Once Upon a Dream... Day One

I was fortunate enough to have a supportive husband who encouraged me to go to Jenn Hayslip's Once Upon a Dream event in Asheville.  I was unsure of what to expect, but my friend Heidi had told me that it was sure to not disappoint.  She was correct.  Jenn's attention to detail was something I don't believe I've ever witnessed.  She would spend hours in preparation, months in advance of the event.  It resulted in an exquisite event.  I'd like to share with you my experience.

We arrived in Asheville, NC on Thursday.  Our first evening took place at the Crest Pavilion.  Jenn had a bus pick us up at the hotel and drive us to this beautiful pavilion.  

The foliage around the venue was breath taking!

Jenn welcomed us with a beautiful entry, which began with Chapter 1...

(photo courtesy of Jenn Hayslip)

(photo courtesy of Jenn Hayslip)


And fairies...


Our lovely hostess, Jenn Hayslip.

Jenn and Dee Foust...

Cindy Craine and Sherry Williams

(photo courtesy of Jenn Hayslip)




Pretty Shelley Burgess...

(photo courtesy of Jenn Hayslip)






We walked up to the welcome table to retrieve our nametags.

(photo courtesy of Jenn Hayslip)

Even the nametag was exquisite.

Remember that "attention to detail" that I  mentioned?  It was dripping everywhere...

(photo courtesy of Jenn Hayslip)

(photo courtesy of Jenn Hayslip)

(photo courtesy of Sonia Crouse)

(photo courtesy of Jenn Hayslip)

Our tables were identified as beautiful chapters...

And our tables reflected the same theme...

(photo courtesy of Karla Nathan)

(photo courtesy of Jenn Hayslip)


Place settings...

We had vendors to sell us their beauties...

(photo courtesy of Jenn Hayslip) 

(photo courtesy of Jenn Hayslip) 

 (photo courtesy of Jenn Hayslip) 

(photo courtesy of Jenn Hayslip) 

(photo courtesy of Jenn Hayslip)

(photo courtesy of Jenn Hayslip)

After dinner, we were treated to a mini-workshop from Karla Nathan and Lori Oles.


This was our Woodland Fairy Garland taught by Lori.

(photo courtesy of Jenn Hayslip)


This is a look at the Fairy Sprite that Karla taught us.  Each of us had our own fairy name created by Karla!

(photo courtesy of Jenn Hayslip)

Tune in for Day Two...  Thanks for reading...

Fairy Shoes

Tomorrow, I am traveling up to Asheville, NC for the Once Upon a Dream, Prarie Fairytale Event that is being hosted by Jennifer Hayslip.  To say that I'm excited is an understatement.  To say that I'm nervous is beyond an understatement.  It is a true art retreat where I will be learning from some very talented women.  Women who have been published in magazines.  Women who get paid for their craft.  Women whom I respect.  Tonight, I made the mistake of checking out some other swaps on some of these women's blogs.  (A swap is when I create an item and someone else creates an item and we swap.)  And I immediately panicked.  I know that "garbage out brings garbage in..."  What I mean by that is if I'm negative about my creations, everyone else will be negative.  However, as much as I know that, I couldn't help but have a little panic attack.  Their items were so gorgeous and vintage.  And I'm just learning to be a vintage girl.  It's new to me.  Bottom line, my panic attack is a reflection on the fact that I do not want to offer someone a creation that is subpar.  Once I calmed myself, I did realize that art is in the eye of the beholder.  My artistic expression is just that... mine.  That is what makes it unique.  So, I'm going to this retreat to learn and to give.  That is all I can offer.  I will post pictures of this fabulous weekend when I return! 

I wanted to give you a look at my swaps.  There are 7 in total and I'll start with my Fairy Shoe swap.  The instructions for this swap were to take a shoe and alter it into something worthy of a fairy.  So, I started with a flat that is glittery and champaign in color.  Don't fairy's like glitter???

It's so pretty, isn't it?

I went to Hobby Lobby and found some fringe that had baubles and pom-poms.  It matched perfectly. 

Hot glue easily attached the fringe to the shoe. 

I used my harvested crocheted flowers that I removed from a skirt I found at the thrift store and...

I paired that with some lace that I cut from another thrift store find.  A beautiful lacy, green formal dress.  I formed the circle that I cut in the shape of a flower and attached it with hot glue to the crocheted flower.  I cut a pom-pom from the fringe and used it as the center of the flower and attached it with hot glue as well.

Next, I felt the shoe needed a little "more"...  So, I went back to Hobby Lobby and found hair ties that were feathery.  BINGO!  Fairies love feathers, right? 

Because the feather was a hair tie, it had a clip.  I just clipped it on.  I thought it was so cute!

What do you think?  Do I have a future in Jimmy Choo Designs?

Thanks for visiting!  I'll show more swaps in future posts.  Please come back soon and check them out.  I'd love your feedback!