Tickets for Waterloo Region Crop

...are still available until tomorrow (Friday) at 5:30pm.
If you are interested in attending, please let me know asap (519 954 6620).

Looking forward to a FABULOUS crop!! I've got a couple of new things in store and I can't wait to share them with you!

See you there!

Retreat Re-Cap -- YAYA

Well, I promised I would write a blog entry re-cap style for those who missed the retreat this year and for those to reminisce if you were there. So here goes nothing *wink*

I had a BLAST hosting this 5th Annual Nottawasaga Retreat. I was so thrilled when more than half of my retreat guests showed up wearing YAYA hats of their own creation!! You guys are amazing -- how wonderful that you got into the spirit of the event.

After everyone arrived on Friday night we had a little "Hat Parade" showcasing our hats to those in the room and the hotel cafe (yes, we waved as we went by), and at the registration desk... YAYA. Gotta love a boisterous hat parade! :) Gotta love us scrapbookers! :) ...and then some of us posed for a YAYA hat picture (at left). Aren't these hats amazing?? Each one told a story -- and hearing that story is part of the fun!! Thanks for sharing with us!!

Once we got back in the crop room, I drew for our first door prize of the weekend -- a little something I call the Spirit Award. Everyone who came to the retreat with a YAYA hat had their name in the draw for a Leather AMM Storage Tote. How cool is that?? Congrats Ina for winning that prize!!

We were VERY fortunate to have 3 wonderful vendors at the retreat -- each offering a FABULOUS Make N Take for our guests to create: In A Pinch Designs, Simply Scrapping (Cambridge), and Kim McArthur representing CTMH. I just realized that I didn't get a picture of those make n takes -- but let me tell you, they were the talk of the retreat... so fabulous!!!! (If any of you have your completed make n takes and would like to share them with us, please do. I'll make sure they get posted). I did take a pic of some shopping :) Thanks so much to all our vendors for adding so much to the retreat experience!! I think everyone would agree -- You ROCK!!

Saturday was a fun-filled day of cropping, shopping and CLASSES!! Each retreat guest had the opportunity to take one of the wonderful classes taught by Sheri and Judy from In A Pinch Designs and myself. We inked, we folded, we spritzed ... we created! I had such wonderful feedback about the classes -- it appeared that people didn't just take home some great projects, they also took with them a lot of great ideas!! And that's what it's all about, isn't it? :)

I LOVED seeing people race back to their seats to add pictures to their class layouts right away ... and I also LOVED seeing Judy's tea bag folding technique (used in the card class) recreated in a larger version in layouts later that evening! Stunning!! And a testament to inspiration provided in the class!! Thanks for making the classes so much fun to teach!!

We also gave away some amazing Door Prizes on Saturday donated by Go Scrapping and it's retail partners. It was a pretty impressive table!!

The Grand Prize was a new BIND IT ALL and accessories -- everyone's name was placed in a "hat" so that each person had equal opportunity to win -- I pulled Sharon H!.... Congratulations Sharon. Sharon was unable to join her sister at the retreat at the last minute so how fitting that she was still able to be a part of it -- Looking forward to seeing you at another retreat soon Sharon!! You were missed.

I always save some time to play a little game on Saturday evening -- this year I did something new... We had a speed layout contest ... let me clarify ... a Blind Speed Layout Contest. I chose the names of three "couples" out of a hat to participate in a then unknown game. OMG... this couldn't have been funnier. I am having trouble posting the video of this or I'd have it here for you to see... but here are a couple of fun pictures!! Such great sports! Congratulations to all who participated as they each left the "stage" with a little something -- and congratulations to Jody and Marijke the pair whose layout most resembled the original in the end. They won a SEI "Poppy" Collection Pack. Very fun.

Sunday -- Well, I would be amiss not to mention THE FOOD!! The Nottawasaga goes all out in this department every year. Let's just say that BRUNCH is a highlight to most everyone's retreat experience. Gotta Love the Brunch!! All our meals were fabulous -- but the brunch... mmm mmm goooood! What a way to round out the weekend!!

After brunch we all made our way back to the crop room for the last hours of cropping time. We also had some more great door prizes and the Best Layout of the Weekend Contest. Our attendees vote and choose their favourite layout for this -- Congratulations to this year's winner Eileen (aka Brit) for her fabulous layout. She won a Simply Cards Book from Scrapbook and Cards Today and a $25 Gift Certificate to the Scrapping Bug. Happy Shopping, Brit! I know you will put those to good use!

I already posted pictures from the event on the Go Scrapping Website. I am sure you can tell by those that we had a FANTASTIC time!! Be sure to check them out and join us at our next retreat! Love to have you there! YAYA!

THANKS FOR STARTING OUR 5th ANNIVERSARY YEAR OFF WITH SUCH A GREAT SUCCESS!!! Only better things to come!!! Kudos to all!!

-Karen

YA YA - Sisters

The sun is setting on the 5th Annual Go Scrapping Retreat at the Nottawasaga Resort. The train of crop bags has "left the bulding" and quite frankly... it's quiet around here now ....

I miss you guys!!!

I will blog about the retreat (re-cap style) VERY SOON -- complete with some fabulous pictures!

and I'm off..... to the Nottawasaga!

Ya Ya!! I am off in a few minutes to the Nottawasaga Resort for Go Scrapping's 5th Annual February retreat.... and I am soooooo excited to see everyone there!

This is a YAYA Sisterhood Themed weekend retreat so look for lots of pictures of happy scrapping ladies wearing hats! hehe I know I have mine! :)

See you soon

Win A Retreat Contest 2009

Can you believe it?? Go Scrapping is turning 5!! Yep, 5 and to celebrate 5 Fabulous Years of Go Scrapping Retreats, I thought I would open up a huge contest and give away a WEEKEND RETREAT FOR TWO to not just one, but TWO RETREATS this Fall!! Sound interesting? :)

I have always thought of the wonderful people who attend Go Scrapping Events as part of my extended family - which makes this contest even more perfect!

Starting today - FAMILY DAY 2009- until Monday June 15, 2009 at noon est. entries will be accepted to enter into this great Retreat Give Away. Contestants are to create a new layout, mini book or altered item inspired by the phrase "A FAMILY IS..." and post a link to it here in the comment section of this post thread. Two posts will be randomly chosen with the help of an online selection tool (the Random Integer Generator) from all eligible posts. The first post chosen will win a retreat for two to the Peterborough Retreat held on October 2-4, 2009 and the second post chosen will win a retreat for two to the London Retreat held November 6-8, 2009. There will be no exchanges or substitutions.

Please review the official rules and regulations before entering as incomplete or duplicate entries will not be eligible to win.

OFFICIAL RULES AND REGULATIONS

1. DESCRIPTION OF THE CONTEST - see above.
2. ELIGIBILITY - Paper Arts enthusiasts over the age of 19 are eligible to participate with the exception of Go Scrapping retail sponsors and educators.
3. CONTEST PERIOD - Monday February 16, 2009 - Monday June 15, 2009 at 12pm est.
4. THE SUBMISSION - The Contest requires participants to provide a URL to their blog or online photo site by posting a link in the comment section of this blog post. The submission MUST be inspired by the phrase "A FAMILY IS..." but can take many forms -- It can be any a layout (single or double page, any size), a mini book or an altered item thus keeping the spirit of Go Scrapping's tag line "A place to go beyond scrapbooking". Submissions should not include any confidential information or details that may be inappropriate to share with the general public. By participating in this Contest, participants give the Sponsor (Go Scrapping) the right to use the Submission on the Sponsor's web sites or in other marketing promotions related to the Sponsor without further compensation to participants. Submissions that include content that violates the rights of third parties or are deemed to contain objectionable material may be disqualified in the Sponsor's sole discretion. Submissions must be received by the Sponsor during the Contest Period. Submissions received after 11:59 A.M. (EST) on June 15, 2009 will be disqualified and no exceptions will be made. ONE SUBMISSION PER PERSON -- submitting multiple submissions will result in disqualification. PLEASE NOTE: eligible entries must also include an email contact.
5. POSTING ASSISTANCE - If you require assistance to post a link on the blog, please visit the Go Scrapping Message Board- a section with posting tips and help will be set up to assist with this process. You can find this section at www.goscrapping.ca/messageboard (Blog News and Announcements Section)
6. WINNER SELECTION - Go Scrapping welcomes and encourages all scrapbookers and paper artists therefore will not be "judging" the entries on perceived skill, merit or publishablility. Winners will be selected at random with the assistance of a Random Integer Generator (http://www.random.org/). The chance at winning will depend solely on the number of eligible entries. Two eligible submissions will be selected at random using this tool. The first selection will win a retreat for Two to Go Scrapping's Peterborough Retreat October 2-4, 2009. The second entry selected will win a Retreat for Two to Go Scrapping's London Retreat November 6-8, 2009. Prizes are non negotiable and non transferable and cannot be redeemed for cash value.
7. PRIZES AND APPROXIMATE RETAIL VALUE - Two Prizes will be awarded: A Retreat Weekend for Two to Go Scrapping's Peterborough Retreat held on October 2-4, 2009 and a Weekend for Two to Go Scrapping's London Retreat held on November 6-8, 2009. Both Retreat Packages are based on double occupancy rates with an approximate retail value of $750 (two regular rate registrations, double occupancy). For details on the retreat package - please visit www.goscrapping.ca/Upcoming_Retreats.htm . Prizes are non-negotiable, can not be redeemed for cash value and are non-transferable.
8. WINNERS will be announced on the Go Scrapping Blog by 1PM on June 15, 2009. If for some reason one of the chosen winners is unable to claim their prize by June 30, 2009 - another winner will be chosen randomly and contacted by email.

Good Luck Everyone! HAVE FUN! I can't wait to see what you come up with.
I will be promoting this contest through Go Scrapping's sponsoring stores and at charity crops throughout the province. If you are aware of a charity crop in your area - I would appreciate you letting me know as I will send a little something their way.

HAPPY CREATING!!!

the Go Studio Dollar Store Club

Like many of you, I love to surf the web for cool ideas and fun projects... one of my favourite Toronto artists, Carmi Cimicata, has run a fun Dollar Store Club out of her studio and I, inspired by the work of all the women in this group, thought that would be a FABULOUS thing to introduce at the GSS -- to truly inspire you all to "Go Beyond Scrapbooking" and expand your creative thinking! WHAT FUN!

So... this is how it works.

Every month I will pick an item from the Dollar Store that you will create ART from. Let the piece "talk" to you (smile) and use your imagination and creativity to create something special with it. Bring your completed piece of art to the studio on the FIRST WEDNESDAY OF THE MONTH anytime between 6pm and 9pm so we can all see what you did with the item, learn from each other and have a few social nibblies too :). I will arrange for either myself or another artist from the community to come in and show us a technique that we can use in future projects. Sound fun?

The monthly club dues are $10 -- includes the munchies, studio time and instruction. CLUB members are also welcome to use the studio for FREE while working on your club project.

To Join the Dollar Store Club - contact Karen at the Studio to let her know you are interested.

519 954 6620 goscrapping@rogers.com

This is an open club - all are welcome.

OUR FIRST MEETING:

Wednesday March 4, 2009

Drop by anytime after 6pm - Group Sharing will begin at 7.

The First Item (image to be posted Monday Feb 16)

A SMALL WOODEN TRAY*

*all items for the Dollar Store Club can be purchased at the Dollarama

HAPPY CREATING

A Valentine Surprise....

Yep, that's what my kid is getting this year for the good ol' Valentines Day!
I made her this little accordion tag book "card" and attached it to this little dollar store number so I could hang it on her bedroom door tonight for her to find in the morning! Collective ahhhhhhhs..... :)

For those with inquiring minds .. inside the accordion book are 4 tags each with handwritten notes about 4 different things I love about her.

Happy Valentines Day to you all!!

A NEW BLOG BANNER!!!

So, do you like it?? Miss Sheri helped me by creating a "Karen inspired" banner for the blog and soon to be on the new website :)

We still have to tweak some things but isn't the banner great?? Soooo me!
Thanks Sheri! You're the best -- my Queen of All Things :)

Come and Play with us!!! Yep -- we're trying to get you to come to "A place to GO beyond scrapbooking" :) hehe

I have some fun things planned. Be sure to pop by here again soon to check out what's happening at the Studio and at a Crop near you!!!

A New Sponsor for Go Scrapping ...

I am very pleased to announce that Go Scrapping Retreats & Crops has a new retail sponsor -- Olde Tyme Country Crafts in Brampton


They are located at
57 Mill St. N., Suite 102
Brampton, ON L6X 1S9
905-452-1271
www.oldetymecountrycrafts.com

Looking forward to working with you Sandy....
Look for door prizes from Olde Tyme Country Crafts at all of Go Scrapping's 2009 Retreats and Crops and be sure to visit not only their store in Brampton but also their booth at Scrapfest Kichener this April!

Do you have your ticket?

Scrapfest is BACK!!! April 17 & 18, 2009 at the Kitchener Auditorium!! YAY!!!

For those of you who dont know -- Scrapfest is the largest (I don't think I am wrong about this) scrapbooking expo in the Province.. perhaps even the country. Lisa (Scrapfest's owner extraordinaire) has brought together over 35 amazing scrapbooking retailers who will set up booths full of product to sell to you -- papercraft enthusiasts!! Yep -- this is a scrapbookers paradise!

In addition to the great shopping, Lisa has also assembled teachers from across the country to offer classes at the event -- classes for everything from layouts to creating embellishments to cards to learning how to get the most out of your digital camera!

I am super excited because Lisa invited me back to host the super fun VIP Ultimate Crop Party!!! I had lots of fun with the gals last year and can't wait to spend time with them again. I have lots of games and things planned for the evening... I hope you're all in a party mood!! If you would like to attend the VIP Crop (that also includes weekend access to the marketplace) -- contact Scrapfest soon!! 200 tickets went on sale yesterday and there are only 85 left (at the time of me writing this)

For more information about Scrapfest -- Please visit their website: www.scrapfest.ca