Spellbinder's Design Retreat!

It's Labor Day Weekend!!!!  Or Labour Day if you are in Canada!  I hope you have great plans to wrap up this summer...can't believe it's over already!

Here is a card I created with some JustRite stamps and Prima paper.  The background is Shabby Music and the rose is from the With Sympathy set.  Spellbinders released some incredibly gorgeous dies this past month and the one I've used here is called Captivating Squares. I created the card before my trip for our lss here.  And we JUST got all the new dies.  It's been a frenzy for sure!  They are flying out the door.  Too much fun!

Okay, I've been wanting to do a post about my Spellbinder's Design trip to Phoenix but I wanted to wait until I had time to edit the photos.  um...that's not going to happen any time soon.  Sooooo....I apologize for the quality of these photos.  They are just with my iphone and the are quite bad quality.  I had so many and some that I was waiting to get from a few others that took pictures.  There might be a few more photos trickling through my next few posts.  LOL

To start out, we have the top photo with the three of us long time friends who have stuck together through design teams, Spellblogging, teaching, demo-ing...you name it and what a journey it's been!  In the center is Stacey Caron who first presented us with this opportunity and has believed in us along the way. Kazan, Holly and I met five years ago and have become very good friends over time. Many more memories were made at this retreat.  So grateful for them!

I had the awesome privilege of rooming with the very talented and amazing Windy Robinson shown in the center photo.  It was such a blessing getting to know her on a personal level and I'm thrilled that we are now on the same team together.  Also shown here is another long time Spellbinders buddy, Judy Hayes!  Such a sweetie and always so inspirational.

Guess what?  We even had a few fieldtrips.  Yup.  These were much more exciting than your trip to the local aquarium!  One of the trips was to the Spellbinders office where you can see Ken Oliver and co-worker turning a Grand Calibur® into a...pet?  LOL  Keeping it fun!  That's what I love about this company!  While at the office we got to see the warehouse *gasp* and then we ended with a bezel buffet.  Oh my!  Baskests and baskets of bezels that we got to pick from.  Nice!  Oh and speak about keeping it fun.  Hello.  i pic Theater!!!!  Lounge recliners with blankets, pillows, dinner, candy and popcorn while watching the movie.  I've only just 'heard' about such a place!!  The gorgeous gal in the blue is AJ Otto.  She is such a kick in the pants!  I'm so glad we got to spend some time together.   She is the new DT coordinate for the Design Team and they are in for such a treat having her. The photo was taken at the Fun Stampers Journey office and warehouse.  Boy that was placed with oozing with gorgeous decor and inspiration! AJ fit right in.  : )

So here is the complete new Inspirational Team that I am on with Stacey in the middle.  It was so great to finally meet Tina McDonald, Leslie Langdon and Windy Robinson.  We are quite a team and some fabulous bonding time....Kim?!!  Where are you??!!  Clearly I need more photos.  LOL  Also, the designers from Australia put on a tea with a spread of their 'special' treats.  Ever heard of Tim Tam's?  If you've been there I'm sure you have.  Thanks to both of you!  Great memories!

While we were there we were spoiled with a few jewelry class from Juliana Hudgins and the Beadalon Jewel Loom.  I loved it!  Got my tools.  Get ready to start seeing some jewelry posts!  I also loved seeing Cindy who rocked the entire event and my new friend Janice!  Woot...go girl!

This gorgeous piece is by Linda Peterson, the mixed media queen!  It was so neat to meet and take a class with her as well.  And the Lovely Linda posing with me...(she came all the way from Australia!  Check out her fabulous creations on the Spellbinders blog!)  Also the EVER and ALWAYS inspiring Becca Feeken.  Fun to see her the entire blog team again.  Then there was John from Imagine Crafts.  He pretty much had me constantly in stitches.  He also sent us all home with prezzies...awe!  Can't wait to get my box and play with some of those new products!

So, lots and lots more photos.  There are so many great people I got to see again and meet for the first time.  Just couldn't get them all in at this point.  BUT, the lesson in this post is don't wait for the perfect photo to get your scrapbooking done.  Get them together and jot down your memories before you forget!  Sheeeshk.  I must be getting old. 

Thank you Spellbinders, for such and incredible trip and for all the years you have believed in me! 

Magestic Labels Twenty-Five Encouragement!

Hello my blogging buddies! I am finally getting all back to normal after my AMAZING design trip to Phoenix with Spellbinders.  I will do a post all about it but I haven't even got my photos of my phone yet.  Yikes!  I came home and hit the ground running.

This is a card I created before I left.  It's a one that means a lot to me today.  I found out this week that I did not get the teaching position that I was hoping for this fall.  It's hard moving into the future without a full time job but I have to keep trusting that I am right where God wants me to be and that He will continue to open and close the doors.  Deep breath.  Wouldn't be able to make to do this without the strength that He has given me.  So.....that's the significance of this card for me.  The yummies all clustered in the corner come from Webster's Pages, Want2Scrap and Prima.  The paper is also Webster's Pages and Prima.  I used one of my favorite Spellbinders dies (I have lots of favorites!) called Magestic Labels Twenty-Five.  Check it out!  It's a beauty!  The stamp is from an awesome set designed by Nina B for The Craft's Meow called Beautiful Hymns. 

Are you ready for some exciting news?  Spellbinders is having another Frenzy!!  Woot!  What does that mean?  Tons of fantastic inspiration and incredible give-aways to go along with it!  All the details are on the Spellbinders Blog.  Good Luck!  I'll be posting about our retreat soon so check back!

Have a super fabulous day!

Hello...

Hello!  I've been anxious to share this technique that I tried out that I haven't used a whole lot but it was super fun and now I might just be hooked!  I started but cutting out some canvas using Spellbinders A2 Distressed Edges.  Then I chose my stamp set which was GinaK Designs Wild Flowers (LOVE this set!)  I painted my stamps and stamped it right onto the fabric canvas.  To get a layered look, I stamped it a second time in a lighter color.  Then I stamped my sentiment and cut it out with Spellbinders Labels Thirty-Three.  This is the sweetest lil' label ever.  I think it's a new fav.  A few foam dots to adhere the sentiment and I was done!  My own mini canvas in card form.

Not sure how we hit August but I'm okay with it because that means only FIVE more days until I leave to Arizona for my Spellbinders retreat!!  I am beyond excited!

Have a fabulous weekend everyone!