Yes, it did happen this past weekend in Washington. It was some serious FUN TIMES!!!! I got to spend my time at both locations of the Ben Franklin stores in Monroe and Bonney Lake. I was beyond welcomed. It really was like a big party. The workshops were too big to do in the store so we moved across the street to a nice church who let us use their facility.
Yes, there was some serious crafting going on. (notice: Cheri Piles was not working hard on her project! ha ha... I think she may or may not have even finished her cover)
I hear over and over how much the students love my instructions and photos. I really LOVE teaching!
This is Glenda... she is a doll!
Yes, love that they have their event photographer at the one location.
Thank you Cheri for coming and helping BOTH days with the workshops. Cheri Piles and Julie Jacob are my design team leaders and came to see me and helped me so much. This is Joy Buss. Cutest girl ever and she just makes me laugh. Go Seahawks... Joy is your biggest fan!!!!!!!
I loved having a big table to show my projects that I brought. I was a little tempted to play the drums behind me, but decided that since I can't play them that it was best that I just taught the class.
This is Mary Anne. She is a manager at the store too. Oh, I love her. I had a fun time joking with her and even got a few photos with her husband of 31 years. Yes, inside joke! It is always so fun when you know the girls you are visiting and have so much fun together. This was my second visit and I get to see these cute girls at the tradeshow.
Oh how I ADORE... these four cute girls. I am about to cry as I type this. I don't want to get emotional but wow it's incredible the friendships- real and true bonds that I have with girls that I have met. These girls really "get me" and we connect. Trina is the "group leader" and they all are equally amazing. I have told them that they "have" to come on the Caribbean cruise with me. ha! PS... YOU are all invited.
I love this photo too. NICEST girls... Julie is right- the are the sweetest girls and I was so happy that they came to the class. PS Alissa I want your scarf!
Every single girl there was so friendly and many kept thanking me for coming. I kept thanking them for coming...really it was ME who was grateful.
I love stamping and washi tape stations. The girls seemed to love getting inky too!
This is Cheri again with her mom (mother in law) Savannah. I kept calling her mom too. I know it's crazy weird but I just felt an instant connection with her again. I had met her before with Cheri here in Utah. I am in awe of their special relationship and love. These two cracked everyone up and it was a very tender thing to watch them together.
Cheri helped me in the Vintage Finds binder workshop- yes, I have been told this BIG book is on steroids. It is fun to teach but I put so much in it. THANKFUL for her help. Cheri and I just "click."
Here I am teaching. I shared a "few" stories... okay... a lot. I hope that each girl knows that I so appreciate how much they helped me by sharing back and for supporting me while I am there.
I like to show the Christmas tag garland that is made from my 6x6 Christmas Cottage paper pad- project by Lara Scott.
I am in total denial that Matt and Kayla are moving to Washington in two weeks. Sniff sniff....
I am so impressed with Cheri's Christmas Countdown Book in this photo. It flips from Day 1-25. She is going to post it on the design team blog and her blog. It's so unique and amazing!
It was so fun to see so many familar faces. Linda- you just keep being YOU! Thanks for always being so full of LOVE. I want to thank Stephanie for driving me ALL over Seattle, Monroe, Bonney Lake... and being there 1,000% for me. She kept me stocked with Hi-Chews, drink, food and great conversation. I am in love with her little girl Whitlee. I tell you... I have true friends through crafting that will forever be my friends.
This is Linda... always smiling and everyone loves her!
Joy and Mary Anne- they made this entire weekend happen. I love them and yes, I begged them to have me come back. I can't wait to see them at CHA in January.
Cheri and I have more in common then we even realized. I think our husbands would be BEST FRIENDS too! She will be teaching TC workshops in WA more so please watch her blog.
GROUP PHOTO... I see a group of angels. I am so grateful that you choose to come see me and spend your day with me.
These two lovely ladies Taresa and Dodie won dinne with me on Saturday night. Okay... we stayed for hours chatting and talking and I really just felt like I gained so much for meeting them. They are beautiful inside and out and I was so appreciative that the store would hold a contest to allow for me to do this. It was just really special for me. Girls- please keep in touch with me and HAPPY BIRTHDAY Dodie!!!!!!!!! I would love to see your 12 things layout completed.
These photos are from Monroe. This store is so massive. so amazing. so wow!!!! I loved meeting Adrian Sr. and Jayna the store manager. It was fun to see Cheri and Julie Jacob meet for the first time. They were instant best friends. I saw Cary again...and I love that I think I inspired some girls to be "in the photos" from now on.
Jackie and Julie the twins... I can't wait to get my invite. wink!!!! You two are beautiful.
I also got to go eat yummy Mexican food with the store winners from Monroe. We have such a special conversation at the table about our families. Yes, I did cry. It was a lunch that I will cherish in my heart. I really appreciated the fact that girls took off work to be able to attend the workshops.
Julie thank you for coming and as always you make us all laugh. YOU are the real deal and I was just so fortunate to spend the day with you. XOXO
I know this is a super long post. I would just be so bad not to let each of the girls I met this weekend know that I was inspired and "renewed" by meeting each of you. I am so thankful and want to thank you for helping me feel so connected in sharing and talking with each of you.
I learned that I have an official Teresa Collins Fan Club in Washington too. I am beyond humbled and would love to do something special for your next group gathering. PS... if my kids are reading this- they are probably thinking I am making this up. ha! THANK YOU for your support.
Check out my video today on www.mycraftchannel.com.
I can FINALLY announce my first teaching event in 2013.
It will be at Oh Scrap! in Costa Mesa, CA.
I will be there Friday January 11th 2013.
However, we decided if the class fills
up within an hour like last year-
I will teach a second one on
Thursday Jan. 10th (if enough interest).
I can't tell you WHAT it is yet, it's BRAND NEW
yet to be shown CHA TC designs.
It's a large "mini" book but the rest is a big surprise.
Do you want to join me and Gentry and Taylor
(both my girls will be with me at CHA)
for a night of super fun crafting?
Call right away... 427 E 17th St # B
Costa Mesa, CA 92627
(949) 645-3334
PINCH me... I am headed to Calgary Canada to
teach at the BLING IT ON CANADA event in three days.
I love Lori and can't wait!
This is my last trip in 2012.
Yes, a few weeks of family time and getting ready for CHA is on the agenda.
I am looking forward to some
fun times this weekend. I hear it is really cold.
Going to go buy a new Winter coat today.
(yes, McKay I love you enough to give you my
favorite coat- enjoy).
Have a GREAT Monday!