Already the end of February!

This month has come and gone a whole lot faster than I anticipated. I mean, I knew it was a short month to begin with and that I would be gone for almost a week because of Brave Girls but add on top of that being sick for a week, being snowed in for several days and just catching up in general and the month flew by before I knew what was happening.
As fast as the month flew by I did manage to:
attend Brave Girlstake Jackie's clipboard class
finish my ATC cards for my swap
Sign up for an Easter Tag Swap
take Jackie's mystery journal class (The picture below is from Jackie's blog)

One thing I fully intended to do was the tote bag for Jemellia's Sewing Challenge and I just didn't get to it this month. I'm still going to work on it but I didn't get it done in time. Bummer.

I'm planning on March being a more productive month for me and I'm totally excited that in less than two weeks we will change the clocks for daylight savings time. I love the longer days and look forward to being able to get so much more done.
On a happy note, I heard today that Silver Bella *will* be taking place again this year. I was sad to hear that it wasn't going to happen but now that word on the street is that it *will* I'm so excited! Sign ups open on April 1st (better not be an April's fools!).

Creative Updates

I've been a little under the weather since getting back from Brave Girls but here is a quick update on the going's on around here.
Thursday night I went to the Paper Crown in Oklahoma City and took Jackie's Clipboard class:

I just love that little dog with the crown, don't you? We used lots of techniques in this class: shrink art, gold leafing, embossing, using mica sheets and more.
Also, I mentioned in my last post that I decorated my Brave Girl Apron. Here is the top where I added decorative trim and made those fun flowers.

Here are some fun flowers and ruffles that are on the bottom.

Other than that I've been resting since I haven't felt like doing much else. This week I need to complete a couple ATC's for a swap for February and I'm going back to OKC for another fun class with Jackie. Can't wait!

Brave Girls Camp Feb 2011

Let me start by saying I hope you had a nice Valentines Day! Doug spoiled me as usual - I'm one lucky girl!
Okay - on to Brave Girls Camp. This year our camp was at a different cabin and it was much larger than last years cabin. We walked into the main gathering area and this is what we saw:

Beautiful, right!?! Once again we had the greeting line with everyone hugging us and telling us they were waiting for our arrival and so happy to have us here. After our long trip up the mountain they served us a fabulous meal. Ahhhhh....
We received these beautifully decorated journals and also a beautifully sewn envelope which held our "curriculum". (When I say curriculum I mean journal prompts, exercises for self reflection and clip art that we are free to use in our art if we wanted to) Not pictured here, we also received a Brave Girls sweatshirt and apron.

One night we had a little visitor at the back door. How cute!

I tend to be kind of shy and don't always take part in all the fun. I tend to watch the fun from the sidelines - it's just more comfortable for me that way but this time I joined in on the fun and made a snow angel on the frozen lake.

We all made them - isn't that awesome!?!

This is a picture of me with my crafting table mates: Rachel, Rachel, Annie, Erin and Michelle. Michelle was also my roomie at Camp.

Here are Lori and Meghan doing the "Pageant Wave" (inside joke)

After busy days of creating and reflecting, Brave Girls get together to share and sing. Sorry the picture is so dark - it's hard to get a good picture at night.

I totally enjoyed my time returning to Camp this year. I had a feeling that it would be different for me because I am definitely in a different place this year - and it was. There wasn't anything I was purposely going to focus on, I figured I would just let it unfold as it may. And it did.
I just want to say here that Brave Girls is not the "fix" for all your problems. To me, what Brave Girls Camp is is a chance to stop all the noise and all the distractions for a few days. It's an opportunity to be around other supportive women who are looking for friendship, a chance to explore thoughts, feelings and dreams and to express all those without being judged. Oh, and of course to have some fun!
For me, not only is it fun to spend hours creating with other women but also to see what comes out in everyone's art. It's also a chance to use all kinds of embellishments (yay!) and try new techniques that otherwise I might never have tried.
Our final night we had a "gallery" and got a chance to see what everyone was making all week. Just beautiful! My favorite project was embellishing my apron. I'll see if I can get a good picture of it and post it next time.

Back from Brave Girls February 2011

I'm back from Idaho, a little tired but so inspired! Another wonderful trip to replenish and revitalize.
I need a good night's sleep to gather my thoughts but you will want to check back and see some fun pictures. I'll do my best to try and explain how this year's experience was different for me than last year. Still amazing - just different!
For now, I'll leave you with a picture of Rachel and me with our goodie bags getting ready to board the bus to McCall, Idaho and Brave Girls Camp 2011.

Getting ready for Brave Girls!

So last year about this time, I was really brave. I had read about Brave Girls on a couple of blogs and decided it was something I needed in my life at that time. I didn't know a soul but I signed up anyway and got on a plane for Idaho to spend almost a week with a group of complete strangers. I wasn't sure exactly what it was going to be like except the women who *had* been described it as "amazing, life changing, uplifting, a gift to yourself". It was all of that and more.
It didn't take long for this group of strangers to turn into friends. Brave Girls is a safe place where women can open their hearts and minds. It's also a place where I learned that we ALL have insecurities and we all have pain - some just hide it better than others. But we learned to open up and share our pain, share our insecurities, learned that there are people who will hold our hand, wipe our tears, listen to what we say. We all need support, love, friendship, encouragement and people who love us enough to offer that is who we need to surround ourselves with. All others need to be kicked to the curb - or the moon in some instances. That doesn't mean we don't still love some of them, it just means that we don't allow them close enough to hurt us.

When I returned from Brave Girls last year I knew there were changes I not only wanted to make in my life, but had to make. It took me a while to process what I had experienced in Idaho but slowly I began to make some changes and I still am working on some. I'm excited to see what Brave Girls has in store for me this year as I am in a totally different place than I was last year. I'm not going with any expectations of how it will be or even what I want to work on while I'm there. I'm just going to let things unfold as they may.
Below is a picture of me and Jennifer. She understood me. She cheered me on and offered me the sweetest support. She made me feel at ease, at peace. I'll miss her this year at Brave Girls but she is on bedrest. She has twins that are not due until April but she has been in preterm labor for a while. Please send up some prayers for all of them - for Jennifer to hold off as long as possible and for two healthy babies when the time comes.

I cannot wait to see Rachel and Dawn! If you have read my blog at all you already know that Rachel has been my partner in crime at several Artsy Retreats this past year. We've had so much fun meeting in Omaha, Minneapolis and St. Louis - and as I've already mentioned we are already scheming this year's retreats. Sweet, sweet Dawn. I haven't seen her since last year at camp and even though she isn't attending this year, she has offered to pick me and Rachel up at the airport and we are spending a night at her house at the end of the week. Can't wait to catch up with her too!

I'm going to be busy packing my stuff the next couple of days and praying that the weather holds out long enough for me to get my plane out of here. Until yesterday, it didn't even seem real but now the butterflies in my stomach are starting and I'm getting so excited!

2010 in Review

(Warning: LONG POST!)
What a year this has been! I knew it had been busy and crazy at times, but when I actually sat down and took an inventory of what happened this year even I'm surprised! Of course, I can't include everything but here is some of what went on in our world this year:
(Remember, you can click on the highlighted links to take you to the posts I've previously done or click on the pictures to make them larger)
Brave Girls:

What an experience this was. Something my soul so desperately needed - time to be still, time to think, and time to meet a group of amazing, like-minded women. I came back from Idaho with a new perspective and new friends.
At Brave Girls I met Rachel - and what a great year we've had! We signed up and traveled to multiple crafty venues this year. Looking forward to more in 2011!

Mary Englebreit Conference:

I traveled to St. Louis where I met up with Rachel and met her sweet friend Kara. We had such a fun time together on this trip! Creating, eating, sharing stories. It was great!

Craft Room Organization (Almost):

In 2010 I wanted to get my craft room in shape. At one point early in the year I literally couldn't walk around in there. I hired a personal organizer to come help me because yes, I was *that* overwhelmed with what I was facing. The organizer came and we worked for several days sorting, purging, planning - and things were coming along pretty well. However, I think I totally overwhelmed her because she had a minor accident on her bike and needed to take a break until she healed. I've tried to contact her and haven't heard another word. Guess I'm on my own to finish. I'm GOING TO COMPLETE this project in 2011. When I do, I will post before pictures (they will remind you of Hoarders) and afters. It's going to be good!
I left my consulting gig. Yep ~ unemployed. I had been feeling that it was time to move on but that is always a scary proposition especially when you don't know what is next. I took a leap of faith and decided I would take a month off and figure out what I would do after our trip. Well - a month has now turned into 7 months and I'm praying for work in the new year. No regrets though as to leaving - it was definitely time.

Our trip of a lifetime to Rome:

What a time we had!

I loved that Doug enjoyed himself so much on that trip. I did too but it made it even better for me that he loved Rome!

We ate and drank and totally absorbed the Italian culture. The food ruined us for food back home. Everything in Rome is so fresh and so flavorful and simple! We got home to tasteless garbage. What a bummer!
We took a trip back East that got cut short. While in NYC, before we could see my family in Connecticut, we got word that Doug's mom was very sick and we needed to get home right away. It wasn't good.
In September, we lost Doug's Mom. We miss you Carol...

Creative Connection:
Another *amazing* event! Rachel and I signed up for this one and could barely wait to attend! We can't wait for the announcement of the dates for 2011 because we are all over it!

What a surprise for us when we ran into our fellow Brave Girls Melody and Margie.

I went to Las Vegas for Inspiration Unlimited. It was my first trip ever to Vegas and I didn't really even get to see anything! I went straight to the hotel and attended the scrappy conference. I met some really nice ladies there and clicked with Collette (not pictured). I enjoyed the projects although, like usual I didn't get to finish them. Overall though, honestly, I didn't enjoy the event itself. The people were "different" - no where near as friendly as the women I've met at Mary Englebreit, Creative Connection and Silver Bella.

Silver Bella - This was my first year to attend and definitely NOT my last. I drove to Omaha and roomed with Rachel. Met some new friends, saw some "old" friends and took a handful of fun classes. Again - didn't get much completed but had such fun. That is what matters, right?

Just back from Omaha, Doug and I made the trip to Connecticut to meet my sweet new nephew Joao (pictured below). During our whirlwind trip we took a day trip to New York with Bobby & Jess.

We also had a baby shower for my sister January during that visit. It was a quick trip but so great to finally see my family - especially since the trip in August didn't quite work out.
We got to meet Baby Joao. I love my sweet nephew!

The day after Christmas Baby Garrett was born to my sister January. Can't wait to get to meet him!

Looking forward to a great 2011 - Happy New Year Everyone!

The Countdown is on!

I'm in my final days of consulting for Dr. Webb - Friday is my very last day. Actually, I'm ready to be done now. The way my personality works is that when I decide something is over - I want it over now, I'm done. Finished. When I'm ready to move on, patience is not my strong point. But, I'm going to finish out the week and help him transition over no matter how much I want to be done right. now.

As far as work goes,last week was an incredibly LOOOONNNNNNGGGGG week. I spent my entire week at two marketing events. The first one was an Aging Conference and the second one was the Case Managers Annual meeting. Luckily, both were held at the same venue but it meant setting up on Monday, sitting and talking to people Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday; moving our booth and materials and sitting and talking all day Friday. What made it so difficult was that is was absolutely freezing inside the vendor hall all week. I don't do well with the cold - it exhausts me and makes me miserable. I did keep a smile on my face (hope nobody noticed my chattering teeth!) and tried to dress as warmly as possible. I still froze. So glad to be done with that.

Last Saturday evening Doug and I went to our friends' Lisa & Wayne's house for a meet and eat. Eight couples, including us, are going on a Catamaran Cruise next summer to the British Virgin Islands. Everyone somehow knows Lisa and Wayne but this evening was to introduce everyone else and get a chance to know each other a little bit before next summer. Lisa cooked an *amazing* array of foods for all of us and the evening was so much fun! I'm sorry that I didn't bring my camera so I don't have any pictures to share.
We are going to be split up on two catamarans that each will have a captain and a hostess to cook for us. We are going to float around the islands, get some sun, eat, drink and have an amazing time. I know the trip is a year away but we are all so excited! Gives us something to look forward to.

Another thing I am looking forward to is the month of June off from work! I'm taking a sabbatical of sorts to try to figure out what I want to do next.The funny thing is how people are so worried about what I'm going to do next. People seem shocked that I want to take a month off. It's okay - I'll figure it out. Plus, I really need to get this house in order - organize from top to bottom. I'm working on my list of everything I want to accomplish and I'll share as I go along. My craft room is almost done - my organizer fell off her bike and broke her arm so we are on hold for the moment as to the finishing touches. I can't wait to share - I'm sort of embarrassed of the before pictures but I am so excited about the transformation I'm going to have to show how much it has changed!

One fun thing I am doing right now is taking an online art class from Suzi Blu. It's called Petite Dolls. Although I like to craft, up until this point I didn't think I could really draw. But I'm going to put myself out there and not worry about what everyone thinks about my creativity or talent. I'm doing it for fun, and I'm doing it for me. I'll probably post some of my sketches here and I look forward to getting some feedback but please, constructive criticism only. No need to be mean or hurtful. ;)

Suzi Blu is also a "Brave Girl". She went to camp this month and I actually think I found her through Melody Ross - either on a blog or a link or something like that. Suzi has a great post on her site about her trip to Brave Girls. If you are interested, take a look here.

I do need to go and buy a new scanner and printer - mine bit the dust last week. When I get the new one set up I am going to share a picture that Doug did the other night while I was watching one of Suzi's online videos. Be on the lookout for Doug's artwork - it's pretty funny.

More Brave Girls

I just love this picture! This was taken our final night at Brave Girls -can you believe so many beautiful, talented, loving, caring and giving women in one room? My heart is still smiling.
My week spent with these women gave me just what I needed. Time to slow down, create, express myself creatively and emotionally. Time to let go of my worries for a while and be able to see and appreciate all that is beautiful and wonderful in my life. I came home excited but peaceful and serene and with a renewed sense of self, new ideas and a fresh perspective. For all of that I am truly grateful.

Brave Girls

I got back Saturday night from spending a few days in the Idaho mountains at Brave Girl Camp. Wow. Just wow. I'm still processing everything and not sure how much I can put in to words.

It was time spent meeting new, lifetime friends. Incredibly talented, smart, funny, creative, loving, loyal and supportive friends. Brave Girls, that is what we are. We spent time laughing, crying, soul searching, listening, encouraging and of course crafting.
And we stayed up way too late!

We went on morning walks and enjoyed the beautiful scenery.



And we ate and ate and ate. The food was absolutely delicious and beautifully and lovingly prepared.



Even our water glasses had these cute little charms with our names on them!



See how adorable the cupcakes were? They were out of this world delicious too.

What I can say is what an amazing feeling to be so supported, so loved, and feel so much trust. My heart is happy and my soul feels peaceful.

I needed this time away - needed time to recharge my batteries and time out to think and to create. I've come back home with a new sense of calm and purpose.

Lovin' the Mac!

I've had my Mac home now for a little over a week and I am *totally* loving it! I will admit that it is a bit of a learning curve for me. Haven't yet been able to figure out how to sync my iPhone and my Mac with MobileMe so I'll be making an appointment to meet with the geniuses at the Genius bar real soon. Can't wait to take advantage of all the one-to-one classes and really learn how to use this thing, especially the photo editing stuff!
I'm disappointed that my clutter clearing class with Pam Case is cancelled once again for next weekend but I've been decluttering a few things on my own which feels really great.
I'm starting to think about Brave Girls and getting really excited. I've been following all the links to the blogs of some of the women that attended the first Brave Girls Camp in October and the more I read, the more excited I get! Can't wait!