Silver Bella Workshops and Vendor Night

The Vintage Rosary Necklace workshop was the ONE workshop I really wanted to get into at Silver Bella. I’ve had a crush on Kaari Meng since I discovered her business, the French General several years ago. She was as nice as nice could be in person. I loved this workshop and am thrilled with the necklace I was able to make all from components she provided in our kits.

More of her treasures were for sale during our class.

Workshop number two was Victorious Medals taught by Teresa McFayden, the founder of Silver Bella. This is a shot of our table.

Such a clever idea. Teresa photocopied onto fabric paper some of her favorite vintage medals, which we then enhanced with glitter, trims, ribbons and all sorts of lovelies. Other ribbons were newly printed for the occasion, so everyone was a winner in this class!

Charlotte Lyons was my instructor for her Wonderland Mobile. We created little houses and trees to hang from an embroidery hoop. Then you could add as much bling as you saw fit.

As you can see, I am of the more is more school of design with this project.

I could make and decorate these little houses and trees until the cows come home.

There are so many distractions during these workshops. First you have to check out everyone’s jewelry and accessories. Then you hear their stories as you try to do your fun task. This woman is the mother of triplets, with twins on the way, and she was cheerful as can be! Plus she had this clear plastic bag with lots of little openings for her ribbon stash to come out of. Really a good idea, and I think easy to duplicate with something like those heavy plastic covers they sell pillowcases in or maybe an unused clear makeup bag.

This Hodge Podge Journal was the only project I finished 100% within the three hour workshop period. Rebecca Sower was the instructor, and she is a gem. Her kit was wonderfully complete, and she set sort of a fast pace, which totally worked for me.

My last workshop was Holly-Days Countdown with Pam Garrison. This is Pam’s sample, and the idea is each holly leaf represents a day for an advent calendar.

By my fifth workshop, I was used to the fact that some of these women were finishing their projects, and doing amazing jobs. The woman beside me created this fabulous design. And had a darling tool box with the blue pom poms too.

I decided I was going to try all the embroidery stitches I haven’t done in ages. I’m saving the rest of my leaves for a long plane ride to NYC coming up next week.

Another gorgeous distraction. My new friend, Kay, had this amazing sewing kit with bark cloth pages. So functional and so right up my alley.

Vendor night was one of the best I’ve attended! Here is Beth Quinn and her marvelous jewelry.

I was charmed by Megan, aka Princess Lasertron.

Her felt flower pins are unbelievable with their beautiful stitchery. I bought a red number, and am kicking myself for not getting at least a half a dozen of them for gifts.

There was a ballroom filled with other tables like this. Vintage ephemera heaven! Willows Nest was there with their distinctive, romantic creations. This hand crafted bird was in the Raised in Cotton booth.

I have unpacked and repeatedly admired everything, and finished four of my projects (while hiding in my studio for several days this week).

I really can’t imagine I will forget how good this art retreat was. Silver Bella was very special. -- Beth

Silver Bella - Wow!

Usually I am not at a loss for words. But when it comes to articulating how absolutely wonderful this Silver Bella art retreat was, adjectives aren’t enough. I am overwhelmed with gratitude for all the creativity and generosity I received during the three days I was in Omaha. Every single person I met was over the top friendly and talented. I am still stunned by the fantastic items I received in the three swaps I participated in. The five workshops I took were the best ever. I believe it was such a powerful experience for me, that it will take time to fully absorb how much I learned, and had to stretch. I feel like my world expanded enormously.

I’ll save the pictures and more descriptions of the swaps and the workshops for a couple of future posts. Let’s talk about the people and the good loot! Here is the folder we received when we checked in. Our door prize number is a keepsake.

At the welcome dinner, this darling tote bag was waiting for us filled with all these swell gifts. Lots of clever craft project kits, handmade items, and vintage art supplies.

Our group project was sponsored by Fiskars. Each of us received this haul. I learned I have been mispronouncing Fiskars for my whole life – it is Fis cars (like you drive). They are the fifth oldest company in our country. They started making sharp things and stuck with it.

This was a gift each of us received from our Saturday luncheon speaker, Jo Packham. She is an inspiring soul, and brought tears to most of our eyes with her words. The lid of this box says: MAY YOU ALWAYS FIND NEW DREAMS TO CALL YOUR OWN, NEW ROADS TO TRAVEL, NEW DOORS TO UNLOCK ….. All that I do is created From a Woman’s Soul, Through a Woman’s Eyes, By a Woman’s Hands. Are you reaching for a tissue yet?

Here’s a cute shot of my roomie, traveling mate and friend – Christie (on the right). We met through the Salvage Studio. She attended Silver Bella last year, and was my Big Sister this time around.I like this shot of our tablemates at the first group workshop. It was a bonding experience, as a workshop for 185+ women is crazy.

We met this mom and daughter as soon as we got off the plane in Omaha. We saw each other in workshops, at breakfast, vendor night and other times throughout the weekend. I felt so very lucky to be with such joyful kindred spirits.

Stay tuned for the story on the swaps! -- Beth

Silver Bella

I am headed to a fancy schmancy art retreat called Silver Bella in mid November. You can click on the crown logo on the side of our blog for all the glorious details. I am really looking forward to the five workshops I got into from rock star crafting instructors – Kaari Meng, Pam Garrison, Charlotte Lyons, Rebecca Sowers and Teresa McFayden. As part of the pre-fun preparations, you could sign up for all sorts of swaps. I signed up for three of them, and just survived getting my second one completed. It sounded so deceptively simple – trading favorite holiday dessert recipes. But it evolved into making 32 pieces of altered art.

Since it is about receiving and not giving (sometimes), it was all worth it! At Silver Bella, I’ll receive a completed recipe book with 16 family favorites, all decorated to the nines.

Here’s a picture of my completed heap of stuff.

A little close up snippet of a page.

And since all of you can’t join us in Omaha, here are my two recipes. -- Beth

OATMEAL GUMDROP COOKIES

I found this recipe in our local Seattle Times newspaper a few years back. It has been the one cookie I make sure to bake every Christmas, no matter how hectic the holiday season is. It’s like a great oatmeal raisin cookie made even greater with the addition of gumdrops!

OATMEAL GUMDROP COOKIES

1 cup butter, softened

¾ cup brown sugar

¾ cup granulated sugar

2 eggs

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

2 tablespoons buttermilk

2 teaspoons cinnamon

1 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 ½ cups flour

2 cups oatmeal (rolled oats)

1 pound spiced gumdrops, cut into ¼ inch pieces.

(My Safeway has 13 oz bags, so I use 2 bags.)

½ cup chopped walnuts

½ cup raisins

1. In a mixer, cream together butter and sugars until fluffy. Then add eggs, vanilla and buttermilk; mix until smooth. Sift together dry ingredients and blend in. Mix in oatmeal, gumdrops, walnuts and raisins. Chill, covered, 2 hours.

2. When ready to bake, preheat oven to 350 degrees. Drop dough by tablespoonfuls onto a greased baking sheet. Bake about 10 to 12 minutes, or until golden.

Cool on a rack.

Makes six dozen cookies.

PUMPKIN BREAD PUDDING WITH CARAMEL SAUCE

I wish I could say this was a family heirloom recipe, but it’s not. My mom could sew up a storm, but the same couldn’t be said for her cooking. My grandmas did meat and potatoes food. Now my friend Nancy is another story – you beg for the recipe every time she makes something! She discovered this delicious combination on epicurious.com. It is now one of our family’s favorite desserts.

PUMPKIN BREAD PUDDING WITH CARAMEL SAUCE

Bread Pudding:

2 cups half and half

1 15-ounce can pure pumpkin

1 cup (packed) plus 2 tablespoons dark brown sugar

2 large eggs

1 ½ teaspoons pumpkin pie spice

1 ½ teaspoons ground cinnamon

1 ½ teaspoons vanilla extract

10 cups ½-inch cubes egg bread (about 10 ounces) – croissants are highly recommended!

½ + cup golden raisins

Caramel Sauce:

1 ¼ cups (packed) dark brown sugar

½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter

½ cup whipping cream

For bread pudding:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Whisk half and half, pumpkin, dark brown sugar, eggs, pumpkin pie spice, cinnamon and vanilla extract in large bowl to blend. Fold in bread cubes. Stir in golden raisins. Transfer mixture to 11x7-inch glass baking dish. Let stand 15 minutes. Bake pumpkin bread pudding until tester inserted into center comes out clean, about 40 minutes.

Meanwhile, prepare caramel sauce:

Whisk brown sugar and butter in heavy medium saucepan over medium heat until butter melts. Whisk in cream and stir until sugar dissolves and sauce is smooth, about 3 minutes.

Serve warm with caramel sauce. Makes 6 – 8 servings.

Play Date!

Friday was a jewelry play date with Caroline. I had been wanting to try a project I received from Teresa McFayden's Bellarama Ezine. It was a necklace combining velvet ribbon and chains hooked together with a buckle, and added doodads.

Here is our worktable. The delicious pita and hummus was right alongside the other supplies.


Caroline is modeling her necklace.

A picture of my necklace.

It was the perfect way to hang out - we yakked, ate, laughed, and ended up with new pieces of jewelry! -- Beth

PS....watch out for a report of our adventure to Battle Ground today to attend the Barn House Event....12 hours on the road -- too and from and all around --totally worth every minute and every mile!