It's almost time . . .

JUNE 5-6 Spokane Fairgrounds, Spokane - WA

Find Tippy Stockton @ Booth #128 - Bay 1

So a few months ago I let you all know that I was going to take the plunge and be a VENDOR at the Farm Chicks Show in Spokane. Well, time flies when you're having FUN, and this event is just two short weeks away. My absence from writing on my blog is telling . . . I've been spending nearly every waking hour in my Studio getting ready. If I have time, I will give you a sneak peak of what I'm doing, but for the uber-curious, you'll just have to come to Spokane to check it out. I will be posting the official map for the Spokane Fairgrounds as soon as I get it in my hot little hands. But to curb your enthusiasm for all of those who have been to the Show and kind of have a lay of the land, I'm in Booth #128 in Bay 1. You'll find me next door to "RETREAT", my good friends Deb and Bob. Yes, we will be under the "big Taj Ma Tent". I can't wait!

Oh, and speaking of RETREAT . . . well I have just committed to Deb and Bob's Show in Camano Island on June 26, and the Autumn Retreat on September 18. So for all of you who can't make it to Spokane, no worries!!! Deb and Bob have a lovely setting up in Camano Island. It's gorgeous. More to follow about this show.

So, duty calls . . . off to the Studio. Need to knock a few things off my list today.

Badge Blabber . . .

So, when I decided to go the Mary Engelbreit Workshop, one of the fun things that was asked of all of us was to design and create a name badge for the "meet and greet" evening on Thursday night. Of course, I procrastinated. Cindy and I met for a few hours one morning in my Studio to craft our badge. The glitter was flying, the tinsel was everywhere. I had an idea of what I wanted my badge to look like, but getting it put together was another story. I even had John in on all the fun. Obviously since I make jewelry, it had to have some bling, and I really wanted it to be a necklace rather than a pin-on badge. I knew that this thing was going to heavy after I got through with it. That's an understatement!!! Let me just say that I was quite pleased with myself after I finished it. Getting it to St. Louis in one piece . . . gads!!!

Since only the big "P" was on the front of the badge, I made a pendant that had my full name that dangled underneath along with a crown charm and a bird charm that I made out of resin.

I recycled a pair of clip-on earrings, snapped the back off and used it as the bejeweled crown, and fashioned a paper crown for the little bird.

The Thursday night event was very fun. We got to meet all of our idols including Mary herself. Barbara Martin, who is Mary's right hand gal is a scream. My personal favorite, Matthew Mead was also there with his lovely wife Jenny. Did I tell you, I'm going to be advertising in their HOLIDAY STYLE Magazine due out in October. So we chatted a little about that. Then I shopped the French General table of goodies. I purchased Kaari Meeng's new book - oh so pretty with some amazing projects. Keep your eyes open for some goodies from that! And then the moment came . . . the announcement of the BADGE Winners. Names were called, clapping ensued. Then Barbara Martin says, "Katie Mackey". WHO!!! WHAT??? Yes, got the name wrong, it was me, Patricia Mackey. So there you go - who knew!!!

Can you say HaPpY!!!

What happens when you gather a group of spirited, highly creative, and happy women??? Why the Mary Engelbreit Workshop in St. Louis, MO. That's right! I have waited a few days to post about my most excellent adventure for a few reasons. First, I was completely wiped out from such a creative brain overload, and secondly, I just got my photos downloaded. I will be putting up a few more posts. I have tons of pictures, and some photos to actually shoot of my finished projects that I wanted to share with you.

Let me just say, OH MY GOSH! 130 Women descended on St. Louis last Thursday for the first ever ME Workshop. As we (I traveled to St. Louis with my BFF Cindy - she is the ultimate Mary fan, has been forever) arrived at the beautiful Chase Park Hotel in the heart of the West End of St. Louis, we were overwhelmed by the swarm of women who were milling around the lobby area with their cameras hung around their necks. They were off to the famous studio of our hostess for the weekend, Miss Mary Engelbreit and so were we. As we headed north from the Hotel, we were blown away by the beauty of this part of our Heartland. Old architecture combined with the eclectic vibe of a little villiage - chic little bistros, a darling cupcake store, a scrumptious chocolatier, and of course a unique Starbucks which coincidentally sat at the base of Mary's Studio. As we entered the Hill Building, we knew right away that we had arrived. Standing in the lobby was a living doll . . . Ann Estelle (one of the many characters in Mary's life). How cute is she???

As we toured Mary's Studio, the giddiness I felt never subsided. As an artist myself, just to be in this most creative place where all the ideas are generated made me quiver! Mary's office was undoubtedly my favorite. You could see that it was absolutely filled with all of her favorite things.

The Studio tour was fabulous; nothing that I had ever imagined, but oh so wonderful! Thursday night was the "Meet and Greet" event. I will write more about that later. I really need to go get some photos taken, but I promise, I will be back with more BLAB and lots more photos! Here's a sneak peek at one of my projects . . . how tweet!!!