So I’m v e r y s l o w l y starting to come down from this cloud I've been floating on for almost a week! I got home Sunday night and all I can say is thank goodness I had two extra days before I had to go back to work to nurse this ArtFest hangover!
So yeah…ArtFest…where to begin…where to begin...I probably had the best time out of all the retreats I've been too so far. Yes, I know that's saying a lot considering how amazing Silver Bella was, but there was just something magic about ArtFest.
Preparing for it was crazy!!! In typical Michelle fashion, I stayed up late the night before I left to finish up my trades and get my suitcases and supplies all packed. Technically, my trades were done before the night before but I didn’t get the inspiration for the packaging until the last minute. And for me, the packaging is half the fun so I was thrilled to stay up late to put the finishing touches on these little babies...
I was inspired by Heidi’s tutorial to create some mini vintage flash cards.
And just look at all the fabulous trades I came home with! Love love LOVE it!
I made approximately 65 trades and ran out REAL FAST…like the first day!!! Next year I’m gonna try to make at least 200!!! I still have yet to go through them all and I'll show some more pictures. I'm pretty jazzed because I'm pretty sure along the way I acquired enough charms to make an ArtFest charm bracelet. Yay!
Okay…so even before arriving at ArtFest, a group of “Festi Virgins” (first time attendees) met at Haller Fountain. What a lovely lovely way to start the weekend. Thanks again for the fabulous idea Janet!
Turns out this was the best day, weather wise, of the whole weekend. After Friday night, It rained most of the time. But for me, it just added to the whole experience since we were on the shore. I love it when it rains at the beach. ArtFest is held at Fort Worden in Port Townsend, Washington, and this has got to be one of the most loveliest spots on the planet. I definitely have to make a trip back there with the hubbs.
Some pictures of Fort Worden...our dorm...
This dock was our view from a park behind our dorm...
View from the dorm parking lot...Alexander's Castle...
View from my bed... :-)
Ha ha! The only downside to the entire event was sleeping in a room that was cold on alternating nights (what the...?!) and with some very noisy pipes. If you spoke to me at ArtFest, I probably told you how sleeping in our dorm room was like sleeping in the hull of the Titanic! Thank goodness for ear plugs!
Walking towards the Commons where our meals were served...
And some morning visitors...
So before I even begin to go into the art part of ArtFest, I want to mention the people part. Amazing. Amazing amazing amazing. The pure joy and soul-filling happiness of having the opportunity to visit with artists I’ve had the pleasure of meeting before and getting to meet for the first time is indescribable.
My roommate was my buddy Lilli so that was a known brilliant factor! I got to catch up with some great gals…Kecia, Cassondra, Julie, Lisa and Betsey. Then there were some other great people I’ve known only online that I got to meet…Stephanie, Kelly (thanks again for giving me the "friendship" patch Kelly - you're so cool!), Bridget, Jamie, and Cheryl. And some other fabulous gals I got to meet…Renee, Dawn, Ali, Emily, Candace, Nikki, Kristie, Layla, Jennifer...oh and I also got to meet Carol and Lore who were in the Mermaid Swap! GREAT fun! Then there were other gals who I was lucky enough to meet again (and they remembered me, yay!!) from Anahata’s workshop last summer…Linda, Carol, Camille, Kim and Deborah!
Oh I know there are others and if they read this blog, I’ll be darn embarrassed that I haven’t mentioned them. As I go through my trades and I come across the names of any more of my future new best friends, I'll be sure to give them a shout out!
I'll share some class pictures and projects next time. Oh and I also got some VERY special sweet treats and gifts from a couple of very dear gals. I'll post about that next time too, since I still need to take some pictures. :-)
Okay...that's all I got in me for now. I is pooped and I hear my couch calling my name! It's good to be home!
.
What a beautiful inspiring place! You're a lucky gal! Can't wait to see more :)
Posted by: Amy P | April 09, 2008 at 08:13 PM
wow...sounds a m a z i n g and i'm so jealous i didnt get to go. One day I promise myself to make it happen. Until then I will read all about your adverntures and live vicariously. Show us more please...
Posted by: andrea | April 09, 2008 at 08:30 PM
Wow! What an amazing event. I am so glad you went, and had such a wonderful time. I look forward to all your posts about it. Oh, and Fort Worden is so beautiful, it reminds me of something out of a Nicholas Sparks book. Most of his stories are set in North Carolina, but the way he describes them I actually visualized Fort Worden, before I even knew Fort Worden existed. Good to have you home Shelster!
Posted by: Simone | April 09, 2008 at 08:59 PM
Michelle,
What can I say girl? It was wonderful to meet you and if I seemed a little put off at times, it was cause I didnt want to start crying! OMG - thanks so much for trades and the patch was so thoughtful! And then to get a journal from you - amazing! I am glad you got to hang out the last night and I look forward to coming to Portland sometime! Sorry I missed saying goodbye.. you must have had to leave with Kecia. Can't wait to see more pics.
I got your circle journal when I got home and I hope to work on it this weekend - it will mean even more, now that I've met you.
Cheryl
Posted by: fromthepines | April 10, 2008 at 06:40 AM
come on and show us what you did!! don't keep teasing us!
what classes did you take?
can't wait to see!
Love,
Elise
Posted by: elise | April 10, 2008 at 02:49 PM
it was so so wonderful to meet you michelle! you are a beautiful soul and i enjoyed reading your account and seeing your lovely pictures from artfest! it was such a great time :) and you are so sweet doing a stash it forward...thankyou!!
Posted by: em | April 10, 2008 at 08:39 PM
missing my portland friend! that was so much fun. especially cramming all my goodies into that box and suitcases! did you find the little goodie i left you?
kecia
Posted by: kecia | April 10, 2008 at 09:32 PM
ohhhh great post girlfriend! I love seeing the pictures of the fort and hearing the recap of the events. My gosh it was an amazing couple of days! So SO glad I got to meet you!! Now I have a name AND a face to remember! I'm caught up on sleep and reality is slapping me upside the head (oldest daughter+May wedding=bridezilla)...It was SO lovely while it lasted!
Thanks for posting the info on the faux flashcard...I LOVE mine!!! (and my littles think its cute)
Going to search for that font right now!!
Posted by: Stephanie T. | April 11, 2008 at 05:25 PM
your photos bring back the sea, so gorgeous! it was so fun seeing you again and i can't even wait until our big shopping day in portland. . . thank you for your encouraging comments about my creations, they sent me home just beaming!
xo julie
Posted by: julie collings | April 11, 2008 at 07:38 PM