mingle by stampington

Today was a really exciting day - I headed early to the bookstore and picked up the latest copy of mingle which includes a feature on our retreat. Yes, a good day indeed!

We are just so in love with this little retreat we created and are thrilled that other people think so too. Are you joining us? Are you still on the fence? Pick up a copy of Mingle today for a little more inspiration.

Registration is Open

Let us add your name to the door this year.  Join us.  Registration is now open. We really look forward to meeting you and helping you explore your creative soul.   -Tiffin and Jenni

Southern Circle Retreats #2

Well.....we've been holding it in long enough.  The date is set.  The projects are in the works.  All we need  is you!  Southern Circle Retreats #2 is really happening and we can not wait!  Registration opens August 1st.  Please visit the website for all the information including how to register.  Come on and join the circle.  It will be a retreat experience unlike any you've ever encountered.  Southern charm thrown in with a load of magical art making, food that tickles the taste buds, and golden friendships waiting to be made.  That's what makes Southern Circle Retreats your destination for January 2014.  We can not wait to see you in Serenbe.

Southern Circle Retreats...the First!

 

We had an amazing weekend...the 10 of us.  It was a perfect mix of people, of creativeness, of projects, of food, of gathering time, of hearts....

  

 Serenbe Lake House will be the location for retreats to come.  It had enough charm and space to keep us all captivated and never want to leave.

 

Each room is thoughtfully decorated.  Of course our little surprises on the beds throughout the weekend made the rooms even more charming!

 

Friday night's activity....a sketchbox

 

Saturday's project....a completed painting

 

Saturday night's project.....vintage hankie art

 Inspiration was scattered for all to enjoy..

 

Saturday's dinner....complete with a birthday surprise for Gretchen.  And tears by Tiffin and I.  Tears of complete and utter joy that is.  That's what happens when you put your whole heart into something.  We're pretty sure the attendees could tell.  We didn't leave out any detail. 

 

Oh the goodies our new friends shared with one another....kindness abounded this weekend

  

The Farmhouse delighted our bellies with scrumptious breakfasts

Here's the first Southern Circle creative gals....Lesley and  Lisa from Germantown, TN; Gretchen from Gulfport, MS; Cindy from Nashville, TN; Heidi from Birmingham, AL; Melissa from Loganville, GA; Tiffin from Peachtree City, GA; Reagan from Marietta, GA, Jenni from Newnan, GA and Gail from Newnan, GA.

So here we all are...on our way home. It was the perfect number for the house and perfect number for our creative projects.  Maybe we could wiggle up to 14.  The one comment that seemed to echo amongst the group....we all needed another day.  We are already working on just that. 

So keep watching our personal blogs and facebook pages.  We'll be announcing the next Southern Circle Retreat soon!

Creatively,
Jenni and Tiffin

And It Came...and Went

 

Our weekend came....and then went.  It went beyond our expectations.  It brought tears of joy to our eyes.  And filled our hearts with so much love for what we do as artists.  Sharing this side of ourselves with the 8 women who braved the first retreat with us only affirmed for us both that creative women need other creative women.  We need a circle.  A circle that we can unclasp our hands in, invite another in and close the circle back up.  Making the circle larger and larger.  It never has to end. 

Serenbe was a gracious host.  It's so magical there anyways that bringing an intimate group of creative minds together there just seemed to freeze time for 3 short days.  We all left yesterday morning wanting more.....  we hope that you'll consider joining us for the next retreat.  That you'll join the circle.  Be a part of this thoughtful creative journey we've started. 

The Final Week

In 3 days we'll be setting up for the first ever Southern Circle Retreat.  Wow.  A little seed was planted in the fall of 2011 when we attended Art and Soul in Portland together.  We discussed what we loved about the big retreat atmosphere but how we longed for a more intimate setting where we could truly discover ourselves and our art in a special weekend. 

We started this creative journey in August.  Luckily we balance each other perfectly.  Her strengths are my weaknesses and visa-verse.  This retreat is everything we'd want as an attendee.  A special way to socialize, yummy food, amazing projects, amazing setting, and 10 people who don't know each other.  Perfect.  I'm packed, pretty sure she is too.  We're not nervous, rather anxious.  Anxious to set up, to meet everyone and to teach!  With as much joy and love as we have invested into the weekend.....well honestly sometimes it's pure love for what you do that can help you to reach new heights.  Skills are great....but when passion comes into play then.....then you can be simply amazing.

We are looking forward to an amazing weekend.  And hope if you are reading this and wished you'd joined us, you'll stick around because we're pretty sure there will be a next time!

and the goodies are coming

Sometimes you just have to ask.  Because if you do, you find that generosity abounds.  Just lookey at what some of our vendors for the retreat have sent so far.  And this is just a sneaky peek.  There's some products we are keeping top secret for our attendees. 

 Spools of yummy velvet ribbon from May Arts

 Tape runner goodness from Tombowusa

And Plaid Crafts out-did themselves sending a huge variety of products for us to play with during the weekend!  The joy keeps coming too.  We are very thankful to these companies for supporting our retreat.  We can't wait for January to roll around!