NewlyWoodwards

an unconventional home

Hello, Minneapolis! (The Creative Connection Event Top 6)

by

In a series of random events, I planned to trek to Minneapolis last Wednesday for The Creative Connection Event, a conference for women with crafty tendencies (this is paraphrased by moi).
It began when I won a day-pass in March. It sounded pretty awesome but I wasn’t so thrilled about going solo, so I emailed my friend Jenny at Anything Pretty to beg ask her to join me. (This was totally my husband’s idea, who said, “Why don’t you email one of your blog friends?” I think he was actually just afraid he would get roped into going.)
Now, it’s relatively strange to just email a person you only know through your blog. I mean, we had never met in person. Either of us could have been a 40-year-old man, for all we knew. (I’m fairly certain this was what my coworkers were thinking.)
We had never spoken on the phone (at this point). And, she actually said yes. So, we made plans, and before we knew it, it was time to go. We met halfway and drove up to Minneapolis together. Then, we spent the next 3 days together, shared a hotel room and had the most wonderful time. (That whole scenario could have gone horribly wrong, so it’s lucky for both of us.)
It was a whirlwind of activity for three days. And I cannot even count the times that Jenny and I looked at each other and laughed, as if to say, “Can you believe that just happened?”

There were so many wonderful aspects of The Creative Connection, but here’s the recap of my top six experiences. (I’m only covering the actual event here.)

The meals were top-notch. Not only was the food itself delicious, but the decor was lovely. Every lunch or dinner was different, with new table decorations, vignettes and meals.
The first lunch was with the Pioneer Woman and she chose the dish. It was a delicious chicken pasta with nuts and herbs, served cold. I’ve been looking for the recipe on her site, so if you know the name, let me know. Dessert was a (divine) red velvet cake.
Dinner with Amy Butler and Mary Jane Butters was also delicious and the tables were covered in Amy Butler’s fabric, which looked lovely. Our final lunch was a simple sandwich picnic lunch, with mason jar pitchers and burlap runners. Everything was just so – food, decor and service.
At the keynote luncheon with The Pioneer Woman, we were able to snag a really great seat at the front table. I was approximately 10 feet from the lady herself, and found her to be so sweet in person, both when we heard her speak and field questions and when we took photos with her and got books signed. I liked her before (my chicken fiasco aside), but now I’m really loving her.
And as an aside, I want her boots.
This is very materialistic, so I debated not even talking about it. But, goodness gracious, the swag. Every time we turned around, we were receiving something lovely. At lunch, a cute notepad. At dinner, we received this oh-so-cute bag jam-packed with swag – paints, scrapbook papers, a Lisa Leonard necklace, water bottle, magazines, handmade soap, food, candy…. we were amazed. The next day, we brought home a cute tea towel apron.
We adored Camille Roskelley. She taught a quilting class one afternoon and it was one of the highlights of my trip. She was lovely, her fabrics were lovely and we got some great quilting practice. She’s obviously so talented and beautiful, but she’s also so down-to-earth and friendly.
I asked her to sign my book telling me I was the favorite in my class (and she obliged). I’m taking that as though she adores me as well. 😉
Here’s our class photo.
Which leads me to
We took the quilting class with Camille and a wool felt ornaments class. I was able to get the top of a table topper pieced in the quilting class. The ornaments class was taught by Betz White. We made three ornaments, including the rosettes above. I now feel much better equipped to tackle the closet-full of wool sweaters that I felted in January. (I was a little overzealous.)
And finally, the most important part –
I was able to make such a great new friend in Jenny, and we also had the opportunity to meet lots of other wonderful women. (Top right: Cindy at Skip to my Lou, Bottom left: Heather Bailey, Top left and bottom right: Friends in our classes, including Shelly at Honey Lamb and I).
What an experience!

Comments

  1. I agree with whoever said these events need to head South! And this reminds me how much I want to get back into blogging. Looks like you had such a great time.

  2. Um totally jealous. First because you’re not hanging out with me. and secondly, I wanna go to this thing! Of course, it could probably happen in my area and I’m so out of the loop that I wouldn’t know about it. Anyway, you look super cute and thanks for sharing the meals. I love food and crafts equally.

    Oh and I have a chance to go meet/take a class with Eddie Ross at that nursery place (that had the canning class), think I should go?

  4. Ummm so I think we have the same top 6 of the event. The shopping was in a whole other category if course. I have said it before, but I am so happy that you thought to invite me in on your fun because we had such an amazing time.

    Oh and that you weren’t a Fred.

  7. You met PW. I’m SO jealous!!! And I always covet her boots.

    This sounds like a great deal of fun and I’m glad you made a new friend!!

    I understand the, “Gosh I hope she’s not a skeevy 50 year old stalker rapist!” feeling. Mrs. 5C and I joked about whether or not LongbrakeLiving would be a man when we all agreed to meet for our crazy thrifting day. We were glad when she arrived with little Colton!

  8. This looks like it was an amazing experience! I’m SO jealous. This reaffirms how bad of a choice I made to skip the PW booksigning when she came through town. And that was just a book signing… Hello crafts and bid names galore on your trip!

    You’re one lucky little blogger 🙂

  11. What? You girls didn’t know each other before you came? Never would have guessed! You are both so cute.

    Thank you SO much for coming to my class. You were a little ray of sunshine!

    love,c

  13. I am jealous you got to go to such an amazing event. Next year, I will have to see if I can make it or how to get in!! Looks like you had a blast and I am sure your creative wheels are spinning with ideas. Can’t wait to see what you create next.

  20. Hi Kim! The recipe from the Pioneer Woman lunch was her Asian Noodle Salad – search it on the Tasty Kitchen & it comes right up.

    It was great to meet you at TCC & I’m so glad I found your blog – the house renovations are so inspiring!

    xoxo

  21. Um, I’m totally jealous. So fun. You just let me know when you’re heading somewhere west and I’ll meet you and drive the rest of the way with you :).

    Looks like a blast – I kinda want to see the loot itself…

  22. I am soooo jealous! My mom and I were talking about going, but then we saw how much tickets cost and that was the end of it. Glad that you had a great time. You totally deserve a break!

  26. Wow! It looks like so much fun! We don’t have anything like that, that I know of, in our area. Our local Parks and Rec does offer summer classes, including sewing and stained glass, but I kind of thought they would frown upon me going into labor or bringing an infant to the classes. Maybe next summer they’ll want a rambunctious toddler!?

    Are you going to teach us how to make those ornaments!?

Trackbacks

  1. […] 22, 2010 20 Comments In addition to all the wonderful times at The Creative Connection Event, a highlight was at the end of the trip – Jenny’s first visit to IKEA. So that’s […]