Spreading the word …

Posted: January 29, 2013 | Author: linda | Filed under: class samples, mini album, Retreat, Uncategorized | Tags: Altered Art Addicts, cardmaking, Clare, classes, Inspiration Station, Linda Neff, mini books, Mixed-media, Ovid, Retreat, Saginaw, Scrapbook Peddler, Soaring Eagle Casino, Sterling Heights, Sunset Shores, The Paper Hollow | 5 Comments »

Howdy! Just wanted to pop in here and give you some updates on what’s happening and what’s to come.

I received word last night that another cottage has opened up for the weekend of my Mixed-media Mini Book Mystery Retreat. This means there is space for 4 more students for the weekend of Feb. 15-17 at Sunset Shores in Clare. I need to know of interest by Friday (Feb. 1) and payment can be made to me via cash, check, or credit (through Etsy). Email me at lneffscraps@gmail.com. Participants will be the first to create two new mini books on my teaching schedule for this year!

Here’s the Retreat info:

Join me for a fun-filled instructional weekend retreat at Sunset Shores Cottages nestled along the edge of Stevenson Lake in Clare, Mi. This retreat is all about mini books and mixed-media and it’s happening soon! This Mixed-media Mini Book Mystery Retreat is slated for Feb. 15, 16 & 17, 2013.

Attendees have an opportunity to create two eclectic and vintage-style mini books, plus a third mystery project over the weekend. It’s an intense weekend of painting, inking and experimenting with new-to-you techniques and I promise everyone a very exciting, creative weekend. Space is limited to 12.

You’ll be housed among four cozy, adorable cottages (three to a cottage) and will enjoy learning and working in the spacious craft room and taking delicious home-cooked meals in the dining room with views overlooking the lake.

Your creative mystery weekend includes lodging, meals, beverages, and guest thank you bags, along with materials and personalized instruction to create three projects. Cost of the weekend is $285.

My very first retreat weekend adventure was held here last August and we had so much fun and the students really enjoyed their projects. I hope you’ll join us this year for another great weekend of crafting!

Adding stores to my teaching area:

I’ve been busy adding new stores to my teaching area and am happy to announce it now includes Scrapbook Peddler in Saginaw, The Paper Hollow in Sterling Heights, Altered Art Addicts in Jackson and Inspiration Station in Ovid.

There are several mini books and card classes on the agenda and I’m in the process of finishing up a new Tempting Techniques Tag Reference Book (former Ranger Ramblings). Classes are beginning in February with my Retreat at Sunset Shores, and March in the stores. Some are scheduled into May with more to come!

Check out the link to my Class Calendar and Schedule for information and register for these classes currently scheduled at your favorite store.

And, if you haven’t already, please ‘like’ my Facebook page for additional class updates and crafty information.

Sunset Shores Winter & Spring openings:

I’m passing along some information from my friend Vivian who owns and operates Cottages at Sunset Shores in Clare, Mi. When looking for a nice tranquil and serene place to escape to for a scrapbooking weekend, quilt retreat or just a few days away with the girlfriends, check out Sunset Shores in Clare.

A short two-hour car ride from the Howell/Brighton area makes it the perfect place – far enough away the family won’t bother you, but close enough in case of an emergency.

The cottages are available year-round, weekday and/or weekend. Lots of festivities take place in and around the Mt. Pleasant and Clare area throughout the year and these cottages are a great getaway. Soaring Eagle Casino is 20 minutes down the road and there are quite a few top-notch golf courses as well. Great fishing on Stevenson and surrounding lakes, and the lake is perfect for kayaking, canoeing and swimming.

I’ve stayed here mid-week with my sisters for a few days just to sit around and chat and share a bottle of wine and Dennis and I spend at least one week of vacation here during June. We like to stay in the cottages any time we can sneak away for a day or two; it’s just very peaceful. Love sitting on the deck overlooking the lake and reading a good book.

In addition to mid-week openings this time of year Vivian also has the following retreat weekends (includes meals & lodging) available. Visit Sunset Shores for more info and call her at (989) 386-7030 to book your reservation.

Availability:

Feb.1-3
Feb. 8-10
March 1-3
March 22-24
April 4-7
May 3-5
May 10-12

Project-packed weekend retreat sends ‘em home happy, glittery & de-stressed!

Posted: September 2, 2012 | Author: linda | Filed under: class samples, home decor, mini album, Ranger, Stamping, Tag, technique | Tags: Art Glitter, classes, Crafty Secrets, Distress Ink, envelope pockets, gesso, Globecraft Memories, home decor, Linda Neff, mini book, Ranger, Ranger Paint Dabber, Stamping, teaching, Tim Holtz Tissue Tape, Workshop | 11 Comments »

Ive had a few requests to share pictures of the projects I taught at my first Fall Art Retreat held at Cottages at Sunset Shores. I was so pleased with the comments and feedback I received from the students. Everyone had a wonderful time, Vivian fed us so very well, the cottages are adorable and the craft room offered us plenty of space. Best of all – everyone completed their projects! Of course, we all know there are certain projects that are ever-changing. We add a little something here, change a little something there; but for the most part the projects went home complete!

I planned three projects to keep everyone busy throughout the weekend but still allow a wee bit of down time for Saturday afternoon. They really had no clue as to what the projects were. They trusted me and signed up sight-unseen. I dropped little hints every now and then, but no major announcements. They were given a supply list to bring (mostly consisting of tools) and I supplied the rest.

We started Friday evening with the beginnings to a Vintage/Shabby Chic coin envelope mini book with tags. This project would teach a plethora of techniques and carry into Saturday to finish up. We worked on that till nearly 11:30 p.m. then did some stenciling on their Vintage window frames so it would be dry in the morning. I had a selection of different sizes of Vintage window frames so they were able to select a style and size best suited to fit their space at home.

The window project also taught several techniques using gesso, stencils, acrylic paints, ultra-thick embossing enamels, dry embossing, tissue printing and using manly tools like power drills and screwdrivers! I must say, the group took their windows up a notch! They all turned out so beautifully. I love when students have enough time during class to experiment with techniques and the freedom to play and that’s what this retreat weekend was all about – time to experiment and play.

It took all of Saturday to finish up the windows and coin envelope books and we tossed in a make-n-take provided by Globecraft Memories using Piccolo Charms and Piccolo Enamels.

We finished the weekend off by making an ornament from Globecraft Memories using Art Glitter, Crafty Secrets, Piccolo Enamel Powders and some beads.

I don’t know who had a better time – the students or myself! I’ve already selected the dates for the Altered Vintage Winter Mystery Retreat to be held at Sunset Shores Feb. 22-24. Watch for more info to come.

Here’s the pics: click on any them for a closer view.