Play! in Anaheim

I'm home (& almost rested up) from the BPC Play! in Anaheim event. It was definitely a great way to begin my year of FUN! There was so much FUN and creativity and motivation and inspiration in those four days that I hardly know where to begin, so I'm just going to try to share the highlights (and lots of photos) today.

It's been a long time since I've taken a big trip without Robbie, but he sent me off with his blessing and instructions to have lots of FUN.

And, as is his tradition, he had flowers delivered to my hotel room.

My friend Amy (from Austin, Texas) had called me after I signed up for the event and we ended up traveling and rooming together. [Amy and I originally met through a BPC class and have since visited and cropped together several times.]

When we arrived, we immediately linked up with Blayne (from Georgia), who coached with me in the last Finding Photo Freedom workshop.

And shortly after that we made a new friend, Heather (from Oregon).

We made lots of other friends and met many that we already "knew" through BPC classes during the week, but the four of us hung out together throughout the event.

We got a chance to say hello to Stacy Julian shortly after we arrived, and (of course) she had cute fingernail polish and ....

 ... was wearing her short boots! I was wearing the new boots Robbie got me for Christmas and had to have a photo.

I loved the festive atmosphere of the entire event.

It was FUN to meet the teachers and presenters and BPC team.

I didn't actually create very much at the event because I was busy listening to the teachers and simply having FUN, although I did try coloring these 3x4 Project Life cards by blowing colored bubbles at them.

And I completed the canvas in Tammy Tutterow's class.

We received step-by-step instructions for lots of projects, which I'll be working my way through over the next week or so. For now, here's a look at the new stash I brought home (this includes kits from the classes as well as free product from manufacturers who presented at the Product Playground)!

I stayed for the optional day at Disneyland, and the weather was beautiful (sunshine & 80 degrees)!

In Stacy Julian's presentation at Play!, she encouraged us to cultivate a spirit of play by adding playful activities into our days. One of the things she suggested was skipping, so I took time out to skip with Stacy at Disneyland.

Another highlight was the Thor exhibit, which showcased some of the actual movie props . . . and a visit to the Asgard throne room where we could get a photo with Thor himself.

But what truly made this trip special were my friends (new & old) and the FUN we had together!

When Stacy was explaining how BPC events are different than other scrapbooking events, she mentioned that at BPC we are a community and these events help us get to know others in the community in person and to strengthen and build relationships within the BPC community and the scrapbooking industry - we can always finish the layouts and projects at home - the event is about community and making friends and learning new techniques and being inspired . . . and that's exactly what it was for me!