Pages Unbound — A Two-Day Creative Retreat

July 18–19, 2026 · Lewes, DE

Two days. No rules. Just art.

Reserve your spot!

What Is Pages Unbound?

Pages Unbound is a two-day creative retreat for art journalers, junk journalers, journal makers, and scrapbookers of all levels. Whether you’ve been making art for decades or you’ve always wanted to try — we hope you’ll join us for the best weekend of your summer!

Over two immersive days at the beautiful Virden Center in Lewes, Delaware, you’ll make things, learn things, and create alongside other makers and artists who just get it. No rules. No pressure. Just a creative community and lots of support.

This retreat is built around Nicole’s signature cascade journal format, with bonus sessions, open studio time, and plenty of space to play. Participants are invited to join the structured learning workshops, try out new techniques and supplies at the experimentation stations, and collaborate with each other during community activities like an ATC swap.

Keep in mind that participants also have permission to ignore all the lessons and just spend two days creating whatever makes your heart happy!

What’s Included?

  • Two full days of mixed media instruction
  • Extended studio access both days — plenty of time to create at your own pace
  • Cascade journal making — Nicole’s signature format, your anchor project for the weekend
  • Bonus sessions: gel printing, ATC swap, mass-make, supply swap, and more!
  • Art exploration and experimentation stations
  • Welcome kit full of mixed media papers and ephemera
  • Meals included: 2 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 2 dinners
  • Snacks, coffee, and water throughout both days
  • Optional overnight accommodations available on-site — wake up and walk straight to the studio
  • Outdoor patio space for evening hangouts
  • A takeaway packet: supply list, technique notes, and at-home prompts

Schedule Overview

Pages Unbound is designed to give you structure when you want it and freedom when you don’t. Here’s the general arc of the weekend — we’ll share a detailed schedule with registered participants closer to the event.

Friday, July 17 — Optional Arrival Evening

Overnight guests are welcome to arrive Friday evening, get settled, and meet fellow participants before the weekend begins. Check in as early at 3 p.m. and explore beautiful Lewes, DE!

Saturday, July 18 — Day One

Breakfast at 7:30, morning kickoff at 8 a.m., cascade journal instruction throughout the day, open studio time, bonus sessions, lunch in the Hospitality suite and evening dinner together on the patio. Exclusive “late night” studio access until 10 PM — because the best ideas don’t always arrive on schedule.

Sunday, July 19 — Day Two

Breakfast at 7:30, then a full day of creating starting at 8 a.m., community activities including an ATC swap, open studio time, lunch in the Hospitality suite, dinner on the patio, and a send-off to get you home inspired and full of ideas.

The Venue

Pages Unbound takes place at the Virden Center, a University of Delaware retreat facility nestled in the coastal wetlands just outside Lewes, DE. It’s a beautiful, peaceful setting — the kind of place that immediately puts you in a creative frame of mind.

We’ll be working in the Windjammer Room, set up specifically for our group. Evening dinners and hangouts will spill out onto the outdoor patio. Overnight guests are just steps away from the studio, which means you can stay up late creating and roll back in the next morning with coffee in hand.

Virden Center · 1155 College Drive, Lewes, DE 19958

  • Welcome to the Virden Center — your home for the weekend.

Pricing & Options

All ticket options include full participation in both days, all meals, and your welcome kit. Overnight accommodations are optional add-ons.

OptionWhat’s IncludedPrice
Weekend Attendee2-day retreat,* all meals, welcome kit$225
1 Night, shared roomWeekend Attendee + Saturday night, shared with one other participant**$300
1 night, private roomWeekend Attendee + Saturday night, private room$375
2 nights, shared roomWeekend Attendee + Fri & Sat nights, shared room$375
2 nights, private roomWeekend Attendee + Fri & Sat nights, private room$525

*Interested in single-day admission? Contact me to ask about availability.

**Shared rooms accommodate two guests. Roommate matching available — or bring a friend!

The Virden Center charges $75/per night double occupancy, or $150 per night single occupancy. 100% of room costs go to the Virden Center. Overnight accommodations must be made at least 14 days prior to the event; after that deadline, our ‘held’ rooms will be released.

FAQs

All levels! Complete beginners are just as welcome as experienced artists. If you love making things with paper, paint, and glue, or just want a safe space to explore and experiment, you’ll fit right in.

A full supply list will be sent to registered participants before the event. Many supplies will be provided — but here are a few personal items we recommend bringing:

  • Your favorite mark-making tools — pens, markers, brushes
  • Any stamps or stencils you love working with
  • Any current projects you want to spend time with over the weekend
  • A personal journal or art book if you have one you’re attached to (or purchase one at the event for $15)
  • If you make journals, bring your journal making supplies! If you scrapbook, bring your scrapbooking supplies!
  • An apron or clothes you don’t mind getting paint on
  • A water bottle and any personal snacks or drinks

Really, bring as much or as little as you want; as long as you bring yourself and your creativity, we’ll figure out the rest!

Yes! All weekend ticket options include 2 breakfasts, 2 lunches, and 2 dinners, plus snacks, coffee, and water throughout both days. I’ll do our best to accommodate any dietary restrictions if you notify me in advance on the reservation form.

Not at all — overnight accommodations are completely optional. If you live nearby and want to sleep in your own bed at night, feel free to just register for the Weekend Attendee package.

Yes, free parking is available on site at the Virden Center.

30+ days before the event: Full refund on all fees

15–29 days before the event: Overnight accommodation fees fully refunded; base retreat fee refunded at 50%

14 days or fewer before the event: No refund, as we are committed to venue and logistical costs at that point

If you need to cancel, please contact Nicole as soon as possible — we’re happy to help transfer your registration to another participant whenever possible.

Click the “Reserve Your Spot” button below, or contact Nicole with any questions.

Yes! The Virden Center is ADA compliant with accessible parking, ramps, and pathways throughout the campus, including the Windjammer Room, and there is one fully accessible overnight room within our block of rooms — please note your accessibility needs when registering and we’ll do our best to accommodate you.

Pages Unbound is designed as a full two-day experience — the projects, workshops, and community all build across both days, and honestly, the best part tends to happen when people have had time to settle in together. We strongly encourage registering for the full weekend.

That said, if a single-day option is the only way you can make it work, contact me before registering at and we’ll see what we can do.

Send me your questions, and I’ll do my best to answer them!

Ready to Join Us?

YAY! I can’t wait to meet you!

🎨 Register now for the best weekend of your summer! 🎨

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