I don’t think I have stopped running in the last few weeks.  (don’t get confused it was NOT the exercising kind of running) . . . . just a lot of things happening in life.

First, at the beginning of March we went on a Paper Muse Cruise to Cozumel and Belize aboard the Royal Caribbean’s Liberty of the Seas.  It was a wonderful time and during the “at sea” days I taught mixed media classes.

In the first class we constructed an Art Journal using a number of fun techniques on watercolor paper.

The 2nd class we created a canvas using Tim Holtz Distress paints and beeswax.

Whispers of Your Art

Here are some of the different canvases that everyone made.  They were just absolutely fabulous

The third class was the Mariner’s Box

we left two compartments open so that we could get souvenirs from the cruise.  I managed to buy a beautiful shell and some Worry Dolls that will go in mine.

and the fourth one we continued with more techniques in the Art Journal

Here are some of the photos from our Art Days.

we had 38 in our party and we were able to get the whole side of the restaurant reserved for us, although trying to get everyone to wave at the same time was impossible.

In Belize some of us booked a private tour through NCQ Adventure Tours.  If you go to Belize I highly recommend them.

These are some images of Belize

We went to Altun Ha which is the most extensively excavated ruin in Belize and was a major ceremonial center during the Classic Period, as well as a vital trade center that linked the Caribbean shores with other Maya centers in the interior. The ruin consists of two main plazas with some thirteen temple and residential structures.

  The “Jade Head”, representing the Sun God, Kinich Ahau, was the most significant find during Dr. David Pendergast’s excavations. At approximately six inches high and weighing nine and three-quarter pounds, it is still to this day the largest carved jade object in the whole Maya area. The Jade Head is locked up in a bank vault so we did not get to see it, but, the ruins were amazing.

Two of our group were teenagers and they decided to climb the first ruin we came to:

this was taken from far away.  Up close it is quite steep and tall!!

Apparently I mistook myself for a teenager that was in shape and I decided to climb up as well.

Half way up and I am still smiling

The girls were watching me and saying to each other “what an idiot I am”When I got back down I was told that this was the ruin that was not recommended to climb as it is quite treacherous.  Nice of them to tell me AFTER!!

After we had explored this ruin we went to the Baboon Sanctuary where we had close encounters with the Howler Monkeys.  It was amazing to hear them howl to each other.  I loved my time spent with them.

Nacho and his wife who gave us the tour were so nice and provided us with water, sodas, tons of local snacks (yummy), took us to lunch and to a local grocery store so we could stock up on spices and then dropped us off at a market after giving each of us gift.  They are very knowledgeable about the history of their country witch they obviously love and we had a fantastic time with them.

Next stop the cruise ship made was Cozumel where we were treated to some street dancing and enjoyed shopping and lunch at a local eatery.  The dancers were incredible and their costumes amazing.

During the cruise my Dad unfortunately suffered a stroke, I did not find out till I was in Cozumel and had phone service.  So once we docked I ran to Orlando.  (Luckily my Dad is expected to make a full recovery but, I thought I was going to have a break down when I found out).  Two weeks later I flew to Connecticut to teach an Art Journal Class at one of my friends stores and from there I went to Framingham, Ma to attend a retailer event.  Then I flew back to South Florida to host an amazing Mixed Media event with DJ Pettitt.  I brought a horrendous cold back with me and I am now just starting to feel like a normal human being again.  . . . . So it does not seem like I have stopped to breathe this year.  Anyway stay tuned for my recap of Connecticut, Framingham and DJ Pettit.

I bet you wonder where I have been, I am still here, I have just been unable to get off the hamster wheel for the last few weeks.

Here is a run down from the start of 2014

I had the day off on New Years Day, it was nice to have the day to myself.  I did a little cleaning and organizing in my craft room and even took a nap. My craft room would need a month of 12 hour days to get organized properly as it has been a dumping ground for the last 4 years.  One of my goals for this year is to get it back into a creative space.

January 2nd I was back at work, I taught five classes at the store and then I flew to California for a Trade Show and it has been non stop ever since.

The trade show which was held in Southern California was fantastic.  I love going to the trade shows not only to see what is new but to catch up with fellow store owners and my favorite manufacturers.  Over the years some of the industry people have become great friends and I love seeing them.  This year was extra special. . . I had some of artwork featured in my all time favorite manufacturers booth.  It was such an honor.  Ranger is an awesome company.  I can never say enough good things about them and the people that are associated with them.  Can you say “girl crush”

Here are two of my pieces in their booth.

Ranger Booth

My two pieces are the Paintbrush Card on the left hand side and the Eiffel Tower Tag on the bottom.  There were no words to describe my feelings as I walked by the booth and recognized my art.

Here are some more detailed images of the card

Paint Brush Card

I used Adirondack Paint and Archival Ink on the card.  The background was made with my Gelli Arts plate.  I also painted the brush handle on the gelli plate.  The brush incidentally came from my paint brush pot.  I often leave my paint brushes in dirty water for extended periods of time.  Not usually a good thing but in this case I though my brush was very “Arty”

The Brush!

I used some Tim Holtz Rubbings on the handle. I was going to paint the ferrule (the metal part of the brush) but I really loved the rust that was showing and did not want to interfere with it.

Close Up of Rust

Another view

This is the Tag that I made.  . . . again I used Adirondack Paints and Archival Ink\.

Eiffel Tower Dream Tag

another view

Bottom View

Since I returned from CHA I have been busy designing and teaching classes and getting ready for the cruise.  We leave in two weeks to travel to Belize and Cozumel for a few days.  I am teaching four classes on the ship, here is a little peek.

Sneak Peek

Just in case anyone going on the cruise reads this blog I do not want to spoil the surprise so I will schedule a post for when we have left Fort Lauderdale that will show the completed projects.

Two weeks after we get back from the cruise I fly to Connecticut to teach an Art Journaling class at the Papercraft Clubhouse in Westbrook,

Art Journal – The Power of 7

after that I go to an industry training event in Massachusetts.

I will be back April 1st and then DJ Pettitt comes to the store to teach on April 3rd.  Talk about a whirlwind.

As all of my classes are designed through the end of this month so now I have some time to breathe and will be able to update this blog.