CU in StudioJ - "Mayberry"

During my resting period this weekend I wanted to take advantage of our FAB FEB promo in StudioJ to create an album remembering my incredible four-day weekend at Camp Lutherhaven nestled on the gorgeous Lake Coeur d'Alene, ID. where we had our 4th annual Creative University. 

As promised I wanted to do a write-up so to speak about my experiences at CU and what it means to me.  Sometimes there is an experience soooo inexplicable that one can only tell it by showing a story or series of pictures.  I want to start out by expressing a HUGE Thank You and pay homage to Tresa Black for bringing this Ah-Mazing event each year. There is a lot of work that goes into putting on such an memorable retreat.  Just a small list of things that she preps for and I could never imagine matching this Uniquely Fabulous Multi-Tasker; Planning: Now to some planning entails details. Every last one of them were Fabulous from the Communications with CU attending members to a blog resource and newsletters. That is just the information portion....then there is the Theme: CU 2011 had an awesome theme "WINGS" how to spread our wings of inspiration, this was demonstrated in a group project by the attendees which I'm so excited to see how that turns out.  (This project was a collaboration of a "Twinchie") Of course colors that also go into the Logowear.  

This year the color scheme was Red, Black, White, and Grey. These were also done in our Handmade gift bags that were all sewn by Tresa's hand (A wonderful piece I treasure each year), If that weren't enough we have a charm swap we do that was incredibly led by Erin Grotegut who was also our jewelery class instructor this year where we learned and created handmade bobble necklaces...can I say ADORABLE. Then more classes; Oh My all the classes are INCREDIBLE!  I can only imagine the work it takes to arrange, organize, create, and make 55+ kits with these CU Instructors this year and Tresa even did an awesome schedule rotation based on Sororities, I was in Megha Inka; Friday- We had the Card Boutique until the Student assembly ran by: Sheila Bennett, and Donna Smith. Can I interject here how FABULOUS these gift card and sentiment cards were soooo full of awesomness.  Then after our Student assembly that is when I got to take Erin's class for the necklace. Saturday morning was so much fun taking a scrabooking class learning how to make ribbon flowers and tacky glue with Nona Davenport I loved learning how to use the pleated ribbon in such a fast easy way. After lunch I was able to retreat into a wonderful Altered clipboard class with Denise Anderson-Turley, this was one of my FAV's because Christina assisted in contributing to my Ribbon Frenzy addiction.  (One I didn't know I had till now!) Then it was Chrissy Dunham's class which I found very interesting in using vintage combined with Fabric in scrapbook lay-outs. I'm not a very good stitcher or sewer for that matter but Chrissy made it all seem so easy and I have to thank her for my new border punch infatuation. :)  Of course one of my last-classes of the CU season 2011 was Jen Royal's Bookmark corner card.  Now how ingenious was this...a great gift idea and especially for those who LOVE to read. 

Now, try to imagine for only but a moment what it takes to co-ordinate, organize, create and multi-task all of these elements into a Fabulous four-day weekend.  Uhm....Okay I know I couldn't do it but that is all apart of why CU is so dearly apart of my annual schedule come rain or shine or even after a nice ER visit prior to my departure and coming home to learning I was in a serious state of medical crisis. Nothing can hold me back from this endearing weekend.  There is so much more to CU then just the above that I don't know how to share it all at once...so what I did as the Doctor ordered this weekend was relaxed and created some StudioJ lay-outs that I wanted to share.  I was not able to get in all the photos that I wanted nor did I get some of the class photos I wanted in either.  However, I'm safe enough to share our CU blog so you can visit the secret class pictures and read a lil about them or even visit some of the links above in the Instructors to see what they've posted.

One part of CU that is my favorite is the "Friendships"!  Each year becomes more endearing then the one before.  Not only are there so much talent and different unique stories behind each individual we all have one thing in common and that is our love of crafts, some seriously needed relaxation and down-time to just create for ourselves.  This common thread if you can imagine is like a silk diamond spindle to me; delicate, unique, and utterly priceless. So without further ado I share some of my CU StudioJ memories of CU 2011 with you: 

Each page has a story for me...I can not wait to put it in my Cranberry Faux Leather Album that should arrive within the next 3 days. I don't know about you but if I were a betting lady I would say if you have the time and start saving today that next year I just may be able to CU at CU 2012!  

Home SaWEET... Home!

What an incredible weekend I had at Creative University - Create U 2011. What an amazing adventure of memories that I'm blessed to treasure...
I would love to spend time writing a total and complete recap but as my cherished mentor Tresa Black says; "secrets are hard" though my response is "Secrets are fun".  It is going to be a treat to share this experience in segments since I'm only just beginning to get all of my photos uploaded and unpacked from these last 6 days. I want to start of with our CU 2011 Class photo compliments of Chrissy Dunham and a couple of photo shots of the gorgeous scenery that embraced us all. 

What an Incredible Group of Ladies to share such an experience with I tell you with the deepest of gratitude for everyone's contribution to this event.  Tresa puts in so many months, hours, time, and I don't know how in the world she does it!  What I do know is that I cherish every coming year just to be here with these ladies.

So last year in 2010 I took a stunning photo in this exact same spot.  Each day this year I went to that particular spot just to see what they would look like without any editing or anything as the photos I will post are raw un-touched or modified. The scenery is not the same of course because Mother Nature has in store a different experience for us all.  Just as breathtaking is the embraceable surroundings. 

So this is the jewelry I was able to create, swap, gifted, and I'm in LOVE with the nesting rings that Wendy created for me. Very touching in deed!  She is sooo talented I could cry.  There are little pieces in all of these pieces that are such treasures I just couldn't live without a single one of them.  Each has a personal touch from one of our CU students that were created with a touch of heART.  Even the gorgeous flower Tresa created for the helpers and Instructors are amazing. (I will have to take a close-up for another post of my adventure)

 This is the part that I can't get enough of CU!  The Logo wear, the roomie gifts, gifts from Friends I only get to see once a year, swaps from other amazingly talented women, Classes I get to create from (which were absolutely amazing!), and sooo much more...PRECIOUS MEMORIES to share.  

Ohh....Three more that I just can't help but share....

Yes!!! That's me covered in Ribbon...I couldn't help myself because this lovely endearing CU Sista Christina helped me in my ribbon dilemma with her HUMONGOUS (yes that is my word, lol) ribbon box to finish off my altered clipboard project (you can see Denise hard at work on the paper flowers behind us. 

I can not take credit for the ribbon placements or the creation of the adorable piece after it was finished as Christina added her touch and with a Crop-A-Dile no less (It does cut through the clipboard like "Butta" she says; just randomly punched holes at the top with ribbon combinations, double knotted & of course I will have a piece of her creative touch with me always.  You can see the end result below...isn't it GORGEOUS!? 

So this ends today's post about CU 2011.  These are just a couple of the reasons why I go and mark it on my calendar every year.  I don't even have a fraction of what I received this year in these photos.  I can't wait to take some individually.  I will be writing about the impact of what CU does for me personally and why it is such an intricate part of my annual schedule on my next post, till then Thank You for Stamping by. 

Creative University 2010!!! What An Amazing Experience...

(Click The Slideshow To View From Site Full Screen) 
Creative University 2010 was absolutely AMAZING!  Now bare with me here because I meant to blog about this from the moment I have gotten home...however, I have had so many requests to at least put something up I must mention that I had forgotten Kristy's creative charm in one of the pics because it was still attached to my name tag & My Creative project from Nona's class is in the works so I will readd them to the slideshow when I'm complete.


My Creative U Story:
CU 2009 I was ready & geared up to go, however, I ended up going to Whitefish for a family vacation so I couldn't fit it in.  By the graciousness of Tresa Black CU who hosts these annual events for the last 3 years (you can click on her name for the official CU Site) saved me a spot in our 2010 Class.  I can't thank her or any of the talented and extraordinary women who I had the treasure & pleasure to spend the weekend with enough.  Truly it was incredible.  The food was out of this world YUMMY!  Our logo wear as you can see I'm in LOVE with.  The projects and free time teaching that was done by some very talented women was just an added bonus of their time in sharing what they love to do as a hobby.  Which I have to thank them for adding another thing to my budget but also giving me wide vision to the art world. ;)  The cabins were cozy although I don't think I sat down nor really slept all that much because I was too stinking excited to even describe this fully.  Keep in mind I have not left my home in months till this event!


I just want to express a deep heartfelt gratitude for all these incredible Women that I feel honored, blessed and above all a gift they have given me by spending this time with them.  They helped me overcome fears that I didn't want or feel I was ready to grip right now.  Well all I have to say is that I don't think I ever felt so much calm, peace, serenity, SAFETY, Love, Adoration, and many other adjectives that come flowing to my mind until I had this experience.  Nearly took me back to when I traveled to San Antonio for one of our CTMH Regional Celebrations in Nov of 08.  Only this was so much more different to me.  


I'm not very good with this whole blogging thing but I did my best with the photos I wanted to get up quickly and kinda put a spin on the happenings within the slideshow.  I will say this much I'm without a doubt going to be there next year!  This is something I will never miss ever again.  Only this time I'm going to be there on Thursday so I can take full ultimate advantage of the entire weekend.  


A Sincere thank You to Tresa, Nona, Bren, Denise, Erin, and Dawn for the extras and the classes.  What I learned was awesome & I wouldn't trade it for the world.  I also learned how to be organized in teaching a large group of people as these women know how to do it best!  Thank You! Thank You!  As we all say current and hobbyist alike....You're all have touched my heart & changed my life.  Creative University is Close To My Heart at it's finest!  My hats off for everyone who was there for our class of 2010!  Now scroll down to the bottom of my blog be sure to follow the Creative University blog as the countdown to Class 2011 has already begun. :)  

Various LBC Pics First 48 Hours! & Leadership 2009 Pix!

Just some Kandid photos taken of our first two days...Of course I still have lots more to share...Were headed to the pacific aquarium today! I have to say the delight was the "Rocky Road" Dipped apples from the Chocolate Factory! Incredible...If you have a chance to taste them go for it...2nd best is the funnel cake! 3rd...well stay tunned. :)

So I said to stay tuned...I had to add back to this post as I updated the slideshow to share some of my precious moments with my CTMH Family!

To Judith, Helen, Melissa, Sarita, Tammy, Amy & my many supporters in the CTMH Family...I wished we would of had the chance to meet up with all of you for a photo op. :( I miss you endearingly. I have comfort in knowing that WE'RE on our way to DC 2010...All of my love to you & this was an extrodinary experience for me as I'm sure with all of you. My Heart & My love for all that you have done to contribute to my successes thus far. Moocho HUGS & my hats off to you ladies!

Long Beach CA. Hotel Maya!

No words can expresss that this is a slice of paradise on the cusp of the bay. Hidden away right next to the "Queen Mary" herself. This was just awe inspiring. Can I just say that I will have tons and tons of pictures. I just wanted to throw a couple up and you can tell the view from our King Bay View Suite that we can see the entire Bay area and acrossed at the pike. I love the transport Red Bus free passport that takes you all around Long Beach. Breathtaking views and yes Romantic indeed. So without further ado...I'm off to the cabana at the pool & I will have to take a pic of that as well. Kip laughed and said I needed tanning lotion as I have hidden for the last few months. Surprising though, I may be a ghost but I tink I might get some color added during this trip we shall see.