More Retreat Pictures

It's difficult for me to wrap my head around the fact that these were taken a week ago.

Already.

Where does the time go?

Gosh - I haven't even caught up on sleep yet!

Julie just sent me more pictures and I couldn't resist sharing
to prove we really do have a great time retreating.

First up is me having a midnight snack.
No, I didn't eat the entire bag myself ... I shared with Donna!


Kim and I having "a moment."
No alcoholic beverages were involved, just so you know. 

I've never done a photo bomb before

and I just couldn't resist.

Sorry for hiding your face, Kim!

Malinda in red, Danielle in grey and Stacy in pink.

 This always amazes me.

We sit with a camera at our workstation all weekend long.

When do we get the idea to take a picture?

as people are leaving.

Crazy, isn't it?

Julie's in purple, Donna's in the raincoat with a pink vest peeking out,

Stephanie's wearing aqua and Stacy's in pink.

Next time out there, I promise to take pictures during the weekend
and not just at the end.

Remember one thing:  YOU matter.  See you next time!

 

 

Shame on me ...

If you were looking for me last weekend,

I was at Whitworth Ranch.

 

This is always such a treat for me.

It's a lot of work packing up and getting my projects all lined up

(not to mention unpacking when I get home)

but it's something I love to do.

 

Where does the "shame on me" come into play?

I accomplished so little on this trip.

I'm not sure why - but my productivity was way down compared to other retreats.

 

Here's a few cards I can share:

 

 

 

YES! There are people that still send thank you cards.

 

We had a lot of laughs and comments over the image on this card.

Everybody called them "the spooky girls" but I think they're swet.

I did make some things other than just these four cards,

but like I said ...

my productivity was way down. 

 

I met several people

and one was Kim Zapalac, my first featured guest.

Danielle Davis and Malinda Holley

arrived later than the rest of us but we didn't skip a beat.

It's always so much fun to share stories and ideas with new friends.

(left to right: Danielle, Kim and Malinda)

 

Donna Curtis and Stephanie Budsberg (mother and daughter)

were there for their first time.

Since they shared a room with Julie Watkins and me

we hope we didn't scare them off.

The four of us had such a good time.

 

See what I mean about scaring them off?

Here's Julie posing at the ironing board.
I wish I could share what Julie worked on all weekend.
When it's completed, I promise I will.
She's making THE MOST BEAUTIFUL christening dress for her granddaughter.
I can't wait to see it.

 

Gosh - I just finished unpacking and putting everything away

and next week I have to do it all over again.

And then just seven weeks later I'll be back out there.

Shucks - isn't that just awful?

Somebody has to do it, right?

Some time between now and then
I'm planning to feature myself as a Featured Guest.
People have been asking me so I guess I'll share, too.
I can't expect others to spill their guts if I'm not willing to do the same, right?
I've also got a couple of others lined up as well.

Remember one thing:  YOU matter.  See you next time!

 

Grow Your Blog

Welcome!  I am so happy that you are here.  If you've never been on a retreat (or have been thinking about it) you might enjoy this.  There are some great pictures, you can get to know featured guests and see how we do a glam rustic wedding out at the ranch.  It is Texas, after all!

I'm quite sure that Scurry might not be in your neighborhood but there have been ladies that have traveled from Florida, California and Louisiana, to name just a few states.  Think about joining us.  Or, if Texas is just too far away, look into a retreat close to home.  I guarantee you'll love the entire experience.

I would love it if you left a comment, subscribed and followed along.  You know how important this is to a blogger!

You may recognize me (Sue Kosec) and/or my work from Vicki Boster's blog.  She has shared each and every one of the items that I have created for her over the years.  She is one of the main reasons I now have a blog.  Thank you, dear friend.

A little about me.  I was born and lived in Pennsylvania until I was 11, grew up in Ohio and much later on, I've moved around.  Now The Runner (my husband) and I live in the Dallas/Fort Worth area.

I invite you to visit my personal blog in case you missed it on Vicki's list.  I'm playing along in Grow Your blog over there, too.

Should you need to contact me, I'm never too far from my computer - unless I'm out at Whitworth Ranch retreating!!!  I'd love to hear from you.  If you're on the fence about retreating, I most certainly can talk you into it!

In addition to meeting up here and on my personal blog, you can also become my friend on Facebook.  Send me a friend request and let me know that we first met right here on Grow Your Blog.  Just look for Sue Daggett Kosec.

It wouldn't have been a party without you so thank you for stopping by and I certainly hope you'll come back often.

Remember one thing:  YOU matter.  See you next time!

A Rustic Glam Wedding

An August weekend retreat dedicated to painting Mason jars, making centerpieces, making flowers, embellishing bouquets and a lot of brainstorming prepared us.  Sewing machines were humming, fabric was torn, flowers were made, spray cans were in motion and the excitement was building.

Two days before the wedding, some of the same people gathered again at Whitworth Ranch to put the finishing touches on everything.  Tables and chairs were put in place, a wreath was hung on the barn, the chandelier was hung from the tree and lights were strung on the fence.  A charming arbor was created to hover over the cake station and the pumpkins were polished.  Food was prepared, furniture was moved in to create a lounge area, the old tractor was decorated and the "you and me" table was set up with the color palette of oranges and turquoise.

 

 

 

Then we were ready for the bride's father to walk her down the path ...

A beautiful October day and April and Damon were united in marriage surrounded by the love of their family and closest friends.

Their children stood by them as they recited their vows.

 

I wish I had a penny for Damon's thoughts right here.

 

The bride nuzzles her groom - as she should.

I believe this little piece of paper makes it official.

 

What's a wedding without a little cake smashing?

 

A beautiful afternoon filled with much love and laughter and memories was the perfect beginning to the rest of their lives.  May the two of you live happily ever after.

Billie Long created her magic behind the camera to capture all of these beautiful pictures.

Remember one thing:  YOU matter.  See you next time!

Happy New Year and Updates

Were does the time go??????????  Before I blinked even twice, it was still Thanksgiving.  In between those blinks, we had Christmas and then New Year's Day.  Since I have a second before Valentine's Day, I thought I'd pop in and see how my crafting friends are doing.  Getting lots done?  Got lots on the drawing board?  Retreating?

Today we have blue skies and beautiful sunshine.  BUT - we also have those awful wind gusts up to 40 mph and cold temperatures.  Not my type of weather.  I'm looking for blue skies, beautiful sunshine and flowers that aren't going to freeze!  I wish it was pool weather - I'd be sitting around the Whitworth pool right now.

I've heard a few people talking about scheduling a retreat this year.  Want to know the availability?  Just click on "About Whitworth Ranch" (above) and then scroll down almost to the bottom to see the updated available dates for 2015.  If you have your heart set on a particular weekend next year (2016) I recommend you contact Stacy soon.  It's really not too early - I know she already has several dates on the books.

Once you've viewed the available dates, scroll down just a bit further to see some exciting upcoming special events.  Stacy is working with Tracy Pounds from The Little Blue House and Deborah from Craft-Inn Retreat (both in Keller) to bring you some open houses, retreats and workshops.  Your $100 credit card deposit will reserve your spot for the workshop retreats.

Remember one thing:  YOU matter.  See you next time!

Happy Thanksgiving to one and all ...

I am blessed beyond measure with my family and friends that have become family - especially Stacy, John and Marie, my Whitworth "family."

Remember - it's not what's on the table that counts, but who's sitting in the chairs.  I hope you have a chance to spend some time with all of your loved ones today!

Featured Guest - Tammy Lee

I was fortunate enough to meet Tammy last month.  Not only is she talented as all get-out, she can dance up a storm!  I think you'll agree with me that she's a true beauty!

How did you find out about Whitworth Ranch Retreat?  I first met Stacy and her mom at one of the scrapbook conventions.  I thought they were great and was hoping to stay at the ranch sometime.  Luckily, soon after that Cindy Mayfield planned a Paper Cowgirl retreat there.  I have been to the ranch four times now and I'm planning to go back this weekend.  I absolutely love it.  It's like bieng at a big slumber party with all of my best friends.

Do you have a preference as to which bedroom you sleep in?  I think I've spent the night in most of the different rooms now and I really love them all.

 

Where do you prefer to get your craft on?  Large room, small room?  My favorite craft room is the large one because we can all get together in the same room.  It's more fun for us when we are all together.  That way, no one misses a thing.

 

Were you in a mixed group or did you fill the house with your own friends?  I have been in a mixed group and I've been in the house filled with only friends that I already knew. Of course it's always great to get together with friends you know and catch up with each other. Though I really did enjoy the mixed group as well because I made new friends.
 

If there is an opening for just one person, are you open to attending a retreat with women you’ve never met?  Yes, absolutely I would.  Based on my past experience with the people I have met, everyone has been very friendly and inclusive.  So even though I might be a little nervous, I would not feel too uncomfortable to go by myself.

 

We all know that Stacy is an excellent chef.  Do you have a favorite meal?  I love all the food that Stacy makes, but some of my favorites are her homemade biscuits, taco soup and coconut cake. Every time she cooks for us I'm always asking for recipes and she is very sweet about sharing them.

 

Are you a paper crafter, quilter, knitter, jewelry maker or trouble-maker?  I am a mixed-media artist, so sometimes my interest can be all over the place. I spend most of my time oil painting, but I love to make jewelry, flowers and purses among other things.

I would not consider myself a troublemaker but if a group of my friends and I are together we do tend to get a little bit loud and silly. We like to have fun while we create! Lol!

I've been into arts and crafts most of my life but I've been doing mixed media and oil painting for about four years now.

When you create, do you sell the finished products, keep them or gift them?  Sometimes I do sell or give away my creations. I'm always thrilled when anyone likes something enough to want to own it.

 

What is your signature style?  My style is a combination of shabby chic, vintage, artsy and funky.

 

What have you created that you are most proud of – and why?  My favorite piece is an oil painting I did of a coal miner. He had a weathered face, full of character. My mom had torn his picture out of the newspaper about 30 years ago, thinking that someday she would like to paint it. She and I both painted it about two years ago. I think when we finished we felt like we knew him. So I still have the painting in my house and I feel like he's a member of our family.  Also shown is another piece I painted.

 

If Ms. Muse decides not to show up, where do you get your inspiration?  When I'm looking for inspiration I usually get on Pinterest or start flipping through my Somerset magazines. I also like to go shopping or spend time somewhere I can surround myself with beauty of any kind.  And then sometimes just going into the studio will inspire me.

 

Do you have a dedicated craft area in your home?  I have a small room in our house that is my craft studio. I have lots of shelves and cubbies to put things away. I have stacked them floor to ceiling. It seems that I am always in the process of re-organizing that space. Lol!

How do you keep your area organized and do you have any tricks for organizing your supplies?  So far what seems to work best for me is to keep like products grouped together. I try to have all my paints and inks in one area. Paper and ephemera in one area and things like that. Staying organized is a huge challenge for me. Most of the time I don't get to finish a project in one sitting and I am always so tempted to leave it out so I can just pick up where I left off, but sometimes it's days or even weeks until I can get back to it. For that reason I have found it works much better for me to go ahead and clean up after each sitting. Otherwise I will start a new project and then before I know it my table is so cluttered I can't get to anything and I end up cleaning instead of creating.

 

What are you working on right now?  I'm in the process of taking a free online organizing course from Tiffany Spaulding and I think it's really going to help me. Fingers crossed. Lol!

 

What would your dream space be like?  If I could have a dream space it would be a giant studio in my backyard. I would decorate it all vintage shabby chic and funky. I would have different stations with chairs and shelves so that you could move around and work on a project without having to drag everything out and put it up every time. Like a fabric station with a sewing machine. An ink and paint station where I would keep all my stamps, stencils and collage materials. I would  have another station with my printer, my big shot and my cricket with all my dyes and cartridges together.

I would have lots of table and floor space so all my friends could come over and create too.
Oh my gosh I could go on forever. That would be sooooo awesome!  ;~}

I don't know about you, but I want to spend more time with Tammy.  I'm sure some of that mixed-media talent would rub off on me.  Thank you, Tammy for agreeing to be a featured guest.

Would you like to share a little something about yourself?  Just let me know - we'd all love to meet you!

Remember one thing:  YOU matter.  See you next time!