Wednesday, July 27, 2011

Stamp-A-Faire!

Prior to the Stamp-A-Faire on Saturday, Maureen and I first met on Thursday night when she flew in from Canada.  A common theme throughout the weekend was sharing a glass of white wine and great conversation.  We definitely toasted our friend, Aimes, wishing that she could have joined us! 
On Friday, we spent the afternoon at Archiver's and got in some shopping prior to our big day on Saturday.  Maureen survived Friday night with Pat's whole family coming over to the tune of 14 children and 15 adults! Thankfully she is from a large family and fit right in with our gang!
Saturday was Stamp-a-Faire!  Can you tell my the big grins on our faces above that we were in a bit of awe?  An amazing day where PTI thought of every last detail and not once did we feel rushed.  Our goodie bags were full with three stamp sets, two large paper pads and a variety of other fun stamping items.
We quickly met up with another blogging friend, Christina.  We made our way through the make and takes...ten total and got to chat with new friends and the design team members.  Every one was very welcoming. We also "had to" shop for new PTI goodies and earn another free set!  We did have to watch Moe's weight...suitcase weight that is.  A girl can never have too much paper...but we had to watch how full her suitcase got!  :) 
Live and in person we got to meet the incredibly talented Nichole Heady.  Beyond being talented and humble, she is a genuinely sweet person.

After the make and takes, we had dinner with a fabulous group of ladies.  Christina, Lizzie, Sara, Jessica, Taheerah, Maureen, Suzanne and Chere.  We had to hit Graeter's Ice Cream after dinner!

We then went back to convention center for a dessert reception with all kinds of giveaways.  We didn't win another prize, but were pleased to get pictures with each of the DT members.  These pictures make me laugh.  You all can see that I am very short...all of 5' 1".  I think I need high heels the next time Maureen and I spend the weekend together! (clockwise:  Michelle Wooderson, Dawn McVey, Heather Nichols, Betsy Veldman & Lisa Johnson)
Saturday night we went home tired and very happy!

On Sunday, we went to brunch with my mom and spent some time playing around with our new supplies.  We also spent time with my family.  The boys adored Maureen.  Collin was her little helper all weekend.  He was ready to help make her coffee all day, every day.  I definitely wanted a picture of Moe and the boys.  Can you hear me when I was taking this picture..."look at me...stop looking at your brother, don't pick your nose, get your hands off your face...!"  Didn't quite work, but it was pretty good.  Ryan's look makes me laugh.  Collin smiled sweetly through all the photos.

Like Maureen and I, Pat and Maureen hit it off perfectly.  Moe has a knack for movie lines just like Pat and they fell into step quoting movies back and forth to one another.  We also decided Pat and Tony would be great friends too...time for us to get moving on planning a trip to BC to see Moe and Tony.


Maureen was very kind and treated the boys to ice cream at the Loveland Whippy Dip.  Marcel was enjoying his M&M Sundae!
To finish off the weekend, we had Card Club at my house.  Notice that Card Club usually involves some wine!  Maureen fit right in and showed us how to make this gorgeous card.  I love the loopy flower even if I didn't believe Maureen at first about how simple it was!

This morning we had to say good-bye, but I know in my heart of hearts it will be one of many visits over the years.  Blogging and this wonderful hobby made us friends.  And for that, I am very grateful.  I feel as though Moe and I are kindred spirits.  Here's another toast, Moe, to getting together again soon!

If you've made it this far, I thought I'd share a couple of Christmas cards using the set from SAF, Iconic Images. The first is inspired by a new blogging friend I met this weekend, Sara. Look at her gorgeous card here and you'll see exactly where I got my inspiration!

 Hope you enjoyed this as much as I did!

29 comments:

Arlene said...

So happy for you, looks like you had an amazing time! Wished I could have been there. :)

Arlene.

Emma said...

Oh Lynn how amazing!, it sounds like a fairytale and all your stamping dreams came true. I am wildly jealous of course but can live vicariously through you on a magnificent day with such wonderful friends.

Christina said...

I'm so glad you shared all of these wonderful photos and stories from your weekend with Maureen! It was such a pleasure to meet you both. Moe looks right at home with your family!

Love your Christmas cards, especially the first one! I am in love with those medallions!

Jinny Newlin said...

Wow! Such great pics, & it looks like you had so much fun! TFS! And beautiful cards! I cannot seem to get into Christmas mode. I'm blaming it on the triple digit temps. LOL!

Jen W. said...

Awesome pics, Lynn! Looks like you guys had such a fabulous time. :) Hooray for bloggy friends!

Good for you getting going on the Christmas cards but I'm with Jinny - can't seem to get in that Christmas mood yet!

Sara Mac said...

Love the recap of your weekend Lynn. It was really so much fun meeting you. I can totally see hanging out with you and Moe and glasses of wine. Could be dangerous:) Your boys are adorable!
I love that you used the medallions for a Christmas card. I never would have thought of that. I'm so flattered that you CASE'd my card.

Judy said...

Lynn, looks like you all had a great time. How wonderful to meet the PTI gang as well as some blogging friends.
Have a great day.
Judy

Maureen said...

good morning!! but now I'm saying it back on line and not in your kitchen :( I couldn't have summed up our time together any better. I truly felt so at home at your place...funny how you really can get to know someone on "the internet!" {although it did sound creepy explaining it to your family Friday! LOL} We are kindred spirits indeed :) Not only am I always a fan of your CAS style, but I got to see your process...you know what you want and you get it done now...no wonder you are so good at what you do at home, at work and in the "studio." Hugs!! I'm up early and hoping they're going to cancel the planned power outage!! But I'll do my hair just in case :) Having coffee in my Ohio mug :D

Tigriswillreign said...

Ooooo! I SO wish I could have gone! Would love to see all the bloggers I visit, not to mention the PTI DT! ;) I did get to see them at last year's CHA so I will be content...
Beautiful cards!! I can't wait to use Mehndi Medallion for Christmas now!

Karen B. said...

Those are wonderful cards as always Lynn! Beautiful! And oh how I adored this post! You two seem to be kindred spirits indeed. Although, I do have to say, that reading through it really made me want to be there with you, experiencing it all too!

Unknown said...

Hey Lynn, I am very jealous of you attending the PTI Stamp-a-faire! It must have been wonderful, and to enjoy it with a close friend makes it all the more special! I did manage to organise a few girls and we put in an order from afar ... LOL! So glad you had a great weekend ... Cheers Ange

Anonymous said...

Really like those Christmas cards a lot! I'm starting to think about them.
Thanks for sharing your PTI/Maureen weekend. It really looks like a fun and special time!

Aimes said...

Awwwwww what a WONDERFUL time you both had! I'm glad you toasted me - I was there in spirit :D (maybe I'll have to get Skype sorted out!)
You've got some fabulous pics there to treasure. My fave has to be of Moe with the boys - melts my heart :)
One day we'll all be together in the same place and the same time!
Ooh fabby Christmas cards btw! I love the traditional colours of them both!
Hugs,
Aimes
x

Suzanne said...

Hi!! It was SO great to meet you and Moe - I would have guessed you've known each other for years! I can't believe it was the first time you yet! Thanks for sharing such beautiful photos of your weekend, including the ones of your family. I hope to see you again next year! And heartfelt thanks to you for helping to make such wonderful memories for me. :)

Janelle said...

How fun to walk through the weekend with you... wish I could've done it in real life. Maybe next year... Thanks so much for sharing all your pics and stories!

Barb said...

Such a fabulous post, Lynn! Isn't that the neatest feeling? Finally meeting someone that you KNOW you'll just love!? That's how I feel during Scrapfest, where I get the chance to meet my online friends. The smile never leaves your face all weekend, right? What a special time the two of you had! Thanks for sharing!

Jen Carter said...

Lynn, I loved reading about each of the photos and your time at SAF!! So fun!! I hope to go next year!

Your cards are both so pretty! I love the way you used the sets and combined the stamps to create both cards. Very pretty!

Amy Kolling said...

Gosh I need to start saving NOW for next year! Soo glad you had a great time with Maureen! Sounds like a wonderful friend! Thanks for sharing your fun at SAF!

Anita Rex said...

I loved reading about your weekend at Stamp a faire! Really looked like you had a great time! And what a fun time you had with Maureen! Soo nice to see her get along with your whole family! :> It's so nice when an online friend becomes a real one! Love these cards too Great bow! :>

Els said...

Great when you get to meet up with friends to share a day doing something you love!!
Your cards are gorgeous!!

Laurie said...

I loved seeing your pics! Looks like you had an amazing time! Amy, Jen and I are SO coming next year! I can't wait to meet you! I hope it works for September! You cards are both so pretty too!!

Dawn McVey (dawnsing) said...

So glad I got to meet you last weekend! I loved seeing your pictures today!

Hope you have a great weekend,
Dawn

angel1990 said...

Hi Lynn-it was so nice to meet you and so many other kind PTI fans!! Thanks for letting me join you guys! Hope to see you at next yrs stamp a faire!!

angel1990 said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Virginia L. said...

Aw... Lynn, how AWESOME!! So glad to see that you and Maureen (she is on p. 14 in Paper Crafts (July/Aug 2011!!) had a FABULOUS time! Thanks for sharing these amazingly fun photos--that PTI Stamp party/fair and card party (!!!)looked so FUN, too! I can tell that this sure is the highlight of the summer, huh!? HUGS!

Emily Leiphart said...

Lynn, thanks for sharing these wonderful photos. I enjoyed each and every one! I love your two beautiful cards using the medallions. The bit of twine and ribbon finish them off so nicely!

Sue Lelli said...

Lynn, I LOVE the photos! Made me feel as if I were a part of the FUN you all certainly had! WOW! PS LOVE your cards, too!

Andrea M said...

Lynn the pics are AMAZING! What a wonderful time! I can only imagine and be more than a little jealous! Would love to meet you all in person!!! Maureen looks like part of the family!!! Love those cards!!!

Cristina said...

That looks like so much fun! Aaah! I'm jealous. And your cards are spectacular!