how good was it?

Like Cassie said, it was an excellent retreat. I know I really, really, actually RELAXED so this retreat certainly lived up to its name. Thanks again everyone for making the whole retreat hassle-free and enjoyable for all. What a great group we have.


Clearly I was too busy on Friday night enjoying myself to take any photos. So this was the first one out of the camera - misty Saturday morning. How's the serenity?Things were hotting up again by the afternoon though - a flurry of refreshments in preparation here girls?
As always the wildlife was stunning for anyone who ventured outside the scraproom.
Or even in the scraproom. Look at this cute little froggy who wanted to join in under our table!
Here's Cassie in action scrapping her beautiful shepherd boy. No red pen in sight, just a bottle of red wine there.Missed it by that much. The sunrise on Sunday morning - if I hadn't stopped by the fridge for a snack upon rising (did I stop eating at all? Did anyone??) I would have caught the pink sky but at 6.05am things actually change very quickly.
Sweet little Zacharry enjoyed all the attention - no wonder he didn't have many daytime naps with so many ladies to love him up.
I don't think we have every seen Chaverim so green - we even brought the rain with us for a few brief sun showers.
And here we are for our compulsory group shot - what a bunch of hotties!!!
mmm....yeah, I think we might do it again next year!!!!!!!!!!
How many sleeps?

2010

How funny is that!!!
Writing 2010?
But I do have the dates for next year, so pencil them in, and if you want I can even put your name on the list as a "fairly Certain" place. Just email me or comment on the post here.

Drum roll ::::::::::::

April 16 to 18, 2010.

Ok people, I know that I had a wonderful time, as always, however I was a bit ill on Sunday???
Some are saying it wasn't from my flue shot on Friday, (they think it was from the off bottle of wine I was drinking?) but that's my story and I'm sticking to it.

Have a good week.

who is sleeping with who?

or should that be whom?

Once again, pretty much the same as past retreats - just click on my dodgy map to see it properly.

you asked for it

A few ladies have been asking if we could have a map of the scrap room and the accommodation buildings just so that we all know where we are sitting. No worries.
As you can see I have pretty much left everyone in their usual spot and just done some red pen scribbling ;-)

Just click on the pic to make it bigger if you can't see the detail properly.

And if you are squinting at that map in the sidebar and can't quite see how to get there - here's a bigger map of the directions.


I'll be back later with the accommodation mud map.

Numbers Confirmed

Yes P, I'm getting exciting !!!!!
So excited I'm getting into that confused, anxious, horrible mood.
Bring on Friday night drinks girls!!!

I have just updated the names on the blog list and yes I included those sweet girls who have visited my house on several occasions trying to catch me. But let no moss form on this Rolling Stone.

I have just been talking to P and she has had her Green (creative) hat on and has come up with a few challenges. And thanks to Kerry in advance for the donation of Prizes for the few Quick draws we will have. This does not include P's idea of the $10 prize draw.

Have a good week of preparation.
Love
Cassie

3 more sleeps!!!!!

Anyone else getting excited? Or, like me, are you in panic mode wondering what the heck you need to pack and how you are going to get your life organised in time???? Wait, 'get my life organised' - what am I thinking!!!??? As if!

Yes, only 3 more sleeps. I spoke to Geoff out at Chaverim today and he's got Pamela (same cook as last year) working on our menu - I think it is the 'meals served up' that I always get the most excited about!!!!

Have you got a checklist going on? Here's mine:

Arriving from 5pm. Check.
Supper for Friday night. Check.
Sheets/blanket/pillow/towel/PJs/trackie dacks/other clothes/slippers/toiletries. On the list.
Gift sorted for swap. Check.
BYO drinks. Check.
Chocolate. Check.
Scrap supplies sorted. On the list. (although I am afraid that this might also be in the 'get life organised' category!!!)
ummm...what else...??????


If any of the things I have put in that list there are confusing you, have a read of some of the recent posts or send one of us an email so we can set you straight.

I'm going to put my mobile number up here if anyone needs to contact me from Friday afternoon onwards. If I don't answer, try again or send a text (I never listen to my voicemail messages so don't even bother leaving one). 0458366676


3 more sleeps!!!!!!!!!!


One last thing.....there is some construction work going on out at Chaverim and there is the possibility that we may not be able to drive our cars up close to the scrap room - be prepared for a bit of a trek.....

list updated and decisions made

For those of you checking the list to see who is coming on the retreat, it has now been updated. Thank you all those ladies who paid the remainder today - it really does make our job so much easier. We still have a few people who need to get in touch with us by the end of the week with payment - please send an email to Cassie to let her know what/how you are paying (mcthorne@bigpond.net.au). You can also see there are some places at the bottom of the list there - we have a few people who are undecided or who still haven't given us any money yet so if that could be sorted by the end of the week that would be greatly appreciated.

Chatting to a few retreat-goers at Simply Crafty this afternoon (love the new venue!!!) we've sorted a few organisational things. In regards to the prizes - thank you everyone for letting us know that you like the idea of everyone bringing a $10 gift. Instead of using these gifts for prizes, we will now use them for a bit of a gift swap. Bring along your wrapped gift - Cassie is going to get a big sack to put them in and then hand them out Santa style. Sound good? We'll still have some challenges - more like prompts - and I think Cassie might just have a few prizes rattling around somewhere for the competitive ones amongst you ;-)

Friday night. Please feel free to begin arriving on the Friday night from around 5pm onwards. We thought it might be nice to have a shared supper so if you are interested in being part of that, please email me (petrinamcdonald@bigpond.com) with a bit of a description so we can get a mix of sweet and savoury to keep us going. I know chocolate is an important part of the essential food groups but really if everyone brings that then we might be in strife. I'll put a list here so you know what everyone is bringing.


Petrina. (hot pumpkin soup and crusty bread)
Carol & Debbie (a most delightful cheese/nibbles platter)
Bev (meatballs and dipping sauce)
Kathie & Jo-Anne (quiche/chicken wings)
Ann (something delecta-ma-ble from the cheesecake shop)
Andrea H (rice based pizza slice)
Linda (sandwiches)
Annemarie (salad and cold meat platter)
Danielle (banana muffins)
Rachael (dip and camembert, and a sweet, yummy slice)
Dilys (fruit platter)
Cassie (lasagne)

bit of a long post that - sorry!!!
....and because it would be a sad post without a photo.....have you all seen this layout Ann did after last year's retreat? It's in the current issue of SC. Now we can feel the famousness ;-)