more organized, please put these in another bag, whether a plastic WalMart bag or another zip lock bag.
How do I label them? 
For the Ribbons/Fibers:  Put your first/last name and which group swap you are in on the outside of the zip lock bag.  Either write it with Sharpie or use a stick on label.
For the Embellishments:  Put your first / last name on each embellishment bag, and which group swap you are turning it in for.
Can I do more than one Embellishment Swap?  Yes, the more you do, the more variety you end up with!

So, come on!  This is going to be fun!  I love card swaps, but I LOVE the idea of the Embellishment SWAPS!  Can't wait!

If either of these ladies are in your group, please make sure to share these emails with them (and I'd SO appreciate getting emails for them if you have them, then I wouldn't have to bug YOU!)

Ame Kepley
Cathey Hicks

Monday, February 21, 2011

Time to Order T-Shirts - by March 15th

Tshirt frontTshirt back

After that Blogging email... THIS one is going to be a BREEZE!!!

Here is the front and back of the Tshirts I've designed for this year...

And yes, it's time to order T-Shirts!  I have found a local vendor who is giving me a great deal this year.  You can pick from 6 different colors AND the pricing is less than last year!  So, check it out!  Can't decide?  Order a couple in different colors!  Wear a different one every day of the Retreat!  Don't you just love options!  Here's the pricing... it's a flat price, no tax, no shipping and it's easy...

Small to 2XL - $11.00 per shirt
3XL to 6XL - $15.00 per shirt

Doesn't get any easier than that!  You just need to let me know what you want by March 15th.  You can pay ahead (and earn an EXTRA DRAWING TICKET) or pay at the retreat (no extra ticket for that!)

And here are the colors you can choose from...

Candy PinkCandy Pink       
Violet Violet
Lemon YellowLemon Yellow
LimeLime
OrangeOrange  
TurquoiseAquatic Blue

So, if you would like to order, let me know before March 15th. 

If any of these 5 ladies are in your group, please make sure to share these emails with them (and I'd SO appreciate getting emails for them if you have them, then I wouldn't have to bug YOU!)

Ame Kepley
Brenda Beamer
Cathey Hicks
Duska Carter
Erica Pennington

Sunday, February 20, 2011

FIRST CALL - Tombow Orders

I will be ordering Tombows on March 15th. 
Click HERE for a listing of what I can order as well as pricing.  Every TOMBOW order gets you an EXTRA DRAWING Ticket, too!  (and if you've already given me your order, I have already credited you your ticket!) 
If you need anything, let me know. 
You can pay by credit card, check or cash.

This is the first request...  
I will be reminding you again before I order!

Wednesday, February 16, 2011

How Excited Are You?

Hi, Everyone!  Oh, My!  I cannot believe we are now within 60 DAYS of the retreat!!  WOOHOO!!  I'm getting excited... are any of you?  (NOTE...This is a CLUE!  Leave a comment and tell me... and 60 of your closest scrapbook retreat friends... just how excited you are... leaving a comment will earn you ONE Extra Drawing Ticket!)

Some of you know me and some of you don't.  One thing you NEED to know about me is our BLOG is where things happen... in fact... THIS email message is already out there!  And, this is the VERY FIRST OPPORTUNITY to win an EXTRA DRAWING TICKET!!!  ALL you have to do is go to the blog... enter a comment and THAT's IT!!!

Now, I realize, some of you are BLOG CHALLENGED!  And that's okay!  If you can't figure it out (and please promise me you will TRY!), you can email your "message" back to me and I will put the comment on the blog for you.  This is VERY important to me.  I am just bribing you with a ticket, but I really, really, really need for you to try to comment here.  If you try and it just doesn't work, please email me and tell me what you tried to do and what it told you.

You see, the blog is where our ***PRE-RETREAT CONTESTS*** will be held and you are going to want to know that because this is how you earn EXTRA DRAWING TICKETS!  AND, it's where I pass along information.  It's way easier for me to do and it's a great one-stop-shop for you to find EVERYTHING in this one place!

One more thing... Beth and Suzy Bruner are going to host our swaps this year!  They have some AWESOME ideas and I'm just turning it over to them.  They've got lots of experience AND patience!  So, be watching your emails as you will be hearing from them soon, I'm sure!

So, go ahead... COMMENT!

Monday, February 7, 2011

Ok... It's Time to Get Busy!

I worked on retreat stuff last night and WOW!  I cannot believe it!  WE ARE SO FULL!!!  60 scrapbookers is a LOT, especially for 4 DAYS!!!

Are you ready?  Have you been thinking about it?  I'm wanting to start a contest or something to get people signed up as a follower of THIS blog... I'm open to ideas!  Giving tickets away is obvious!  Give me another idea... and leave it here in the comments.

Let's get this party STARTED!

Tuesday, January 25, 2011

Where Does Time Go!!!

I just looked around and it's the END OF JANUARY!!!  WOW!  I've got to kick it in gear!  No, WAIT!  I'm good... I've got the hotel booked, 60 of my closest friends registered and we are going to have a
SPRING SCRAPBOOK RETREAT
in a couple of months!  THREE to be exact!

Can you believe that?  By the time it gets here, all of this cold and snow will be gone and we will be SO ready to get out of the house and go have some fun!

I just wanted you all to know I was thinking about you and can't wait til we are all together for FOUR wonderful days!

Saturday, January 1, 2011

Retreat Theme... has been DECIDED!

...and... it's... gonna.... be.... 

LIFE'S A BEACH!
SO SCRAP IT!

And, I'm bummed!  I can't find a good background for my blog!!!  I'm not going with the palm green and sand colors, I want to go with the bright happy beach colors!  SO... it's back to the internet to keep searching!  
But for now.... here we go!

And here's an idea I have for shirts!  I'll be sending an email out later on regarding interest!


Til later...