This fairytale event has been a year in the planning. It finally came to life in the most beautiful and breathtaking way I could have ever imagined.
Like pages in a Storybook I want to share the details and how the event story unfolds.
The photos were all taken by my dear friend and photographer
Tiffany Kirchner Dixon
There are over 900 amazing photos!!
So many that I have chosen to split the post.
Part I will be the details of the grand weekend.
Part II will be the fun photos of ALL the ladies, candids,
behind the scenes and outtakes.
This post can also be read HERE.
(photo courtesy of Sonia Crouse)
The event kicked off with the Welcome~Vendor Market~
Workshopette Night.
It was held in the evening at The Crest Pavilion high in the beautiful mountains.
I really enjoyed decorating and going all out on the details!
Welcome Table
Lots of sparkles and twinkle lights. It looked heavenly at night.
(courtesy of Sonia Crouse)
Swan name tags
The vendor tables were decked out with the most gorgeous handmade treasures.
Gorgeous tables full of yummies.
Here I am! Anxiously waiting for the ladies to step off the bus.
Jenn & Dee Foust
Stephanie Folsom (my wonderful helper), Natasha, Suzanne MacCrone, Penny Carlson
Karen Hillman was one of the vendors looking so cute and festive.
Natasha greeting the ladies.
How adorable is she???
The bus arrives with smiling faces and ladies ready to play!
Robin holding her magic wand.
Welcome Hugs.
It felt like a reunion seeing old friends again.
Adorable Lorraine Rose and Amy Powers.
Earleen Coburn, Maija Lepore, Annette Schwab
Hope Wallace, Andrea Singarella, Lori Oles
Tiffany and Suzanne Duda
Sherry Williams, Michelle Duke, Kim Caldwell
Natasha, Rebecca Lichtman, Sonia Crouse
Cynthia Vartanian who I was so happy to see.
I love how so many of the ladies got into the festive spirit.
The always adorable Sherry Williams.
Deborah Cashwell looking so lovely wearing her fairy laurel.
Shelley McNair Burgess the beautiful fae.
My fabulous online friend Claudie Frid who I was dying to meet, made the special trip from Canada to be with us.
The ladies shopped, dined on fabulous food and spent the last part of the evening taking mini workshop classes from Karla Nathan and Lori Oles.
Woodland Fairy Garland close-up.
Lori teaching and showing the "how to's"
My adorable big Sis Jessi. Looking gorgeous as always!
Karla taught her Prize Ribbon Sprite class immediately after Lori's.
I adore how Karla gave every kit a different Fairy name.
The evening was a fabulous night and the perfect way to start of our weekend together.
(photo courtesy of Sonia Crouse)
This is where creative magic happened.
At the gorgeous Claxton Farm.
The venue is not only breathtaking while surrounded by the mountains but it's also a very calming and peaceful environment.
We felt secluded and in our own little world.
With the help of my dream team of ladies they each physically helped me set everything up and turn the venue into a dreamy Neverland.
Lori and Karla are not seen in the photo but were very much included in the set up.
I am grateful for their help.
We transformed the barn into a fairytale heaven.
Natasha hand painted this stunning Dream Banner.
Our amazing view from the inside the barn.
I put alot of time into making the small details. I personally find it's the
little details that make the big impact.
Karla Nathan handmade wee little mushrooms for the centerpieces.
So whimsical and beautiful!
Instead of numbers I labeled each table with a fairytale name.
Unicorns, Woodland Fae's, Fairy Godmothers, Water Sprites, etc.
So cute and fun.
I made a grapevine wreath chandelier for the center of the barn.
Beautiful Sponsor bags were made with the help of Lori Oles.
White Chocolate fairy molds made by Cynthia Vartanian.
Welcome Table
Fairy Crossing sign by Karla Nathan
Once all was decorated and set it was showtime!!!!
The first guest to arrive was the super sweet Cathy Edmondson.
Deborah Cashwell
Sylvia Cruz Smith
The day was spent crafting their hearts out and creating the most beautiful projects.
The instructors each did a fabulous job of teaching.
More wonderful photos to come soon!
Throughout the day there was plenty of opportunity for photo ops.
Most of the adorable fun photos will be shown in Part II. However, I'll share a few with you now.
My sweet hubby helped me build and put this photobooth together.
Here the instructors Dee, Natasha, and Andrea show off their projects.
Dream Cloche Fairy, Midsummer Mobile, Trinket Trio-ette
Amy, Lorraine, Betsy
Super cute Claudie
Rebecca, Cheryl, Dee, Grace, & Natasha
During the event I raffled off amazing gifts from gracious and lovely sponsors.
How adorable is this sign?
As the sun went down and the ladies grew a little more tired. I decided to crank up the fun with music, dinner, and drinks!
It's 5:00 in Fairyland!
Karen France and Karen Hillman patiently waiting.
"Hmmm...which one taste best?" says Natasha.
The green apple!
The barn was glowing with candles and twinkle lights.
A picture perfect setting!
After dinner the music really got cranked. Ladies parted the tables and started dancing. It was a hoot to watch! Im pretty sure Tiffany has video. hee! hee!
While some ladies were dancing...other's were enjoying the starry night and roasted smores over the firepit.
It was an incredible ending to an AMAZING day!
More photos to come soon.....
Our Saturday started bright and early with our tour of Biltmore Estates.
(photo courtesy of Sonia Crouse)
Fresh, Bright-Eyed ladies ready for the tour.
Unfortunately were unable to take photos of the inside, but we did however get a few photos at the winery.
Naturally our group of ladies gravitate to the pink label wine bottle.
Becca Wine Tasting
Shortly after our tour of grand Biltmore we took the 2nd part of the event day to downtown Asheville.
A quaint little bakery shop called Bake It Pretty
for the Gift Swap Exchange Party.
The space is owned by the beautiful and lovely Amanda Krueger.
You can visit her Shop to order baking goodies and supplies.
The shop is now selling yummy pies!
The inside is small and sweet as can be!
Amanda was so thoughtful and kind to make us mini cupcakes to enjoy.
The bakery is cozy and quaint and boy did it fill up fast with ladies,
gorgeous handmade swap gifts, laughter, and tons of "ooooh's and aaaah's".
Priscilla busting with happiness over her fairy laurel.
Valerie's Chanel crown made by Priscilla.
Cheryl super giddy.
So cute! Looks like she's been crowned Miss Fairy USA!
Adorable sweet Tricia admiring her fairy shoe.
Andrea wearing the fairy laurel Amy Powers made her.
Sweeeet!!!
Tracy & Sylvia
Karla the Swap Hostess
Heidi & Grace
Shelly looking lovely wearing her crown.
Beautiful aprons created in Karen France's Apron Swap.
Jeanie and her precious fairy house.
Beautiful details from the various swaps.
Darling fairy shoe made by Cathy Edmondson.
Darling!
A few fun shots of the ladies.
Darling Cynthia.
Susan Hoff
Natasha and Jessi.
We had a festive time at the bakery exchanging swap gifts.
Our evening ended with a relaxing night out on the town.
Enjoying dinners and the festive downtown scene.
It's never easy having to leave and say our goodbye's.
A few tears are shed, and hugs abound.
The weekend comes and goes lightning fast.
A year in the planning flashes in the blink of an eye.
I reflect on the weekend with great pride. Pride for the vision and hard work that was brought to life. Pride in the gorgeous projects the ladies tenderly made. Pride in seeing old friendships come together, and new friendships so lovingly made.
This event would not have been possible if it were not for the ladies who signed up and traveled from hundreds of miles away.
Once Upon A Dream honestly far exceeded my expectations. It was more perfect than I could have ever hoped for. The weekend will forever hold a lasting memory in my heart.
I appreciate you for supporting me in my dreams and enabling my visions to come true.
Thank you from the bottom of my heart.
