Back from Phoenix and IAMPETH

WOW!  What a wonderful week at IAMPETH and a great time with BFF, Bernice and her family!  I really had a good time and was so happy to have Kate, Anita and room mate, Sandy, there with me to experience the trip!  We will be giving a program in September on what we learned and experienced at the conference so I can't really give everything away right now with all my pictures, but I will share a few of my finer points and times at IAMPETH.  First of all, for those of you who don't know what it stands for... it is simply this... a Pointed Pen convention.  This year marked the 62nd year so when they formed it, I am sure there were lots more "educators and teachers of handwriting: attending, but not anymore.  The International Association for the Masters of Penman, Educators and Teachers of Handwriting has over 750 members all over the world.  I have only been a member a very short time, but do feel so honored to have this group NOW in my life. I sure hope I can attend more conferences in the future, but in Phoenix, it was just PERFECT! The conference director, Jenny Muffler, had her hands full when she took on that task and she did a wonderful job!  I think everyone really loved the hotel and location!  It was right up my alley and I killed THREE birds with one stone and couldn't resist THIS trip!

In addition to getting to see my BFF and the conference, I also was able to go to a OUIDAD salon and get another great haircut.  I was really wondering if I wanted to get the length chopped, but after looking at the great curls on some of the models in their catalog, I knew that my CURLS would look so much better if I had some of the dry, scragglies removed. I love it!   Bernice got hers cut, too, and it looked MAHVELOUS, darling!  Someday, we will have a salon in Austin which specializes in Ouidad Carve and Slice cuts... but, then all the fun would  be taken out of going to New York or Phoenix for my annual haircut!  THANKS Alberto!

So, the highlight of the conference, I have to admit, was the time spent with Heather Victoria Held. She had all the things I have been yearning to learn.  I love her flourishes and the floral embellishments she adds to her exquisite letters.  The grace and lightness of her work is very appealing to me.   I have been trying to get the lightness of her strokes down as well as the speed, but it takes a long time to be able to even come close to her work.  I know that copying what she does, at first, is the way to learn, so I continue to practice with her handouts and what she taught us.  Sandy and Kate were my table mates in that class, so I am looking forward to seeing what THEY do with it... they are so talented and I'm sure will put their own spin on this technique! Can't wait to see!  There was so much to learn and choose from in the classes and then we were able to actually see the master penman up close, at work both in the evenings and at the Round Robin.  How intriguing to watch the master minds and hands at work.  Michael Sull is just pure amazing!  He, as well as M P John DeCollibus were always available to answer questions and show you what they know. I have never met a more humble group who are willing to give their knowledge and share their experiences.

Anita Davis, Aline Chan, Sandy Odom, Bernice McCulloch, Trish Taylor and Kate Bergquist!

The hotel was great!  We had everything at our fingertips for breakfast, lunch and dinner.... There was a free "cook to order" or buffet breakfast every morning, with a happy hour in the evening which included free drinks and snacks.  Before the conference, Bernice was so kind to take me to the grocery store so we had stuff in the room at lunch everyday. Saved us lots of time as well as cash (that we had to save and use at the "Drug Store"... read on).  I'm glad we thought of that.  At dinner time, we either split something at the in-house Omaha Steak House or went out to eat. Bernice found a great restaurant one night and came to scoop us all up for some great vittles. The place was nearby and called "Richardson's"!  WOW! The Pork Enchiladas were to die for. I even had to go back before I left, with Bernice and family, the following week.

I met so many new friends... of whom I have corresponded on the net, Facebooks, blogs, etc. and some even that we just hit it off.  Aline... pictured here, was so informative and such a great resource that we all just fell in love with her.  We asked her to tag along with us when we went to the Arizona Biltmore as well as dinner a couple of nights.... She sat with us at the banquet on the last night as well.  It was so sad to say our farewell's to all our new friends, but we knew that we'd be in touch!

The whole time, my honey held down the fort with the pooches and kept everything running smoothly. I missed him terribly and wished he could be there with me.... someday we'll go on vacation together again!  Oh yeah.... the cruise... Can't wait....

Anyway.. Thanks to Bernice and her wonderful family for a great stay in the land of the heat! Love you all!  miss you tons!
 

Saying farewell is not fun!  What a guy!  He gave up his room for me to live in while I stayed with them! Love ya, Al.

Ok, this puts it all into perspective.... of how really SHORT I am!  Alec is only THIRTEEN!
What's wrong with this picture... besides all the luggage.. LOL!

Me 'n my BFF since we were little girls.. although some beg to differ 'cause we're "still little"...
Wanna come over to my house and play Barbies!? I love you, Boin!