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!
Nuh-nuh-nuh-nuh...
This is just a little preview from tonight as we went T-o-Ting at a friend's office party. From what I understand, The Joker was at football practice but is scheduled to make an appearance tomorrow! 
Sunday was our last game of the season and we were all pumped up for it. At the start of the game, Ethan's team was 5-0 - the only undefeated team in the league - so the other team (the Cardinals) were gunning for us. 
I totally mean them! We had skunk stripes, half and half hair - the works. It was a hoot. Sadly the littles managed to get most of it out before the game actually started, but it was cute anyway. 
The game was amazing. Both teams were playing so hard. Ethan played both offense and defense during this game and had some incredible blocks and a quarterback sack. In the end, our Colts prevailed and ended up with an undefeated season. Playoffs will start this weekend so hopefully we won't see the end of football for a bit longer! 
And I know I've said it before when it comes to baseball, but I wanted to say it again here. My absolute favorite part of the game is when the kids line up to say "good game" at the end of each meeting. It's such a great show of sportsmanship and it makes me smile everytime. But in football, it's even better. After a game is over, both teams are huddled up together in a unit - as one - and the coaches from both teams tell them how proud they are and what they did well in the game. Then one of the players (this age group is 8-10) leads both teams in a prayer. It does my heart good and I'd be lying if i said it didn't choke me up. This picture of my son (E is #14) and his 3rd grade classmates, Jason, is just one of the reasons why.
My boys and husband were having a conversation the other night - something along the lines of inviting a few friends over to have a little cookout before it gets too cold or whatever. I'm in the other room, working and listening (read: um 'eavesdropping' *ahem*) when I hear Hoyte asking who they might like to invite, and I await the usual list of neighborhood kids.
Supplies:
Supplies:
Supplies:
Want another chance to win? Hero Arts will have a great giveaway of an Urban Prairie prize pack today on their blog. So be sure to visit HERE and drop them a line!
But I had to share this...check the little man out! He came home from Preschool today determined he was going to learn to ride his two-wheeler all by himself and by gosh, within 30 minutes he did!! Such determination! I love that about him almost as much as I love this huge smile! I'm so proud! He earned a huge vanilla ice cream cone for his efforts, too - which I'm sure is going to have him hunting for other things he can "learn!"
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!
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! 
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!
SO for your patience with all that, I wanted to do a little giveaway! An extra kit for my CE class followed me home and I'd love to share it with one of you! I know so many of you wanted to attend CE but couldn't for one reason or another, so if you'd leave me a little note between now and Monday at midnight telling me what you would have done/wanted to do if you had gone to CE and I'll put you in a drawing for my kit! :)
Just LOOK at all that vintage-y paper. It completely wraps me up in memories of traditional holidays gone by! (Steph, this is calling you, I know!) SOOOO cool and the best part?? There are 18 PATTERNS with the back of each done in a rich coordinating solid. Oh yes, that's right! It's DOUBLE-SIDED! Yaaahoooo! :) This line also comes with the usual goodies like brads, buttons, chipboard alphas, element stickers, stamps, etc...AND a fun little holiday card kit complete with envies (see above!)
I also have to shout just a little for our brand new 2009 CALENDAR!! This calendar features pages (all 12) that are designed by me!! Not only does it include fun, pre-printed chipboard elements, but it also has rub-ons in my handwriting (very similar to the Blush kit from a couple years ago). I'm completely in love with it! There is room for one 4" x 6" photo per page which makes it an adorable 8" x 8" size 
(or rather 8" x 16" when it's hanging with the calendar at the bottom). I can't wait to get these and give them as Christmas gifts! You can see a sample page above. This one is for September and it's shown both blank and with a photo of Carson for a fun FALL page. 