Wow .... emotional and inspirational ....

Creative Escape has just wrapped up ... I am overwhelmed by the experiences I have had here. Its been amazing.
Today was another full day of classes. Both days we have had four classes each day, two in the morning and two in the afternoon. Then last night we had an extra “album” class ... so its been go go go!
We have done some awesome projects, all of them were phenomenal and I love each one. I have photographed each one, and was super happy with myself for finishing EVERY project by the end of each class.
I had heidi’s class today, which totally made me ball out loud, as her project is based around their trip down to Australia for Christmas ... and when the photos of our girls came up on the slide show it was too much and totally I made a scene, crying out loud .... I couldn’t even look at her! So I managed to pull myself together and finish the project ... which of course will hold a special place in my heart. I will photograph them all with the photos once I get home and get them done.
Tonight we had a special dinner, and an auction for Cancer ... Tim and Heidi’s handmade altered lamps were auctioned off – Heidi’s went for $8200 and Tim’s $29000 ... it was overwhelming. I was screaming ... so exciting. I also won, one of many lucky prizes .... I got an amazing trimer, tool kit ... so lucky~!
Then we had a guest speaker talk ... she was sensational. She talked about her journey thru her sister finding out and coping with having cancer ... it was so inspirational, and of course I cried again .. and again ... and again. These girls were awesome ... and we are hoping to keep in touch from here on in.
So now ... its time for me to sleep. I have just skyped with my family and I feel better now I have seen them. They are gorgeous! I have alot of words to get out of my heart ... so I think I will do some journaling tomorrow. So many experiences to remember.
first two photos were my first two classes at Creative Escape, Tim Holtz was first off ... how cute is that little suitcase!

then the chocolate desert which was to die for at dinner last night. They start dinner on Saturday night with desert first! SO PERFECT!

(edited to add ... just adding photos now, have arrived back in Utah ... will start posting photos from the beginning but i will keep it rolling for a few days so you can see as much as possible of the experience! - so keep checking back ... and leave a comment if you drop by, i love to hear from you! :-) ) this photo was taken tonight on the plane after we were upgraded to first class ... yay for us!

Hello from Creative Escape, Arizona .....

(warning .... LONG POST!)

I am happy to report that I successfully arrived in Utah after my flight via Auckland. As I arrived in Auckland my Brother and his family were leaving, and we got to see each other thru the glass for seriously 2 minutes before they left to go home to Melbourne. It was like visiting in jail ... it was hard! Touching thru the glass.
I had a couple of hour stop over before going on to LA. So I planned it out that I would sleep after my dinner. I got a lovely surprise to see one of our best friend’s Dads on the flight, he works as a steward for Air NZ and its been some time since I’ve seen him. He went to so much trouble getting me special drinks, my meals out first ... giving me the first class pack with all the goodies, and even moving me up before we descended so I could get off the plane first – so sweet. I felt like a v.i.p!
Even tho I’m a bad sleeper ... I managed 5 hours sleep. I have decided that my bad sleeping actually works in my favour at the other end of the trip .... I don’t seem to suffer with jetlag, as I’m so dead tired I sleep for ages. So I have not suffered with jetlag ... yay!
I managed LA airport so much better this time, after being there before and being a complete gumby. So it was a smooth transition from intl to domestic ... and I arrived just in time to board my next flight, so perfect.
Utah is such a nice city. It reminds me of Ohakune on steroids ... ha! Ohakune (for those non-kiwis ... is a snow town where we go snowboarding) The mountains in Utah are amazing, just amazing. I can’t wait to come back when there is snow on them. I know Gary would love it.
Has been wonderful seeing my friend and her cute family ... the kids have grown so much since Christmas.
I haven’t many photos from Utah yet. I did have a major shopping spree in the city after we saw a crazy movie with the kids called Shorts. Forever 21 is an amazing shop, and I wish my sisters were with me as they would have been in heaven! So many choices .... lucky we are renovating our wardrobe as I will need more space! Lol!
So we came down to Arizona yesterday to come to Creative Escape. We flew over the Grand Canyon ... oh my gosh, takes your breath away. One day will have to visit for sure.
We had our nails done when we arrived, I have to take a photo as they are all sparkly. Also went to Tia Rosa’s for Mexican ... the best Mexican ever. Met Liz, who is so cute with only 5 weeks to go before having her baby – looks like she has a basketball up her shirt!
So yesterday I went and lay out by the pool ... it was prob 38 degrees, hot! It was so nice tho. Then as I have been sick for a while with this horrible viral infection Labyrinthitis ... I have not exercised in a while, I decided to go do a quick weights workout, well I got over to the gym and they were shutting .... I was so sad, as I was already dressed, so I decided to go for a run .... gasp! I know I sound crazy, but those of you who know me would realise, that I was totally bugged because I had all my gear on and couldn’t do my workout ... so had to get rid of the energy. So with a bottle of water in hand, off I went on this cute track specially made by the resort. I felt a little weary of rattlesnakes, however realised the rustling in the bushes were actually gofers ... little rodents that look like meerkats. They were running off and dashing into their holes ... kinda cute (but apparently a pest here) I will attempt to get a photo. This place is totally like the resort in High School Musical 2 movie ... its funny. Its right on a golf course, with a great pool area. I must tell you that it is ¼ mile walk from the lobby (where I am sitting typing to you) to our room at the other end of the resort. So that converts to 400m ... each way, no wonder I am tired. By the way, although it was kinda hot, I was totally fine running ... it gets super hot in Brisbane in summer and it didn’t feel any worse than that!
This morning started with a chinese tour reunion breakfast. There are 8 of us here that were on the China Tour ... so fun to see everyone again. Cheryl one of the ladies totally spoilt us all and bought us cute gifts, I was so touched. I will take a pic ... she got everything zebra print as that is the them for CE.
From there I went with a new friend Leisley to an AWESOME scrapbooking store called Mystic Papers ... oh my gosh, I loved it so much ... and hurt the budget again! If anyone needed inspiration to be creative that shop definitely does it ... and I am INSPIRED! So cool!
When we came back we registered and got all our bits and pieces ... then it was Technique Botique where you go around and collect bits and pieces for the upcoming classes, get free stuff and do a few creative projects. It was fun ... and I met more great people along the way.
Then it was Trunk Show, which was pretty busy with people, so I must admit I didn’t have a real good look at everyone there, although one of the teachers is an Aussie so I got chatting to her, and even more so because she is from Tassie where my sister lives ... so we are staying in touch, so fun. I did take some pictures of heidi’s stand before the rush as I helped with setting and unsetting. I did love Heather Bailey’s stand too ... only because I am totally drawn to her fabric, and know my friend Fiona would love it so much. I bought some things to make ... so watch out sewing machine (when I get home)
Then was the introduction for Creative Escape ... it was amazing seeing all 700 people in one room ... wow! Made Create 08 look like a little blimp! Lol!
So I have photos to share. To be honest, its been hard getting online ... I am sitting in the lobby to get wireless, so hence the space between blogging. I promise that I will try blog again tomorrow night if possible ... as I kick off tomorrow at 8am with Tim Holtz class – he’s so funny, I am looking forward to it! So check back ....

5 years ago today ....

my baby was born! I can hardly believe its been 5 years ... it doesn't feel like that long ago she was just brand new. I marvel at how much she has grown and learnt in those 5 years. She's the sweetest little girl ... so cute! She has been SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO excited for this day, for months asking and being frustrated it was so long to go ... even ONE week was a painful wait!

Her sisters have been so sweet, making her cards and taking extra special care ... they are just as excited i think. I mean who doesn't love a party ... especially a "Fairies in the Garden" Party.

So as i write this we have not long woken up and opened presents ... i have to go get Em off to dancing and finish the plans for the party today. There is still quite alot to do ... and of course i need to pack for USA too!

I am attempting to travel light ... which is quite a task for me, as i HATE not having choices. But i am going to try ... i mean, i will just have to buy something if i don't have it? RIGHT?

so will post some fairy party photos before i upload .....

SO ......

i can say that i am TIRED!

its been a busy day!

it is lovely to be sitting down!

I love seeing the photos ... such a fun little party. I am so thankful for my big girls ... they were awesome! Emra totally took control of the games, it was wonderful and Katya was in charge of face painting and did such a gorgeous job!

we had stunning weather, it couldn't have been more perfect.

My family travelled down from Bribie ... i really appreciate that effort so much, they are SO fun!

my grandmother made chocolate crackles ... SO YUM! thanks Nana!

so we have a roast pork cooking ... and i am trying to get motivated to pack my bag ...

i cannot do it yet ... maybe later!

i am going to Creative Escape .... yippee!

what can i say????????

i have been the worst blogger in the world~

so my intention now, is to update once a week ... i think this is reasonably in my capabilties! LOL!

So this is a bit of a random post updating some of the things that has happened around here lately!

First exciting news tho, is that i get to see my dear friend in less than two weeks ... that makes me SUPER excited!~ I am excited to see the big production she helps put on at Creative Escape ... its going to be so fun! We even travel down there together, that will be so fun! I have had a real lull in the creative dept lately, just so time poor and feeling a bit in a rut, so this is going to be great to get me all inspired again ... i am already after putting my little book together, its so cute! So in a little over a week i head out ...

a few things have to happen before i get on the plane tho, one being our youngest turning 5! and that is to be celebrated with a "Fairies in the Garden" party ... so busy week next week! :-)

I do just have to add that i have the most wonderful husband ... it was his idea that i go to see Heidi ... he's the BEST~! and the best dad i know too! My sweet sister is going to pop by and help out too ... so lucky to have her around!

So my vege garden is growing nicely, and gary helped me last weekend put a roof over to keep the turkeys out ... they are not my favourite animals believe me. But now i have them out at least everything is getting a chance to grow. We are eating lettuce, spinach and rocket and have beans and snowpeas flowering ... its all good ...

The girls have had their Athletics Sports this week, it was over two days as they are in different parts of the school ... so i managed to survive that (lots of waiting around for the finals etc) lucky our weather is stunning right now

made some frozen yoghurt as we had 28 degrees the other day, i guess summer is on its way ... i am so happy about that! i am a summer girl!

Went and saw P!nk when she was here with my Uncle (he's only 5 years older than me - more like a brother really) we had a blast ... the show was pretty amazing!

Have been out in the boat fishing ... such stunning weather for it! the girls have loved it ... shame we haven't bought a big feed of fish home ... one day maybe!

Found this cute heart for my office ... i love it!

Have the girls back in their rooms, still have finishing off to do in each of the rooms, but here's an update of E's for now ... its a surfy/beachy theme.

and anyone still reading this .... i do ship all over the place with the jewellery, so let me know if you want anything! :-)

p.s.

i did go see My Sister's Keeper ... i thought because i'd read the book i would be ok ... NO! i wasn't - neither was anyone else in the picture theatre, the whole place was crying. Drop me a line if you've seen the movie ... would love to know your thoughts. I just wanted to go home and hug my kids. It gives you a reality check that's for sure!

Its funny, in the book i really didn't like the mother ... i felt she was really cold and hard. But in the movie, i kept thinking the whole time how much she was like me ... which freaked me out a bit, i guess i'm quite a determined person, and the mother just didn't give up! anyways ... tell me what you thought!