Magic in the Shed - Escape 2 Create 2015

Is it bad that I'm still trying to get back to 'normal' after my Escape2Create experience? I'm calling it an experience because that's exactly what it was for me - something has happened and I am changed.

It had been months of planning and hard graft for Amanda Hall and Meredith Treloar and finally the weekend was upon us. I'm not going to lie, I was seriously nervous... Not only would I be meeting loads of scrappy friends who I have known and admired on the net for aaaaages, but I would also have to come up with something to talk about that would make sense! Gulp.

Coming into Port Lincoln from Adelaide

Fears were quickly put to rest as soon as we landed in Port Lincoln (feeling rather green I might add - turns out small planes and me don't mix well!) Our gorgeous welcoming party was there to greet us and before we knew it, we were whisked off to the Port Lincoln Lions Club Hostel.

The Lions Club Hostel

Port Lincoln really resonated with me, bringing back so many memories of Cape Town. I found it amazing that on the one side was sea and the other side of the road, farmlands which all leads down into a bustling harbour town. Wildly beautiful and incredibly peaceful.

I had heard about the wow factor as one walked into 'the shed' for the first time. Let me tell you, it did not disappoint! Every detail was planned and carried out to perfection. The triangle theme with luscious gold pops were everywhere.

You definately want to hang with Trish Stevens and Sandra Wallace!

On Friday at 2pm, everyone arrived. The excitement was electric! Oohs and aaahs and happy hellos as friends reunited. This year's beautiful mugs were a huge hit!

Leanne, Kim, Fiona and myself shared a table and a room which was a great way to get to know eachother better. I have never in my life laughed as hard as over the weekend. My stomach ached! Ellie Sargent, with her trolley of goodies was my enabler. Thank you for taking such good care of me and making sure I drank enough fluids Ellie x 

Love and laughter at our table! Annette, Rachel, Ellie and us ratbags

So many kindred spirits together under one roof, creating to our hearts content. It was magic.

 

A funtastic ice breaker was the photo booth on the Friday night. The props we had to play with were hilarious!

Saturday morning came and Fiona was first up with her mixed media class. A natural with the microphone, she even treated us to some impromptu beat boxing!

 

I think she enjoyed seeing me sweat while I tried hard to get all the bits ready for assembly!! The processes were complex for a relatively 'clean' scrapper like me, but once all the pieces were ready to go, I couldn't wait to get them down on my page.

In the end, the page I created is probably one of my favourites, ever. I would not usually spend so much time prepping, but the result really speaks for itself. I learned so much, thank you Fiona!

Next up was Leanne, whom I've had the pleasure of knowing for a few years now. I couldn't believe how much she squeezed out from the kit provided! Cool as a cucumber, she had us working our 8.5 x 11s in no time!

Doing her thang!

Trimming and measuring... Fiona's was the one out of her comfort zone now, which made me laugh!

I completed two pages from Leanne's class - love them both!

Between and after classes was your own time to scrap. And eat. Have I mentioned the food?? Ohmygoodness, it has ruined regular food for me. I just want to be surrounded by gorgeous salads and tasty meats all.day.long! Missing Tony and his awesome crew in the kitchen, big time.

On Saturday night, we set ourselves a little 'neon' challenge at our table. We had such fun with this one - special thanks to Leonie Neal-Dawson for her flouro orange Hero Arts spray!

As you can see, by this stage I have "turned to the dark side". I have really embraced a large chunk of 'messiness' since leaving E2C. This page would not be complete without the awesome drippy paint circles done by Malinda Gardner!!

Sunday arrived and we were all looking forward to the incredible Kim Price's class.

Kim and I enjoyed many a zany late-night laugh. I am so blessed to have been able to meet her. It was such a highlight learning her incredible background techniques. Thank you for sharing your secrets with us Kim!

This is Fiona's 'keen' face. It means she's really happy! lol

This is the page I created in Kim's class. I could stare at it all day long. I have it up on my desk on display. 

My class was in the afternoon session. We were going to be creating an interactive page, consisting of a pull-out mini album using Heidi Swapp's September Skies. A special thanks to Heidi for not only allowing me to work with this collection when it was brank spanking new, but also for providing a bonus stamp set as well as stencil set to every person who took my class!

These are just a few of the photos snapped during the class. It was such an honour to be able to share some of my ideas with the group and to see so many beautiful pages come to life!

'Melancholy Monday' rolled around. I'm sure we all felt the same way, not wanting our weekend to end. I enjoyed a very relaxing morning, learning an awesome masking technique from my very clever tablemate, Rachel. 

I have subsequently bought my own masking fluid, which you apply in areas and then paint over once dry. One then removes the masking fluid (it's liquid latex, so it peels off) to reveal the area below. I can't wait to play with this technique more. The irony with the page above is that I really liked the colour of the fluid, so I only removed two of the donut shapes!

Escape2Create is so much more than just scrapbooking. I could go on and on about every tiny detail. It's liberating, inspiring and fun. I am so thankful for the opportunity to have taught, for the new friendships that I have made and many good times that were shared.

This crazy wonderful person!

Thank you Tiff Firth Photography for the wonderful captures

Kisses from Lou!

So happy to have caught up with this spesh again x

But first....

Front page news in Port Lincoln times. Even funnier when you're over-tired!

Sunrise on the way to the airport

'Til next year.... fingers crossed ;)

* Photo credits to Tiff Firth and Sandra Wallace*