REFLECTIONS!!!!!!!

I must admit that I don't attend scrapbooking events often.  In all my years of scrapping, I have only attended one CKU Masters (in Anaheim years ago) and two classes (Jenni Bowlin and Dawn Brookey at Oasis years ago).  Besides attending CHA once a year, I really don't leave the house or family much.  

I decided at the last minute to attend Reflections to support my friends that were putting it on and to see if I could enjoy myself away from home for a couple days... I also thought the classes looked like fun and heard there was a TON of product in the kits and goodie bags (which there was!).

If you were there, hopefully the above might explain some of my behavior issues.  I will apologize here publicly to any that I might have offended/interupted with my antics, jokes, and constant laughing to the point of drooling on myself.  I just didn't realize how much fun it would be to get out with the girls!  

The classes were AMAZING.  I completely enjoyed them while gaining an understanding of what it feels like to be a student and have to complete a project in a short time period.  I will definitely be more empathetic to those that take my classes in the future.  I always type VERY detailed directions and I often joke to my students to read them when they have questions.  I did NOT want to read my directions at all!  I just wanted someone to TELL me what to do and see a pictures of it!  So it was a good learning experience for me from a teaching perspective.

The seven teachers did such a great job and I made some projects that I just LOVE!  It was a really diverse group of class projects including mini books, a party hat, layouts, an altered house and photography.  I am trying to finish them all so I can post them.  I just finished my favorite one taught by Maggie Holmes last night, so I will add my photos and post it soon.  It was so happy and colorful and absolutely darling. She had so many fun techniques throughout it.  Here is a picture of us (isn't she just beautiful?):

Christine Middlecamp taught a mini book class that was AMAZING.  That girl is soooooo talented it is crazy.  She has layering down to an art and really likes circles (laugh).  I had purchased two of her kits from Oasis before, but have never made them.  Now I can't wait to finish this album and get on to those two as well.  

Mara May taught a class with a party hat and two layouts.  The layouts are so beautiful and detailed and colorful and glitzy and did I say beautiful?  Loved her projects!!!  She is another master at layering.

Stephanie Ackerman is the best teacher I have ever seen.  She keeps the class at an easy going pace and has such a great personality (and bakes good cookies I hear!).  She taught me how to use more graphic products and still make them my style.  I loved the mini book she taught - it is almost done as well, so I will post it soon.  

Melissa Phillips - I don't know where to start.  She is the sweetest girl ever.  You can't meet her without thinking "sweet".  She exudes sweetness.  Her voice is sweet.  She is so pretty it is sweet.  Sweet.  And if you know me, I am just NOT a sweet shy nice lovely person.  I border on obnoxious.  So you put me and my group of friends (who tend to be closer to my end of the spectrum, except you Annie) in her class all together on the back row.  And it was the LAST class we took on a late Saturday afternoon and we were all burnt.  Let's just say we misbehaved a bit.  Poor sweet Melissa.  I don't think she knew what to think about her back row rowdies.  She is also one of the most talented girls around.  She updates her blog every day with beautiful creations that are so vintage, lacey and SWEET just like she is.  I would like to say I learned to be sweeter from her, but I don't think it rubbed off on me unfortunately.  Her project was beautiful and another one I will post as soon as I am done.

I didn't get to take the classes by Jamie Waters and Shannon Tidwell as I didn't attend the last day, but I heard they were both wonderful!

So that is my recap of REFLECTIONS.  I really haven't laughed that hard in a long time and I needed it.  Thank you to Lia, Jackie, Laura and Annie for teaching me how to have fun (haha)!!!  You guys are the best.  I think my family may see me running off to more girls weekends now that I have experienced it!  And thank you to Maggie and her cute friend Kelly for putting up with all us rowdies at dinner the last night.  Here is Annie in her usual state of laughter:

Here is the make in take I taught at the Reflections event.  I don't think I actually spent too much time "teaching" it though.   Thank you to MAMBI for the journaling cards and rhinestones!!!  The words, flowers and trim are all by Maya Road.  

My eyes are getting so bad and I was really worn out by the time the make in take started.  This is about the best everyone got out of me (and yes, the image is small for a reason):

And last, a BIG thank you to Karen and Susan for putting on an amazing event!  The only thing you could have done better is to have some unsalted roasted almonds on hand (next year please provide!). Seriously, it was an awesome event - thank you so much!

Suzy

Comments

[Melissa]

I adore you through and through Suzy...it was such a treat to meet you and laugh with you...you were precisely what I needed after a long day and I loved your fun personality...thanks for coming. I hope we get to meet again.
Melissa

[kelly]

MAN! You partied withOUT me??! And here I was in Cali that weekend, too - the nerve! ;)

miss you, my crazy SWEET friend ;)

[annie]

Great recap....can't wait to scrap again soon!!! I loved laughing with you guys and so needed a weekend like that!!! You are awesome! Remind me not to wear mascara next time I see you!

[Kellie Marsh]

Suzy
Great to meet you last weekend. I will be watching for a class to take from you. I was in the classes and we met and chatted at the check in table, you thought I looked like someone else you knew for a while, remember? Anyway, Thanks for your kind words and the hug over what has been a really difficult event in my life. You Rock.
Kellie

[Thi P.]

Suzy,
I was also a Bahama Mama but never introduced myself to you. Jamie and Shannon's class were definately a LOT more quite without you there. I enjoyed your and your friends antics very much, you guys definately livened up the place. And I completely agree without everything you said about Reflections. Above all, I thought all the teachers were very patient and I appreciated that very much. It was a BLAST!!!!

[jmhyland]

BM's 4 ever... (Bahama Mama's) Suzy, spending more time with you Annie, Laura and Lia was so very memorable in a good way. Loved the laughter, and the projects. Hope we can all catch up again soon for some more good times. Can't wait to see pictures of your completed projects. I am close on one or two.

[angelia]

Would have loved to have been there, Suzy! Sounds like you had a wonderful time, and I'm so glad. Can't wait to see your finished goodies :D

[stephanie]

thank you so so much for stepping away from your box and enjoying it! I had a TON OF FUN with you and am so excited to see photos of your project with your fabulous writing and pictures of your family!!!

[cindy tobey]

Sounds like you had a blast! Can't wait to see the projects you made! :)

[suzielyons]

You are the life of the party!! Thank you so much for coming to Reflections. I'll be sure to have some unsalted almonds for you next year! xoxox

[Ally]

That's quite a cast! Sounds like a great event in which to participate OR attend!

[laura]

suzy - you are so much fun! i am glad that you were able to break out of your shell a bit (LOL) and i am glad you got away. we were lucky to have the time with you and i think you were a joy to be around! xoxo

i'll be looking for your new class at oasis...

see you soon! :)

[Suezi gurzi]

i have heard about you...
sounds like and looks like a great time. I will be there for sure next year! thanks for the recap.

[Jag Patel]

i was at reflections..but only the friday night thing...i so looked forward to meeting you..cuz i had just read your article in CK(april 09)...i loved it so much! every time i wanted to do your make and take..the table was packed..and then time just flew by! i hope to see you at future events! thanks for the ideas! glad u enjoyed your time at this event!

[Kristi Smith]

you do realize when I click on the photo I can see it big? lol You are so funny. You look very cute with all your glasses on.