Olde Geneva Dairy
I spent the weekend at a scrapbook retreat at the Olde Geneva Dairy. You can see from their website that they are built for scrapping and I loved every second of it. Here's my official review vs. the statements made on their website.
our staff caters to your every need and provides you with top-notch equipment and supplies ... The staff was great and did give us anything we asked for. I was disappointed in the supplies available. More about that later.
Instruction is available at all times when requested and participation is always voluntary for the several "mini seminar" demonstrations offered at various times throughout the weekend. ... Our hostess did visit to look at our pages, and knew what she was talking about re: scrapping, but no demonstrations were given. Perhaps this was unusual, as the LSS owner asked us which demo had been done. I did nap for a couple of hours Saturday night, so I might have missed it.
Beginners and experienced pros alike will appreciate the spacious, well-lighted work areas provided with your own 6ft long table, outlets and adjustable lamp that each guest is assigned for the entire weekend. Absolutely, fabulously true. That 6ft space looks neverending until you unpack your supplies (grin). The lamps were a great touch, but some folks never used theirs as the overhead lighting was great.
Endless snacks and beverages are provided free to guest at all times and homemade is the operative word for describing the many offerings in refreshments. True. Cookies, chips, pretzels and chocolate were on hand in the scrap room. We were also served pies and brownies. Two liter bottles and ice was on hand (they had both Pepsi and Coke products). Coffee was available downstairs.
All meals are included with your stay beginning with dinner Friday night and ending with Sunday's noon meal and are prepared from scratch by our staff cook with any special request and personal dietary requirements always taken into consideration. You don't pick up a dish ... Outside of that uninterrupted scrap time, the food was the best part. Dinners were amazing -- multiple courses on china. Lunch was simple but delicious. Remember, it is a dairy. If you are lactose intolerant, let them know up front. If you are into heavy cream and rich desserts, you are in for a treat. I did record the meals and will update this post with the menu. Yum!
Best of all, the Olde Geneva Dairy is affordably priced. I would say it was worth it for sure. $75 down and about $200 on check out. This was two nights, including food. I'll definitely do it again.
The Olde Geneva Dairy Scrapbooking Shoppe is right on site with hundreds of items available including albums, pages, glue, accessories and much, much more. We carry at least the basics of almost anything you might find in many scrapbooking stores and at very competitive prices! True. Papers, pens, fibers and stickers galore. You have a form to list what you use so you can pay once, when you check out.
our "cow bell" specials are offered periodically through-out the daytime and evenings featuring 25-75% off of select popular and closeout items just to keep things interesting and fun. Unless it happened during my trip to the LSS or my nap, not true.
Our media room features hundreds of titles for both entertainment and education, whichever you happen to deem appropriate for your condition. I didn't review the available videos, but the media room was nice. Big comfy couches and a large TV, but not accessible during the day on Saturday, because this is where the massages were set up. Also, there were rollaway beds in this room during my weekend (we were completely sold out), so no late night viewing either.
Manicure, massage and facials are available for a reasonable additional fee and a private area is always set aside for treatments as indicated. Prices were definitely reasonable, but privacy was not available during my weekend. I know some folks were in and out of the basement bedrooms to change clothes or nap during others' massages. The manicurist was set up at the bottom of the stairs just off the first floor kitchen - probably the busiest spot in the house. But, that didn't stop a fellow scrapper from napping during her pedicure. The massage girls returned on Sunday to treat those who didn't have time on Sunday.
we have lots of great equipment that we encourage you to use during your visit! Based on the list shown on the bottom of the Retreat page, I assumed that there would be 'community tools' so I wouldn't have to take mine, but they didn't have what I thought they would (punches, ink, stamps, trimmers). Apparently, they had a break-in and lost all of their punches, but they purchased two cricut machines ... and didn't see the need for more punches. They do have a sizzix with two alphabets (and every available cricut cartridge), and I swiped the only 12" trimmer (everyone else brought their own). Note, I did not ask about the list of supplies on the website. It is possible that the other sizzix alphabets, CM cutters, sewing machine, stamps, inks, pens/pencils, embossing tools, eyelets/tools and templates were stored away. We were sold out to maximum capacity, and some items were removed to make room for additional scrap tables. This actually goes against what was published in their FAQs. Supposedly, they only book more than 16 when there is a single group that large. We were mixed groups and singles.
Additional notes:
Sleeping arrangements: I recommend booking on a weekend when they aren't sold out, if you can. I was assigned the top bunk in one of the bedrooms. Climbing a ladder to sleep is never fun, but especially not in the dark at 4 am, amidst strangers. The beds were comfortable with clean linens and plenty of pillows.
Bathrooms: only available on the main floor, and only two of them. If you have trouble with stairs, this may not be the retreat for you. If you have to use the bathroom often in the night (we had a couple of pregnant people), ask for a main floor bedroom vs. the basement. Schedule your shower for evenings to avoid traffic. Plus, it'll give you a second wind for late night scrapping.
Location: once you register, you'll have access to the 'directions' page. They're perfect. You may not get cell phone service out there, but never fear. The 'house phone' is free to use, even for long distance calls. And give your friends and family the link to the 'crop cam'. My kids loved being able to see me cropping at all hours.
Scrap space: Plenty of room and plenty of light as previously mentioned. Nice office chairs, and drink/trash holders mounted on most tables. The room also has a television, which was usually tuned to digital satellite radio. We did watch the first game of the World Series for a while.
Hospitality: Outstanding! I was met with a smile. My luggage (and all those scrap supplies) were carried in for me. We never cleared our own tables or poured our own coffee. A limo was arranged for a trip to the LSS (it was late, so I hitched with a group who drove separately).
Atmosphere: relaxing. The Dairy is way out in the country. It was a little chilly for walks, but there were paths through fields and woods to the river. I sat on the deck for a while and played with the kitties. You can keep to yourself or you can make some scrapping friends.
While I didn't see/experience everything the website indicated, I give this place an A-plus rating and I can't wait to go back. Even from Virginia, I will definitely make the trek back. I am thinking about a trip in February. Check out the calendar and let me know if you want to come too!!
our staff caters to your every need and provides you with top-notch equipment and supplies ... The staff was great and did give us anything we asked for. I was disappointed in the supplies available. More about that later.
Instruction is available at all times when requested and participation is always voluntary for the several "mini seminar" demonstrations offered at various times throughout the weekend. ... Our hostess did visit to look at our pages, and knew what she was talking about re: scrapping, but no demonstrations were given. Perhaps this was unusual, as the LSS owner asked us which demo had been done. I did nap for a couple of hours Saturday night, so I might have missed it.
Beginners and experienced pros alike will appreciate the spacious, well-lighted work areas provided with your own 6ft long table, outlets and adjustable lamp that each guest is assigned for the entire weekend. Absolutely, fabulously true. That 6ft space looks neverending until you unpack your supplies (grin). The lamps were a great touch, but some folks never used theirs as the overhead lighting was great.
Endless snacks and beverages are provided free to guest at all times and homemade is the operative word for describing the many offerings in refreshments. True. Cookies, chips, pretzels and chocolate were on hand in the scrap room. We were also served pies and brownies. Two liter bottles and ice was on hand (they had both Pepsi and Coke products). Coffee was available downstairs.
All meals are included with your stay beginning with dinner Friday night and ending with Sunday's noon meal and are prepared from scratch by our staff cook with any special request and personal dietary requirements always taken into consideration. You don't pick up a dish ... Outside of that uninterrupted scrap time, the food was the best part. Dinners were amazing -- multiple courses on china. Lunch was simple but delicious. Remember, it is a dairy. If you are lactose intolerant, let them know up front. If you are into heavy cream and rich desserts, you are in for a treat. I did record the meals and will update this post with the menu. Yum!
Best of all, the Olde Geneva Dairy is affordably priced. I would say it was worth it for sure. $75 down and about $200 on check out. This was two nights, including food. I'll definitely do it again.
The Olde Geneva Dairy Scrapbooking Shoppe is right on site with hundreds of items available including albums, pages, glue, accessories and much, much more. We carry at least the basics of almost anything you might find in many scrapbooking stores and at very competitive prices! True. Papers, pens, fibers and stickers galore. You have a form to list what you use so you can pay once, when you check out.
our "cow bell" specials are offered periodically through-out the daytime and evenings featuring 25-75% off of select popular and closeout items just to keep things interesting and fun. Unless it happened during my trip to the LSS or my nap, not true.
Our media room features hundreds of titles for both entertainment and education, whichever you happen to deem appropriate for your condition. I didn't review the available videos, but the media room was nice. Big comfy couches and a large TV, but not accessible during the day on Saturday, because this is where the massages were set up. Also, there were rollaway beds in this room during my weekend (we were completely sold out), so no late night viewing either.
Manicure, massage and facials are available for a reasonable additional fee and a private area is always set aside for treatments as indicated. Prices were definitely reasonable, but privacy was not available during my weekend. I know some folks were in and out of the basement bedrooms to change clothes or nap during others' massages. The manicurist was set up at the bottom of the stairs just off the first floor kitchen - probably the busiest spot in the house. But, that didn't stop a fellow scrapper from napping during her pedicure. The massage girls returned on Sunday to treat those who didn't have time on Sunday.
we have lots of great equipment that we encourage you to use during your visit! Based on the list shown on the bottom of the Retreat page, I assumed that there would be 'community tools' so I wouldn't have to take mine, but they didn't have what I thought they would (punches, ink, stamps, trimmers). Apparently, they had a break-in and lost all of their punches, but they purchased two cricut machines ... and didn't see the need for more punches. They do have a sizzix with two alphabets (and every available cricut cartridge), and I swiped the only 12" trimmer (everyone else brought their own). Note, I did not ask about the list of supplies on the website. It is possible that the other sizzix alphabets, CM cutters, sewing machine, stamps, inks, pens/pencils, embossing tools, eyelets/tools and templates were stored away. We were sold out to maximum capacity, and some items were removed to make room for additional scrap tables. This actually goes against what was published in their FAQs. Supposedly, they only book more than 16 when there is a single group that large. We were mixed groups and singles.
Additional notes:
Sleeping arrangements: I recommend booking on a weekend when they aren't sold out, if you can. I was assigned the top bunk in one of the bedrooms. Climbing a ladder to sleep is never fun, but especially not in the dark at 4 am, amidst strangers. The beds were comfortable with clean linens and plenty of pillows.
Bathrooms: only available on the main floor, and only two of them. If you have trouble with stairs, this may not be the retreat for you. If you have to use the bathroom often in the night (we had a couple of pregnant people), ask for a main floor bedroom vs. the basement. Schedule your shower for evenings to avoid traffic. Plus, it'll give you a second wind for late night scrapping.
Location: once you register, you'll have access to the 'directions' page. They're perfect. You may not get cell phone service out there, but never fear. The 'house phone' is free to use, even for long distance calls. And give your friends and family the link to the 'crop cam'. My kids loved being able to see me cropping at all hours.
Scrap space: Plenty of room and plenty of light as previously mentioned. Nice office chairs, and drink/trash holders mounted on most tables. The room also has a television, which was usually tuned to digital satellite radio. We did watch the first game of the World Series for a while.
Hospitality: Outstanding! I was met with a smile. My luggage (and all those scrap supplies) were carried in for me. We never cleared our own tables or poured our own coffee. A limo was arranged for a trip to the LSS (it was late, so I hitched with a group who drove separately).
Atmosphere: relaxing. The Dairy is way out in the country. It was a little chilly for walks, but there were paths through fields and woods to the river. I sat on the deck for a while and played with the kitties. You can keep to yourself or you can make some scrapping friends.
While I didn't see/experience everything the website indicated, I give this place an A-plus rating and I can't wait to go back. Even from Virginia, I will definitely make the trek back. I am thinking about a trip in February. Check out the calendar and let me know if you want to come too!!
Labels: scrap
posted by Tonya at
9:14 AM
5 Comments
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