Photos & The WINNER!!

As promised, here's the winner for my class kit from Creative Escape!
The random number generator picked #90, so Marilyn, that means it's YOU! Come on down!! Email me at kelly.goree@gmail.com to claim your prize! :)

Also, as promised, here are a few images from CE 2008 (including an embarrassed Tim Holtz!) I didn't take many pics as usual (what was I thinking?!) but I hope you enjoy anyway! :)
First I just have to talk about the incredible venue we had for this event - we stayed at the Sheraton Wild Horse Pass Resort & Spa which is situated on an amazing Native American Reservation. The view and decor were both spectacular! Check this out!

Then there were these decadent treats! The first was delivered to my room with a "thank you" from the CE staff the first night I was there (oh yes, it's all edible chocolate ;))...the 2nd picture is from the "Dessert First" tradition of CE at the closing dinner. YUM!

One of the best parts for me was getting to spend a little time with Heidi and get to know her better. The first night we were there, a group of us went to dinner together and on the way, we rode a little ferry boat along the "river" that flows through the hotel property. The first picture is Heidi, Liz (and Dax), and Mona and Lisa from Bazzill...the next is Janet Hopkins, Emily Waters and me (Photo courtesy of Heidi). And check out those cool bags the girls were holding. I'd been coveting one since I saw Heidi post about them on her blog ages ago...and she very generously brought one to all the teachers - ok, not Tim - all the way from China. LOVE it!

I just have to say how surreal it was to see *my* name on this sign at Trunk Show and how phenominal it was to meet all the people who took a minute or two to stop by, visit and look at some of my stuff. The enthusiasm in the room was just crazy!


After Trunk Show and a relaxing first night, it was time to gear up for an intense 2 days worth of classes! I loved meeting everyone and hearing their stories, see where they traveled from, spend some time with them...and just check out the people that sometimes show up when you least expect it. ;)

And here's one from Tim and Laurie at our closing dinner and another of me and two of the sweetest girls on the planet that I initially met at CHA - Kay and Lori. Love those two!

And last but not least, the amazing Tim Holtz. This man is all everyone says he is and then some. SUCH a dynamic teacher and genuinely nice person to be around. As we sat at dinner, Laurie and I both remarked on Tim's shirt (it has a custom "Creative Escape" logo on it if you can't tell) and he confessed to having it made for the event. Of course. And he mentions how everyone has asked the same thing about where he got it so he thought he might raffle it off for the American Cancer Society, the charity for the event. He modestly thought that it might bring in a few extra bucks for the cause, but I don't think anything could have prepared him for the final bid of $6000. Take a look at that face!
And sadly, the picture I took of Kolette and Jason Hall didn't turn out (bad horrid flash in their faces) or I would have posted it here because I can't close out my excitement over CE without mentioning them.
I had the priviledge of hearing Jason speak over 11 years ago at another event and even though I've heard numerous motivational speakers since then, none had ever touched my heart as Jason had. He has a God-given gift for humor, insight and public speaking that makes for an amazing combination. When I heard that he was going to be the keynote speaker and I finally made the connection that he and Kolette were married, I hurridly jotted off an email to Kolette (the amazing desginer of Studio G stamps) telling her that story. She was so gracious and when she came to CHA, she made a point of stopping by to talk to me and then share her awesome news that she and Jason were going to be first time parents! I can't even tell you how much I respect and admire these two and getting to hear Jason speak for a second time was such an honor. His speech was an amazing closing to an amazing event and I can't thank him enough for sharing himself with all of us.

Coming up: Some more WASSAIL and all that I missed when I was out of town and then I think I'll finally be caught up! HA!