Resolution or Goal? 2014 Great Escape and Contest!

Do you make resolutions at the beginning of a new year? Or like me, do you prefer set goals?

Do you revel in a new blank calendar and take pleasure in filling in all the fun things you have planned?  Is there a wedding of a loved one coming up?  Is a new baby due?  A significant birthday in your future?

How about making it a resolution to attend the Great Escape this year!  The date is September 26 - 28, 2014 at Camp Wabasso in New Hampshire.  Last year we had attendees from Girl Scouts Eastern Mass, Girl Scouts of Central and Western Massachusetts, Girl Scouts of the Green and White Mountains, and Girl Scouts of Central Florida. 

The committee is setting a goal of having at least one more council represented this year.  If you are a member of a GS council other than Eastern Mass, leave a comment (here or on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/GsGreatEscape)  and we'll pick one person at random to win one of our Great Escape tote bags!

Workshops 2014 - Suggest Something!

We'll be working on ideas for workshops starting at the beginning of January.  If you have ideas or requests, why not leave a comment?

Here are some pictures of things people made in last year's "Upcycling Plastic Bags" and "Me-time Crafts" workshops.

And then I made....

Now that I've been going to Great Escape, I have more confidence in myself as a creative, even an artistic person.  Whether I have learned a skill at GE itself, or learned something new in order to present it at a GE workshop, the satisfaction of being able to make something out of nothing - almost nothing - has been a reason, for me, to keep the weekend of GE free from other engagements so I can go and learn and do.

In that spirit, here's something I made the other day.  A leaf torn from a book, a bit of paper bag, a piece of scrapbook paper, some raffia that another GS leader passed on and a candle from the dollar store becomes a Christmas present for a beloved friend, the director of my handbell choir.  Although I didn't spend much money on this, I spent time thinking, measuring, cutting (with the wonderful Fiskars cutter I first saw used by Sue at GE) gluing, decoupaging, glazing the branch (which I found many years ago and have treasured ever since) tying the raffia, and making a matching gift tag that says, "with love."    Those two words express the spirit of GE - there's a real present for you!

Christmas is a-comin' ...

No geese left except those who overwinter here - the honking noises of the last few weeks ceased with the cold that arrived with a vengeance around November 20th.  Thoughts turn to Christmas and presents for friends.  Here's a picture of wreaths I am making for lots of people this year.  Would you like to make these at GE next September?  If so, let me know in the comments below.  In fact, if you have any workshop requests, this is the time to tell us; we'll have our first meeting immediately after New Year's Day.