Haven and Dreamingincolor {Third Time Is A Charm}

Funny how you can do something again and again and wind up with different results. 

That's what happens every year I go to Haven.

I have been going to Haven for three years! The first year I went was the first year Haven was started. I had met Rhoda when we were shooting a pilot for HGTV and she told me about her vision.

I knew that it would be a good fit for me. I had a lot to learn though. I never had been to a blogging conference and didn't know what to do. I thought the vendors like Ryobi, Home Depot, and Kregg were there to sell me something or just wanted my info to send me tons of emails. Boy was I wrong!  I quickly learned that the vendors that came were there to work with bloggers. They knew that social media was the place to put their efforts. Bloggers can really be a voice!

That started a whole new world for me. I knew that season 2 would be making relationships with my favorites. Ryobi being my number one!

Ryobi has been so kind to me. They really want to work with us. They appreciate what we do. They know how to have fun too!

Haven Conference {The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly}

Just got back from the Haven Conference in Atlanta. I spent 4 days at the Hyatt in Buckhead with some of the most creative talented women and (some men) that I have ever had the pleasure of meeting. I am ready to buy next years ticket!

I met up with some friends I regularly talk to on Facebook. It was so great to finally meet them in person.

Kirby, Karen  and Lorraine.. she happened to be my roommate. 

SNAP Swag and Prizes (Part 2)

After a great week at SNAP, I am battling mega sinus crap that is bringing me down. I haven't been able to do much.  I am dragging. I am leaving for Vegas soon and I need to feel better! Remember my New Year's resolution? Trying to stick to it!!

I have given you the SNAP recap and Giveaway from the Queen Bee Market, but now I will show you the SNAP swag and prizes I received.







At registration, I received a stuffed pink bag full of sponsor gifts. Seriously, it was overflowing. At the end of the line there were more things in piles on the floor. Your choice of an umbrella or neck pillow from Ikea. I loved the pretty pink umbrella but it looked like a weapon and I didn't think security would let me on the plane with it so I took the pillow. My travel buddy, Michele, had one so I knew we would enjoy it on the flight back home when we wanted to rest.

Thank God I had it! I was exhausted coming home!

....until the crying babies started on the plane.... Ugh! No sleep for this one!

Yes I love babies. My children are grown and I do remember....but I was tired and this was an enclosed space! So it echoed! Bless there hearts!

ok sorry for the rant...back to swag....you know I love swag....loved what I got from Haven and now SNAP!

I wanted to highlight some of the great things I received. First all the goodies on the business cards like washi tape, candy, rings, pins and bracelets to name a few

Tons of candy

Tons of Swag!

 Shurtek~Duck Tape, 3M/Scotch Brand

T-shirts

Homes.com/Homes for Rent, Family Share, MailChimp

Lowes, Fish Foam, Coldstone, Minwax, Expressions Vinyl, Moen, 

Look at all this scrapbooking fun! Pick Your Plum, Cricut, American Crafts

All this from Floracraft! Thanks Sharon!!

This is always one of my favorites in any size! Thanks Annie Sloan Home!

Lots of Reading material. Where Women Create, Bosch, Moen

I won these items from World Market and a Light reflector from a photography class I took.

This beautiful necklace was designed special for SNAP creating joy. The r House presented this to us at our dinner.

Last but not least RYOBI!! My favorite people! Remember what I won at Haven.

And then I got  this Airstriker nail gun and battery.....well I am waiting for RYOBI to mail it to me!!
I hope to get it this week.

Thanks to Ana White and RYOBI for this one.

I had to take an extra bag to on the plane with me. So many things!

Love all my swag and prizes! Thank you to all the sponsors. I tried to remember everyone.

others were 

Basic Grey, DecoArt, Pollinate Media, Todays Mama, Ikea, Utah Truffles, Rhonna Designs, Very Jane, RFE, Thanksgiving Point

Thank you for making this conference extra special!

AND

Speaking of a Giveaway this one has over $200 worth. Be sure to enter!

ENDS SUNDAY!

Dreamingincolor at Haven

Everyone is jumping on the bandwagon posting about their Haven experiences. It helps when running out of an idea to blog about! I have had a few myself. In a nutshell, I had a blast! I met at least a hundred woman (I have that many business cards) with the same likes as I have. Intelligent talented woman! These woman were eager to share their knowledge.

I came home with bags of free stuff and a few things I won!

 
 Annie Sloan paint and a Ryobi  slide compund miter saw with laser and stand. Can you tell I'm excited?

 One problem! Pictures were mostly taken with my phone. Not good! annnddd they were mostly taken the last day which explains the same clothes in every picture ugh! Not good at all, especially since my Canon Rebel was in the hotel room.

There were workshops about Google Juice, Waterfall effects and the scary "M" monster!!!

There were cocktail parties with signature drinks, girls buying rounds, and  waffles!

Intriguing conversations about wood, milk paint and yogurt!

If you don't get it you will just have to go next year! If you do get it you have memories of laughter and brain farts!

Of course all of this was great but the thing that was most important were all the connections made with friends!

Lots of friend not enough pictures taken! 

This blog thing has turned into quite an adventure! I took off by myself and entered a world that was sooo much bigger than I thought.

I was welcomed in and embraced with knowledge and friendship. Thanks to everyone that attended!

I took a leap about a year ago when I helped Layla and Kevin from The Lettered Cottage, traveling alone to help with a redo in Buford, GA. That is were I met Rhoda from Southern Hospitality and she told me about heading up a new conference for Home and DIYer's. I knew that is where I wanted to be!

So take a chance and get yourself out there! There are so many people to meet and adventures to go on. It takes one step in that direction! The rest is a domino effect!

Where has taking a chance with your blog taken you?