Hello lovlies and happy Friday! I’m back at Bella returning to the normal swing of things after all the traveling this month. When I left for Minnesota a couple weeks ago I said to one of my friends, “by the time I blink it will be October already” and here we are only a couple day away. Fall is rolling in around here---but I was able to catch a bit of sunshine while at Teresa Collins’ Inspiration Unlimited 2012 event.
I was honored last year when Teresa & Ginger invited me to be a main teacher and couldn’t wait to return and teach a fun & meaningful workshop. Thanks to my friends at Bazzill and Basically Bare I was able to design this “mighty” mini album.
Today I’m sharing a visual recap of IU 2012 that has truly become a “sisterhood” of sorts for me over the past 3 years. I dedicated the workshop to my Brother-in-Law, Chris as he was the main inspiration & motivation behind this album & its story.
I’m grateful that all the IU girls were willing to hear my story. I shared different amounts of it within each class, trying to hold back the tears.
It’s at events like IU that personal stories and getting to know one another becomes a treasure. Here’s the inside front cover of the album, which dedicates and cherishes those people that make big daily differences.
Here’s a peek into the reality of traveling and teaching that I thought you’d all enjoy. The truth is that months and months of planning, designing, ordering, collating, kitting and so much more go into teaching around the country. Most of you see the glamorous side (as you should) when everything comes together, the class kicks off and the products & kits are prepped.
This time around myself & Jenna traveled with more baggage than I ever have before. Our baggage out numbered our extremities, which made for fun airport maneuvering. Here’s all our pretty bags upon arrival. The ironic thing is…our clothes were mixed throughout all of them serving as some sort of “wrapping” J and fillers.
We admired our beautiful room at Green Valley Ranch.
Only for a couple of minutes….and then…..the EXPLOSION! Hence, unpacking and getting organized for the meet and greet.
The table turned out great. I gave away some Bella buttons and stickers and showed off some of my personal albums along with the class workshop project reveal for the first time to the IU girls!
This wonderful woman, Joan, remembered meeting me last year as I sat in on one of Teresa’s classes and pretty much distracted her the entire time…..the sweetheart remembered my favorite color and hand knit this scarf for me, remembering I was from bitter-cold Wisconsin!
How amazing is that?! Thank you Joan for such a wonderful and so thoughtful surprise. I’ll be snuggling up with the pink scarf in just a couple of months, but I am so incredibly humbled by your sweet gift, it made my day!
This is the only photo I got of all of us teachers in one place: Vicki, Debbie, Teresa, and Kristin. Apparently they needed a brunette to meet the quota ;)
Here’s a couple more of my favorite pages within the album workshop.
The closing ceremonies are always very bittersweet….as so quickly IU moves onto 2013 planning and preparation.
What a blessing this year has been---so many more people now know Bella Blvd because of Inspiration Unlimited, Teresa Collins & Ginger Nelson.
For those of you interested in step-by-step Directions please select the links below for my full PowerPoint Presentation:
They needed a brunette to fill the quota!! That cracks me up!! I loveeeeeeee all the photos from your trip and loving that scarf she made you!! So SWEET!!!
Posted by: Julie Tucker-Wolek | September 28, 2012 at 08:21 AM
Thanks for sharing those beautiful photos and sweet memories from IU!!! Wish I was there! Thanks to you I knew about the event and quickly sent a note to Ginger to be registered for next year! She replied back confirming that I've been added to the waiting list for 2013! :-) Can't wait!
Posted by: Anelsie Ramos | September 28, 2012 at 11:22 AM
nice photos.... thanks for sharing
Posted by: varshu | September 28, 2012 at 04:27 PM
Thanks for sharing your journey! :)
Posted by: Kathy Martin | September 28, 2012 at 05:35 PM
I am so glad I finally got to meet you at IU after obsessing over your products for so long. The mini album is gorgeous!! Thanks for a great class and for sharing your story. :)
Posted by: Crystal | September 29, 2012 at 01:00 PM