Friday, July 19, 2013

2013 Creativity Retreat

 

Another wonderful Creativity Retreat this summer at 

Ritter Ranch Retreat Center 

(www.ritterranchretreat.com)

here in Hereford, Arizona!  

I think this year's retreat was a much needed respite from a very busy, often stressful, year for most of us.  

Here are a few pics of each of our projects:


Our creative apron designer ~
Paper-pieced Tumbling Block Baby Quilt in Progress
Hand-Embroidered Quilt for 1st Grandbaby

Beautiful Vintage Scrapbooking
 
Scarf with Lovely Crocheted Roses

First Time Quilter - Nine Patch (I think she's hooked!)


Crocheted Granny Square Afghan in Soft Heather Colors

Our most unique creator - working on handmade window blinds - practically an engineering project!

First Quilt Block Ever! 
Tada!  Completed Baby Quilt!
Hard at work on the vintage aprons ~

 
Red Work Quilt for First Grandbaby - pin basted & ready to quilt
German Paper Cutting - "Scherenschnitte" 


If you are hosting any sort of creativity retreat, whether it be quilting, scrapbooking, crocheting, beading...whatever...here are some activities, gifts, etc. that I used at this year's retreat.



Name cards for the meal table

Welcome Paper Pouches (sewn together) containing miniature M&Ms (put on each plate, first night of the retreat

Sewn Paper Pouches containing a crocheted heart bookmark, with a quote about reading printed & glued onto the cover

I used 5x5 inch scrapbook paper for each pouch
Cute as a Button Card with an Icebreaker Question on the back


Just for Fun - candy glued onto card with sewing clip art and a corresponding scripture verse.

Each retreater got a water bottle with an attached paper pouch holding an energy drink powder (Shaklee "cinch" drink mix).  I glued a vintage sewing clip art onto each pouch.

Printed off a bunch of "-ment" scripture verses (accompaniment, enablement, bereavement, abandonment, etc.), then inserted them into a little vintage library card pouch, along with two Andes mints.


Quilt Word Scramble Game

Ladies were given 5 minutes to list everything they might possibly create using the items on this page.

Each attendee received this little plastic bag containing a crocheted facial scrubbie and a fragrant boxed soap.  I used a tiny doily with sewing clip art to finish off the top.

For breakfast one morning, each lady had this on her plate - a printed tea bag holder with chai tea bag inside, along with a crocheted "mug rug".

Quilting Bingo using Buttons for markers. (I used words associated with creativity for the quilt block cards.)   



Made little pouches using old shirt sleeve cuffs.
Scripture verse I used for the pouch containing "Laffy Taffy".




For our Creativity Inspiration at every meal, each one of us read a chapter out of this book: "Create: Stop Making Excuses and Start Making Stuff" by Stephen Altrogge.  Great Stuff in this little book regarding the need for more creativity in our lives - from a Biblical viewpoint.

I do hope this little peek into our Creativity Retreat has inspired you all to attempt a similar getaway weekend with a few of your creative friends!

HAPPY CREATING, EVERYONE!