Just got back from the SNAP Conference late last night. I can’t believe it’s already over. I was so excited to go and it exceeded my expectations on every level. Let me just say right off that I met so many amazing people and I can’t possible list them all….and I took very few photos because I was so busy socializing the whole time…..so this is just “glossing over” the conference. I don’t even feel like I can do SNAP justice with this post…..but I’ll try to paint a small portion of what I experienced. It was my first real trip away from home since my October surgery and it was the perfect getaway to mark recovery!
The location was amazing: Thanksgiving Point in Salt Lake City (they even had a dinosaur museum…..awesome)
The grounds were gorgeous with tulips everywhere…..
….and the smell of the cherry blossoms carried throughout the venue.
Everything was within walking distance:
This was a brilliant idea….a hole punch and ring was given out to every attendee to keep track of business cards (thanks to Xyron). Each card represents an amazing, creative person who I was able to meet and chat with:
I spoke on a panel called Happy Chaos: Turning Your Passion Into a Business. Moderator Heather of Just Love.ly, and panel mates: Lindsey of The Pleated Poppy, Me, Jessica of Allora Handmade, and Liz of Dear Lizzy, (Thank you to everyone that attended our panel!)
I look so serious…it was kind of a blur so I’m not sure what I said or if it was helpful or not! Reading back some of the tweets afterwards my one story about a potential employee I found on Craigslist stealing my bananas stood out I guess. Ha. Moral of the story: Don’t steal bananas from a potential employer on a job interview.
I know every panel was fantastic but I loved the ones that I went to. If I could clone myself I would have gone to all of them. I got a lot of great information out of the Blog to Book panel. The panel consisted of Courtney of Pizzazzerie, Marie of Makes and Takes, and Betty Wong editor from Potter Craft.
I thought one of the best parts about SNAP was the fact that everyone ate dinner together. It was a great way to meet more people and just hang out without everyone going their separate ways after the panels. It was “girl’s night out” every night!
The Queen Bee Market (organized by Mique of 30 Days) was there…..full of handmade goods. The first night the line to checkout was wrapped around the building! No one could resist any of the goodies….and we all love supporting handmade, right?!
Allora Handmade:
I can’t remember the name of this shop…..anyone?
It was so fun to meet up with other blogging friends that I only get to see in person about once a year! Jennifer of Tatertots and Jello, Me, Becki from Whippy Cake, and Amy of The Idea Room.
More often than not I was star struck….like at the Discovering and Defining Your Style panel. It was packed…..so I snuck in and sat in the front corner on the floor. I was able to get a pic of Ana White speaking when she turned my way. Panel: Ana White, Shelley of House of Smiths, Emily of Decor Chick, and Kate of Centsational Girl.
I got to meet so many people I’ve known forever online….but have yet to meet in person! I finally met my friend Amy of Mod Podge Rocks!
I had so much fun with my friends Amy (Evy’s Tree) and Shari. It was some quality girl time and we had a blast.
I loved every minute of SNAP and it went by way to quickly. It’s so great to be home though. Here’s Boo before church this morning wearing some new things I brought her from the Queen Bee Market: a head wrap by Vintage Rose Wraps and a Cinderella necklace by Creme de la Gems.
I have to say…..I would encourage anyone who loves creativity and blogging to attend this conference next year if they hold it again. There is something brilliant that happens when so many creative-types come together in one place. Tauni and her team did the most amazing job putting together an organized and super fun conference. They did an amazing job encouraging attendees to meet and greet and no detail was overlooked. I was so impressed! Great job SNAP! I can’t wait until next year!
thanks for sharing about snap! i am so sad I couldn’t go but am so happy i got to “live” it through you and the other ladies who posted and tweeted and ig’d all weekend!!!
Choosing joy,
gina
I agree, it was a blast! Loved the venue so much – I went almost as crazy in the dino museum gift shop as I did at the handmade market. LOL!
And it was so fun seeing you, gorgeous girl! You can come steal bananas from my house any time! 😉
Proudly wearing my Choosing Joy bracelet,
Renee
So glad to finally meet in real life. Thanks for sharing about SNAP and glad to know you had a great time. So glad you could come!
I only wish I could have chatted with you more. You are amazing!
Oh how fun! I have to admit, I was having a a bit of “SNAP envy” over the past few days. Hopefully I will be there next year too. It looked like a brilliant time with incredibly lovely people! You know that I would just be star struck to meet Ashley of Lil Blue Boo. 😉
Hugs from Indiana!
Just when I thought I reached the end of the internet you posted this…thanks for introducing me to even more amazing blogs! 🙂
We never ‘met’ during SNAP, but I definitely enjoyed listening to you speak on your panel! So glad you were able to be there, it was an amazing weekend. (When my baby wasn’t cramping my style, anyway. 🙂 )
Hey Ashley, great recap, so wished we could have met! I’m sorry we didn’t get a chance to say hello, but I’m a big fan of your blog and love all your amazing ideas!
Best,
Kate
Great recap! I didn’t take one picture that wasn’t an Instagram / I think I’ll just direct people to your post to see yours! ;] So happy to have met you!
Hi Ashley! It was great to meet you at Snap! Thanks for sitting by me at dinner the first night. Your site is amazing and I have loved reading all about you! Your daughter is gorgeous and so are you!! Take care. 🙂
How wonderful! This looks like so much fun. I am hoping to go to it next year. I’m so glad you were able to have fun and have a chemo break! Yay recovery!!
It was so fabulous to finally meet you in person. Thank you so much for my Choose Joy bracelet. I hope to see you next time!
I enjoyed experiencing the conference thru the wonder of Instagram – but nothing compares to real life! It looked fabulous, and I am sure you sounded positively wonderful!
So glad you had such a great time…it shows on your face! Great pictures! Thanks for sharing your trip!
<3 you are something girl!!!
Ashley it was so amazing to hear you on that panel! You truly are an inspiration 🙂
What a fabulous recap! Your pictures are GORGEOUS! So glad you liked the panel I was on. XOXO!
Courtney, I watched your panel too, you were amazing and your book is unreal and gorgeous!!!
I’m so happy I finally got to meet you. You’re such an inspiration! I think I was a little star struck so I hope I didn’t say anything too silly. SNAP was amazing!
Ashley!!
It was so wonderful getting to see you. I adore you and think you are amazing. Can’t wait til next year. Hopefully we will see each before then 🙂
xoxoxox
Jen
You are SO beautiful–inside and out. I felt so blessed for that quick moment I had the chance to speak with you before you caught your flight home! Fantastic recap and pictures and I should have just given you a free Vintage Rose Wrap when I talked to you! Your daughter looks so cute in one. Thanks for the mention. Loved your idea of collaborating. We’re “in” anytime. xo
ashley, it was so wonderful to meet you and what an honor it was to sit on a panel with you! i am inspired by your journey and the joy that you radiate. i know i’m not the only one who felt blessed just to be near you and feel that goodness rub off a little. thanks for sharing your beautiful spirit!
Wow- how do I follow my sister’s awesome comment? Can I just say ditto to what Jess said? But really- I’m glad I *FINALLY* got to meet you and am so sad I didn’t really get to chat with you. 🙁 Or go to your panel. Sad, sad, sad. (running the market meant I missed out on a lot of the conference fun but it was awesome to be a part of it)
Thank you so much for the sweet words about QBM. Boo looks adorable with the cute stuff you bought at the market.
Hoping we can spend more time together sometime soon. For now- just happy that I got to be in the same area as you for a few days. You continue to inspire and amaze me. xoxo
Ashley, It was a jam packed weekend, & did not have an opportunity to meet you, but next time! I hope lil boo loves her necklace, and thank you for the mention :). Let me know when you’re ready for Belle! xoxo
Can I just say how much I truly adore you? I feel like I say it so much it’s creepy and semi-stalkerish. 🙂
It was FABULOUS to see you again. We need see each other far more than once a year. How shall we make this happen?
It was so nice to meet you! You taught me a lot about my business in your class.
So sad I did not get a chance to meet you … Been inspired by you for years and really am thankful for the wisdom shared in your panel. Hope we get another chance meet!
One of my Favorite parts of Snap was getting to see, friend! The only way it could have been better is if lisa was there! xo!!
Hey Ashley!! I am so bummed we never got to actually talk to each other! Hopefully next year we can make some time. And I am a HUGE fan of your blog and your story. You truly are inspiring. xo!
I’m so glad I got to chat with you for a bit (and cry 🙂 ) You have inspired me so much, and I’m so glad we all got to see you and this weekend.
Great recap!
LOL at the person stealing your bananas!? How strange! What the heck is THAT about!? o.O
Such a great weekend! So glad to see you again and hang out even if for short moments! Your panel was great and I loved all the great info I took away from all the wonderful speakers! So glad to see you! I need to email you a photo!
I love your recap, it’s so great to see the conference from everyone else’s point of view. And I was so glad I got to meet you and Shari and Amy at dinner the last night. You three were very kind and welcoming. I think the highlight of that night was seeing you planking on the table, haha. But don’t worry I didn’t post the picture in my recap. 🙂
I love your recap and fab photos! I also enjoyed hearing you speak! Thanks for making Snap memorable. Hugs from Conroe, Texas
My dearest Ashley, I adore you. THANK YOU so very much for all of your support and love over the last two years. Though it seems every time we’re in the same state there’s a flurry of activity and we don’t get much of a chance to chat, I am always amazed by your beauty (both inside and out).
Thank you for being such a dear friend and a great leader in our community.
xoxo
T.
P.S. Hi to Lisa, whom I missed this last weekend 🙂
I didn’t get a chance to meet you during the conference but I did attend your session and thought you were lovely…and, yes, the banana incident made me laugh!
Thank you for your blog…so many inspiring stories and snippets into your life.
Be well.