Bella time- a long post, long overdue

 

Finally, I'm getting to doing a Silver Bella post!!  Life has been a bit crazy lately, sorry I haven't been returning emails or comments like usual. But since most of them were congratulations on the new baby, I don't think people expected a response. If anyone asked a question, I did try to answer that.  I'm still trying to catch up on everyday life, holiday projects, and of course, making time to hold that little fairy baby that came to us last week!

My Bella time was extended by Stacy, Kim, Cheryl, Jessi, and Lonnie coming to KC to visit. They all came out to the cottage for dinner along with Beth and Debbie and Carol.  Then, the next morning, we had brunch at Carol's magnificent farm house.

Every time I leave there, I feel like going home and throwing stuff away.   Her home is so serene and uncluttered. Each piece is displayed with the importance it deserves.

And the light!  The light is perfect in every room.

We lingered over the brunch and drooled over her home for a while, then took off in a caravan of cars to Omaha, stopping to junk in St Joe on the way.

(at my house the night before, we got into some supplies setting out in the studio and had too much fun with these gnomes. We decided to take a few with us on the trip)

You can't beat Rusty Chandelier and Jesse James in St Joe for the best shopping!

But of course, 2nd Chance in Omaha is kinda fun too....  They threw us a Bella welcome party with treats and wine.  And HATS!

After 2nd Chance, we went to Upstream, my favorite Omaha restaurant, where the dirty little gnome and I ordered some Omaha Steak.

But the world's BEST shopping??????  Hannah's Treasures, or as we call it, Wallpaper Heaven.

Marilyn is always so nice to us, and she has the best papers anywhere.

And an artistic daughter.  She created these Anthropolie inspired mirrors on the wall.  I have a wall of framed wallpaper in the studio, but after seeing this, I'd much rather show off favorite papers this way. Too bad I gave away all those mirrors out in the shed a few weeks back when I  had the big clean out!!

 
Marilyn (the owner) isn't open to the public, she sells online only. But every fall she opens up her home to bellas and makes us feel welcome.

Even thought this was my third year there, I still get overwhelmed by the abundance of beautiful papers. But I recover fast and like to stand and watch the expressions on the faces of newbies as they come in the door.

After we all get over the shock, it becomes serious business, looking at all the rolls and trying to find favorites.  Everyone is so nice, holding up rolls that others might like, offering to split rolls and share.

We had two carfuls of bellas,  here is Jessi and Suzanne looking through the cut papers.

And Kana digging in deep too.

I got to meet Kim that day, and we discovered how much we have in common. She and I are going to room together at Kim Caldwell's next event.

Once again, I bought more paper than I will ever use. So, I'm hoping to chop, iron, and package some for the shop soon. Well, I hope soon. I have turkeys to bake, trees to trim, and babies to hug.

There is no way I can pick a favorite activity or event from the weekend (well, Tuesday through Sunday is a bit of a stretched weekend, huh?).  All was just perfect. Every year, I have more fun than the year before.

Part of it, of course, is deepening friendships and meeting up with bellas I've got to know before.

But its also just hanging out with sooooo many creative types under one roof.

Lots of laughs to share, as well as supplies and how-to tips.

New people to meet, and  new ideas to explore.

And this year's classes were ideal. I thought each one was the best till I got to the next one. There are no faves, I loved them all and will use each and every piece that I made.

This year, the schedule was a bit different, Teresa did a wonderful redo on the event.  Closing night dinner was her best idea ever. Between some tweaks she made, and a sea of new faces, I almost felt like a newbie myself.  Kind of like how Survivor changes up the Imunity Idol and other things for a shake up to keep you involved.

I think this year seemed much more casual for some reason, and that was nice. More low key and laid back. 

Hats on Parade was an interesting theme for Vendor night, there was quite a variety of toppers.  Here I am in my towering cage looking like a whole garden, next to sweet Zita who looks like she belongs in a quaint English country garden.  I was so happy to meet her, she came all the way from Canada.

And Laurie was a treat too, its so nice to finally meet people you have talked to online for so long.

Yep, I couldn't reccomend it more highly. Its been over a week since I've been home and I still laugh out loud some times thinking about something that happened there.  I'll leave you with a few more photos, sorry I haven't linked to all the photos, but I'm swamped.  And that is a lot of people.  I'd hate to leave anyone out, so I won't even try. 

I look forward to getting caught up, but wonder if that ever really happens?

In the meantime, I'll just say that these are all fine people, good artists, fun friends, and you'd probably enjoy their blogs if I had time to link to all of them.....

Comments

[Jenny Sellars]

OMGosh! Looks like so much fun! Was that a real tattoo for silver bella? Brave woman!

[creativechaos]

What a great recap Karla! I'm heading back up the post to stare at all that wallpaper.

[timeworninteriors]

Great photos! Looks like you guys had a great time! I would love to go to Carols farmhouse!
Theresa
aka:TOT

[Sandy]

Oh my goodness what a lot of fun this looks like. All that wallpaper is fantastic! Thanks for the link to the shop. I would love to have a stocking stuffed with those papers. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

[Dorthe]

Karla what a bunch of funn- and sweetcrasy looking laydies, all of you. BUT your hat was the best-
All the papers are gorgeus, I will never be able to walk into such a fantastic place, here in DK--one will realy loose ones breath, seing all that.
Now relax a bit, and be a happy hugging grandma.
OO Dorthe

[lululiz]

What a happy, fun filled post! You can feel the joy and friendship of you gals flowing out of those photos. What a great bunch you are.

[Elaine L.]

I swear you live the life of at least three people. Do you ever sleep!?

I love your hat. It must have been really balanced to stay on your head.

I can't wait for more baby pictures!

~elaine~

[Lisette aka Liszha]

This is a great post! First of all............I want a house like that! Where can I get it? :-)
Secondly I am so tempted to jump on a plane and visit that vintage wallpaper shop! Wow!

[Hope Ellington]

Oh you captured every moment wonderfully! Thanks for all the memories! Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!
XO~Hope

P.S. We would love for you to come to the open house sometime!!

[lisa]

Karla,
What a time you had. I can just see you digging thru those wallpaper rolls....Smiling big! I just looked at all the pics & not one of you with shut eyes. Have you been practicing in the mirror?? Love the projects, very cool, the food..very yum. But the hats.........over the top awesome! Deb (the queen) looks darling in her tiny top. But the one of you in the Vegas showgirls cage next to the librarian is my FAVE! Hope I get to see that amazing farmhouse myself in the Spring...hint hint. Have a great Thanksgiving. I can't wait to see how you cook for a crowd with a baby clutched in your arms. Lisa

[Marilyn]

Karla ~ The pictures and stories of Silver Bella!! I know you all had soooo much FUN!!! Thanks again for taking the time out of your currently busy schedule (with holidays and a new grandbaby) to share the fun.

Have a Happy Thanksgiving.

Marilyn in Missouri

[LuLu Kellogg]

Wonderful pictures Karla!

Can't wait to see you at Moulin Rouge!

Happy Thanksgiving!
Love,
LuLu~*xoxo

[Katsui Jewelry]

what a great post, Karla! I see myself!!!!
it was a wonderful time.
hugs,
suz

[LORRAINE BELL]

Morning Karla...Thanx for the SB pix.I follow Carols blog also...ilike her home a lot ...but I LOVE your...& mine..we arent minimalists...have a great American thanksgiving with you family...Lorraine

[jeanine mayden]

What a fun looking bunch - it is such a blessing to have girlfriends to hang with and be yourself. To let the artistic side out with like minds and souls. thanks for posting. i follow almost everyday. have a great Thanksgiving! that new little fairy is one sweet blessing to be thankful for this year. enjoy.

[Lisa Super]

It was a wonderful event, it was my first year and I enjoyed it so much. Great photos, sure makes me wish I'd been able to get out to Hannahs. Next year for sure.

Congratulations on your new grandbaby! It was great meeting you!!

[Laurie]

It's so great that even after going several years in a row, you still enjoy it/feel it gets better each year! You have some awesome friends featured there! Have a lovely Thanksgiving and baby-hugging time!

[kana]

Great Silver Bella recap....we did have a great time! I enjoyed this year more than last. Hope you and your family have a great Thanksgiving!!

[Soarenth]

"I have turkeys to bake, trees to trim, and babies to hug." How can you possibly have a better holiday To-Do list than that?!

Thank you for sharing the wealth of Silver Bella photos and travelogue. It was fun to see the trip through your eyes.

PS You look quite impressive in your towering crown.

[Sandi ~ A Cottage Muse]

Wow! Looks like a fantastically fun time!!! Thank you for sharing and Happy Thanksgiving!!

[Kirstie]

Omg Karla,

once again that wallpaper heaven that I need to get too...ooooohhhh sigh just rub it in abit more Karla...lol I think I was born in the wrong country, hmmm lots of vintage wallpaper lots of vintage millinery flowers and hats, lots of vintage bling well lots of everything...you looked like you had an amzing time at Silver Bella's...one day, one day I will get there...congrates on your new fairy baby, so little and beautiful, happy thanks giving for the other day, hope you had a wonderful day.

xxx
Kirstie