Inspiration Unlimited 2014

Day 1 of Inspiration Unlimited (September 26th):

Tomi met us at our ballroom with Starbucks and man did it hit the spot. I had a pumpkin spice latte and a delicious blueberry muffin. Luc happily enjoyed the Heidi Swapp class in his bassinet. After that class, we met Nic, Susan and Hud back in the room for lunch. They grabbed us Cheesecake Factory and it was delicious!! After lunch, we took the Teresa Collins class. I ended up holding Luc for most of this class, but luckily it was an easy one to do one handed. Our last class of the day was with Jodi Sanford. I wasn't overly excited about this class based on the description, but actually ended up really liking it. I missed a chunk of the class and still almost finished, which was nice. Luc wasn't overly happy about being in his bassinet today, but as long as he was in my lap or arms, he seemed to be quite content. 

While we were in class, Susan, Nic and Hudson went to the pool. As they were drying off it started to rain. Hudson was freaked out by it at first, but then he ended up liking it. 

We were still full from lunch, but we knew we needed to eat dinner, so we settled on pizza. While Nic was out getting the food, we watched the sun set followed by a desert storm. Hud liked the lightning at first, but then it scared him. When he got out of the bath, he looked so cute in his fluffy white hotel towel. I wanted to take a picture, but he got scared again by the lightning and wanted a cuddle. He smiled through the tears for the photo, then cuddled his blankie on the couch. I wolfed down my pizza, then went with Luc, my mom and Tomi to the special event Teresa put on this year. It was sort of like an Oprah's favorite things giveaway. She gave away a few cannon printers, a silhouette, and tons of other goodies. I ended up winning a bunch of beautiful golden wrapping paper. Then they had a photo booth so we took some pictures and a bunch of make and takes that we went and either made or collected. I also met a really nice girl this year, Holly, who had her 2 month old daughter with her. That is one of the best parts about this event. The same people go every year, so we make more and more friends each year. 

 While we were at the event, Nic went to a bar off the strip to watch the AFL finals. 

Day 2 of Inspiration Unlimited (September 27th):

Our first class today was with Paula Cheney. Apparently she is a really big deal in the scrapbooking world as she is Tim Holtz right hand gal. Although her project wasn't something I would normally make, we learned a lot of really cool techniques and it was the first class where I didn't feel way behind or overwhelmed in. After that class we had a lunch break, then we had class with Kelli Collins. This was one of my favorite completed projects. I tried to leave Luc with Nic for this class as he had just been fed and should have napped, but apparently he was hysterical so I ran back up to grab him. He nursed for about 2 seconds, then fell asleep and slept most of the class. The room helpers were great about helping me get caught up and when I had to hold Luc during the class, they came over and helped me again. It was so sweet of them and I almost finished this one in class. Our last class of the day was to make a canvas with Teresa Collins. We were supposed to come prepared with a quote to write on our canvas. I hate my writing, but sucked it up and wrote mine myself anyways. I figured it would be more personal this way. I still want to add a few touches to it, but it turned out cute and will look nice in my scrapbooking room. 

Hudson enjoyed some more pool time with Grandma while we were off scrapbooking!

That night we had the final event where awards were given out. Luc won an award for being youngest person in attendance. I had to go up on stage to collect my prize (stencils) and introduce Luc to everyone. He was very popular all weekend and everyone oohed and ahhed over him while I was on stage. Then they did the normal prize drawings. I didn't win anything. Then just like that, the whirlwind, exhausting Inspiration Unlimited was over. This was my fourth year and it always goes by so fast. I learn so much, but it is also overwhelming. Probably because 2 of the 4 years I have attended with a newborn, haha. Sadly, I still have unfinished projects from the 1st year and even the completed ones don't have pictures in them so they are technically incomplete as well. Hopefully someday (maybe when my kids are in school and I become a stay at home mom~a girl can dream) I will finish them. Regardless of finishing, it is always nice to get away and enjoy this weekend. We have made wonderful friends over the years and it was great to do something for me even though I have a newborn baby to care for.