Tidbits and Tassels Deux (2)...

Sincere Warning:

Extremely PHOTO ABUNDANT post!!!

The wrap up of our one-week road trip from New Orleans to North Texas is coming to an end as we arrive at the beautiful home of Chantal Johnson for her Tidbit and Tassels II weekend.

It's hard to believe that it's already almost a month since all of the fun...{sigh}...it seems like only yesterday.

(I'm still pooped out!)

After attending last year's event, it was "a must go to event" for me this year too!

In addition to all of the photos I took of Chantal's studio last year, I took (just a little) more this year...I just can't get enough! It's certainly a photographer's dream!

There were so many platters and dishes full of goodies to run my fingers through...or even scoop it up if I wished!

You know I'm not a fan of glitter, but I just couldn't help myself from snapping a shot of her sparkly arrangements ;)

But the best part about Chantal's studio is that her creations are every where in the room.

Her studio has so much personality, it just screams CREATE!

(if you want to see more of her home and studio, click on the links above in the beginning paragraphs)

I could keep posting lots and lots of more photos but if I did that, I'd never finish this post! ;)

So let's start off with how Chantal spoiled the heck out of us from the moment we stepped foot in her beautiful home...

We were greeted with gift bags made of vintage pillow cases STUFFED with goodies!!!

One bag was personalized for each of us!!!

Her home was decorated so beautiful...I just had to snap a couple of shots here and there.

Then...I finally made it to the kitchen...

I was such a happy potato!

She had a delicious spread waiting for us.

Some wine & cheese...

and brie too!

Fresh strawberries and powdered sugar...yum!

and cupcakes too!

And our main course...sandwiches!!!!

I loved the paper goods..."Good Food with good Friends"!!!! :)

Now, this was a two day retreat and somehow I forgot which meals were in order but we did not go hungry.

Chantal also fed us some awesome Texas bar-b-que too!!!!!

and some awesome dessert!!! yummy!

There was food at our fingertips at all times.

Like I said earlier, I was a happy potato!    :)

Now since I've introduced the food, let me introduce the friends in attendance!

First of all, hats off and MUCH appreciation goes to Chantal and her Mother, Maryse for hosting a wonderful weekend event.

Each taught us some fun things in addition to sharing their home and hearts with all of us.

I tried my hand at embroidery for the first time and I must say, I totally fell in love with it.

I want to embellish everything in sight now!!!!!

This is a sample of Chantal's beautiful handiwork...

Chantal had a wonderful display of pickings for us to play with.

I'm telling you...she really spoiled us!

There was an abundance of thread in every color of the rainbow...

All kinds of fun buttons...

All kinds of lace and trims (including a second pair of eyes just in case you needed them)...

And the cutest of all, she provided each one of us attendees with a clear bag full of embroidery "necessities". So cute!!!!!

Let's meet the girls...

Miss Susie Vergenz of Texas

Miss Jan Armentrout of Texas

Miss Sandy Marotti of Pennsylvania

Miss Yuki Zepeda of Texas

Miss Pam Kern of Ohio

Miss Lisa Phillippi of Texas

Miss Sarah Huckman of Louisiana

And I must not forget to mention two of Chantal's special assistants of the event...

 Little Miss Presleigh

And Little Miss Savannah

Not pictured is Ann Michelle, but you can find her at the bottom right in the group photo below.

So, to make sure you know everyone...

starting from the left rear:

Maryse, Lisa, Sarah, Jodie, Yuki, Jan, Pam

left front:

Susie, Puppy Paci, Chantal, Sandy, Ann Michelle

Whew...it was the end of the day and we were pooped!

So now since you've seen the home, the studio, the food & the girls...I'm sure you want to see what we did all weekend, right?

Okay...but first let me show you some more goodies that Chantal spoiled us with...

These were available for our pickings too to add to our creations as we wished...

and these...

and these...

and these...

and these...

and some of this...

to create some cool stuff like my pocket rendition of my Louisiana soul...

Mardi Gras (the metal mask), Louisiana (the fleur de lis), Cotton (cream pom poms), My Simplicity (blue jeans), My Vintage Side (lace), Magnolia of Louisiana (paper flower), French Heritage (French script stamped background)

I also created a handbag with Italian embellishments, lace and velvet and buttons...

It was such a fabulous weekend of creating alongside of some wonderful artists!

Here are some of their creations...

Chantal

Lisa

Pam

Sarah

It's amazing how everyone worked with the same product, yet so many different ideas were created.

It's like a basket full of pretty!

This was truly a wonderful weekend and also a wonderful 10-day road trip with some of my favorite girls.

What great memories (& laughs) we shared...never to be forgotten!!!

I'm not sure what Chantal has planned for the future, but I for one will be looking forward to another Tidbits and Tassels somewhere down the road...

I hope you enjoyed it too~