Creative Escape Weekend Retreat - Oct 1 – 3, 2010 Le Viceroy Auberge & Spa

This weekend I will be attending an event that I have been looking forward to since the beginning of the summer "The Creative Escape Weekend Retreat". This event is going to be so much fun not only are we staying at a fantastic place see here but its a weekend just being creative and relaxing.

We also get:

• A Fabulous Goodie bag with $60 in Stampin' Up! product from the Fall Holiday Mini catalogue.
• We'll design fabulous make and takes that you will make using your goodie bag products!
• Two breakfasts, one 4 course Lunch and a 5 course dinner!!
• Access to the Nordic Baths on Saturday from 4 – 7 pm!! Spa Treatments available for extra fees
• A Candy Bar to help the creative juices flow! lol!
• Pillow gifts throughout the weekend
• 4 demonstrations during the weekend
• 4 optional classes (for additional fees)
• Space to work on your creative projects! 2 people per 6" table
• Draws for fabulous Stampin' Up! products from the holiday mini.

Use of our Stampin' Up! inks, punches, stamps, Big Shot and dies!!!

Plus I get to spend a weekend with friends I have met through Stampin Up, and do nothing but have fun!

To help get myself in the mood I decided to create a little something for each person who is attending so I came up with a these cute little vintage treat boxes all using Stampin Up products. I like to call it the Late Night Emergency Snack Attack. These treats are full of everything you need for a sugar fix, all you need is a glass of cold ice milk. See the recipe here.

I made enough for 40 people and baked 6 trays of Chocolate Chip Toffee Bars and trust me my husband has been enjoying one almost every night I have been making them. So if you are attending this weekend retreat don't for get to get your little treat!

Late Night Emergency Snack Attack Just Aadd Milk

What I used:

• Riding Hood Red, Crumble Cake, Very Vanilla Card Stock
• Riding Hood Red, Early Expresso ink
• Lover Letter Designer Series Paper
• Decorative Label Extra-Large (mini), Modern Label Extra-Large, Petal Card Extra-Large Double Punch
• 5/8 Satin Ribbon Expresso
• Artistic Etchings, Notably Ornate, Bella Toile Stamps
• Antique Brads, Basic Rhinestones

Where Has the Time Gone...

Gosh it has been so long since I have blogged, in fact it has been over two months and I have to say I am sorry I haven't posted more but a lot has been going on. First I would like to thank those of you who have sent me private e-mails asking me if I was OK, wondering if I was still designing, how my Dad has been doing and reminding me very gently about my FREE blog candy that was very late in getting out. If you have not received your blog candy please e-mail me privately here.

Lately I have been working hard on my next Wedding Workshop Class and getting ready for Xmas Workshops, traveling and of course weddings, weddings weddings. So things have been very busy and I will be posting everything I have done over the past 2 months in the next few weeks.

As for my Dad he has completed his radiation treatments and is doing very well, in fact he has had his first ALL clear and will be returning in November for another MRI, and if all goes well another 3 month ALL clear. Lately we have been very happy and taking advantage of the downtime that has been allowed since his first diagnosis. Just trying to have some normality after the last 7 months. With all that said my Mom however has seen better days, 1 week after getting Dad home she had a fall and ended up breaking her arm really bad and required surgery. She is now proud to say she has metal plates and screws in her arm and is taking physio one day at a time. Needless to say it has been a busy time looking after all their needs and trying to have a normal balance of home life.

My first post is a birthday one, for my lovely Miss Olivia or Missy "O" as I like to call her who celebrated her first birthday about 3 weeks ago. I was absolutely honored to help and attend such a wonderful event and like everything Kimmie does it was fun and fantastic.

For the initiation I created a really cute cup cake card which I have now misplaced but when I find I will post in hot pink and turquoise. A sweet Happy 1st Birthday Olivia banner, water bottle sleeves, cupcake toppers and a absolutely adorable shadow box with wish cards. Here are some pictures of her big day! All created in shades of pinks, turquoise, and lime green.

Miss Olivia AKA Missy "O"

Here absolutely beautiful mother Kim (Kimmie to me)

Kimmie wanted to create something that Miss Olive could keep and a reminder of her special day. What better then to create a shadow box that sends her wishes for the future. I created little cards for guests to write their wish for Olivia on her first birthday, these will be placed inside the shadow box for when she gets older. This we created in beautiful cherry blossom design and on the left branch is the date and place the event took place. On the right are is the following message ...

"May these wishes guide you on your journey through life..."

"Be the change you wish to see in the world" - Mohammad Gandhi

Each wish that is given will be tuck into the pink band with chocolate ribbon at the bottom ready to be taken out and read at anytime. Isn't this a cut idea? Everything was made using Stampin' Up products except for the shadow box.

Close-up of the message card and the wish card.



Sign to match the shadow box asking guests to leave a wish for Miss Olivia on her first birthday.

Happy Birthday Banner




Memory Tree

I absolutely love this idea very simple yet elegant. This actually branch was used at Kim and Nicks wedding holding beautiful crystals and the place tags for the guests that attended the wedding, so it has some history also.



Water Bottles, very simple and personal such a great idea!




Cup Cakes

Absolutely yummy with little lolly pop sticks with Olivia's personal silhouette!