First of all, thank you to Ginger for inviting me to Creative Escape. I had no idea what I was in for, but I loved every minute. If you don't know what Creative Escape is, it is a weekend in Phoenix, AZ full of scrapbook classes and anything mildly connected with it. We got there Thursday evening and was immediately immersed in creative projects the minute we walked into the conference center. Friday and Saturday each had 4 classes, all 1 hour and 45 minutes long that seemed to go by in 30 minutes. We had yummy 3 meals a day, and all the classes were planned out for us. We didn't have to make a single decision! I love that!
I was surprised at the type of people who were there. Ginger said they had a "look." She was right. 60-something pear shaped grandmas wearing bright pink. And the teachers were rock stars in these grandmas' eyes. They would stand in line to get autographs, which I just couldn't understand. Some of the teachers were big names, they had their own products lines, but I guess I saw the teachers as regular people who were creative and at the right place at the right time.
I did enjoy the classes though. It wasn't just about a certain project they created for us. There was a bigger message. These teachers had made it a priority to do something creative everyday. Not for anyone else, but for them. They encouraged us to do the same. They encouraged us to treasure what meant the most to us, and create something to represent that.
Heidi Swapp (the creator of this entire weekend) talked to us about stopping to embrace the moment and be thankful for it. I was inspired by this. I am so sick of doing what is obligated of me. I am frustrated with having to do a church responsibility when I want to play with my son instead. I am tired of needing to always clean the house first, before I make time to scrapbook. I am sick of worrying about what others would like to do, before I think about what I would like to do. I want to be able to embrace a morning playing with my son. I want to get lost in a creative project. I want to plan time just for myself. Am I selfish? I'm not sure yet. I tell myself that I'm not.
I did learn something this weekend. I need this time for myself. I love my little family, but I allowed the day to day needs overtake that love. It wasn't until I walked though my door on Sunday that I realized how much I love my family. My son's ecstatic grin almost brought my to tears. I wanted to kiss my husband (Poor guy doesn't get that as often as he should). My home was warm and inviting. I discovered that I need to take those times away in order to appreciate the love that I have for them. Thanks again, Ginger!
Creative Escape 2008 Photo Slideshow from Bazzill Basics Paper on Vimeo.
I was surprised at the type of people who were there. Ginger said they had a "look." She was right. 60-something pear shaped grandmas wearing bright pink. And the teachers were rock stars in these grandmas' eyes. They would stand in line to get autographs, which I just couldn't understand. Some of the teachers were big names, they had their own products lines, but I guess I saw the teachers as regular people who were creative and at the right place at the right time.
I did enjoy the classes though. It wasn't just about a certain project they created for us. There was a bigger message. These teachers had made it a priority to do something creative everyday. Not for anyone else, but for them. They encouraged us to do the same. They encouraged us to treasure what meant the most to us, and create something to represent that.
Heidi Swapp (the creator of this entire weekend) talked to us about stopping to embrace the moment and be thankful for it. I was inspired by this. I am so sick of doing what is obligated of me. I am frustrated with having to do a church responsibility when I want to play with my son instead. I am tired of needing to always clean the house first, before I make time to scrapbook. I am sick of worrying about what others would like to do, before I think about what I would like to do. I want to be able to embrace a morning playing with my son. I want to get lost in a creative project. I want to plan time just for myself. Am I selfish? I'm not sure yet. I tell myself that I'm not.
I did learn something this weekend. I need this time for myself. I love my little family, but I allowed the day to day needs overtake that love. It wasn't until I walked though my door on Sunday that I realized how much I love my family. My son's ecstatic grin almost brought my to tears. I wanted to kiss my husband (Poor guy doesn't get that as often as he should). My home was warm and inviting. I discovered that I need to take those times away in order to appreciate the love that I have for them. Thanks again, Ginger!
Creative Escape 2008 Photo Slideshow from Bazzill Basics Paper on Vimeo.
3 comments:
It looks like you had a blast--did you get any sleep?
Jul
I had such a fabulous time. Thanks so much for the great girl talk and giggles!
What a fun "escape" for you! Sometimes you just have to get away by yourself. I think,looking forward to fun things like this helps us moms keep our sanity.
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