May 3 part two

Here's the report on my terrific getaway.

I expected to miss the Welcome Reception, as my flight arrived after it started and Lord only knew how long it'd take me to get there. It was scheduled from 6 to 8 and because my day went without a hitch I walked in at 6:45. I was really suprised there were so many people. Only 41 had joined our Yahoo group yet there was well over 100 at the party. I was surveying the room when I got off the elevator and the nearest person I recognized was Mary herself. I walked up to her extending my hand and said something like, "Well hello Mary Engelbreit! I'm so happy to be here!" Then Peggy, who was our yahoo group moderator and also organized our tag swap, steps out of the crowd and says, "Mary, this is Jen Duncan." Recognition crosses her face and Mary goes, "Jen Duncan?! I read your blog all the time!" (hi Mary! :-D) It was pretty cool. Here's our pic taken a few minutes later.

 
am I talking out the side of my mouth? Have I had a stroke lately and just didn't know it?  

We look like we're having a gift exchange, don't we? haha. As I was sidling up to her for the pose I said, "I totally meant to have lost 20 pounds by now!" and she replied, "Me, too!" Gah...we women do waste a lot of time worrying about stuff like that.

Would you believe that's the only pic I have of the event within the hotel? I only had my cell phone as a camera, and really; after that little episode what more could I want?

I am not a veteran of these events, but I have taken a few classes in the past, and it was SUCH a happy surprise to me that of the four classes I took, I walked away with four finished projects that I liked!! I'm sure many of you know what I mean. We rarely finish and often don't like what we've done. I think my experience is a result of the instructors Mary invited and the thought they put into what novices to experienced crafters could satisfactorily create in a 3 hour period. Bravo!

First I took a papercutting class with Linda Solovic. I liked her and her art a LOT. So happy and whimsical. I made this: 

Then I took an afternoon class with Charlotte Lyons, who I was SO GLAD to finally meet. She is a wonderfully kind and sharing woman. We had big fun making Cuckoo clocks. Here's mine;

The following morning I got to spend time with the very talented Kaari Meng and a bunch of other nice women. We made fabric flowers. I directly pinned mine on the bag I was carrying and I think I'm leaving it there!

It was fun to make. I think I'll make smaller ones to add to little girl outfits that I make in the future.

For my fourth and final class I made a folding travel tray, again; with Charlotte.

The idea is that it folds flat for travel, and then you can pull up the sides with the pretty ribbons and use it to hold your jewelry and what-nots when you're away from home. A clever idea, and fun to make.

I can see making smaller square ones to fill with macarons when taking a hostess gift to someone.

Again; KUDOS to all the instructors for coming up with perfect project ideas for us all.

On the second of two full days we had a wonderful lunch. I heard there were around 130 of us. I hope that if  (when!) they do it again they don't try to grow it much bigger than it was. It really did feel perfect. Several people brought the projects they had made so far and shared on two tables:

It's always so fun to see other people's take on the same pattern or idea.

 There were plenty of purchasing opportunities, but the only thing I bought was a poster for Mary and my 3 instructors to sign.

Aside from a few previous online Scrabble games my roommate Pam and I were total strangers. Happily we liked each other and got along really well. Two of the three nights we went to Drunken Fish for sushi and martinis. I think I could do that every night!  And after filling ourselves full each time, we then went and treated ourselves at The Cupcakery.   I gained 3 pounds in as many days. Seriously.

On Sunday morning I went for my scheduled ME studio tour. Mine was the largest group that had gone through, so between the bodies and the low quality of my cellphone camera I did not get the best pics. I've put them in a slideshow.

If the pictures are moving too slow for you, just click within a photo and it'll skip to the next one. EVERY square inch of their offices and workspaces was just pure inspiration. I just wanted to create something! It was so gracious of Mary and her assistants to top off all that work with letting over a hundred women tromp through their intimate space. I thank them sincerely for that.

My return flight did not leave til 7 Sunday night so my blog friend Tina picked me up, took me to lunch, drove me around the city for a wonderful tour

  (i think I want to move now!), sat and chatted over coffee for a couple hours, then dropped me off at the airport. A terrific ending to a terrific three days. THANK YOU TINA!

I think that about sums it up. :-) OH. Make sure and check out Mary's blog, too. There was a post today and should be more. Be back soon.

jen
 
 

 

Comments

[Ruby]

Looks like you had a great time! How exciting to meet Mary in person and thank you so much for sharing with us! Love your finished projects, too.

[KathiD]

What a fabulous trip! You two look like you could be sisters.

[Mary Ann]

I am so green with envy! I can't think of anything I'd like to do more!

[georgiapeachez]

Oh man, wish I had been there :->
xo, suzy

[Barbara]

Love all your projects and hearing about your fantastic weekend!!! Total inspiration for sure!!!

[tina]

I'm glad that you've gotten back home and in the groove enough to be bloggy! Gladder still that you had a wonderful time!It was a total delight to have met you and so glad that you were able to make some time for us to hang out!

[nanette]

OMIGSH. Mary mary mary. How do I love her. The cukkoo clock is amazing. So so incredibly darling. The tray - hay. I just made a pattern for a fabric one of those to be bundled with other projects to come out later this year. And it is very much like that but out of fabric with batting. Jen this just looks like so darn much fun. I can't believe it.

[Sonja]

Thanks for showing us, Jenn. I would have fainted. That's better than running into a movie or rock star. :)

[julie]

I love everything you made...the folding tray is crazy cute.

[Jennifer Juniper]

Holy smokes! What a fun trip - I would love to do this, the projects are fantastic!

[pam]

OMG. o. m. g.
It looks like a wonderful time. Did you just crap when ME said she read your blog?Because I would have. Glad you had fun JenDuncan! xo

[Cherry Chick]

How exciting! I'm envious, too. Thanks so very much for sharing all of your wonderful pictures in the slideshow. That was awesome.
Cherry Chick

[Black Eyed Susans Kitchen]

Fantastic...loved the studio tour and the flower on your bag is perfect! When seriously cold winter comes back tell me again how you want to move...unless of course you like the snow and ice. I am so happy that you had a good time.
♥, Susan

[Diane]

Hope you had a Wonderful Mothers Day! Stop On Over I'm having a Virtual Baby Shower for my daughter Breezy, games and prizes, would love to see you there! Let's Get This Party Started!! Hugs, Diane

[Diane Duda]

Ummm, Jenn... ME reads your blog all the time!!!!
Has that sunk in yet?!?
Glad you had fun. :)

xo
Di

[Sue McGettigan]

Too much fun - what a fantastic opportunity, so glad you had the chance to go!!

[happy zombie]

WOW... what an amazing event, and love all the things you made, JenDuncan!

No surprise that Mary E would be your blog reader... but does she say JenDuncan as one word too? Like Pam, I would have done as she.

[Des]

the story with mary is awesome!! Did you tell her how much i miss her magazine? did you tell her that i've been buying her calendars since i was 12? did you tell her that i wore glasses like her main character, what's her name?

and the camera excuses....well, who do you think you are? me?? I would totally forget or better yet leave my camera in the car.

Super cool report.