Stamping Retreat Highlights + Baskets of Wishes Card

Our team has held an annual weekend retreat in the fall for at least 10 years. I haven't been able to go the last several years since it has been the weekend after the Founder's Circle Retreat in Utah. However, since they stopped doing the Founder's Circle Retreat, I was thrilled to be able to attend this year. And to be honest, it was all of the things I was missing about Founder's Circle, but closer to home!

My sideline Cathy Roy organized the weekend and it was perfect. She and my upline Kim Peck spoiled us with cute pillow gifts each night and specials touches that made the weekend so special. I wish I had taken more photos, but I was so busy enjoying myself that I didn't think of it!

I arrived on Friday afternoon and unloaded my car to set up my 6ft table. There were 22 of us and we each had our own table. It was hard to decide what to pack, so I just brought it all! My punch caddy, ink caddy, a big tote of stamp sets, my box of dies and embossing folders, and all of my loose cardstock.

It is customary for everyone to exchange table favors. So when I arrived, there were already several waiting at my table. Throughout the weekend, we would come back from a meal and there would be a new treat waiting for us. Many of the treats were Halloween-themed with chocolate or other yummies. My table treat was a set of Stampin' Up! square magnets and a dry erase pen. I've been using a set on my front door with reminders and notes. I stamped up a quick tag with the Acorny Thank You stamp set and a bit of the Paisleys & Petals Designer Paper.

Mostly, the retreat was about working on our own projects, but Cathy planned a great balance of activities. Friday night we had some time for demonstrations (a few of us shared a cool project) and then we played Bingo. Everyone who played brought a prize -- an extra product from their stash. It was fun, even though I didn't win anything!

Saturday we had a card swap. We swapped full cards using Holiday Catalog products. Here is the card that I made. I used the new Basket of Wishes stamp set from the Holiday Catalog.

 

Did you see my tip for cutting the basket out? I posted on Instagram and shared it on my Facebook page. To fussy cut the inside of the basket, start by punching a circle so you can easily get your scissors into the middle without poking yourself!

On Saturday, I also participated in a kit swap. Six of us each brought a project kit and split it up and we took turns make up samples from the other kits. What a great way to play with all of them without having to buy them all myself! My favorite was the Designer Tin of Cards from the Annual Catalog. I'll tell you more about that one tomorrow because it's going to be on sale!! I think I might do a Facebook Live video to show them off. I also liked the Stitched with Cheer Card Kit from the Holiday Catalog a lot more than I expected to! It's a fun one!

But my favorite part of the whole weekend was being able to spend time with my sister. My mom had signed up to come and then had to cancel, so Aimee came in her place. We shared a room and had tables next to each other. It was great to be able to collaborate on projects in person instead of via text or FaceTime. Here's a picture of me and Aimee with our friend Nancy Brown.

In addition to stamping, Aimee and I enjoyed several long walks on the Camp One Way property in Mt. Auburn, Illinois. There was a pond right outside the building where we stayed and it was so pretty, especially at sunset. I took tons of photos. Here are just a few:

The weekend was everything that I needed it to be. I feel refreshed and ready to take on the busy holiday season.

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