Punch drunk from lack of sleep, but full of Bella LOVE

I don't even know where to begin to describe how much fun I've had the last few days.  My cheeks ache from smiling so much, my side hurts from laughing, and my voice is hoarse from talking non-stop.   And I think that this photo kind of sums up the atmosphere of the week.

The gifts, swaps, treats, projects, leftovers from the Glitter Lounge, all just kind of accumulated on the table in my suite.  Every time I came in the room, I'd deposit my pretties there, and by Sunday, it was so full that one more bit of candy or vintage paper could not have fit on it. 

The gifts and goodies were astounding.  Lori Oles created this lovely lady for me.   She drove up from Arkansas to meet me in Kansas City for lunch, and shopping. Then we followed each other up to Omaha.  We'd only met through our blogs, but had an instant connection. 

The table top had a pink, blue and silver theme, and even though nothing was arranged, just plopped down onto the space on my way in and out of the room running from one fun "play date" to another, it all looked beautiful together.

The bird is from the Denise Sharp class I took, and the Day Dream journal is from the Rebecca Sower class.  And see the sweet angel?  She was a gift from another sweet angel, Lisa Kettle.

For Pam Garrison's class, I made a Sugarwings garland.

Right now, I'm EXHAUSTED.  But happy.  There was very little sleep to be had, and when I did get a chance to doze off, I was drowning in snot from a cold and up blowing my nose all night.  So, please forgive me for not posting links to the people I am mentioning, I will try to add them after a good night's sleep.

Suzanne Duda was giving out little frozen Charlotte dolls, and mine came with a jar of pink M&Ms.  My east coast pal, Coddy, brought an English tea towel to me, and the book is from the En Le Jardin group's swap.

One of my strategies at Silver Bella is to divide up my time between as many different people as I can, while still fitting in lots of visits with best buddies. See why I didn't get much sleep?  There was lots of talking and laughing till all hours of the night, as well as intimate, heartfelt conversations full of tears and compassion.

So many wonderful women, so few hours to share!

My Little Sis, Robin, gave me the satin linen bag.  Gorgeous!!!

The book mark was hand made by Jo Packham who gave a moving key note address. We all could have listened to her for HOURS and were sad that the speech was much too short. What a genuinely caring woman she is.

But I could say that about so many of the people there.  The connections I made with this group were some that I will never forget and will always treasure.  While I really enjoyed my classes and got a lot from my teachers (Anna Corba was spectacular, Pam Garrison is cute as a button, Rebecca Sower seems like such a gentle soul, and Denise Sharp has a eye for detail that is amazing!), to me the weekend was more about just being with like minded souls who "get it".

 
 

Sadly, there just isn't enough time to spend with them all.  There were people I really wanted to chat with, and only got a few moments with here and there.  And so many more that I never even got to meet.

 

My pal, Robin, made this for me, with a 1928 Omaha photo she found. 

The Bellas in training are cute as can be, huh? I think that if I had any advice to give future Bellas, it would be to mingle.  I try to sit with a different group at each class or at meals.  I love my close friends and did get to sit with them too, but I reminded myself that the way I met them was sitting near them in previous classes.   I didn't want to lose out on meeting new people, by only sitting with ones I knew.   And this year, I met plenty of new friends that way. 

Honestly, I think that is pretty good advice for every day life.  Smile and say hi to someone new.  Strike up a conversation with someone at work that you see in the halls but don't really know.  Surf new blogs and stop to visit and comment.  You never know who will be your next new buddy!

The chocolates are from Meleen, the tag is from Tiffany (don't feed her after midnight, she is like a Mogwai and will turn into a crazy Gremlin!), and I made the cone in Anna Corba's class.

Comments

[Cindy (Junque Art)]

Wow all the goodies and your class projects look wonderful!!! I know you had such a great time! Thanks for sharing with us and I hope you get some rest tonight!

[Andrea]

Look at all the pretty things! Hopefully some year I'll go! Looks like some crafting fun!

[Lorrie]

Wow, amazing artwork and gifts. Sleep well tonight.

Lorrie

[Bev]

ya know Karla... one of the reasons I so love visiting your blog every day is that "you get it"! I may never make it to Omaha for Silver Bella, but in my heart I am there, piling up treasures on a table of my own, and having the time of my life...so thank you! for your gracious sharing, even when you are punch drunk and fighting off a cold! You are a treasure :)

[Nerissa Alford]

thanks for sharing the pictures! that table is impressive. i hope to make it out there one day so until then i live through everyone's posts :) get some rest & feel better!
nerissa

[Lori]

Karla, it sounds like you had a wonderful time...your table full of goodies looks scrumptious!!!

[Sheila R]

Karla,

So good to see you at SB! Wish we had had more time to chat! You Sugarwings lineage of love was so beautiful.

Hopefully we both can catch up on some much needed sleep!

[Leann]

Hi Karla

Looks and sounds like a blast. Just wanted to let you know that I rec'd my Grumpy Fairy and adore it! I'm hoping to have grand children one day to share it with!

Enjoy!
Leann

[Zita - Mlle Magpie]

Sounds like the best time, Karla. Sigh.

[Bunny Rose Cottage]

Karla, it sounds like a blast!! I am so glad you had so much fun :):) Your girls are so lucky!! I LOVE everything you received and made, just perfect!!
Hugs,
Amy

[mummakat- Kathi Pilar]

It was so great meeting you and I love the goodies I picked up at your table on vendor night! Now i get to unpack it all! Wow what a weekend!

[Marietta Hoschak]

Oh my gosh.... What a collection.

[Jane]

It all looks sooooooo beautiful! I'm glad you had a wonderful time! Thanks for sharing the fun with us!
Jane - Jacksonville

p.s. Get some rest so you can get over the cold. I'm just about over one myself so can relate :)

[Jingle]

It all looks so lovely! Sparkles everywhere!

[Andrea S.]

oh it was so much fun, wasn't it?!
I miss you and your smiling face. :)
xo andrea

[Laurie]

Oh, how W*O*N*D*E*F*U*L -- so many goodies!

[Deborah Woodrow]

Karla:
Wish I could have been there, but like so many others, I too was there in spirit. Your new creations from the classes , are lovely as ususal, and your new trinkets, and gifts are glorious ! I know, I would have been your new friend if I had been there to sit next to you, so for now, I'll just get to be your online blog friend, hope some day we get to meet in person. Can't hardly wait until you get it all unpacked, and start creating, things from your new stash.
Get well soon, and take care.

Deborah Woodrow
Ordway, Colorado

[Diane ( Crafty Passions)]

So much to see!!!
So glad you had a wonderful time!!
Diane

[Janis]

Hi Karla,
Oh Thank you so much for this post about Silver Bella.
I hope your cold is better and that you are getting some
much needed sleep.
Your pictures of all the pretty gifts you received are
wonderful. What a magical time it must have been and
hope to read more when you are rested.

Hugs,
Janis

[Amanda Willey]

To the last bella standing, so glad to have seen you this year! I love the pictures, thanks for sharing. Your advice is great for the event and in life. Hopefully I will see you next year, same time, same place!

[Gerry Hook]

Looks like everyone had an exciting time ! !
Thanks for all the pics - it's like we're right there.

[Robin]

It was a wonderful experience! Thank you so much for being the big sis and showing me such a great time Karla!
It's something I will never forget!

[elyse]

ooh karla! this is the first post-bella post i have seen. gosh, it sounds wonderful. sigh. maybe next year ...

xo

[Jo Packham]

Karla:
Thank you so much for being so gracious. It was such a pleasure and an honor for me to speak to all of you.
I hope I get to see you all again and spend more time with each of you so that I know you all as well as you know each other.
Much love always
Jo

[Dawn @ The Feathered Nest]

I'm so glad you had a wonderful time Karla!!!! Sounds like heaven! Seeing old friends, making new ones ~ what a great experience for you all...I hope you rest well sweetie! xxoo, Dawn

[Suz Reaney]

Karla,
I think Silver Bella is better than Christmas...and I LOVE Christmas! Thank you so much for my very very lovely book an trims and beautiful hanky. Both Donna and I were thrilled to go to the Glitter Lounge...you made us feel so welcome and so did many of the women there. It was the perfect start to a simply wonderful five days.

I can't wait to go back again! As a newbie, I sure appreciate your advice. Being a Freshman can be a bit overwhelming but people like you, who step our of their comfort zone, make it so much more comfortable.

As a whole, I was so impressed at the friendliness and incredible generosity of the other Bellas...It was surprising and touched.

And I loved meeting your friend, Beth. She was just a dear (like you) and seemed like someone I had grown up with. You are both such genuine women.

Getting a peek at beautiful Sugarwings was frosting on the cake!!!

[Rita Blanks]

Karla, I fell in love with your vintage wallpaper - who could resist your rosey-red-breasted bird - at SB, and can hardly wait for you to unfurl the wallpaper purchases made while there. Thank you for sharing with us so quckly your swaps, classes and purchases while at SB. Enjoyed meeting you in Anna's class. Like you, I found SilverBella to be soul-stretching, pushing one always in our creative work as we mixed and met kindred spirits....plus just plain fun! Regards from Rita Blanks, the Texas Redhead

[Kerryanne English]

Karla sweetie, I get you and you sing to my soul. Sounds like another successful silver bella event. I look forward to more stories and photos over the coming posts (when you have recovered).
Hugs ~ Kerryanne

[Sandy]

Wow Karla,
What is there left to be said. SOOOOOO glad you all had such a great time. It was certainly a mindbending experience. I can't even imagine what it must have been like. I am glad that you are home and getting some sleep so you will get over your cold. Look forward to hearing more.
Sandy

[Mitzi Curi]

Thanks for the eye candy from Silver Bella. It sounds like you had a fabulous time. I'm really interested in some of that wallpaper, so I'm going to check your website and Etsy to see what you're sellin'

[Sandy]

Glorious! Thank you for sharing the Silver Bella love with those of us who were not able to attend. Feel better soon!

[Soarenth]

"My cheeks ache from smiling so much, my side hurts from laughing, and my voice is hoarse from talking non-stop." That sounds like a good verdict of time well spent!

What magic to instantly connect to someone only met previously through blogs! What a wonderful way to start off the experience.

"So many wonderful women, so few hours to share!" And that sounds like the best problem a good friend could have. What a wonderful women and example you are, Karla!

[Thespoena McLaughlin]

What wonderful things you found and have! Beautiful. Lovely, and perfect! Would you happen to have a link for Lori Oles blog? I'm an Arkansan too and would be nice to share blogs. Have a great day!