Ladies Retreat Weekend Recap

Just returned from the first Ladies Retreat Weekend.  I loved it!  I admit that I was a little nervous about running a weekend crafting retreat.  It's not a small affair and I know it is an investment for everyone that comes so I wanted to make it as wonderful as possible. I've also heard that there is a special brand of fun and friendship that happens on weekend retreats and I wanted to foster that so why not give it a try?  For those that weren't able to make it, here's some quick pictures to give you a taste of the weekend.
The focus of the weekend was pampering and relaxation.
Let's start with the goodie bag waiting for each lady when they arrived.

Here's a close up of the tag.  I used the retro fresh journal tags, some champagne glimmer paper and the yippee skippee stamp set.

Here's a sample of one of the make n takes. The retro fresh journal tags are great for cards.

Here's a sample of the fun.  We had some crazy props just to get us in the mood of escapism from the stress of everyday life. 

Here's a sample of the food. YUMMMMM, the food.   All I can say about the food is that it was phenomenal and there sure was a lot of it.  This is just one of the snacks.  Proscuitto and cantalope.

The hotel staff were wonderful at catering to our needs so here's some little gifts I made for them.  Just a little goodie bag with some handmade cards and treats.

I don't have pictures of all the pillow gifts, the paraffin hand wax treatments, the chocolate, the raffles prizes and the other special pampering touches we had throughout the weekend. I guess I was too busy chatting and finishing my scrapbook (yea!  another My Digital Studio digital scrapbook ready for the printer!)

Overall I would say that the first Ladies Retreat Weekend was a big hit.  The women were all asking when we're doing the next one...We've picked the date of October 17th.  I'm just waiting for the hotel to confirm but with the awesome first experience, there will definitely be another weekend retreat in our future!

So blessed...what's a girl to say?

Just want to share my gratitude. 
Yesterday I received this from the UPS man.  It's my travel packet for the upcoming Stampin' Up! incentive trip to the Western Caribbean.  As you may recall, I went with eldest son last year to Fiji. (see my Fiji posts starting HERE   This year, it's cruising with my daughter!  We can't wait.  She even got her own name badge.

Then later that night I received a visit from a friend and Team S.T.I.C girl Marian.  She surprised me with beautiful tulips, grape kool-aid and a handmade card.  See how she coloured the silver glimmer paper with some rich razzelberry ink? Pretty bling!

 

The grape Kool-aid was a substitute since she knew I loved grape pop.  :-)

Earlier this week I received two other handmade cards from lovely ladies I have been blessed to meet through my stampin' journey. 
Also last week I received a letter from Stampin' Up! informing me that I've earned next year's incentive trip to Hawaii. 
It's been like a shower of wonderful things!
What's a girl to say?
All I can say is Thank you!  Thank you to God who is so good.  Thank you to my family who support me in all the little and big things.  Thank you to my stampin customers and friends who keep it worthwhile. Thank you to my Team S.T.I.C girls who inspire me everyday, and Thanks Stampin' Up! for the fun.
Well, that's it for my post today!  Just wanted to do a post of happy, thankful things!