Gettin' Creative-Creative Estates 2011

When I was young, my parents realized that there was a New Year's eve party hosted in their neighborhood that EVERYONE was invited to. EVERYONE.

They also realized that apparently they weren't anyone, because they didn't get invited.

That would have been an amazing time to feel sorry for themselves, and vow to hate each and every person in attendance. However, they decided to go in another direction.

They started their own party. And tracked down the couple others who also didn't get an invite. They started the reject party.  And guess what? After a couple years......their reject party was the one to get invited to. That was the one everyone wanted to be at.

I think that's what Creative Estates is about. It's gonna be the party everyone will want to attend. Because it's so full of freakin' fun people!

And it's also about deciding that you want to be a part of something. And that you're not going to let ANYONE decide your level of involvement for you.

YOU get to decide how you wanna be in the "neighborhood".  

And guess what, I totally want you to be my neighbor!
(and yes, Mr. Rogers is kind of my hero.  Even if Lady Elaine is creepy.)

So here's my intro into a couple people who moved into my neighborhood this weekend:

After a 2 hour delay, our neighborhood taxi (aka Becki) took us to a top secret neighborhood location.  I have been sworn to secrecy on it's actual location.  (to be honest, I couldn't get you there anyway, without mountains, I couldn't tell whether I was headed East or West)

But you can tell that it's kind of like trim Disneyland....right?  I might have 10 photos of the shelves.  My love for color in a rainbow is kind of intense.

Char {Crap I've Made}   Becca {Blue Cricket Design}   Megan {Brassy Apple}   Amy {The Idea Room}

Kami {No Biggie}  Shelley Smith {House of Smiths}   Jen {Tatertots & Jello}

It was so fun to sit and chat under the mood lighting.  And see how much Diet Coke I could drink without having to go pee.  It's a lot, by the way.

It was our little neighborhood meet & greet.  I might have needed a little "come out of my shell" time this night.

Because, sometimes, in a new neighborhood, it takes a while to feel "moved in".   And that's okay.

(PS....check out Kami's shirt.....you shall see it again.....)

The best moment of my night was when Becca {Blue Cricket Design} decided that SOMEONE ought to bust out the cupcakes already!  It was hard, because it was a TomKat styled event, and it's hard to mess with perfection.  She was proud to get the first one.



Day 2 had some great workshops to attend.  I chose to go to the more blog oriented one and learn from some of my favorites.

My notebook from that class has "stars" on the following:

• Keep your passion
• Have A Purpose
• Be More Collabrative

It also has a note to the side that says Cindy {Skip to My Lou} is marvelous.  And "marvelous" is written in super cursive-ee writing, that I fancied up quite a bit.

And I would also later add that Kim {Today's Creative Blog} does nice things for people.  Whether she's being watched, or not.  And that is a fantastic quality in a neighbor.

Megan {Brassy Apple}   Ellie G   Ashley {Topsy Turvy}

Destiny {A Place for Us}   Jen {Tatertots & Jello}  Ellie G   

Shelley Smith {House of Smiths}   Amy {The Idea Room}

In any neighborhood, you run the risk of showing up to an event with the same dress, shoes, or bag as another gal.   I kind of worried about that, which is why I decided to gussy up my Jo Totes Bag.  

But to be honest, I kind of always dig it when I have a twinner.  'Cause, look....now I'm the odd man out.  No one else is sportin' a black licorice frisbee on their bag.

But that's where I insert the wisdom imparted at one of our panels about "blogging authentically"

There's no competition to be you.

Ellie G   Becki {Whippy Cake}

It's now your official job to tell me that I NEVER like my photos when I make a kissy face.  It's also my sister's job to tell me not to try on stripes.  

Everyone has to pitch in when you're in a neighborhood.  (but how cute is Becki....seriously?)

Allison {A Glimpse Inside}  Ellie G

The thing I love about sitting down with people, is that I learn more about them, and what makes them tick.  Girls nights are always great for that.  {oh....there's that shirt again....}

Kristy {The Diary of Dave's Wife}  Ellie G

The second thing I love is that I got to be in the same room as Kristy's shoes.  And you MUST check out her blog if you don't know what that means.  Seriously?  Whew!

And finally, I love frosting.  And that's not news to anyone.  

(this GNO was amazing, by the way!  Thanks to Steph {Somewhat Simple}   Kendra {My Insanity} and  Kristyn {Lil Luna} for the FANTASTIC party)

Day 3

Amy {Positively Splendid}   Ellie G   Michelle {A Little Tipsy}

I might have been SUPER excited for Amy to move in all the way from Nashville.   In fact, I made her come see me the second she flew in.

Becki {Whippy Cake}    Kim {TomKat Studio}

In my REAL neighborhood, we have this friend, Liz.  We have a game to try and take bad photos of her because she never takes them.  Well, in my VIRTUAL neighborhood, these two should be the subject of that game.  Yes?

And I did inform them that I might be putting this on my nightstand.  Every neighborhood needs a stalker.  And I think I'm it.  

(would an I {heart} TomKat and WhippyCake t-shirt be too creepy?)

Heather {Whipperberry}   Ellie G   Emily {Whipperberry}   Danielle {Whipperberry}

Another thing that's great about neighborhoods, is sleepovers.  And I ALMOST got these 3 to have one.  But I think we were about 3 beds short.  But I did get them to stay and giggle with me and my roommates until REALLY late.

My favorite emotion in the whole world?

Laughing until no sound comes out.

Kami {No Biggie}   Amy {Positively Splendid}   April {Funky, Vintage, Lovely}

I was completely inspired by our first breakout session.
I am taking inventory of so many things.  

• Be realistic about your growth
• Ask "should I add this chaos?"
• You need to achieve your OWN level of success
• Find people to associate with who balance out my weaknesses
• Express sincere appreciation to those who support you

And the second one I attended also filled up pages of my notebook, including:

• You will never regret behaving appropriately
• Figure out what your thing is and do it well
• You don't have to be everyone's favorite blog. (what? GASP! It's truth. It is.)

Megan {Brassy Apple}   Becca {Blue Cricket Design}  

And my favorite thing from the whole conference?

There's enough internet for EVERYONE

Which pretty much means, the neighborhood is big enough for all of us.  So stop being so territorial.  (I also might just break into a version of "There's Room For Everyone" from Pete's Dragon.  It's impressive.  Stop and imagine)

Ellie G   Sheila {Ordy & Joon}

Something about being inundated with beautiful and stylish women makes you really stop and take inventory of YOURSELF.  Weird.  But you can so quickly become a compare-a-holic.  

I loved reminding myself that I'm usually comparing my worst with someone else's very BEST.  And that's not productive at all.  (still....how pretty is Miss Joon?  So pretty.  Right?)

Michelle {A Little Tipsy}   Ellie G   Char {Crap I've Made}

My neighborhood was filled with room 333 and these lovelies.  And I adore them.  Our room is a solid C+.  Nuff said.

Someone is gonna get mad that this post has too many photos.  And I say, "too many photos?  Did you just speak another language?  I don't understand this term."  In fact, this is just the beginning.  I pretty much have a bunch more that I'll put on the Less Cake {more frosting} Facebook Page....all righty?)

Are you ready to move into the neighborhood? C'Mon.
This isn't about feeling OUT OF PLACE
This is about MAKING A PLACE {FOR YOURSELF}

We are in charge of our own destiny.  And only YOU have the ability to start your own party. 

So am I gonna sit at home and feel left out?  Or am I gonna try to host the best party I can?

Well, to be honest as long as there's a vat of frosting, and a pool full of Diet Coke....I'm a one woman party.  
But EVERYONE is invited!