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 :-)

Sketch Challenge

Hi everyone
I thought I would just let you know of the Sketch Challenge that Multi-Photo Scrapbook Layouts blog is running this month. The sketch used is from Got Sketch? and has been created by Janna Wilson.


You have until the end of May to submit your layout and as usual a nice prize is on offer for the winner. You can send your layouts to mealin@optusnet.com.au.

Have fun with it and don't forget to check out the blog for some multi-photo layout inspiration! http://multiphotoscrapbooklayouts.blogspot.com

Take care, Ann :-)

We had a great time.....

Hello everyone
Well sadly our Retreat has come and gone, but what an awesome time we had!! Thank you to each and every one of you for making the weekend what it was and a special thanks to the ladies from the Kilcoy RSL Women's Auxiliary who looked after us so well with our meals - my goodness we were spoiled.
Here are a few photos of the weekend:-




The class with Michelle Jamieson was so inspirational for many - it was great to see many of the ideas learned in the class applied to some of your other layouts over the weekend. Here is a photo of her layout:-



I hope that we can catch up with many of you at the October Retreat in Noosa - fun is guaranteed!!

Take care, Ann :-)

Today's the day....

Hello everyone
Well today's the day!! I am soooo excited that our weekend is here and looking forward to seeing you all this afternoon at 5pm.
Check your lists that you have everything and drive safely.
See you soon, Ann :-)