Thursday, September 27, 2012

Handmade U.... a Glimpse of the Fun I Had

 I love a great journaling class.  I was really excited to be taking Hope Wallace Karney's very first in person teaching class.  Sure she had taught a bunch of on-line classes before....but she had never taught a class in person to a live bunch of students before.  We were going to be her guinea pigs.  I just knew that she would do beautifully.  And Hope did not disappoint.  Not in the very least.  The above is a picture of her class kit.  Not only was it exquisite....well I felt like I was going to a posh private academy....look at the loveliness.  Vintage wallpaper & all blinged out with supplies galore!  She taught in a manner that was very conducive to my learning style.  I personally loved it very much.  I tend to get very overwhelmed with journaling.  Give me power tools & soldering guns any day & I am good to go....but ink pens & wasi tape & you might as well give me a scalpel & IV fluids because I do not know what to do with them.  I get flustered & behind & have to ask poor Stephanie Oyler what to do every minute.  Hope gave us wonderful prompts for every step of the way so when I got behind I could get caught up.  And here is the great part....get this....she promised to send us the on-line instructions to the class when we got home.....and guess what....I got the tutorial YESTERDAY!!!  Bless her little soul!!  Isn't she wonderful!!!  So basically Hope is the teacher that keeps on teaching well after the art retreat is over & I for one really appreciate that.  Handmade U is really one of the best art retreats I have been to.  This year was by far the best.  There were swaps, and more women went, and the food was good, and we had vendor night with crofters participating this year.  It was just a really great year!  Oh & there were lot's of great door prizes!  That is something that everyone seems to really love.  It always feels great when your name is drawn out of the hat!  Something else that is super spectacular....the treat bag is just phenomenal.  Rachel....the hostess of Handmade U is like a real teacher.  She gives you the best little fun treats.  Ear plugs....like Stephanie is going to really snore (well she does.....but it doesn't bother me cuz I probably do too!) so the ear plugs really are handy, & cute little candies.  Little school related objects....like pencils & stuff.  So you all need to come to the 4th Semester of Handmade U because we were all brainstorming about teachers & stuff because a lot of us girls have been to all 3 semesters & we know the ropes cuz we are the upper class girls....we aren't stuck up or anything we just know it ALL but we were throwing out some great ideas & 4th semester is going to be awesome.....YOU WON'T WANT TO MISS THE FUN!!

 Here is the lovely Hope Ellington & Hope Wallace Karney or better known as:  Hope Squared.  I so wish I knew how to make the mathematical equation.  The little thing with the little tiny 2 in it.  But I am not a mathematician....nor would I ever try to be one.  I think she wants me to be Hope 1 & she Hope 2  so I guess that is what we will do.  I have been dying to officially become friends with Hope since our days at Silver Bella.  That event was just too big to ever really do that.  But Handmade U was really conducive to hanging out.  We had a lot of fun.  Hope is just a talented & giving woman & I hope we have many opportunities to create together again. 


Handmade U really is just a unique opportunity to get together to create.  It really is almost like a reunion of sorts.  I keep coming back semester after semester because there is a bond that I feel.  Friendships are made & I am learning a lot about journaling & creating awesome projects.  Rachel is a wonderful hostess.  For me an art retreat should be an intimate gathering.  Handmade U is just that....& even if it grows....I know that Handmade U will keep its intimate feel because it has very humble roots.

14 comments:

Unknown said...

Hey after the infamous Sally Jean Silver Bella class where I understand NOTHING and could NOTHING right...not to mention the fact that you had to witness my in-class (and after-class) anxiety attack that the soldering brought on. The least I can do is answer a few questions about how to bind your journal...

And, no you didn't snore cause you didn't SLEEP!!! Who would ever have imagined that I would fall asleep before you at an art retreat?

Hope said...

OMGoodness that is too funny Stephanie~you kill me... that brings back so many memories from Silver Bella. Art retreats are the best. Many more to come I am sure! I must be a changed woman.....

Anonymous said...

Wow, it all sounds like such fun! Imagine that, an entire retreat just to do crafting...you lucky girl!

:) Hope

Laurie said...

Still sighing...it looks and sounds so wonderful...and you look great, skinny lady!

Unknown said...

Hope - It looks like you had a great time! What a great group of ladies! Can't wait to see what you create next :) XOXO

Sweet Blessings - Sara

Doojies said...

You know, this event somehow had not even been on my radar until you posted this. I'm going to have to work on Miz Juney to get there next year! Looks great and I'm going to check it out. Not at all surprised to hear what a great job Hope did. Yep, I agree with all...I took so many projects home from Silver Bella unfinished, but I DID finish them which just stretched out the fun. We were all so busy talking and getting to know each other. Who knew women were like that?!!!!

Cherie Wilson said...

Hope the pictures and fun posted here were greatly inspiring! Must be the time of year.........but feeling a warm place rise up for Silver Bellas past, ya know?! I'm so glad to see such a fun group here at Handmade U. And I for one witnessed the attack Steph mentioned above....... and have to say she was not alone!! Not my thing either. All hail to you, our soldering Queen Hope Ellington!! xoxox

Hope said...

Yes....the Silver Bellas Rise! Look at all of us on here....the 2 Stephanies....Cherie....Laurie! I'm loving it. Fun times!
XO~Hope

Kadee Willow said...

Thanks for giving us a personal perspective of this event1 I know that Rachel has poured her heart and soul into it, along with Michelle! I agree with you about journaling. I love, love, love making books but to put something inside? Scary! You made it seem like it didn't take you long to get over that hurdle... fabulous! I will keep this event on my radar.

Hope said...

Kadee it would be so wonderful if you would come to Handmade U! It is a spectacular event! Rachel definitely doe pour her heart into it. I am over-coming my fear of writing in my journals that has been a big fear of mine!

HI! I'm Tabitha said...

what an amazing time you had..you must come over and show me all your goodies..hugs

Kateyed said...

I will be back, for sure! What a wonderful retreat. One of the best things was seeing you and Steph!
Big hugs,
Suz

Unknown said...

Hope is the sweetest! I would adore taking one of her classes in person. Journaling makes me nervous, gaaah! I have enjoyed stepping out of my comfort zone to experiment with it. The retreat looked fantastic! Rachel has such a sweet spirit - makes it all the more fun. Have a beautiful week!((HUGS)) Heidi

Rachel said...

Hope - what a wonderful post! The best part of the retreats for me is seeing all of you having a great time! To have all you wonderful ladies in Nebraska to have some crafty fun is the BEST!! Hope to see you at the next one! xoxo