Royalty Over The Rainbow Retreat hosted by Scrapbook Royalty

Scrapbook Royalty's annual crop for worthy charities

Scrapbook Royalty is a completely volunteer-run organization whose mission is to raise money and awareness for charities through unique scrapbooking and crafting events, and to promote creative opportunities for crafters to give to others in need. All of the donations raised are given to the worthy causes the organization supports. Elena Etcheverry, founder of Scrapbook Royalty, is hard at work right now preparing for a huge event in March 2010 called Royalty Over The Rainbow Retreat.

Join a very select group of scrappers March 20-21, 2010 in Solana Beach, California for the Royalty Over the Rainbow Retreat. The organization is hosting this annual crop to benefit the Cancer Coping Center and the San Dieguito Boys and Girls Club.

The Cancer Coping Center constitutes a group of professionals who volunteer their time and expertise in order to relieve the suffering of those afflicted with cancer by providing coping strategies for cancer patients, their family members and caregivers.

The San Dieguito Boys and Girls Club is a non-profit, youth development organization. Their goal is to provide every child with the essential tools needed for a successful and bright future.

This event will be about inspiration and reward. The theme, as one might have guessed, is based on the famous book/film Wizard of Oz. Participants will “follow the yellow brick road” to find lots of important treasures. One will find courage through their efforts to fundraise for worthy causes, find heart while spending two days with happily charitable people, and be rewarded for their efforts with hours of camaraderie and croppin’ good times.

The lucky 54 participants will have the opportunity to create a fabulous Wizard of Oz inspired project created with five celebrated designers, all of whom are donating their time and creativity in order to reward the selflessly charitable Over The Rainbow folks. Confirmed crafting superstars to date include Cheryl Waters from Fiskateers and Stampington & Co., Ana Cabrera from Northridge Media (Scrapbook Trends Magazine), and Margie Romney Aslet from The Girls Loft. Stay tuned to the Scrapbook Royalty website for more details to be announced.

Besides the awesome creativity planned for the weekend, there will be Scrapbook Royalty’s trademark “crownings”. In addition, for every $100 a registered participant raises over the $500 minimum, they’ll receive a gold coin good for a $10 credit on silent auction and raffle purchases.

Dedicated participants who raise $1000 will receive a $100 gift certificate to one of six scrapbook stores sponsoring the event. Those generous stores confirmed so far are Pink Pineapple Scrapbooks, Stampfully Yours, Jazi Crafts, and Gee Gee's Stamps N' Stuff.

Wizards of Funds who raise $3000 will have Chef Maryam visit their San Diego County home and prepare a four course gourmet meal for them and three of their most special guests. This unbelievable meal/event even includes wine and dessert!

As mentioned above, only 54 participants will be able to participate in this exclusive retreat event. Registration has opened and the fundraising has begun. The $100 registration fee includes: 32 hours of inspiration, camaraderie, and creativity; six feet of table space per person; an amazing progressive class taught by five industry superstars; all food provided and prepared by Chef Maryam, graduate of The San Diego Culinary Institute, and Executive Chef Antonio Viscito from Villa Capri Restaurant.

Other special retreat events include an afternoon tea on the beach at Fletcher Cove, where there will be professional photographers waiting to capture the fun of the day. There are sure to be lots of trademark “fairy fly-bys” with goodies from sponsors. Be sure to bring your camera, as participants will follow the yellow brick road on an Inspiration Walk to the Cedros Design District where treasures and surprises await. There will definitely be loads of photo ops for your projects. There will even be printers with photo paper and ink for participants to print photos.

And what’s a Royalty Over the Rainbow event without a “royal sleeping chamber”? Everyone will have their own place in the royal chamber and there will be a bedtime showing of The Wizard of Oz, complete with birthday cake and late night snacks.

Don’t forget the silent auctions, raffles, lollipop grab bags, crownings and so much more. Finally, there will be a cooking demonstration by Executive Chef Antonio Viscito.

Scrapbook Royalty provides a Personal Donation Link to help participants reach their fundraising goal. So if you think you want to be one of the chosen few, someone who goes above and beyond the good deeds of the mere mortal, register for the Royal Over the Rainbow Retreat today!