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!