Third Semester Handmade U - First Night

Hi Everyone,

Did your Fall fly by like mine?  I can't believe Thanksgiving is over and we are headed full force right at Christmas!

The other event that I feel is coming quicker than I realize is Handmade U Fourth Semester Spring 2013!!

I feel like we just had our amazing Third Semester which I am going to share about here!  Spring will be here before we know it, and I have secured two AMAZING teachers for two SUPER FUN classes!!  As Handmade U evolves we try new things and keep the fun things you'll remember from all semesters past.  Handmade U will be held at a downtown Omaha hotel this next semester!!  That means just a few blocks walk to the Old Market full of shopping and restaurants!  A quick free shuttle from the airport, and just a fun atmosphere!


I am buttoning up the details and will be sharing the goods with you soon!!  Be sure to write your letter to Santa including your desire to come to Handmade U Spring 2013!!

(L to R: Shelley, Michelle, Hope, Me, and Liesel)

So Thankful for these ladies that helped make Handmade U Fall 2012 so wonderful!!


Now let's remember all the fun we had at Handmade U Fall 2012!  This was our biggest event yet.

Our Welcome dinner Thursday night after our afternoon of Shopping began with Goodies!!  Goodies included a bag of snacks, water, Omaha tourist info for students' stay.  The official Handmade U t-shirt!  A small tote bag embroidered with the student's name on one side and the Handmade U embroidered logo on the other with a fun ruffle at the top (made with much love by my Mom Sara.  Also a Yoyo button name pin!  Of course I must mention the total bag was full of sponsor goodies!!  So much love was shared with our students!!  They appreciated it all so much!

Everyone was excited for the much anticipated classes of our instructors Liesel Lund and Hope Wallace Karney!

  

I was thrilled that Liesel came all the way from Seattle to be with us, and Hope came from Maryland!  Not to mention that this was Hope's first in-person class to teach!  Both did such a great job!  More to come on the classes....

First Dessert....

YUM.  Nothing Bundt Cakes!!  So good.

Next we had Make and Take's.  My 3rd semester Alum and some of my favorite people helped out with the evening activities.

Michelle Geller, a two time Handmade U Instructor herself, taught a cute little journal that some of the girls used to track the weekend fun.  

At the next table over Shelley Overholt, a girl of many talents, showed us how to make her favorite Hexi's.  

Such a cute little bracelet!  This one takes a bit of patience and time, but well worth it!!  

Off to Bed for our students, and onto decorating the Class Room for me and a few elves ;)

More to come on the weekend.....

Be Inspired,

Rach

Handmade U - Sponsor #16 Lisa Leonard

Hi Everyone,

Handmade U is only weeks away!  The excitement is building and preparations are in a frantic swing!! I was away on a work/vacation trip and am home to forge ahead to complete all the final tasks for the fun weekend to come!

I wanted to introduce you all to Lisa Leonard, today's sponsor!  Lisa makes beautiful and meaningful jewelry that becomes your go-to piece day to day, but special enough for a fun event!

Lisa has sent us a beautiful necklace that one lucky lady will win during Handmade U!

Please check out Lisa's blog where she shares about her sweet family and her day to day style, (which is fab!).

Also be sure to check out her shop HERE!  Sign up for her daily emails and receive a coupon code for a percent off your next purchase!!  How awesome!

Thanks so much Lisa for supporting Handmade U!!

Here is one of her gorgeous pieces!!

-Rach

Handmade U Sponsor #15 - Sherri Welser!

Today's Sponsor I am happy to announce is Sherri Welser of Indigo Earth.  Check out her blog HERE!

Sherri makes beautiful leather wrap cuffs, beaded bracelets, beautiful artwork, all kinds of wonderful things!!

In her words " “I love to be creative and it is important for me to help provide inspiration to others through my work, You will often find inspirational words or quotes in my artwork with lots of color and texture. I currently am on several Design Teams and love sharing with others. I also have an online art workshop starting on September 12th- Embrace the Art Within Your Heart”

Check out Sherri on her website or blog!

website- www.indigoearth.artfire.com

Blog-http://indigoearth-indigoearth.blogspot.com/

Thanks Sherri!!!

Rachel

Handmade U Sponsor #14!- AcornRidge Quilting (aka my MOM)

Hi Everyone,

My Mom, Sara Velder, is once again helping support Handmade U this Fall Semester.  She is making a fun door prize to be given away!

Sara is a talented Quilter, she uses her Long Arm Quilting machine to quilt customer quilts everyday. She has the quickest turnaround that you can find and does a FANTASTIC job!  If you like to sew quilt tops, but want someone else to handle the quilting, Acorn Ridge Quilting is where you need to go!  Check out her blog HERE and her website HERE.  She quilts for people around the country, all you need to do is ship her your quilt top!

Last semester we worked on using an old vintage cutter quilt I had to make these pencil cases.  I love mine!!

Many of her customers have won ribbons in the Fairs that are happening around the State now!  Fun to see!


Thanks again MOM!


Rach

Handmade U Sponsors #13 - Besotted Brands

Hi Everyone,

Today's sponsor is Besotted Brands!  They sent along a fun door prize that some lucky lady will win!

Check out their blog and shop HERE!

From their website here is how they describe their company....so well said!!  Really intriguing!

"Besotted Brand LLC, the illustrious purveyors of fine design, lay claim to a quaint studio under the violet leaves of a Jacaranda tree in the City of Angels. The studio is pure magic; the leaves sweep themselves into the compost bin, pens don their caps like derbies, and the crumpets don’t ever leave crumbs. Everyone knows that for Proprietress Miss B., slipshod and messy just won’t do. "

Thanks Besotted Brands!

-Rach