Friday, October 23, 2015

Five for Friday

1. So, I had a fabulous time in Minneapolis last weekend!
I traveled there with 38 women from my church to attend the
Women of Faith Conference: Loved, the Farewell Tour.


 We got there Thursday evening, which gave us a free evening at the Mall of America.
I bought this top in black, & a short sleeve orange V-neck from Macy's.
I also picked up these cowboy boots for Sage -- who loves them!
(I'm bummed that her feet are now bigger than mine, so I can't borrow them.
They're pretty cool...)

 The next day, we had our bus driver take us to the Eagan Outlet Centre
-- what a great mall!
Originally, my best friend and I were only going to shop there for the morning
and return to the Mall of America, but by the time the bus was suppose
to take us back, we were only in our third store! LOL!
So, we stayed there for the day.
I got a sleeveless top from Banana Republic and a black puffy, hooded vest
for Sage, as well as a pair of jeans and a few tops.
But the best deal I got was a new winter coat from Calvin Klein!
It's nice, looks warm and it was regularly $340, but with all
the discounts I got, I ended up paying $138 -- and there's no tax in Minnesota!
Sweet!

2.  The conference was very good!
Once again, I started crying during the first song.
(Something about this conference has the same effect on me as a flashmob --
I just get all teary! It's crazy!)
There were so many great speakers who make you laugh, but also make you think.
I bought this book by Glennon Doyle Melton and I am determined to read it.
(I tend to be more of a fiction reader than non-fiction.)
I'm also determined to tell my story.
I'm not sure what exactly that will look like, but it will probably happen here
on my blog, so stay tuned.... ;)


3. Another highlight of the concert was seeing the band Building 429 play.
I decided to buy their CD for Austin and a T-shirt for Jonah.
Then, I realized that they would be signing autographs,
so, knowing how much Austin would love to have it signed,
I stood in line for 45 minutes to wait.


They said we couldn't take photographs with the band,
but I noticed a woman a head of me get one.
So, while I got this nice shot of the lead singer,


I decided to ask if I could get a photo with him.
He said, with a very nice smile: "Well, we're not suppose to take photos."
"But that woman ahead of me got one," I replied.
"Well, we make acceptions for family," he said.
So, I said: "But I'm your sister in Christ."
He smiled and said: "Well, that's true. How about a hug instead?"
"Sure!"
He was very sweet, as was the rest of the band members.
And the CD is great, too! ;)


4. We got back late, late Saturday night, like after 1am. 
Sage and I drove to St. Francois Xavier on Sunday afternoon to this lovely old church.
(Look, Sage is wearing her new boots!)


There, we got to watch Austin perform with the Central Manitoba Youth Choir.


They had actually taken the stage a little early, because their choir manager had read the time wrong.
They decided to wait until 3pm to start, so I asked: "Can we take some photos while we wait?"
So perfect!
And their performance was amazing!
Laughter, tears, wonder and chills..... it was so fabulous!
I'm so glad Austin could be a part of such a talented group & 
have such a great experience touring with them!


5. Lastly, I have a card to share that I made using some Reverse Confetti products

Now, I probably should have made a Halloween card for this challenge,
but I made a thanksgiving one instead....
I was inspired by the owl on the perch, the woodgrain & the fun foliage.

I decided to use my Pumpkin Patch stamps & coordinating Confetti Cuts.

Fusion All Hallow's Eve Leigh Penner @leigh148 @reverseconfetti #reverseconfetti #fusion #cards

I started by inking the back of my white cardstock panel with some
Altenew Frayed Leaf ink.
I trimmed a piece of Crate patterned paper to create my shelf.
I stamped my leaves (from Pumpkin Patch) on my background and onto diecuts,
using a rock 'n roll technique with Frayed Leaf and Altenew's Forest Glades.

Fusion All Hallow's Eve Leigh Penner @leigh148 @reverseconfetti #reverseconfetti #fusion #cards

I repeated the same technique on my pumpkin using
PTI's orange zest and terracotta tile inks.


 

Thanks for looking!

11 comments:

Svitlana Shayevich said...

Your weekend sounds like a lot of fun!
Pretty card! So clean and bright!

Jennifer K said...

It sounds like you had a great trip! I really enjoyed Carry On, Warrior by Glennon Doyle Melton. We part ways on a few things but by and large, I really resonate with what she says and what she does.

How far are you from the cities? I'm about 4-5 hours. Maybe someday we could meet there. :)

Anonymous said...

Sounds like so much fun Leigh!!! A great weekend! I love your card, its fantastic!

Megan Carroll said...

I loved hearing about your trip and your shopping. Of course your card is great too! Have a great weekend!

Marisa said...

I really do need to attend one of their conferences! Have heard so many good things about them and they do come to Seattle which isn't too far a drive. Well done on the photo ;) Great band with some great songs.

Lynn said...

What an absolutely wonderful week. So many cherished memories. I look forward to hearing your story Leigh. You are a beautiful woman. Of course I love the pictures of Austin singing too! Your card is fabulous. We're so glad you could join us at Fusion!

Sandy Kay said...

I was at a simulcast today for WOF and it was the farewell tour. I laughed and cried! That Luci Swindoll is a riot! (Welfare tour - lol!) I loved them all!

Audrey Pettit said...

Such a great post, Leigh! Love hearing about your amazing adventures with your women's group and Austin's choir group! And what a gorgeous Thanksgiving card!

Greta said...

Love the pumpkin stamp set & your card is just beautiful!

cm said...

Leigh, what a fabulous weekend you had and your descriptions of what you did and who you saw - in both words and photos - made me feel I was alongside you! Oh how I wish that could be 'reality.' The conference sounds powerful, reflective, rejuvenating. A wonderful spiritual boost. And your shopping: WOW on the purchases (especially the coat! Score!). The story about the band and photos: fabulous! All in all, a 'priceless' trip! You sure didn't have much rest time before heading to the lovely church (and yes, those are a smart pair of boots Sage is sporting!) to listen to Austin's performance. Heavenly! I'm looking forward to 'your story', Leigh...I know it will be touching, enlightening and engaging. After all of your adventures, this card is perfect! I'm grateful YOU shared them with us!
Hugs~c

Bobby said...

What a weekend, Leigh. I envy you going to the Women of Faith conference. I went a number of years ago in Detroit and it was fabulous. Then throw in good shopping and going to hear Austin sing. Things you've never forget. I think the sentiment on your lovely card says it all.