Creative University Recap!

Wow... I'm not even sure how to begin.  CU this year was simply UH-mazing.  Definitely the BEST year ever.  Seriously.  :)  It epitomized the perfect craft retreat trifecta - great classes, super fabulous time with friends, and just the right amount of relaxation and down time.  It was amazing to catch up with friends I only get to see once a year, and this retreat was made even better because my best friend Wendi came too!

Tresa had a record number of attendees this year - close to 60!  Here's a group shot...

Here's a cute shot of Tresa and Denise.  Thanks Tresa for the image!

Best Buds: Jenn, Kendra, Christina, Deanna, Melody, Tresa, and Crissy!

(I took this picture with Tresa's camera).

In addition to all the gabbing, eating, and personal projects, we made some pretty incredible stuff in our classes...Here are some of the finished (and not quite finished) projects!

From Donna's class - we made these adorable cards using the new CTMH Mayberry papers:

Sheila taught us how three new ways to create Gift Card Holders:

Jenn taught us these "Pear-fect"ly cute bookmark cards.  We got to make two.  The corner part slips over the top of the pear on the card.  It can also be used by itself as a bookmark!

This is my clipboard from Denise's class in progress.  Thank you Tresa for the image!

and here it is all done (minus the photo).  The paper roses are SO much fun to make!  You'll likely be seeing them again on my blog in the near future.

This layout in progress is from Chrissy's class "Scrapbooking with Fabric".  I love the ruffly edge.  I still need to finish my yo-yos and add the embroidery stems and leaves, as well as a few photos.  It's gonna be so stinkin' cute when it's done!

I missed out on Erin's class, because we were teaching at the same time.  However, Wendi is a jewelry expert and she graciously made my necklace for me!  Thank you Erin for the image!

Finally, here's me holding one of the pages I taught.  Thanks Chrissy for the image!  Idaho and I are NOT great friends.  Apparently, once I crossed the state border, my hair product decided to stop working.  So I had horribly flat hair all weekend.  This was as "faux hawk" as I could muster - and it's extremely pitiful.

here's the completed layout:

As you can see, we had a TON of fun and made some AMAZING projects.  

I can't believe I have to wait a whole year to go again!  Let the countdown begin...

Gettin' Ready

Creative University (a scrapbooking/craft retreat put on yearly by the incredible Tresa Black) is just around the corner, and I can't wait!  I shipped off my class kits this morning - whew!  All that's left is to pack my bags and I'll be ready for 4 fantastic days of creativity, classes, and relaxation.  Next Thursday could not come soon enough.

I'm teaching again this year, and we've got the largest group ever - almost 60 ladies will be in attendance!  That meant 60 two paged 12x12 layouts for me to prep:

And 60 baggies of embellishments to put together:

But hopefully that will also mean 60x the fun.  :)

In other news... I was up uber late last night working on a sleeve to my sweater!  Take a look at my progress throughout the day...

Just about to start the first sleeve:

Sleeve 1/2 done:

About to start the leaf pattern...

All done!

2011 Creative University Class

I'm attending Tresa Black's Creative University in February.  This will be my fourth time attending, and it is always the BEST event I go to all year.  :)  It's too late to sign up for this year, but you should definitely keep in on your radar for next year if you love a good Scrapbooking Retreat.

CU features a ton of awesome classes throughout the weekend, and I've been fortunate enough to teach each year that I've attended.  This year is no different.  I'm teaching a two paged 12x12 layout featuring the new Wings papers from Close To My Heart.  I'll also be showing the ladies how to make these cool 3d ribbon flowers using our new Pleated Ribbon!

Home from CU!

I'm home from Creative University and it was an amazing retreat - the best one yet!  I was so exhausted that last night I went to bed at 9 pm!  LOL - haven't done that in years.

I was really productive on the trip - made 2 cupcake hats (and sold 5 more!), made 1/2 of a pair of fingerless gloves (which will be going up in my etsy store as soon as they are done), and got 18 digi pages done (now through September of my Project 365 for 2009).  So it was a productive time, and I had a blast hanging out with awesome "old" and new friends.

Here are a few highlights from the trip!

Group shot!

My roomies: Denise, Bren, Connie, Donna, me, and Jenn

Here's Donna showing me some love:

And this is Donna getting crabby when I gave her a wet willy.  Hehe... love you Donna!

Teacher Picture:

Connie: the official bubble blowing contest winner

The Knitting Circle Couch:

Sweet, funny, precocious Christie and me.  I wish she lived closer!!!

(ps..I'm wearing my "teacher" apron that Tresa made.  Isn't it darling!)

So that was the trip in a nutshell.  Don't you wish you could have been there!?   :)  There's always 2011!

CU Classes

These are the two classes I'll be teaching at Tresa Black's retreat: Creative University.  It's coming up at the end of this month and I just can't wait!  Yippee!!!  Now that we have the final class count, I can start ordering and prepping my supplies.

I used all CTMH supplies for both classes - including the "You Rock" paper packet, lots and lots of different "rockin" stamp sets, flip flaps, watercolor pencils, and more.  If you want a detailed list of supplies let me know and I'll list them.