23 hours, 49 minutes...and counting!

Oh my goodness! Tomorrow is the big day! We can’t believe it! If you could see the store right now you would all be giddy with excitement! There is so much going on and so many busy hands making it all happen. Thank you to each and everyone of you!
Since we are a day away we want to send a quick note regarding what to bring and how much of it to bring. =)
For the Isle Carnival Make N Take portion you will only need very basic supplies: Tape Adhesive, scissors and a small paper trimmer. That’s it. =) Oh, and a festive, spunky disposition!
For the event if we could keep rolling totes to a minimum that would be great. We suggest your basic tool box and an over the shoulder bag to carry your projects.
Okay, now that we’ve covered that we would like to introduce you to a very special person who will be a vendor at the Isle Carnival.
Here she is to introduce herself – Please be sure to stop by to see her work!
My name is Kathy Simonetta, and I’m seventeen years old. Just you’re typical teen, and by typical I mean typical Jonas-Brother-loving (yes I did say the Jonas Brothers), accident- prone, romantic-at-heart, teenager. I attend Brea Olinda High School and I’m in the eleventh grade. I have one sister who I live with. Despite what it may seem like, my life hasn’t always been this picture perfect. My background and childhood definitely had its ups and downs and so has my present. My mom became really sick and it was my sister who really stepped up and literally supports me now and everything I do, I’m not sure that I’d be anywhere if it wasn’t for her.

Art is something that has consumed my life in such a way that – if I were to be separated from it – I would never, ever be the same; a beautiful side to my personality would wilt, simply die without it. I can say with assurance, that it is the one thing nobody has ever had to correct me on, which is big when most of a kid’s life is spent being told no. If I had to describe what I do I would say my art is very realistic with a symbolic kind of twist, which in a way, contorts its realism. Meaning, that all my art has symbolism in it. I believe in looking at things from as many perspectives as possible; the more obscure, the better. I am beyond amazed at how many people have responded to my pieces being out there.

Never once did I dream that it would ever be as big as it’s getting to be. I will never loose sight of the root and heart of my art, and I promise that I will never take what everyone has given me for granted. My ultimate goal is to impact someone’s life in the same way that my friends and family have impacted me. If I can do that – with art especially – than I will know that I have not wasted my gift.
Thank You to everyone, including my sister, Karen Erickson, my friends, my second family the Sandovals, and everyone who saw my art for what it was, and not my age.

“...those who dream by night in the dusty recesses of their minds wake in the day to find that it was vanity; but the dreamers of the day are dangerous men, for they may act out their dreams with open eyes, to make it possible...” – unknown

"my intention as an artist is to never let a good idea die. the difference between an artist, of any kind, and a regular person, of the regular kind, is that an artist will never let go of something, and a person will. art feeds on festering emotion” - unknown

sneak peek!

of the cover of the book that we'll be making together in my class! my husband and i are excited to roam around our beautiful hotel with you, snapping away photos and discussing photography along the way! when we get back to the class, i will help you put together this book with some of my favorite supplies!
-hero arts
-bella blvd
-heidi grace
-my little shoebox
-making memories
-cosmo cricket
-creative cafe
let me know if you have any questions! and if you wanted to pop in and answer the little photo post from a few weeks ago, please do, i will still check it :)
thanks!
Jamie

Four Days and Counting....

and I'll be in California! I'm getting so excited to travel to Newport beach, meet everyone, and do a little scrapbooking!

I've had a couple questions about my class projects, so I thought I'd share the answers here in case anyone else was wondering too.

Yes, you could easily complete the layouts without photos if you wanted to save them for an upcoming occasion.

Yes, the designs could easily be converted to 8.5" x 11" size. Or any size!

Any other questions? I'd be glad to help you prepare!

I cropped the photos of my projects a little to share some more peeks.....

Can't wait to meet everyone! Hope these help you decide on photos and get you pumped up to make some fun layouts!

Shannon Tidwell

shannontidwell@mac.com

I am....

"I am...." is the title of the mini album that I will be teaching at Reflections. 

And while I don't want to give it all away right now...

I am.... excited to show you a few more sneak peeks.

And...

I am.... excited to share with you a few of my favorite products/tools that we will be using in my class!

And most of all....

I am.... super excited to be there next week with all of you!! 

We are going to have soooooo much fun!! I can't wait!!

Check..check..

Kits are 99% done...check

Books are "zuttered"....check

Cookies baked...not yet!

Hello Reflections...This time next week,

I will be teaching,

you will be creating and

all will be well.

I officially finished kitting about an hour ago..well, with a few last minute things to do...and I wanted to give a big THANK YOU shout out to Bazzill Basics, EKSuccess/Martha Stewart and Zutter for helping me create such a wonderful project!

I also want to suggest to those of you who can to make sure and join me at the "Get Ready Crop" on Thursday night...In fact, I highly suggest that you do...we will be using LOTS of Glossy Accents on the embellishments for this project, and if you come on Thursday night...then on Friday, they will be all dry and ready to add to your project!!!

see you in FIVE days....

Fun...

Hello. Hello.
Just wanted to drop in here to tell you guys how excited I am that Reflections is less than two weeks away!!! Can you believe the class we've been waiting for for the last year (seems like) is just around the corner?! YAY! It's going to be so much fun I can hardly stand it. :) My projects are done and the anticipation is just building up. So to keep your excitement flowing I have a few sneaks today. I certainly hope you like what you see. I can't stop saying how much fun I had creating the projects for my class. I am thrilled to be able to share how to recreate them.



I've had a few emails about my class theme and the photo strip photos, so I thought it would be best to share a photo of what I did. The theme will be reflecting on ourselves. Make sure your pictures are of you. For more details see THIS POST
Here my example...


And one more sneak just for fun!

Can't wait to meet all of you wonderful ladies!
xoxoxoxo
Mara-May*

Yesterday's Travels

Introducing "Yesterday's Travels", a twelve page mini album devoted to details and a vast array of new techniques and ideas. It's time to get started on "Yesterday's Travels", so take a moment and select the vacation you want to share..the journey will soon begin at Reflections '09. Two weeks and counting....

Artistic Bliss at Reflection's Isle Carnival

We can't believe that in less than two weeks it will be time for Reflections! We are so excited and if the weather is anything like it is this weekend it will be pure BLISS. Speaking of bliss, we wanted to introduct you to Kim Caldwell. She is the owner of Artistic Bliss and she will selling her hand made, one of a kind totes at our Isle Carnival.









She will have a new summer line out and each one is a limited edition. There will only be 6 of each style made. You are going to love them!



You can find out more about them on her website.

We've Found Paradise

Hi Everyone,

The countdown is on and we hope you are as excited as we are for Reflections. We were walking the grounds today and really just felt a sense of peace and total relaxation being at the Hyatt. It is such a beautiful place. We hope everyone will really make it a true getaway and stay there. To make it even more special if you are staying at the hotel we will put you in a drawing to win a complimentary dinner for 2 at Sol Restaurant. We hope that even if you are local you will stay at the hotel and really make it a total get a way. Just think of how relaxed you’ll feel if you don’t go home and feel like you have to do laundry, clean up, make lunches, etc. As an incentive for the local girls we are going to have another RAK for staying at the hotel. If you are staying at the hotel any night you will be entered to win a complimentary Sunday brunch for 2. These certificates do not need to be used at the event so you can bring a loved one back for a special night or afternoon out. We have eaten at the restaurant and the food is delicious!

You don’t need to do a thing to be entered except book a room at the Hyatt. We will cross reference our registration with the room registration.
A special room rate has been negotiated for this event with the Newport Hyatt Regency. To get the event pricing of $139 a night, reserve your room today and enter the following code in the Group/Corportate box: G-SCRI

Sol Restaurant
Crisp, airy décor sets the perfect backdrop for the mouth-watering cuisine offered at our signature restaurant, Sol. Dine al fresco under the stars or start your day soaking up the sun in the solarium style dining room of our Newport Beach CA restaurant. Our menu reflects the eclectic mix of cultures in Southern California using the finest in fresh produce to offer inventive dishes with unexpected twists. Join us for a delectable breakfast, satisfying lunch, superb dinner or sumptuous Sunday Brunch and enjoy a dining experience second-to-none in our very versatile restaurant in Newport Beach, CA.

Sol Restaurant - New Dinner Menu

Sunday Brunch
Indulge yourself with a relaxing weekend brunch. For just $24.95, our top-notch chefs will craft a sweet and savory breakfast buffet of dishes including Cinnamon French Toast or Savory Beef Medallions with Rustico Sauce, and of course, a create-your-own omelet station. Linger all morning – it’s just $5 more for unlimited champagne or mimosas.

Sol Restaurant - New Sunday Brunch Menu

Prix Fixe DiningSavor a delicious three-course feast with our $35 prix fix menu option. Enjoy options with each course, including dishes like Seared Crab Cake with Avocado, Tomato Relish and Red Pepper Aioli, Chilean Sea Bass with Red Beet Risotto and of course, a luscious Warm Molten Chocolate Cake with Vanilla Honey Bee ice cream. Each meal also includes a complimentary glass of our signature Robert Mondavi wine, a Hyatt exclusive blend.

Reflections Retreat is honored to welcome Scrapbook Royalty to our event. Scrapbook Royalty is a non-profit organzation dedicated to raising money and awareness for other charities through unique scrapbooking and crafting events. They will be hosting a silent auction to benefit the American Heart Association on Friday night at the Isle Carnival. Did you know that heart disease is the #1 killer among women? Click here for more facts about women and cardiovascular disease. Along with some great auction items that we have collected from manufacturers, we are asking Reflections participants to be a part of this special silent auction by bringing a handmade item for us to auction off. This is optional and everything handmade is welcome! Minibooks, jewelry, pottery, paintings, set of cards, skies the limit! To help us with checking items in, it would be helpful to have a description and value ahead of time. These can be emailed to info@scrapbookroyalty.org. We will prepare auction bidding sheets and assign you a number so that when you arrive, you can just drop your item off. We are happy to take items at the event as well! We know you are all creative souls and we can't wait to see how much we can raise from your "works of heart!" Whoever's item raises the most money will be crowned Queen of Crafts and presented with a Tiara and gift.

photography class input :)

Hi there! I cannot believe how quick time has gone by! We are so excited to get to Newport already! :)

I have a few questions for you guys who will be in the photography class.
A: Do you shoot manual?
B: Does your camera have manual capabilities?

And if you could rank in order of importance, it will greatly help us:

- composition
-lighting
-learning your camera
-perspective
-post processing

Thank you! If you have any questions, please post them here. Again, we'd love your input. We know that the range will be broad so if we could get an idea of where you're at, it'd help us plan better!
:)

Jamie

Look What Rolled Up ...

The biggest delivery ever arrived today and it's all for Reflections attendees! Wow! There is no other way to say it except we are beyond excited! ...

Get your camera's out...or dig through your photo boxes!

Reflections 2009 Student Photo List

Stephanie Ackerman

Photos
2 - photos that can be trimmed to measure 2 ¾ x 3 ¼. (back of page one)
1 - photo trimmed to measure 2 ¾ x 4 (front flap page 2)
3- 4 x 6 photo ( front & back of page 2, trim to fit tag)
1 - 4 ¼ x 2 ½ (Tag page)

Collage – 1- 5 ¾ x 2 ¾
1- 3 ¼ x 3 ¼
1- 2 ½ x 3 ¼
1 - 2 ¼ x 3 (a to z page)
1 - 3 ½ x 5 (back)

Photos for Right Side Flip
1 - 3” x 2 ¼
1 – 2 ¾ x 4
1 – 3 ½ x 3
1 – 3 ½ x 3 ½

Jamie Waters

2x3 photo (color or b/w is fine) of you with camera or you just by yourself.

Christine Middlecamp

Thirty 4" x 6" photos (vertical/horizontal) Think about the order in which you want to tell your story

Maggie Holmes-list coming shortly

Shannon Tidwell

Photos: six 5x7 (at least 2 should be birthday themed, others can be any theme)
You could also substitute two 4x6 photos for a 5x7 if desired. Bring photos that you want to highlight by making a special page for. Colors should go with the new KI Memories Party, Petal Pop and Baby Cakes papers. Mixture of boy and girl photos best, but any will work.

Melissa Phillips no photo's needed.

Mara May Baca

1 - 4x6 landscape Black and white photo of yourself
3 - 3x10 strips of photobooth black and white photos of themselves. Here is a free download to help http://www.sugarplumpaperie.com/2007/09/07/photo-booth-strips/ ... Mara May cropped off the last photo and all three photos on all three strips are the same picture. You can use different ones if they want. :)

Party with Patterned Paper!

Hi everyone, Shannon Tidwell here! Happy almost Holiday! Hope you have fun plans for the extended weekend. Me....I'm hoping to get a little scrapping done.

I am so excited about the class I've designed for Reflections. If I had to choose one word to describe the layouts....fun. But cheerful would work. Oh, and so would happy. You get the

picture! I love patterns and bright colors and that's exactly what we'll have in this class.

I saw that Susan shared a sneak peek of one of the layouts. Here are a few more...

I don't want to give away too much! Have a great weekend!

Shannon

shannontidwell@mac.com

A Flicker of Fun!

On Friday, May 1st we will have Isle Carnival. What is Isle Carnival you ask? Well, it's a night of fun! Come dressed in Island attire and enjoy make and takes, a silent auction, some delectable treats, and a vendor faire. And speaking of vendor faires one of our favorite jewelry designers, Debbie Flicker will be there. Beautiful, bright colors and fabulous designs. You can check out more of her work in her etsy shop.

Shannon's Patterned Paper Class

Patterned Paper is what it's all about! This is going to be a entertaining class full of bright colors and wonderful KI Memories Patterned Paper...lots of it! We'll give center stage to the papers and make amazing pages. you will complete six
12"x12" layouts each with fun ideas you can take home and apply to your projects. So, let's put a little color (and pattern) in your life!

Jennifer, a 2002 Creating Keepsakes Hall of Famer, has been scrapbooking and stamping since about 2002. Her designs and page layouts have been published in Creating Keepsakes magazines and idea books, Scrapbooks Etc., Autumn Leaves "Designing With” books and several other publications. Her work can be seen each month in CK's Tool Time column, where Jennifer shows the many things you can do with one tool or product. She also writes a bi-monthly article for CreatingKeepsakes.com. A book based on these articles, “101 Things To Do With Your Scrapbook Supplies,” was released in June 2007 from Creating Keepsakes.
And avid rubber stamper, she frequently includes stamping techniques in her scrapbook designs. She also contributes design ideas to the Hero Arts catalogs and website.
Jennifer, who left a job as an engineer to scrapbook full time from her home in Cincinnati, also enjoys traveling around the world teaching stamping classes. Her family includes her husband Ken, step-daughters Kay and Audrey, and son, Colin.

We really wanted Jennifer to be part of Reflections and she did too, but due to scheduling conflicts she couldn't make it. BUT, she offered to design a make and take for us and Jamie Waters graciously offered to teach it for her. Jennifer always includes great techniques that can be used over and over again. We know you will learn something you can use over and over again.

Be sure to check out Jennifer's blog for tons of ideas.