2022 | Craftivities Ladies Retreat

We were having so much fun with the ladies who gathered with us last weekend, we didn’t even capture very many pictures to share with you! Which I’m completely sad about because, well, I like to share pictures with you! What matters here, however, is we had a crowd (and a waiting list) of people who wanted to carve out White Space in their lives to find fellowship, refreshment and to make a little something with their hands.

Kelsey Parrish, from Build the Spark Ministry, led us in the practice of Bible Journaling. So many of us felt a bit nervous making art directly in our Bibles (we gave each person their own journaling Bible), but as Kelsey pointed out, these were our Worship Bibles, not our study Bibles. Well, that made things all kinds of different. Reading a passage, asking God to interact with us as He desired through imagery and His Words, then allowing this to flow out through our art and/or journaling — this was a powerful and very personal process that only brought us nearer to God as we meditated on His Word!

Megan Hunt, a long time encourager-through-crafting, led us through ice dyeing, wristlet/keychain making, and postcard creating! While creating all on its own allows us to find a therapeutic refreshment, Megan helped us to also use this time to think of someone else to encourage. We ice dyed a tea towel to give away and printed a picture memory from our phones that we turned into postcards and wrote a short message on and mailed out. I think everyone left feeling inspired to continue to encourage through their crafting, and may have even found a few new things they enjoyed making while here!

We are entirely grateful for both of these ladies coming and sharing their hearts and talents with us and for each person who made time to invest in a weekend away.

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We hope you’ll join us Spring 2023 for our next Craftivities Event. Don’t wait too long to register when you see the announcements! A waiting list isn’t as fun as being with us!

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Author & Photography | Cassi

All Tied Up | Ladies Craftivities 2021

We had a crowd of women who were craving some white space come to camp last weekend for our annual Craftivities Weekend!

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One mom who came said she’d been pushing through something hard knowing this weekend was on the other side of it! And she was so glad she came!

We learned how to Macrame, taught by the ever lovely Brooke Haney. She walked us through three different projects. Some found it harder than they thought. Others found their new thing. Everyone left with something beautiful for their homes!

We also had sweet moments of encouragement by Nancy Clayton. She maneuvered us through all sorts of knots life tends to wind us up in, then graciously led us through what it might look like to unravel them and and the anxiety and fear that comes with them. They were such peace-giving and hopeful moments I think we all needed so we can keep carrying on.

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Of course we enjoy blessing our guests with all the special, little touches. Creating an atmosphere that is both calm and beautiful helps people feel relax, and that’s one of our main goals! Deep breaths and white space. And of course the yummy food and boojee water because lavishing people is our jam!

We so much enjoyed each person who joined us. We absolutely love putting this weekend together. Thank you to each of you who came. We pray you continue to walk in the peace of Christ. Let us know in the comments what this weekend meant to you or tag us on instagram #whispermtncraftivities when you hang your pieces in your home!

For everyone who wants to come next time, open your reminders app and be looking forward to our next event in March 2022! Until then, keep finding white space in your life to create and be refreshed!

If you’d like to see more of Brooke’s art or contact her for a project you’d like her to create, head to Instagram @wondricately_woven to reach out to her!

Craftivities Weekend | 2020

In the spirit of catching up on all the communications since the COVID pandemic, I’m taking you back to March, when things were just starting to get harry! March, when the ladies were to be gathering at Whisper Mountain Camp for the annual Craftivities Weekend!

Let me tell you about Craftivities in case you are unfamiliar! Each spring we welcome a small group of ladies to the mountains for simple encouragement, white space for the heart and mind, and a new skill to learn to cultivate beauty in their lives!

This year we learned the art of Block Printing! A simple way to create things of beauty for gifting, homemaking and so much more!

Because this weekend was at the very start of people being afraid to interact with each other, about half the guests who were supposed to come ended up cancelling at the last minute. This was the first disappointment in a long line of disappointments for our ministry in association with the pandemic changing our lives! We definitely missed having those who didn’t feel comfortable coming, but found those who braved the outing to have been glad they did!

Many beautiful things were made, each one’s personality seen in their creations. We hand carved the stamp blocks with our preferred designs then printed those designs with a permanent and washable ink on canvas bags, large cloth “flour sack” towels, and paper for wall art and/or stationary. Each design was happy, unique and beautiful!

Not everyone was around for the group picture, but here’s most people!

When we weren’t creating, eating good food or chatting, we were being encouraged by the words and message of Becca Giancana! Becca is from Long Island, NY living in Columbia, SC. She has a degree from Columbia International University in Bible and Bible Education and is currently studying for her Master’s Degree. We really enjoyed her coming and teaching us!

She had an easy to grasp way of communicating God’s Word with us. Becca gently challenged and encouraged us through Mary and Martha’s story and helped make the Gospel relatable for everyone, no matter where they are in their walks with Jesus.

The weekend was rainy, the fear of the coronavirus was swelling, and we were on the brink of quarantine as none of us had ever known. But this weekend was a weekend filled with the white space necessary to be refreshed, make something beautiful with our hands and be encouraged. Thanks to all who came!

Lord willing, we will host our next annual Craftivities Weekend in the Spring of 2021! So tuck that away in your mind and be looking for more information in the new year!

Thanks for reading and may the Lord be encouraging you in these times,

Cassi

Weavings Were Woven | Spring Craftivities 2019

We had such a great time with the ladies who came to our Spring Craftivities Event last weekend! Getting away, even when we think we can’t, to do something we don’t always do has a way of sparking life inside our souls! We saw this be true for these women!

We learned the basics of weaving (on a loom — not to be confused with basket weaving, cough Anna Gab, cough cough! 😉) and were given the opportunity to create whatever masterpiece we could think up!

Here’s the fun part: everyone was given the same supplies, the same amount of time and the same set up, but every single loom was woven from a very different place. Each person brought something different to their piece and it was amazing and exquisite and such a wonderful reminder of our uniqueness!

We spent a little time talking about such things and more application found through the experience and found encouragement through the Word in little snippets throughout the weekend. So fueling and refreshing!

Along with the enjoyment found in weaving, many found frustration when the project wasn’t getting done quickly enough, or they wanted to be on the other side of the project. Having persevered, every woman went home a little proud of their accomplishment and a lot thankful for having done something creative!

If you were on the fence or unable to come this time, how about planning to join us in September for our next Craftivities Event! September 28th! Block it off now, work it out with your friend or family! Plan to be here! You won’t regret it!!

Thanks for coming ladies — it was a joy to spend the weekend with you! Hope to see you soon!

 

 

Author + Photography | Cassi

 

Crossover Outreach

What a week with this all guys group! For many, coming to Whisper Mountain Camp was the first time leaving their city! Imagine only knowing a Florida landscape and coming up to these North Carolina mountains! What’s a hammock? I have to walk all they way up what mountain? To where? Again?

But the challenges they willingly faced, the group building they experienced, the rivalry they laughed through, the practiced quiet they discovered…the whole week was new and tough and an opportunity for growth.

Not all of them knew Jesus, but they have been given the chance to hear of His love and to experience His love through the amazing commitment of their leaders, who in many ways have proven to be father figures for many of these guys!

We were entertained by the fun personalities, encouraged to see God working in their hearts and through their leaders and challenged to connect and Proclaim Christ to any and all groups God sends our way!

And we are so grateful for the crowd of volunteers we found ourselves sharing the work load with! WE HAVE THE BEST VOLUNTEERS! They are our superheroes! Thanks guys for loving and serving with us this week!

And thank you Crossover Outreach for coming to Whisper Mountain! We pray God continues to show Himself to each of you and infuses you leaders with His love and strength as you continue to serve these teens!

 

See more of their time with us on our Instagram or Instagram Highlights!

 

 

Author | Cassi

Woven 2014 in pictures

 

What a weekend we had with the women as we gathered to be spiritually encouraged and try our hand at the art of basket weaving!

Some (one!) of us hated it, many of us loved it, almost all of us walked away feeling the sense of accomplishment and proud of our handiwork!

The teaching by Deb was uplifting as she offered gems of wisdom and gently challenged us in our walks with Christ.

Worship with Charley and Chelsea was completely renewing as we turned our hearts to the Ultimate Weaver of all of life!

Ruth and Renee were a strong sister team teaching us the art of basket weaving. We have such an appreciation for baskets and for their patience!

Patti put together amazing meals, added her special touches on the whole event, and decorated the Hub to be a beautiful splash of happy and spring for our guests–as is her usual!

(I still was not feeling well and really only managed to take some really blurry/bad pictures! My apologies to you!)

While the company was fantastic, the art satisfying, the teaching uplifting, my very favorite part of the whole weekend was having both young and older women all in one place, sharing the whole experience together. Too often, in both the church and life, there is such a divide between the young and the old. We need each other, benefit from each other, are stronger with each other. My heart was made happy by such a sight!

Pretty hard to believe we went from a baggie full of confusion to a basket full of awesome in just a day!

Before the ladies left we gave them a few little goodies to put in their baskets, one of which was fudge from these amazing fudge makers over in the Raleigh area. If specialty fudge is your thang, or you're looking for something special for your upcoming something or rather, we highly recommend North Carolina Fudge! (whatever weight I've lost being sick has been kindly placed back on the hips thanks to these yummy morsels!)

Most of the crew here–aren't they beautiful! Don't they look so proud?! I love it! There's already chatter of next year's Woven! We weren't sure how this retreat would go, this being our first go at it, but we are very pleased with how well received it was! We look forward to next year. If you missed out this year, be planning to join us in 2015.

Woven for Women

From the youngest of us to the oldest, the fibers of our being crave to be known, loved, enjoyed, adored. Each intricate piece of who we are is woven with His grace. A thing of beauty made for a purpose. 

Just ahead, women (ages tween and up) will be gathering. Friends, mothers, daughters, mentors, sisters, grandmas, small groups. All ages and walks of life, escaping their everyday just long enough to be refreshed and renewed. Just long enough to breathe deep the connections with other women. Just long enough to have a fresh encounter with the personal God. 

From the most uncrafty person to those with serious skill, moments weaving reed (or at least attempting to!) gives time for conversation and contemplation. A woman from our community will help us finish a basket to take home with us. A woman with a heart of gold and a life of grace will offer nuggets of truth, perspective and encouragement throughout our time together. As the beauty of spring is awakening around us, we are praying an awakening of our hearts will surround our time.

Maybe you'd like to gather a few of your favorites or maybe someone who needs intentional time. Spread the word, mark your calendars, get away with us April 4-5. More details are found on our website. It would be a joy to spend a couple days together with you!

Unique Boutique

Last Year:

Whisper Mountain held a weekend just for teen girl's. Our days were filled with girly fun laced with the truth that God loves them and finds them beautiful! Their peace and joy will rest in His opinions rather than the world's! The weekend was a lots of fun, but more importantly, effective! 

Well, that time of year is coming upon us quickly…
We've been busy with the details of this year's girl's weekend! It's been oh so fun! The theme is a vintage boutique and the message is that each of the girls is unlike any other dress in the shop!

We are thrilled as we prepare and anticipate how God is going to use this event!  We wanted to give you the chance to be involved too!
You can be sure we'll keep you up to date on all things Boutique!!  If you'd like to give a whole or partial scholarship (the girls and us would be so appreciative!) you can go here to give (mark TrueID in the notes section) or mail checks to Whisper Mountain at 2240 Long Creek Road/Robbinsville, NC/28771!!

Would you pray with us, too, that God reaches the hearts of all who come?!

I better get back at it! Oh, and hey, you're pretty great too!