The Creative Connection Event 2011: review

A couple of weeks ago I spend a few days in St. Paul, MN to attend the second-annual Creative Connection Event. This spectacular event is put on by my good friend Jo Packham and her incredible team. For three days, it brings together creative women, entrepreneurs, bloggers, foodies, authors and mavens of all manner of things from all over the world so that we might connect and explore and create and go back out into the world stronger and more inspired. It is an event unlike anything else.

I am still reeling a bit from all the visiting with old friends, hanging with my mom, eating, drinking, staying up late (then getting up early), connecting, chatting and crafting! I actually have not even unpacked my suitcase. I know!

I wanted to share some of what I did and some photos so that if for some reason you didn't believe me that it was gonna be good, you might now and get ready to sign up for next year's event!!

My mom flew up from St. Louis to attend with me, so in addition to getting to meet up with my creative peeps from all over the place, I got to spend some QT with my momma! But speaking of all over the place some of my friend-highlights were seeing Kelly Rae (Portland, OR) and spending lots of good time together, Lacy was there from Cali and Lizzy (Boston) as part of the staff, Michelle came from Portland and April from Detroit. I got a chance to hang out with some of the girls I went to Morocco with last year. Holly was there from Germany as one of the keynote speakers and Leslie and Julie  came from Canada to teach classes. I also met and fell totally in love with Beth from the UK!  It was a regular international smorgasbord of fabulous friends!

I was honored to be asked to speak on a few of the panels during the event.

Each one made me think hard about the road I had traveled and the one still in front of me and for a second, I got to stand still and throw my arms out a little and be exactly where I was. Each woman that spoke, spoke to me in some way, and I will say that during the VIP Women Entrepreneur's panel on Saturday morning, I have not felt the presence of so much good energy and strength and power as I did sitting up on that stage with Karen, Melody, Janine, Kelly Rae and Susan!! It was like the creative Justice League of America! I heard inspiring stories from Stacy Julian (who is my new BFF), Holly Becker, Christine Farrare and Becky Higgins and met so so many others.

This is a weekend for that little voice inside of you.

My voice wanted to get its craft on! So I signed up for Leslie Shewring's washi tape design class and my mom and Emily and I had an absolute blast covering just about anything we could get our paws on with washi tapes!

Leslie's style is so laid back and naturally creative that our time flew by and we had so many gorgeous paper treasures to take with us. It did start at 8am so we may look a touch tired…

We also set up a little Curly Girl Design booth in the handmade marketplace and sold our wares. The handmade marketplace was filled with colorful booths full of gorgeous things to take home! I managed to get my hands on several pieces from Whippy Cake and fell madly in love with the work of Little Big Pants and Sarah Jane Studios. While we were there we met Drew, “The Crochet Dude” who was dapper, hilarious, and quite crafty. He sat with us in the Simplicity booth and taught us how to make 'bloom looms” which we are now obsessed with!!

This was fun in perfect 15 minute increments and endlessly satisfying. We loved it so much, Emily and I will be teaching a 'bloom loom bonanza' workshop at Marmalade next week! If you are in the area sign up!

So there you have it! Thanks to all who worked so very hard for so many months to put this event on! It is absolute bright spot on my calendar and I can't wait until next year!

Were you there? What did you love? What would you have changed? What do you want for next year!? I would love to hear!

xoxo