WOW! Have I got a story to tell you!!!
So a long time ago, I received a fb message from the lovely
Meredith Treloar asking if I'd like to teach at their retreat the following year in March. Now I had no idea what
Escape 2 Create was about so I did a bit of a FB stalk (as you do) and I discovered that it was AMAZING!!! So I said "Sure" (lol along with a little happy dance!) and the wait began. It was a big secret for a really long time and then finally
Amanda Hall (Meredith's partner in crime!) made the announcement on FB.
One of the most exciting elements of the weekend was that I would be joined by three other truly talented teachers.
and
What an AMAZING trio!
Getting to know them was the highlight of the weekend!
I had a great support network with
Kaszazz and
2Crafty Chipboard coming to the party as my sponsors and I designed a Layout that would suit all skill levels and incorporated the use of Gelatos to create the background. (no trimmers allowed!)
My class was up first, which I thought was a bad thing but then soon realised it was the best thing. It was all over in no time and I sat back and enjoyed the rest of the weekend creating. I didn't make much to be honest but I laughed heaps and I did all the classes. Walking around the shed, I couldn't believe the amazing interpretations of my class! They seriously rocked. The colour combinations were awesome. The size differences were so clever and I loved the way people were able to take my idea and make it their own. One example is from
Mardi Winen. this girl has some serious talent!
It is so humbling seeing other amazing artists interpret your ideas!.
Over the weekend we also set ourselves a "Neon" challenge inspired by Leanne's neon thread she purchased earlier in the day at Cheap as Chips. I channelled my inspiration from the talented Louise Nelson and I also tried something new!
A 12"x6" sized layout! Now there's a first!
I didn't have any neons AT ALL only the thread Leanne had given me so I begged stole and borrowed from
Leonie Neal-Dawson her Hero Arts spray and some white house paint in a needle nose bottle! Inspired by
Mal Gardner and her "Just do it" attitude!
This LO took over 12 hours to create ( I kept getting distracted by my wine!) but it all came together ok in the end LOL!
I thoroughly enjoyed the classes. Well, I can say that now, but at the time ...... I was freaking out!! Not with Kim's class. Her's was up my alley but with Leanne and Chantalle ...... OMG!!!
This was taken during Leanne's class ( a picture tells a thousand words). How do they do this????? Oh my she is one very talented chicky! This is what she taught me .....
Clean and straight (well sort of) scrapping in an A4 size. I LOVE IT! I am now totally addicted to the
Bella BLVD papers!
I only managed to make two layouts instead of the three that were in the kit because I stressed so much with the trimming! which in the end Chantalle did for me so I would shut up LOL! These girls just whip up these creations in their sleep! AMAZEBALLS!
Next up was Kim's class. I was so excited to be learning new techniques from her, she has been an inspiration to me for a very long time and I couldn't believe I would be not only meeting her but teaching alongside her.
I had so much fun with this!!! This was more my style and the
Basic Grey papers were to die for!
Last in line was the adorably zany Chantalle. Her class required FUSSY CUTTING! and folding and a great amount of measuring but I was determined to get through it with no tears or blood.
Making the little puffy sticker triangles was the highlight of Chantalle's class for me and her explanation of "They need to be 'Hellllo' but not that stiff!" was definitely the quote of the weekend!
I met so many fabulous and talented people that you see online but have never actually get to meet in real life. They are all as beautiful and talented as I imagined. One of the highlights was meeting and chatting to
Louise Nelson. This lady has inspired me and influenced my style from the very start. Meeting her was a dream come true. I was pretty star struck to tell you the truth but I discovered very quickly that Lou is one of the funniest and kindest people I have met. Her talent is just an added bonus!
All weekend we laughed. So hard in fact that my stomach muscles ached. The food was amazing (thank you Tony) and everyone was super friendly. I just hope I can push that send button at just the right time for next year!
Can't wait to do it all again one day!
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