Soledad, California – November, 2010

 Here are a few photos I took while strolling around in the Monterey/Carmel, California areas the day before my workshops.    Toto, this definitely isn’t Ohio!

  

Some fishing boats just came in and the crews were clean the fish and discarding the leftovers to these characters.  This was my first time getting up close and personal with a couple of Pelicans.  They are such odd looking guys.

             

Ahhh, sunset in Carmel.  Love it!

     

 

*****************************************************************

Milton, West Virginia – November, 2010

Thank you to my two hostesses, Linda and Joyce.  I had a terrific time there. 

              

*****************************************************************

Atlanta, Georgia – October, 2010

Brayer on ladies, brayer on. . . . .  . .

    

*****************************************************************

Savannah, Georgia – October, 2010

I am so very fortunate to get to drive to many of my Brayer Workshop locations.  Getting to see the sights around the United States is one very big perk!

This was taken somewhere between Ohio and Savannah, Georgia, lol.  It was taken through the windshield as I was driving so. .. . . . .

This is my dream home in Savannah all decked out for Autumn.  Love the stunning architecture in this town.  This was not my first trip to Savannah, but I just can’t get enough of it.

 

One of the fountains in the Squares.  Check out the moss hanging from that oak tree.  Love it!  If you visit Savannah, don’t just take a trolly tour etc., really you must see and walk through some of the squares to get a real feel of what it must be like to live there.

  

How about some more architecture.

    

Of course, I had to eat dinner at Paul Deen’s Restaurant, Lady & Sons.  Sorry, this was taken when I left the restaurant at night.     MMMMM good food!

My second day there I went to Tybee Island. 

        

I finished my day with this, lol

*****************************************************************

Auburn, Washington – September, 2010

Jenn, Thank you for such a fun and successful workshop weekend there in Auburn!

              

*******************************************************************

Grinnell, Iowa – August, 2010

Jo Meyer, thank you for hosting.  Good luck with your new business.  I am sure it will be a big success!

  

*******************************************************************

 Venice, Florida – August, 2010

Hosted by my new friend, Denita Wishart.  Thanks for the great time Denita!

A few photos from the Beach in the evening.

        

 Denita and I at a local restaurant where we had a feather friend begging for fries from us. 

     

 Awesome students!

            

*****************************************************************

St. Louis, Missouri – August, 2010 Vacation

I have to say, the very last thing I wanted to do after all the traveling I do to teach my workshops across the country is to hop in the car and take a vacation.  So when Russ asked me to go to St. Louis for a few days, I said, sure, great, without any excitement in my voice what so ever.  But off we went and I had the best time.  It was in the high 90′s with high humitity every day we were there so we didn’t spend to much time outdoors but we still got to experience some of the best of St. Louis.

It took us 5 hours to drive to St. Louis on Tuesday.  Along the way we stopped at Lincoln’s Father’s Farm in Greenup, Illinois.  Upon arriving in St. Louis we were ready for a nap and then off to the RiverCity Casino where I gave the casino enough money to purchase another slot machine, lol.  We also had a wonderful dinner at the buffet at the casino.

Day 2 was spent at the Gateway Arch, dinner at the very best BBQ restaurant ever, Pappy’s Smokehouse.  Russ got a great Pappy’s t-shirt that read “there is not such thing as too much butt”  with a picture of a pig on it, lol.   Now you know just how classy Russ and I really are.

Then off to yet another casino.  Thought I would give them some of my money too. 

Day 3  was spent taking the Budweiser tour.  Check out that beautiful Clydesdale horse.  Then our drive back home.

     

Don’t you just love when people bore you with their vacation pics. 

*****************************************************************

Huntington (Kenova) West Virginia – July, 2010

Kristin Burton hosted me in Huntington.  Kristin thank you so much for making feel right at home.  Hugs!

                            

*****************************************************************

North Chili, New York – June, 2010

Hosted by my very good friend, Gail Emmons.  I arrived a day early to North Chili, NY in order to hang out for a day with Gail.  My first night there we took a walk along the lake at Rochester Harbor, while eating ice cream.  I know you feel sorry for me.

                 

I don’t know who the people are building the sand castle, but I couldn’t resist taking the photo.

       

This is Gail and I.  I know we look very funny with the wind blowing like crazy.  But we were having a great time.

                

My second day there Gail and I spent the day in Niagara Falls, Canadian Side.  Beautiful, beautiful place.

             

If you go to see the falls, don’t pass up going on the Maid of the Mist.  It takes you right to the foot of the falls where you can feel the real power of all that water.  Of course, you have to where a rain jacket that makes you look like a dork, lol.

See that speck down at the foot of the falls?  That is the boat we were on.

           

We ate at that tall building in the next picture.  It revolves and you get to see some really spectacular views.  My lunch was one of those views.  Just looking at it makes me hungry. 

   

Gail and I both garden so a walk through the rose garden was a must for us.

          

We also went to a casino.  I lost my shirt and Gail won.  Hmmm, I was feeling lucky clear down to my last quarter. 

And yes, I did teach.  Here are a few of the ladies in which I got to create with.  Hugs ladies!

 

*****************************************************************

Rockville, MD – June, 2010

Hosted by Cathie Schumaker.  Cathie dazzled all of us with her totally awesome stamping studio.   Thanks Cathie!

  

*****************************************************************

Wheaton, IL – May, 2010

Hey Shelly, Thank you for such a great time!

                            

*****************************************************************

St. Cloud, Minnesota – June, 2010

Meet Lori Auge-O’Hara, my St. Cloud, MN hostess.  Lori and I become instant friends.    Now, Lori has 3 large birds.  The one pictured below is Oz.  Oz is a real character.  I felt right at home when Oz told me to sit the He** down.  What a hoot!

    

               

*****************************************************************

Salem, Oregon – May, 2010

Hosted by Char Wilson, She will probably want to kill me for posting some of these pics, lol.  Char, I love ya!

The workshops were wonderful and since I arrived early we had some time to hang out at an Iris farm that was totally in bloom and then go to a local Diner and have desert, can’t beat it!

                                    

**************************************************************************************************************

Riverside, California – May, 2010

Are you kidding me, this is the first location that we had valet parking at, lol.  Thank you so much Linda Jensen and your darling husband for hosting me and all of these other ladies that were in attendance.  Your home, cooking and hospitality rocks!

My memory is so bad, I think I re-named about everyone in the group.  Thanks for forgiving me.    You were such a fun group ladies.

                               

*****************************************************************

 Meridian (Boise), Idaho – April, 2010

My first trip to Idaho, what a beautiful place!

On my trips I meet a lot fabulous people and fabulous creatures of the four legged variety.

I stayed at this lovely lady’s house.  This is Sammie, she is part of my Hostess, Lee Spann’s Family.  Thank you Lee.  Does Sammie miss me? lol.

  

Now check out these Fun, New, Master Brayerers.  This location had stampers from all over.  We even had a couple of stampers that traveled from outside the USA.  Check it out, we had a Canadian and Australian in attendance!  Is there anything us stampers won’t do to learn a great technique?

                                       

Photo time, lol.                

*****************************************************************

 Colorado Springs, Colorado – April, 2010

There I was in Colorado Springs with a wonderful view of Pikes Peak and did I taken any pictures, why of course not.  But I did get a few photos of these wonderful stampers.  Brayer on Ladies! 

My Hostess with the mostest was Kristi Sova.   Hugs to you girl!

               

*****************************************************************

 Colleyville, Texas – March, 2010

I was hosted by Paulette Huff and just like everyone says, they do make everything bigger in Texas, including the hearts of their Stampers.   Check out these new Brayer Masters.

              

*****************************************************************

Raleigh, North Carolina – March 2010

I was only in Raleigh for one day, but I had a wonderful time with these ladies.

Another Fabulous Hostess, Dawn Evans

Check out these new Master Brayers!

Beginner Workshop

Advanced Workshop

****************************************************************

Mechanicsville, Virginia – March 2010

My wonderful Hostess, Jean Goodman.

Look at these happy student. 

                    

Photos taken along the way.  Some where in Ohio, West Virginia or Virginia.    Please forgive me, I am the crazy person pulled off on the shoulder of the highway clicking away. 

              

*****************************************************************

St. Louis, Missouri – February 2010

So many wonderful Stampers, so little time.

            

Photos taken on the way to St. Louis.

Abe Lincoln’s Father’s Farm, Illinois.

 

*****************************************************************

Jacksonville, Florida – February 2010

Me and my workshops were hosted by Stampin’ Up Demo, Sharon Field at her home.  Sharon, those brownies rock!  Thank you so much. 

Look at these happy students. 

         

The Advanced Students.  You all know you rock, lol!!!  I wonder if they have put those brayers down yet?    It’s addicting I tell you!

  

Sharon took me for a stroll on the beach.  It was a perfect 70 degrees with a breeze coming off of the ocean.  I really should have gotten a picture of Sharon and I.  We stepped out of the car at the beach and I realized we both had on Brown Shirts, Blue Jeans, White Gym shoes and we were both carrying our Stampin’ Up leadership bags.    Hmmm, twins I think. 

                    

***********************************************************************************

 Monroe, Louisiana – February 2010

It was quite the drive for me to make it to Louisiana, but what a fun time I had there. 

This is my Hostess, Marcia Edwards.  Marcia, thank you so very much for taking such good care of me!  Also, for providing all of these photos. 

 

Look at this bunch of fabulous brayer graduates!

Here they are hard at work.

    

Thanks also goes out to Norma, who opened up her home for us to use for day 2 of the workshops.

 

 Oh yeah, show off those inky fingers, you can’t say I didn’t warn you!

   

Mardi Gras Parade, Oh Yea!

     Nope, I didn’t have to show anything for all of these beads either.

************************************************************************ 

Phoenix, Arizona – January 2010

               

 

******************************************************************************

Dayton, Ohio – Marco’s Paper Workshops – January 2010

I swiped these photos from Greg Smallwood’s Blog for Marco’s Paper.

Just look at these super talented, Master Brayerers.  Is Brayerers a word?  LOL, well it is on this site. 

 

 

********************************************************************************

Stampin’ Up! Leadership in Phoenix, AZ – January 2010

  Leadership, what can I say, WARMTH AND PALM TREES OF PHOENIX, GREAT FRIENDS, OLD AND NEW, AWESOME INFORMATION AND INSPIRATION, FABULOUS FOOD AND OUT OF THIS WORLD GIFTS FROM SHELLY!

My Up line, Karen Barber, Me, My Up line’s Up line, Tina Rosenkrans.  Love these ladies!  

  

Check out that new stamp set that will be in the next mini catalog!  Shelly gave it to us!!!!  If this is any indication of what is to come, I am sooooo thrilled.

         Hello, the big shot was used to make this quilt square, duh!  Why did I not think of that, lol.