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.