Yesterday was just the BEST. I had a roomful of Bellas here to get to know each other before the big event in November. It was a small group, but the attendees are so spread out across the country, that its not easy to get a lot together at once. Julie drove down from Chicago, and Lori came up from Arkansas, which really meant a lot to me, for them to make that much effort. Jamie, Carol, and Nora are all kinda local, they are from the Kansas City area.
The best part of the day? Being able to talk about Silver Bella all day long and not having anyone roll their eyes at me. All of these people are as excited to go as I am, and none of them are sick of hearing about it like everyone else around me is.
The cuffs I made were used as napkin holders, then were the party favors that I gave out as a thank you for them all coming to see me.
Lunch was a pitch in, and my husband grilled salmon for us, which was really sweet of him and kept it so simple for me. I wanted to relax and have fun with everyone and not spend all my time in the kitchen. It worked out great that way. I set the table and marinated the salmon the night before, so I didn't have much to do but enjoy my guests while they were here.
Carol came early with her super dooper camera and took photos of the table to send into Somerset. They had a call for dinner party ideas, and since I was serving artists, I decorated the table all in things from my studio- old lace, pearls, rhinestones, sheet music, and millinery flowers.
With Carol doing the photos, the editor will have to love it. Carol makes anything look good!
Plus, she is a hoot. This is a person that can really make you laugh.
There were laughs to be had all day. And since Silver Bella's theme this year is hats, we all played in my stash of millinery after working on projects and chatting.
Lori and I came up with the BEST plan for my own head for the event. It involves me foofing up one of her cast offs from the day. Which is perfect for me, I love to recycle things other people don't want, especially art by the talented, Lori Oles! I'll be thrilled to wear her "trash" on my head that night!
Its soooooo nice to have the studio all cleaned up and cleared out. I feel like I am getting over the nightmares I had after watching Hoarders. Now that the room isn't so cluttered, I'm recovering from the horror of that show.
I doubt if I'll ever watch it again, though!
At each person's place at the studio, I laid out some little treats and supplies for them. I found this great die cut of a little girl in a top hat, and copied it onto some of my favorite old wall paper. It went so well with the Silver Bella hat theme that I had to share it.
Now that the guests are gone, I need to fold up the extra tables and put them away before I fill them up with clutter. I've noticed that the more space I have the more I use. And having one or two tables filled with my crap is plenty. All extra tables need to be stored away until company comes again!!
But its so tempting to leave them up…. Think of how much I could spread out.
Here is one table that I wish was always in my studio! Sugarwing's Daddy, Mr Zen, came over the night before the party with his massage therapy table and gave me a treatment. No more back pain! That guy is really talented.
Sugarwings was here for the day while her parents worked, and she kept popping in to visit,and see what we were making, and visit the cookies in the treat cabinet. I promised her some craft time as soon as everyone left, and for a four year old, that is hard to wait for. Throughout the day, she came in to see if it was her turn yet.
So, at the end of the day, I took off my apron and let her wear it – not for crafting, this one is nicer than any dress I own! And it fit her for a dress, so she wanted to play Bride in it.
I won this gorgeous hunk of fabric as a door prize at Kim's event this summer.
Doesn't she look pretty in it?
She stayed for a sleepover and we did get some crafting time in. After removing the elegant apron, she got to be elbow deep into glitter and glue.
Yep, a great day, from beginning to end.
your rooms are just lovely! sounds like everyone had a wonderful time. LOVE the pics. Bet we do see them in sommerset soon.
oh, it looks like you girls had a ball! I was thinking of you all day. Yes, that Carol does keep everyone laughing…what a hoot she is! And your home and studio look gorgeous as always Karla. Miss you!
Hi Karla,
Your day certainly seems as if it was perfect! I would have loved to have been there to meet everyone…I must be patient until November! Your table looks fabulous and your studio is to die for!
…and the bride was stunning!
Can’t wait till SB!
🙂
Your studio is so pretty–all the creme and pastels and your table is beautiful and that apron makes the perfect bride dress!!
Fun was had by all. Your studio looks great. I think THAT show could do some serious psychological damage to a lot of us! I just can’t watch it.
Sugarwing is such a beatiful young lady.
Melinda
Your event makes me drool and looks like you had a great time, You are so blessed to have so many creative souls that are able to attend, and so much space , it is beautiful. Thanks for sharing, you are one talented lady, stop by some time for a visit and join in my giveway, I’m new to blogging but not new to creating. Have a great and peaceful Sunday, Sugarwings is darling! Marilou from Lulus Lovlies
Looks like a TOTAL blast! Your studio looks great. Made me think of removing all the furniture I have in here and use it just for a studio…….hummmmmmm????? I’m finding that my room is too much family room and not enough studio since I’ve moved my craft stuff in. Love the apron! One can never have too much lace!!!! It is great and Sugarwings increases its beauty!! Glad you all had such a good time!!!
Sandy
Karkie My darling sister!
What a great party. Your studio is looking amazing and sugarwings is so pretty. Anxious to play baby birdie again soon! Our baby Bella should have been at the party as she is getting so big and she has alot of Tillie in her! A sweet mess of love! I have found some old hats to send you sister…… I miss you!
Karla- I had a wonderful time and I am still thinking about all of your amazing treasures.
Lori
Karla- I had a wonderful time and I am still thining about all of your amazing treasures.
Lori
Oh Karla! That table setting is so pretty and you are were so clever using those music sheets. One word that comes to mind is “serene”. It looks like all of you had a wonderful time catching up and crafting.
And yes, we kept one boy from the litter – little 2 pound Buddy. We gave him to our daughter for her birthday – I had to hand him over to her this past week and was so sad! He found a place in my heart with his sweet little disposition. We plan to breed him with our other girl Minnie.
Well, now that your studio is all nice and clean, go and mess it up with some creative crafting!
xoxo
Rochelle
Karla, –your setting, was amazing,-the cuffs as napkin holders looks so beautifull, -and that goes for the whole table .
I can see you all had a fantastic time together,–and ending the day having fun with your beautifull granddaughter, I`m sure ,made it even more wonderfull.
Hugs,Dorthe
Karla,
Thank you for your recent visit to my blog. I am so glad you came over so I was able to visit you. What a fun party you had and I love all the white decor. I saw the cuff bracelets on the previous post and will go now to look a bit more. Nice to meet you and glad you stopped by.
Debbie
Sigh. All I can say is, I wish I had a friend like you nearby….
What a wonderful time you all had. I so wish I could have gotten some pre-Silver Bella time in with you gals! Looking forward to seeing you (and your hat!) in November.
Sue
Hi Karla, I’ll try again I’m one of your followers so I found you somewhere among many others! lol http://luluslovlies.blogspot.com/ Lets see if I did it right?? If not I don’t know what I’m doing wrong. I did Karen’s from Valentines Designs blog Party and I do Pink Saturdays with Beverly and now I have just joined the Bloggerette Sorority, still have to do my art thing though! I keep on plugging along wishing I was closer to like minded creative souls. None near me. Have a nice Sunday, hope you find me anyway I’ll still enjoy your blog, it is wonderful!
What fun! I bet the girls loved the bracelets you made for them.
-Danielle
Karla….what a gorgeous, inspiring blog entry….your studio looked like a dream for the Bella ladies. I am sure they were blown away. Glad you all had a good weekend. Sugarwings’ eyes are soooo beautiful…what an adorable little girl she is! Patty in Kansas
Looks like SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO much fun. Maybe next year!!!! Glad your back is better. HUGS!
Charlene
Nothing better than sharing “play time” with friends. Looks like you had a wonderful day – I was just at Lori’s visiting.
And Sugarwings is simply beautiful!
Leann
It’s me I’m back, still trying, so one more time! http://luluslovlies.blogspot.com/ Let me know if it worked, Have a great evening. I’m beginning to feel over blogged. Lol Hugs, Glad you girls had fun!
Everything looks lovely; I love your theme! Bellas dreaming of the big event! I hope I get to go next year~ I love your cuffs, wonderful table setting, all around magic~
Sugarwings looks so pretty! Magical Memories made, how beautiful~
My goodness I am not sure what this event is, but just by looking at your table and craft room, I am over the top inspired. I mean it sweets, you are just amazing.
Hugs,
Olivia
Karla,
Looks like a fun time with the Bellas and everything is so pretty! I hope your dinner party photos make it into Somerset!! As always, Sugarwings looks angelic in your apron “dress”. And by the way, I think your son could make a killing with that table at Silver Bella. Create a little and then get a massage….sounds great!
Beautiful table, beautiful friends AND beautiful baby girl!
Debbie
You sure know how to decorate for a party !!!
Looks like you all had a wonderful time.
Grand baby adorable as always 🙂
What fun, Karla! I would definitely fold the tables up and put them away no matter how tempting it would be to spread out! I am the same way. Before you know it those tables would just be holding more and more “crap”. Sugarwings looks so pretty in your apron, I actually thought it was a little dress-up bride dress! It sounds like you had a wonderful day and it’s always nice to spend some time with like minds.
Looks like so much fun, I need to move to Kansas!Thanks for stopping by and saying hi! Yes that is my little baby under the sue bonnet quilt.. she just turned 3 ..oh they get big so fast don’t they!
Here is my link Karla, I tried it and it went right to my blog?? http://luluslovlies.blogspot.com/
Fun! Fun! Fun!
I love the way you say you “whipped” those cuff bracelets up…you are hilarious! They are beautiful.
Your table was beautiful too! I can’t wait to see it in the magazine 🙂
As for Carol…she’s a HOOT! I was fortunate to sit with her in Theresa’s class last year at SB and we didn’t get ANYTHING finished because we laughed the whole time…she’s a HOOPTIE! hahahahhaha
Glad to hear the back is feeling better…just in time for this coming weekend!
🙂
Karla, what a great post, thank you for everything! The food, the company, the goodies, the cuffs, and sharing Sugarwings with us too! Your home is beautiful! I have not had that much fun in forever. When I showed my boys my crowns, they thought they were pumpkins! 🙁
I put a few pictures on my blog juliejayne.blogspot.com. Be sure to check them out. Thanks again, it was a blast! Julie
Oh Miss Karla, this really looks like a playdate from Heaven! You’re amazing, my dear! Those cuff links are simply to die for! I am so bummed about not attending SB this year!! xoxo
Wow,
It looks like a great time was had by all. What a sweet husband to act as cook while you party. I’ll bet everyone of those girls (including you ) are more excited than ever to get to Omaha. Lisa
karla – what a fun time you all had! I also stopped by Lori Ole’s blog and she’s posted some fabulous pics of your home! I wish I could make SilverBella this year… have a great week! 🙂 mercedes
How sweet of you to host this. Sure will make it nicer when you all get to SB. Your house looks lovely. And I always love seeing pics of Sugarwings!
~Marilee
Karla, that table you set is stunning! So glad we’ll see more of it in a Somerset magazine. Truly a playdate from heaven for fellow Bellas, those lucky, lucky gals!!!
What a beautiful set table……loved your post. You are something!!! Susan
What a splendid soiree! You truly are the hostess with the mostest, and I marvel at all that you accomplish. You are definitely a little engine that CAN! Your table, cuffs, crafting all bella, bella, bella. One of these years I hope to be a sister bella! – Amy Bauer
Gorgeous table — if Somerset doesn’t take it hands down, they’re not worth submitting to! Love the music as placemats and the idea of having the cuff be a napkin ring. I’m always in awe of your creativity.
Gosh is Sugarwings ever fotogenic! Love the pic!:)
Looks like so much fun! I wish I had some people to craft with. Maybe I can find some! Your Sugarwings is so beautiful!
Oh, so much fun! I am trying to get together the four of us Colorado Bellas next month, too!