Viewer Request! - Retreat Packing! - What To Take & How to Organize! 

You should get yourself a small RV trailer and fill it up with supplies that you can just leave in there! Lol!

Lookin good Gayle! Every single time I went to a scrapbooking weekend my husband would ask , “Are you moving out?”

My head is spinning never seen so much stuff except in a craft store. Your a brave woman.

It's always helpful to see your processes, Gayle, even when it comes to packing and/or organising. Timely for me, too, as we're doing a house blitz while hubby is on holiday. Which also means I am falling behind watching your videos again. 😔 Sending hugs, Belinda xxx

At one time in the distant past I was fortunate enough to purchase a 12 x 12 store display from a shop closing. I wish I had been smart enough to keep it, but thought I wouldn’t need it once I stopped scrapbooking. I used some of those tiny stickers for the envelope clusters. They were just perfect! I am also enamored with the ‘peanut butter box’ commercial…I sing it every time the Chewy box arrives hoping my dogs will sing along. So far they have not. 😉

I love the Chewy commercial with the St Bernard also! I love your rendition for retreat packing! I must have the same type of humor. Love it and the comment below - re: small RV trailer!

Gayle I think you packed everything but the kitchen sink so I am sure you won’t need anything else. You did an awesome job of filming this. Now just tell us how much fun you had and how many journals you finished! Can’t wait to here about it!

I hope you cab get some photos or short vid clip of your setup when its done. Love you packing videos. They are always a great belly laugh for me. The other one you did you were packing your car. You had more stuff stuffed in that car than I did when I moved! Lol!

Good morning, Gayle! Oh, my!! All of the packing! It's like moving!

🤗💕 Hope you had a awesome time with your friends.

Gayle, I have to laugh! Now I have your video to show family that all the "stuff" I have in my craft room is not hoarding and that I am "sane" as I continue to create!! I can find most everything I need at home, but when I pack for a retreat (which I'll be attending at the end of Feb) I have trouble at the retreat trying to find what I need. Putting things in special identifiable bags or pouches, like you're doing, should be helpful, so thank you! Enjoy your retreat, lots of hugs!

Gayle, you crack me up! I live by myself so coffee in the early morning watching you is one of the best parts of my day! I have tried videoing completed journals holding my phone in one hand, so I felt your struggle! Have a great retreat! Hugs from Texas

Hope you don’t forget anything ! Good morning Gayle. ❤❤❤ have so much fun.

Gayle, your retreat packing was right on point! It’s the same way I pack for retreat except you’re much better organized. I think those of us who have been to lots of retreats. we all take too much, plus extra projects in case we finish ones we need to. The Extra projects usually stay in the car till needed so people don’t think I’ve brought all my craft room with me! Too much is better than not enough. Have fun!!!!❤

I have been on several retreats and know the feeling of wanting to take everything that you could possibly need! 😂😂 You have this process down to a science!! At least it is in your town so you can come home at night. That makes it easier than having to pack bedding, etc. I wish you the best retreat possible. Have fun!! ❤

I am planning to go to a retreat in March about 1.5 hours from us. This will be the first retreat for me in about 20 years! You are so organized so it is easy to find everything you want to take! Absolutely gorgeous craft room! ❤️🥰

This is so funny!! That Peanut Butter Box commercial has got to be the best commercial ever made!! My Granddaughter and I say that to each other all the time. Or if there’s ever anything that has that same beat to it, it reminds us and we start all over again. I love it so much!♥️♥️♥️

Good afternoon Gayle! 💕 I think you forgot the kitchen sink! 😂 I do not envy the packing/unpacking/packing/unpacking. Hope you had a great time. 👍 Have a great rest of your week wherever whenever you are. 💕

You look really organised, Gayle, that's awesome! Have a wonderful time! Excited to see what you come back with! ❤

This reminds me of getting ready for my quilt retreats. It’s exciting to think of the projects you will be working on. Personally I love the plastic boxes that collapse but have wheels and I can roll them into the retreat room. The large bags with handles work really well for lighter things. Hope you have a great time and I can’t wait to see your finished projects, especially the purple one.

Gayle, you just make me laugh. You are so fun to listen to. I was hoping to get tips because I tend to try to take everything but the kitchen sink. I bring the craft materials to family gatherings and my husband just rolls his eyes and he swears it won’t all fit in our car. (It usually does!) But I know very well that I will take way more than we need or could possibly use. I’ve tried to learn that they will be happy with whatever I bring. But, like you, I keep thinking this would be nice or good to have. Pretty soon I have enough craft materials for a small army. LOL. So you just reinforced that taking a bunch of stuff is ok. 😉 Anyhow, I hope your retreat is fun and everything you need it to be. You know your fans and followers will be thinking of you and looking forward to your return, full of good ideas and new tricks! Enjoy yourself!!

How fun! Such good memories from this summer! I hope it’s a lovely time!

Good morning Gayle!! So nice watching you put things together for your retreat! Thanks for the hi and hugs too! Right back at ya! I hope you had a wonderful retreat and can’t wait to hear all about it! 💖💕Hugs!

We are all happy for you when you go to one of your retreats, and watching you pack is a fun part of the journey… we all wish you’d pack us up and take us with you. Lol 😊then we’re all excited to see what fun pretties that you make … have fun Gayle 💕🌸💕 thanks for taking my flowers and stuff 😊

Thanks Gayle! Going to my 1st papercraft retreat, pretty much the same as packing for a quilt retreat. All my totes and such will work great for my journal supplies, no need to buy new!

Hello Gayle, you are the Queen of craft packing, your organizing skills are amazing. TFS

Aww bless you, while watching you pack your craft stuff up, I just wanted to give you a helping hand as you was doing it one handed, have a great time at your retreat, xx

Love watching Camilla.

I do like watching you get ready for a retreat. It’s always fun to see what all you take😊

Super helpful. Now I just need to find a retreat to go to!

Coffee and you 1st thing I the morning is the best! ☕️🌻❤️

That is a lot of work and you still have to haul it upstairs and out to your car and then into the retreat house, I think I would have to tell my husband, see you in a month Lol. After all that work I would want a month long retreat.

Have a wonderful retreat!!!! I really enjoyed this packing video! You have so many goodies, and your craft room is such a beautiful space! Thank you for sharing your process ❤

amazing how you managed to do all that one handed.... you do have to pack a lot to go to your retreats its wonderful that it excites you.... and I do like the Chewy commercial.... hope you have a wonderful time when time comes

Hi Gayle, It is always nice to see how you get things done. YOu are so organized and I love your space. Wish I had half that much space for my art journey....but so good to see how you make things work for you.

I was watching on double speed (trying to catchup on my watching) and was giggling because it speeds up your voice and when you giggle, it sounds like a cute chipmunk! ❤❤❤

You have a great collection of supplies! It was fun to watch you prepare for the retreat.

I wish I had a retreat to go to! Have so much fun and get lots accomplished!

Thank you for sharing your thought process for retreat packing. I’d have a hard time limiting myself to just certain things. Lol I think your scrapbooking tower will become a Forgotten Friends Friday after your remarks when pulling out papers. 🤔 Can’t wait to see your retreat creations and hear all the fun stories! Have a blessed day!

So much fun to pack for a retreat!!. I know you will have an amazing time💝💝💝

Love this vid! Packing in the mind of Gayle. 🥰

Hi Gayle! So much work to get ready for a retreat but so worth it. I laughed out loud, I like that commercial too. Hugs!

Thank you , that was fun to see what you take along. I look forward to seeing the results from your retreat! Hugs

"Retreat packing is here!" You are too cute. I hope it was a great retreat. Looking forward to hearing about it. I'll be taking stuff when I go up to Massachusetts on the 14th with my dad (he still uses eye doc, hairdresser, and chiropractor up there and makes all those appointments at once; he's up to 8 weeks between eye test now - started at 4). The main stuff my aunt likes to play with when I come is the gel plate. I think she may be waiting to get one until she clears out her craft stuff. She's been working hard. She's already asked dad to take several bags to Savers (thrift store) while we are up and to save room for me to take home crafty stuff (I have less attachment so if I can't use it I can disperse it). I'm glad I started going with dad as it gives my aunt some respite as she is the main caregiver for my gram (93) who lives with her. I hope you have a delightful day. Love&hugs

You are very organized in your packing for your retreat. Retreats are so much fun. I know you’ll have a great time.

Your one hand packing is amusing! 😄 I needed three hands to clean my quilting machine so my hubby got me a head lamp so my hands were free! It worked! I kept thinking you need to duct tape your camera to your forehead so your hands are free! Lol! You're doing a great job like a pro! I hope you have a great time at your retreat! TFS🤗

have lots of fun Gayle!

My favorite commercial is the peanut box is here the peanut butter box is here on RU-vid and television lol

Can’t wait to hear how the retreat went ❤

Gayle, I enjoyed this video so much. I love seeing all the crafting stuff you have and what better way to see all the wonderful crafting treasures you have? Will we get to see the journals you do on the retreat? You made my day. I've missed you. I am glad to be back to watch your videos. Have a great time on your retreat. Your friend, Cynthia from a small town in Northern Ontario Canada. 🇨🇦❤️❤️❤️🙏🙏🙏

Hope you have a wonderful time… I love watching you….❤️🦋❤️🦋❤️

Good morning Gayle I go through this process twice or more per year when I go to "my beach house" [ sorry I know that sounds pretentious but it was a lifelong goal to get a place at the coast]. And each trip I end up buying more and more supplies so I can have duplicates of my very favorite must have on my desk stuff in both places to reduce how much crap I put in my 2002 Subaru Outback. That car is such a pack mule and it also carries my 2 cat carriers and all my groceries for each trip so space is at a premium.

Well done Gayle! That's a lot of work! I hope the retreat was amazing. Anxious to hear all about it 🥰

Have fun on your retreat. Be safe.

Hello Gayle! I still don’t know how you choose your items for journal with all the crafts supplies you have. Can’t wait to see your completed journals. Have a great day! 👍❄️❄️❄️

I think a retreat would be so much fun

Morning Gayle❣️ it was 12:32 a.m. and I told myself 28 minutes until Gayle!🤗💕🦋

Hello, my parrot is viewing your videofor today..she likes this viewing . thank you again elisa smoczynski

Evening Gayle! Looking forward to seeing journals from retreat and hearing stories: )

WOW that is an amazing packing technique 😂Have a great time 😊

Enjoyed watching you organize for your retreat & seeing your craftroom...love the furniture piece of colorful drawers w/ the variety of handles(?Hobby Lobby...I have my eye on one) Hope you remembered your script stamp too!! 😘❤🤗

I always end up getting multiples of Timmy stuff because I forget what I have LOL

Gayle...stay warm and safe. I know it's frigid up there and just heard about the foreign surveillance balloons over Montana. Yikes!

Oooh ! … It’s Gayle Time, Again 😻❌⭕️

This was brilliant. Retreats are another world to me, so it gives me some insight. Would love to see a little video of the retreat itself. It fascinates me 😀❤️❤️❤️

This makes me so tired because I remember going to conferences. Too much trouble. If you have a good time that's all that matters. Hugs.

Have a fabulous time!!!

Your list and organizing skills are outstanding 🤗💕🦋

Maybe one of those small tripods to set on a table and carry from area to area? Hope you have a great time there. Please tell us whether you used everything, what you could have left at home, etc. That would also be useful for those of us that dont go to retreats often.

Good morning Gayle 💜 👏🏼👏🏼 I love your packing videos.

I hope you have a wonderful retreat!🥰

I’m curious, how often do you go to a scrap out day or retreat? It’s been years for me, but I see you have a black case , I got mine from Michaels years ago. I used to pack it for scrap outs, and runner stamp camps. The other thing I did was buy a rolling suitcase and set it up for multi day retreats. Have you thought of that instead of multiple carry bags? You can use plastic storage containers and instead of laying the suitcase down, pack it so you can open it like a cabinet ant put your cases in. Makes life easier and less stress on your shoulders and body. I had organized my supplies in the same cases and put a red R on the fronts so I could quickly grab things. I even purchased Iris case that was only 1” thick to put card stock and paper in so it wouldn’t get crinkled. Used the 5x7 size photo cases foe ephemera. I have two fiskar paper trimmers one stayed packed with an extra set of blades, an extra set of rulers and other tools, trimming mat, etc.. tools that are more expensive, like the Cropadial, eyelet setters etc I just would pack as I needed. Any way just some thoughts that might help you and others. The more I watch your videos, the more I want to play with papers again, I haven’t for years and gave away 90% of my supplies 4 years ago when I decided I wouldn’t be doing it much. (I moved back into cross stitch and Quilting exclusively.)

wow I would love to come and have a look at your place. that's a true treasure trove.

Omg I love your craft room and so organized!

Good Morning Gayle! Wow! This was incredibly interesting Gayle! So much to remember! I assume you’ll be driving to the retreat, have you ever had to take a plane to one? Just can’t imagine how you would pack up everything for that unless you take the bare minimum. Thank you for sharing! Have a fabulous time! 💖

That was fun!😍

I see S&H green stamps by that white dresser. I have several books partially filled that were my moms.

Very helpful and have lots of fun!

Good morning Gayle, love your scrap room ❤️

I know it's after-the-fact, but I hope your stencils found their way to the Retreat with you! Happy Journal Making!

You organize well. Hope the retreat was fun!

Love watching your process to pack for the retreat, really enjoy it when you show your work space etc. but I just cannot do the moving camera. I sure wish you could set up on a tripod and let it go. Thanks for all your hard work and know that it’s very appreciated

I always find it hard to pack for retreat as I don’t want to leave anything critical behind . At my retreat in may I’m going to do what you do and have journals made up ready to go .

How many journals do you make on a retreat? How do you find retreats to attend?

Good Morning Gayle. 💖💖

Good morning Gayle!! You did really good one handed packing. I saw your Hobby Lobby colored drawers chest. Hubby bought me that for my birthday a couple years ago. I filled it with all my smaller size laces and trims. I love it!! What's in yours? Have an awesome day...💜

Good morning sweetie! Love this video! I usually overpack craft items when I go to a retreat. My question is “will you keep the things in the bags ready for the next retreat? Or will you unpack when you return? I know you will have many more retreats to attend so just wondering? Tfs! Blessings!💕

Très très organisée, j’adore votre atelier

Good morning Gayle! Not sure if this is real time and you are actually getting ready to go or was this recorded awhile ago? I f you haven't gone already I hope you have a great and relaxing time at your retreat. Hugs❤❤❤

You're probably back by now, hope you had a wonderful time and had all you needed. Lots of good times. Do you have a Retreat journal, listing who, where and what was done?

Suggestion for next time packing for retreat: glue plain papers strip over your checkmarks on the list so you can see current checkmark easily. 🙂

❤

I wish you could pack me up and goon the retreat. Thanks for sharing💕🌴

Someday you could show us the scrapbook paper. I'd love to see all the different ones you have. It's so hard to pick when buying them online because you can't really see it. Maybe we could see what you have & how could evaluate paper weight, etc.

I'm curious to hear how much you use. I'm a classic over packer, I always pack then take out

Good 🌄 morning gayle 😊😘

❤️❤️❤️

Hello Gayle ❤

You mentioned your shoulder surgery in 2018, I had mine June 2018 rt shoulder. Just now in my4th week healing from my left shoulder rotator cuff. Never did fall or injure it?!!.

I’m new at traveling to Artist Retreats and I wonder if you’d share your packing list? It would give me a jumping off point that I can tweak. I’m so afraid I’m going to leave a key item at home. 😬 Thank you so much for all you do Gayle.