Getting our Glitter on

Crikey!  I barely got Natasha to the airport in time, we got side tracked by gossiping and by her imitation of a Tasmanian Devil. She was running around the dining room in her pink flowered jammies showing me how the devils move. 

Thanks to my sweet husband surprising me by having the gas tank filled, we made it to the airport on time, after poor Natasha having to listen to me mothering her all the way there. 

"Are you sure you have enough US dollars left for tips, do you need some ones?" 

"I worry about you being short of cash if you are stuck in the airport for a while"

"Do you want some band-aids just in case you get blisters from your new boots?"

She is such a little person to be traveling so far alone and dragging luggage bigger than she is!  She brought out my maternal instincts.

Natasha and Heather both came bearing gifts and Miss Sugarwings was happy to meet them and wanted to open all the packages herself, including the boomerang for my husband.  She saw the candles I had lit on the table and figured it  must be her birthday again.

Sheila and her sister also brought gifts to the dinner party before the Bella get away.  These candles are famous in the Kansas City area, for their wonderful scents.  And they are even better, topped off with hand made gift tags and wrapped in tulle!

For our party, I made 3 kinds of pasta dishes, and Shawn brought along salads in pasta shells, how cute is that idea?

And an evening isn't complete without Shawn's home made marshmallows!!

We ate in the studio, and everyone pitched in and brought something.  Those are the best meals.

So I could relax and enjoy the guests, I loaded my inventory for vendor night into the borrowed truck the night before everyone came.  But when I decided to take it to the airport to get the girls that morning, I heard a THUNK. 

The tailgate flew open along the interstate and I couldn't get it shut!!!!

I had to fly home (losing some of my vendor goods out the back!! I'm not even sure now what is missing) and get my car and hurry to the airport.

As I was toodling down the turnpike, trying not to speed, I heard a JINGLE JINGLE BANG and I realized that I'd left a huge appliance dolly in the back of the car. No way, that two passengers, each with carry ons and 2 big suitcases each were going to fit in my petiteToyota Scion, which has a pink baby seat in the back. (and is nicknamed the Toaster, or the Lunch Box, it looks like a little toy car) 

At that point, I just pulled over along I70, and got the dolly out and left it on the side of the road. So if you were the person that was driving along and stopped to pick up the free dolly, it is me you have to thank for the gift!

After the welcome party in my studio, Heather worked on getting things together for  vendor night, she needed a few odds and ends that I loaned to her for her display.

It would have been fun to have more time to play in the studio, but we knew that we'd be having plenty of time to get our glitter on in Omaha!

As we were leaving, I remembered my disco ball, how could I host a Glitter Lounge without one? And even better, this one was hand made by a good friend, Shanna.  Hand made is always better!

My BIL was able to fix the truck latches before we left, but the thought of losing our stuff kind of stayed in the backs of all of our minds. We wondered if we'd leave a trail of glittery goods behind us all the way to Omaha and arrive with an empty truck bed.

But all was fine, no worries! We met up with some other Bella pals, Carol and Shelly in St. Joe to shop and took Natasha to lunch at Cracker Barrel to show her some down home American style food. 

She liked the grits.

Then, we were off to the hotel to get settled and set up the Glitter Lounge.  I mixed pink sugar with the edible glitter to rim the glasses.  But the lights were too dim in the room for the champagne to really sparkle, too bad. Although some one told me that they carried their glass into the lobby and people stopped to tell them how pretty it was.  The light was much better there!

Have you ever thrown a party and in those minutes before it started, you wondered if anyone would show up?  That sick feeling that you'd be sitting alone with your party balloon (or disco ball) and sipping your drink all by yourself?

Well, that happens to me EVERY TIME.  Luckily, everyone, plus more guests showed and we had a blast. We crowded about 45 people into that hotel room.

Pictured- Suzanne, Debby, Andrea- I will post more photos later, when friends send some to me.

So many fun Bellas came, I was so happy to see them, and so glad to have such a COOL room mate who came up with this idea to throw a party.

But there was a problem, I told a friend the wrong room number, 2 floors off, then couldn't find her to tell her the right room. I was asking everyone I saw if they knew where Jenny was, and then kept running down to the 5ht floor to see if she was knocking on the wrong door.  I felt like such a witch for inviting someone and sending her to the wrong place.  I'm sorry, Jenny! You were missed!!!!

That first night, after toasting the event with bubbly, we had a group class.

Sewing.

ugh.

But it was fun anyway, even if I am the world's worst sewer. I realized how negative I was being and apologized to everyone at our table, and then borrowed some glue to finish my project. Everyone else seemed to be so good at embroidery, and I was so out of my element.

My poor Mom, (or Mum as I feel like saying, after a week with the Aussie Chick) must have been turning somersaults in her grave while I attempted to sew my project!

I discovered that globs of mica glitter can camouflage lots of embroidery mistakes.

My other projects turned out better, and I will show them later.

Including the special surprise gift that I made for my November giveaway! Remember, all comments enter you to win this, along with a bit of edible glitter for your own Glitter Lounge party over the holidays!

Comments

[vivian]

loved all the pictures! sounds like your party was a blast. wish I could have been there! You cracked me up leaving the dolly on the side of the road.. but I think I would have done the same thing. Also.. I cant imagine how natasha managed all that luggage!! she must have had the time of her life!
hugs
vivian

[Shawn]

It was so fun. I sure have enjoyed our potluck gatherings. What fun we had! I miss you girls already!

[sherry goodloe]

Wow, what a party! I felt like I was there just reading this blog post *smiles*.

PS Trapp Candles are my FAV-OR-ITE candles!

[Christa from Chloe Rose]

It sounds like a fun adventure you had. Your embroidery project looks sweet. I can't wait to see your other pictures.

Blessings,

Christa
Chloe Rose

[Diane]

Well what a crazy group of events, the story of the truck Oh MY!
But looks like everything worked out well at Silver Bella what a beautiful disco ball (:
Hugs, Diane

[Heather]

Love those yummy Trapp candles. Looks like you had a blast. I so wish I could have met Natasha.. looking forward to more pix!

[thrifty_misspriss]

Wonderful! Just soaking it all in! The party at home and in the glitter lounge looks fantastic! Lots of fun going on!

[Jenny]

WOWOW!! How do I find out about attending next year? Or do you have to be a vendor? It looks like so much fun!

[Elaine L.]

Wow! You had so much fun. I can't wait to see more. Natasha is such a cutie.

Didn't you freak when the stuff fell off the back of the truck?

~elaine~

[MizSmoochie]

Oh my lawdy, that all looks like so much fun! And your sewing project turned out very lovely! And I do agree with the multitude of mistakes that can be concealed with glitter and mica! heh heh

[pam]

Great pic's, it looks like all of the bellas know how to have a good time. Your sewing project looks absolutely precious!

[Cassie]

Fantastic pictures! What a fun time that must have been for everyone. Sorry to hear about the loss of your dolly though!

[Judi S.]

I'm sooo glad you are showing all the fun you had. Eventhough I live 45ml.away,and the Old Market was our favorite place to be when we lived in South O. I could not make the big Glitter fest but how I want'ed to.
ALL of you Girls are Fabbooo. Do you have to have a Blog to hang with all the cool girls?(because I don't). Besides if I did I'd never get to live vicariousely(SP) though you-all, and your craft ability.(sp)
You,and the rest are soo out of my leage I wouldn't want to join in, but I wouldn't mind sitting close by and watching.
Thanks for letting me watch.
P.S. Can't craft well can't spell at all.
Judi

[Susan M Hickam]

hey Karla! Sounds like you had a fabulous time! Can't wait to hear more!

[Kerryanne English]

Karla, what a post - you had me captivated right from the mishaps on the way to the airport through to the sewing workshop. What a character you are!!
Hugs,
Kerryanne

[Rochelle Gaukel]

From the looks of the pictures it seems like you all had a great time! Thanks for sharing them with us!
Rochelle

[LauriesCharmingDesigns]

Thank for sharing such wonderful pictures..Natasha is cute as can be!!!Laurie

[Marilyn]

What a wonderful week you must have had! Looks like a lot of FUN going on:)

[Joyce]

You have me in stitches Karla and I don't mean ugh! Just think of the person who has all the vendor table wanna be stuff. That puts me in mind of the time we stopped and picked up some stuff all over the road on our way to the Palmer fair(2 huge boxes of toys), we ended up getting a reward and some free stuff. Happy happies.

[Fleur de Bee]

Hi Karla!

I don't think I have ever commented on your blog...maybe one other time? I just adore Natasha and am friends with several of the gals you went to silver bella with, like Heather too! DARLING all of them. I can't wait to meet you hopefully next year. You totally crack me up, especially leaving the dolly on the side of the road!! haha! Good one! Thanks for all your magical pictures and the fun stories thus far! Can't wait for more!

Warmly,

Molly xo

[Karen Young]

WoW!!! you certainly had an adventure pre Bella. But, oh what fun you have had. I just love it. I also thought your embroidery project turned out lovely.

As well as sharing your adventures with all of us, you are making a very special journal of your trip.

Karen

[laura dellaporta]

you are so funning & entertaining.. Love your pictures... thanks for sharing.
xoxox Laura

[GAIL]

It all sounds like so much fun! I am so sorry I missed meeting the girls! From reading so many different blogs, I can see that Natasha got around while she was in the States! And Silver Bella looks like a blast!!

[Alissa Millsap]

sounds like you had quite an adventure! i bet it was a wonderful time with all those bellas...thanks for sharing all of your pictures! look foward to seeing more.

[linda thompson]

Oh Karla, sounds like sooo much fun!!
You are such a giving, loving sweet gal.

[Andrea]

Great pictures and post...as usual. It was so nice to meet you at Silver Bella...you are the cutest!

[Cami]

You are so real & so funny..love the dolley story!

Welcome home & thanks for sharing the pics. What a time y'all must have had!

[beachy]

Ahhhh sighhh... thank you for the fabulous photos! I ALMOST feel as if I were there... but next year... fingers crossed (I'll start losong some weight now so I can find me a bella dress)! lol

[Amy Bauer]

Karla, Thank you, thank you for sharing pics and details of Bella. It means alot to those of us who couldn't attend. So very glad you had a time worthy of the glitterati! - Amy Bauer

[Karla]

How fun! I think your project came out great. Your stories of driving to and from the airport crack me up!
Karla

[Andrea]

Your embroidery looks pretty! I wish I had more time for that ! I want to go next year ! Natasha looks like a doll and so do you !!

[jennifer]

Wow...Thanks for sharing all of that Karla...You all must have had such a ball!!!!! I can't wait to see more!

[Lorrie]

What fun you all had! I laughed envisioning you unloading the dolly onto the side of the road and then driving away!

I'm so enjoying reading all about Silver Bella.

Lorrie

[gail]

i'm on the hunt for edible glitter! thanks so much for sharing:)

[Gretchen Schauann]

Too much fun Karla. Glad you had a ball.
How did you do for selling your goods? Was it what you had hoped? And how did the smalls sell for you?

[Jean Eakin]

The further adventures of "Karla" and the trip to the airport gave me the laugh I needed tonight. I just kept picturing you doing all that stuff, especially leaving the dolley on the side of the road. You just plain out have too much fun. I think I need a snack now. The pasta shells have made me really hungry. You have a wonderful evening.
Jean in Virginia

[Pam Schroeder]

That is way too much fun for one person to have! It does look like such fun - the laughing, the creating, the fellowship - GREAT! You had a great post! PAM

[sherri]

Love all the sites of the party and friends at Bella. Some day I am going to go! That is my current motto anyway. I wish I could have been behind you on the freeway--picking up all that wonderfulness (LOL)

[jeanie]

Oh, Karla -- your airport sojourn sounds -- well, like Bella overload! And a grand party! What a delight!

[hazelsvintagepretties]

Looks like a blast...Katie