Thursday Flight & Welcome Night

I was out the door at 2:45a Thursday morning on my way to the airport with anticipation and heavy luggage! I had a 3 hour lay over in Atlanta which gave me plenty of time to find my gate, relax and read my favorite magazines! In yucky weather, I arrived at the Embassy around 4:30p, checked in my room and went down stairs to take a peek to see if I could recognize any Bellas out there. I introduced myself to several but there was one little group that took me under their wings and took me shopping in Old Town! Thanks Lisa, Cherie and Stephanie!!!!

I tagged along and had fun, it was so nice talking with them. I didn't have a class with Lisa nor Stephanie but I was lucky to have my last class with Cherie. They were soooo sweet to me. I snuck out of shopping a little early to hit happy hour at 5:30p in the hotel bar and that is where I met my sidekick for the rest of the weekend. I met  Sandy! Now let me tell you something about Sandy...this is the only picture I have of her with her eyes open and she's smiling. Usually her mouth is going ninety to nothing or her eyes are closed! (Sandy, if you are reading this, I still luv ya!)

                                   

So after a couple of drinks at the bar, we noticed the time and headed for the welcoming party/class. We were standing around waiting to get in...and there was the cutest Victorian Gypsy standing near us...oh my, she's another Sandi.

                                   

So we all officially introduce ourselves, switched calling cards and headed into class/dinner.     Sandy, Sandi & I.

Pretty tables awaited us as we entered and I forgot to photograph the bags of goodies, I just couldn't wait to dig in...sorry!

We created this cute little kit... And yes, I stitched everything including the bird, p-e-a-c-e, crepe paper, pillow, all of it in under an hour or so. I could have been faster but I was too busy talking! It needs some glitter...hmmm I'll think about it.

Then it was swap time! A mad house of swapping I tell ya. I was in only one swap, the Pearl, Pearl, Pearl swap hosted by Shawn Street. Awesome...truly awesome.

I made these corsages in different colors...

And I received these from my swap partners Shawn, Tiffany, Sylvia, Alanna, & Ms. Franke (taking the place of Stephanie GH)? (Thank you girls!) Sadly, I never got to meet the latter of the three.

I was so exhausted. I went up to my room, spread my goodies all over my table, smiled and thought...how could tomorrow be any better than today? Stay tuned.