and please welcome the gorgeous..............Helen!

Who:          Helen Michelle Taylor

From:         Ipswich Queensland

Lives with:   Husband: Jon and 2 Kids: Charlotte (3) and Nicholas (1)

Blogs:               

Creates:     Anything- trying off the page things at present

Describe your creative style in FIVE words:       

Describe your creative SPACE in five words:      A bomb has hit it!!!!

Likes to listen to:          Country, Rock, 50’s – 80’s

Is looking forward to dream.create.inspire because?     Time out doing something I love!

Dreams about:    

FIVE things you cannot live without:   Pineapple Lumps, Chocolate Coated Licorice Sticks, Books, My Family, Friends

Is inspired by:      Creative  People

This might surprise you to learn……………

Please say hello to.............Karen!

Who: Karen

From: Ipswich

Lives with: my darling Penn and my little girl Georgia, 2 dogs, 1 cat and two chooks!

Blogs: Um - no time to blog!

Creates: not as often as I used to...

Describe your creative style in FIVE words: Just the way I want!

Describe your creative SPACE in five words: shared, light filled, large, clean

Likes to listen to: Radio national or loud country music on grooveshark

Is looking forward to dream.create.inspire because? it is a chance to just focus on playing for a while

Dreams about: peppermint castles and chocolate fountains

FIVE things you cannot live without: my family, books, tea, coffee and Bic pens

Is inspired by: other scrappers

This might surprise you to learn……………I am the oldest mother in George's class....

Please extend a warm welcome to........Gigi!

Who: Giovanna Scott

From: Brisbane

Lives with: chaos….LOL Hubby Michael, 2 sons Mackinley 9 and Rainer 7

Blogs: www.giovanna-shesgotissues.blogspot.com

Creates: in fits and spurts….scrapping, altered items, art journaling, mixed media

Describe your creative style in FIVE words:  messy, funky, eclectic, thoughtful, arty

Describe your creative SPACE in five words: I KNOW IT’S HERE SOMEWHERE.

Likes to listen to: Triple J and my hubby telling me he loves me.

Is looking forward to dream.create.inspire because? The intimate atmosphere; the opportunity to escape; the chance to breathe a little and recharge, and the fab company.

Dreams about: Robert Downey Jnr

FIVE things you cannot live without: avocado, tuna, paint, family, dark chocolate

Is inspired by: People who truly enjoy what they do.

This might surprise you to learn……I am not a Morning Person!! I am bringing my own coffee to retreat!!

say HELLO to...............Jody!

Who: Jody Urquhart

From: Raceview near Ipswich Queensland Australia

Lives with:   Hubbie – John, Dacynta (daughter) and her boyfriend Mitch – their birdies Bubby and Xena, Bonnie (fur baby) and Dude (fur baby), Red the fish, Rose the axolotl,  Piggy the guinea pig and our two birdies (who live outside) I also have another daughter – Shannon – who moved out of home not too long ago with her boyfriend Kyle.

Blogs: www.stickngiggle.blogspot.com

Creates:I am a scrapbooker….but willing to give any form of art a go!

Describe your creative style in FIVE words: hmmm – do I have a style??? Maybe – layered, clustered, blingy, distressed and sometimes simple.

Describe your creative SPACE in five words: easy – messy, messy, messy, messy and unorganised.

Likes to listen to: Music

Is looking forward to dream.create.inspire because?     I get to see my gorgeous friend Jodi!!!! And I get to spend some “me” time with other creative friends

Dreams about: many things….

FIVE things you cannot live without: My family, Dude, Sunshine, love and dare I say it - money       

Is inspired by: inspiration is everywhere!!!!!!

Introducing....Lou!

Who: Louise Nelson {workshop facilitator}


From: Adelaide South Australia

Lives with: Moi

Blogs: http://louise -justloolabelle.blogspot.com

Creates: When ever I can and when the mojo stikes, oh and when I get off facebook.

Describe your creative style in FIVE words: Simple, arty blend of 'stuff' .....LOL :)

Describe your creative SPACE in five words: Choc-a-block full-o-crap and lot-sa light LOL,

Likes to listen to: the radio or TV whist creating, not that fussed music wise.

Is looking forward to dream.create.inspire because? The people :) :) :)

Dreams about: Winning tattslotto so that I create and grow up/into an eccentric witty wizened up old artist!!! who can still afford to eat and drink LOL :)

FIVE things you cannot live without: Computer/internet, My Friends, Camera, my spirituality, op-shops.

Is inspired by: ooooh every thing around me and a myriad of creatives :)

This might surprise you to learn…………… if I could afford to have a facelift I'd do it in a heart beat LOL, so hate looking old :) :) :)

Goodmorning and say HI to...........Cheryl!

Who: Cheryl Durheim


From: Rous Mill

Lives with: Ed (husband) , Daughters , Rebecca , Sophie And Pennie

Blogs: {doesn't}

Creates:when I can

Describe your creative style in FIVE words: I'd call it simple/ basic (wanting to learn more)

Describe your creative SPACE in five words: dining table/ loungeroom floor

Likes to listen to: All types of music. Depends on how I feel.

Is looking forward to dream.create.inspire because? It will be my first retreat, i'm excited

Dreams about: being carefree, comfortable, my kids

FIVE things you cannot live without: friends, family, phone, car (am lost without transport), $$

Is inspired by: friends, what others can accomplish inspires me to try to succeed


This might surprise you to learn…………… I'm not as confident as I seem.

Gather round and say hello to..............Shazz!

Who: Shazz

From: Goonellabah

Lives with: Mark (my childhood sweetheart) and our three amazing kids – Matt (22); Jake (19) and Kait (14) + the two fur-babies – Tilly and CoCo


Blogs: http://www.shazzpratten.blogspot.com/


http://scraplounge.typepad.com/scraplounge/


http://heartcards.blogspot.com/

Creates: Anything I can get my hands on at the moment – I haven’t scrapped a page in many many many months but have dabbled in the mixed media field and found it quite to my liking


Describe your creative style in FIVE words: Missing; ever-changing, texture-y, evolving but still missing

Describe your creative SPACE in five words: “The Swamp” you mean….???; messy, unorganised, cornered, crowded, unused.

Likes to listen to: Daughtry; Nickleback; talkback radio; golden oldies that remind me of simpler times

Is looking forward to dream.create.inspire because? I am due to have major surgery the following week and this will be my last hurrah + the chance to hang out with some pretty amazing women and be inspired by you all.


Dreams about: Men-in-uniform; being organised; having peace-of-mind and a quiet heart. And walking without pain.

FIVE things you cannot live without: Men-in-uniform; my husband; my children, my fur-babies, chocolate; a good cup of coffee; sleep

Is inspired by: So many amazing women but the one who comes to mind immediately is Mark’s Aunt Joanie – a gorgeous woman who has had such an amazing life and she inspires me to no end.

This might surprise you to learn……………I love men-in-uniform and that I am SO nervous about meeting everyone at the retreat – even those of you I already know.

Please make welcome............Sharon S.

Who: Sharon Suchoronczak


From: Murgon Qld

Lives with: Husband Dennis. (we are empty nesters)

Blogs: shardenshares.blogspot.com (haven’t updated for a long time)

Creates: Scrapbooking, Silk Floral arrangements, Wedding bouquets. I have my own Wedding Hire Business.

Describe your creative style in FIVE words: balanced, clean, arty, bold, textured.

Describe your creative SPACE in five words: messy, untidy, disastrous, fun, small

Likes to listen to: anything 70’s, blues, AC/DC, Kacey Chambers

Is looking forward to dream.create.inspire because? I get to meet Shazz!!!! Relaxing and sharing ideas with creative women.

Dreams about: A life without WORK!!

FIVE things you cannot live without: My family, cold water from the fridge, my computer, my car and music

Is inspired by: Everything. Positive people

This might surprise you to learn……………I have never been into NSW! I have a frog phobia (HATE FROGS)

I am very pleased to introduce....Jay

Who: Jay Mair

From: Walloon Queensland


Lives with: Alex (hubby) and son Sandy


Blogs: sorry, so over blogs after completing my masters in education.

Creates: mayhem especially when I am scrapping and making cards. If only I could make chocolate as good as the type I like to eat I would be in heaven.


Describe your creative style in FIVE words: freestyle, personal, loved by me.


Describe your creative SPACE in five words: tiny, overflowing, sometimes creatively messy.


Likes to listen to: Country music, rock and roll especially country rock.


Is looking forward to dream.create.inspire because? I can scrap to my heart’s content, no housework, TAFE work just good friends.


Dreams about: who dreams? I like action


FIVE things you cannot live without: my family, my motorcycle, my camera, my friends, and chocolate.


Is inspired by: photos, quotes, wide open spaces and music


This might surprise you to learn that I was once a motorcycle stunt rider, lighting and sound roadie and a frustrated guitar player.

Introducing Danielle

Who: Danielle Quarmby (retreat photographer)


From: The Dandenong Ranges, Melbourne


Lives with: Hubby Ben, kidlets Sienna (7), Ash (5) and Cedar (1), cats Neko and Boo, fish Shiny and Goldie - they’re actually Sienna’s and she named them. The silver one is called Goldie and the gold one is called Shiny.


Blogs: http://danielleq.com/


Creates: Pictures. Art on canvas. Scrapbook pages and projects. Decorations, dress ups and make believe are my favourite things to sew.


Describe your creative style in FIVE words: random, messy, quirky, whimsical, instinctive


Describe your creative SPACE in five words: lounge room red velvet couch


Likes to listen to: She & Him, Ingrid Michaelson, Paul Dempsey, Amy Seeley, Rabbit


Is looking forward to dream.create.inspire because? I love to travel and I’ve never been to Byron Bay before. This retreat is the sort of inspiring idea I love. Indulgence. Creativity. Good things.


Dreams about: Travel and taking pictures.


FIVE things you cannot live without: Camera. Paper. Pen. Music (to sing along to). Bible.


Is inspired by: Magazines, photos, my children’s drawings and songs and stories, music and lyrics, gardens, road trips, clouds, make believe and far off places.


This might surprise you to learn…………… I’ve been to 11 foreign countries but have never been to Queensland

Meet Jodi

Our first edition of what will be a 16 part, getting to know each other blog posts!

First up - me!!!!!

Who: Jodi Mann (retreat creator)



From: North East Country Victoria, Corryong to be exact!

Lives with: My soul-mate Scott and three crazy monkees – Lochie, Josh and Cait in a ex Snowy Hydro house.

Blogs: Sporadically over here - and here too - golly I really should update BOTH those blogs!

Creates: Not often enough for my liking, but when I do I – scrap, sew, knit, make Waldorf dolls, faffs about with hats and hat making and occasionally play with the odd mixed media canvas.
I’m also a bit of a whizz in the kitchen!

Describe your creative style in FIVE words: eclectic, vintage, messy, impatient, evolving!


Describe your creative SPACE in five words: on my dinning room table! Seriously, our new house has no room for a dedicated creative space……………it’s on the list!

Likes to listen to:  SILENCE and maybe some U2, Missy Higgins, Dido, Jewel………… I don’t change my CD’s over very often!

Is looking forward to dream.create.inspire because? Well it’s my baby, but also because I had a little dream about creating a warm, beautiful, fun and inspirational CREATIVE weekend away with women I admire and love.  I thought about this for such a long time before I had the courage to speak about it and send out invitations.
It is sooo close now and I am breathless with anticipation, I am also incredibly nervous!


Dreams about: A fully sustainable vegetable garden and orchard, chooks in my backyard, a day to myself every now and then, writing THAT novel, weekly facials (oh yes please!), a cooking school in Tuscany!

FIVE things you cannot live without: my i-phone, camera, laptop, chocolate and coffee (sad, sad I know)

Is inspired by: Creative and gorgeous women of all ages, Oprah Winfrey, sunrises, my children, the mountains and rainy days…..



This might surprise you to learn…………… I also help to organise Car Rallies, odd, yes I know – here’s a link .

Now that wasn't so bad was it - you're next, yes you!