2014 ~ here we come!

It's so very exciting to present our 2014 Makerie retreats ~ the brand new Sweet Paul Makerie, the Makerie & the Makerie Summer on the Farm presented by Whole Foods! We are just thrilled ~ beyond belief ~ with our spectacular teacher teams and the incredible workshops they have so thoughtfully put together for you. Each retreat will be quite special, each with their own magical personality and flair, and in three spectacular settings. 

The Sweet Paul Makerie is the first retreat collaboration we've done and are very honored to be partnering with the Sweet Paul team. This is also the first time we've taken the Makerie outside of Colorado and couldn't be more excited to host a creative gathering in New York City ~ one of my favorite places in the world! Working together with the Sweet Paul team to bring their incredibly inspiring magazine to life has already been more than a dream come true and we can't wait for you to see the awesome things we've got in store! It will honestly be like stepping into the pages of their gorgeous magazine, getting to take classes in person by the fabulous featured artists and sharing meals highlighting the mouth-watering recipes found throughout the various issues. It's the most treasured treat to work with them and I am humbled by this amazing opportunity!

The  Makerie is our original retreat vision and one that's very close to my heart. I love seeing how each deveolops into its own very special feel and our teacher team this year is second to none. Our retreat home, the Colorado Chautauqua, remains one of the most magical places to host a gathering like this and I feel immensely grateful to be able to share such a peaceful, beautiful place with everyone who comes. This year's Makerie will provide the opportunity to take four workshops during the retreat ~ some exciting new ones combined with some of the most popular ones from last year ~ along with all the goodness we always incorporate ~ yoga, hiking, yummy, healthy organic meals and even a few surprises too!

The Makerie Summer on the Farm presented by Whole Foods will be a one day creative retreat held at the most gorgeous, quaint farm ~ the Lyons Farmette, just outside of Boulder. We loved combining two of our very favorite things this past summer ~ modern creative workshops and a fabulous farm dinner ~ and can't wait to do it again. It will surely be one soul and belly filling day! We are still in the planning stages for this retreat and will be launching our registration in early 2014. Stay tuned! 

As for the Makerie Sewing retreat, thank you so much for all the inquiries! We are looking to make this a bi-annual event so please look for this in the spring of 2015. (it will be here before you know it!) We've already talked to a few amazing teachers about it so pencil us in! I really wish I could do it all but being thoughtful about what I choose to take on each year and balancing my family life are top priorities. I'm sure many of you can understand!

There is so much goodness in store for this coming year & we just can't wait to share the wonderful details. Do check back THIS Friday, as we will be launching a new web site, sharing all the retreats details and opening up registration. Creativity is just SO good for the soul and we really hope to see you at one (or maybe a few?) of our retreats. 

Lots of love...

about our last retreat of the year!

*image by Linda Winski

A week ago Sunday we held our third and final Makerie Summer Series event presented by Whole Foods Market Boulder ~ called In the Home ~ which was also our last event of the year. Home is where we make our nests, care for our families and create spaces that feel cozy, peaceful and inviting. This set of wonderful workshops focused upon making things for our dwellings, as well as how we feel in our surroundings.

We started the day with some special giveaways ~ journals provided by Craftside and beautiful magazines by Sweet Paul, Where Women Create and Where Women Cook. (so generous!) In addition, Craftside sent along a lovely array of creative books for everyone to peruse at their leisure. The local, organic farm fresh produce incorporated into our lunches and dinners was also a very special part of the day. Not only was the food delicious, but when shared side by side with an awesome creative community also fed our souls. Adorable boxed lunches were prepared by eat PRIVATE CHEF & CATERING co. and were enjoyed picnic style under a canopy of trees. While we were picnicking, we were treated to the stories of two local inspiring entrepreneurs ~ Indea, founder of Lillabee & Alicia, founder of Whimseybox ~ that sent all of us home with the message that anything is possible! To culminate a day of creating, Whole Foods Wine and Spirits hosted a fabulous creative cocktail hour, serving drinks in fun mason jars that each person took home and could later redeem for a free bulk item at the Pearl Street location. (everyone loved that little surprise!) We were treated to incredible appetizers by Katie and her team at Eat and were given a farm tour of the magical location we were in. We sat down together at one big, beautiful long table for our farm dinner that featured the most incredible pizza served warm right out of Crust's gorgeous wood fired copper oven and topped with farm fresh produce literally picked out of the ground just hours before becoming part of our main course. Dessert was a scrumptious collaboration between Whole Foods and Lillabee ~ ice cream sandwiches packaged so sweetly that it was almost hard to even unwrap. (it didn't really stop us though :) The cookies were made out of Lillabee's brand new Ultimate Cookie Mix that happens to be gluten, dairy and soy free, and you would absolutely never know it. Not only did Lillabee treat us to a variety of sweets throughout the day, but also sent everyone home with their very own box of cookie mix. 

We really have had the best time this summer putting together these creative day retreats on the farm and feel incredibly honored for the chance to work closely with our fantastic local creative and food communities. An enormous thank you ~ once again ~ to everyone who made our Summer Series events such a special experience for everyone involved. 

To:

*every single participant who dedicated their day to play and for taking a chance with us on this new idea of a creative day retreat on the farm. You created quite a warm and loving community!

*my beautiful mom, for continuing to believe in me and this idea and for being my constant cheerleader and endless source of support.

*my husband Chris, for pitching in a great deal on the homefront and with our little ones to give me the time to pursue this dream.

*Emily of Tea with Lola for being such an essential part of all we do and for her amazing ideas, kind spirit and above all, being such a dear friend. I am so grateful. 

*Whole Foods for their generosity and belief in the power of creativity. Along the planing process, which started over a year ago, they were completely open to incorporating all types of creative ideas, which felt like a true partnership that I appreciated so very much. Whole Foods played an essential roll in getting this brand new idea off the ground and we are immensely grateful for the chance to have worked so intimately with their team to bring this series of events into fruition. Each event was filled with all the whole hearted living their company stands behind ~ and more. 

*Betsy and Mike ~ owners of The Lyons Farmette ~ for once again opening up their home and farm to us and for being such a magical location to hold this event.

*eat PRIVATE CHEF & CATERING co. and team, Crust. Rustic Wood Fired Pizza, Whole Foods and Lillabee for the outstanding meals and treats. 

*our terrific teacher team for leading such inspiring workshops ~ Allison, Alessandra, Georgia and Kristin.

*Teryn, Alessandra & my sweet mom for capturing the day in such a magnificent way!

*Spoonflower for printing our adorable tea towel gifts, Katie of Eat for providing the recipe and Studio Meez for designing them.

*Alicia from Whimseybox and Indea from Lillabee for sharing their stories of how their companies came to be. We sure loved hearing about these two great companies and certainly left lunchtime refreshed and with new ideas of our own.

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I know I've shared this before, but each time we do an event that is centered around creative community, magical things happen. I can't really explain it but it does. When we share creativity, we share a part of our genuine selves, which naturally creates an open, happy, non-judgmental, loving environment. We aren't afraid to try new things and are open to all kinds of new inspiration. I feel very grateful for the chance to create a special setting for people to feel the power of creativity and bring more of it into their lives. It does wonders. It really really does. 

Even though this was our last event for 2013, we are already in full swing planning for next year. We have some pretty darn exciting plans for 2014 and we can't wait to share them with you soon! In the meantime, please be sure to join us on our social media channels for the latest announcements and inside scoop. 

** facebook ** twitter ** instagram ** pinterest ** email newsletter **

We can't wait to see you again very soon!

~xo

whole hearted whole foods

image by Aran Goyoaga

I have been a fan of Whole Foods since I can remember. Trips to their stores (any of them really!) are never just a grocery shop, but truly an experience. In fact, when I have the rare treat of grocery shopping alone, I often find myself wandering the aisles for hours happily lost in the incredible array of healthy choices and admiring the abundant creativity among the amazing food purveyors. I know it might sound a little silly and nerdy, but wandering through our local Boulder Whole Foods is one of my most favorite, relaxing pleasures. 

Clearly Whole Foods has always held a special place in my heart, but their support of the Makerie has taken my love and gratitude to new levels. I'm really beside myself how much they are embracing our creative community and standing behind small local businesses. I love partnering with companies that believe in living a conscious, healthy lifestyle (like I do!) and am incredibly thrilled to have Whole Foods Boulder sponsoring Aran's workshops this year. As a part of that, they are hosting an awesome food photography contest for Colorado residents and generously giving away a FREE full package to the Makerie to attend both days of Aran's classes! How amazing is that?!?  

Here's how to enter! 

:: Snap a photo of your most beautiful food tradition anytime between now & Monday, November 26

:: Upload it via this link

:: Encourage your family & friends to vote for your image

:: Don't forget to review the rules & regs (just in case you miss the small type, liking the Makerie facebook page is required to win)

:: The image with the most votes will win a trip to the Makerie and will be announced on Tuesday, November 27

Won't this be fun? We can't wait to see what you've got! 

In other exciting news, many of you will get to meet Aran in person, as she will be doing a book signing of her stunning brand new cookbook Small Plates & Sweet Treats at Whole Foods Pearl Street on Makerie Eve, Wednesday April 10. And yes dear Boulderites, the entire cookbook is gluten free! 

~xo

p.s. While we're on the topic of Whole Foods, we just started a new season of leading Kids Club Crafts at the Pearl Street location so look for us the first Tuesday of each month from 4 to 7 pm. We love crafting with the kiddos! 

the sweetest supporters

I am grateful beyond words to the following people and organizations who are making this year's Makerie such a special one!

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Blue Heron Healing Arts ~ leading our very first mindful meal

Fancy Tiger ~  coolest pop up shop in Boulder

Firefly Handmade ~ what can I say but they are fantastic in every way

Fiskateers ~ how lucky we are to be treated to Fiskars products galore Makerie weekend

Hands on Hemp ~ our reusable fruit & veggie holders disguised as our goodie bags

Janome & Sew Vac of Boulder ~ thanks to both of them, every person in our sewing classes will have their very own machine & they'll be for sale at a discount at the end of the Makerie!

Julia Vandenoever  ~ we just love her spectacular eye for photography & of course, her sweet smile

Joyfolie ~ thrilled for Jessica's lunch forum about turning craft into a dream business

Launch Grow Joy ~ another lovely, inspiring lunch forum featuring amazing ideas on how to get press for your handmade products

Old Glory Antiques ~ the amazing gift of a full scholarship again this year, outfitting our Cozy Creative Lounge and a gazillion other ways they have supported us!

Whole Foods ~ we've loved bringing creative kids projects to their flagship Boulder store!

Yoga Junction ~ offering two energizing, creative morning yoga classes

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Big love to each and every one of our sweetest sponsors! I just can't them enough for their beautiful belief in the Makerie. 

whole partnership

I'm truly honored to announce our new partnership with Whole Foods Boulder! They were such a wonderful, supportive sponsor of our inaugural event and I am so excited they wanted to take that relationship a bit further this year. I love partnering with companies I admire and I've been a huge fan of Whole Foods for quite a long time (at least as early as I started grocery shopping by myself!). Living a conscious, healthy lifestyle is incredibly important to me and Whole Foods embodies what I stand for. They have asked us to lead a kids creative activity each month at their Pearl Street location in Boulder, and as you know, we'd love for the adults to jump in as well! We'll be doing all sorts of fun crafts ~  inspired by some of our very favorite kid craft bloggers. Stay tuned for more details each month. We can't wait to get creative with the kiddos and hopefully the adults too. Everyone deserves a little time to play! :)

P.S. A little sneak peek at one of the crafts ~ natural stamping. Can you guess where this came from?