SILVER BELLA POST ~ Part 1

Wow! What a Bella party.... this year was sooo different (in a good way). It was nice to know that I knew girls BEFORE I went. Though I wouldn't change last year for the world! It was fun to see "new-found friends" from last year and meet new faces... Blogging is truly amazing... It has changed my world forever. I am so glad to have met the people I have. We talked all weekend about the fact that we all connect so well because we "get each other". Vintage art, vintage inspired art, vintage crafting... it's all very strange to some people, but for others (like the 160 or so) girls of Silver Bella (among others), we all know what it's like to find a special treasure- whether it's found, unwanted, at a local thrift store or flea market, or up for grabs at an estate sale, or passed down within our own families only then to use it to create a wonderful gift for someone else, or add it to our own homes to tell a story of who we are... THAT'S Silver Bella in a nut shell... ;)

There is so much to talk about, that I think it would be best for me to break it down into bits....

So....I left a day early (Wednesday) with other Texas Bellas- Valita, Heather, Alisa, and JoAnna, to browse the downtown shopping... Our first stop was most definitely SECOND CHANCE ANTIQUES:

They, of course, knew the Bellas were headed into town, so they were definitely ready for us! We had a ball going through all the wonderful old treasures that they had lined up for us. I realize now, that Heather is not in this picture. But with her pregnancy, she was a bit exhausted, so she stayed back to nap a bit...

Then it was back to the hotel to meet up with Jessi for a little chit-chat, and where she showered us with a sweet little gift (big thanks, Jess!)...

Then Thursday came, we did some more shopping and fun before it was time to pick up our packets meet up with our other roomie and fellow Texas Bella, Jana, and get ready for the "meet and greet"...

and finally to our dinner and group class later in the evening... Our table was set with a goody bag full of fun stuff, and our class kits all neat and boxed up...

Amanda & Maija

Jana and Valita

Kim, Suzanne, Jessi

Heather, me, Valita

After class, it was time for swapping.... Come back in a couple of days to see all that fun...

Texas Bellas, pajama-style!