What happens when a group of women spend the weekend playing at the Print it. Make it. Love it! retreat? Joy! Laughter! And a whole lot of prints!
Before I tell you all about this weekend, let me just say a huge THANK YOU to every woman who took a weekend out of their busy lives to play! I am honored that you came!
This event was organized by Glenda Miles, Kari McKnight Holbrook, and myself and you bet we’re doing it again in September 2018. Want to know when registration opens up for the next one? Get signed up for my newsletter to know as soon as early bird registration opens!
All this play couldn’t have happened without the support of amazing sponsors! Gel Press made it possible for everyone to use not one plate…but two! And what doors that opened up creatively!
There were all sorts of Gel Press plates to play with too, like the Impressables that Jodi used for this print.
DecoArt made it possible for everyone to experiment with colors inside and outside of their comfort zones.
StencilGirl had a plethora of designs for pattern making and printing play for everyone to use.
Cindy dove into the color and embraced the play making prints.
Where did all this fun happen? At the Transfiguration Spirituality Center, an amazing retreat center that is filled with such kindness and peacefulness…well it was peaceful until the laughter during the White Elephant event Saturday night that is!
We had the entire building to ourselves, so that meant we could leave our stuff out all day and night and even print in pajamas! These incredible ladies took advantage of being able to print 24/7.
The naturally early risers headed out to print before breakfast and the night owls were printing until after midnight! I was grateful for these group photos because I didn’t take nearly enough photos of all their play. Forgive me ladies!
Getting to know these amazing women from all walks of life was the treat of treats for me. Seeing this frame that Mary Ellen put together says it all- our tribe.
There was creative freedom…the techniques were shared but each person could take it where they wanted! For example, I shared how to make bracelets and from there some created a tiara, cat’s ears, and a necklace too! (That’s Joanne and Kathy sporting their head gear.)
Pat’s all smiles with her holiday stocking ready to go!
Julie was just one of the many women I have known online that I had the honor of meeting in person this weekend.
The prints (and everything else) were all packed up on Sunday…and I already miss these ladies and the laughs we shared! Hurry up 2018 so we can do this again!
Carolyn — thanks for your time and patience this weekend! It was a wonderful time to create and learn and laugh!!! xoxox
You are very welcome Sue- it was pure joy to spend the weekend with you creating (and there was an abundance of laughter too!)
I love St. Mary’s and its atmosphere of acceptance for creative expression. Thank you Carolyn + Kari for sharing your generous gifts and talents with us. Looking forward to our next collaboration. xoxo Glenda
Thank you for helping bring all of this and us together, Glenda. It was a great location and I would come back for any event of interest that might be offered at St. Mary’s. Fabulous spirit and peaceful healing available for all that visited. 🙂 There was something for everyone–and that is not an easy feat to achieve. Congratulations! You all did it!
It was a great time! I look forward to when I can come and PLAY altogether again! However, I don’t think I will ever be able to look at playing the white elephant exchange game quite the same way again–ever….LOL!!
Still loving my prints and my projects. So glad that I have prints from this weekend to inspire for the future a very long time. 🙂
Thanks again, Carolyn!
This was such a special time for me. Thanks, Carolyn, for always making yourself available for any little question that sprung to mind. While I loved trying new techniques and stepping out of my comfort zone, it was the time spent connecting with others who share my passion for PLAY that was so valuable to me. Can’t wait until next year.
Looks like a good time. So much color, swoon. xox
Laughter is good medicine! Loved the prints.
I would LOVE to go next year. And yes, I am signed up for the newsletter–have been ever since I discovered your awesome blog!
Girl friend I am already signed up for more shenanigans next year – bring it on! Can’t wait to do it again 🙂 It says a lot that so many of us who participated want to come back and do it again – it was great “me” time for each of us that quickly became “we” time!!!!!
I like the Sketchy Women with Attitude stencils best. Love to watch you use stencils and gel plates.
Carolyn,
I have been signed up to your newsletter for a year but don’t remember receiving notice of this retreat? Please be sure I. Hear about September 2018 in time to register. Thanks so much. It looks wonderful.
It looks like you ladies hadn’t a wonderful weekend, enjoying the chance to try out and play with new ideas, and products and the chance to meet and learn new techniques together and from each other. If only I lived near enough, I would love to have been able to join in too.
The photos are gret thank you for sharing them.
Warmest best wishes from France.
Susanne
I t certainly looks like a lot of fun! I just love how creativity stimulates more creativity!!!