Thanksgiving was a good day.  The ability to sleep in has always been easy for me.  I didn’t do much on turkey day except relax and enjoy the day off until it was time to go to my SIL’s house to enjoy their great cooking.   They are quite fabulous at making a great feast for all of us to enjoy.  I save my turkey alotment for such occasions and I wasn’t disappointed.   One day at the ballpark, Jeff and I gave in to eating a hotdog.  I could recall such times of eating one as a good experience.  Man were we disappointed.  The hotdog had no flavor and was salty.   So even though I get those fond memories of foods when I was growing up, I realize that my taste buds have changed and to not just go with my instincts to endulge.

Anyhoo…   After eating a lot of cheeses for appitizers, I couldn’t eat much of the main course.  I didn’t eat any of the four choice in pies.  I did help Jeff a bit as he picked out a little of each pie.  I was rolling out of the place at the end.  OMG.  Such good food…

The rest of the weekend wasn’t too busy.  Still sleeping in and taking naps when I felt like it.   I did do some cleaning, laundry, etc to not fully waste away my weekend.   I did work on some souvineurs for Artfest 2009 as I know trading goes on.  These tins are something I found at the thrift store.  A whole big bag had different sizes: Large and Small.   So I found a bunch of smallish stamps to choose from for various designs.  One of the ideas I had was that most goers would be from some other state and it would be cool to have the space needle on some of them.  I had to perfect size of the needle for this project.   So most of my tins have the needle with artfest written on it. I also went with some standard stereotypes for Seattle, even though the classes are happening in Port Townsend.   I put some raindrops on a few and the small latte cup on some others.   It was fun how they were starting to come out.   Check out the whole collection.

I also started to play with the many bottle caps I have stored up over drinking various beers, sodas, and waters.   I have a few necklaces created and working at perfecting my technique.  I’m unsure if I might start making a bunch to put on etsy.  I wonder if anyone would be interested in buy them or if they would just steal my idea to create their own.

Eventually, I started to put items away and clean up my craft room.  The room can now be entered without having to step around items to get to the desk.  I can’t imagine getting any more organized than this without letting items go.   I don’t wanna let items go but I know I’m gonna have to use what I got before getting new stuff.

After cleaning up some room and noticing that I have stuff to go through from previously bought items, I recalled all the goodies and fun that I had at the CKC Seattle Show.   It was a fun two days hanging out with my mum.  The classes were interesting as was the crop.   It definitley opened my mind to what classes are for these events.  I wonder if I would really benefit from them or not.   One of my classes definitely wasn’t what I thought it was.  The description stated it would be about using Mod Podge and stuff that sounded like mixed media, but it wasn’t.  Quite sad I thought.  Another class was taught by Technique Tuesday which was a blast.  It moved quickly and we still didn’t get the project done in the time allotted.  I did learn that  you can use a part of a stamp to decorate as well as using the opposite side of a cling stamp for a shadow / blackout.  Great ideas!   So i went bananas at their booth.  I just dig their designs.

Shopping is always fun especially when there is good deals.   I went crazy at the show.  I even bought a MM Slice machine.  I think it’ll be easier for me to cut up things when it’s small and handy like it is.  Not that i’m going to give up my cricut machine.  With the “Sure cuts a lot” program, it rocks for doing whatever I want.  I do notice that other machines are out there that can do that as well.  I wonder if I should’ve gone and purchased one of those a long time ago, but oh wells?  Hind sight is 20/10.

What’s cool about the Slice machine is that I hear it probably will allow someone to input their own memory card to do their own designs.   In that case, I’m excited as this would be a definitely plus for traveling and quick hits and my cricut can be used for bigger, multiple uses.

Anyhoo…  now I gotta get to using my stash.  Finally get some craftiness going for some ATC trading cards and some scrapbooking of various pictures…  maybe finish my wedding album.  SO much to do!

Artfest 2009 Logo

I finally got my acceptance letter for Artfest 2009.  Woo hoo!  I am so excited.   I am just thrilled.   I believe I got my first choices for classes.   Most are focused on art journalling which is great because of how new I am to expressing as well as being artistic in a non-musical way.   I AM SO EXCITED!   Woo hoo!  Party on!

Hopefully Jeff and I can foot it over to Port Townsend to see how Fort Worden is as well as the town.   I hear it is beautiful over there.   We’ll have to take a ferry across the bay and up towards the inner tip of the pennisula of Washington State.   I hear there are many many folks who come from all over to this event.   We’re talking European or Australian.   Just amazing.  I feel very fortunate that I got in and to the classes, which if memory serves me correctly, were my first choice.  The courses I got are:

• Earth Friendly Paintmaking w/Karen Michel
• Journey Into Journaling w/ Pam Garrison
• Abstract Theory w/ Tiphoni

Great first year classes I think.  Then, to top it off, I’ll be bunking with someone at the fort in the dorm area.  Talk about being back at college.  It’ll be an experience that’s for sure.  I can’t wait.