One seed can start a garden, one candle can light a room, one step can begin a journey, one conversation can start a friendship, one smile from a handmade card can lift one's SPIRIT!

Thursday, May 30, 2019

Eat, Sleep, Craft, Repeat 2019

EAT, SLEEP, CRAFT, REPEAT 2019 RETREAT


I was invited to spend a few days with some awesome ladies at their annual EAT, SLEEP, CRAFT REPEAT retreat in Surrey, Canada!  Loll is the organizer of this event and she has lots of help from her Canadian Crafters all who are on one of her CAS teams.  Even her co-leader, Bonnie flew in from North Carolina!  Darnell was also present for this retreat.

Crafty Friends - (l to r) Christine, Trina, Susan, Darnell, Colleen, Loll (me),
Bonnie, Nancy, Linda

 I took the train up from Oregon to Tacoma, Washington, my BFF Linda picked me up and the next day we drove to Surrey Canada, it was just under a three hour drive!
We did lots of techniques, most new to me, so it was quite fun to learn new ones!

This technique is called "Cut Up Stamping" and it was seen on Jennifer McGuire's blog, HERE,
Nancy presented this technique to the group and we all went to town making cards using this fun way to add sentiments.  My flower stamp is Penny Black: Dreams of Love, I added some more copics for shading as I used DOX to ink the flower.
I have to say it is a little intimidating and scary to cut into your card, but doesn't it just make the sentiment pop?  And it is a unique way to add your sentiment to the face of the card.



I have lots more cards with other techniques, I will show you them at a later time!
Linda and I felt so honored to be with these ladies, we tried to "rub shoulders" with them *wink,
to see if some of their talent would rub off on us!  Time will tell!  LOL

WE HAVE A HOP FOR YOU TO JOIN, SHOWING A LOT OF THE CARDS WE MADE USING THE DIFFERENT TECHNIQUES WE LEARNED.  Click on each person's name and that will take you directly to their blog.

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here are a few more pictures from this retreat, showing how much fun we were having!




We had to have a visit to the beach...we went for ice cream/ gelato and then a walk up a block to the beach shore. It was such a nice day, great to take a break, then back to the crafting tables!!

Heart Hugs, friends!



19 comments:

Loll said...

Your cut up staming cards are AMAZING Colleen!! The vibrant colours of your first card are so beautiful. I love the special touches you've added with copics, and of course, how the panel is split for the sentiment. Your second card is so artsy with the beautiful flow of blue watercolours for the background and your gorgeous pink blooms. The three sentiments are awesome. And your last card is sweet with the two bright daisies. Again, the cut up stamping looks amazing.

Thank you for coming and sharing this time with us. It was so exciting to meet you in person. Your art work at the retreat was inspiring and I think we were learning from you, my friend! xx

Darnell said...

Great post, Col! I don't have that photo of us on the beach with our gelatos. Can you email it to me for my photo album? Thank you! I love how productive you were with the cut-up stamping technique (and others!). Each one of your designs is so gorgeous and colorful, but that middle card with the three lines of sediment and artsy flowing watercolor just knocks my socks off! I was so delighted that you two could join us and I thank you for making that trip to Lin's and the long drive to CB and back in order to do that. It was delightful to see you again and spend this fun time with you!! Miss you!! Hugs, Dol

Linda Hott said...

Your cards are simply awesome!!! TFS everything! :)

Susan said...

Colleen, it was wonderful to meet you and craft with you! I love the cards you showed on this post - you've shown how well the cutting up technique works with both a bold image and a delicate one. I especially love the delicate one - the three narrow cuts and the multiple sentiments work perfectly together! Beautiful watercolouring on both of them!

Robyn Oliver said...

Your three cards are just gorgeous Colleen, I think I would find it rather hard to cut up my work too, but it will be on my 'to do' list now. Glad you had such a fabulous time, Robyn

Birgit said...

What a fun time this must have been! All your cards are just beautiful my friend.

Bobby said...

This is a technique I have never tried because you're right, Colleen. Who wants to cut up that image you worked so hard on. You've proved that the results are not only beautiful but eye catching as well. I so envy you the chance to spend time with all those lovely ladies.

JoAnn said...

Beautiful cards with that technique. It does make the sentiment pop. Looks like a fun time was had by all. Love looking at the photos. Thanks for sharing.

Bonnie said...

Your cut up cards are gorgeous, Colleen! I'm amazed at your bravery! It was very intimidating to cut those card front but you embraced the technique and even did multiple cuts! It was so fun meeting you and getting some of those hugs in person. I hope some of your Copic skills rubbed off on me. So far I haven't seen any signs of it though.

Kim Heggins said...

Your cards are so beautiful...looks like you all had a wonderful time!

Christine Alexander said...

Colleen, it was so fun to meet you IRL and hopefully we will get to do this again.
This was also one of my favourite techniques, your colouring is wonderful and I love that triple cut up layout.
Hugs Christine

Mac Mable said...

You all sure looked like you had loads of fun and what a stunning cards and technique x.
Loved the beach photo too x

Kara Lynne said...

I'm so glad you had such a great time! It does look intimidating to slice right through a finished panel, but what a great technique and your cards are beautiful!

Julia Aston said...

What a marvelous time you ladies had and so much creativity going on! glad you got to take a break for some ocean views and ice cream! xx

Trina P. said...

Beautiful cut up cards, Colleen. I love the multiple cuts with the skinny sentiments.
Great to meet you in person! Had fun talking and crafting with you. Can’t wait to see your finished heart and daisy double embossed cards.
Have a wonderful weekend my friend. xx

nancy littrell said...

So glad Colleen that you and Lin got to join us for 4 days and 3 nights at our 2019 Retreat. Your cards you are sharing are soooo Gorgeous! I can't wait to see more cards as you post to your blog. I sure hope we can play together again next year. Love and Hugs...Nancy

Linda said...

Fantastic cards, friend. Wasn't it just so much fun crafting with these amazing ladies. Can't wait till our next adventure.

Marcia Hill said...

What a great post Colleen and brings back so many fun memories of Kansas and all of us sitting at the big tables crafting away! I'm so happy you and Lin got to make the trip and meet all those wonderful ladies!! And your cards are fabulous!! I would have hesitated to cut into a finished panel too, but I have to admit they look absolutely wonderful with the sentiments in between the cuts! Very cool technique...maybe I'll even be brave enough to try it sometime! Thanks for sharing all the pictures...it's been great going through all of them! And I admit I'm a little jealous of the cool crafty aprons!! :0)

Nancy said...

I am so sorry I am late to comment on this great post! So happy you had this opportunity to meet up with these lovely ladies with the stressful year you have had!! Such great cards too! Slicing through a card is always hard, but the results are worth it! So happy you shared this!!!