No. 3

"Each of us has a spark of life inside us, our highest endeavor ought to be to set off that SPARK in one another." kenny ausubel

This quote pretty much sums up why Rhonna, Margie and I started Spark three years ago over lunch... it was to be inspired by others and to then share your spark! ! Spark's message & inspiration is brighter than ever. Margie & April and their team did an incredible job planning Spark No 3 this past weekend and it was amazing!

It was fun to come and just soak in all the decorations, details and creative energy and not plan anything but be the beneficiary this year & just enjoy and appreciate others' hard work. I can't wait to share more, once I steal pictures from Maggie & Jefra. Apparently, I was too busy having fun to take my camera out of my purse.

It was undoubtably Sparky & I loved it.

bonus points for counting how many times I said spark in this post. (wink)

xo, lizzy

spark no 2

Spark is over again and it was more then we even imagined it would be! The ladies who came are what made it so wonderful! One of the days we put pictures of each of them in jars and they could find their picture then mix and mingle & get to know other Sparkettes.

That morning when all the jars were out it was quite moving and inspiring to see why we were there and why we planned Spark. For each of them.

We had a lot of fun decorating the main hall. You can see where the junk games banners were used now.

Blowing up balloons that are bigger than you are is quite the challenge but definitely worth it!

We were giddy watching Rhonna chalk up the outside of Noah's with her fabulous doodles!!

Needless to say, I'm so so tired. Thanks to my mom who watched the girls AND did all my laundry!!

The sweet potato in my tummy is giving me little nudges & kicks saying sit down momma. So, today I am going to do just that... after I take back some decor to the fabulous Abode & hit the grocery store & chase after Q & A. Then I will. xo

Happy Monday!

Spark No 2

Just blogged over at the SPARK site to announce the dates for Spark No 2. I honestly get so giddy thinking about the next one. Mark your calendars... September 10-11 2010.

Check out Spark's new digs & new look!

If you want to be involved with Spark as a sponsor or as a Show & Telller email us at SPARKtheEvent@gmail.com

I have to share...

|SPARK| from Jmills ENT. Jeremy Miller on Vimeo.

We were so fortunate to have the genius cinematographer J Mills up at Spark to film some highlights of our creative event. I absolutely love what he captured!

I may or may not have squealed like a little girl when I saw the trees & decor again. And my eyes may or may not have teared up reliving this magical event. Boy, I am a sap. Now the big question is... will there be a No. 2? duh duh duuuuh

Sorry, I make you work for the movie, turn off the tunes in the sidebar=> then press play.

Thanks to Megan's help J Mills used one of my favorite songs, Butterfly Nets by Bishop Allen.

share your spark

One of the highlights at Spark, for me, was the last night. We gathered together in the clubhouse to finish our live auction with Elena & Scrapbook Royalty. Lots of Spark girls brought such beautiful handmade items & fabulous donations. All the proceeds went to the Susan G. Komen breast cancer research foundation. We were then incredibly moved by Rachel & Nicole, our Spark sisters, who shared their experiences with fighting breast cancer. Their stories of strength astound me. We then walked up to the fire pit all bundled up where we sipped on hot chocolate & lit sparklers... remembering to go home and share our spark.

At times our own light goes out and is rekindled by the spark from another person. Each of us has cause to think with deep gratitude of those who have lightened the flame with in us. Albert Schweitzer

Love this quote & am thinking this Thanksgiving season of those who rekindle the spark in me.

For one, Collin! He definitely is my strength each day. He wakes up with the kiddos & takes over breakfast duty. Also, makes sure I take care of myself. Me: I feel horrible. Collin: What have you ate today? Me: um. chocolate. Collin heads to kitchen to make me an egg-in-a-frame. Not only is he outrageously funny & has a cute caboose but such a sweet daddy & hubs.

I can't wait to spend time with my family this week. My mom is so excited-already has her table set waiting for us to gather together. I have such a cool sisters & brothers-everyone is so different but we fit together so perfectly.

Looking at the picture makes it nearly impossible to not mention, Margie!! This lady is hilarious and her comical look at life is magnetic. Right after we played with sparklers at the fire pit we all danced down the street to Chris Brown Forever. I'll never forget that fleeting moment. It was completely freeing-with the lights, being up in the mountains with the view below us of the city-it was incredible. Thanks to everyone who danced down the Spark street with me!

Think about who rekindles your spark...

These fabulous ladies below are sharing bit of creative inspiration for our gratitude blog hop. Click on their names below:

Debbie Hodge
Kelly Purkey
May Flaum
Patti Milazzo
Stacey Kingman
Stephenie Hamen
Margot Potter
Lain Ehmann
Margie Romney-Aslett
Rhonna Farrer
Wendy Smedley
Jodie McNally
Liz Hicks
Becky Novacek
Jennifer McGuire
Elizabeth Kartchner
Allison Kreft Abad

more...

Day 2, Saturday, at Spark was another beautiful day. We were so blessed with marvelous weather considering if we would have had it this weekend it would be snowing...!

The Spark students went to 4 classes on Saturday, a meaningful necklace, vintage fabric embellishing, art journal & photography. Each teacher will be posting about their class on their blogs so check them out. I was lucky to teach with the Rhonna Farrer!! I've never met anyone with so much spunk in such a little body... :) but honestly, she inspires me in all areas of life. (mom, spiritually, creatively & having fun at all times)

Picture your own art studio at Spark where you had all the creative goodness at your finger tips, a room filled with other creative women & you could just set yourself free, explore & create!

We could have spent all day with the canvas album but we got a good start with learning some fabulous techniques. Hairspray transfers, covering Imaginisce brads with felt & fabric, Ranger Alchohol ink in pipettes & Shimmer Spritz with masks. Thanks to Tim Holtz, Fiskars, American Crafts, Shimmer Spritz, Provo Craft & Imaginisce for sponsoring.

Our class was titled Remember... When we explore our creativity. when we listen to our creative voices. when we try something new. when we stretch ourselves. when we are full of bliss. when we share our happiness. when we reach out to others. when we seek to tell our story. when we grow. when we are brave. when we make time for ourselves. when we accept the heartache. when we learn from our mistakes. when we let ourselves shine. when we laugh out loud. when we let love in. when we REMEMBER to search with in ourselves that's when you find YOU.

and if there's one thing to remember from our class it's the adorable boxes filled with cuteness!! We even handmade a litte fabric bag for everyone that held brads and buttons also a layered felt emelishment for the journal. Wish I had a picture of the inside of the boxes!! But I do have a picture of a Sparkie taking a picture of the box.

I also made the banners that danced across the room, a perfect touch.

Margie and I matched our outfits & decor both days, accidently. We love that plum color for Fall.

day one details

Welcome to Spark!
What made this event so incredible were all these ladies!
Margie's husband, Grant, built this awesome photo wall. It was such a great photo op not to mention cute decor. It amazes me that little details like this wall that were part of our first vision came through in the end.

• Margie, Megan & Leslie decorating. We are so grateful for all our helpers!!
• Yes, I trusted my life on that ladder... it was all for the cause.
• Rhonna draped in the paper links and flowers.
• One of the awesome signs that Rhonna designed.
• The Sweet Tooth Fairy cupcakes & tissue paper flower centerpieces--thanks Amy!

Friday was our Artisans Show & Tell day where we had 2 of the buildings filled with talented men & ladies sharing their art & inspiring all of us.

In the Pine Valley Chapel we were learning to knit with Emily Sparks, making awesome mini vellum books with Jen Sorenson & paper flowers with Maren Ogden. Making cards with April Meeker's handcarved stamps & Melissa Blackburn showed how to make gorgeous pleated flowers with lovely fabric & vintage pearls. I wish I would've known her when I got married so she could make my dress. The fabulous Dear Lizzie was even there making junk bows.

In the Social Hall we were frosting cupcakes & learning to make fondant roses with Megan from The Sweet Tooth Fairy. We had lots of fun paper projects including Robyn Weirlich making a super fun project with vintage flash cards, Stephanie from Fiskars & Hayley from Sassafras. Amy Redden demo'd a lovely fabric flower & Spark sponsored a "cuff buffet" where you had fabric, ribbons, felt & buttons all at your finger tips to design your own cuff.
(check out Spark to find links for all these fabulous Spark Plugs!) Canon was even there printing photos at their heart's content!

Provo Craft was feeling the spark... We loved having a bunch of their staff hanging out with us. Mike was awesome to silk screen all our fabulous swag bags & canvas pages for our art journal class. Their Yudu machine is killer! I need one bad!! Noralee & Erin also set up some fun stations with the Cricut & Cuddlebug machines. woot woot!
Besides our seriously darling and filled to the brim swag bags, everyone got a Spark charm from Pink Chandelier. Yeah, we like to spoil our sparkettes.

Die Cuts with a view was at Spark with lots of their staff as students which was awesome.
BIG Thanks to everyone who was part of our event... check out our Spark site to see all of our awesome sponsors.

Friday night we had such a blast with our photo booth, Spark train ride around This Is The Place & 'get to know you' games.
Phew. I could go on and on... now you can tell why I was giddy like a little girl... giddy!!
And when you're at Spark, jazz hands and bright pink tights are definitely cool.

Next post day 2 including classes, keynote, Scrapbook Royalty charity and our kumbaya.

spark magic

When I woke up this morning I thought it was all a dream.

For a split second I had to think if Spark really happened. As I laid there half asleep I started playing back moments in my mind...

-The music that sang through our spark street when you walked between the different buildings-- it was so cheerful you couldn't help but have a little skip in your step.

-Meeting so many fabulous ladies... instant friendships!

-Lighting over 100 sparklers around the campfire.

-Seeing my sisters, Ashley & Camille, each walk into my classroom with tears in their eyes because it not only looked but felt magical.

Oh yes, it was all very real.

Lots more photos & details to follow...!

Photos by Wynona Robinson and Collin Kartchner

what a day!

Wow. Today was the first day of the creative event called Spark we've been planning for months. Who would have ever thought it would exceed our expectations?! Can't wait to share more details. The ladies here from all over the country are astounding! 

Posting pictures through out the day on twitter.

PS My sister-in-law, Emily, has her handmade market tomorrow you don't want to miss it!

PPS I'll announce the winner for the killer giveaway next. 

Spark Soiree

The Spark Soiree was a sparkling success! 

We sipped down dizzie lizzies with cherries on top, got lost in Dear Lizzie's magical shop, played dress up with all the fabulous hats, bows & jewelry, & chatted with new & old fanciful friends.   

The best part of the night was meeting a bunch of local Sparkettes for our event & even chatted online with other ladies through a live video chat. I loved what the owner of Dear Lizzie, Laura, said during the Soiree. That she loved having this party there knowing that at her shop was when we first dreamed up Spark. She heard us giggling, laughing, planning... love that. (Photos by Jefra)

PS Spark is coming up so quick! Yesterday I posted a peek of the fabulous fabric class that Kelly McCaleb is teaching. You're going to love it! She's planned such a lovely class going above and beyond a basic tee and dressing up it up with her hand-picked vintage fabric collection. wowzers. 

PSS Happy Birthday to my friend Rhonna Farrer--- a fabulous fun little lady!!

PSSS I love Fridays & Fall

PSSSS I am making sugar cookies. 

PSSSSS Want some?

craft night

Friday night was craft night where we made funky things for SPaRk! Margie and I sat on the floor until our tushies hurt stringing all sorts of goodness--making garlands. Collin & Jeff (Rhonna's husband) watched and laughed at Stand up comedians all night (Jim Gaffigan. Bacon suddenly sounds delicious) Jefra and Rhonna worked on cuffs, headbands, brooches etc for each of our guests. Talk about a labor of love... Speaking of labor my baby sister is having a baby right this moment. I am off to the hospital so enjoy this movie Jefra made of our fun night... 

turn off the blog music in the sidebar and enjoy==>

Margie and I draped in our fabulous creations. 

PS you should come to spark

PPS if you are taking my class and haven't got an email from me please email me.

Magpie Winners

Blogger doesn't like me today... :)
I have been so moved and inspired by your comments about being blessed left for the Magpie Giveaway. Here are the 2 lucky winnners:

Lori said...
I feel fortunate for some of the trials I have had lately. They have helped me to live more in the
moment, to be less concerned with what others think of me, to focus on how precious my
relationships are, especially with my husband and my
wonderful children.

Mandie said...
Listening to my kids giggle when they are talking to each other and playing. Making up their own little jokes and stories. Email me your address and have fun with these great Magpie Kits.

UPDATE: I am thrilled about everyone who signed up for my online class. The kits sold out fast! You can still take the class & use great stuff from your own supplies & we all know we have stuff to use.

PS Such a cute photo by Jefra at a Spark meeting... celebrating Margie's birthday!

Enter a SPARK giveaway ... ending soon. :)

i gotta feeling

Yesterday was delightful with a capital D. We got together with the Spark girls to film a fun promo video for our event! We each brought something to fill our baskets with. I sewed together a mini fabric banner to hang off the basket & handlebars, brought jars of buttons & flowers & my favorite vintage camera. I loved this idea... to fill our baskets with creative yumminess.

Rhonna, Jefra & Margie thanks for the fun memories, laughs, & singing "I gotta feeling... that tonight's gonna be a good night"♫ with me while we rode through the trees...
What would you fill your basket with?
Stay tuned next week for the spark feature presentation. :)
Check out our site to see our newest Spark Plugs including Bijou Market

PS As if the day couldn't get any better we met up with Heidi Swapp for lunch. She. Is. Amazing.

Sparks were flyin

I'm surprised that we actually get anything done at our Spark meetings, but we do. Usually I am the one cracking the whip and trying to keep us on track. A giddy side comes out when all 4 of us are at 1 table. 

Jefra snapped some fun moments while we planned. She has a killer special effects lens by Canon called "lens baby" & it is coooooool! 

My heart did a happy dance when I saw the photo of Rhonna on the top left. I couldn't believe Jefra captured that moment-you can see the sparks flying! (if you look really close.) But you have to attend to find out what all the excitement's about... Spark.

I'll announce the winner to the giveaway... soon.

happy weekend

This weekend have a slap-happy good time!

Last night we celebrated Matt's Birthday, my awesome brother-in-law. It started with yummy food & ended with watching an outdoor movie-"Hi I'm Earth, have we met?" tommy boy

Today is my Rockstar sis-in-law Bethany's birthday! yay! Love ya Bebe & thanks for putting the o-o-o-o in cool! yeah, I'm a dork. Remember to check out Spark... I answered some frequent questions today.

Registration begins this Monday the 24th at 10 am mountain standard time and get this--the first 50 people who register get $50 off the ticket price! Tell your friends. yippeeeee!

and you may still enter the vintage pearl giveaway below.

Spark

I am so excited to share with you 1 of my secret projects... SPARK! What is Spark? It's an event that we are planning that will be magical, electric... amazing!

It all started while I was at lunch with Margie & Rhonna at one our favorite places & a spark was lit... I remember getting goosebumps, tears in my eyes, laughing & even jumping up and down at our first meeting and honestly at every meeting!! :) Spark has now burst into lots of planning and getting everything perfect for you!

Why did we start spark?... Because we feel so alive after creating! Whether it's making someone smile or capturing a cool photo... When we create, no matter how simple or extraordinary, there is a power that ignites inside! We then often seek to feel that amazing electricity because when we nurture our creativity it shapes who we are.

That's what you will experience at Spark...

you will be enlightened & enlivened.

We will gather together as women to

inspire, connect, share & cultivate.

The 'Spark' event will give each of us the opportunity for our Sparks To Fly... There will be amazing classes exploring creativity through photography, mixed media journal, expressive jewelry & fabric frenzy.

A rich message from Cassandra Barney our keynote speaker.

You won't want to miss this fabulous event... More Details here: http://www.sparktheevent.com/

This was us yesterday, the Spark girls--Jefra, Margie, Rhonna & me... Jefra took some fun pics while we were working on details, sharing, laughing, planning & excited for you to join us!

Come and Feel the Spark!!