Thursday, November 19, 2009

Figuring out my direction...

... and insights gained from Silver Bella

I finally have all my take away items photographed and ready for show and tell.



Vintage Apron my inspiration of things to come!

Sit back and enjoy the show.



Parting Gifts Galore!



Lots of new materials to explore!




So generous!

Silver Bell held high expectations for me.
The message board spoke of unending fun and camaraderie.
So much so, that I let myself believe that when I arrived the hotel would
be teaming with women chatting, sharing glasses of wine and laughing
the night away.


Unfortunately, my entry on Wednesday night into Thursday morning did not meet
expectations.  The hotel was quiet and lifeless.  No parties happening, no women
hanging around chatting.  So...apprehension sets in.




Not knowing what to do next I decided to strike out on my own...
off I went to do some exploring.
Many of the shops in The Old Market section of Omaha
 were quiet, but as soon as I came upon
Second Chance Antiques
I knew there had to be some ladies in there searching out
more treasures to add to their collections.




The girls that were in the shop were all buzzing about what a collection of "stuff" they
had just stumbled upon. 
It would take days to go through the two floors of crammed packed junk.




So with some vintage papers in my grasp I headed out to
lunch at a local restaurant just across the street from the Hotel.





Again, I was amazed as to how quiet it was both at the restaurant and back at the hotel.
A nap was in order.



When it came time to get our welcome packets that afternoon
I soon found all the women ... anxiously opening packets and checking schedules.


Following pics of Holiday Fabric Fatbook Swap...

The welcome dinner was very intimidating because the majority of
women either knew one another or came together.




  I thankfully found another newbie while
getting a glass of wine.
She seemed to understand the anxiousness
we both felt.




At the table, conversations came easily among the women that sat with us.
This world of the unknown seemed to be coming a little more into focus.







After the dinner it was time to gather up our swaps.
I entered three of them as a way to introduce myself to others.
I thank all of the hostesses for their kindness and extra efforts in putting these
swaps together.




Again, too overwhelmed by the chaos and unknow...I retreated to my room for
a good nights sleep.  Tomorrow was a new day and I had a few new faces to look for.
















Looking through my swaps before I went to sleep gave me the courage I needed.
The talent of these women is incomparable and I knew this
was what I really came to experience.




Each of us had our own style but we were so impressed with the uniqueness each represented.
There is a commonality to us all and we appreciate each and everyone's individuality.




It is as if your eyes had been opened to a different way of thinking.


Charlotte Lyons Mobile...as with most projects they are unfinished


The classes I attended were something that I really enjoyed.


Pam Garrison...Holiday Countdown Wreath



Denise Sharp ... Paper Bird.  Challenging yet inspiring!
If you haven't seen her work...please check it out.


Jennifer Murphy Snowman Ornament Clip
He just makes me smile!


Meeting others as we placed ourselves around the table
 I was able to put some faces with the names that I had seen on the message board.
This did help ease some of the remaining anxieties and feeling of not belonging.





Friday evening was the Vendor Fair.
Well, if I can only tell you in words how overwhelming it was...it might take pages.
The creativity in presentation and product was something to behold and learn from.



 
 

 
 
 
This in fact was a learning trip. 
 
I wanted to how people do what they do,
 
where do they get their inspirations,
 
how do they continually impress me?
 
My big sister Sheila spent sometime walking with me through the fair
after she snatched up her treasures.
 

 
It does seem that we all have someone who inspires us to continue
to create.  For Sheila it was...
 
 

I have to admit...I do love her sense of style, so much so I bought this journal.
 
 
After, this I headed out with a bunch of gals for some dinner...we had so much fun that we agreed we had to do it again the next evening.  So...what does that tell you...the ice has melted.
 
I finally felt a sense of strength and belonging.  I understood what was happening...others, who were nervous just like myself, stepped out of their comfort zones to meet new people and one of those
people happened to be me.
 
 


The instructors who opened up to share their "trade" secrets, the artists among us who
dove right in to tackle the same artistic adventure, the women who just
smiled and made you feel welcome...that is what it was all about.
 
Women...coming together, taking chances and putting themselves out there...together becoming stronger and more self confident.
 
My expectations may have been set too high or maybe it was my nerves getting the best of me.
My level of comfort was never really relaxed enough.
 
Crowds do tend to send me packing...but I have to say...I am proud of myself
for sticking it out and meeting the artists that do inspire me.
 
 

Thank you to Debbie Dusenberry of Curious Sofa...
your kind words and smile made my day.

You are just amazing.
My trips to Kansas City will continue and I look forward to meeting you again.
 
 
 

Thank you ...Charlotte Lyons
I so enjoyed the chats and inspiration...two classes with you gave me my dose
of creativity I sought.   Your stories made me smile.
 
 

Megan Hunt ...aka...Princess Lasertron
As always your infectious style and personality make me smile.
Good luck to you as I know you will be and are a great success.
 


Another swap..recipe book :)

There are so many others that I really enjoyed but just too many to list. 
 
 Thank you to those of you that extended a smile or a kind word...they meant so much to me as I waded through a sea of women.
 
 

"Will I go back?"
That seems to be the question of the week.
 
I don't think so.
I am a small group kind of gal...I don't thrive if I am overwhelmed and anxious.
I  found that when I create it tends to be solitary.
Not that I don't want to share what I am doing...I just tend to get deeper into my projects.
 
I did find out that my art work is "evolutionary"...it takes me time.
I have to walk away from something let it sink in and then readdress it later.
 

The wings in development state...symbolic isn't it?
 
I thank The Accountant for making this journey possible.
It was important to do ... because as they say... nothing ventured nothing gained.
 
I did gain new friendships and a new insight into the world of creative women.
We do need to connect with one another and we each have our own different ways
of doing that.
 
I thank all of you who read this, for your creative and emotional support.
Life is an Evolution
and I really believe each and everyone that I come in contact with
plays an important part in its direction.




Tuesday, November 17, 2009

The Dirty Socks...

.... have been laundered.


I have returned home from my adventure and
I can honestly say it was a true adventure.


Any town with a bar named O'Connor's is ok with me


Taking off to an unknown event with just an small knowledge
of what lies ahead was certainly a test for
this creative soul.

I have to say... staying in my room became an option and I even went as far to call the airlines about booking a return flight the day after I arrived.
I couldn't figure out what the hell I was thinking when I booked this event.




While nerves and self doubt floated around in my head, common sense talked me back into reality..."you paid good money to do this and you know darn well why you wanted to come."


Original inspiration for going...Charlotte Lyons


My reasoning for attending Silver Bella was to meet some of the other creative women I have only seen through blogging and reading.  I wanted to know if they were are real as me and if it would be possible to connect and learn from them.
It is hard to explain what goes on in this mind but, I know there are other gals out there that experience much of what I do on a daily basis.


I can't remember who did this but I love love love it and have saved it for so long.


One of those people I longed to meet was Jo Packham.
I read Where Women Create and have read her
Letters with great anticipation.




The specific letter in question, talked about succeeding and failing.
It spoke to me on so many different levels that I thought Jo really knew
what it felt like to be me, or at least I felt much like her.
She was a real person who made mistakes but has learned from them and in the end she, in my estimation, has overcome any faultering.  She is succeeding and moving forward.
Along the way she is taking time to inspire and touch others who can relate and who admire her for her strenght and honesty. 
She is a real person without an aire about her,
who talked to everyone that wanted to connect with her.
She did not make you feel silly or small...she was genuinely interested in what you had to say
and in return you got a wonderfully warm feeling.

While Jo spoke at our Saturday luncheon, it amazed me as to how many women felt
compelled to laugh and cheer as Jo explain what it is that she does.
Her genuine appreciation for artists all over became apparent as she shed a little tear
and choked up, trying to explain how lucky she felt to have so
many wonderful creative people in her life.
I think we all had that tear in our eye for a number of reasons.
We too are blessed to have so many people in our lives that inspire, encourage and support our longing to create and to be appreciated for what it is that we do.

She could have talked all day ... personally, I think if she sat down and shared a glass of wine with all of us it would have been a perfect afternoon.




I meet several women who attended this event in the same fashion I did.
They left their home took off on their own adventures, not knowing what they would find.
Some how many of us found one another and shared our
experiences and talents



I thank all of you that I met.
You have made my life richer.




There are so many other aspects of this event that I think you should know so ...
tomorrow (since Shea and Mud Puddle keep asking for help with their
Spiderman Book) I will explain a little more about what it is that I learned and took away from this event.  It's not as easy to put it into works as you would think.
Emotions are mixed.




Tuesday, November 10, 2009

I am off...

...like dirty socks!!!

Silver Bella
here I come!



The excitement that started at the beginning
of the summer for this wonderful
event has finally come to
fruition.

I leave tomorrow for 5 whole days!
All alone in this sea of glitter and glue.



Technically I am not alone but I am doing this
trip solo.

 I am walking into a
different world...one that I have longed to be a part of.



Creative souls learning together and
sharing pieces of their lives
with each other as they create and relax.



With my bags packed, my crafting supplies sent off via postal service and
my heart pounding, I bid you farewell for a few days.




I leave you with my inspirtation for this years Doherty Christmas.

PLAID
lots and lots of plaid!!!



















Ralph Lauren
My Hero



My next phone...




For the love of J Crew

and finally...a sweet party dress.



So with that being said...as I sit in the airport and relax in my hotel room
I will be visiting all of you my friends in blog land.
My time away has left me feeling empty and I look forward to
getting back in touch.

All my best to you!
Janet