SNAP Recap: Insta Style

You wanna know what’s funny about going to a blogging conference?

You haul around your big ol’ DSLR, make sure the card is empty and ready, that the battery is charged…and then you don’t take a SINGLE PHOTO with it.

It makes no sense.  I mean, of all the places in the world where no one will look at me like I’m insane for taking a picture of my lunch…and I don’t do it.

I think some college kid needs to do a Master’s Thesis on this phenomenon.

Because it’s not just me.  It’s almost a trend.

Anyway, all of that to say that the only pictures you get with my recap post are Insta style.  But I guess that’s appropriate for me, right?

SNAP was held at Thanksgiving Point, Utah…right smack in the middle of their annual tulip festival.

While I never quite made it over to the actual tulip gardens with a purported half a million tulips, the grounds had gorgeous flowers everywhere you looked.

Happy flowers against a backdrop of snow-capped mountains?  Ohmyword.

My name tag had a little ribbon on it announcing that I was a speaker.

I felt fancy.

Which then made me all self conscious.  I mean, these people know I’m a complete nerd, right?

Remember my roommate gift?

Well, apparently great minds think alike because this was Meg‘s roommate gift.  Ha!

The conference was great and ran really smoothly (which is pretty amazing considering it was the first year!).

Every session I sat in was informative and well done.

But even more than that, everyone was SO sweet and lovely and kind.

It was awesome to connect with so many amazing women in real life.  All of whom proved to be even MORE awesome than I expected them to be via their online presence.

It’s a strange thing to anyone who doesn’t blog…but to get to hug someone you’ve been “reading” for years is something so special.

It might sound weird, but it is good for your soul to connect with other women for a few days…particularly other women who get what you do, why you love it, why it’s important, and frankly, that it’s totally not weird.  When you say SEO or WordPress or Linky Party…they can say something back.  And not just look at you like you went crazy on them.

And for me, I got goosebumps and teary eyed more than once when someone came up and thanked me for some of the content and guest bloggers/series in this space.  When someone said “I had a stillborn and your series was so incredibly helpful to me during that time.”  I can’t explain to you how that felt.  Not as an atta-girl because Jeannett is so amazing.  No, I want God to get the glory not lame old me.  But to think that, you know, this is worth it.  This is worth my time.  This is worth my money.  This is worth my energy.  I am obeying.  And it is good to obey.

It’s so easy for me to feel like I’m typing in a vacuum.  I sit at my little desk in my jammies at 5 in the morning.  I hit publish.  And SO often I think “What the heck am I doing?!”

God is good.  Always.

Meg, Ethan and I spoke on a panel calling “Blogging for Good”.  I secretly wanted to delete one of those O’s and call it Blogging for God.  And frankly, I think our panel ended up telling that story.  The three of us prayed together before it was time to speak.  Begging Him to stand in the gap for us.  We all cried.  The speakers.  The audience.  We’ve gotten some pretty great feedback and that makes me happy.  Not because I want to pat myself on the back, but because I want women to see that they have a voice.  And it would be a complete and utter shame if they didn’t use it.  Somehow.  Someway.  Because we are called to do it.  God wants all of us.  Even our silly little blogs.

For reals.

Of course, no conference aimed at the handmade/crafter/DIY set is complete without a Queen Bee Market.

Be still my handmade loving heart.

Mique (who I didn’t get to spend nearly enough time with) did an INCREDIBLE job.

As always.  She’s a rockstar.

The attention to detail always blows me away.

Jess‘ logo hand cut into a rubber floor mat?  No problem.

The sheer volume of gear that Lindsey was able to haul across two states?

This girl wins an award for packing saavy.

And perhaps should teach a class about it.

Could this print be more perfect?

All of Lily Love’s prints were so clever and cute…I could have easily taken home a half dozen.

(Psst, she’s having a whopping 50% off any order right now!)

I’ve seen Tracy‘s creations at multiple QBMs I’ve been to over the years and I am always completely and utterly blown away.

Those Disney princesses?  HANDMADE.  No, you guys.  I mean, she literally creates each detail by hand…every little eyeball, every head of hair…

My girls WILL own her stuff someday…they’d try to eat them now…but someday.  Because I swoon every time.

And before I knew it, it was time to fly back home.

Where my goofy kids were waiting for me.

Taken very good care of by my mom.

I can’t wait to go again next year.

Have you been to a blogging conference?  If you haven’t, which would you most like to attend?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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jeannett
I'm a mom to four. A wife to one. I believe in story. I love telling you about mine and would love to hear yours. There's really no sense in wasting our suffering and not sharing in each other's joy. We're all in this together...even if it doesn't always feel like it.
jeannett
jeannett

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Comments

  1. 1

    Ha ha. Totally get the whole insta photo thing vs the big dslr!!! What did we do before the iphone?!?! Oy.

    I am DYING to attend Snap next year. I’ve never really had a strong desire to attend a blog conference before, because overall, the speaker topics never drew me in enough. I knew the ROI wasn’t enough for me. But Snap. Ohhh snap….I wish I had gone. lol. I cannot wait to see what’s in line for next year!
    Karri´s last blog post ..A Heart

  2. 2

    Looks like an amazing time! I’ve not had the joy of attending a super fun blog conference before…to be honest, I’m such an introvert/nerd IRL, that it’s kinda overwhelming to think about! But, SNAP has me totally wanting to attempt it next year. With all the crazy adoption waiting over with {for now…}, I can actually think about planning to go to one! ;)

  3. 3

    Uhm….yeah….I somehow managed to post the WRONG blog address when posting! Oops. See? Nerd. ;)
    JaimeM´s last blog post ..Speak Your Mind!

  4. 4

    Thank you Jeannett for sharing this today – i really appreciate your heart as a mom, blogger and person!

    I am VERY new to blogging and am still finding my voice – no expectations of where to go. I do want to be lead by God in whatever I do – its my main goal in life – to live my best life according to Him and yes He gets the glory – always!

    So I have never been to a blogging conference – would like to think that some day i would but not sure at all which one! So far, I have found blogging fun and theraputic in a way – its weird how I am compelled in a good way to write things and share them and document – I go so far behind in documenting things in my kids lives but now – i just think oh i can post that!

    Anyway – thank you for sharing who you are!

    xoTiffany

  5. 5

    Haha! That would totally be me. Taking my camera and forgetting to take the pictures. But it looks like you had a fabulous time. I would love to go to a conference. What a treat it would be to meet some ladies that you only read about (or stalk, if you prefer).
    Verna Lantz´s last blog post ..You Capture

  6. 6

    Looks like you had a wonderful time. I bet it went by super quick. I love that your roomie got you burts bees too because I loved your comment about how that is in every drawer, nook, and cranny in your house.
    I have never been to a blog conference, but I think it would be fun. I don’t know much about any others so I have nothing to compare what you have shared here about Snap sounds amazing.
    Noel´s last blog post ..Tip Me Tuesdays(and a giveaway)

  7. 7

    Did you know… I saw you speak at Blog Sugar, and I think of you everyday and your wonderful, inspirational message – even if my audience is just my mom and my 7th grade best friend, God wants my blog!
    Kate Eschbach´s last blog post ..Can I show you the yellow trees?

  8. 8

    So fun!

    I like me a good conference. I’ve travelled to two orphan care conferences in recent years–not focused on blogging obviously, but I did meet some people who read my blog on those trips.

    I am actually HOPING (kind of a pipe dream at this point) to attend…wait for it…the Catholic New Media conference in Texas in August. Yes, if my inner-nerd was not being channeled before, it is now! :) I know a couple of the speakers and it would be a super good networking opportunity, and really good timing as my blog has been getting quite a bit of exposure in those circles. BUT travel is just so expensive so I need to get some stuff figured out.
    Brianna´s last blog post ..What I like to do

  9. 9

    Tell us about your adorable green shoes!!

  10. 10

    Ah! I’ve loved looking at all the pictures/updates from SNAP! I went to a women’s college, and so I completely agree on the importance of women (who have similar interest/goals/intentions) being able to get together and share and love and be. Wonderful. I’d love to attend some day :]

  11. 11

    I am going to my very first blogging conferece Bloggy Boot Camp in Philly in just a few short weeks. I’m super excited, nervous, and have no idea what I got myself in to. Your pictures look like you had a blast. So should I even bother to bring my DSLR?? Maybe I’ll just bring my digital point and shoot and call it a day. It takes pretty good photos! Ah a roommate gift. How fun!!
    Mindi´s last blog post ..Friday Favorites

  12. 12

    Love your blog and what it stands for, really wonderful! Ughh I’ve only gone to one blog conference, it was a “Christian” conference that was full of rude people- the people running it the patrons so self absorbed. I stayed for 1/2 hr and left.
    Pam´s last blog post ..Favorite Salad

  13. 13

    I have found since I got my iPhone 4s, I haven’t used a “real” camera once.
    It looks like you had fun. I have never been to a blog conference, but would love to go one day!

  14. 14

    I’ve never been to a blogging conference, but I dream of attending one. Someday:)
    Bloom in the Details´s last blog post ..A Rough Day

  15. 15

    I do that all the time too, carry my big camera and not take a shot. Love the green shoes!! You girls in the States have all the fun, I wish I could attend something like that, or one of the Queen Bee markets…..

  16. 16

    I have not yet attended a blogging conference, but have my sights set on the next Blissdom!
    Heather´s last blog post ..Earth Day Challenge {Heather}

  17. 17

    Never been to a conference. I’m just hoping some people will start reading my blog. I think I’m interesting to read sometimes. Have some good truths and reminders from God sometimes. :) Anyway, just trying to figure it out. No InstaFriday today? No link up? Oh, well. Guess I’m flying solo this week. ;)

  18. 18

    You definitely aren’t the only one! I just got back from a trip to Chicago and I think I took just as many pics with my iPhone as I did with my DSLR. LOL!
    Lori´s last blog post ..april photo a day recap

  19. 19

    J, I am so very grateful that you were willing to come out and join us for SNAP! this year. I adore you!
    Maybe now that life is returning a bit more to normal, I will be able to get back to joining you in instaFriday again. I miss it…

    xoxo
    Tauni

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