30/03/2011

Retreat - take two

I woke up with a terrible headache on Friday morning-typical isn't it? Just the very time when I needed to be bright and organised and on the ball I get a headache. I was due to leave home at 11 o'clock in order to get to the hotel by 12-12.30 so I could check in,drop my stuff off in the cropping room and then get to the first class for 1.30.
After stressing because I knew I couldn't drive until it had eased off a bit-I resigned myself to the fact that I was going to have to be late and maybe miss a class. After I'd done that- In my head - got a freezing flannel and had a lie down for a couple of hours it started to ease off. I eventually left home at ten to 12 and made it to the hotel by 1.15 - just in time for the first class.By this time my head was feeling a tad better so all was well.

One of the classes on Friday was Jane Hewitt's gorgeous envelope book.


there were two options- either an album for photographs or a journal. I decided to make mine into a kind of journal to keep reminders of the weekend in .We made all the envelopes using Graphic45 papers and an enveloper and then bound it with the bind it all. I loved this class - I love anything Graphic45 anyway so it started the weekend off well.
I did another class too but haven't quite finished the layout yet.
Next - Saturday was Debbie Jewell's gorgeous layout using Sassafrass Sweetly Smitten papers and the new 'foldies' - dimensional flowers..

Then it was on to Mel's class which was using My Mind's Eye papers. It involved lots of stamping,embossing and inking.
I've had  two photos of my brother and have wanted to use them for a while.I've actually only got about three photos of him myself.They are very special to me as sadly he died when I was a child. I really loved the vintagey feel to this  layout and thought it would be ideal to use the photos - so I did! and I'm really happy with the way it turned out.
Next,we were given a lovely page  kit which was left on our cropping space and I decided to use a Michael Flatley photo for mine.So that was Saturday,lots of lovely company,great classes,and lovely food.
Such a nice escape for a couple of days....more tomorrow..

13 comments:

Dawn said...

Stunning layouts - what a lovely memory to have of your brother. Stunning photo of the fruit - bet it tasted as good as it looked. Being a newbie took a few more photos but I'm sure that will not last long :-) xx

Cheri said...

love your layouts - and the fruit looks so delicious! You can send that platter my way!

scrappyjacky said...

Sounds like a lovely weekend,Denise....and love what you made....that journal is scrummy.

Ruth said...

Gorgeous layouts and journal. Looking forward to seeing more.

Maria Ontiveros said...

Love the envelope book and the "precious memories" layout . . . the background is a wonderful compliment for those pictures.
Rinda

Anonymous said...

What lovely pages Denise, I love the one with your brother in.xxx

scrappysue said...

Such lovely LO's! I have never been brave enough to cut things out of paper, maybe I should just go for it! Sounds like a really fun weekend too!

Sandra said...

what gorgeous layouts ... I'm so glad you made it in time.

Sian said...

I'm so glad you were able to get there to make such beautiful things :)

Have you tried the gel cool patches for your forehead? I think they are brilliant (from a fellow headache sufferer)

Deb @ PaperTurtle said...

Your layouts are all so pretty, Denise! So sorry to hear that your day started with a stupid headache. I hate that!!! I used to get migraines ALL the time but they have lessened since I've been taking magnesium daily. And since I work for a chiropractor I get regular adjustments to my neck and that has definitely helped as well.

Have a great weekend, my dear! xo

humel said...

A bad start - but oh, did it ever get better! What amazing projects! xx

Scrappi Sandi said...

Lots of stunning work in this post...I love the vintage fell of your Brother LO & what you did with the 'Lord of the Dance'...that fruit platter looks fabulous, my mouth is watering now!!

debs14 said...

Stupid headache! Sorry it didn't get off to a good start but it looks like you made up for lost time! I love the page of pics of your brother, such treasured memories and the papers and layout suit it so well.
Hope you will be bringing this all to show me tomorrow at the crop!