"Retreat! Retreat!"

No finer words were ever spoken to a crafter, am I right?

I joined the lovely Kim Enck, Creative Memories Consultant, at her semi-annual Scrapbooking Retreat at Purity Springs Resort in East Madison, NH, this past weekend.  Oh, I was so thankful for the long stretch of dedicated time to work on some of my paper crafting projects.  

In preparation of the excursion, I packed up just about my entire Sizzix die-cutting tool table so my fellow Retreaters could enjoy these wonderful, inspiring products that I'm blessed to be able to work with every day.  A few extra trips to the car, and I was loaded with Sizzix crafty goodness to share with our group.

After a full-on scrapping on Friday & Saturday, we woke up early to a winter wonderland at Tecumseh Lodge on Sunday morning.  It was an inspiring sight, especially for those working on their holiday layouts ~

The most memorable part of the weekend?  Escorting our furry visitor from the second floor of the lodge and out the front door.  The text from Nancy Stearns, barricaded upstairs with her roommates read, "Help! Just tried to leave room and a big fat raccoon was there!!!! HELP!"   

First priority of a scrapbooker in this situation?  Get a photo, of course!  Meghan Harriman did not disappoint ~

I recently added the Sizzix Big Shot Pro Accessory - Solo Platform, Shim & Wafer Thin Die Adapter to my tool collection and, BOY, did they make an incredible addition to the versatility of the Sizzix Big Shot Pro die-cutting machine.  With the {new} adapter pad, we worked with the Big Shot Pro non-stop all weekend.

We used the full selection of Sizzix dies through it, including Karen Burniston's "Pop 'N Cuts," Tim Holtz's "On The Edge," as well as Framelits and Sizzlits, not to mention the wide spectrum of Sizzix Bigz Dies I had on hand to share.  By the end of the weekend, even the Sizzix Textured Impressions and Texture Fades Embossing Folders were getting a workout through the Sizzix Big Shot Pro!

Here are a just few examples of some creative works that we were able to personalize with all those beautiful die-cuts:

Melanie Sperry's double-page layout, using both the
positive AND negative from the die cut of
Sizzix "On The Edge - Tree Line" die by Tim Holtz

Debbie Moores' cover page is grounded with her die-cut
from Sizzix "Bigz Pro Die - Square, Ornate"

These little dandies kept me busy on Sunday with customizing
cards from die-cuts from
Sizzix "Pop 'n Cuts" by Karen Burniston

Left - Right: Kim Enck, Laurel Lee Pollard, Melanie Sperry
Front: Debbie Moores

As many of you know, Creative Memories is finalizing a reorganization process. I'm happy to announce that Kim Enck remains committed to the company that has brought so many of her creative friends together over the years.  She will be helping to launch the newly-introduced Ahni & Zoe by Creative Memories Collection throughout her Gorham, Maine-based area in 2014.

I can't wait to see "in-real-life" what creative options Kim Enck will be offering scrapbookers here in Southern Maine, can you?  Let me know what you think of the Ahni & Zoe preview.  Is it something you're considering to use to preserve your treasured memories in the coming year?

** Want more from New England Paper Crafts?  Find me on the web from your favorite creative social media site.  I share creative tidbits on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and Instagram - I invite you to join me there!

Happy Day, Laurel

Laurel Lee Pollard, Online Publisher, Promoter

New England Paper Crafts
"Ensuring the inspiring world of paper crafts continues to bloom."

www.NewEnglandPaperCrafts.com

Let's connect!  Find me at:

Facebook / Twitter / Pinterest / Instagram