Retreat Memories

Happy Friday - Ron from Club Scrap here to say that I'm a very lucky guy! This year, I got to attend both Club Scrap Retreats - and I got to teach a workshop! As far as I'm concerned, it doesn't get much better than that :)

If you went to either the August or October retreats this year, you know it was great, but I'm afraid I really can't offer any real spoilers quite yet. Since the Retreat in Box boxes shipment left the Clubhouse yesterday, we've still gotta let the RIAB-ers be surprised when those beauties show up! But I can show you a photo of just how much fun some of us were having on Friday night:

(I did crop the photo a bit to remove a tiny spoiler.)

Compared to many Club Scrap members, I'm still a Retreat newbie - I got Retreat in a Box in 2009 and went to Wisconsin in October for the 2010 and 2011 Retreats. The projects, gifts, and entire retreat experience were all amazing. But I gotta tell you, this year blew me away. The projects are uber-cool, and the gifts are so great (I can't tell you what KnitterPam did when she saw one of them, but let's just say she got REALLY, REALLY excited!) And I loved seeing old friends and making new ones. But this year's retreat had something about it that made it extra-special.

The retreat workshop schedule changed a bit and as a result, things seemed more relaxed. Everyone had some free time to socialize, shop, or even nap on both Friday and Saturday afternoon. Many of the attendees commented on how laid back and stress-free the weekend was. Many took some of that free time to finish projects that they weren't able to finish in class. Folks were able to be creative, learn some new things AND re-charge their batteries - isn't that what retreat is supposed to be all about?

I'm confident that next year's retreat will be just as much fun and relaxed as this year's. And just in case you hadn't heard, dates have been announced for the 2013 retreats: August 8-11 and October 17-20. Mark your calendar and start saving your pennies (and nickels and dimes) because you won't want to miss it. I'm planning on going to both events, so I'll see you there!

Retreat Reflections

A week ago, I was heading to Green Bay, WI for the start of Club Scrap's annual August Retreat. Now I'm back home and I've just gotta tell you a little bit about it. I can't say too much, 'cuz there is always a Pinkie Swear involved - can't spoil the fun for the folks who are attending in October or those getting the RIAB (Retreat in a Box), but there are a few things I can share…

Here's Tricia with...well, that's not really important!
This photo has nothing to do with Retreat, but it was taken that weekend!

First of all, it was definitely one of the most amazing weekends I've ever experienced - you could just feel the excitement in the air! Everyone was smiling and laughing and hugging during registration - that's such a fun part of Retreat - if you hang around long enough (or actually get to work there selling uber-cool logo stuff!), you eventually see/meet/hug every person there!

And the workshops - oh my goodness - I've been to 2 retreats in the past, and got the RIAB in 2009, but let me tell you, these projects are absolutely amazing! And one of the workshops this year is just so very different and fun! What a great collection of projects and inspiration. Then there's this year's retreat kit - so very beautiful - and other gifts scattered throughout the weekend - such cool stuff that EVERYONE enjoyed! I lost count of the "Ooos" and "Aahhs" I heard in the course of the weekend.

And the coolest thing happened on Sunday morning at brunch - I was chatting with a few women who told me that they're trying to see if they can come back in October! How cool is that?!? I totally expect to see them there in 55 days!

Yeah, that's right, it's just 55 days until the October Retreat! And I'm so happy that I'll be back in Wisconsin again! I've said this before, and I'm gonna say it again - if there's any way that you can possibly go to Retreat this year, call Club Scrap® or go to their website and get yourself registered. You won't be sorry!

Green Bay Bound!

I'm so very happy that it's Thursday! You see, this isn't just any Thursday, this is the day that the August Retreat starts and I'm heading to Green Bay today!

Registration, October 2010

Did you read Kay's post on Tuesday? It brought back so many memories about some of the amazing projects from past retreats. If you haven't seen it yet, click here to read her blog post.

One of the many fun meals at Retreat!

I'm so excited about Retreat this year - see I've been able to help out with some of the planning and designing and such, so I know about some of the projects and meals and entertainment and goodies and the retreat kit and all I can say is WOW! You are not gonna believe how cool it's gonna be this year! And I'm teaching a really amazing workshop with Tricia! I keep on pinching myself just to be sure I'm not dreaming!

Fun at the Saturday Night Crop!

If you haven't signed up for retreat yet, don't worry - you can still sign up for October or, if you're not able to travel to WI, there's always Retreat in a Box. But sign-up for something so that you don't miss out on all the cool stuff that's gonna happen at Retreat this year!

Retreat Spoiler (of sorts)

Hello, everyone!

I know I chatted about Retreat in the blog a few weeks ago and told you about my favorite things about Retreat and some of you shared your favorite things in the comments, too. But today I wanted to share something new, so I spoke with Tricia earlier this week and she told me I could share some info about Retreat with all of you.

As you know, Club Scrap has an August and an October Retreat, and this year I'll be attending both of them! (I'm so very excited about meeting all of the August Retreat folks!! ) I'll be teaching the Hybrid Workshop at both Retreats (I've taught it at the October Retreat for the past two years) and I'll also be teaching another Workshop with Tricia! How cool is that? (It's gonna be a super-cool Workshop too! Really different and so very creative! You're gonna love it!!!) And after chatting with Jac the other day, I really think the Hybrid Workshop is gonna rock, too! Remember, it's not 'digital' it's 'hybrid' so paper crafters are really going to love it!

Retreat folks having some Workshop fun in 2011!

Now you probably saw your email reminder from Club Scrap this week letting you know that you've only got until July 1st to sign up for Retreat. If you're 'on the fence' about attending this year, I gotta tell you - it's gonna be amazing, so head on over to the sign-up page and register for Retreat now!

Kay's Workshop in 2011

Making a Music Box at the 2011 Retreat

And whether you're heading to Wisconsin in August or October, I'll see you there!!