silver bella '09

  Teresa has gone and done it again! Another  Silver Bella event has come and gone. I was a teacher along with these other great gals.  Silver Bella is a whirlwind weekend of community and crafting and celebrating the season that is now upon us. It is always fun to see the reuniting of old friends and the making of new ones, the over-the-topness of gifts and booths, and supplies and outfits. It's such a festive feeling from start to finish.

How cute is T in her flowery necklace? Very. I didn't take a ton of photos but I did remember to take a few. I have stopped traveling with my good camera, trying to lighten the load and get around the country more easily, but I think my little camera might be getting a bit tired, these photos seem a bit blurry. That seems fitting, because the weekend is a bit of a blur as well. Time goes by so fast and is so full that I feel like I didn't get a chance to visit with friends for more than a minute, or create, or sleep. I even brought a laptop and didn't even take it out of it's case. Each time I attend any event, I think I'll feel more prepared or more in control of time, but I think it's about time I gave that delusional thought up and surrender to the blurriness of it all. With that, here are my somewhat out of focus photos:

 

Charlotte, Kaari and Anna, all teachers, during the opening night welcome dinner.

 

 

Dawn (Kaari's T.A. and dear friend since 2nd grade) and  teacher Rebecca at the same dinner.

And Denise and Jennifer, teachers too.
 

 

Here  Jo (the guest speaker) and Kaari are deep in discussion.

And one of my dearest friends in the whole world, Kelly,  that I seem to only see once a year at Silver Bella, with another dear friend that I met at Silver Bella years ago, Charlotte.

The attendees are one of the very best parts of Silver Bella. They have such enthusiasm for the entire event, and continue to up their game each year with trades, and sisters, and gifts and supplies, and I could go on and on.... Here's the gang from my first class Friday am:

We've got Alisa Nobile, Amy Huff, Carol Ryan, Carolyn Logan, Cynthia Flores, Denise Nelson, Eileen Clough, Elisa Osnaya, Elizabeth Shea, Ella Marie Jenkins, Heather Ales, Heidi Gordon, Heidi Wallingford, Jennifer Day, Jennifer Hayslip, Joanna Lewis, Karla Nathan, Leanne Shawler, Lori Oles, Lynn Lebsack, Marguerite Blanks, Robin Sanchez, Sheila Ann Rumney, Stephanie Harris, Susan Elseth, Suzanne Duda, Terry Frias, Valerie Jones, Leocadia Eyre, Kelly Jacobs. 

 

This is a photo of the Friday afternoon class with: Andra Hepler, Andrea Singarella, Betsy Begens, Cammie Polak, Catherine Aguilera, Cheri Schmitz, Christina Sequino, Christy Spencer, Cynthia Sanders, Danielle Muller, Gabrielle Messina, Jane Jennings, Jennifer Kershner, Jodi LeJeune, Kana Conger, Karla Steele, Kelley Kirk, Kim Hanauer, Kristina Malone, Linda Richter, Michelle Arnold, Pam Keravuori, Peggy Lucas, Shannon Arnold, Susan Skinner, Tracy Hughes, Virinia Burrows, Meleen Dupre, Kelli Flitton, and Hope Wallace.

Lineage of Love was my Friday workshop. Here's a photo of one of the samples:

I have to thank Janice at Papier Valise and Jenny of Jenny Bowlin  for their sponsorship. Love their products so.

 

 

My Saturday workshop was Holly-Days Countdown Wreath (an advent calendar concept, adding one holly leaf a day until the big day). For this class I owe Heather Bailey a debt of gratitude, for generously donating some of her new, beautiful felt.

 

Joining me on Saturday morning were: Alianna George, Ali Gripp, Amy Smith, Andrea Singarella, Bianca Gaspard, Cheryl Stoneham, Colleen MacDonald, Debe Leone, Denise Nelson, Gabrielle Messina, Gina MacIntosh, Jennifer Norman, Kara Ward, Karlene Gray, Kristy Street, Linda Richter, Lisa Baggett, Lisa Orme, Marsi Bennett, Megan Hunt, Melissa Danner, Michelle Early, Paige Bingham, Rachel Velder, Rebecca Gawryl, Robin Kesner, Shannon Johnson, Shawn Street, Sheila Rumney, Valita Baxley, Vicki MacIntosh, Virginia Burrows, and Stephanie Spacy. Jo Packham joined in the photo fun too.

At the end of the day Saturday I had the same workshop but unfortunately didn't remember to take a photo until the very end. Lots of people are missing in the photo. Some finished up, some were exhausted from a weekend of crafting,  some met friends at the free happy hour in the hotel, etc. Here are the die-hards:

 

All the students in the class were: Amy Littlejohn, Beth Evans-Ramos, Corrine Ayers, Cynthia Heath, Debbi Schuldt, Georgia Evanson, Heather Rowley, Janet Doherty, Jenny Lor, Jessi Nagy, Julie Fjell, Kari Ramstrom, Karla Steele, Kim Caldwell, Kim Hanauer, Lana Koch, Leocadia Eyure, Lori Oles, Maija Lepore, Margie Dickinson, Marlene Haveron, Molly Hughes, Sabrina Sane, Sandra Navarro, Shannon Arnold, Susie Vergenz, Valerie Jones, and Joy Campbell.

This photo sums up the fun. My friends Kelly and  Cori,  these two always have me in stitches.  I'm sure scenes like this go on all weekend long in room after room. If you want to see more Silver Bella photos, you can go to the Silver Bella flickr group. Hopefully, lots of finished projects will end up there, they all were so great you'll want to see all the different classes. Thanks again T, great job as usual!

Can you understand why it took me so long to do a recap post? I've never had so many links in one post ever! That said, if yours is missing, or incorrect (I know there are some of those), please let me know. Now I'm going to resume my typical let-down/re-entry behavior I always feel/do after being away at any retreat: as little as possible, ha ha!

Comments

[Karla Nathan]

I'm so impressed with all of your links! What a job to accomplish!

Your Lineage of Love class was my all time fave Silver Bella class. I really enjoyed it, and look forward to what you come up with next year.

Karla

[Lorelei Campbell]

Great to have you back... what a wonderful time y'all had. Maybe one day I'll be able to attend... putting it on my wishlist.

[Lisa]

I must say - I am so impressed with all of the work you put into this blog post. The kindness in your heart to take these photos and name (and link!!) each person in them is amazing! It sounds like a wonderful event...hopefully it will fall in my path the next time it comes around.

[Michelle]

Wow! what a great post with all that information you've included. I loved the wreath class and am in the process of finishing mine. Thanks for sharing your creativity with us - it made my first Silver Bella a fabulous time!

[Sheila R]

Great job with your links! I just loved both of your classes and can't wait to see what next years will be. Thanks for the great time at Silver Bella.

[andrea]

Wow- I just went through all of those links!
Thanks for sharing :)

[Teresa McFayden]

Uhm, yeah you better not slip into a fig funk and stop updating your blog young lady! You can't leave that dorky photo of me up there front and center! Ackkkk!!!

P.S. I miss you already!

[gabrielle]

Looks like you had a great time. One of these days I do hope I can attend....it would be such a blast to be with such fun and creative individuals. Your projects look fantastic as usual....you are so inspiring.

[Holly Abston]

Oh my goodness, Pam, I can't believe how much trouble and work you went to to include all the LINKS! What a sweet & thoughtful thing to do. Looks like it was SO much fun!

[Catherine Aguilera]

OMG Pam,
This post is off the top amazing!
I took your Lineage of Love class, was simply fabulous. You are an amazing artist and teacher. Your blog has been such an inspiration and your embroidery sampler encouraged me to have the courage to step up and create one for a SB swap. Thank you for that...
I look forward to someday having the opportunity to be in class with you again :)
Catherine

[Tina]

All those links to explore! I'm excited and a touch overwhelmed. What a treat.
Thanks