Spraguefest, 2011--Las Vegas (First Impressions and Opening Reception, 10-7-11))

I'm a member of an online digital scrapbooking community at http://www.jessicasprague.com/.  Well, it's more than simply a digital scrapbooking community.  Jessica Sprague has gathered a team of incredibly talented teachers and designers to help people improve their skills in photography, photo editing, crafting, designing, and scrapbooking.  I signed up several years ago when a class that was normally $13 went on sale for something like $6 (Yep, I was a big spender).  My kids were getting older, and I needed some kind of an outlet for me, but something that would make me stretch my skills and knowledge.  I had no idea at the time what a profound effect that decision would have on my life.  Now I find myself studying photography and photo editing, working as a teacher's assistant to the incredibly talented Candice Stringham (http://candicestringham.typepad.com/), and helping around the Jessica Sprague forums as a mentor.  Not only that, but my kids are learning so many of these skills alongside me, and their study habits have improved in school because of the work they've seen me put into my own classes.  My oldest daughter has even decided that she would like to study an area of design in college.  All of that has happened to me, and yet I've still been able to focus the majority of my energy into what I love most--being a wife and mother.  I count that decision as a little mini miracle in my life.

Because the community is an online one, once a year Jessica and her team host a real-life meeting called Spraguefest for members to see each other and talk face-to-face.  This year it was held in Las Vegas, Nevada.  Now I wasn't too excited about going to Las Vegas; it's a little too glitzy and noisy for me (and after being there, my opinion hasn't changed one bit).  However, I couldn't pass up the opportunity to meet these wonderful people, so I went.  I'm glad I did.  It was fun to participate in classes and help wherever I could, but more importantly, my respect and admiration for the people involved in the "Spraground" was magnified tenfold.  Not only are those people incredibly talented, but they honestly believe in giving people the opportunity to learn and grow in creativity and talent.  I hoped that I would find that when I left my little family to fly to Las Vegas, and I was not disappointed.

The Flamingo Hotel & Casino, where I stayed.  This is one of the outdoor areas, just outside the conference room area.  There is a lot of pink, including some of the windows.

Yes, even the bathroom has a pink spotlight.  :-)

This was an outdoor habitat with live flamingos and swimming pools.  I never actually made it out there; I just took the picture from the rooftop area.

Everything is bright in Las Vegas, including the airport.  Wow!

Here is the baggage claim, complete with slot machines (upper left).

Even the airport ceilings reflect and enhance all the glamour and glitz.

Here are the illustrious Jessica Sprague administration team members who keep everything flowing smoothly at Jessicasprage.com.  L-R:  Laurie, Tori, Kari, and Kristen.  They are an impressive group of women.