Wednesday, November 18, 2015

Salt Lake City - The Adventure






 So I am home and have had a chance to gather a few more photos to round out my CTMH Album Retreat Adventure.  As some of you know I have wanted to be able to go to a CTMH album retreat for YEARS - but working in a hospital prevented me from taking time of during the months of November or December. Not only is that prime flu season but also those are holiday months and that means no personal time off.  

This year is the first year since my retirement from Presby Plano that CTMH has hosted an album retreat and I think I was one of the first ones to sign up - like that fast!   So this was a BIG DEAL for me.

(Photo courtesy of Patricia Williams)

So the way this works - a few weeks before the retreat CTMH sent the attendants a list of basic supplies to bring with us.  They also sent us a list of what photos to bring including sizes.   We were also told the theme of the album was "Me".

A couple of days after that list came out CTMH Corp said that they were going to open a Studio J album just for Album retreat.  All we have to do is pop our photos in the wells, summit the layouts and they would be waiting in SLC when we arrived for the retreat. SCORE!

So on the first day along with all of the goodies in the above photo we also received our photos - printed and ready to go.  Let me take a moment to say that I was very thankful for the CTMH jacket - because someone did not take a jacket and it was COLD and SNOWED in SLC while I was there.

(photo courtesy of CTMH FB page)

See that lady in the above photo? 
 Do you know who she is?


That my friends is THE Stacy Julian!!! 
Like the founder of Simple Scrapbooks Magazine and the creator of 


Many moons ago she was a D.O.T.S. (CTMH former name) consultant and she still comes back to us during conventions to be a guest speaker.  I love to hear her speak about scrapbooking and her family and how she mixes the two. 

She not only was our keynote speaker but she stayed the entire weekend to play with us, and yes I was a fan girl and not only worked up the courage to speak to her but she also gave me a hug (squeeee)! 

(photo courtesy of CTMH FB page)
(Monica & Stacy)

After Stacy spoke we got down to the business of creating some pages.  On the 1st  1/2 day  we finished 2 layouts, the 2nd day we did 6 layouts and on the 3rd day we finished 4 layouts.  We were working at a top speed because there are a total of 11 layouts or 22 pages!

Each day the staff would pass out bags with all of the paper supplies that we would need for each project.  Each layout combines a couple different packs of paper for a unique look. 

Day One Layouts

Cover Page 
My Story Layout
D1686 Noted Stamp Set
Z2172 Whisper Ink Pad
Z3166 Fundamental Sticker Basics Pack
Z3105 Fundamental Assortment Gold
Z3095 Whisper Thick Twine
(Charlotte Paper Pack) 

Fast Forward Layout

C1619 So Many Smiles Stamp Set 
D1686 Noted Stamp Set
D1661 Crazy Good Stamp Set
Z2105 Black Ink Pad
Z2197 Pear Ink Pad
Z2644 Pixie Ink Pad 
Z3166 Fundamental Sticker Basics Pack
Z3105 Fundamental Assortment Gold
Z3095 Whisper Thick Twine
Z3089 Grey Enamel Gems
Z3132 Watercolor Paints
Z1979 Journaling Pen
(Fundamentals Paper pack)

(photo courtesy of CTMH FB page)

On the first full day of the retreat the CTMH Executive staff did a Q & A session with us.  It was fun getting some behind the scene peeks to the what and why of the company.

After the Q & A it was more fun with paper flying.
 (Photo courtesy of Patricia Williams)

My table mate, Patricia Williams took some really good photos so I am stealing them from FB to give you a better view of the fun we had.

 (Photo courtesy of Patricia Williams)

I am not sure how Patricia was able to get me to look at the camera because most of the time I was head down and taking care of business.  I was determined to get my layouts done before I came home!  

Day 2 Layouts

Words To Live By

 This photo was taken while I was working on the page. 



 D1686 Noted Stamp Set
D1661 Crazy Good Stamp Set
Z2105 Black Ink Pad
Z2164 Sorbet Ink Pad
Z2013 Sequins Silver Assortment
Z3166 Fundamental Sticker Basics Pack 
 Z3095 Whisper Thick Twine
Z3132 Watercolor Paints
Z1979 Journaling Pen 
Z3188 Paintbrush Set
Z3146 Watercolor Paper
(Charlotte Paper Pack) 

Memories Layout


D1686 Noted Stamp Set
Z2644 Pixie Ink Pad 
Z2643 Canary Ink Pad
Z3166 Fundamental Sticker Basics Pack
Z3089 Grey Enamel Gems
Z3132 Watercolor Paints
Z3188 Paintbrush Set
Z1979 Journaling Pen
Z1985 Gold Shimmer Trim 
Z3146 Watercolor Paper
(Georgie Paper pack)

Creating Me Layout



 D1686 Noted Stamp Set
C1626 Hexagonal Patterns Stamp Set
Z2105 Black Ink Pad
Z2197 Pear Ink Pad
Z2193 Cotton Candy Ink Pad
Z2641 Glacier Ink Pad
Z3166 Fundamental Sticker Basics Pack
Z2013 Sequins Silver Assortment
Z3095 Whisper Thick Twine
Z3132 Watercolor Paints
Z3188 Paintbrush Set
Z3181 PML Beautiful You Cards
Z3146 Watercolor Paper
(Georgie Paper pack) 
or
(Charlotte Paper Pack) 

Inspired By Layout


 D1686 Noted Stamp Set
Z2105 Black Ink Pad
Z2172 Whisper Ink Pad
Z2193 Cotton Candy Ink Pad
Z3105 Fundamental Assortment Gold
Z3089 Grey Enamel Gems
Z3095 Whisper Thick Twine
Z1979 Journaling Pen
Z3181 PML Beautiful You Cards

Celebrate Layout
For me this was my toughest layout to complete.  We were using a template to stencil the watercolor hexagons onto watercolor paper.  Mind you we are working on very narrow banquet style tables and we were all scared we were going to spill the little cups of water needed for the watercolor paints.
If I was going to "re-do" any of the layouts this one would be it.


 D1686 Noted Stamp Set
D1661 Crazy Good Stamp Set
C1626 Hexagonal Patterns Stamp Set
Z2193 Cotton Candy Ink Pad
Z2105 Black Ink Pad
Z2644 Pixie Ink Pad 
Z2164 Sorbet Ink Pad
Z2643 Canary Ink Pad
Z2172 Whisper Ink Pad
Z3166 Fundamental Sticker Basics Pack
Z3089 Grey Enamel Gems
Z1979 Journaling Pen
Z3146 Watercolor Paper
Z3132 Watercolor Paints
Z3188 Paintbrush Set

And So It Begins Layout

 D1686 Noted Stamp Set
Z2653 Pomegranate Ink Pad
Z2164 Sorbet Ink Pad
Z3166 Fundamental Sticker Basics Pack
Z3105 Fundamental Assortment Gold
Z1985 Gold Shimmer Trim 
Z3146 Watercolor Paper
Z3132 Watercolor Paints
Z3188 Paintbrush Set
(Fundamentals Paper pack)

Day 3 Layouts

Life Journey Layout


 D1686 Noted Stamp Set
Z2105 Black Ink Pad
Z3166 Fundamental Sticker Basics Pack
3105 Fundamental Assortment Gold
Z1985 Gold Shimmer Trim 
Z1979 Journaling Pen
Z3146 Watercolor Paper
Z3132 Watercolor Paints
Z3188 Paintbrush Set
(Fundamentals Paper pack)

Sharing The Story


 D1686 Noted Stamp Set
C1626 Hexagonal Patterns Stamp Set
Z2193 Cotton Candy Ink Pad
Z2105 Black Ink Pad
Z2172 Whisper Ink Pad
Z2192 Pacifica Ink Pad
Z3166 Fundamental Sticker Basics Pack
Z1985 Gold Shimmer Trim 
Z3089 Grey Enamel Gems
Z1979 Journaling Pen
Z3146 Watercolor Paper
Z3132 Watercolor Paints
Z3188 Paintbrush Set
Z2027 Mini Stapler
Z3181 PML Beautiful You Cards
(Fundamentals Paper pack)

Right Here Right Now


D1686 Noted Stamp Set
Z2105 Black Ink Pad
Z2013 Sequins Silver Assortment
Z3166 Fundamental Sticker Basics Pack
Z1979 Journaling Pen
Z3146 Watercolor Paper
Z3132 Watercolor Paints
Z3188 Paintbrush Set
(Georgie Paper pack) 
(Charlotte Paper Pack) 
(Fundamentals Paper pack)

This Is Who I Am Layout


D1686 Noted Stamp Set
Z2105 Black Ink Pad
Z2172 Whisper Ink Pad
Z2013 Sequins Silver Assortment
Z3166 Fundamental Sticker Basics Pack
3105 Fundamental Assortment Gold
Z1979 Journaling Pen
Z3146 Watercolor Paper
Z3132 Watercolor Paints
Z3188 Paintbrush Set
Z2027 Mini Stapler
(Georgie Paper pack)
 or
(Charlotte Paper Pack) 
(Fundamentals Paper pack)

I am happy to report that while I was in SLC I was able to complete the projects as directed and put them in the album.  I am thankful that I thought ahead to take the "big luggage" with me because I was able to put the album and all of the goodies in without going over in weight.  The luggage is hard-sided so I did not have to worry about any supplies getting damaged on the way home. 


The only additions I did to the layout when I came home was a little stitching because I just could not help myself and I did my journaling on the computer.  Kaela has dyslexia and has a very hard time reading handwriting so I try to print out all of my journal blocks so that she can enjoy reading the memories.

It will be another two years before CTMH hosts Album Retreat again but when they do - I will be on a plane to enjoy a wee retreat with 300 of my CTMH sisters because I had a blast!

1 comment:

  1. loved your writing style. your blog is amazing. Have been going through some of your posts, will def. recommend to others. Independence Day Speech in English for College Students

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