Silver Bella 2009: Wednesday

Silver Bella 2009 was last week and I flew in 2 days early to do some vintage shopping and relax before the "big weekend". So if you are wondering about the titles of my posts...I'm taking you along with me each day of last week!!!!  :)

Thank you for all of your "Welcome Home Wishes" and I'm so happy to be back home and sharing my trip with you!!! I have to say it was a fabulous weekend and it was so nice to meet blog friends face to face for the first time and to meet up with some friends that I haven't seen since last year.

{But I must say that I did not get to meet Robin Thomas nor Marilee in person this year. For some reason, our paths did not cross and I'm so sorry for that. However, I'm sure Robin had her hands full of glitter waiting to sprinkle it all over me so maybe it's a good thing I didn't see her! (just kidding) If you are reading this...know that I looked for you and I'll be crossing my fingers for next time!}

So before I overload you with more photos of gorgeous art, let me grab my camera...

And show you some sights while we are passing some time in Omaha before the big event...

On Wednesday morning, Robin Sanchez and I hit the cobblestone streets early expecting to get some more shopping done but what we didn't realize was that most of Omaha doesn't start moving until mid morning. Nothing really was open so we strolled around taking in the scenery and stopping for coffee and a muffin and browsing some little shops that were open while waiting for Sandy and Pam to fly in.

I love Omaha for it's timeless beauty in the center of Old Market. Cobblestone streets, painted brick, and wrought iron...it all reminds me of New Orleans in a charming sort of way.

In an alley, we found two quaint little shops and made a few purchases.

I could have bought this enameled stove for $195...

Or this one for $195...tucked in the corner in the dark...

OR even this one which I didn't even look at the price...

Because I didn't think Southwest Airlines could fit it in the cargo hold for me. (pout pout)

Then we made it back to Second Chance Antiques again, sitting in the cabinet card section, digging through the delightful photos of whom we call our extended families. (by the way...my extended family has tripled in size thanks to this trip! ;)  I can't wait for you to meet them! (they are still in the suitcase!!!)

We had the cutest four legged friend join us for company...one of four beautiful felines that call the antique shop "home". What lucky cats...don't you think?

Then my cell phone rang and it was Sandy telling me that her and Pam arrived safely and were at the hotel. I told her to come meet us at Second Chance. She was mad because we started shopping without her but I promised her that there were plenty to go around!!! It was soon a hug fest full of smiles as I hadn't seen Pam since last year at Silver Bella. I was soooo lonesome.

After spending hours in that store...my eye lids were getting heavy and I was ready for happy hour at the hotel...time was expiring for me, it was getting dark time!

I made myself a promise that I would stay up past my bedtime (8:30~9:00) and sleep when I got home. Needless to say, I AM EXHAUSTED now!!!  Happily exhausted :)

We headed for the hotel bar which was beginning to be packed with Bellas flying in from all over the country. So we had no choice except to continue the hug fest and we just had a blast! After relaxing in the lobby for a while, two Bellas walk up and sit on the couch next to Pam, Sandy, Robin and I. We asked them what their name was and we screamed for joy when she said her name was Sue E of My Mother's Pearls. I have been blogging with this dear girl and visit her faithfully since she started her blog not too long ago. If you haven't found her yet, I suggest that you stop by...she's soooo talented!!! When I get everything unpacked (if I ever do), I'll show you the enameled charm she gave me. She made it!!! It's too cute!

I'm going to stop here today because tomorrow (which was last Thursday) we'll attend a bus tour hosted by Scrappy Jessi and Silver Bella welcome night. Tomorrow will be full of familiar faces and mucho smiles, pretty eye candy from the places we visited and I'll show you some of my goodies that I got along the way!!!

Oh you want a sneak peak? I don't blame you...I'm so nosey too!

 

*****

Just to let you know in case you are wondering, the very first photo is of a Bella crown. It is all handmade by Debbie Murray and was given to lucky swap partner Heather Ales in a Silver Bella Crown Swap. This gives you an idea of the enormous talent, graciousness and beauty of this art event.

Now don't get bored here...the party hasn't even began to start here. I flew in early just to get some playing done...you have NO idea what's yet to come. The "real" party starts Friday!!!!