Monday, May 17, 2010

Heros FRIENDS & the LAST Petticoat Post

JO PACKHAM... WOW! That's all I can say. I am not a hero worshiper, groupie, or into that sort of thing. But, I HAVE LOVED JO since I got her very first book Where Women Create. I spent HOURS engrossed in that book. And then the magazine (by the same name) came out. I haven't missed a one! Have you read them? Do you subscribe & can't wait for the next issue????? Well, I had been wanting to go to Petticoats & Parasols Art Event ever since Joanna told me about it. But, I hemmed & hawed thinking it was too much money. (OH WAS I WRONG!) And then the final push was the announcement that JO would be our key note speaker. SOLD!!!! I was going no matter what!
And KEY NOTE FABULOUS SHE WAS!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I have worked in the meeting planning (oh Jenn I feel for you & don't envy you the hard work that goes into planning a major event like this )for years & have seen many speakers whisk in five minutes before they speak & rush to their waiting car in less than ten minutes after they are done. NOT JO!!!!!!!!
She spoke on opening night about her amazing career (over 30 years) in the publishing industry, her life, her loves, her joys & sorrows. She is an amazing & moving speaker. She now has come out with the second BOOK in the Where Women Create line, is very involved with all aspects of the magazine, has a grueling travel schedule, is planning her own major EVENT this fall, & takes care of her elderly father. And she does it all with Grace, Witt, Knowledge, Humor, Style, & on & on.... But most of all she does it with a beautiful smile that comes from her HEART! If I had to choose a hero... Jo I'm glad I chose you! If you ever have the chance to see JO in person GO! Buy her books they are amazing & don't miss a magazine. Now come meet the other sides of Jo my friend.
Here we are on opening night. That is the travel jewelry box I gave her as a gift.
Here is Jo signing books for Sylvia & Cathy as precious Tiffany looks on. Yes, I got a signed copy of Jo's book for my collection.
Here is another side of Jo... FUN!!!! This lady has a FUN streak a mile wide in her soul. That's her dress up for Vendor night where she again signed books.
The Ladies of the HOUR!!!!! Jo & our AMAZING HOSTESS JENN! This was the opening night dinner. Jennifer Hayslip put this entire MAGIC EVENT together & did it FIRST CLASS ALL THE WAY! Hats off to you Jenn! And I can tell you that I will never hesitate to put my money down on anything this GAL does in the future. She is cute as a BARBIE DOLL, sweet, generous, talented, & a true southern BELLE! THANK YOU Jenn for my first big Art Event experience. I LOVED IT!
The AMAZING FOUR!!!!!!!! Jo, Jenn, Tiffany (teacher & right hand for Jenn) & Christine (teacher & left hand for Jenn). Don't they look adorable for Opening Night?
My buddy Christine in front of the Sweets Bar. I met Christine last year at the Shaker Doll Class I took from Diana Frey in California. She was amazing then but, I didn't have much time to spend with her. But, then I found her blog & we started communicating & found out we both LOVED & LOST our Shetland Sheepdogs. A bond was made for sure. SHELTIES RULE GIRLFRIEND!
Christine, Jenn & Tiffany on Vendor Night. Aren't they BEAUTIFUL in their finery? The choices for the outfits shows the artistic soul of each. Each unique & special in her own way. BEAUTIFUL GIRLS!!!!! I think each of you has silently challenged me to up my game next time. To not be afraid to play with different looks for individuality. Take the challenge with me!
IT'S ALL IN THE SHOES! Yes, even in their choice of shoes... art,style, & individuality rules. Hmmmmmmmmmmm I sure wish I could get the same look with my big boats... hee hee (for those of you that don't know me personally I am 6 foot 1 inches & tall & not a size 6 shoe but, hey we gotta go with what GOD gave us right????)
Here's Jo & Jenn on the ART EVENT Day at Ford's Plantation. That's day THREE of the event & Jo (the key note speaker) is still with us. Seeeeeeeeeeeeeee what I told you... no in & out for this LADY! She helped, visited, served cupcakes, laughed & spent every minute of the event with us. Truly a GIVING & GRACIOUS SOUL!
Didn't I tell you Jenn was like a beautiful BARBIE DOLL? Here she is the day of the Art Event at Ford Plantation. LOVE YOUR DRESS JENN!
This was her beautiful feather hair decoration for the day. LOVED THE COLOR!
Tiffany............ where do I begin? AMAZING!!!!!!!!!!! SWEET!!!!!!!!!!!!! Heart of GOLD!!!!!!

I had never met Tiffany before. She has the most gentle sweet spirit. She was everywhere doing everything. Teaching her amazing class(THANK YOU IT WAS WONDERFUL), visiting, helping, but most of all taking the most amazing photos. She is a professional photographer & does amazing work. Go visit her photography site to see. She took MANY of the photos at this event & has been so generous in sharing with all of us. Tiffany I hope to see you soon at another event & hope that we remain friends & I get that visit to Seattle to see you that we talked about. HUGS!
Oh sweet Christine! One in a million! CUTE AS A BUTTON! AND MEGA TALENTED TOO!
Sketch pad in hand just sitting & drawing as Tiffany was teaching her class. Remember in another post I shared that Christine has a lot of experience in fashion design, set design & many other creative past experiences.
The finished piece in no time at all!!!!!! AMAZING!!!!!
This is the T Shirt that Jenn gave to Tiffany as one of her THANK YOUS The photo is the one that is the header/banner on Tiffany's blog. Adorable shirt Jenn & Tiffany I LOVE that picture!! Again, it shows your creative, bubbling spirit.
Tiffany & Jo! Oh sweet friends I will miss you all & think of you often. Thank each one of you for sharing your talent, beauty & hearts.
My HERO with her arms thrown open to welcome her next adventure! Or maybe just so happy (as was I) to have been there.


I hope you have enjoyed my sharing this amazing event with you. I'm sorry it has taken me soooooooooo long to get it all done. I know some of you have seen some of the other girls memories on their blogs but, it has taken me awhile to get caught up with life & get all these memories posted. Now we will be on to other things but, I hope you felt like you got to go to Savannah with me to be a Belle at Petticoats & Parasols.

Thanks Jenn for your vision & seeing it into beautiful completion.

23 comments:

Pat @ My Tattered Elegance said...

Thanks Charlene for taking us on your trip. You always have such wonderful pics and glorious descriptions. I really feel as if I was there. So glad you are getting to fulfill your dreams traveling to all these wonderful craft gettogethes. We can all see the pleasure you get from all the talented artists. You go girl and go as much as you can.
Hugs, Pat

shabbyscraps said...

Charlene, what can I say that you really haven't said aobut this amazing weekend we shared together?? The only thing that I can say is you are just as sweet and talented as any one of us teachers, and your smile lights up a room for sure. You are so sweet and quick to friend, and I love that about you. We definitely will be seeing each other soon, and keeping in touch in the meantime!
xoxo, Tiffany

Blondie's Journal said...

Charlene~~~~

Your post is bursting with enthusiasm and happiness. I can tell that you were overjoyed to attend this event and meet Jo and her assistants. And I enjoyed hearing all about it. I have to look for the magazine, of which I have heard so many good things about!

xoxo
Jane

"Create Beauty" said...

What an amazing event! And new girlfriends too!!! Thanks for sharing so many fun photos!!!
~ Violet

Raspberries and Rose Petals said...

Hi Charlene! Thanks for stopping by my place today! Was so good to hear from you!

Looks like this event was a once-in-a-lifetime thing! How enchanting everything looks! I didn't see any pictures of your creations (unless I just missed them?) - will you be showing us soon???

Nan said...

Wow another great event for you ladies. I have never know anyone to have so much fun going to so many different fun events.
Take Care Nan

DeeDee said...

So happy you have shared with us....what an event I so wish I could go to...I would stick out like a sore thumb wiht these beauties I tell ya...so glad you went Charlene..

FILIGREE MOON said...

Charlene...I do feel like you took us right along with you! I have enjoyed each and every post about this fabulous event. A wonderful group of ladies relishing all that is Southern! Thank you so much for sharing. ~ Angela

Hearts Turned said...

Oh, Charlene...what fun! I've so enjoyed all the photos of your magical time in Savannah...thanks so much for sharing this with us!

Hope you're having a wonderful night, my friend...

Jennifer Hayslip said...

Charlene...WOW!!! What an amazing capture of our weekend together. Im totally *blushing* over all your super kind compliments. Im just tickled and overjoyed that you took a leap of faith in me and my event and became a Southern Belle for the weekend. I deeply enjoyed getting to know you!!!! You are a sweet sweet soul and Im honored to call you my friend! I look forward to a long friendship and many fun eventful times ahead. Love to you! XOXO,Jenn

Lynn said...

Wow Charlene, that was an awesome event. I remember Jennifer, her home was featured in Romantic Homes at least once. Jo looks like a fantatic speaker and person. I so envy you (in a good way) because that is one thing I loved to do was go to events and hear inspiring speakers. Sadly, sound sytems do not always provide clarity I need to understand so i have not done these type events much in the 24 years since I lost my hearing. So I love seeing all this through your eyes. Fantastic! Thank you for sharing with us.

Honey Lamb and I said...

Charlene you are the kindest person I know!!! You are definitely a word smith too! I love the picture of you and Jo. You look beautiful in it!! Cannot wait to do it all again someday with you my friend! Love, Shelley

Linda @ Itsy Bits And Pieces said...

Charlene~ thanks so much for sharing all your wonderful photos and memories...it was like being there!

Monica said...

Oh Charlene, I'm in LOVE with this post of yours! It's so bubbly and fresh. By the way, I have Jo's book, and I adore it.
Hugs,
Monicax.

Debby said...

Thanks for sharing these amazing pics. This was such a special time and I have enjoyed seeing everyone's photos.
Debby

Joanna said...

wow, you took a ton of pics! Love looking at them... reminds me of the event.

I'm charged up again & ready to create, how 'bout you?

hugs, Joanna

Jodie (everything vintage) said...

Hey Charlene!!!!
Wow girl, you really summed up the weekend beautifully in each one of your Savannah posts!!!
Well, I have NO shame and I will tell the world that I'm Jo's number one groupie, fan, stalker, etc. Yep...sure enough!
haha
Counting down the days til Paper Cowgirl...it's so fun to have something to look forward too, right?

Alisa Noble said...

Jo is amazing! The most heartfelt speaker I've ever heard!

Diana said...

Oh, Charlene, thank you for taking me along on your adventure. What an amazing event to attend. I agree with so many here that your sweet soul shines so very brightly along with all the others. Your heart and smile are so big. Such a pleasure to call you "friend".
Hugs
Diana

Holly Loves Art said...

What a great post!! I really enjoyed meeting Jo when I met her at a French General event. She is a very sweet and friendly person. Thanks for sharing all the great pictures!!
Have a lovely day.
Holly

Anne Lorys said...

Hi Charlene!
Isn't Jo wonderful? What a gracious lady, I was lucky enough to meet her in Warrenton.

This looks like it was such an amazing event, I wish I'd been there!

Hugs,
Anne

Lori @ Katies Rose Cottage Designs said...

Charlene ~ those are such beautiful and precious ladies ~ I am adoring all of their sweet feminine clothes ~ I want to dress like that everyday !!
xoxo
Lori

Diane said...

Amazing! I see you had a GREAT time Charlene...but how could you not?
Look forward to seeing you in a couple of days....Hugs!
diane
xoxox

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