The Creative Connection

It's Monday night and I'm ready to drift off to sleep.  My puppies were frightened by the thunder at 4:30 am and considering I didn't get into bed until after midnight.  Yeah.  So you see why.  I had an amazing weekend in St. Paul - my first time to the city of 10,000 lakes.  It was cold and I thoroughly enjoyed the weather.  I had an awesome time and fruitful visit to the Junk Bonzana.  A-W-E-S-O-M-E.  I thoroughly enjoyed The Creative Connection and getting to know new peeps (Hello Sherri and Michelle) and seeing friends from Inspired and New York.    Kim was my roommate and was so nice and relaxed - a real go with the flow type of girl.  I enjoyed spending time with her. 



Houston  girls - Kim & Pam



Michelle of Scrappin Girlfriends



We arrived on Wednesday and after lunch and a brief nap, I headed to the Mall of America to meet the gang for dinner.  For $2.25 you can take public transit to the mall (with a stop off at the airport - bonus!) - it was a trip, I tell ya!  But I'm glad I did it.  We had an amazing meal at Tucci Bennuch, thanks to Nancy.  And plenty of laughs, thanks to Margie R-A and Mister Sister, our waiter.  The baked spaghetti is to die for - the waiter gives you the recipe and its on their website.  Yum-o. 

On Thursday morning, we stopped in for breakfast at TCC and then off to Junk Bonanza where I proceeded to purchase the motherlode and yes, I got it ALL in my suitcase, including the 18" thread spool, wooden caddy and 40's suitcase.  And I was WAY over 50 pounds.  I was surprised that the prices were fairly reasonable at JB - lots of good prices.  I found plenty and had a great time. 

I'll write a separate post about TCC - there is just so much to remember.  I will say this - yes, it had its growing pains but the Saturday morning breakfast panel discussion, with these brave women gave me the joy and bliss that creative women share with each other.  It was a natural high, I tell you, people.   Amazing and powerful and joyful.  I loved every minute of it.  I also won a Cricut Expression, thanks to Kathy Wilkins (who is co-founder of Brave Girls with sister, Melody Ross).  She had the ticket and handed it to me.  I'm going to give it to an elementary school that I'm mentoring at - they're going to teach me how to end sentences properly.  Seriously, that's ANOTHER story for a different day.  I will tell you all about these women.

My last class of the day was with Charlotte Lyons and making a HOME banner.  Loved it - super relaxing and enjoyable.  Every class had remarkable people - it was such a wide range of creatives, which made it so fun.  Donna from A Gourmet Thyme Too shared some of her fabulous Cayenne Shortbread.  I was so surprised by these yummy little delights.  A shortbread and then about three seconds later, you get the cayenne kick.  And being a person who doesn't like spicy food, surprisingly, I was hooked.  Now, I have to figure out how to get a supplier in Houston!   At the breakfast, Jo Packham told us about three 11-year olds who wrote and asked permission to attend (there must have been an age cut off).  Two of the girls, Taylor and Hannah were in our stitching class with the birthday girl, Charlotte Lyons.  They really were amazing - poised and enthusiastic about crafting. It was fun to spend time with them. 

I'll be back this week with more on the amazing weekend.