I am SO humbled and honored to be a part of this beautiful new online course by Jeanne Griffin Oliver that starts in January. Take a look at this amazing course YOU can join for FREE! 

Becoming - The Unfolding of You

The Lord is doing such AMAZING things and we would love for you to join us! Come along on this journey with 20 women who want to share their stories of finding their true identity in the Lord.

Here is more information on the FREE course:

Course description:

This January join 20 women for an 8 week study all about finding your true identity in Christ.  Each week you will hear unfolding stories from the women in this study.  We will be sharing truths about who the Lord says we are and our personal journeys to accepting those truths.

We will also have fun creative videos that follow the study where the women will share one of their gifts. Think guitar playing, bread making, painting, entertaining and more.  You know I can't have a course without sharing how the Lord uses our creativity! My hope is that the study will give you fresh eyes for the Lord and yourself.  When we know who we are in Christ it changes everything and opens our paths and gifts in incredible new ways.
Some of us are carrying around "truths" about ourselves that are flat out lies and it time to lay them down

This study will be open and honest, real, Bible based and a bit of creativity too.  We hope you will join us January 6, 2015 for this free online study!

Directions to register:To join this free study you just need to be registered at jeanneoliver.ning.com (registering is free).

Once you are on the site you will find this study, free videos (business and art), my Creativity Takes Courage series and new online courses along the left hand side of the page.

You will find all of our courses/videos under the COURSES heading.

To register for Becoming | The Unfolding of You

1) Go to COURSES along the left hand side of the page

2) Go to the bottom of the course and click “view all” to find Becoming | The Unfolding of You

4) Click on Becoming | The Unfolding of You

3) Click the +join button on the upper right hand side

4) All of the details are on the page and you are all set for the study to begin on January 6, 2015

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I hope you will join us in January for this inspiring adventure…

Hugs,

Laura

Like

Are YOU dreaming of Italy??

I've been thinking a lot about it lately…  Maybe it's because I'm putting together a new website and have been going through all my photos I've taken over the past 6 years from our travels there…

So I thought I would share with all of you a few photos that I took during my Creative Retreats in beautiful Lake Como, Italy so you can see how truly amazing this part of Italy is!

AND, I'll share my new website with you soon… SO excited to reveal it!!  I finally will have ONE PLACE with everything.  My 3 blogs will merge into one "life style" blog, there will be a page dedicated to all my Creative Retreats, and information on my design work and class schedule for local teaching!   

In the mean time… feel free to stroll through these photos and dream of joining me as I share this place every year with anyone who wants to join me on an adventure to Italy!!  The INVITATION is always open…  

How about...

Sitting by this incredible pool at our Creative Retreat

Strolling through this beautiful villa above Lake Como

Taking a ferry ride across the lake to another village to explore...

Or finding hidden jewels on the lake like this waterfall...

and most of all making memories with your new friends for life!

Have a GREAT day everyone!!

If you want to join me next summer you can send me an email and let me know which date you are interested in.  

Laura

I have to share an amazing opportunity for all of you to be a part of!

As you know, my friend Jeanne Oliver has taught for me at my Creative Retreats in Italy (and next summer at my Art & Faith Creative Retreat) and we combined forces last summer for her first The Living Studio.  I {ADORE} this woman.  She is an amazing person that I am SO bummed I don't live next door too... (but she's probably happy about that)  Well, she has a new class series on her Ning site that I REALLY want you to take a look at!

It's called Studying Under the Masters and week one has just started!  It's self paced so you have lots of time to go through the course.  Let me just share a few photos of her "Sneak Peeks":

Aren't they just DREAMY??

There's SO much more, you REALLY need to check out all the details on her blog here.

Now if you're like me this is a bit intimidating, I'll be honest with you. I'm NOT an artist, not even close.  I don't know how to draw or shade...  The closest thing I've gotten to being an artist is doing mixed media and collage art.   But guess what… I'm going for it!

This is something I NEED to do.  I WANT to learn.  I dream of being an artist when I'm in front of a Van Gogh or Monet at the Louve in Paris.  I {SEE} art everywhere I go.  Italy INSPIRES the creative side in me and I never want to leave that place… So I don't want to be limited by my own skills JUST because I haven't taken the time to LEARN new skills!  And even if my work doesn't end up looking anything like these artists, I WANT to stretch myself.  It's time for me to grow and become what I've dreamt of… Becoming a {baby} Artist.  <3

So why don't you join me!  This is going to be SO much fun and I'd love to have you along on this journey with me… AND Jeanne!  Then we can talk about it next summer with her, IN ITALY!!

Just go to any of the links and sign up TODAY!  And leave a comment on THIS post if you are going to join me!  I want to keep in touch on Jeanne's NING site with you!!

And a little fyi… It's my 25th wedding anniversary TODAY with my wonderful man!  I'm BEYOND blessed with this guy.  HE believes in me, thinks I'm an amazingly talented woman and I know he'd push me to do this as well.  So THANK YOU Lance!  You don't know this yet… but you just bought me this as a little "Anniversary" gift!  hahaha

Have a GREAT day everyone!!

Laura

Here we are at Monet's Garden in Giverny, France last September!!

Good Morning!

This week is off to a great start and today I am working on getting our online groups together for the Creative Retreats next summer.

I have done this in the past with Yahoo Groups but I really don't like the way they work.  It's very confusing and hard to read through all the posts…  So I would like to set up our groups in Facebook.  It's much easier and I think most everyone is on FB anyways.  If you have signed up for one of my retreats and are NOT on FB, please just send me an email or comment down at the bottom of this to let me know.  I'd really like to use FB for our groups and I'll be setting those up in the next couple days.

Also, the first payment for the retreats will be due on October 15th.  If you want to send a money order instead of using PayPal, then just email me as well to let me know when that is on it's way.  I'll be emailing everyone to send a reminder and set up how each person wants to handle the payment.

I think that is it for this beautiful Monday!

I do have a few spots left for both Italy Creative Retreats.  It's not too late to sign up and they are going to be AMAZING weeks with the wonderful teachers I have this year!!

Have a GREAT day everyone!

Hugs,

Laura

Hello!  

Just spent a week in Alaska (well really on a BOAT) and now i'm trying to get back to things at home again.  Alaska is beautiful, but the inside of a boat… not so much.  Realized I'm not a cruise person.  But, it was for my husbands work so it was nice to go with his team for a week away…

Here's a few photos of our adventures (when NOT of a boat):

Anchorage was sunny and beautiful

I'm scared of heights people...

pretty much worth the trip.

We did every crazy adventure (zip-lining, adventure carts, white water rafting…) and saw every animal possible (bald eagles, whales, otters, salmon, wolves, sea lions, white horn sheep… AND bears!)  So overall it was a fun week and I would recommend Alaska, just not a cruise that has you on the boat for 4 out of 7 days.

But now I'm back and getting to that long "to-do" list I have.  I can actually say I've event tackled some of the things I've wanted to accomplish on my last blog post…  

I started my bible journaling!  It's AMAZING!  I really enjoy the process and have also enjoyed spending more time in the word.  I highly recommend joining this new way to express your creativity IN your bible!  There's even a FB group you can join that I'm a part of called "Journaling bible Community" and would love to see you on there!  Send a shout out to me if you join on there so I can say Hi!  (I think I'm under my name, Laura McCollough,  not akissonthechic)

Ok, now I wanted to update you on the two Creative Retreats for 2015 that are in Italy.  

The good news for you is that THERE ARE STILL SOME SPOTS LEFT!  So take a look at the details below… or you can go to the REGISTRATION PAGE ---> over there and see more information (or the FAQ page) and you can sign up via a PayPal deposit.   

Each year as I look forward to the next Creative Retreats, I am amazed at how dreams really DO come true!  It was my desire to blend all of my {loves} into one concept and I have done that with my weeklong events in Italy each year.  And I am continually blessed and in wonder of how exciting it is to share CREATIVE time with each and every person that comes to these events.  I would say it’s “Magical” in this part of Italy and that wouldn’t be far from the truth.  But really, it’s just an awe inspiring place to bring together creative people to enjoy the culture, the beauty, the way of life and the food of Italy!  You will go away with new friends, a new perspective on life and a creative spirit that will inspire you as you go forward... It’s life changing and life affirming. And those aren’t just my words... It’s been said countless times to me from the people who have come to my Creative Retreats.

So that is why I am writing this today.  It is my desire to share this place with YOU.  As you can probably already tell, it’s a passion of mine to host these Creative Retreats on the shores of beautiful Lago di Como, Italy.  It is also my hope that you would consider joining me on next years adventure to Italy!

So here’s some of the details on BOTH Creative Retreats in Italy next summer:

1.  Creative “Scrapbook” Retreat - June 13 - 20, 2015 

For next year I am changing things up a bit and including MORE than ever before and doing NEW things!!  As each year goes by I learn new things as I put these events together.   This helps me to grow and offer an exciting new week for everyone involved!  This week will be an exciting week with two AMAZING Mixed Media artists, Céline Navarro & Zoey Scarpelli.  Both are FROM Europe and will share with us very CREATIVE and EXCITING ways to record our memories!

Here's a preview of what the 4th Annual Creative Retreat in Italy will include:

Bellagio, Italy ~ 7 Nights ~ June 13 - 20, 2015 - $3,250pp (family pricing available)

- 7 nights at the Grand Hotel Villa Serbelloni Apartments or Hotel Florence

- Opening Reception overlooking the gorgeous lake

- Day trip to Milan for the Worlds Fair - 2015 (The theme is FOOD… good choice Italy!)

- 4 Classes by 2 amazing European Mixed Media / Scrapbook Artists!!

   ~    Céline Navarro &  Zoey Scarpelli    ~

- Exploring Lake Como on beautiful vintage boats

- Tour of Bellagio, including the history of this region by a local tour guide

- Ferry's to surprise locations for exploring 

- Tours of famous Villa's and gardens on the lake

- Cooking Class with hands on instruction from a famous Top Chef of Italy

- All breakfast included in the gorgeous breakfast rooms at either hotel

- Almost all lunches and dinners in gorgeous locations around the lake are included!

- Grand Finale at Mistral - GHVS Michelin Star Restaurant

- Transfer to and from MXP airport is included on a luxury private bus

- Taxi's and Ferrys to and from dinners and excursions

- Hotel and room taxes included

- Classes and Crop time in the beautiful event room with a view of Lake Como

- Wonderful products from our SPONSORS

- Free Make-n-Takes

- Handmade "Swag Bags"

- Amazing SURPRISES I can't reveal yet…

- Plus time to relax by the GHVS pool, or stroll the cobblestone streets

- Live music in the music room each night

- And…an unforgettable experience in Italy you will treasure forever!!

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2.  Creative “Art & Faith” Retreat - July 11 - 18, 2015

I am excited to be hosting an Art retreat again!  If you followed me this year on FB or IG, you noticed that Jeanne Oliver and I “co-hosted” an art event in Bellagio this summer.  It was an amazing week and I was honored to combine forces with her.   So I’ve asked her to come back AGAIN and teach for me next summer, but in a little bit different way.  I’ve had a vision for a while to put together one of my Creative Retreats as an “Art & Faith”  retreat.  I’ve decided to finally do that for this retreat next year and I can’t tell you how thrilled I am about this!  Jeanne Oliver and Stephanie Ackerman are super excited to teach with me and share their journeys and their God given talents with us and I’m sure you will be inspired and blessed during this weeklong event.  I have a few surprises for this week that I can’t WAIT to share with you, so I hope you will consider joining us!

Here's a preview of what the Creative “Art & Faith” Retreat will include:

Bellagio, Italy ~ 7 Nights ~ June 13 - 20, 2015 - $3,250pp (family pricing available)

- 7 nights at the Grand Hotel Villa Serbelloni Apartments or Hotel Florence

- Opening Reception overlooking the gorgeous lake

- Tour of Bellagio, including the history of this region by a local tour guide

- Day trip to a beautiful Monastery from the 7th Century on Lake Como

- 4 Classes in the beautiful event room with 2 amazing Mixed-Media artists:

    ~ Stephanie Ackerman & Jeanne Oliver ~

- Exploring Lake Como on beautiful vintage boats

- Ferry's to surprise locations for exploring 

- Tours of famous Villa's and gardens on the lake

- Cooking Class with hands on instruction and a beautiful meal YOU made!

- All breakfast included in the gorgeous breakfast rooms at either hotel

- Almost all lunches and dinners in gorgeous locations around the lake are included!

- Grand Finale at Mistral - GHVS Michelin Star Restaurant

- Transfer to and from MXP airport is included on a luxury private bus

- Taxi's and/or Ferry’s to and from dinners and excursions

- Hotel and room taxes included

- Classes and art time in the beautiful event room with a view of Lake Como

- Wonderful products from our SPONSORS

- Free Make-n-Takes

- Handmade "Swag Bags"

- Amazing SURPRISES I can't reveal yet…but they are AWESOME!

- Plus time to relax by the GHVS pool, or stroll the cobblestone streets

- Live music in the music room each night

- And…an unforgettable experience in Italy you will treasure forever!!

PLEASE NOTE:  I can only take 20 people on both of these Creative Retreats so the spots are filling up fast!  Make sure you email me if you want to be included in one of these retreats soon so I can reserve a spot for you or put you on the wait list.

Also, if you want to take your family (yes, it's an amazing week to share with your spouse or family) please email me directly to learn about the pricing & details for families or spouses or friends who don't want to come but don't' want to do the art)

So are you ready for an unforgettable experience... in beautiful Italy?

Have you dreamed of visiting the charming old world towns, the beautiful scenery or the magnificent architecture around every corner? Do you love to CREATE, be INSPIRED and make MEMORIES you will cherish forever? How about combining all of these things into a wonderful week with us? 

All these photos were taken by me, using my iPhone

I really hope you will consider joining one of my Creative Retreats next year... You won’t regret it, and you WILL treasure it forever.

Again, always feel free to email me!  I am available to answer any questions you may have.  

There is a vey limited amount of sign-ups available for this event, so sign up soon! 

Have a GREAT day and I hope to see you at one of my Creative Retreats next year!!

Hugs to all,

Laura McCollough

YES... you can come to my retreats with your family or friends who want to enjoy the week WITH YOU! (and they don't have to do any art) Email me for special details and pricing!  

Well hello again…

The kids are back to school, "summer" is over and I finally have a little bit of time to get some things done!  hahaha  I don't know if that's how you feel too, but our life this summer has been such a busy, busy whirlwind that I have to say I'm actually kind of happy it's over.  Now don't get me wrong… I went kicking and screaming all the way back to the first day of school.  I didn't want to send them back to school.  I enjoy them at home, I enjoy the sleeping in, the days with nothing planned, just spending time with them…  So the school schedule is NOT my favorite.  But sitting here in the quiet and blogging my thoughts… that's kinds a nice.  (Wish I was on that bench in Bellagio gathering my thoughts, but I'll just imagine it in my mind) But this time does give me a chance to take a breath and think about what my plans are for the next couple months before the holidays are upon us.  GASP!!!

Some of the things I want to accomplish are:

1. Get a NEW WEBSITE!  I have one (it's super duper old and crusty) but it needs a make-over big time.  Or just a whole new website would be good.  Looking into things and excited about this!

2. Get rid of all my blogs and combine EVERYTHING together in ONE place! (I have 3 blogs… it's kinda embarrassing…  but one was personal life stuff, this one is supposed to be about my Creative Retreats (I'm breaking the rules today I guess) and the last one is a food blog!  (love that one too, but haven't updated it in forever…)  So with one website that can be a kind of a "lifestyle" site, I think that will fulfill this desire.

3. Start being CREATIVE again.  Oh man, why is this one so tough?  I haven't been creative since my Creative Retreat this summer with Heidi Swapp and Rebecca Cross.  I haven't taught since then and I haven't even stepped into my artsy room in FOREVER!  So I want to take time to recharge those creative batteries inside me!  We all need this and I know I'm ready to get going on this right NOW!

4. Get going on three new projects I've wanted to do for a while… that ARE creative!  I guess they aren't really "new" but a restart or like hitting the "refresh button" for me.  I'm SO excited about these:
- The first is a Journaling Bible!  I've seen these for a long time, fell in LOVE instantly and I finally ordered one!  I can't wait to get started TODAY!!
- The second one is a Filofax!!  Yes, I'm a paper girl and I've said that for years to my hubby.  He's tried to get me to just put everything on my iPhone but I just don't like it.  I've had day planners for many years, got away from them for a while (sorry Lance, paperless just isn't in my DNA) and now I'm happy to say that I got a Filofax and even started making it all cute and pretty!!
- The last project is Project Life!  Now I tried this years ago when it came out.  I started and stopped it because I thought it was too much.  It started as a 365 day challenge.  Well I'm just NOT that organized.  I also stopped because I was too restrained by all the pocket pages.  But I've taken a look at it again, created my own style of PL and I'm going to do kind of a "free form" Project Life for our families memories.  I'm excited to do this and spend time getting our stories written done and into books that we will have for years to come.

So I think that's enough on my "to-do" list for now…

What are YOU thinking about accomplishing now that the kiddos are back in school?  Or just as Fall is coming around the corner??  Would love to hear from you.

I'll share some photos of these projects as they come together and would LOVE to hear from you if you are doing any of the same projects and know of any communities or places where I get can ideas.

And don't forget…

There are still some spaces open for the two Creative Retreats in Italy next summer!!  I've updated the REGISTRATION PAGE over there---> so go check out the details, email me if you have any questions and really pray and consider joining me and the teachers next summer in Italy!  It really is a life changing vacation.  I should have "testimonials" on here (maybe I will on my new website) because the people who come do NOT want to leave.  I promise you… you will not regret going to one of these Creative Retreats.  You WILL regret not going though.  This is such an incredible part of Italy, I have come to love this lake and it's people and I really do want to show each and every one of you the beauty and joy and inspiration that you can experience here…

Hugs to all,

Laura

Hi everyone!  

So excited about the Creative Retreats next year!  So many wonderful people are joining us next year in France AND Italy and I can't wait to share these beautiful places with all of YOU!

Sign ups went GREAT yesterday and I want to THANK YOU for a great turn out!!

I'm SUPER excited that my very first Creative Retreat in Paris is SOLD OUT!!  I'm a little sad too because I know a lot of you wanted to join in on that…  I want this to be a small group though because it will be easier for us to get around the city and experience it in a very special way.  So, for those who couldn't get in I do have a wait list.  It's getting pretty long but that just shows me how much YOU love Paris too!!  (and I may just have to do this again some day…  Right?  :)

The Creative Retreats in Italy are still going strong and are open to register, so sign up soon to secure you spot!  As most of you know, this is truly where my heart is and I would LOVE to share this part of Italy with you!  Both weeks are going to be AMAZING with the teachers I have for next year AND the places we are going!  So check out those weeks and see what will work best for you!  I'd LOVE to enjoy a week with you in one of the most beautiful places in all of Italy… Lago di Como!!

Now I have a bit of "housekeeping" on the retreats…

CREATIVE RETREATS IN BELLAGIO, ITALY:

PLEASE NOTE:  I am so sorry, but I made a mistake on the pricing/accommodations for the Italy Creative Retreats and I have to correct my REGISTRATION PAGE.  (It's for the BETTER though and I'm not afraid to admit I make mistakes…)  

The pricing I quoted IS FOR 2 PEOPLE PER APARTMENT!  

In the description I quote that the accommodations are for 3 people to an apartment.  That IS TRUE for the PARIS "mini" retreat, but NOT the Italy ones.  So the pricing of $3,499 is for 2 people!!  That's good news… You won't have to have anyone on the sofa bed and you'll have more space in your apartment!!!

So we can do this two ways:

1. You can keep the price AS QUOTED and now instead of 3 people to a room, you will have the 2 people to the room.  You get the same price with an added bonus of only sharing with one other person…

OR

2. You can get a DISCOUNT if you want to still have 3 to a room!  Now that's good news right???  So if you've signed up and were cool with sharing 3 to an apartment and want the DISCOUNT, just email me and I will apply the $250 discount to your balance.  (So new price becomes $3,250)

I'm sorry for any confusion.  I have to admit that I copy and pasted some of the "Payment information" and then realized later last night that I hadn't changed it from the Paris to Italy retreats.  There's no reason for you to have to share 3 to a room when you don't have to right?

But, it's up to YOU!  You can decide which way you want to go and I will work out the accommodations depending on who has signed up and how many people want 2 or 3 to a room.

Sound good?

Ok…  Last night I had a LONG night going to Los Angeles to pick up two Italian boys from the airport.  So for the next month we will be hosting these boys in California and we are so excited to show them America for the first time!!  I will be around and can answer emails every day but we will be going places with them a I won't be on the computer as much.  Feel free to email me or call me though, I'm always around to help you if you need it!

I'll be sending the Contracts to everyone by this Friday.  So check your email for that.  I need to get that signed and sent back within 4 days to secure your spot!  So take a look at it, you can either fax it to me, email it back to me or send me a photo text with your signed signature pages filled out and then pop it in the mail.  Whatever works best for you.

Have a GREAT day everyone!!

Hugs,

Laura

So excited… SIGN UPS ARE LIVE!!

You can sign up over here --->  under the REGISTRATION PAGE!

I'll be around all day (until I have to pick up two Italian boys from the airport tonight…) so if you have any questions, feel free to email me or call me.  

See you next summer… in France and Italy!!!

Tomorrow is the DAY!!!

I have all the information up under the REGISTRATION PAGE over here ---->

So go take a look at the 3 Creative Retreats for 2015 and be back tomorrow morning at 9:00AM PST (California time) to SIGN UP!!!  At 9:00am the PayPal buttons will be LIVE!

You can also check out the teachers blogs and see how excited they are!!

Scrapbook Creative Retreat Teachers:  Both are European teachers that will truly INSPIRE YOU!!!  Céline is from France and Zoey is from Italy!!

Céline Navarro

Zoey Scarpelli

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Art & Faith Creative Retreat Teachers:  Both are AMAZING Artists and Women of Faith.  I have wanted to have a Faith based Creative Retreat for a while now and I am so blessed and honored to have these two along for a week of INSPIRATION and CREATIVITY and sharing the gifts God has given all of us! 

Stephanie Ackerman

Jeanne Oliver

This is such a blessing each year.  I can't believe this will be my 4th Annual Creative Retreats next summer!  Thank YOU for all your support and encouragement and for your willingness to follow me half way around the world!!  It truly is a JOY to do this each year and I am beyond amazed at this little DREAM of mine becoming something bigger then I ever imagined!!  

See you tomorrow,

Laura

Exciting news...

I have decided to open up ALL 3 CREATIVE RETREATS THIS TUESDAY!!

I want you to have all the options open at the same time so you can make the best decision on which Creative Retreat works for you… (or you can stay for more than one and get a DISCOUNT!)

So more details COMING SOON!  (And in your email inbox today if you're on the INTEREST LIST)

So now you will have the option to sign up for 1, 2 or 3 Creative Retreats in 2015:

1. Paris, France  - June 7 - 12, 2015

2. Lake Como, Italy - June 13 - 20, 2015  (Scrapbook Retreat)

3. Lake Como, Italy - July 11 - 18, 2015  (Art Retreat) 

Hope to see you next summer in France AND Italy!!

Hugs,

Laura

Well I can't believe I just got back home from Italy and now it's already time to ANNOUNCE the next Creative Retreats in Italy!!!  (and Paris… SO excited)

I do this for a reason though.  I really want as many people to come as possible and I want you to have plenty of time to save up for it, plan for it and get to know the people you will be going with… and to get excited together!!  I understand this is a LUXURY retreat.  It's not something most people can just decide in one day to go on…  So I want you to have time to think about it, pray about it or just DREAM about the possibility of going some day.

So with that said, I want to share the DETAILS of the Creative Retreats for 2015!  I'm SO excited about next year and I hope you are too!  Enjoy looking at the information and feel free to email me with any questions you may have.

The first Creative Retreat for 2015 will be in Paris, France!!

As I said above, I am finally doing a Creative Retreat in Paris, France!  If you've followed me on any social media or my blogs over the years… you also know that I LOVE Paris.  I have been there many times and have come to know and love the many wonderful facets of Paris.  This city is AMAZING and if you have never been…or want to go back... please join me next June!  I want to share this beautiful, creative, inspiring city with YOU!

This will be a bit different than my Creative Retreats in Italy.  It will not be a full week so I am calling it a "mini" Creative Retreat.  I will be the only teacher and there will only be ONE class that I will be teaching at the end of our time together… for a reason.  I'm very excited about what I have planned and I want to keep it a secret for now.  This retreat will focus more on PARIS and the places that make it special.

Here's a taste of what the Paris Creative Retreat will include:

Paris ~ 5 Nights ~  June 7 - 12, 2015 - $1,955

- Five nights in a beautiful apartment in my favorite Arrondissement - Saint Germain
- A day exploring one of the most wonderful Paris Flea Markets
- A day trip to a picturesque town outside of Paris
- A Chocolate and Photo tour of Paris… YES, it's that awesome!
- Afternoon tea in one of the prettiest restaurants in Paris
- A Cruise on the Seine River at night for a memorable dinner
- Exploring the Fabric & Trim district in Paris
- Strolling through my favorite garden and enjoying lunch in this beautiful setting
- One Mixed-Media class that will be a culmination of our time in Paris
- Almost all Breakfast, lunch and dinners are included
- Little Parisian gifts and surprises during the week
- All private taxis to and from excursions (no subway for us…unless you want to)

Sign ups for this Creative Retreat will take place on NEXT TUESDAY, JULY 15th!!  You will find ALL the information on the REGISTRATION PAGE --->  over here

PLEASE NOTE:  I can only take 10 ladies on this special "mini" Creative Retreat so the spots will fill up fast!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The next Creative Retreat will be back in my "2nd home" of Bellagio, Italy…'

The 4th Annual Creative Retreat in Italy ~ June 13 - 20th, 2015

~ Scrapbook Week ~ 

For next year I am changing things a bit and including MORE then ever before!!  As each year goes by I learn new things as I put these events together.   This helps me to grow and change things a little each time to hopefully create an amazing week for everyone involved! I also see this part of Italy through a new group of eyes each time and it is such a JOY for me to experience the beauty and splendor of Lake Como with a new group each year!  It is a passion of mine to share this part of Italy with YOU and I know you will enjoy this place as much as the other people have before you…

Here's a preview of what the 5th Annual Creative Retreat in Italy will include:

Bellagio, Italy ~ 7 Nights ~ June 13 - 20, 2015 - $3,499

- 7 nights at the Grand Hotel Villa Serbelloni Apartments or Hotel Florence
- Opening Reception overlooking the gorgeous lake
- Day trip to Milan for the Worlds Fair - 2015 (The theme is FOOD… good choice Italy!)
- 4 Classes by amazing European Scrapbook Artists!!
   ~    Céline Navarro &  Zoey Scarpelli    ~
- Exploring Lake Como on beautiful vintage boats
- Tour of Bellagio, including the history of this region by a local tour guide
- Ferry's to surprise locations for exploring 
- Tours of famous Villa's and gardens on the lake
- Cooking Class with famous Top Chef of Italy
- All breakfast included in the gorgeous breakfast rooms at either hotel
- Almost all lunches and dinners are included
- Grand Finale at Mistral - GHVS Michelin Star Restaurant
- Transfer to and from airport are included
- Taxi's and Ferrys to and from dinners and excursions
- Hotel and room taxes included
- Crop time in the event room
- Wonderful products from our SPONSORS
- Free Make-n-Takes
- Handmade "Swag Bags"
- Amazing SURPRISES I can't reveal yet…
- Plus time to relax by the GHVS pool, or stroll the cobblestone streets
- And…an unforgettable week in Italy!!!

Sign ups for this Creative Retreat will take place on NEXT TUESDAY, JULY 15th!!  You will find ALL the information on the REGISTRATION PAGE --->  over here

PLEASE NOTE:  I can only take 20 ladies on this Creative Retreat so the spots will fill up fast!

* More details will be on the REGISTRATION PAGE soon!

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The 4th Annual Creative Retreat in Italy ~ July 11 - 18th, 2015

~ Art Week ~ 

FURTHER DETAILS ABOUT THIS WEEL WILL BE COMING SOON…..

So there's a SNEAK Preview!  More details will be sent out to those on the INTEREST list tomorrow.  DON'T FORGET TO SIGN UP NEXT TUESDAY, JULY 15TH TO SECURE YOUR SPOT FOR ONE OR BOTH CREATIVE RETREATS!

Hugs to all,

Laura

Ciao from Italy!!

When I first started doing my Creative Retreats in Italy I was only doing it once a year.  As you can imagine it's a lot to put together and I want to make EACH retreat a special occasion!

But as I was planning for this years Creative Retreat in May, I knew that was when the girls were still in school and I figured I would hang out in Italy after the first week was over and until school was out and they would come with Lance and we would enjoy our summer vacation here.  But the more I thought about it, I decided to open up a 2nd week right after the first one since it SOLD OUT so fast and since I was just hanging out here by myself… Why not have some FUN with more ladies??

This 2nd Creative Retreat was a bit different though.  I wanted it to be more casual, less classes and more exploring and I have to say I was SO blessed by the ladies that came this week!  It was a small group and so I wasn't sure how that was going to be... and I have to say, I LOVED IT!  There were two ladies who had been to my first Creative Retreat so they knew each other and had loved it so much they wanted to come back and then they both brought friends.  What a JOY to know that they had such a great time here and wanted to now share it with their friends… So we had a blast this week together!

I have to say this is such a wonderful job for me.  I get to be in a place I love and has become a 2nd home to my family…  I get to share this place with other people…I get to share all my favorite places,  all the people who have become like family to us here, and we get to be CREATIVE in such an amazing backdrop…  AND I get to watch people from all over the world get to know each other and make lasting friendships!!  How wonderful is that?  I LOVE to hear stories of friendships that have developed, vacation plans made with these new friendships, plans to meet in New York, or plans to go see where each other lives…  It's just AMAZING to me that my little dream of hosting events in this part of Italy has grown into something BIGGER then "my" dream…  

That is why I will be doing my CREATIVE RETREATS next year AND as hopefully many years into the future as I can!

So here are some photos from my 2nd week, I hope you enjoy them.  

Don't forget to scroll down to the bottom of the blog post for some of the EXCITING DETAILS of the 2015 CREATIVE RETREATS!!!

George's house… actually he owns the 4 houses around this house too.  Must be nice...

Enjoying the pergola on the first night with a light dinner and gorgeous view.

Had a beautiful day on the lake.

My friends boat as we left Bellagio for a fun afternoon!

These wonderful ladies enjoying a view of Villa B.

Sitting on the terrace enjoying a beautiful day!

Getting to know these ladies was a pleasure!  Such wonderful people...

Taking a little break as we walked up some of the many, many steps here.

The most relaxing place for lunch.

Enjoying a walk through Villa Melzi with my friend Rita as our tour guide.

Enjoying the beautiful views of the lake.

Another amazing village on Lake Como.  

So many, many pictures I could share with you but it would be an overload of photos…  Needless to say, it was another wonderful week and I'm so glad I got the chance to have a small group here!  I've had my Creative Retreats here, I've organized my husbands business retreat here and next summer I'm organizing a family reunion here too!  It's fun to change things up a bit and bring different groups of people here.  And if anyone is every interested in me hosting an event for YOU, I'd love to!  Don't hesitate to email me if you have an event you'd like me organize on Lake Como. 

And speaking about events…

I am SO EXCITED to announce the dates for the 2015 Creative Retreats!

Next summer I am going to be hosting 2 CREATIVE RETREAT WEEKS in Italy!

The first week will be June 13 - 20th, 2015

and

The second will be the week of June 20 - 27th, 2015

and...

**In addition to these two weeks, I will be hosting a mini Creative Retreat in Paris, France!!

Yes, I am very excited about sharing my love of Paris with you as well!  This will be a smaller group and it will be for 5 nights, not a whole week like my Creative Retreats in Italy.  But as most of you know, I've been to Paris many times and would love to host a mini Creative Retreat in one of the most beautiful cities in the world!!  

I will be posting all the details about EACH week on here and on my FB Page very soon!  If you want more information, just email me and I will put you on the INTEREST LIST. 

The 3 events will be available for SIGN UP's in mid July, (next month)  so make sure you check back for the details as I update this blog and the Registration page!

Hugs to all,

Laura