Art Is you Collage Component Cabinet Workshop Recap

Last Friday began the the long awaited West Coast Art Is You Art Retreat weekend here in our awesome town of Petaluma. I don’t think enough can be said about the event coordinators, the amazing work they did, the amount of details they considered and the way they made everyone who attended feel special. The event was held at the Sheraton Sonoma County – Petaluma Hotel along the beautiful Petaluma River where my workshop classroom looked out onto the marina. I have to add that this hotel’s staff was so professional, friendly and accommodating on all levels. And Friday’s meal (Tortilla soup and Southwestern Salad) was the best lunch I’ve had in a very long time!Every single instructor and attendee at Art Is You received an adorable hand-crafted name badge. It was a kick to see how many resembled their recipients and how some altered theirs. I love mine, but I think it looks more like my sister Jennifer! (I love that.)

I met the most amazing women instructors and attendees at Art Is You and was in awe of so many of them. I shopped ’til I dropped at Naval Jelly Studio’s on-site store and with many other vendors at the AIY Trunk Show!

I have to say…my class rocked. SUCH a great group of very creative and warm women. I had the best time sharing my project, sponsored materials, all the many things I’d been gathering for the attendees for months, and my studio tools. You can see all the photos I took of our day, including the workshop set-up on Flickr.

There was a point during the day when I grew a bit concerned as our room was so quiet! But I realized that everyone was in their own creative mode decorating and embellishing their cabinets and crafting their collage components.

We were so fortunate to have an impressive list of hand-picked workshop sponsors to make our day & projects complete. Please visit the links below to see why I am so enthusiastic about their products.

Ornamentea.com Decopatch papers, brushes, and varnish, lots of collage components, Terrifically Tacky Tape, rubber stamps, Cavallini posters (awesome classroom giveaway!)

Sterling Publishing/Lark Books Classroom books: Scraps by Elsebeth Gynther & Christine Clemmensen

Whisker Graphics Divine Twine Sweet Dozen and Little Bitty Bags

WorldLabel.com Assortment of die-cut label stock including full-sheet Kraft label sheets

Rose Mille German Glass Glitter

Simplicity.com Travel Sewing Kits

Jenni Bowlin/JBS Mercantile Papers, Embellishments, Stickers, Vintage lace trim, Paper punches

Charlotte Lyons/Blend Walnut Hill Farm fabric collection

Plaid Mod Podge

Bonnie’s Best Genesis Paper Trimmer and Japanese Book Drill

Sensible Foods Delicious and healthy, gluten free, dried fruit & Vegetable snacks

Divine Twine Station!

Local food company, Sensible Foods supplied heaps of delicious Crunch Dried® Snacks for our day of crafting. Love this stuff!!

I’ve already signed up to teach next year, not sure what just yet, but it will be cool, I promise!  A huge Thank You to all who attended this year. I was the most fun to spend the day with you and watch your beautiful cabinets come together.