Sometimes you don’t realize how much your soul is craving
something until you are in the middle of an incredible experience, and it dawns
on you how truly happy you feel. This was the case with the “She Loves Color”
Scrapbooking Event hosted by Bella Blvd. This amazing Event is exactly what my
spirit needed to feel rejuvenated, re-motivated, and full of joy.
The “She Loves Color” Event is held in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
It is a two-day event full of innovative classes taught by industry experts.
This phenomenal event includes make-and-takes, giveaways, classes, cropping,
shopping and more. And as a bonus they also offer a “Designer Day” with add-on
classes taught by even MORE industry experts the day before the actual event
begins.
While I was absolutely looking forward to this Event, I
didn’t quite realize the level of happiness I would experience at this Event.
Let me explain.
This year has been one filled with health issues, and I
recognize (after this Event) that I have been basically working on auto-pilot. None
of my health issues were life-threatening but the effects of discovering my
Thyroid wasn’t working and eight months of Vertigo have taken a toll both on my
body, as well as, my spirit. I didn’t feel unhappy, in fact throughout this
year I have felt a great deal of joy. But somewhere along the line, I stopped
being in the moment, truly experiencing what was going on around me, and
staying true to my mantra “Make It Meaningful.”
I don’t feel bad or guilty about being on auto-pilot. That
is a very typical and normal response when you are not feeling well. And
sometimes all your energy has to and should go into working on something that
needs more immediate attention than perhaps items or events that are not
“necessary” but rather “joyful wants.”
At the opening ceremony, keynote speaker Megan Hoeppner
spoke on looking for your “lollies.” She shared how much her young daughter
loves receiving a simple sucker, and how she truly cherishes it and feels joy
at receiving it. Megan encouraged us to look for own cherished and happy
moments. She pointed out that often we use other people’s happiness (including
our children’s) as a substitute for our own happiness, but that we need to find
those moments and those things that personally bring us joy. Her speech
resonated deeply with me, and I realized I was feeling bad about being happy
when something went right for me, or something good came into my life. What an
absolute waste of the gifts my Heavenly Father was sending me! I was spending
all my time feeling bad about it, instead of using the gift to feel and spread
more joy.
This kick-off speech was a foreshadowing of how the rest of
the weekend would go. On Friday I wasn’t scheduled to teach so Celine Daures
and I took a quick trip to the 3rd Ward in downtown Milwaukee. She
introduced me to Anthropologie (thank you so much, Celine). We discovered a
delightful paper shop where I did some damage of my own. And then we ended the
afternoon at a coffee shop where I had the most delicious Christmas hot cocoa
(think white chocolate and peppermint). This is another aspect of this Event.
YOU MAKE TRUE AND LASTING FRIENDSHIPS.
There is something about scrapbookers and crafters. They are
people who love documenting moments, who understand the connection between
people, and enjoy encouraging and supporting others within their own community
and around the world. At these Events, and this Event was no different, I hear
story after story of women who don’t even live in the same state yet are the
best of friends, all because scrapbooking or crafting brought them together.
They are from different backgrounds, different cultures, different in so many
ways and yet the SAME in the goodness of their heart. How could a hobby that
brings people together so completely be anything but a HUGE gift (or “lollie”
as Megan would say).
Friday night I had the opportunity to teach a tag
make-and-take with Echo Park Paper. While some of the lines were long, the
women were patient, appreciative, and kind. Make-and-takes ranged from shaker
cards, tags, planner baubles, and mini folded albums. I love when attendees
take the time to share their story, say hello, give a hug, and just spend a
little bit of their life with me. That is yet ANOTHER gift that I love and
treasure and truly makes me happy.
On Saturday I had the great privilege of teaching a mini
album class sponsored by Echo Park Paper to three separate groups of women.
Each group was divided into a color-inspired team. With only five to a table,
the women had plenty of room to spread out, chat, and get to know one another.
As a teacher, I got to wander, learn more about their talents, see their
beautiful work, and receive more sweet hugs (and who couldn’t use more of
those?). While the day was long, and my voice threatened to give out towards
the end of the night, the women were patient and kind and pushed through the 2
½ hour class. I was humbled by their generous spirits and sweet natures.
After a quick dinner break, attendees gathered in one room
for the most amazing prize giveaway that lasted over an hour. Throughout the
Event, women were given an opportunity to win colored playroom balls on which
they wrote their name. At the
farewell event, balls were drawn from a huge spinning bin and women won prize,
after prize, after prize. Each sponsor was so generous, and many women walked
away with several incredible goodies.
It says something about an Event, that on the farewell night
when they open up registration for the next year, nearly everyone in the room
lines up to pay their deposit for the event. They feel the same way I do: THIS
is an Event worth attending. It’s a “lollie.” It’s a gift.
If you are looking for a place to go with friends, or want
to attend the Event on your own, I encourage you to watch the Bella Blvd
website HERE for all the details. Registration will soon open and you’ll be
able to sign up for this amazing weekend yourself. DO it!! Do it for yourself!
Your soul needs this. Your Spirit needs recharging. And maybe, just maybe you
also need a reminder that life itself is a gift and MEANT to be cherished.
Loooooved spending time with you Jen!!! Thanks for helping me staple my instructions and all the great chats and good food!
ReplyDeleteWhat a fun time!! Thank you for sharing!!
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