Stamping Cruise 2009

Ahoy! Land Ho...the Stamping cruise has sailed and made it's last docking in Seattle on a beautiful fall day.
This is also where we started our journey!
The next stop was in beautiful Victoria, B.C. where friends shopped, sipped tea, and enjoyed the beautiful inner harbour on a sunny day

Then onto Nanaimo, B.C. aka: "The Sunporch of Canada" and/or "The Bathtub Capital of the World".
What a beautiful city! The weather was amazing and it was so fun to see lots of families and folks walking their dogs out and about. My sister-in-law and I had a nice time wandering around and doing some shopping for our families.

Isn't it gorgeous??? It was a great trip with amazing weather, good food, great conversations, and of course tons of stamping projects and fun times!!

This is post 1 of at least 2 for this year's cruise...the next one, I'll feature many of the projects we did.

Thanks to all of those who joined us and HUMONGOUS THANKS to my amazing demonstrators who helped with so much and designed many projects -you are wonderful!!!

Looking forward to sailing with you all again soon!

Imagination Central

Today my kids planted a garden. To be more specific, they built an outdoor world for their toy friends. Last week, while perusing the garden center at one of my favorite places, McLendon Hardware, my lightbulb went off. My husband had just finished building a series of planters along the edge of our patio and I was trying to find plants to fill them. Then I saw several adorable "mini" plants, and thought that would be really cool to make an outside world for little dolls and action figures to play...sure beats getting buried in the sandbox! :) Anyways, the kids loved the idea, and put it into action today. I've been listening to the sounds of Polly Pocket socializing with Lego Rock Monsters and Storm Troopers. So much fun!

We look forward to watching the "garden" develop into a Jungle or Forest, and seeing the changes through the seasons.

Stamping and Cruising the Northwest

Hello Sailors and Landlubbers alike!

I am getting so excited for the annual Stamping and Cruising the Northwest cruise coming up here pretty quick!! I've been working on projects, organizing demonstrations, and more.

While I can't show you this year's projects yet, you can see a sampling of last year's projects in one of my older posts: http://craftingmyworld.blogspot.com/2009/04/lets-see-some-pictures.html

For those of you unfamiliar with this: This year is the second year I've helped coordinate a stamping cruise for friends, family, customers, and anyone else who wants to join. Heidi at R&D Cruises and Tours coordinates the cabin booking and works with the cruise line. Check out her website at: http://www.rdcruises.com/ Then I get the fun part of organizing the stamping classes and projects! :)

Like last year, we will be aboard the Celebrity Mercury on October 2-5th, and will have a weekend filled with stamping, the beautiful scenery of the Northwest (Nanaimo, Victoria, Seattle), and the pampering of Celebrity's friendly staff.

Above: Me (center), enjoying a meal with my mom and sister; Nanaimo, B.C; Left: Flags flying in Port of Victoria, B.C; Right: Me and the kids with our favorite, Activities Director Alejandro.

October 2008

I am looking forward to spending a weekend creating with our "alumni" and "rookies" alike in a place perfect for inspiration and creativity!

What Happened to Summer?

As many of you Northwesterners know mid to late July usually indicates the arrival of summer with some 80+ degree temps after a drizzly June. Well, it looks like we're having a "real" summer, a scorcher if you will, and it makes me want spring back! Give me a holler if you too, would like some rain and cooler (by at least 10 degree) temps! Maybe we can start a little petition to the guy upstairs... :)
All that aside, my corn and tomatoes to seem to be enjoying the extra heat and sun, as long as they get a drink daily. I'm not used to having to water the garden so much and I dread seeing the water bill.
Could we just get back in the 80's? Here's a little cool down tip (from a Discovery Channel junkie), when you are feeling the heat, turn on "Deadliest Catch" -that nasty, frigid Bering Sea weather helps bring it down a degree or two.
Well, I can't believe I'm saying this, but I cannot wait to get to SLC next week for their summer weather! Who knew the lower 90's could be cool -maybe because it's a "dry heat"? It also helps when everything has A/C as well.
Of course, we all know the big highlight in SLC next week is the big Stampin' Up! Convention for demonstrators. I cannot wait to learn some new things, get some new goodies, and get a ton of new ideas! I'll share when I get back -I've made most of my swaps, and I'll post those after I return. My daughter is hoping I'll get over to East High where they filmed all the High School Musical movies to take some pictures, and I will definitely try.
Well, I hope to post one more blog before I head out of town...I did a really fun donation I want to share.
Have a great day, and stay cool!!

A Quilt for a Cause

So, a few months back (late November maybe?) I was asked to be my daughter's class auction project parent. Of course, I said Yes, but then I had to figure out what this class of 5-7yr olds would be up for. I thumbed through albums of projects past and saw all kinds of neat things, but it was the quilt idea that got me. I do enjoy quilting, but it is definitely one of those things I don't take much time to do...except stocking up on beautiful fabrics of course! I've got a few completed quilts (and a few more in progress) under my belt, and am surrounded by talented sewers/quilters in my family for support, so I sketched out a design/plan, and set to work. I cut out 6.5" squares of muslin and had the kids draw an assortment of sea creatures on them with fabric markers -the auction theme was "Under the Sea". The kids did great! As you can see they had freedom to create an individual environment for their creature...I didn't want them to have to work from a template, kids need to use their imaginations and creativity and it totally worked on this, every block has a story. :) Once those were done, I assembled the quilt with help from my friend KC, who also helped me find the fabulous background fabric (I just love this!). Then (this was the new and exciting part for me), I learned to use a long-arm quilting machine, and freehanded the quilting. It was awesome!! Thanks Liz!


Here is a close-up of my daughter's square. Her creature was a dolphin (the school mascot). I thought she did an amazing job, and look forward to seeing her illustrations progress in the future. The girl is an artist and crafter for sure, and has just about finished her first quilt!

So, when all was said and done, I did my very best to win the quilt back at the auction, none of us wanted to see it leave the house. However, I did not, but three wonderful things happened: the quilt went to a great home, raised a nice sum of money for the school, and made me realize how much I really enjoy quilting -a true treasure! I'm now working on a quilt for my son...Train themed. He's super excited and so am I. I'll attach pics of that as it progresses...

Chick flick anyone?

Okay, okay...so those of you who know me, know that once I get going it's hard to get me to stop yakking, so I'm gonna make another entry, because I'm not quite done for the day. :) My folks were kind and generous enough to take the kids for the weekend, and I got to do something I really enjoy, but really don't get to do very often. I went and saw a movie at the theater -woohoo! Don't get me wrong, I love my Netflix, but there is something about seeing a movie, especially a big budget action movie or an epic/historical drama at the theater. I am such a sucker for a good action flick -my nephew and I went and saw "X-Men Origins: Wolverine". Just what the doctor ordered...so the saying goes. It was great, but for anyone considering taking their kids...the rating PG-13 was spot-on. I would think twice about taking anyone younger. Anyways, I think I'll have to watch the dvd's of the other 3 X-Men movies to follow this one up. Anxious to see what else the summer movie line-up has to offer -pretty sure hubby and I will be seeing the new Harry Potter when it comes out in July, we've seen all the others in the theater.

I think a movie job I would love to do (if I could do it from where I live now) would be to work in Production Design/Art Direction (not totally sure what the differences between the 2 are -feel free to let me know!). A little over a year ago I was flying to Reno for an ACS Leadership Summit via LA, and was sharing an aisle with a family flying down for the Emmy's. Dad/Brother/Husband had been nominated in Production Design for Broken Trail. Of course, I had to Netflix it when I got back home. It was a really good movie, and it had a cool "bonus feature" on the movie production -how cool and creative could that be?!? You get to combine science, anthropology, and art...then watch it onscreen -Nice! All kinds of my favorite things!

Okay I'm done now -kids need to get to bed.

Thank you for indulging me in this "me moment"!

Already?

Wow...time sure can fly!
Well, the answer to my last post/question, is "Yes", he still thanks the cows. Thank goodness!
Although there is something kind of ironic when you thank cows for chocolate soy milk...
We have made it through a dairy-free week, and tomorrow we can start trying to add some things back in and see what happens. *crossing fingers*
I have learned a lot -milk hides in so many places! Thank you to everyone who helped us out with favorite non-dairy products, "secret" dairy words, and more -it is very much appreciated!
So, I know this blog title says "crafting", and I realize there haven't really been many craft projects on here yet, however, the word "craft" can mean to have skill in planning, making, or executing. So...my crafting today included: crafting time for myself to watch a movie while the kids were at school (this is something I NEVER do -Yay me!), crafted a batch each of dairy-free applesauce muffins AND chocolate chip cookies (Yummy!), and I was able to craft a trip to the post office with kids in tow -and everyone survived (thank you Jamba Juice!). :)
As a sidenote, Jamba Juice will make any of their menu items dairy-free, just ask!
So what does that leave me for tomorrow? Well, I should craft some crafts I suppose!
Happy May!
~Nancy

Will he still thank the cows?

So, my parents live about 30 miles south of us, and whenever we drive down there, we pass the dairy where we get our milk delivered from. This is definitely my favorite part of the trip, even when the mountain is out...The kids always shout (in kind of a sing-songy voice) to the cows standing out in pasture: "Thank you cows, thank you for the milk!" I just love it!
Well, my son is now being checked for a milk allergy/lactose intolerance -this is the kid, who loves dairy in anyway shape or form...especially in yogurt, cheese, and milk chocolate. Did I mention he spent the better part of an hour watching his favorite cheese get packaged at the Tillamook Cheese Factory over Spring Break? He is totally off dairy for the next couple weeks. While I know this is nowhere near the end of the world, for a 5 year old who is used to eating whatever he wants, he thinks it's pretty darn near close -especially when he realized he couldn't eat truffles (do you feel the chocolate connection we have?), many tears were shed. So, he and I are off to do a little shopping and find some potential replacements for some of his daily staples. If you have a favorite (i.e. delicious) non-dairy product you enjoy (or one you think is totally yucky!) please leave a comment -we'd love to learn from you!
Thanks!!
Nancy

Memory Lane...

So, last June we took our first, and I'm sure, not our last trip to Disneyland/California Adventure. We had such a good time...I could go on and on about how great it was, but I won't right now. However, we came home with a ton of great pictures that were prime fodder for scrapping. Unfortunately, scrapping tends to make the lower priority end of my project list. But, I'm excited to say that I finally got my album decorated, and now have "only" the pages left. Ha ha ha! I used a Stampin' Up! 8.5" chipboard album with some really cute Mickey Mouse themed paper and rub-ons my mom and I found at Joann's (it was on sale too!!), then added some Basic Black c/s, and used my Stampin' markers, and a small scalloped chipboard frame (colored with Real Red craft ink & clear embossing powder) to add some finishing details. I'm really happy with the way it turned out...can't wait to get a chance to start in on the pages!!

Let's See Some Pictures!

So, I'm trying out the watermarking and posting photos thing -early in the morning seems good to do this...

These pictures are just a few of the projects that were created for a stamping cruise I organized (well, the stamping part anyways...) last fall. This first image is a 4.5" square card using Baja Breeze, Kiwi Kiss, Basic Gray, and Urban Garden DSP. It is stamped with Basic Gray ink (flowers are stamped off), the Pocket Silhouettes set, and the very pretty Kiwi Kiss satin ribbon (yum!).

This next pic is a 4" accordian album using same colors and DSP -I feel I should mention, as part of the cruisers supply package, everyone received their own pack of Urban Garden DSP and Pocket Silhouettes set. This project also uses the Vanilla Hodgepodge Hardware, and White taffeta ribbon, dyed with Baja Breeze ink.

Okay, this last one is a Lunch Box tin we decorated with Urban Garden DSP, Baja Breeze, Kiwi Kiss, and Whisper White cardstock. Used the Striped Grosgrain ribbon in Baja, a little linen thread, and Flower Fusion Too. Everyone got to carry their projects home in this cute tin.

Well, I'm satisfied with this step in my blogger's learning process. I'm off to see if I can't get a couple more hours in before the kids get up.

*I'll write more about "The Cruise" later, because we are doing it AGAIN!! Woo-Hoo!!*

~Nancy

Okay....now what?

Alright...so, I haven't really given out my blog info yet to anyone other than my mom. Still trying to work out the finer points: Watermarking photos, linking my website & current SU! promotions, getting some good pictures of my latest projects to share....
The list goes on.
It'll get there, hopefully soon. My learning curve patience level varies...
Well, I'm off to bed to rest the mind & body, for tomorrow is another day! Maybe I'll get some pictures up! What a concept!

Happy Earth Day!

Welcome!

Ta-Da!!!
I did it, and it was frighteningly easy...I've got my own blog!
This is something I've mentioned doing in passing for awhile now, and with the beautiful & inspirational blogs other friends have done, and knowing that I'll be up in the middle of the night lots this summer, I feel ready.
So, bear with me while I learn the ins and outs of blogging...it'll get better! And I look forward to the adventures this will bring in sharing the crafting of my world -literally and figuratively.

~Nancy