Halloween Black Cat Matchbook Treat + Demonstrator Retreat Highlights

I spent the long weekend at a demonstrator stamping retreat! Our team has held this annual retreat for over a decade. It's so much fun to get away and spend time with my friends and focus on stamping without any distractions. It's tradition to exchange small "table treats", so I made 23 of these favors to give to my fellow campers.

This matchbook style treat holder was super easy! The Pumpkin Pie card is 3-1/4" x 7-3/4" and scored at 3-1/4" and 6-3/4". I folded up the bottom flap and secured it with a staple. The designer paper on the front is 3" x 3". The top tucks under the bottom flap.

Stampin' Up! Supplies: Sweet Home stamp set, Basic Black ink & cardstock, Paper Pumpkin cardstock, Spooky Night Designer Paper, Whisper White cardstock, Duet Banner Punch, Cat Punch

Spooky Night Designer Series Paper [144610]

Cat Punch [144666]

Duet Banner Punch [141483]

Sweet Home Photopolymer Stamp Set [140936]

Here are some of the table treats I got from my friends: 

 

Here is where we spent the weekend: Camp One Way in Mt Auburn, Illinois. It is on a beautiful property out in the country with a private pond. I am always captivated by this beautiful backdrop.

I was so happy that my mom Susan La Croix was able to drive down from Michigan and join us! We don't get to stamp together as much as we like, so to have an entire weekend together was a gift!

We eat WELL at camp! The staff at Camp One Way provide homemade meals during our retreats. They build the menu off our special requests, such as lasagna (my request), baked oatmeal for breakfast, baked potato bar, dessert nachos (homemade cinnamon tortilla chips with choice of toppings, including homemade ganache) - YUM!

There is a giant room next to the dining room where we each have a table and we bring our own stamping supplies and projects to work on. I had a lot on my "to do" list,  but knew that I would get distracted easily, so I brought along some card kits and a box of make and take supplies leftover from...like the entire year. I made lots of cards -- mostly thank yous -- to send out to everyone who ordered from me in September.

Cathy Roy was our retreat hostess. She does an AMAZING job organizing camp -- from swaps, to game night (this year we played Bunco), to the pillow gifts. Oh my goodness! Every year she outdoes herself. This year, the theme was travel. Check out the "ticket" and passport notebook that was waiting for me when I arrived at camp!

Each person had their own "destination" and we received puzzle pieces for that destination throughout the weekend. The puzzle (shown completed above) attached to a large postcard and after we figured out where we were going, we got a bag of mini postcards with the same image. There were enough postcards for us to write a little message for each camper. Cathy made gorgeous door decorations for our rooms (dorm style housing). We tucked the postcard messages into the pocket "mailbox" on each door. I got postcards from beautiful destinations all over the world.

How fun is that!? In addition, Cathy left us pillow gifts each night -- including cutely decorated "airline" style snacks, luggage tag, "travel funds" bank, drawstring travel bag, and travel-themed charms to add to our keychain (see first photo).

I was so excited that my upline Kim Peck was able to come in from California to join us. Kim also spoiled us with pillow gifts each night -- cutely packaged Black Rhinestones, Tinsel Ribbon, and a pack of designer paper! Here's a picture of me and Kim.

I am already looking forward to our next retreat! Will you join us?

Live in the United States? I would love to be your Stampin' Up! Demonstrator!
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2017 Stampin' Up! Holiday Catalog

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Use Hostess Code ZBUAWREV to get a FREE Make and Take Kit and FREE GIFT when you order $40 or more. Free kits are mailed at the end of the month. Limit one per person. Learn More

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.

Click HERE to  Order Stampin' Up! Products Online, Anytime!

 NEW! 2016 Stampin' Up! Holiday Catalog

• View Catalog (.pdf)
• Wish List 
• Shop Now
• Watch Product Videos

Use Hostess Code YFJ9JGCC to get a FREE Make and Take Kit and FREE GIFT when you order $40 or more. Free kits are mailed at the end of the month. Limit one per person. Learn More

September Specials

• Over 100 new items added to Clearance Rack!
• Paper Pumpkin BOGO Sale (New subscribers: buy one month, get second month free)