This post is sponsored by Bing.
It’s high time for a full recap of the few days we spent in Palm Springs crafting and creating with a bunch of awesome ladies, yes!? Yes! Meet/Make/Do finally happened a few weeks back, after nine months of planning, and I’m excited to give you all a peek into our week! (We’re even giving away three swag bags, just like each attendee got! Enter at the bottom of this post!) And it all began with a swan float…
…ok, it didn’t begin with a swan float
And who was there, you ask?
Ashley | Sugar & Cloth, Brittany | The House That Lars Built, Chelsey | The Paper Mama,
Danni | Oh, Hello Friend, Erin | House of Earnest, Jenn | A Blog Named Scout,
Lexy | The Proper Pinwheel, Melanie | You Are My Fave
Plus Mary to photograph the whole thing, Bing to help inspire everyone and us three hosts, too! We thought this sentiment was pretty fitting…
We held our welcome dinner at Workshop Kitchen + Bar (You need to go there when you’re in Palm Springs!) and it was delish! Kate created some stunning custom menus and place cards for us. She rules. After a long day of travel for most, we enjoyed our dinner and came back and crashed because the next day was when the fun really began!
Ahhh… good morning, Palm Springs!
If you didn’t know what the craft supply closet to end all craft supply closets looked like, this is it. You may be wondering what exactly we were supposed to be doing other than talking shop and enjoying each others company. Well, with Meet/Make/Do we wanted it to be different than most conferences and gatherings. Less structure, more room for spontaneous inspiration. On Thursday morning, us hosts clued everyone in on the supplies we’d gathered and we pretty much told them to let loose! There were no rules, there were no set projects. We wanted to see what everyone would do when they were in the presence of people to collaborate with, and dream supplies to make that happen.
After digging through the supplies, to get the inspiration really kickin’, Katie from Bing filled us in on all the details of Bing’s search engine and tools for bloggers and get some Surfaces in our hands to do so. It’s really quite amazing, I suggest you check it out. The three of us had actually been using Bing all along to help plan our trip, but it was great to use tools like pin from search (Yes! You can pin directly from your search and it credits the source properly!) and the image license filters to get crackin’ on a project! Katie also told us about Bing Rewards, which kind of blows my mind. Essentially, you own points for just searching and you can put those points towards gift cards! Wait, I can buy supplies with points I used while searching for ideas for which I need those supplies. GENIUS!
Once we’d done our research it was time to get our hands dirty! I have to say, this was my single most favorite part of the day. I spent the first hour under a bouquet of flowers for a project Brittni was working on, but when I emerged, I was just in awe! Every person was working on something beautiful. People were collaborating together, cutting paper flowers, creating fresh floral arrangements, painting balloons, fringing crepe paper. When you spend most of your days crafting alone in your apartment, it’s really something to see a group of people doing just what you do, but in their own fascinating way.
While we worked, we all chatted about our processes, our past experiences, working with sponsors, working last minute (turns out we all do it, folks. You aren’t alone!), balancing life, and all those fun things we all want to talk about but don’t often have the chance to!
We ended the day with some amazing projects (which everyone we’ll be sharing soon!), and some invaluable conversations. There’s no guidebook to blogging, we have to write our own! And I think we got a pretty good start here. We also had some pretty delicious pre-dinner snacks…
Dinner that night was spent at the Ace Hotel and hosted by the amazing people at Minted. We made our own tacos and had ourselves a mini fiesta! I’ll be posting all about the dinner soon, so stay tuned for that!
And then folks, I’ll be real with you. Our trip took an unexpected turn. Sometimes things in life are just out of your control, and when we returned home that night, we found that the vacation house had been broken into. Rooms were ransacked and items were stolen from two attendees, never mind their sense of safety and peace of mind. It’s so horrible that people do such things, and that our trip had to be victim to this, but it was out of our hands and time to make a game plan for the remainder of our trip. So after the police were called and reports were filed, we decided a change of scenery was in order and we relocated to The Saguaro.
Now, when all is said and done, there are far worse places to have to relocate to then the infamous rainbow hotel. Despite a rare rainy day to follow in the desert, we spent the day exploring vintage shops, lunching at Jakes (and sampling their amazing cake selection!) and sitting down for good old fashioned pizza delivery for dinner. But what may have yielded the most fun and the most laughter of the whole shebang was after dinner, when we all put on PJs and headed to one of the girls’ hotel rooms for leftover cookie dough, cake and chatting. We talked about our guilty pleasure blog reading, our pet peeves, who we admire and we get it all done. We laughed so hard we were all in tears, and we decided we should probably form a blogger commune so we can make this happen every weekend. We may have had some major downs along this magical trip, but that last night, I think we all were just thankful to be together for a rare few moments, and to have started some friendships that ran deeper than Twitter and Instagram.
So there you have it, everyone! A few days in paradise, a few big bumps in the road, but mostly some amazing, spontaneous projects created and some even better chit chats had! Pretty excited that I get to call each and every one of these ladies my real-life friends now (not just internet friends!) and I can’t wait for you to see what everyone made! Soon!
Our group! From left: Erin, Ashley, Me, Brittni, Chelsea, Lexy, Jenn, Chelsey, Brittany, Danni, Melanie
OH wait! “What about that magical swag bag” you ask? You mean, you want to win one!? Believe me, you do. Each attendee got a big filled with these goodies, including dipped utensils, handmade blankets, hand painted napkins, copper foil tape, pretty bath salts and soap, the perfect crafting scissors and more! You can check out all the sources below, along with the rest of our amazing vendors you may have spotted in the photos above, and then get to entering to win a gift bag of your very own!!!!
All Photos by Mary Costa Photography
In the gift bag (Clockwise in the photo above!):
Hand-Painted Napkins from Fat Eye Design, Rose Bath Salts from Oh So Pretty, Copper Notebooks from Lovely Pigeon, Dipped Utensils from Mr. & Mrs. P, Copper Foil Tape from Lovely Pigeon, Gold Necklace from Seoul Little, Wood Coasters from World Reclaimed, Blanket from Coveted Things, Scissors from We Love Citrus, Spice Bowl from Landis Carey, Soap from Etta & Billie
Tote Bag by Michelle Dwight Designs
And a special thanks to Chelsey for bringing some of her goodies along too, like that cute dachshund ring!
If you were gawking over the fabric, flowers, party supplies, tableware and edible goodies above, you can thank the following amazing vendors for that:
Party + Craft Supplies, Wooden Spoons + Paper Tableware from Shop Sweet Lulu
Fabric from The Fabric Store LA
Flowers from Flower Muse
Tableware from West Elm
Almond Milk from Almond Milk LA, Cookie Dough from Edoughble, Jam from M. Greenwood Jams, Photo Props from Tweedle Dee Designs, Bowls from Landis Carey, Candle Cups, Mini Bowls + Dipped Cutting Board from Wind & Willow Home
And of course, a huge thank you to Bing for making this all happen, helping us come together, and inspiring us to create! And to my co-hosts Britt + Chels for being such awesome ladies to work with!
Now for that giveaway… use the Rafflecopter below to enter and you may just be getting those goodies above in the mail soon!
This post, and event, is sponsored by Bing. All content and opinions are that of my own! Thank you for supporting the sponsors that keep the Studio DIY party going! Read more about my editorial policies here.
71 comments
Jessica @ Living La Vida Holoka March 13, 2014
Everything is so pretty! That’s a very generous gift package. I would love to win it. I’m sure I would put everything to great use!
Bex Beltran March 13, 2014
I love all the photos- especially the group shot at the end with everyone- and the bright pops of yellow with the yellow walls- it probably wasn’t planned.. but maybe- you all look so good!
It looks like it was a fun event even with the drama- thanks for sharing!
Jamie March 13, 2014
What a magical trip! I’m jelly! I totally miss summer camp. There should be more events like this for us grownup kids, methinks.
Rebecca March 13, 2014
SOOO jealous! Looks like you guys had so much fun! Please have a contest to invite a reader next time 🙂 Just sayin’
kandice March 13, 2014
Looks like an amazing get together. Bummer about the break in 🙁 Really scary! Great giveaway too, I’d love a chance to win such a great prize! I love the scissors!!!
Thanks!
Mariah Danielsen March 13, 2014
Ladies, this looks like it was SO amazing! Awesome giveaway too 🙂
Marlene March 13, 2014
Looks like you ladies had a blast! Thanks for sharing and for hosting the giveaway!
Danika Daly March 13, 2014
The event looks like so much fun. The goodie bag is perfection, seriously!
allison March 13, 2014
aww everything in this lil bag is so cute and thoughtful! nice giveaway. sorry to hear about the break in 🙁
Lindy March 13, 2014
Looks like an amazing trip despite the ups and downs!
Kari March 13, 2014
I’ve been following on Facebook and I LOVE your posts and your creativity! I’ve already DIY’d some of your ideas!
Kristine March 13, 2014
This would be A-mazing!! So much fun too!!
Leslie March 13, 2014
This all looks so amazing! I wish this was my life right now. Ha! The giveaway looks beyond wonderful:) Everything I would’ve asked for!
Brigette March 13, 2014
Can’t imagine the creative energy flowing with so many talented ladies working together! Thanks for the giveaway. 🙂
brittanyMakes March 13, 2014
exciting!!! this event looks like it was so much fun,! I love how you kept it small and intimate, and it’s been very enjoyable reading everyone’s weekend recaps. So nice of you to host a giveaway!
Marissa March 13, 2014
I followed most of y’all on instagram during this event and was SO SO jealous of all the crafty fun you were having. You’re all such inspiring, talented ladies. Keep it up!
Meg March 13, 2014
Because everything is so pretty, and it makes me want to try it all! 🙂
Jennie March 13, 2014
This is awesome, Kelly and team!! xo
LARY@Inspiration Nook March 13, 2014
What a crazy story, I was wondering what had happened after following you girls on instagram. So glad you girls were safe and made the best out of it. Here is to wishing I can go next time! Fingers crossed for this price. 🙂
Renchy March 13, 2014
Congratulations, you managed to have a wonderful time despite the ups and downs. Everything in that goodie bag look amazing! Thank you for the giveaway.
Hana March 13, 2014
Love the photos, looks like such a fun time! Fingers crossed for the amazing swag bag goodies!
tamnfam March 13, 2014
That’s my dream summer camp! And there’s nothing more satisfying than time with true friends! This giveaway is full of everything I never knew I NEEDED in my life!! 😉
caitlyn March 13, 2014
everything in that bag would be a wonderful inspiration for some craft time!
Molly March 13, 2014
Ahhh, a *magical Swag bag*!! Yes! I want to WIN one! Believe me, I do. 😉 Dipped utensils, handmade blankets, hand-painted napkins, copper foil tape, pretty bath salts and soap, the perfect crafting scissors and more!?? Sounds simply too good to be true. 🙂 You ALL are Amazing! I love the creative energy you bring to this world. All the best~ xo
Kerrie March 13, 2014
I can’t wait to see all the projects everyone created! And so sorry to hear about the burglary 🙁
Tessa March 13, 2014
so fun! I would love these treasures! Excited to see what all you ladies made
Elle March 13, 2014
This event sounds like it was too much fun, I’m so happy it went so very well! It also has given me loads of inspiration to make more things and have more fun! As a crafty mind myself who has never been surrounded by other crafty minds, I can’t imagine how much fun it must be to get so many brilliant minds working together in one place! Thanks for sharing!
Emily March 13, 2014
I’d love to win this adorable stuff! Especially in love with those scissors.
Lea Anna March 13, 2014
Everything looks so fun!
Richelle March 13, 2014
Sorry to hear about your “bump” during the trip, but it seems that the positive may have been able to outweigh the negative!! The photographs are splendid, I can only imagine what an amazing time this must have been.
Emily March 13, 2014
Looks like it was an amazing experience! Everything in the giveaway bag is just too lovely. I especially adore the foil tape!
Shelby Anderson March 13, 2014
What a great giveaway!!! Thank you!!! So sorry about the break in but glad yall were still able to enjoy your time together!!!
Sarah Coin March 13, 2014
Why do I want to win? Do you even have to ask? It looks awesome just like everything else on the trip! (Except the break-in. I hope the thieves step on a thousand Legos barefoot.)
kim @ DESIGN + LIFE + KIDS March 13, 2014
Because it’s AWESOME!
Leah & Jenni March 13, 2014
You girls are so creative and fun!! What an awesome get together! Totes jeals.
Jenna March 13, 2014
What an amazing giveaway! Everything is so cheerful + fun! I would love to win! I just recently discovered Almond Milk LA and their Lavender Almond Milk is the best. <3
Erika Lee Sears March 14, 2014
What a fun giveaway! Fingers Crossed I hope I win.
Tiffany March 14, 2014
I am very sorry about the sad parts of the trip but so amazed at everything else. This must have been incredible & I love the idea of just creating together. Love this giveaway! Always inspiring! ❤️
Lea Cesar March 14, 2014
That’s so cool! Sooo many useful things and what’s more important – handmade. I just love DIY projects <3
Miriam March 14, 2014
great giveaway!
Eleonora March 14, 2014
shining in my eyes to see so many beautiful things! crossing my finger and hope to win
Kate March 14, 2014
I’d like to win because it would almost be like being at the retreat.
Tanny March 14, 2014
Thanks for sharing! Winning would be awesome, as there would be cool new-to-me stuff to share with friends!
Lani @ Elle Dee Designs March 14, 2014
I love trying fun and unique new products!
Katie March 14, 2014
I would really love to win this because I am honestly just really having a terrible day. I know that sounds ridiculous. But sometimes bad days happen and random surprises can help make it better.
Claireabellemakes March 14, 2014
I was so looking forward to reading this post! I would love to have a play with all the goodies!
macy March 14, 2014
Love this crafty giveaway!
Kayla March 14, 2014
Would love to win this and add these goodies to our new home!
Trish B March 14, 2014
Ooooo – I need to get to Palm Springs soon!
Katie March 14, 2014
That craft cabinet is seriously awesome!
lisa mc. March 14, 2014
I just had to buy a new to me car and with the new to me car payment I won’t be able to buy these super cool things so I need to win them….
Alexandra / folk & fest March 14, 2014
This trip looks amazing and so much fun ! I love all the photos ! Thanks for this giveaway it would be so amazing to win ! And that seriously is the best craft cabinet ! 🙂 x
Kevin | Thou Swell March 14, 2014
I would love to win this because this trip looked uhhmazing and I would love to get a little piece of your awesome experience (plus everything in the bag is just super snazzy)!
Emily March 15, 2014
Great photos from such an inspiring trip!
Gina Guthrie March 15, 2014
Great giveaway. I love all of those wonderful goodies!
Stephanie March 16, 2014
I have to be totally honest…I unfollowed everyone included in this trip because you all were being so obnoxious about the whole thing. It felt like “Look! We’re the cool girls clique and we are having an awesome time in Palm Springs and look at all our cool stuff we got for free thanks to a desperate search engine that nobody actually uses! Aren’t you crazy jealous of how freaking awesome we are?!?” God, get over yourselves already. I couldn’t even read the post because while I can see the point of the trip, to have a girls weekend, I really can’t see the point of over-sharing every little detail. I really hope you return to regularly scheduled programming soon because as far as this stupid bing trip is concerned – I am OVER IT.
Kelly March 16, 2014
Hey Stephanie,
I completely understand your feelings and it’s absolutely your right to follow or unfollow the information that you want to take in. Since this is something I worked incredibly hard on for nearly a year, it became a big part of my life and I wanted to share aplenty the fruits of our labor. So sorry to have upset you!
Kelly
Trudi March 17, 2014
For heaven’s sake, this looked like an inspiring time! Whether gathering in Palm Springs or a school basement, you’ve shown how putting our creative minds together can be even more inspiring than going it solo. Isn’t that part of the reason why we look to the internet and blogs? Great job, beautiful location, and fantastic photos.
Grace March 17, 2014
because I like crafting
Amy Nalette March 17, 2014
Wow I would love to win this giveaway because it’s full of such great inspiration! And that lovely copper foil notebook – swoon!
Lauren Becker March 17, 2014
I would love to win this because I’m all about being creative and having parties and making things.
Katie J. March 17, 2014
I love all of the products and makers and would love to get a closer look at all of them!
Sylvia March 17, 2014
This is so wonderful! I saw posts on Instagram so it’s great seeing the blog post about the event! 🙂
NICOLE TULLY March 18, 2014
Came across this giveaway on Instagram. I LOVE every single piece in this giveaway – I’m so excited abut it!! I’m especially loving that sweet swaddle blanket/scarf – I want to wrap my cuddly baby in it!
elisabeth March 18, 2014
love the goodies!!
Rebecca/Arthur & Annie March 19, 2014
Such lovely, talented work! So inspirational and lovely to see out and about on all the best sites!
Great giveaway! Thanks for the opportunity! xx
Maria Mendez March 19, 2014
I followed along over instagram and mas jelly. Everything looks beautiful Kelly!
Veronica March 20, 2014
What a fantastic time you all had (minus the one bit)! I can’t get over how visually stunning the whole trip and all your photos are. Can’t wait to see the projects you worked on!
Nicole March 20, 2014
Meet Make Do looks like such a fun weekend! I love all the attention to detail!
sangeetha March 20, 2014
Love the swag bag so much fun
Devon March 21, 2014
Can this be a regular conference!? I want to attend!