Weekend at Dusty's !!!

"What is your hobby? Every woman ought to have some pet interest in life, outside of the everyday routine which composes her regular occupations. What is yours?"
- The Mother's Magazine, January 1915

Well, behind with blog posts or not, I am leaving town tomorrow for an all-girls, all-weekend SCRAPBOOKING and FUN HAVING Retreat at our friend Dusty's home in La Quinta.

above, our hostess-with-the-mostest - Dusty Burgmans

Yup, it's time for my semi-annual RETREAT with some of the most amazing women in my life, at the most amazing Retreat set-up ... Lyn and Willie and Cynthia. All, friends I have made through CCI (Canine Companions for Independence; www.cci.org ), and all, women I've grown much closer to in three full years of monthly BUNCO get-togethers! {I am so, so truly blessed ...}

I mean, WHO can resist a welcoming committee like this?!

If you haven't visited Dusty's website, you can find her at: www.ScrappinatDustys.com ... what she offers is simply beyond description.

Dusty, left, giving me some advice ...

I've posted about her before, on both this and my other blog ( www.DH2travelers.blogspot.com ), including photographs. Will try to take more pics this weekend and post next week about the experience.


a glimpse of how we work ... and the big screen TV that keeps us entertained all weekend { can you say "chick flicks" ?! }

For now, I'm just tickled pink that we're all heading over tomorrow afternoon ... let the fun and games begin! I'll be back on Sunday evening - with a whole lot of scrapbook finished up and pics to show you just how much FUN it is out at Dusty's !!

yes, I realize this ended up sideways ... but it's a tiny idea of the surprises we each find at our individual work tables upon arrival :-) ...

Dusty SPOILS us rotten !!!

-- Princess Magpie

SCRAPPIN' WEEKEND RETREAT

Just home from another FANTASTIC, FABULOUS, REMARKABLE, FUN-FILLED, PROJECT-FILLED weekend retreat at Scrappin' at Dusty's, in La Quinta, CA. www.scrappinatdustys.com is the website if you'd like to take a closer look at what she has going on out there in Wonderland ...

My friend Lyn and I went over on Friday afternoon, and spent the Retreat with a couple of lovely gals from Orange County, Krista & Melinda. What amazing women are repeat visitors to Dusty's !!!

Did I mention that when one attends a Retreat at Dusty's, EVERYTHING is included?

If you are making cards, you don't have to take a single thing.

If you are working on a scrapbook, all you need are your photos, and the pages (and scrapbook) they will reside in when finished.

Literally EVERYTHING you could want to use to get creative -- is there, and is included in the price.

Did I mention that the beds are "I can hardly wait to crawl into bed" comfy?

They are! Pillow top mattresses, the world's softest & freshest sheets, a warm comforter to cozy into, and an extra blanket if you need it. And the pillows - ah, heavenly. I always get a super good night's sleep when I'm at Dusty's.

Did I mention yet that Dusty makes the world's best Caffe Lattes?

She does! And all your meals are also included. I'm not kidding! {Did I mention the big candy basket from which one can, if one is so inclined, snack from as you like!?}

So what are all the nifty supplies available for you to use? The list is endless, so I encourage you to visit Dusty's website to get a gander of just a sampling of what's out there ...

For now, I can provide you with this:

the largest collection of high-quality rubber stamps I've ever seen
the most beautiful, high-quality INKS for stamping with - in every color under the sun
tons of paper - solids, patterns, all weights, even vellum(s)
brads, eyelets, crystal bits, and drawers full of ribbon
{Dusty's is an embellisher's dream-come-true}
chipboard
many wonderful die-cuts to choose from, and a Sizzix and a Big Shot

Each work table contains ALL THE NECESSARY TOOLS to get the job done --- an array of adhesives, scissors, a paper cutter, cool tools for cutting out special shapes (forget the name!), and plenty of terrific working light ... TWO lamps on each work table.

Did I mention that it's a wonderful thing to do with your {adult} daughters, or your best girlfriends, or your mother - ANY of your most favorite people? IT IS !!!

We can watch movies on a big-screen TV, we can listen to music of any genre, we can laugh and tell stories, or we can just all work quietly ... whichever mood we're in, it all seems to work just fine for the group.

A retreat at Scrappin' at Dusty's is for ANY and ALL experience levels. As a beginner, you will learn SO VERY MUCH about whatever it is you want to work on - be it stamping or scrapbooking. As someone with a little {or a lot} of experience at this kind of thing, I would venture to say you'll pick up some new technique each time you attend a weekend at Dusty's. {I know I do !!!}

It's an incredible experience.

Did I already mention that it's AN INCREDIBLE EXPERIENCE? I can't say it enough.

When I get photos from my friend Lyn, I'll be sure to post on this blog ... I'm kicking myself that I forgot to take my camera with me this weekend.

IF YOU HAVE AN INTEREST IN GOING, I can't recommend it highly enough.

Your VERY happy, can't wait to go again ...

Princess Magpie, aka DAH