[Happy99]

Hi All, I ended my internet connection before you all had the Scrap Girls Retreat - Please tell me all and then every detail:) I so want to hear about it:)

no links - just details and details, and details:):)

[LisaL]

Oh...I don't know. It might be hard to get them to talk about it. They are a really quiet bunch! Not!!! lol

[Vaughnde]

ROFL Lisa! You crack me up! I think most of us are pretty busy this weekend but I will tell you this much. I had a blast and we talked, talked, talked ourselves out! As well as a lot of silliness and hugs! V got slapped with a trout, there was a bunch of purple duct tape going around....Angela Our NUT and (I think Shari) got into a lot of photos just goofing off! I can say it was the best time of my life and I absolutely loved being with my roommate Sandi! If I had the funds, I'd go again! This time I can say with a grateful, loving heart...its someone else's turn
God blessed me to go last year and I would love to have HIM bless someone else who needs it most this year

[SandiC.]

You know, we were all sworn to secrecy. We could tell you , but then we'd have to kill you. LOL. Will we talk about it? Silly girl, of course we will.

It was fantastic and I loved every minute of it.

Ok, now the nitty gritty details.

1. the setting was lovely. The old historic buildings right there next to the the guesthouse were really cool. Big room, lots of round table with.... what else? Purple tablecloths. when we signed in we were greeted by a team member, a "purple shirt". We had cool name badges that were blinkies. They gave us a bag of goodies including a cd with a fabulous collection and class materials. And goodies like chocolate.

2. each table was headed by a designer and LO artists and set up as software specific. So I first sat at the table with Amanda Sok for CS3. The classes had a big screen projection of the program and we walked through each class doing the most amazing things.

3. Games and lots of them. and prizes. I won a purple watch.

4. the best part.... getting to meet everyone. Loved meeting all the familiar names from the MB, they have faces and voices, but they were the same sweet funny ladies I chat with everyday. and then getting to know the non MB ladies who were great too. More of them than I expected, but now I see them more and more. I think that was one of the best things, getting to really meet my friends, lots and lots of hugs and laughter.

5. good food

6. fun field trip.

7. not much sleep

8. left SLC wanting to come back again.

Does that help? It was a fantastic experience and I'm really looking forward to doing it again this year.

[tiza126]

Sandi, if I hadn't already made up my mind to go...reading your post would have convinced me

[Happy99]

Oh WOW, I just knew it would be the absolute best thing. Thank you Ladies for your insight - what a wonderful trip! Keeping my fingers crossed that I can one day attend:)

[fit2walk]

If you can afford it, I don't think you'd be disappointed. I ditto everything Sandi said. It was so much fun to meet the familiar names from the mb, but also the ones who don't hang out on the mb. Everyone really was as friendly as they appear to be. Ro and the Purple Shirts were very welcoming and did all that they could to make it a fun time while still teaching us some new skills. One of the best things I took away from the convention was a good friendship with Karen, my roommate the first night in town. I highly recommend it.

[Shelbi]

I just have to say I was really impressed with the food. Usually convention food is yucky, but it was fantastic.
I really enjoyed the little field trip we went on too!!
The days were long (but in a good way LOL).
It was so much fun to actually MEET all the people you already know.
I was surprised by how many ladies came to the convention who were not on the message board!!
(have you ever noticed that I am so much better at bullet lists then at writing paragraphs? Thanks facebook LOL)

It was all fun and informative and great!!!!

[pennynoel]

I echo what the ladies above said. Besides fun, I learned a lot! We learned how to make our own patterned paper, how to paint with a mask (my favorite), clever things to do with templates, layout design - the list goes on and on! It was fabulous! I'm still playing with the materials I received! I recommend this event wholeheartedly! (emphasis on heart - cause you'll have a full one by the end of the convention!) Sign up!!!!

[Happy99]

LOL you really like your take on it:) Thank you:)

pennynoel, on Mar 3 2009, 02:25 PM, said:

I echo what the ladies above said. Besides fun, I learned a lot! We learned how to make our own patterned paper, how to paint with a mask (my favorite), clever things to do with templates, layout design - the list goes on and on! It was fabulous! I'm still playing with the materials I received! I recommend this event wholeheartedly! (emphasis on heart - cause you'll have a full one by the end of the convention!) Sign up!!!!

[mimes1]

Yep - I agree with everyone! The event was well planned, the classes were fabulous! I'm using techniques learned at the convention on many many layouts! The friendships made are real. I hear everyones voice now when I read their posts. It is a wonderful feeling. I will go over and over and over again. Loved it.

[Crabcakes]

Thanks Sandi and all, for recapping!

I JUST can't wait! I feel like a 5 year old on Christmas Eve! I am SO looking forward to learning things. You mentioned software specific tables.... WHat GREAT idea! May I ASSUME at least one other woman will be using Paint Shop Pro? I hope so, or I will be a sore thumb! No matter, I am loooking FORWARD!

Thanks everyone for telling us about the events last year. This year can only be even BETTER!

[Zaz]

mimes1, on Mar 7 2009, 12:58 PM, said:

I hear everyones voice now when I read their posts.

Oh no! My voice was rather hoarse from allergies. I usually sound much nicer. Do you think you can change my voice after the next convention?

[deadeye dianna]

I loved everything about the convention last year. I hadn't gotten on the messageboard, but I had been lurking! I knew some of the ladies from their postings and layouts in the gallery. Everyone was so nice and so much fun. I came back feeling a part of the community. I also learned a lot. It's a wonderful event!

[Vaughnde]

Yep it was fun and Susie...Tiza is going and she's a PSP'er just like me. Although she did buy PSE as well. If I could afford to go...I'd be there with PSP as well!

[Silly]

Just like last year, I won't know until pretty close to the event and hope and pray that there'll be room for me - it was the best! Sandi was pretty much right on, the talking, and sharing, and laughing with everyone was just so cool. The classes, the design team, RO...everyone was super nice and helpful. It's not to be missed.