It's not a party 'til somebody cries!

A Birthday Weekend!

You can't hide, Adrienne!  Happy birthday to you:)  Do you know who else is having a birthday?  Norman P. Dixon.  Happy birthday, Norman!

Harmony, Suzi and her daughter, Allie, and I met at Bella's place this afternoon.  Always a joyous time when we get together!  Bella is so gracious.  She's now dedicated an entire store wall to Bazzill papers.  What's new in die-cutting?  QuicKutz Revolution.  Who has this supreme machine?  Bella!  She also has a wide selection of dies (for purchase separately).  Personally, if you're entertaining the idea of a die-cut system, this is it!  Bella has the best deal, too!

What's next?  I talked Suzi into joining Amber Dawn's "Black & White Charm Swap."  Suzi talked me into Jeri Aaron's "Row House Swap."  I'll be teaching three classes in April.  More on that later.  It's Oscar time!

CHA: The finest with Finer and friends!

Let's start with the friends and fun before the products!  After a grueling day of browsing, nothing beats down time with the girls:  Bella and Terri, Debby Schuh, Suzi Finer (famed iamadiva.com), and Harmony Walton.  After beverages and delightful conversation, Harmony, Suzi, Debby, and I met with Michelle White and Helle Greer for a sumptuous dinner.  I had the ravioli with mushrooms and asparagus in a creamy lobster sauce. Pictured from left to right: Michelle, Debby, Helle, and Suzi. Harmony and I had a great time!  Laughter continued into the next evening when Helle, Michelle, Suzi, and I rendezvoused with superstar Norman Dixon for another fine dining experience.

Shop talk:  I mingled with the Who's Who of the craft industry:  Jenni Bowlin, Linda Woods, Teresa Collins, Anna Griffin, Mary Smilove, and caught a glimpse of Tim Holtz.  Special treat...meeting Kelly Lautenbach of It Kit Studio!  I'm a faithful member of her amazing kit club.

Favorite products:  everything Teresa Collins, Tim Holtz, and Jenni Bowlin.  Five stars for all of Maya Roads blank books, felt flowers, ribbons, rub-ons, and acrylic stamps in those signature tins.

I've got a collection of catalogs that will keep me in bliss for the next twelve months.  A big shout-out for my stylin' Diva, Suzi Finer.  Between her exclusive black t-shirts and our hand-crafted bling-bling badge holders, we definitely were the best dressed!  Looking forward to CHA 2009!!

Quite a busy weekend!

There's simply nothing better than dining with friends, wouldn't you agree?  Caroline, Adrienne (pictured here), and I met up at Claim Jumper's in Thousand Oaks for some amazing cuisine and beverages.  We rendezvoused with Margo at the Zuma Repertory Theatre for a performance of "The Shadow Box."  Clearly the performances were well done as a cried uncontrollably for half the show. 

Saturday was spent with Suzi shopping for beads, acquiring the coolest decorations for Chinese new year, taking advantage of the samples sale of 10 Deep merchandise (T-shirts, sweatshirt hoodies, and cool jackets), and dining.  Bonus...visiting with Harmony!  Sunday--my day of rest.