Digging Deep at Our Cybercrop!

Wow, what a great weekend!  We are having a blast over on our community boards while our first CRAFT retreat is winding down in Santa Monica.  It's not too late to take part, though!  We've got many challenges in our online crop, mirroring what was being done at CRAFT.  Come join us and dig deep.  Here's a peek at what some of the wonderful women have been coming up with in response to our challenge to delve into your inner world...

Connected by Suzanna

Letting Go by Martine

Dear Renee by Nicole

This Moment by iscrap

Be Creative by  Diana

It's not too late if you'd like to join us!  Our challenges for our online crop are open for response until Wednesday!  Please come on over and join us - it's so much fun, and SO rewarding.  Plus, if you like it, maybe you'll stick around and continue to scrap our monthly challenges.  Connect with us! 

CRAFT Beach Retreat Online Crop

Hey Y'all!

(Did you hear that?  My best Paula Deen imitation ever!)

If you are not one of the fortunate who are heading out to beautiful Santa Monica this weekend for our CRAFT Retreat, but you still want to take part, JOIN US over at the Inside Out message boards for our Online Crop.

I can't share here all of the details of what's going to happen at our online crop, but I can tell you there will be plenty of fun to go 'round.  There will be challenges, along the lines of our CRAFT retreat... there will be games... there will be sharing and caring... and the best part? It starts TODAY!

Our CRAFT Beach Retreat Online Crop starts today and will go through next WEDNESDAY so you have plenty of opportunity and time to join us.  Our first game is already up... hurry on over and sign up to play before 10am PT today.  If you don't make it in time for this game, don't worry, our Crop Hostess Melissa has more fun in store - check out her schedule of events on the boards, if you don't believe me.

So, what are you waiting for?  Head on over to our message boards and sign up (it's free) if you haven't already.  Then head on down to our "It's All Fun and Games" section to see our CRAFT Beach Retreat Online Crop forum.  Hop on in and start delving deep!

I really hope to see you there.  While Rachel is actually at CRAFT, we're going to play... you know what the old saying is... "when the cat's away..." 

*grin*

Hope to see you there!

Rachel's Ramblings...CRAFT Updates and Seeking our next Design Team!

Hi there! Hope everyone's week is off to a good start. I had a delightful opportunity to meditate this afternoon at the fantastic Insight LA here in Santa Monica. I'm finding that just half an hour of focusing on my breathing, and especially NOT judging my thoughts really helps me with my day.

We're busy here at SFTIO this week planning the final delightful details of our upcoming CRAFT Beach Retreat, just weeks away. If you've been thinking about joining us, there's still room...just email us at craftbeachretreat@gmail.com and you could be wiggling your toes in the sand in between renewing and transforming your inner world...

Here are the class descriptions and some juicy pics of what's arriving...

What Matters Most Workshop

Amy Tan’s workshop will have you thinking about what matters most in your life, and how to keep those things in focus and balance. She’ll empower you with her
effortless approach to creating from your gut.

Free Your Heart Workshop

Ly T. Le’s mixed media project will give you the opportunity to create a piece of highly dimensional art that will explore what makes you feel free,
and how to access more of that feeling.

Double Agent Workshop

This innovative folder project - a file of thoughts, ideas, hopes, and wishes - with Linda Barber will let you explore the faces you show the world, and the ones you don't. Who are you now and who would you like to be? And how do the two coincide?

3D Vision Workshop

Paige Evans’ workshop will help you process an important life experience by looking at it from the vantage points of before it occurred, while it was happening, and after it was over.
You’ll gain clarity, perspective and inner vision in this most enjoyable workshop.

Bridging the Gap Workshop

Stacy Cohen’s project will prompt you to look at a past accomplishment and apply the skills you developed in reaching your goal to a future dream, bridging the gap from past to future.

 

And then there's the future...oooh. It's Design Team time!

Here's the call!

Scrapbooking from the Inside Out is a monthly kit club, inspiration source and online community. We are holding a Design Team search. Inside Out is a different kind of kit club – we use scrapbooking as a form of self-exploration, self-expression and self-discovery. Our goal is to encourage the use of scrapbooking as a way for us to tap into our deep inner worlds in the midst of our very busy lives. Every month Scrapbooking from the Inside Out creates a kit that uses the freshest supplies along with symbolism that helps scrappers tell their real story. Our industry-exclusive FREE Inspiration Page each month provides a multimedia support system - including deep journaling prompts, a music playlist, quotes, photos and evocative challenges to make tender hearts and creative minds and hands flow.

We will be taking submissions from now through November 11, 2011. Announcements will be made on or before November 18, 2011.

We are seeking talented designers (US and Canada only, sorry!) who are passionate about scrapbooking and personal growth to share in this journey, to add to our team. As a Design Team member, you will serve a critical role in promoting the kits and the website on message boards, the blog, and representing the company where ever you can. We ask that our designers not hold design team positions with any other kit club or online scrapbooking retailer. Manufacturer design team appointments and teaching at your LSS are fine.

As a member of our Design Team, you will be asked to:

1. create 5 self-focused layouts using 80% materials from our kit each month and relating to the theme of the month
2. contribute one monthly article for special content (tips or techniques with step by step photos )
3. participate on our message boards at least 5 days per week
4. design for Inside Out for a 6-month term, beginning on December 1, 2011 (starting with the January 2012 Kit)
5. post your Inside Out LOs as requested by us at scrapbook community sites
6. submit your LOs for publication as requested

All projects made with the kit are yours to keep, and when used in the newsletter or on the website, you will be given full credit. As our designer, you can also submit your own work for publication as long as you give Inside Out proper credit in the contents list.

Your compensation will be:

1. Free monthly kit, including shipping, for kit release months January – June 2012.
2. Paid admission to CHA-Winter in Anaheim (travel and hotel NOT included).
3. Recognition on our website with a link to your blog.
4. Publishing opportunities and featured blog opportunities based on SFTIO partnerships with manufacturers and celebrities.
5. Incredible friendships, publishing opportunities and creative insight into your heart!

To apply, please email the following to scrapbookdesign@aol.com (subject – Design Team):

1. photos of 4 layouts of any size. All 4 projects should be about YOU and your inner world – your thoughts, feelings, dreams, fears
2. links to your online gallery, blog and/or resume, if available
3. your full contact information: name, phone number, email address, and mailing address
4. a short paragraph or two about why you want to be one of our designers – why this concept matters to you
5. a list of your current scrapbooking commitments – other DT work, etc.

We’re a passionate and creative team looking for like-minded people who love to share their thoughts and feelings using our craft and foster a supportive and welcoming community. We look forward to getting to know you!

So are you all in? Let me know!

Love,

Blog Hop and Giveaway…Join Us and Create Your Future at CRAFT!

Welcome to the First Stop on the
CRAFT: Creating Reflective Art for Transformation
Blog Hop!

This event is brought to you by our team at Scrapbooking from the Inside Out, the premier source for inspiration to explore your inner world. Six talented and well-known instructors will be leading creative and meaningful workshops using our generous sponsors’ latest and greatest products at this intimate, boutique event right on the beach in beautiful

Santa Monica, CA, November 11-13, 2011.

(We've had a couple of technical glitches in the hop...please scroll to the bottom of this post to make sure you grab all the links!)

You’ll spend a magical weekend focused on embracing who you truly are and gaining the skills, techniques and tools to use our craft to understand yourself more deeply on an ongoing basis.

Are you just beginning at this blog? Make sure you stop at all the blogs on the list so you don't miss all the project, venue and special event sneak peeks
and your chance to win one of six kits!

If you get lost, a list of all the stops on the hop is at the end of this post.

CRAFT:

Three full days of crafting, creativity and camaraderie for only $450

(three consecutive monthly payments of $150 each.)

Spots are still available for this unique, pampering and heart-expanding getaway.

Register now at the event blog HERE.

WHAT’S INCLUDED:

  • 6 emotion-focused, technique-teaching personal workshops ~ All CRAFTers participate in every class. No need to choose ~ they're ALL yours in CRAFT’s ocean-view,

beautifully styled, creative space

• 4 special Art and Soul experiences

• Scrumptious breakfasts and lunches from Hollywood hot spot Urth Caffe

~ Friday, Saturday and Sunday

• Sweets, treats and beverages all day long

• Transportation from The Ambrose to and from the Annenberg Beach House for all workshops and activities via the CRAFTy Cab

• Oodles of workshop supplies (you’ll just need to bring your basic tool kit – checklist to be provided later)

• A fabulous welcome gift, a CRAFTy tote filled with goodies,

valuable giveaways and fun prizes!

*Lots more details on girls’ night out dinners, airport transportation, location, hotel and event venue and more are available HERE.

For questions, comments and special requests, please email event coordinator

Paige Ramos here.

The Dates:

November 11-13, 2011

The Times:

Workshops from 9-5 each day, broken into two sessions.

WHY SHOULD YOU COME TO CRAFT?

 What really sets CRAFT apart is unique mission of Scrapbooking from the Inside Out, kit club, inspiration source and online community. Thousands of participants all over the world have used SFTIO’s resources to explore their deepest emotions. They’ve lifted themselves and each other exploring Freedom, Gratitude, Anticipation and Wonder. They’ve faced their inner doubts and fears delving into Regret, Yearning, Loss and Vulnerability.

SFTIO’s trademarked and industry-exclusive approach to artistic motivation is the heart and soul of what makes us unique. Our monthly inspiration page with hand-selected music, stock photography, quotations and deep journaling prompts elevates scrapbooking to an expressive art form where members are guided to truly explore their inner worlds.
Click here for links to past Inspiration Pages to see more.

SFTIO raises the bar even more by providing challenges using the prompts that add a design twist, teaching members to use ‘visual journaling’ – powerful symbolism – to combine right and left brain expression. The result? Meaningful, rich, pages and projects that reflect all of who you are, Inside and Out.

CRAFT workshops will incorporate a variety of tested, proven multimedia inspiration tools combined with the special talents and techniques of a stellar teaching staff, supported by Art Therapist Rita Coufal, PhD and Artist/Therapist Joy Mauldin, PhD.

Growth is a journey…not a destination. And it’s a most personal one…only you know what you need out of this experience. In the intimate, supportive setting we've created for you, you’ll have the opportunity to practice being more and more yourself.

Our take on scrapbooking and creativity isn’t about a quick fix, or a set of ‘positive thinking’ reminders. It’s about a deeper approach, telling your truth – pretty or not, looking at both sides of the coin, and leaving our weekend together with the
creative skills and tools to be more fully expressed in your life.

THE INSTRUCTORS:

While you’ll be learning amazing techniques, styles, tips and techniques in every workshop, these are not cookie-cutter sessions – you’ll be challenged to dig deep, learn about yourself and personalize your project to reflect who you are and who you want to be.

American Crafts Design Team and Product Designer
Hambly Screen Prints Design Team

Mixed Media Designer
Copic Certified Designer

Creating Keepsakes Dream Team 2011
Lily Bee Design Team
Jillibean Soup Design Team

Copy/Creative Editor for Northridge Publishing
American Crafts Blog Hostess/Design Team

Founder and President,
Scrapbooking from the Inside Out

Creating Keepsakes Dream Team
2011 Prima Design Team

WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR? REGISTER NOW.

And now for a giveaway!

In celebration of CRAFT, SFTIO is giving away FIVE kits to FIVE lucky readers…make sure to leave a comment (before Noon Pacific Time on 9-15) on each blog you visit in the hop to increase your chances of winning. Tell us please, in your comment, what emotion you’d love to explore in your scrapbooking! Winners will be chosen from all blog comment entries and will be announced on 9-16 on the SFTIO blog.

For your next stop, make sure to check out Stacy Cohen's blog. Good luck and we hope to see you at CRAFT!


Hop List:

SFTIO: http://scrapbookingfromtheinsideout.blogspot.com
Stacy Cohen: http://stacycohen.blogspot.com/
Linda Barber: http://milesofpaper.blogspot.com/
Paige Ramos: http://thebumpyride.blogspot.com 
Amy Tan: http://amytangerine.blogspot.com/
Paige Evans: http://chrisandpaige.blogspot.com/
Tammy Onderdonk Klass: http://createdreamlive.blogspot.com/
Seven Gypsies: http://www.sevengypsies.blogspot.com/
Ly T. Le: http://www.lytlescrapper.com/
Melissa Elsner: http://theprofoundbrunette.blogspot.com
Jillibean Soup: http://www.jillibeansoup.typepad.com/
Rita Barakat: http://letsembellish.blogspot.com/
Kai Baldwin: http://www.enjoytheridetoday.blogspot.com/
CRAFT Blog: http://craftbeachretreat.blogspot.com/

Jump on over to CRAFT: NOV 11-13, 2011 in SANTA MONICA, CA!

Thanks for stopping by! To register for CRAFT please click on the blinkie at the top of the right sidebar to go to the CRAFT Blog...and welcome!

EVENT DATES:
NOVEMBER 11-13, 2011
WORKSHOPS FROM 9-5 EACH DAY
2 SESSIONS EACH DAY = 6 WORKSHOPS
SPECIAL ACTIVITIES BEFORE AND AFTER WORKSHOPS!

Check out this video preview...

Here are the long awaited details about
CRAFT: Creating Reflective Art for Transformation!

Brought to you by the team at Scrapbooking from the Inside Out,
the premier source for inspiration to explore your inner world.

Three full days of crafting, creativity and camaraderie for only
$450
(three consecutive monthly payments of $150 each)

Only 24 spots available for this intimate, boutique experience

Register starting on Saturday June 18th at 9:00 AM Pacific Time
right here at our blog: www.CraftBeachRetreat.blogspot.com

What's included?

• 6 emotion-focused, technique-teaching personal workshops ~ All CRAFTers get all of the classes. No need to choose ~ they're ALL yours in our ocean-view creative space
• 4 Art & Soul experiences
• Scrumptious breakfasts & lunches from Hollywood hot spot Urth Caffe ~ Friday, Saturday & Sunday
• Sweets, treats & beverages all day long
• Transportation from The Ambrose to and from the Annenberg Beach House for all workshops and activities via our very own CRAFTy Cab
• Oodles of workshop supplies (you’ll just need to bring your basic tool kit – checklist to be provided later)
• A fabulous welcome basket, a CRAFTy tote filled with goodies, valuable giveaways and fun prizes!

*The event fee does not include our girls’ night out dinners Friday or Saturday, travel, airport transportation or hotel cost, but we've got some great offers for you.

Need Accommodations?

We've negotiated a special CRAFT rate of just $198 per night, at the magnificent Ambrose Hotel. To book your room, call 310-315-1555 and request the CRAFT Art Retreat rate. Want a roomie to split the hotel cost ~ and pay just $99 a night? We can help with that too. Just email us!

Need Airport Transportation?

If you're coming in from out of town, we've got you covered. Door to door airport transfers are available via the CRAFTy Cab. Just email us for more information.

Want some more fun?

We've planned two great girls’ nights out at Border Grill Santa Monica (Mary Sue Milliken and Susan Feniger from Bravo’s Top Chef Masters) and local home-style Italian favorite Il Forno Trattoria (prix fixe menu and details to follow) or you can opt to explore Santa Monica at your leisure.

*We recommend booking your stay with an arrival on Thursday and departure on Sunday evening, so you don't miss a minute of this incomparable event.

For questions, comments and special requests, please email us at craftbeachretreat@gmail.com

We can't wait to share this remarkable experience with YOU.

Almost Time! Registration Opens Tomorrow!

Here are the long awaited details about
CRAFT: Creating Reflective Art for Transformation!

Brought to you by the team at Scrapbooking from the Inside Out,
the premier source for inspiration to explore your inner world.

Three full days of crafting, creativity and camaraderie for only
$450
(three consecutive monthly payments of $150 each)

Only 24 spots available for this intimate, boutique experience

Register starting on Saturday June 18th at 9:00 AM Pacific Time
at our event blog: www.CraftBeachRetreat.blogspot.com

What's included?

• 6 emotion-focused, technique-teaching personal workshops ~ All CRAFTers get all of the classes. No need to choose ~ they're ALL yours in our ocean-view creative space
• 4 Art & Soul experiences
• Scrumptious breakfasts & lunches from Hollywood hot spot Urth Caffe ~ Friday, Saturday & Sunday
• Sweets, treats & beverages all day long
• Transportation from The Ambrose to and from the Annenberg Beach House for all workshops and activities via our very own CRAFTy Cab
• Oodles of workshop supplies (you’ll just need to bring your basic tool kit – checklist to be provided later)
• A fabulous welcome basket, a CRAFTy tote filled with goodies, valuable giveaways and fun prizes!

*The event fee does not include our girls’ night out dinners Friday or Saturday, travel, airport transportation or hotel cost, but we've got some great offers for you.

Need Accommodations?

We've negotiated a special CRAFT rate of just $198 per night, at the magnificent Ambrose Hotel. To book your room, call 310-315-1555 and request the CRAFT Art Retreat rate. Want a roomie to split the hotel cost ~ and pay just $99 a night? We can help with that too. Just email us!

Need Airport Transportation?

If you're coming in from out of town, we've got you covered. Door to door airport transfers are available via the CRAFTy Cab. Just email us for more information.

Want some more fun?

We've planned two great girls’ nights out at Border Grill Santa Monica (Mary Sue Milliken and Susan Feniger from Bravo’s Top Chef Masters) and local home-style Italian favorite Il Forno Trattoria (prix fixe menu and details to follow) or you can opt to explore Santa Monica at your leisure.

*We recommend booking your stay with an arrival on Thursday and departure on Sunday evening, so you don't miss a minute of this incomparable event.

For questions, comments and special requests, please email us at craftbeachretreat@gmail.com

We can't wait to share this remarkable experience with YOU.

Three Days and Counting!

There are many great scrapbooking/art retreats out there…so why should you attend CRAFT: Creating Reflective Art for Transformation?

We’ve already told you about the inspirational a-list instructors sharing three full days of creativity, the industry-leading sponsors and the perfect combination of our sun-soaked city, oceanfront venue and stylish accommodations.

What really sets CRAFT apart is the work we’ve done these last three years at Scrapbooking from the Inside Out, our kit club, inspiration source and online community.

We’ve interacted with thousands of participants all over the world to explore 36 emotions to date as we near our third anniversary. We’ve lifted ourselves and each other exploring Freedom, Gratitude, Anticipation and Wonder. We’ve faced our inner doubts and fears delving into Regret, Yearning, Loss and Vulnerability.







SFTIO’s trademarked and industry-exclusive approach to artistic motivation is the heart and soul of what makes us unique. Our monthly inspiration page with hand-selected music, stock photography, quotations and deep journaling prompts elevates scrapbooking to an expressive art form where members are guided to truly explore their inner worlds. Click here for links to our past Inspiration Pages to see!

We raise the bar even more by providing challenges using the prompts that add a design twist, teaching and learning with our members to use ‘visual journaling’ – powerful symbolism – to combine right and left brain expression. The result? Meaningful, rich, pages and projects that reflect all of who you are, Inside and Out.

Each of our workshops at CRAFT will incorporate a variety of our tested, proven multimedia inspiration tools combined with the special talents and techniques of our stellar teaching staff. We’ll begin and end each workshop with discussion and sharing, supported by our resident Art Therapist Rita Coufal, PhD.

Growth is a journey…not a destination. And it’s a most personal one…only you know what you need out of this experience. In the intimate, supportive setting we’ve created for you, you’ll have the opportunity to practice being more and more yourself. Our take on scrapbooking and creativity isn’t about a quick fix, or a set of ‘positive thinking’ reminders. It’s about a deeper approach, telling your truth – pretty or not, looking at both sides of the coin, and leaving our weekend together with the creative skills and tools to be more fully expressed in your life.

We would be honored to welcome you to our family of CRAFTers!

Stay tuned for tomorrow’s post all about our fun extras, a full description of the event and how you can register! Saturday morning is almost here…are you ready?

FOUR Days and Counting!

Location, Location, Location.

SANTA MONICA, CALIFORNIA


The location for our premiere CRAFT event is really special. As a ten year resident of Santa Monica, I am exceptionally proud of my city. It has everything you could want in a destination...sun, sand and sea. It's got free thinkers, art and culture, great shopping, fantastic food, from the best of the food truck craze to comfy neighborhood haunts to the finest of fine dining. It's home to some of the friendliest people you'll find in the 'big' city. And it's a walking city - there are many weekend days that I never get in the car.







THE VENUE

Our classes will be held at the beautiful and brand new Annenberg Beach House, right on the sand off Pacific Coast Highway (also known as HWY 1). The space we'll be in is an intimate room, the Terrace Lounge, with floor to ceiling windows...every seat in our venue has a view of the ocean. Right outside the door is a lovely seating area with a fountain where we'll be enjoying our lunch breaks.









The building is home to a rotating multimedia art collection that evokes the ocean and features local artists. Soaring ceilings, a tool area, snack corner and a fireplace complete the picture...a perfect location for a crisp November day! With an average high of 70 and a low of 54, wherever you're from, the weather will delight you! And our afternoon classes will end just in time for a bonus activity and watching the sunset over the Pacific. Heaven!

HOTEL




If you'll be joining us from out of town, we've got another treat in store for you...our official hotel, The Ambrose. Imagine the perfect mix of craftsman lines and zen energy...complete with a small garden and pond, a living room, and rooms designed with feng shui principles in mind. We've negotiated a special CRAFT room rate of $198 per night plus tax, so if you room with a friend (or we help you find a roomie) the cost is just $99 per night, which includes parking (if that applies to you), free wifi, and a daily organic continental breakfast from our event caterer, Urth Caffe. Transportation from the hotel to the Beach house is included in your registration, and airport transfers will be available for a nominal fee. Once at the hotel, you can utilize their cute london-style shuttle service to get you to shopping or anywhere else local you'd like to see!










Stay tuned tomorrow for details about what sets our transformational CRAFT event apart from other scrapbook events and retreats, and on Friday, we'll be sharing sneaky peeks of some of the giveaways, door prizes, welcome gifts, mini-projects and delicious treats included in your registration fee, as well as the details on our add-on girls night out events at two fun and festive local restaurants.

We're gearing up for an event you'll never forget...inside and out.