October 2019 Citrus Twist Scrapbooking Retreat Recap

Last week I had the wonderful honor to host our first-ever 2019 Orcas Island Escape scrapbooking retreat and meet and get messy with a talented group of women who came from all over the United States and one from abroad!

The weeks leading up to the retreat were very busy as I worked with workshop instructors to get their workshops down in class documents so every instructor's class kit would have a how-to guide for our participants to take home. The weeks before were planning and food planning plus the logistics of hosting a retreat on an island gem - Orcas! - here in the Pacific Northwest. The element that was missing until the evening before the retreat - the night we gathered for the first time for wine and appetizers - was that human element. It was the meeting face-to-face these powerful, like-minded, embellishment-loving women who gathered together in the charming little village of Eastsound, Orcas Island, Washington.

What can I say about our workshop instructors and their projects? I think WOW is the perfect word. INSPIRED right up there with "wow." Nathalie DeSousa, Brandi Kincaid and Tina Stepanova shared their projects and Ingunn Markiewicz did a beautiful project shared via class kit and booklet just for this event.

The manufacturers who generously donated to our workshop kits made a bit of a festive scene at Citrus Twist as boxfuls arrived regularly. I want to give a big shout out to Altenew, Dear Lizzy, Pinkfresh, Vicki Boutin (Vicki, you fed our mixed media souls!), Pink Paislee, Maggie Holmes, Illustrated Faith, Persnickety Prints and Citrus Twist.

Today I want to share some close-ups of photos and projects plus quotes from some of the attendees to help you experience some of the magic that happened during October 17-20, 2019.

I can't wait for the next 2020 creative retreat which I am busy planning as I write this!

One of our attendees couldn't make it but she was there with us in spirit. This photo was taken under one of the Outlook Inn trees, gathered under fairy lights hung from it's branches, that has been there since the 1800s when the inn was built. 

"I had a fantastic time this last weekend and was blessed to get to know most all of you sweet women. I didn't know a scrapbook retreat was what I needed nor did I know that this particular scrapbook retreat would help me change my story not only as a scrapbooker but personally as I see myself..."

The workshop space was in the inn's Victorian Room. With seating for 20 we were able to sit in a large U-shape (with instructor's table at the head of the U) so we could visit and play for two days straight. I think I can say that we all had our creative zones stretched just a little, but the welcoming size of this group allowed ample time for everyone to have one-on-ones with the workshop instructors. 

"This morning I woke up and had my heart bursting with so much love and joy. This retreat was just what I needed to make the time for something I love so dearly but haven’t done in such a long time. You ladies were such a pleasure to spend time with over the last couple of days. Hearing all of your stories gave me a little piece of you to take with me. I met some old friends and new for the first time."

The workshop classes held a little bit of everything from mixed media to pop-ups, to a You Are Here journal, gratitude journal, scrapbooking, layers, sketches and more.

"What a fabulous time we had on this Citrus twist escape. Met so many wonderful friends. ... Thank you to the teachers who put on such fun workshops."

One of the many pleasures of this retreat was seeing how all the women worked the kits and workshops to fit their style. We saw everything from traditional layouts to mini Life Crafted Album pages to Project Life, December Daily, Bible journaling and more.

"It was a WONDERFUL, WONDERFUL trip. BEAUTIFUL place, BEAUTIFUL people. 

Can't wait for next time."

"Absolute magic indeed. This was by far the most extraordinary and memorable trip I've ever had! Incredible people, amazing workshops, dream location ... my heart is filled with gratitude!"

"I have learned a bit of each one of you, learned a bit of your lives and shared a lot of mine. You are all forever a part of my heart, and I feel blessed to carry a bit of you with me!"

"It was such a great retreat! Thanks to everyone who had a part in putting it together. It was so fun learning, crafting and meeting everyone!"

While the adventure of riding on the ferry and exploring the light and colorful landscape and roads and lanes that are Eastsound has come to an end, this quaint island hamlet will live on in our memories of newly discovered friends, paper crafting adventures and the friendly and lovely bits and pieces of each person who attended will never be forgotten. I feel so honored and blessed that each of you chose the Citrus Twist Orcas Island Creative Retreat to let your inner artist roam free for a few days.

xo,
Trina