Escapades of the Getaway Gurus!

Kristine Widtfeldt here, commandeering Jeanette’s blog after an absolutely incredible weekend at the Scrapbook Spa Getaway with my Consultant peeps and fellow-VP Monica Wihongi. The fun began Thursday night as we welcomed nine strangers to our cozy retreat, a luxurious cabin high in the mountains of Utah. What diametrically different people they are: a marathoner, southern belle, homeschooler, newlywed, business systems analyst; some were sassy city ladies, others rural gals; some keen listeners and others, power talkers for sure (you KNOW I’m talking about you, Briana!). We wondered: what were we in for??

We needn’t have given it a thought! By the time our first night’s “Sister To Sister” gameshow concluded—you know how I love hosting gameshows!--the house rocked with laughter and camaraderie and prizes (check out the Old World Alphabet stamp sets won by one team for having superb product knowledge tested in night two’s “Minute To Win It” game).

I know the Getaway winners were there to scrapbook, and scrapbook we did, creating 10 gorgeous, stamped layouts and 4 custom cards, staying up waaaaay past midnight each night. I know they were excited to play with products, and play we did, even offering a sneak peek of a new Spring/Summer Workshop on the Go (don’t even try zooming in on the photos; I didn’t take any of this not-yet-revealed product, but dang, it was cute!). I know they looked forward to a weekend of pampering and they definitely loved the massages and pedicures—check out the photos of Krista getting her feet rubbed and Jaime’s crazy blonde post-massage ‘do, plus those snazzy painted toenails adorning the stairway to our scrappin’ heaven.

But what I don’t think our “Getaway 9” ever anticipated was making lifelong friends in a few short days. But I promise, it happened. I tell you it was a magic thing to watch strangers transform into friends bonded by a love of Close To My Heart, a passion for scrapbooking, and a sisterhood borne of conversation, caring, and commonality that transcended our myriad little differences. At some point during the weekend, I think I saw each winner cry (happy tears, mostly!). I know I saw each winner laugh—sometimes we laughed so hard it made us cry.

We learned, we shared. We even shared some things we’ll never forget—not even if we try. For example, Lori can put her entire fist into her mouth (see photo for proof). Briana can moonwalk. Shannon raises goats. Audrey has a hilarious customer mishap moment that left us hooting with laughter. And Kristina... Well, if you want to hear Kristina’s story, you’ll just have to hear it from her. Oh, dear. Each winner had something wondrous to contribute—a wacky story, an ability to read directions and teach others (thank you, Krista and Gina for helping everyone finish and then helping me pack stamps and ink pads into the wee hours!), a gentle spirit or a feisty outlook (the Loris/Lauries, you just have to figure out which is which!)

Toss in some great meals, plenty of chocolate, and stretchy pants—a must for a retreat like this—and you have near perfection. On our last evening, each one of the Getaway 9 received a hand-crafted layout made by one of our studio artists to encapsulate the winner’s personality. The layouts were breathtaking, truly. I found myself choking up with gratitude as I distributed them—the artwork was as beautiful as each lady. The photos won’t do the artwork justice, but enjoy them nonetheless.

As the airport shuttles pulled into the farmhouse’s sprawling drive on Sunday morning, we hugged in earnest. Not the polite hugs of acquaintances, but the hang-on hugs of dear friends already planning a reunion. Making and keeping great, great memories; now THAT is what scrapbooking is all about.

I know Monica and I were the hosts of this retreat. But after meeting these nine ladies, I think it is we who were the winners.

Jeanette... I think we have a proposal for another contest already in the works!