I can't believe I filled up a whole big post about Kim Caldwell's Moulin Rouge event and I never even mentioned the classes! Well I'm back with lots more so hang on ... this is gonna be a long post!
Here are a few pics I took on Friday morning before the classes things got started...
The goody bags and treasures awaited our arrival were mind blowing. There was also something called "table gifts" awaiting me at my spot. This is where everyone at your table gives you a little treat. I had never heard of this and wasn't prepared but fortunately, I had enough things in my vendor stash and was able to throw a little something together for each of my lovely table mates the following day. The unfortunate part was that I made these little goodies at midnight and I was either deliriously tired or just forgetful because I made little labels that said "Table 7 Rocks!" That was all fine and well except we were sitting at Table 6! FYI...my tag was still correct because Table 7 did, in deed, rock! :-)
Prior to the event, Kim hosted a couple of online chats. They were so much fun and on one of the chats, I won a prize...one of Kim's wonderful totes!!! Thank you, Kim!!!!
You can bop on over to Kim's site and pick one up for yourself here! I love it and it saved my hide on my trip home. I had two suitcases and both were at capacity (50 lbs each) and I still had lots of stuff! I STUFFED this thing so full that when I went through airport security, they pulled my bag aside to manually inspect. TSA was actually quite nice about it though. The young gentleman said there was so much stuff in the bag that they couldn't figure out what was what. :-)
Two classes were on the schedule for Friday...the first class was with Shea Fragoso. I think I actually finished this project during the class and I am so in love with it!
Kim made sure there were lots and lots of raffle prizes and I was so happy with the wonderful prize I won...a beautiful necklace made by Deb Hodge! One of my table mates, Shawn, also won one of Deb's necklaces (crazy, right?!) Here we are...
A couple of pics taken during our lunch break...
Lovely Rachel!
And then here's a pic of Rachel buying a lottery ticket. Did you win Rachel? :-)
After lunch, our class was with Kerry Lynn Yeary! This project isn't quite finished but I'm very happy with how it's coming along.
I do like red.
After a day of classes, a lovely group of ladies and I went for dinner to Marmalade Cafe.
Valita, Kadee and Denise
Shawn, me and Rachel
Earleen and Andrea
(photo taken by Denise Hahn)
After dinner, we had to high tail it back to the hotel because it was swap night! I do declare that I took more pictures than what was on my camera. Another photo mystery.
Just look at these two cutie pies...Taisha and Susan...love it!
I joined in Rachel's very fun Positivity Swap. What a great idea and I love how Rachel presented our cards to us!
I hosted a swap called Spectacular! Spectacular! Souvenir Journal. I was so happy with how the books turned out. I had a vision for the binding and it all came together like a charm! I do want to thank each of the amazingly talented artists who participated! These girls used their good stuff and I gasped with excitement and awe as I opened EVERY package! And an extra thank you to the sweet girls who presented me with hostess gifts. Thank you thank you!
Michelle Duke
Cynthia Flores
Terry Frias ((((hugs, my darling!))))
A picture of the cover. I will save showing you the full book in a post of its own. :-)
Nicole and Michelle
Each girl also made an extra page so we could give Kim a souvenir book of her own. :-)
While all the swapping hubbub was going on, the lovely Christine Rose Elle taught a Make and Take...Satine's Fascinator (or what was the full name of this project?) Happy!
The next day was Saturday and we had two more classes. The first one was with the fabulous duo of Jenny Heid and Aaron Nieradka. I really adore and admire these two very talented artists. My project is still in progress but here's Jenny showing the class example...
(photo taken by Cheryl Stoneham)
Our last class was with the super lovely Colleen Moody. I had lots of fun with this class even though I haven't made the "stage" yet.
.
I had a lot of fun making my girlie. In fact, I'm using her as my Facebook profile.
Very sexy, no? :-)
Right after this class, Denise, Rachel, Valita and I made the decision to go to French General for a French Beaded Flower class taught by Debbie Murray . We were so on the fence in attending this class but at the last minute, it just seemed like the right thing to do. I mean, we're in friggin' in L.A. so why not go for it!! We can sleep anytime! I'm SO glad we went because it was a huge highlight of my trip!
Before class, we went to Home for a quick little din din...
My table mates, my pals...me, Rachel, Denise and Valita.
So French General...sigh...what can I say...this is the stuff I dream of. I love everything about this shop and Kaari's style. Pictures from my dream...
The FUN table!!!
A picture of me that Pam took...I don't usually like pictures of myself but I like this one. I just look so....happy and relaxed...relappy! (Sorry it's so big!)
(photo by Pamela Keravuori)
And finally...my bouquet I made! I love this!!!
What an amazing day! But there was still one more amazing adventure in store for us...a luxury bus tour that would take us to the Long Beach Flea Market and several wonderful points south. The bus...
Big thank you to sweet friends Terry and Cynthia for hosted this great trip!
Me and Valita
Pics from Long Beach Flea Market...it was raining like crazy and the swap meet was totally swamped! Too bad too...I had hoped to catch up with my friend Brian but he got there early and we got there late. Brian will be teaching at JournalFest in October so I'm excited about not only seeing him then, but taking his class! Yay!!!
A couple of goodies I picked up there...
We got seriously rained on but that didn't dampen our spirits (only my feet!) We loaded back in the bus and headed south to Solana Beach to go to the Mermaid Merchantile at Out of the Blue.
I do miss the gardens in Southern California so after some shopping and browsing, I spied a nursery and headed for it...
I never did get me a picture of Bird of Paradise flowers. They were in bloom and saw lots of them, but only from a distance. :-(
I should mention that when we were on the bus, we were entertained with a fabulous goody bag and movies! Moulin Rouge and Burlesque were playing throughout our trip! It was fun and definitely added to the experience!
Our next stop was Vignettes in San Diego. A wonderful wonderful shop and OHMYBUTTONS, I got to meet Joy Gabler! We've been friends for a long time online and so I have to tell you, it was such a pleasure to meet her and person and just go on and on like we're neighbors! What a fabulous gal!
Joy and I
A few other pics from Vignettes...
Me, Aaron and Jenny...I love these people!
And of course, I had to squeeze in a self-portrait...
Our last but certainly not least fabulous stop was at Paper Tales in San Diego. Here was where I had another opportunity to meet a very good long time friend for the time, Karin Aquirre! I've adored her and have followed her for years! What a treat to meet her!
And then here's one last pic of fabulous Valita...my sweety friend and roomy! She showered me with prezzies including a pair of panteloons that she made! Thank you again, Valita!
Oh my...can you believe all the wonderfulness? I can't. This was far and above one of the best trips ever!!! And another super fun thing...Pam and I have made plans to go to JournalFest together in October! Big happy cheer!
I'll be back real soon...I have that little book swap that I've been ramping up to announce! Very soon, my friends!
You've probably already heard/saw me say this on FB...but it was SO GREAT TO FINALLY get to meet you in person after all these blogging years!!:)
Wish we could have spent more time togetha!!!
You are so sweet and just like I thought you'd be!!!
Hopefully we'll get to be together at another event!!
BIG HUGS to you SEESTER Friend!!!
ox,
Joy~
Posted by: The Vintage Rabbit | March 30, 2011 at 08:37 PM
What a great post....I feel like I was almost there! It was soooo much fun to meet you! We have to connect again soon!! Oh....and I love that picture of you...
Posted by: creativechaos | March 30, 2011 at 09:18 PM
Hi michelle. I certainly enjoyed this post from your last adventure. This event looks a bit fancier than staying in funky Ft. Warden! Are you coming to Artfest? I signed up for Journalfest and looking forward to that.
Thank you for the exciting and amazing shared adventure from L.A. Now, tell me about all those blue labels!
Linda mondloch
Posted by: Linda Mondloch | March 30, 2011 at 10:17 PM
Wow it looks like you had a fabulous trip!!! I can't wait to see you at Journalest and I will look you up when we had back to Portland in either May or June. Thanks for the shout out about Journalfest!!! Your a peach!
Posted by: Brian Kasstle | March 31, 2011 at 03:27 AM
ohhhhhh michelle!!!
wow!!! i am so happy
that you had such a
great time - totally
looks like a paper
lover's dream! wish
california was
closer to home!
xoxoxo
Posted by: miss lynn | March 31, 2011 at 07:22 PM
what a fun trip! so awesome that you got to go to french general! one of my favorite shops to see pictures of (& i will go there someday :)...you rock, you creative traveler, you!
ps i still have something for you...hmmm maybe i should just send it? but it seems silly since surely i will be in pdx sometime soon... well, at least i know it won't go bad, it's already pretty old :)
Posted by: emily ruth | April 01, 2011 at 06:44 AM
All in one weekend??? Wow! Sounds delicious and nutritious. ;) Really though, it does sound like a great getaway weekend.
Posted by: Jessica at Kids Napping? I'm Scrapping! | April 01, 2011 at 08:53 AM
What a fun recap!! It made me wish I was there again hanging with all you guys!! And no I didn't win the lottery :( lol
Posted by: Rachel | May 05, 2011 at 08:12 AM