e2c layouts Amanda

While i am in a blogging frame of mind… here are the layouts that i did on the retreat. (plus the two below from Mardi's class + my Kate Mason canvas)

Photos taken from iPhone so please excuse the quality.

e2c behind the scenes by Amanda.

THURSDAY.

Woke early and went to gym…feeling very excited and impatient i went through the motions wanting the session to hurry up and end so i could go home, get the kids ready for school, pack the final bits into the car and get ready myself and GO.

It was the slowest 45 minutes of my life but when it was over i zoomed home to ready myself for the busy day ahead.

Not long and i was whizzing up the road to pick up the first of our guest teachers, Natalie May who was patiently sitting at the airport waiting for a ride. I had only met Nat once, very briefly as an adult but had known her for years on Essential Baby website. Unbelievably we had also played together as kids while our mums talked 'hairdresser' chatter a very long time ago.

Never the less as soon as we got together it was like old mates. Nat is the most hilarious, dry, quick witty person i know…i just loved laughing with her. Her personality is large as life.

We squeezed (literally) her suitcases into the car and flew down the road to meet up with John and Greg who were unpacking trestles. Before long Sue arrived and we were into it. After MUCH table shuffling and jiggling about they were up and the bones of the retreat was taking place.

Leonie and her crew arrived to set up Scrapworkz, then Brigette and Karen from Shabby Chic Shack rocked up and there was much unpacking and decorating of stores…and not so much gnashing of teeth lol.

When Meredith arrived after a hard day's work there was a cry of joy and all hands were on deck.

We all worked like trojans and was so thankful for Nat's hard work moving heavy trestle tables and really knuckling down just like any other member of our team.

Time flew and before we knew it, it was time to pick up Mel and Bev from WA and Mardi Winen, another of our inspiring teachers. Mel Forbes had been our guest teacher in 2010 and flew in early to help set up with her mate Bev. It is such a buzz for us to think that our past guests actually WANT to come back again…particularly when they fly in from the other side of Australia!

Mel is such a special friend, we have a wonderful bond from our EB days and she is always honest and kind. I feel very privileged to call her a friend.

While i hugged Mel and said hello to Bev i noticed this tiny little woman standing behind them. I knew immediately that it was Mardi and was so EXCITED to meet her. This lady has been one of my scrapping idols for so long and i actually felt like i was having trouble stringing two words together to form sentences properly (i know Nat looked at me weirdly a few times that afternoon!!)

Little did i know at that stage that she would be the most beautiful person - inside and out, someone who i wished i had sat next to at the retreat and hot damn i wish i had her wardrobe and wore funky clothes like she can!!

We all went back to the shed and i was delighted to see that they were at the tail end of hanging up the pom poms… because i really sucked at being gentle with the tissue paper and ended up ripping all the ones i tried to help with.

Everyone pitched in sorting the shed out, and it was really starting to take shape. Lindy and Leah from Cummins Sheoak Craft Cottage arrived and unpacked too.

Andrew and Michelle - our two super helpers also arrived around this time - and boy oh boy were we glad to see them. These guys travel from Sydney to help us with set up, pack up and all things in between. Who would think that we need a man at these retreats --- but Andrew has been the most amazing addition we have done. It has decreased Meredith, Sue, my, and all the kitchen staff stress and workload dramatically. Quite often over the weekend we would hear 'ask Andrew' 'Andrew's done it already' and even 'that guy is amazing!'. We couldn't do it without those two guys  - what incredible supports.

After a little personal tidy up we all went out for tea together and had lots of laughs over our meal at the Marina. Swedish cookbooks and unusual plugs come to mind…

After a quick stock up of wine we went back to pack goodie bags and a finish off a few kit items. We all enjoyed a few drinks, lots of laughs and a semi late night which seemed like a great idea at the time but not so much the next day….

FRIDAY.

I am sure i groaned loudly when the sunlight hit my eyelids, i heard that bloody door bang and i realised that i had to get up and function properly. After a refreshing (?!) cold shower I went over to the shed to meet with our third teacher to arrive - Kate Mason.

Now Kate has also been one of my heroes for so long - her scrapbooking was always so beautiful and i loved her blend of art while maintaining white space. I would often find myself drooling over both Kate and Mardi's layouts in magazines so what a thrill to have them both (BOTH!!) within arm's reach!!

Kate was exactly as i imagined - such a creative soul and so kind and caring. Her gorgeous nature really shone from inside out - such calm and beauty. Within minutes she was pitching in, helping get things ready for the midday onslaught of e2c attendees.


Before we could blink it was 1145 and we had our traditional 'drinks' which are usually met with great enthusiasm - however not everyone was thrilled at the prospect of sipping champagne this morning…

Then it was busy busy busy with everyone arriving, giving out mugs, lanyards, showing people to their rooms and tables. Lots of "WOW"s as people came into the shed which was great to hear!

Everyone settled into their seat and within minutes the empty shed was filled with busy scrapbookers going hammer and tongs.

Mel, Kim and Leanne were busy in the kitchen preparing our yummy beef or chicken yiros - the smells coming from that area were delicious! Also food wise we had the most scrummy afternoon tea supplied by Carrie - ohmygosh it looked fantastic and was so decadent to nibble on.

After our yiros tea we were keen to start Kate's canvas class. This was mind blowing - just so different and i had not ever done anything so 'mixed media' before. I couldn't believe how incredible the canvases were looking using paper napkins of all things!?! There were so many enthusiastic class participants who left with their mojo flowing - it was the perfect class to kickstart our weekend. Thanks Kate :)

After class we had many hours of free scrap time - which everyone seemed to make the most of!




SATURDAY.


It seemed I had only just closed my eyes and it was time to get up again. Mardi was buzzing around getting bits ready for her class and we were off and into another class. As i said before, Mardi is one of my scrap gods, so i was pinching myself the whole time as i couldn't believe i was in a MARDI WINEN class!! Her blend of colour, preservation of white space and eclectic style is just awesome. I just loved the layouts that i made with Mardi's class - in fact i love any layouts that i do in ANY class because it seems so luxurious to not have to think at all… just place it all how the teacher says. I do enjoy doing classes for the non thinking / stressing to make layouts. My table neighbours - Tatum and Lauren - know that i scrap at a painfully slow snails pace so they can attest to the fact that churning two layouts out in 2 hours is wonderful!!

Val was super busy in the kitchen chopping and making lunch with our superman Andrew helping as well (Mardi nicknamed him 'McGyver' which i think may stick!)

After a scrummy lunch with our bread items from our local 5 loaves bakery, it was time for Nat's class. She had already had a busy morning sorting out her spray booths and making sure everything was in tip top ready condition.I was a bit bummed to find out that my kit had been given to someone else so i was unable to do the class… but I listened to Nat's rundown and tips which were brilliant. I really wanted to have a play with that spray gesso too… There was so much enthusiasm and it was fabulous walking around seeing all the different variations. Her use of inks, stamps and stencils were so inspiring!

The rest of the afternoon was free scrap time.

Before long, more delicious smells were coming out of the kitchen and we knew Kym, Mel, Leanne and Andrew were cooking up a storm again. On tonights menu - steaks with an amazing array of salads. There were so many moans of delight coming out of that dining room, it made everyones mouth water who were patiently waiting for their turn to eat.

After filling our tummies to almost bursting we had dessert to try and get through : with some artistic flair from the kitchen cooks!

YUM.

So then it was onto our massive prize table - which we decided last minute to go with modern technology with a random number generator. It sounded brilliant but ended up being a big mistake.  After a little while we noticed the same numbers coming up twice which was really embarrassing…. thankfully Tiff quickly suggested a way to finish the lucky numbers off so as everyone could go home with a prize. I think next year we will go back to our written numbers drawn out of a hat! Apologies to all as that was a long drawn out affair which went even longer than normal. Very embarrassing!

After our huge prize draw there was more free time to scrap and we stayed up into the wee hours of the night / early morning making the most of our last night at e2c.

SUNDAY.

A lot less sleep under the belt this morning (makes me wonder how much sleep we really need to function properly?!) but up and breakfasted ready for our group photos taken by Mum.

Back in for a quick scrap before lunch, free time after lunch and then before we knew it everyone was packing up around us. This is the time i really hate the most.. it means that it is all over, that everyone is about to leave. I always feel so sad and flat on the Sunday knowing that all the joy of e2c is over.

Thankfully many hands make light work and everyone helped wonderfully to turn our creative haven back into a boring old shed again.

It was soon time to take Kate back to the airport. After a few sad moments in the kitchen we dashed out to the car...to realise that my car keys were inside the shed in my handbag still….argh! I ran inside, grabbed them and ran back to the car. Popped the key in the ignition, turned them on…. and nothing.

 A FLAT BATTERY!!

I was absolutely panicking and mortified with embarrassment. I ran inside again and asked everyone to drop what they were doing to help me out of this pickle! Sue was able to load Kate's cases into her car and soon she was whizzing off to the airport with me waving and apologising very red faced. To meet one of your scrap idols and then have her leave with this terrible memory of you is just so embarrassing!

After pack up, Sue, Meredith, Nat, Mel, Mardi, Bev, Michelle and Andrew went out for dinner. While it was a 'celebration that it was all over' type of dinner, it was also a 'so sad to say goodbye to friends' sort of dinner. And yes there were tears and promises that we would see each other again soon.

I have to say that i am always amazed at how much of a bond we get with our special guest teachers. With Mel Forbes, with Tatum Woodroofe, Michelle Dyson, Lou Nelson and with Fran Tynan. I honestly thought we had just been lucky and that we could never ever hope to get teachers that fit in with our group as well as our past girls.

 I was wrong - totally wrong.

Our 'get to know you' session on Thursday was brilliant with Nat and Mardi - and we all felt like we had known them for years. When Kate arrived on Friday, there was also an immediate connection. It's just such a privilege to have worked together with these ladies compiling kits and emails back and forward and we all feel really grateful for their easygoing nature. We certainly couldn't handle any diva -ish behaviour - that's not e2c style - and thankfully we have not had one teacher who has been high maintenance at all. Quite the opposite... being only too happy to help us every step of the way.

Thank you to our wonderful teachers! From the very first email we received when you all agreed to be our teachers (and let me tell you that Meredith, Sue and I squealed our excitement in unison in response) we knew that you would be awesome.

And thank you to everyone who was able to come along to e2c 2012 and make it such a wonderful experience.

I'm wondering if everyone is free this weekend to do it all again?!

E2C Retreat layouts by Lou ...

Hello Hello Amanda, Meredith & Sue

Please find attached 3 of the layouts that I completed whilst at your amazing/fantabuloussss retreat!!! Ive also included a couple of my have photos that I took whilst I whilst staying at Firth Farm after the retreat.

As you can see I got up close and personal with my subject LOL :).

I know you have been told this but I really need to say it again!!! CONGRATULATIONS!!!!! You guys continue to organise and run the AWESOMEST retreat in Australia!!! THANK YOU!!!!

Much Much sad that it is over <3,

Lou :) :) :) xoxo

Wow Lou love lots of bits about your layouts there ... the backgrounds, those butterflies are stunning, the paint / mist "dribbles" (sorry couldn't think of the appropriate term LOL), the wire and the painted backgrounds ... very inspiring :-)

and some amazing photos ... hope you didn't break Tiff's best China there LOL ;-) ... I love the rose

E2C retreat LO No 2 by Tiff ...

Other of Tiff's LO from the weekend ... great misting and the yellow at the top looks wonderful :-)

E2C retreat LO by Tiff ...

Tiff has sent through this layout that she created at the retreat ...

Love the colours against the white Tiff :-)

Retreat class layouts by Karen D

Hi Everyone,

Here are my layouts from the wonderful Mardi Winens class which I thoroughly enjoyed (so much I lifted one of the layouts straight away)  Love the glue dots with glitter and using the negative of the punch, I will be doing those again!  Thank you so much Meredith, Sue, and Amanda for an amazing weekend :)

Karen xoxo

Love them both Karen - great photos!! 

Gotta laugh at the Thrifty layout ... they have quite a cult following thanks to those ads hey!!

Retreat layouts by Mel

"I had an absolute blast last weekend! Thank you so very much for putting on such a great show :)

I have learnt a lot from the classes and the girls that I was sitting with at table 10 - I cannot wait to put it all into practice.

Thanks Again

From Mel Crosby"

Mel's layout from Nat's class ...

Mel's layouts from Mardi's class ...

Your photos are beautiful ... so much character in those gorgeous little faces :-) The trampoline hair makes me laugh too!!

Wow Mel you had a productive weekend!! Great that you enjoyed it so much. Really good to see Mardi's class layouts as 12 x 12 too.

The embellishments I really love are the Easter Eggs made from foil wrappers - looks amazing :-)

Thank you for joining us ... hope we see you here more often now :-)

Send us your layouts please :-)

Hey now the retreat is over :-( we would love to have some blog action!

Send us your photos of the retreat class layouts your did or your class canvas so we can share them here ... email me please :-)

If you didn't do a class send in your favourite layout or off the page item that you created over the weekend :-)

Meredith x

e2c recipe : Bircher Muesli

Now this isn't rocket science but i have had a few people ask me how it is made.

It's a mix of what i found on the www. and also adapted to how i like to eat it. Some places have bircher muesli on the menu and it is one big mooshed up mess… red, flabby berries and some places even put full fat cream in (YUCK)

So this is my own adaptation.

I normally make up 1/2 a packet of natural rolled oats at a time, which saves the hassle of mixing up a new batch every night. It keeps in the fridge for a long time in a sealed container.

Ok when i say 'hassle of mixing up a batch' i mean this : splash enough natural apple juice into your rolled oats until they are just covered. Pop the lid on your container and refrigerate overnight. That's it… so it really takes 1 minute the night before. No biggie!!

If you have forgotten to mix up a batch the night before, you can do it the morning of… and just give them a 2 minute zap in the microwave….

Once they have sat in the juice overnight (or zapped) they turn all mooshy, fluffy, melt in the mouth with a delicious zingy fresh flavour, but not at all gluggy or milky (which is what i don't like about normal breakfast cereals)

In the morning spoon out enough of the apple juice / muesli mix for your serving, add a few spoons of natural fat free yoghurt, a generous handful of mixed frozen berries, a dab of honey and a sprinkling of slivered almonds.

And that's it. A delicious, healthy and very filling breakfast. It's my favourite and i would love to hear if you enjoy it too.

E2C retreat recipes No 1 ... cranberry broccoli salad

After a number of requests here is the recipe ... more to come as we get them :-)

Cranberry Broccoli Salad

4 cups fresh broccoli florets

½ to ¾ cup cubed red onion

1 cup dried cranberries (craisins)

1/3 cup crumbled well cooked bacon

½ cup Roasted slivered almonds

½ cup Shaved Parmesan cheese

½ cup mayonnaise

½ cup thin cream

3T sugar

In a large salad bowl, combine the broccoli, onion, cranberries and bacon. In a small bowl, combine the mayonnaise, cream and sugar until smooth. Pour over the broccoli mixture with parmesan cheese and almonds, toss to combine.

Refrigerate until serving.

Serves 6

Recipe from www.tasteofhome.com and modified by Amanda Hall

a little something to get us in the mood...

remembering good e2c times in the past:

all the info you need ...

Hello hello to you!

Time is ticking away very quickly and it is less than two weeks until we all meet again! We hope you are SUPER excited and prepared for a fun filled, relaxing weekend.

In our email letter last year i said that we had planned THE BEST RETREAT EVER in 2011... well i'm sorry to say that i lied :(

2012 IS GOING TO BE THE BEST-EST, MOST AMAZING RETREAT EVER!

Lucky you attending!!! There are so many exciting, behind the scenes details coming together to bring you the best scrapping experience of your life!

As you are no doubt aware - we have 3 incredible South Australian teachers primed to inspire us! Please ensure you are ready for the classes that you are booked into. 

You will need to start thinking and preparing your class photos and requirements very soon.  Find all the details you need = photo sizes, colours and themes below. Please pay particular attention to the 'students need to bring own' sections.

second canvas size 20x25cm purchased from Cheap as Chips if you would like to create two in this class. (one canvas supplied in kit)

The classes and workshops are scheduled as following (at this stage)

Friday evening - Kate's Canvas Workshop
Saturday morning - Mardi's two layouts class
Saturday afternoon - Nat's layout class

Apologies that we say the same thing each year but again we will re- enforce some points :

1.  There will be 4 retailers attending our retreat and they will be 'onsite' for the entire weekend.  DON'T FORGET YOUR MONEY / PURSE / CARD / CHEQUE BOOK!

2. If you would like an iron on transfer for your t-shirt please remember to bring a black t-shirt. Transfers will be given to all in 2012.

3. The group photo last year looked fantastic with everyone in their black t-shirts. We are hoping most people will join in and bring a black shirt so we can have a similar 'group' appearance this year -  even if you don't want a transfer. This group photo has been planned for 10.30 am on Sunday.

4. Our e2c Masseuse Mandy will be available Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Yes 3 days!! In more good news - she has brought along a friend Lynlee who will also offer massages. This year the girls will also have express mani, express pedi and a deep cleanse facial on the menu! Booking sheets will be circulating on Friday.

5. You will need to BYO esky and ice for your own BYO drinks (alcoholic or non) for the entire weekend. Ice will be available at the Nt Shields service station across the road to top up eskies as needed. Please note that there is no spare fridge space so personal drinks will be your own responsibility.  You will also need to bring your own wine glass / cocktail glass / cocktail ingredients. Blenders will be supplied. There will be a special 'eskie cubby' for all eskies which is near to your scrap area.

6. Make sure you have plenty of photos and projects to keep you busy for 2.5 entire days. Take much more than you think you could ever scrap and hopefully your creative mojo will floweth over!

7. Tea and coffee facilities will be available all day, evening and until the wee hours. Afternoon tea will also be supplied on Friday afternoon at 2.30pm.

8. A small selection of nibbles will also be available. If you have particular eating desires - bring them along for yourself to nibble on over the weekend.

9. Don't forget to pack bath towel, bedding and toiletries!!

10. There are 6 beds per room - 3 bunks. These have been allocated in 2012 - and we have tried very hard to accommodate everyone as they requested.

11. Arrival time is from midday on Friday the 27th.  No early callers please. Lunch is not provided on Friday but facilities are available to heat your lunch if needed.

12. The retreat will wrap up around 4pm on Sunday :( This is to ensure we have enough time to finalize retailer accounts, give us time to clean rooms and remove ourselves!

13. There will be a cuttlebug, sissix and some folders plus plenty of sewing machines set up at the retreat to borrow. If you would like to print journalling there will also be a printer / laptop. Please supply own paper/cardstock.

14. Please do not bring individual blow heaters. We do not think our power will cope. We are hoping to solve the dim lighting issue from last year and have a few ideas in place to make things brighter.

15. Those with sensitive backs/ bums you may want to bring along a pillow or cushion as the chairs can become a bit hard after a few hours and we would hate that          to interfere with your creative energy!

  16. The ladies travelling via planes please note that the airport is VERY close to the retreat location. (North Shields Lion's Park).

Please don't hesitate to contact us if there is any questions or concerns. We would be pleased to help in any way possible and strive to make this a great, fun time for everyone.

 Meredith, Val, Sue and Amanda,

first project for the retreat ... ???

So what is your plan for the retreat ...

are you working on a few layouts ?

are you doing a mini album?

are you concentrating on the classes?

or are you doing all of the above????

Let us know your plans!!

Getting excited ... ???

So over on Facebook the excitement is building but if you aren't a Facebooker then we don't want you to miss out on posting your excitement 

So leave us a message on how you are getting ready for the retreat!!

Even if you are on Facebook ... leave us a message :-)