Noosa Retreat 2013 - wrap up........

Hi everyone

Well the Noosa Retreat has come and gone and we had a fantastic long weekend of scrapping, fun and laughs.

Thank you to all of the wonderful ladies who came along - I really enjoyed your company and was amazed at all of the layouts and projects that were created over the weekend. 
  
The class with Sue Smyth was amazing and even though quite intense the final results were just beautiful. Sue taught so many great techniques and it was good to see that many of you continued using those techniques with your creations during the weekend.  The technique using the Distress ink pads and glossy accents/dimensional magic was very popular and used not only for titles but embellished chipboard beautifully - Chris' owl's looked amazing even though the eyes weren't finished yet - so very clever!!

Here are some images of the layouts created during Sue's class:-

Thanks very much to Sue for coming along to teach her class - her expertise was inspirational.

The Photo and Sketch challenges were embraced by almost everyone and it was great to see such diverse layouts even though the same pieces of patterned paper and cardstock were provided in the kits.  This is the sketch that the girls were given and the resulting layouts follow:-

These are the layouts created by the Photo Challenge:-

Our Theme Night on Saturday night was so much fun - I don't think we laughed as much as what we did that night.  It was great to see everyone joining in and wasn't it comfy scrapping in our PJ's for the rest of the night!!

We played a game of Alpha Body which was just hilarious - we paired up and had a 5-letter word that we had to spell out using our bodies.....

Hmmm....a mirror imaged "E" 

There's always one in the crowd isn't there!

What letter are we doing again??

Accessorising is really important!!

So, we are all looking forward to our next retreat and all the fun that will come with it.

Thanks again to everyone for making the weekend so special - you are all a great bunch of ladies!!

Take care, Ann

Email issue

Hi everyone

For those of you who are attending the Noosa Retreat, I have sent 4 emails through since 28 August outlining certain information that you need to know.

If you have not received this information, can you please contact me on info@qldscrapbookingretreats.com.au so I can forward them to you?

Thanks for that, Ann :-)

Theme Night - Pyjama Party!!

We always do a dress-up theme night on the Saturday night of our Retreat.  This Retreat the theme is PYJAMA PARTY.....what better way to scrap the night away by being comfy in our PJ's. 

We always have a lot of fun and laughter with our theme night and we just take a little time out of our scrapping to indulge in a bit of madness with each other.

What sort of PJ costume will you be wearing?  Something vintage.....flanette pj's.....hair curlers......fluffy slippers.....maybe a onesie???  Have a bit of a think about how you can add some fun to the evening and as usual prizes will be given for the best dressed plus other giveaways!!

More info to come soon re the weekend....

Take care for now, Ann :-)

Introducing Sue Smyth.......

I am so looking forward to having Sue Smyth come along to Noosa to teach the class on Saturday morning. 

It is always nice to learn a little bit about our guest tutors and Sue has kindly responded to a group of questions that were put to her recently that gives us an insight into who she is....

1.         How did you start in Scrapbooking and how long have you been doing it?

I started Scrapbooking some 15 years ago, previously a Cardmaker for 5 years, I was asked to teach scrapbooking, looked into it and instantly became hooked. I found with my Art background, it was similar to Collage and that I loved the creativity of it. 

2.         What do you enjoy most about scrapbooking?

I enjoy the process from image in my brain to finished piece in front of me. I love to bring something to life and express what I feel about the photo or person. I love to explore what a product can do and find something unique about that product. Texture paste, Gesso and paints are my favourite things to use and these elements can always come up with something of a surprise, I like to see where it will take me.

3.         What is your style?

My style has changed over the years, I used to do a lot of interactive layouts, with pull out or pop up elements. Then I started to make my own flowers and explored that with a very shabby chic / vintage look. Now I bring quite a few Mixed Media elements to my work, playing with paints and inks to make a unique layout. A colleague of mine once called my work “a feast for the eyes”. So I like to incorporate a lot of elements to tell the story and to keep the eyes busy, so you want to look more than twice at a layout, and the photo blends into the layout, with a nice flow for the eye to follow.

4.         What are your favourite 3 products at the moment and what can’t you do without?

All of them lol, no I love Gesso, for so many reasons, Chipboard shapes and Sprays and mists. Simply could not do a layout with either of them. I really like crackle medium these days too and of course texture paste.

5.         Where do you find inspiration for your layouts?

I find inspiration everywhere,really! From fabrics, papers, TV, nature and products. Sometimes I can wake up with a complete layout or project in my head. And I cannot wait to commit it to paper sometimes it turns out exactly like I pictured in my head, other times completely different, this is the exciting thing about our craft. Sometimes when I see a product or patterned paper, I see what I want to do with it straight away, it kind of leaps out at me.

6.         How do you get through Scrappers block?

After completing a Diploma of Visual Communications, I suffered Artists block, and was burnt out. But I have never suffered from it with Scrapbooking. I have a rule where I take a complete break over Christmas, and don’t touch paper crafting at all. Then in the New Year, I look at a few blogs, pinterest and the net and cannot help but be inspired, and I am away again. If I am truly stumped again, Google images can be one of the most inspiring things to do, but can also waste loads of time lol. 

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

For a Newcomer, I advise, a few things. One, take classes, this is the quickest and most efficent way to learn, along with the teacher you will get inspiration from fellow students, and learn about products and techniques. Two, take your time, do not expect to become an expert overnight, enjoy the journey and the learning, this is what makes it fun. And Three do what suits you, there are no mistakes, it is about saving your memories your way. It is not for other people or to be fashionable (though that can be fun) it is in the end all about you and your family memories.

8.         Info re design teams, published works etc.

Being in the industry for so long, I have seen shops come and go and have been on many design teams, small and large. To name a few, I have taught for TAFE, back in the day, Myers, and even Spotlight, since then, several large Scrapping shops, camps and at the major shows in Melbourne and Brisbane. I have been published too many times to count and have my own blog as my creative outlet to share.

Design teams include, Spellbinders, Couture Creations and Imaginarium. I won first prize at the RNA for professional/teacher in Scrapbooking 3 years in a row, and have designed my own papers and products for wholesale companies.

Currently My role as Editor of Australian Scrapbook Ideas keeps me really busy and certainly up to date with the cutting edge of Papercraft industry, and many of the big names I am lucky enough to call friends.

One highlight was a visit to CHA in Anaheim California earlier this year. Truly a Papercrafters paradise.

So, now you know a little bit more about Sue Smyth.   I have had the pleasure of attending a class that Sue taught and I can tell you that she is a wonderful teacher, very patient and extremely knowledgeable.  I for one am looking forward to the class at the Retreat.

Take care for now, Ann   :-)

Tutor Reveal for Noosa.....Sue Smyth

Hi everyone

I'm really excited about telling you that our tutor for the Saturday class at Noosa is the one and only Sue Smyth.

Sue has created a fantastic layout to teach you all with lots of techniques and new ideas to show you along the way. 

Here is a sneak peek.....

If you haven't already booked your place for Noosa yet, there are only a couple of spots left, so please visit the website www.qldscrapbookingretreats.com.au for more information on how to book and pay your deposit, or give me a call on 0413 21 6096.  Only five and a half weeks to go.

See you then. Ann :-)

Scrappers and Cardies 12 hour crop day.....

Time for a prize.....

Hi everyone
For all of you who are attending the Kilcoy Retreat this weekend, please leave a comment here on the blog for a chance to win a prize on Friday night.
I'd love to hear about what you are looking forward to the most.  The winner will be drawn at random from all of the comments left.
See you Friday.
Take care, Ann