Photo requirements for the Retreat

Hi ladies

I hope you have all managed to keep your feet firmly on the ground with this windy weather!! I just wanted to give you a bit of a heads up regarding photo requirements for the challenges and Suzanne’s class that we have organized for the weekend, over and above what you plan on bringing to do your own layouts.

1. One of the Challenges will be a Christmas theme – typically Christmas colours with the papers that you will be given, and the sizes of the photos required are:-

One 6 x 4” landscape orientation photo,

One 2 x 2” photo, and

One 3 x 2.5” landscape orientation photo (approximately) :-)

2. For Suzanne’s class, you will need the following sizes:-

Three 3 x 4” landscape orientation photos with a feminine/vintage theme (but who says you can’t put flowers on a masculine page!)

Here is a sneak peek of the layout you will be doing:-

So blue and cream tonings as well as some tealy green and a hint of lilac!! Sounds interesting doesn’t it – it is just gorgeous and true to Suzanne’s style.

More info regarding the Retreat to come so check back soon for regular updates.

If you have been thinking of coming along to the Retreat but haven't yet done so, there is still time to book so visit the website (link on the side bar) or email me at info@qldscrapbookingretreats.com.au for further information.

Take care, Ann

Hello everyone

Well it is only 5 weeks away until the Retreat and everything is coming together nicely. There are a couple of things I need to tell you about in order for you to be organised for the weekend, as follows:-

Firstly, we have a Theme night on the Saturday night and this Retreat the theme is “Wild Wild West”. So have a think about a costume for the night – it can be as simple as a western style hat, or you can go all out as a Saloon gal if you want to – it all adds to the fun of the night! Prizes are available as usual including one for the Best Costume, so put your thinking caps on – let’s see what zany costumes we have on the night! Yeehah!!!

Secondly, we have a masseuse organized for the weekend to pamper us. Unfortunately the lovely Brigitte couldn’t join us this time were her magic fingers, but I have another lady Sonya coming along and she provides relaxation massages as follows:-

1hr Full Body Massage $55

1/2hr Full Body Massage $30

20min Neck & Shoulder Massage$25

Sounds divine doesn’t it?? Now if we get more than 10 participants, Sonya applies a Group Rate being a $5 discount. Please let me know if you would like to participate (believe me, you will just love it!) This is an additional cost and payment is made directly to Sonya on the day, so please make sure that you have the cash available. If you can let me know asap, it would be appreciated; that way we can organize the timetable to commence just after lunch on Saturday and work around meal breaks etc.

In the next couple of weeks time I will provide a sneak peek of Suzanne’s class on Saturday morning – it is just gorgeous!!

If you haven't booked your place for this Retreat, I can still take bookings - either visit the website or contact me via email info@qldscrapbookingretreats.com.au to make your booking or enquiry. Day participants are very welcome to attend.

Take care, Ann :-)

2012 Retreat details now on website....

Hello everyone

Well the long awaited details of next year's Retreats are up on the website. I am still awaiting pricing from the caterers for the Cleveland Retreat, but should have those in about a week or so. Bookings can be made via the Paypal options on the website or you can contact me regarding other payment arrangements directly.

If you haven't already booked for the Noosa Retreat, it is only 6 weeks away, so book now to save your place. Suzanne Tonga has created a gorgeous layout for her class on Saturday morning; I know you are going to just love her style and techniques. I will post a sneak peek of the layout soon.

I hope to catch up with you soon at either Noosa or one of our Retreats next year.

Take care, Ann

Getting prepared for the Noosa Retreat

Hello everyone
Well it has been a little while; hubby and I have been away on our annual holiday in Central & Outback Australia - what a fantastic country we have - so many fascinating and beautiful places we have here in Australia! I have lots of photos to scrap at the Retreat and can't wait to show you some of the amazing places we saw!

Anyway, the retreat is not too far away now....Suzanne has designed a gorgeous layout for the Saturday morning class - so many great techniques and ideas in her page that I am sure you will use over and over again.

We will be having a theme night on the Saturday night again....this time it will be a Wild Wild West theme. So put your thinking caps on for your costume - it can be as simple as a cowboy (or cowgirl) hat or go all out as a saloon girl. I'd love to see what your group can do on the night and I'm sure we are going to have a lot of fun!

As usual, I will be bringing shop supplies with me but I ask that if there is anything in particular that you would like me to bring in the way of stock, if you can please let me know asap so I can get orders in on time.

There will be more news coming leading up to the Retreat, so check back regularly for updates.

If you haven't already booked your spot for the Noosa Retreat, don't leave it too much longer - you don't want to miss out! I look forward to hearing from you soon.

Take care for now,
Ann :-)

2012 Retreat Dates

Hello everyone
Well I have been busy organising next year's Retreats and can tell you that we will be having three Retreats next year!
We will be going back to Kilcoy on the May Day long weekend for some wonderful country hospitality and yummy food from the RSL Ladies Auxiliary.
October we will be going to Kallangur on 12-14 October - only 2 fun-filled days though, but a great weekend is assured.
I am in the process of organising one for July and hoping to have a Christmas in July theme - I am hoping to be on the southside of Brisbane for this one around the Cleveland area if I can arrange it. I will keep you posted on that one soon.
So keep checking back on the blog regularly for that one and I will put the details up on the website soon for the costs of the upcoming Retreats.
Take care for now, Ann :-)

Sketch challenge reminder....

Hello
I just wanted to remind you about the Sketch challenge that is being run by Multi-Photo Scrapbook layout blog. You have until the end of May to submit your page so check out the blog http://multiphotoscrapbooklayouts.blogspot.com for further information and inspiration!
TFL, Ann :-)

Noosa Retreat Tutor...... Ta Daaa....

Hi Everyone
I am so excited to tell you that our tutor for our Saturday class at the Noosa Retreat is the gorgeous Suzanne Tonga. Suzanne has a beautiful style of scrapbooking and I know that you will just love her class.

Here is a little bit about Suzanne:-

1. How did you start in Scrapbooking & when?

I have been scrapbooking for about 7 years. I have a background in science but after maternity leave with my second child, I decided I was ready for a change and started working and teaching at my local scrapbooking store.

2. What do you enjoy most about Scrapbooking?

I have always loved photography and stationery, so scrapbooking was a perfect fit for me! I love that we can enjoy the arty process while creating precious memories about our children and our lives. I hope that they will look back on the albums one day and smile and perhaps will be reminded of things that they had forgotten.

3. What is your scrapbooking style?

I always find it hard to define my scrapbooking style but my layouts usually involve multiple small photos, lots of layers and definitely stitching! I cannot create a layout without stitching! The inspiration for me, really starts with the photos. I mainly scrapbook photos of my children, Bailey 10, and Lily, 7, and also of my nieces and nephews.

4. What are your favourite products at the moment?

Working in a scrapbooking store gives me access to a lot of beautiful products and I have many, many favourite brands. At the moment, I would say that Pink Paislee and Crate Paper are the ones that I look to most when new products are released but there are many others that I love and use regularly.

5. Where do you find inspiration for your layouts?

I read lots of blogs and many of them are fashion, photography and decorating ones. The colours and patterns really inspire me and get my mind in a creative mood. I also love to visit our local markets as the atmosphere is really conducive to creativity.

6. How do you get through Scrapper's block?

If you are feeling frustrated during the creative process, my advice is to take a break. Go for walk or do something completely different. Chances are, when you come back you will be ready to try again. I usually take a lot of time to create a layout. It sits on my desk and each time I walk past, I look at it with fresh eyes until I work out what it 'needs'.

7. What is the best advice you would give to newbie scrapbookers?

If you are just starting out in scrapbooking, it can be a little overwhelming. My advice is to take it slowly. Find your style by using other peoples' work as inspiration and you will eventually discover what works for you.

Suzanne adds "During my scrapbooking journey I have been fortunate enough to be published in many scrapbooking magazines and work on several design teams. At the moment I am a design team member of Aussie Scrap Source, a company who is fantastic to work for. The Australian scrapbooking industry consists of many talented people and I feel very lucky to be a part of it."

Suzanne is teaching at the Brisbane Scrapbooking Convention in June and her classes "sold out" very quickly! So I am really looking forward to having her for our Retreat and learning more about her style and technique.

I hope to see you there.

Take care, Ann :-)