Past Retreats

It’s been a week since the Cheers & Sips Crafting Retreat and I thought that the best way to re-live the amazing time was to write a blog post. It was a creative weekend getaway in PORT Port Macquarie, NSW, where paper crafters came together to stamp, make cards, and relax. My ladies were spoiled all weekend with little gifts, treats, and a bag full of Stampin’ Up!® crafting supplies.

The Venue – A Beautiful Space to Relax and Create

I am so blessed to have found the Comfort Resort Waters Edge hotel in Port Macquarie (Mid North Coast of NSW). The venue gave us the perfect retreat space, with room for every crafter to spread out (we all had a whole table to ourselves), relax, and enjoy the creative atmosphere. The view is wonderfully relaxing and inspiring too!

The Projects – Handmade Cards, Stamping, and Creativi-tea!

The weekend was filled with handmade card making and stamping projects. The projects at this retreat gave everyone something new to try. I created six exclusive card making projects for all to create, these Make ‘n’ Takes were given out on the Saturday for everyone to work on at their leisure. I provided written instructions as well as video tutorials for these exclusive Make ‘n’ Takes. I don’t share the Make ‘n’ Take projects outside of the retreat, but I will share my favourite! It features my new favourite Stampin’ Up!® colour Strawberry Slush!

There was plenty of time for everyone to work on their own projects, catch up on the UFO (UnFinished Objects – we all have them around), and enjoy and relax. There was an inspiration board using the swag bag products.

The People – Friendships, Inspiration, and Paper Crafting Together

One of the best parts of any retreat is the crafting community. The creative connections inspired us all. It felt as a weekend catch up with paper crafting friends. This wasn’t the first weekend crafty getaway for anyone, with two participants having been to all eight of my retreats. It was wonderful to spend a relaxing weekend together.

We had one giant long table where we could all chat, craft and enjoy. It was wonderful to get inspiration from each other and to learn new layouts or techniques. I loved hearing all the fun conversations around the room and many laughs were shared.

Highlights from the Weekend – Our Favourite Memories from the Cheers & Sips Retreat

This crafting retreat was such a special creative getaway, and it reminded me why I love bringing paper crafters together. My bucket gets so filled with all the wonderful moments that we have over the weekend. Everyone is so lovely and so grateful. My favourite comment on arrival was – “I’ve been looking forward to this for months!”.

Friday nights start the fun off with a bingo night. We play four rounds, but everyone gets five cards and can choose when to play the extra card. The last two rounds are always more challenging to complete and there were some number requests and suggestions!

Prizes were Stampin’ Up!® products – Bloom Impressions DSP, Most Adored Specialty DSP, Scenic Garden Stamp Set, and finally the top prize was the In Your Words Stamp Set with the Flight & Airy DSP (a delicate favourite from the past).

Door prizes are always a fun part. Everyone got a door prize and this time they drew out a raffle ticket and had to match the other side with the one taped to the prize. It was fun looking for your number and discovering your prize.

This retreat, I was able to invite the lovely Rebecca and Tracey from Devine & Indulge for some extra spoiling with massages. This was just blissful. What a great way to enhance a Saturday afternoon. We are already looking forward to the next retreat and their magic! Does this sound like your kind of weekend? Be sure to join the interest list so you don’t miss the next one!

I love to spoil my ladies with gifts over the retreat weekend. The gifts vary from each event and this time I made a big effort to have cocktail/mocktail themed gifts – I just HAD to with it focusing on the Cheers & Sips Stamp Set from Stampin’ Up!®. Everyone got a mini resin cocktail with their name, a cocktail themed tote bag, a Stampin’ Up!® Blender Pen (to use with their Watercolor Pencil Assortment as part of their swag), homemade cocktail sugar cookies, a cocktail candle and I had to have a Mocktail Night serving three different mocktails and a fun balloon glass for everyone to keep.

Barbra also gave me a very thoughtful and beautiful gift. Some cocktail chocolate holders and adorable cocktail tea towels! I was so touched by the thoughtful gift.

My favourite highlight from the weekend was the Add-On Class using the gorgeous Extraordinary Flora Bundle. I had given the ladies an opportunity to purchase this with a small discount when registering for the retreat. It was wonderful to share three projects with them highlighting different fun techniques that they can do with this bundle and their Watercolour Pencil Assortment.

Little Miss (my daughter) joins us on the Sunday and I know for her the highlight is drawing out the raffle prizes. I love seeing the excitement when ladies win a prize. 3rd prize was Watercolor Pencil Assortment 1 (to add to their collection); 2nd prize was a set of Stampin’ Up!® Clear Books in sizes B, C, D & H (as you can never have too many clear blocks), and 1st Prize was the Stampin’ Glass Mat with Accessories. All winners were grinners!

Thank You – Gratitude to Everyone Who Made It Special

I am so grateful to everyone who joined me and to those who helped behind the scenes to make this creative community retreat such a success. My friend Bec helps transporting all the supplies, decorations and gifts from my place to Waters Edge. Without her help it would take me multiple times longer and twice the many car trips. Bec and along with Barbra were amazing workers setting up and decorating the room. Barbra went beyond duties and helped me out whenever I needed over the weekend. Without her my days would have been longer. Thank you so much!

What’s Next – Join Us for the Next Crafting Retreat

If you missed this one, I’d love to welcome you to one of my upcoming crafting retreats. Be sure to join the interest list so you don’t miss the next creative getaway!

📅 Save the Date – Crafting Retreat with Tatiana Creative 2026

I am already planning the next Crafting Retreat with Tatiana Creative – and I’d absolutely love for you to join us!

🗓️ 20–22 February 2026
📍 Comfort Resort Waters Edge, Port Macquarie NSW

It’s going to be another unforgettable weekend filled with card making, stamping, creative inspiration, and plenty of laughter. ✨Click here for all the details and to secure your spot!

Have you ever been to a crafting retreat? I’d love to hear what you enjoy most about them – let me know in the comments below!

I cannot believe another Crafting Retreat with Tatiana Creative has come and gone! I am overwhelmed with gratitude after this retreat. It was the biggest one I’ve had yet and the BEST (even if I say so myself)! Thank you so much to everyone who came or participated at home! I hope that everyone who participated felt the love and good wishes that I wanted to convey in all the details of the retreat.

Location

The retreat was held over the weekend starting Friday afternoon the 8th September 2023 and concluding on Sunday 10th September 2023 at 1pm. We returned to Waters Edge in Port Macquarie with beautiful water views and plenty of light.

On arrival everyone found their Swag Bag waiting for them, along with a light up letter as a place card, personalised note pad, and mechanical pencil.

Day 1

Friday we all had time to work on your own projects and UFOs as well as exploring the contents of the swag bags. After dinner we played four rounds of Bingo! I include this in the cost of the retreat so that everyone can have a chance to win a wonderful prize. I also gave out two door prizes!

Day 2

Saturday is a full day of crafting – 13 hours of in! I open the room up at 8am and we finish off at 9pm. Today everyone gets to start the Make ‘n’ Takes. These are projects that I have designed especially for the Crafting Retreat. There were 6 in total, but one was a One Sheet Wonder creating 9 cards – so a total of 14 cards!!! Along with the Make ‘n’ Take kits, most of the supplies are in the swag bag, anything else that’s needed I provided in baskets for crafters to take to their tables. Instructions are provided both written and as videos. I’m also around to help!

There was lots of laughs and giggles across the day. From making mistakes (decorating the envelope instead of the the card base) to loosing pieces and finding them attached to a sleeve!

For lunch we had a selection of Subway sandwiches and wraps. After dinner (pizza) I ran an extra class featuring the Cheerful Daisies stamp set. Those who choose to participate made three cute daisy cards.

More Door Prizes were given out today too. Door prizes are drawn by a coloured piece of cardstock. Each crafter has a colour assigned to them and get an envelope full of cardstock in this colour. These pieces of cardstock are used to “borrow” with from the Library section as well as door prizes. It was very strange that it was all greens and blues being drawn out for the Door Prizes! First four were Pretty Peacock, Lost Lagoon, Boho Blue and Azure Afternoon!

Day 3

The weekend is going by quickly! Little Miss (my 10 year old daughter who’s my mini me) joined us today. She was so excited to be there.

Today was time to finish off any Make ‘n’ Takes as well as work on your own projects. I ran another session of the Cheerful Daisy add on class today too. Final Door Prizes were given out with the final big Door Prize of the Stampin’ Up!® Celebrate Today Magnet Board Kit. The Raffle was drawn by Little Miss. 3rd prize was a set of some Clear Blocks (you can never have enough) was won by Joan! 2nd prize was a set of Blending Brushes, Decorative Masks and Pastels. This was won by Elaine! 1st Prize was a Boho Blue Mini Stampin’ Cut & Emboss Machine and it was won by a very excited Leslie! Congratulations to all the winners!

Food

There was lots of snacks available across the weekend as well as tea, coffee, and iced tea. Friday night dinner, Saturday lunch and Saturday dinner was provided too.

Stampin’ Up!® Swag and Gifts

On arrival everyone received a bag full of Stampin’ Up!® swag at their table. I found these cute floral bags which I added some heat transfer vinyl making them retreat special. Inside everyone received the Darling Details stamp set, Memories & More Note Cards & Envelopes, Masterfully Made Designer Series Paper, Loose Silver Sequins, Ribbon Duo Combo, and Linen Thread. Crafters also had the option to upgrade and also get the Darling Details Dies.

Then over the course of the weekend gifts were given out. I have to say shopping for, decorating and preparing these gifts is one of my favourite parts of the retreat.

First gifts of the weekend was a light up letter name plate decorated with flowers using the Paper Florist Dies from Stampin’ Up!®, a notebook and mechanical pencil with some Masterfully Made DSP added inside. On Friday night I presented everyone with Clear Wink of Stella. On Saturday morning everyone found a surprise bag of flower cookies on their chairs. In the evening everyone received a key ring made with the Darling Details stamp set and shrink plastic. On Sunday as a parting gift everyone received a floral candle. There were four different designs.

Video

I’ve also made a short video of the retreat.

📅 Save the Date – Crafting Retreat with Tatiana Creative 2026

I am already planning the next Crafting Retreat with Tatiana Creative – and I’d absolutely love for you to join us!

🗓️ 20–22 February 2026
📍 Comfort Resort Waters Edge, Port Macquarie NSW

It’s going to be another unforgettable weekend filled with card making, stamping, creative inspiration, and plenty of laughter. ✨Click here for all the details and to secure your spot!

Hello everybody!
I can’t believe another retreat is over! Again my heart and soul are filled with gratitude and my bucket overflowing. Thank you so much to everyone to participated. Without you it would not be possible.

Location

I feel so blessed that we were able to change locations to the beautiful Waters Edge in Port Macquarie with stunning views and plenty of natural light. The room is also bigger which was wonderful to have the space.

The retreat started at 3pm on Friday 17th February 2023 and finished 1pm on Sunday 19th February. Everyone had their own table to spend out on and to craft to hearts content at. I provided a shop, library, make ‘n’ takes, snacks, and prizes.

Stampin’ Up!® Swag and Gifts

On arrival everyone received a bag full of Stampin’ Up!® swag at their table. I found these perfect bunny faced bag which I added some heat transfer vinyl making them retreat special. Inside everyone received the Easter Bunny Bundle, Thanks a Bunch stamp set, Pool Party Ribbon, Vellum Basics Specialty Paper, and a pack of Embossed Treat Bags.

Then over the course of the weekend gifts were given out. I have to say shopping for, decorating and preparing these gifts is one of my favourite parts of the retreat.

First gifts of the weekend were a bunny name plate mini easel, carrot notebook and bunny pencil. On Friday night I presented everyone with a pack of adhesive backed sequins. On Saturday morning everyone found a surprise box of bunny cookies on their chairs. In the evening everyone received an egg cup with egg candle. On Sunday as a parting gift I made everyone a personalised bunny rabbit scissor fob.

Bingo, Door Prizes and Raffle

Friday night we played four rounds of Bingo with many laughs. The bingo balls kept jumping to the floor or at me.

Over the weekend I had a number of door prizes to give out. Always so much fun to draw out a lucky winner. 

Little Miss (my daughter) joined us on Sunday and one of her highlights is drawing out the raffle prize. 3rd Prize: Clear Blocks D, & H. 2nd Prize: Blending Brushes, Small Bending Brushes, & a set of masks. 1st Prize: a Mini Stampin’ Cut & Emboss Machine was won by Cheryl which was very exciting.

Make ‘n’ Takes and Card Challenge

On Saturday attendees were able to create six Make ‘n’ Takes that were designed especially for the retreat. The Make ‘n’ Takes used products from the swag bag and used every single stamp in the Easter Bunny and Thanks a Bunch stamp sets. These are worked on in your own time with written and video instructions provided. I did forget to take photos!

I also provided everyone with a Card Challenge to create what ever they wanted using the swag supplies and the small kit.

Food

For those who opted in for meals, I provided Friday night dinner, Saturday lunch and Saturday dinner. Snacks were for everyone who came. Thank you Debra for brining extra chocolates!

Add On Class

On Sunday morning I offered an add on class using the Share A Milkshake bundle. We made three cute projects.

Video

Here’s a video summary of the retreat:

📅 Save the Date – Crafting Retreat with Tatiana Creative 2026

I am already planning the next Crafting Retreat with Tatiana Creative – and I’d absolutely love for you to join us!

🗓️ 20–22 February 2026
📍 Comfort Resort Waters Edge, Port Macquarie NSW

It’s going to be another unforgettable weekend filled with card making, stamping, creative inspiration, and plenty of laughter. ✨Click here for all the details and to secure your spot!

Hello everybody!
I am full of gratitude after this retreat. I sat there at the retreat watching everyone craft, chat, laugh and enjoy themselves. This filled my heart with gratitude. Thank you so much to every one attended or participated via the Crafting Retreat at Home. Once again I’m going to be sharing LOTS of pictures though I feel I didn’t take enough!

Location

The Crafting Retreat was held at Timbertown Motel in Wauchope, NSW. We started Friday afternoon on the 9th September and finished at 1pm on Sunday 11th September. Everyone got their own table to spread out on. I provided a shop, library, make ‘n’ takes, snacks, and prizes. On Saturday we had a Christmas Dress up.

Swag and Gifts

Everyone who attended received a swag bag as well as five gifts across the weekend. I decorated the swag bag and some of the gifts with crafty sayings. I had so much fun creating these for all my attendees.

Upon arrival everyone found on their table the swag bag full of Stampin’ Up!® supplies with the first gift of Christmas Bauble place card and a notebook with pencil. I loved the saying I put on the notebook – eat, sleep, craft, repeat. A perfect summary of the weekend. That evening I gave everyone a pack of Festive Pearls decorated using the Spruced Up stamp set.

On Saturday morning everyone found a mug with a hot chocolate spoon on their seats. I loved watching everyone discovering this gift as they pulled out their chairs. Saturday afternoon everyone received a cute little pin. There were two designs – an origami paper airplane and an origami paper boat. I created little envelopes for these using Mini Pocket Envelope Dies and Spruced Up stamp set.

Sunday as a parting give I gave everyone a pencil case with a crafty saying and a chocolate bar decorated with Spruced Up stamp set and Festive Foils Specialty DSP.

Bingo, Door Prizes and Raffle

Friday night we played four rounds of Bingo with many laughs. The bingo balls kept jumping to the floor!

Over the weekend I had a number of door prizes to give out. Always so much fun to draw out a lucky winner.

The big excitement was the raffle. Little Miss (my daughter) came to draw out the raffle prize. 3rd Prize: Clear Blocks C, D, & H. 2nd Prize: Clear Blocks A, B, C, D, & H. 1st Prize: Full set of the Clear Blocks (nine in total) was won by Ally which was very exciting.

Make ‘n’ Takes

On Saturday attendees were able to create six Make ‘n’ Takes that were designed especially for the retreat. The Make ‘n’ Takes used products from the swag bag and used every single stamp in the Spruced Up stamp set. These are worked on in your own time with written and video instructions provided. I did forget to take photos!

Add On Class

On Sunday morning I offered an add on class using the Sweet Gingerbread stamp set. We made three cute projects. I’ll be offering this as an Online Class in November 2022 so not showing the full projects. Click here to follow me on Facebook to hear about the class.

Video

Here’s a video summary of the retreat:

📅 Save the Date – Crafting Retreat with Tatiana Creative 2026

I am already planning the next Crafting Retreat with Tatiana Creative – and I’d absolutely love for you to join us!

🗓️ 20–22 February 2026
📍 Comfort Resort Waters Edge, Port Macquarie NSW

It’s going to be another unforgettable weekend filled with card making, stamping, creative inspiration, and plenty of laughter. ✨Click here for all the details and to secure your spot!

Hello everybody! 
My first Crafting Retreat has been and gone! I can’t believe it. It was originally planned for May 2020, and then August 2021. COVID-19 of course interfered so I was so excited to finally hold on the weekend and it was just AMAZING. Thank you to everyone who participated (both in person and via Retreat in a Box). It was so lovely to gather and craft in person. I’ll be sharing lots of pictures in this blog post!

The Space

The Crafting Retreat was held at Timbertown Motel from 4 pm Friday 25th to 2 pm Sunday 27th February. We all had a big table each to spread out. I also provided an inspiration board, shop, library, make ‘n’ takes and snacks for all to enjoy.

Friendships

Over the weekend we got to catch up with friends and many new friendships were formed. I’m so grateful to have more crafty friends to chat with.

Swag Bag

Everyone participating (including those who registered for Retreat in a Box) received a swag bag of goodies. I decorated the bags for each person. Those who attended in person had their bags dated and with the location. Inside everyone received the Rainbow of Happiness Stamp Set, Cloud Punch, Supple Shimmer Paper, pack of Sweet Little Boxes, White Frayed Ribbon and the Sale-A-Bration Sunshine & Rainbow DSP.

Gifts

Through out the weekend everyone received five gifts from me. First on they received on the tables along with the swag bags were a personalised Mini Jam Jar tea light (electric), a personalised mug, and decorated notebook with pencil and an eraser. That evening I gave everyone a pack of the Sparkle & Shine Sequins. Saturday morning I surprised everyone with a box of rainbow themed cookies in a decorated box. I placed these on their chairs the night before. Saturday evening I gave out Rainbow Key Rings which I packaged in the adorable Mini Pillow Boxes. On Sunday as a parting gift I gave a pencil case with a little box of smarties – decorated with a rainbow of course!

Bingo, Door Prizes and Raffle

On Friday night we played four rounds of Bingo which was included in the price. The last round was a bit of a nail biter as I felt that we were running out of numbers. Over the weekend four door prizes were given out. On Sunday my Little Miss (note she has rainbows on her dress) joined up to draw out the Raffle prize. 3rd Prize: Clear Block D & Iridescent Rhinestones Basic Jewels. 2nd Prize: Clear Blocks B & D, Simply Shammy, and a Stamp Case (to keep the shammy in). 1st Prize: Full set of the Clear Blocks (nine blocks in total). Congratulations to Tania for winning the 1st Prize!

Make ‘n’ Takes

Over the weekend there were six Make ‘n’ Takes which were designed especially for the retreat. I made sure that every single stamp was used in the Rainbow of Happiness stamp set and all of the swag bag goodies. Everyone was able to work on theme at their own leisure. I provided a video and written instructions on how to create each project.

Food

For those who opted in for meals, I provided Friday night dinner, Saturday lunch and Saturday dinner. Snacks were for everyone who came. I even managed to bake some Blueberry & Raspberry Muffins. Thank you Debra for brining extra chocolates! (I forgot to take photos of Friday night dinner. I was too hungry).

Add On Class

On Sunday morning I offered an add on class using the Sharing Sunshine stamp set. I felt that it worked really well with the Rainbow Of Happiness Bundle.

📅 Save the Date – Crafting Retreat with Tatiana Creative 2026

I am already planning the next Crafting Retreat with Tatiana Creative – and I’d absolutely love for you to join us!

🗓️ 20–22 February 2026
📍 Comfort Resort Waters Edge, Port Macquarie NSW

It’s going to be another unforgettable weekend filled with card making, stamping, creative inspiration, and plenty of laughter. ✨Click here for all the details and to secure your spot!