And we're off!

Registration is well under way...Now it's time to get friendly!

(UPDATED from earlier today:)

We have opened up two great ways to connect with Spark Sisters,
months before the event even takes places! Pre-sparking if you will!

1) We have added a blog frog community to our sidebar. If you are registered for Spark, please make sure to visit our Blog Frog community and make sure to add your blog if you have one! 

2) As mentioned in Nancy's previous post, she has fabulously set up a Yahoo Group, which we recommend to use for exchanging/sharing personal information with each other. The below button has also been added to our sidebar for you to easily click, link, and join our private Yahoo Group.

We promise to bring you information on classes and teachers as soon as possible.  We are working hard to get everything nailed down and planned for an amazing event. EXCITEMENT...the Sparks ARE flying!

Meet Nancy!

Hello Spark Sisters! Nancy here, your official Spark cruise director, um I mean online social director.  OK, that isn't an official title but it sounds good ;) so I'm going to run with it, ha!

For those of you who don't know me, I am a fellow Spark gal who lives just outside of Houston , Texas and attended Spark No. 2 for the first time.  If you attended last year you might remember me; I was the crazy girl running around photographing cute shoes, and “yes” while they were still on fellow Spark sister’s feet, ha!

So, I'm sure you are asking “why are you here on the Spark blog?” Well, I will be hosting the ‘Spark the Event’ Yahoo and Facebook group pages.

What is a yahoo group? It's a place of our very own where we can post messages, questions and even photos to share with each other.

This space will allow us to get to know each other before we get to Spark, which will make it an even more amazing experience!

Are you still on the fence about coming to Spark because you are traveling alone? No worries, you will not be alone at Spark, believe me!

Many awesome friendships have been formed thanks to ‘Spark the Event’ because these are some of the kindest women you will ever meet!

So join the group and you might just find a roomie to share hotel costs with!

Last year a few of us connected via Facebook and some of the Spark Gals blogs and it made it even more exciting knowing we were going to soon be together.  So a few of us gathered for dinner the night before Spark and it was so much fun, we even made a Target run afterwards.

This Yahoo group will be a great tool in setting up a pre-Spark meeting and sharing all the details so that anyone who wants to can join in the fun. 

I am so excited about returning for Spark No. 3 and I hope you will join me because I love meeting new friends and Spark friends are like none other!

Follow the link below to join the official ‘Spark the Event’ Yahoo group and upon receiving your request I will activate your membership.  Having a private group will help insure that our information isn't abused. 

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Sparktheevent/

You can also visit the Spark the Event Facebook Group page at

Hugs from Texas !

Friendship

Yes'm, old friends is always best, 'less you can catch a new one that's fit to make an old one out of.  -Sarah Orne Jewett

So. Have you registered yet?  What are you waiting for?  

Let me guess. You are waiting for your friend to decide if she can go? You can't imagine coming by yourself?

Let me just speak to that for a moment if you will.  

One of the main goals for those of us working on putting this event together, is to bring people together.  We are all hoping to come away from Spark this year with many new friends.  We have formed friendships with past Spark attendees that we cherish.  

Now, granted, Spark is a super duper fun girls getaway. And far be it for anyone to say that you shouldn't come with your peeps.  It's a natural. 

The point is, if you are flying solo, never fear. We will find you. No one is a party of one at Spark.

image by Secondsister

the who

Okay, so we know there are girls out there wondering who are these new partners?  Who will be teaching at Spark this year, and what, pray tell, will they be teaching?

We will be blogging about everyone that will be involved at Spark this year.  We want you to feel like you know us before you even arrive. So subscribe to this blog feed and stay tuned to meet your new friends.

After all, a girl can't just go sharing her spark willy nilly with any old stranger right?

Also, on a technical note, if you have added one of our badges to your website, please repost it.  There was a problem with the link.  Thanks!

Registration for Spark 2011 Now Open!

It's here!  Registration is now open for Spark 2011!

Full Spark Tuition 

$350

FAQ's

What is covered by tuition?

Tuition secures your spot in all Spark courses taught throughout the event.  It also includes lunch and dinner for both Friday and Saturday, snack bar and drinks.  Each student will receive many of the supplies used in the classrooms and lots of other goodies in their grab bags. There will also be giveaways and entertainment. 

Is lodging included?

No.  We have partnered with Marriott and students of Spark will receive a special rate should you choose to stay there. There is a limited number of rooms available so book early. Also, we will be giving you information about a Spark Yahoo group where students can meet each other and find a room mate for the event if you would like to split a room. You will also need to plan on airfare.  Fly into Salt Lake City International.

Can I come for only one day?

Yes. If you are unable to attend the entire event you are welcome to come late or leave early. Tuition, however, remains at $350.

Is tuition refundable?

Yes. There is a small processing fee if you cancel by July 1st 2011.  Partial refunds will be issued if you cancel a registration on or after July 1, 2011 and before September 1, 2011. In such an event, a refund of fifty percent (50%) of the registration fee will be issued.

If you have further questions you can contact meg.sparktheevent@gmail.com.

yo, april...

not to detract from the opening day of REGISTRATION

(see previous post and reserve your spark spot now!!)

but,

i just had to infiltrate the blog

in celebration of one of spark's very own...

april, it's your birthday!
happy birthday, april!

we are all so lucky to have your beautiful spark in our life!

love, alisa and all of your spark sisters

In case you are wondering...

...What Is Spark?

Spark No. 2 photo by Jefra Starr Linn

For those of you who have yet to experience Spark we want to tell you a little about what it is and why it takes place.

Spark the Event is held annually in Utah in the Fall.  It is a two day event where women gather to be creative and gain inspiration from each other.

Classes are taught on everything from felting to jewelry making to digital scrap booking.  Every year the classes and teachers vary.  

Spark No. 1 photo by Wynona Robinson

The Spark partners try to make every part of the event inspiring. This includes the decor and food.  Everything, down to the last detail, is hand picked to create a look and feel that will spark the imagination.

Spark was the brain child of partners Margie Romney-Aslett, Rhonna Farrer and Liz Kartchner.  The original concept behind the event was to create a space where women could gather together and set their insecurities aside.  A place where one idea would spark another and another and so on.  A place to learn something new.

These ideals are still the driving force behind Spark.  Although the partners have changed, we are all dedicated to this purpose.

This year, Spark will be held at Noah's in Lindon, Ut.  The dates are Oct. 21st and 22nd.  Registration opens on Friday, April 1st.

The Spark continues...

Hey Spark Sisters...
It's Margie...
I just wanted to pop in before i leave the country and tell you all just how excited I am for Spark No. 3...
We are planning...
We are making changes...
Finding new ways to be inspired...
New ways to inspire you and that creative spark within us all...
As you can see, there are changes at Spark...
We have a new look...
It's beautiful...
I am so happy with it and it represents Spark No. 3's vision...
As life is about changing and growing so is Spark the Event...
Last year was amazing...
This year what we are planning will be too...
Spark is a different type of event...
It's about sharing your creativity...
We hope to do this in the coming months before Spark No. 3 is held in October...
Just one of the many changes that will be made to Spark...
Another change that will be made this year will be my creative partners...

Rhonna and Liz have been my Spark Sisters...
The idea was generated and created by the three of us...
Three creative women who knew there were other women out there like us who wanted to be part of something creative...
Share our ideas, our talents and our desire to be creative in all aspects of our lives...
As women we all know there is a time and a season for all things...
Right now the three of us are in different seasons...
My children are grown, Rhonna has 3 active busy kids...Two teenage daughters and a firecracker of a son!
Lizzy has just had her 3rd baby...And if you don't know 3 is a kicker...Her little girls are active firecrackers in their own rights! She is a working Mom raising babies...
So this year their involvement with Spark No. 3 will be different...
They will always be part of Spark...

This year my creative partners are going to be...

Christy Tomlinson a dear sister who is one of the most creative and giving women I know...

April Meeker who has been involved in Spark No. 1 & Spark No. 2, April is again another amazing talent and is creative in so many different ways...

And...  Alisa Holland who is like a hidden gem...She is the talent behind our new look and feel for Spark No. 3...

And of course Gladdy aka Amy Dalley will be keeping us fed in style...


With the support of these women Spark No. 3 is bound to be another fabulous event...
More info will be coming your way soon...Registration will be just in a few days...
We as a creative team are beyond excited...
We hope that you are feeling that Spark...
Amazing things are happening...
I for one am grateful to be part of...
kiss kiss
m

The thing about Spark...

The girl was a little afraid of the sparkler.  It was so alive and threw off white hot flashes that didn't quite burn her hand, but startled her all the same.  She stood alone, at the edge of the party, memorized by the radiance. She held it at arms length and watched as the flame dwindled and then fizzed out completely. She instantly regretted not enjoying the moment more. 

She found herself in darkness watching the others wave their sparklers through the air.  They seemed so unafraid of the energy they held pinched in their fingers.  She thought she might give it another try. This time she waved the flame a bit making a figure eight in light.  When the blaze started to die, she was handed another sparkler.  She touched her unlit stick to another girl's flame and with a hiss and a pop, her own stick lit up with a large flourish.  It was exhilarating  to the girl who wasn't used to such vivacity.

This is how she learned to keep her sparkler alive. If you search, you will find a person who's flame is bright and full.  Reach out your hand. They will light your spark.

photo credit 

Spark No. 3

NEW LOOK...

NEW CREATIVE PARTNERS...

NEW WAYS OF SPARKING YOUR CREATIVITY...

MORE DETAILS to FOLLOW...

.................................................................

***photostyling resources used***

floral elements by rhonna farrer

book texture and postcard by fuzzimo

hanky and tape strip by pugly pixel

octobre tag and sign by mellowmint