Ask and you shall receive - Paper Crown Glittered Retreat

It is hard to believe that a little over a week ago, this was just a faint sparkle in several eyes. I know I had been mulling it over for a year, the teacher's had also pondered it but what made it a reality was you, our customers, students and blog followers. So thank you for being the catalyst that made one of our dreams a come true !

On behalf of myself, Bobbie, Holly, Jackie and Medeah, I'm ...

The inaugural Paper Crown retreat will be held the first weekend in April on Friday, April 4th and Saturday, April 5th.The weekend retreat will be a celebration of all the jewels we have right here in our hometown, Oklahoma City. The classes will be held at Paper Crown, the instructors are all our "peeps", and the excursions all in our backyard.  But don't worry, I promise we are pulling out all the stops and sprinkling it all with glitter making it an amazing weekend. Dorothy said it best " there is no place like home."

Retreat agenda
Thursday, April 3rd- Welcome Dinner
This dinner is optional and although not an official part of the retreat, we thought it would be a great way to start off and an opportunity for all the ladies to meet. We will choose a restaurant, hopefully with a room to ourselves,  a little closer to the retreat date. Each guest will be responsible for their own dinner.

Friday, April 4th
We will begin the day by meeting at Paper Crown at 9:30 am. After a lite breakfast, coffee and tea, we will start our first class around 10. Each of the four classes offered at the retreat will be approximately 3 hours. Some might take a tad longer and other a bit shorter, we are artists you know, but that will be our general guideline. At 1 pm we will enjoy a delicious catered lunch that will leave you with plenty of energy for the afternoon's activities.

We hope you will want to participate in a swap or two so the first swap exchange will follow lunch. Whether or not you participant in one, both, or just sit out the swaps is totally up to you. Please do as much or as little as you want.

 Girls can't live by glitter alone so we thought we could caravan to one or two of our favorite vintage/antique stores. You might discover a new favorite or find that perfect treasure for a new project. No afternoon would be complete without a snack and then it's back to Paper Crown for our second class of the day. Around 7pm we will wrap it up and head to a restaurant for dinner. All of Friday's activities, except for any purchases made while shopping and dinner, will be included in the retreat cost.

Saturday, April 5th
At 10am we will meet at Paper Crown for a quick breakfast, our caffeine fix and begin the first class around 10:30 am. After a morning of creating, we will break for a delicious catered lunch around 1:30 pm. Our second swap will take place after lunch. Even if you choose not to participate in a swap, it is an ideal time to be inspired. I guarantee you will go home with your mind swimming with ideas for new projects. The final class of the day will begin around 3pm and we should be done around 6:30pm. We will end the retreat with a final good bye dinner at a restaurant. All of Saturday's activities, except dinner, are included in the retreat cost.
 * this is a proposed timetable and may change a bit, we are still in the planning stages 

Our Artists and Projects

Bobbie Sanders

Bobbie has taught at Paper Crown for several years and has carved out a spot for herself as the "Queen of the Soirees." Bobbie's over the top holiday Soirees are loved by all and make us wish there was a holiday every month. When Bobbie isn't creating the next great project for a soiree, she is having fun being "poppy" to her adorable grand daughter and will be welcoming a new grand baby this summer.  Visit Bobbie at http://mycreativelifediary-bobbie.blogspot.com/.

 

 

Jackie Peters

Where do I begin to describe Miss Jackie? She has taught at Paper Crown since the beginning and her touch is on everything at the store. Not only is she incredibly talented but such a great cook: her classes are not only creative but very tasty. I am so very glad she entered the crown contest almost 9 years ago because it changed the course of the store. You will never be disappointed in a "Jackie" class! Visit Jackie at http://goodgriefgirdie.typepad.com/blog/.

Jackie's project is a vintage inspired wall hanging with a fun " secret" mini book.

* This photo was not approved by Holly but I love it and miss this stage of life- hope it was ok Holly

Holly Abston
The only thing we don't like about Holly is we just don't see her enough! Holly is an incredibly talented artist but more important, a great wife and mother to backseat full of smallish kiddos. There are shouts of joy when she can get away to teach a class. Holly's talents are many and it is always fun to see what she is going to teach. Visit Holly at http://hollyabston.com/.

These frames are made with vintage wallpaper so they will all be different.

 Holly will bring a beautiful selection so you can choose your favorite.

 

Medeah Kitsmiller
Medeah is our mixed media guru. You can tell she used to be an elementary school art teacher because her classes are just fun. Medeah's projects are all about the process and you never leave a class without learning a new technique. You also will never leave her class without a good conversation. It's like taking a class from a close artsy friend.  Visit Medeah at http://medeah.blogspot.com/.

Medeah's piece is this bird themed encaustic piece on a cradled wood panel.

 

Swaps and a Contest
What art retreat would be complete without a swap or two? We would love to have two swaps but have decided to leave the theme up to our guests. I know many of you have done these in the past so we are hoping two of you will step up to the plate and take charge. We will jump in and help wherever needed but we know you are a creative group and would love to see your ideas!

We do love a good contest so we have decided to have a name tag contest. We ask each participant to create a name tag that tells us something about themselves. After spending a few days together, we will decide on the winner Saturday. Name tag winner will be awarded a $50 gift certificate to Paper Crown.


Accommodations
We are hoping our retreat will not only draw from the OKC area but also some of you who have been following us through our blogs and facebook. We have a variety of hotels close to the store and would be happy to give you recommendations. We are also currently talking to a few about getting special rates for the weekend. Unfortunately these aren't finalized but should be next week. If you are coming from out of town please call the store, we want to make sure and give you a special Oklahoma welcome.


Registration
Registration for the spring 2014 Paper Crown Glittered Retreat begins today, February 1st. Space is limited and only those paid in full will be able to register. Cost of the retreat is $400 but we are offering an early bird special of $350 for those who register before March 1st. After March 1st, the price will be $400. Payment can be made through Paypal, calling the store with a credit card or just stopping by. All sales are final.  If you are unable to attend any or part of the retreat, your kit/kits will be available after the 5th. 

Your Retreat Fee includes:
4 classes and all supplies, excluding basic kit
4 class favors- one from each teacher
Glittered Retreat welcome bag & goodies
4 class drawings
8 giveaways
breakfast Friday & Saturday
catered lunch Friday & Saturday
Snacks and beverages throughout Friday & Saturday
many other surprises both large and small- we have only been planning this for a week- I know there are some things we haven't thought of!

2014 Glittered Retreat

We are excited to share this weekend with you!

Let the creative adventure begin!

Could be your lucky day

Saturday could be your lucky day. Apparently the bug that has been going around has struck a couple of the girls who signed up for the Valentine Soiree tomorrow. We have one opening so the first one to call the store at 405 848-2389 is the winner. Cost is $60 for lite breakfast, lunch, project, favors, and giveaway!

Just dress in your favorite Valentine attire, red or pink, and grab your scissors, adhesive and glue gun and you are set.

Just one spot so don't delay!

Valentine Soiree Tomorrow

 

For those girls who were lucky enough to call in early, Bobbie's sold out Valentine's Soiree is tomorrow. Sounds like it will be the perfect thing to do on a very cold and blustery Saturday! Put on your favorite Valentine attire- red or pink of course- grab your scissors, adhesive and glue gun and glue sticks, and head to Paper Crown in the morning. We will have a little something in case you skipped breakfast and then it's off to a day of creating a beautiful vintage project by the oh so talented Bobbie. Lunch and snacks will be provided along with favors and a treat or two. We look forward to spending Valentine's with some of our favorite sweethearts.

If you weren't lucky enough to register in time, stop by the store anyway and take a peek.We still have plenty of Valentine supplies to make your own sweet treat. If the weather forecast is correct, tomorrow would be a good time to stock up for the coming few days. We also have some new items that would make a perfect Valentine gift.

I have just ONE lone heart left for our Valentine's swap-

 it would be a great project for a snow day!

Oh yes, that one other little thing- tomorrow is the big reveal and sign up for the 1st Paper Crown Glittered Retreat. We are so very excited and hope that you are also. Details will be revealed tomorrow and we can't wait!

Through the Looking Glass

I love this collection entitled " Through the Looking Glass". As you probably guessed it inspired by Alice and Wonderland. the vintage "Alice" illustrations are so quaint but if that isn't your cup of tea, patterns on the back are rich colors that would make an adorable book or layout.

Stay warm on this cold Tuesday morning. It's warm at the shop and we have everything you need for a "snow day."

Don't forget to pick up your heart for our Valentine Swap we just have a few left!

Completed hearts due back Wednesday, February 12

 

Last meeting of the Artful Altered Book Club

this Wednesday , Jan. 29 at 5:30

 

 

Just 4 days til the big Paper Crown Glittered Retreat Reveal

They Have Finally Arrived

For those of you that took one of Debby Schuh's album classes last fall, she used the neatest page protectors from October Afternoon. They were perfect for a mini album and just the right size for a project life type book or your Instagram photos. Everyone feel in love with them and we have been waiting to get them in. We love October Afternoon but wish they were a little speedier. They finally arrived and I know they will go quickly.   By the way I have been corresponding with Debby to come up with a return date- we just can't quite seem to get our calendars in sync but will keep trying. I will keep you posted. What classes of Debby interest you?

Don't forget to pick up tour heart for our Valentine's swap. Completed hearts are due back Wednesday, February 12th and you can pick up your heart on Saturday the 15th.

5 days til the BIG reveal!

Valentine Swap

 

One of the suggestions that kept popping up was swaps so I decided to take your advice and start off with a Valentine's swap. It's pretty simple. Just swing by Paper Crown and pick up one of these paper mache hearts, decorate/embellish/transform it however your heart desires, return your heart to the store Wednesday, February 12th and you can pick up your new heart on Saturday the 15th. I just ask if you pick up a heart, you must complete it and return it to the store by the 12th. You don't want a friend to go to all that work and not get a heart in return. Also I only have 18 so space is limited. If you live out of town and want to participate, just find a similar paper mache heart and mail to the store by the 12th.

 

 

Just in case you need a little inspiration, just in this week...

 

 

Love the Authentique 6x6 Smitten pad; it includes stickers! What a great idea.

 

The weather is supposed to be much warmer tomorrow so swing by the store and grab a heart and see all the new product. Those of you who took Debby Schuh's class this fall, we finally have those wonderful page protectors she used at the store. They are perfect for Instagram or project life type books.

 

 

Are you getting excited- we are!

 

Big Reveal in just one week!

February 1st is the big day!

 



Circus is in Town

Catherine's stamps have arrived and we have them all, plus a few favorites. I know these won't be at the store long, so come and get them. Why wait when you can have them today and start creating!

A certain mannequin in the window of OKC's most creative store is beginning to look a lot like one of Catherine's new Cirque stamps. She isn't quite ready but you are going to love her!

We have a couple of spots left in Jackie's banner class this Thursday. If you want to enjoy a fun evening of creating and go home with an adorable Valentine's decoration, call Paper Crown at 405 848-2389 to sign up.

We also have a couple of openings in our other Valentine classes. More info and pictures on our website. Last but certainly not least, mark your calendars for February 1st- you will not want to miss out on our 1st Paper Crown Glittered Retreat!

Oodles of Doodles

Doodles are EVERYWHERE, books, scrapbook paper, journals, and I bet, your notebooks from high school. Chances are you know how to doodle, you have just forgotten or made it too difficult. Join Medeah on Saturday, February 15th for a FUN, relaxing, day long class where you rediscover the joy you can get from just doodling. The day of doodles will include all your supplies, instruction and practice piece, lite breakfast and lunch, drawings, favor and a fun Valentine inspired project.

Oodles of Doodles

Saturday, February 15th

10:30-4:00

Medeah, $50.00

 



You will get warmed up by practicing your doodles on an art tile.

 

Then you will use stencils to create a doodled "love" banner and make it pop by painting the background with silk acrylic glaze.

 

What "love" is complete without a heart

 

Other techniques and patterns will be reviewed  to set your mind reeling with the possibilities of doodling. Each student will receive doodle supplies to take home so they can continue the fun.

 

 

Medeah is even throwing in a drawing or two! You will not want to miss this extra special class. This will be oodles of fun so tell your sweetie to save the chocolate this Valentine's you want to Doodle! Class space is limited and sign up begins  Monday morning.

It's A Circus Around Here

The box arrived today! Catherine's new line Cirque is here and will be ready on Monday! We have the complete new line and also some of your favorites! Due to the demand we can not hold stamps but they will be ready first thing Monday morning!

Did I mention we are having our first Paper Crown Glittered retreat April 4&5. Details and signup coming soon.

It has been an exciting week! Hope you all enjoy this beautiful weather and have a great weekend!

Mark Your Calendars

It's going to be FUN!

 You will want to mark out April 4th & 5th

Thank You, Thank You, Thank You

Thank you so much to everyone who emailed or commented on the blog re: ideas for Paper Crown. I so appreciate the time and thoughtfulness you put into your suggestions. The comment winner was Candie, compliments of our mailman. Anytime we have drawings I make him pick a name. Candie you have a $25 gift certificate waiting for you!

I met yesterday with Jackie, Bobbie and Medeah and we had a great time reviewing your suggestions and brainstorming. Many of the suggested ideas were in line with what we had also been thinking and some were new. I'm not sure we incorporated every suggestion but we hit a lot.  We only met yesterday so we haven't worked out all the specifics but here is what we hope you can look forward to in 2014: Spring and Fall Glitter Market, wide variety of classes from our talented local artists, holiday centered Soirees, a couple of  classes from artists outside of our home, contests, swaps, work or crop nights, some help for me- yippee, and...........

 We are going to have our first Paper Crown Glittered retreat this Spring! Details are in the works and will be revealed February 1 but you probably should keep the first part of April free!

In addition to all this excitement, today I heard from someone I have been wanting to have at the store for years and it looks like it might happen soon. As soon as it is confirmed I will let you know but girls it's gonna be an exciting year!

Hearts Aflutter

Thought this sea of red and pink might get you thinking about Valentine's Day. More Valentine's arriving soon in addition to unique gifts for your "sweetie."

Thanks to these girls who kicked off Valentine's last night at Jackie's tag class. Thanks Jackie for another wonderful class. We are so lucky to have you!

Still lots of Valentine's classes left and our Saturday Valentine Soiree.

 

Classes are filling quickly so don't be disappointed.

 Have a great day . C 

Valentine Soiree

 

 

Bobbie's Valentine Soiree

Sat., February 1, 2014

10:30-2:30

$60

 

 

If you haven't been able to take one of Bobbie's Holiday Soirees, you have missed out on an amazing event and if you have been lucky enough to make one, you know what a special treat they are and you will never miss one ! Come join us for a fun Saturday soiree where you will create this beautiful Valentine's decoration (for reference, the frame is 14x17) , enjoy a lite lunch, squeal with delight over party favors, enter some amazing drawings and be surprised at some other sweet treats. The cost includes all the fun, you only need to bring scissors, adhesive and your trusty glue gun.

 

Soiree is already about half way full (told you once you take, you won't want to miss), the ladies from the Holiday Soiree signed up project not even seen! I promise you won't want to miss. Call Paper Crown at 405 848-2389 to sign up.

 

This is a great chance for all you out of town girls to experience Paper Crown. The drive from Dallas/ Ft. Worth, Tulsa or Wichita can be made that morning and after class you still have some time to explore some of our OKC treasures.  

 

This will fill up quickly so don't delay!

 

If you haven't left your comment for new ideas for Paper Crown, it isn't too late. You have until tomorrow noon to leave a comment and have your name entered in a drawing for a Paper Crown gift certificate

 

Don't Be Sorry!

 

 

Not too late to sign up for Jackie's tag class tonight! Cost is $25.00 and includes all supplies. Be the first in OK to create with Catherine's new stamp line, Cirque. Those attending will get first dibs at Catherine's new stamps!

Be the First in OK

Not often do we get to be the very first at something but you can tomorrow. You can get a head start and be the first to create with Catherine Moore's new stamp line, Cirque. Catherine has outdone herself again with this beautiful line of stamps and no one can embellish Catherine's creations better than our Jackie. There are still a couple of class seats left in tomorrow's class so pick up the phone and get to be one of the first!  Class will begin tomorrow at 5:30 and cost is just $25 for 3 of the newest and cutest Valentine tags.

 

 

Those of you taking the class Tuesday will also get a special treat. First pick of Catherine's new line. To get in on this first, call Paper Crown at 405 848-2389 to reserve your class seat.

 

 

Thank you to everyone who has let a comment or suggestion for the new year. Your suggestions have been very helpful and I appreciate the thought and time you put into them. They have also been very complimentary and I thank you and appreciate your support. I know there are things we can tweak to make Paper Crown even better so please keep the suggestions coming. I'll take comments through this Wednesday and will award one lucky commenter a prize.