Travel Day

Not really, I don't travel to the Great Lakes Bead Guild until next week, but it is the day to be on top of planning. I've passed on my dates for my German trip in October, made my hotel reservations for my pre bead cruise stay in Galveston (where I've never been before by the way) love seeing new places, although we don't land until 4:00 and likely won't arrive at the resort hotel until 6:00 ish.

Bead Cruising is wonderful and this year I get to play with Heather, Bev, Tracy, Dallas, Jean, Beki and Shawn! Mark is coming with me, making it an extra special trip.

I need to pass on supply lists for my Creative Castle trip in April, and I just extended my San Francicso reservation after Beading by the Bay. I will be speaking at the Northern California Bead Society meeting on Tuesday night March 15th. Which is kind of perfect, not only because I'll be visiting with all of the Bead Society ladies but because I'll be in Northern California and will be visiting with our new granddaughter, who is due to make her appearance at the end of this month, making March a perfect time for an extended visit.

It takes a lot to stay on top of all the details. I've never missed making a reservation or sending a sample or writing a supply list yet, but keeping up with it all is demanding. I'm noticing lately that I haven't planned creative time into the schedule and need to work out a system for making sure I do that. I have new crystal clay and Lilly Pilly metal and all sorts of ideas and at the moment not much time. My girls are coming to help kit tomorrow and catch up. We'll have lots of laughs and get some work done.

Today's walk is postponed until this evening when we will attend a Sarah McLaughlin concert downtown San Diego. The plan is to arrive early and walk the Embarcadero in the cool of the evening.

Taking time for Encouragement

If you keep track you know I just returned from Tucson. I spent a fair amount of time at the Swarovski Create Your Own Style venue since I'm such a crystally girl I loved being surrounded by all that sparkle.

I was perusing the workshops and Make and Take projects that were available and came across a Beads and Buttons bracelet that I thought was beautifully designed by Diane Hertzler.


Photo by husband Bob

I made a note that I must look her up and compliment her on the bracelet (along with a stunning necklace by Val Hirata).

As I sat chatting with a delightful (and patient) man he explained that his wife, Diane Hertzler was teaching a workshop. I waited for a lull in the demo audience and went to introduce myself and say Hello.

The beautiful, smiling Diane told me this story. We had taken a Carol Wilcox Wells workshop together which means it was at least ten years ago and probably more. She had a piece of beadwork which I had commented on, expressing my admiration of her talent. She found that bit of encouragement really spurred on her determination and desire to continue with the beads. I was so touched that something I said mattered and that she went on to create such beautiful pieces. I am truly sorry that I didn't have Diane and Bob pose for me, they are such a nice couple.

Home from Tucson

We just took a nice long walk in Mission Trails

The sun glinted on this dewey spider web

and now I have an entire day ahead of me to do whatever I want. Well in theory at least. I'm thinking unpacking would be good, putting away my Tucson goodies, washing some clothes for the next outing and a few groceries may be in order.

I'm sure Mark will be interested in watching the Super Bowl so I think knitting is going to be the right activity for me. A few more repeats of the Kiri lace pattern and I will be done. It's a luscious aqua silk mohair and I can't wait to wear it.

And our expected Grandbaby needs a little hoot. She's due to meet the world (and us) shortly so that may make today's agenda as well. She's bound to be a stylish baby, her room is decked out in black and white with touches of yellow and her curtains are a nice home decor fabric that Lucia and I picked out at Beverly's when I was there in December. So I'm thinking a yellow and white hoot.

I'm well ahead of the curve, having shipped all my Bead Daze kits to Detroit before I left for Tucson. Those that I'm teaching at least. A few more will get kitted up this week for the meet the teacher event. The Great Lakes Bead Guild is an amazing organization and I can't wait to be there! Save me some snow.

I am so blessed!

A couple of years ago I met the gals from Ontario, Beth, Barb, Debi and Christine at Beadfest in Philadelphia. They were quickly my new best friends when offering to bead the sample for my class which I had forgotten at home.

So during this summers teaching engagement at the Beads of Colour, owner Debi, another fiber enthusiast, took me yarn shopping. I bought a ruffled scarf pattern and yarn. Barb, who I adore, offered to knit it up for me. Now I can knit, but time often escapes me and I was baby knitting at the time. Well!

Debi delivered my knit up scarf at dinner last night.





And can I tell you I'm in love! With Barb and my scarf.....thank you so much Barb. Can't wait to see you and Beth in June.


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Little Hoot Explores Bead Shows

Before heading out for a day of shopping, Little Hoot found a cousin in the Marriott Starr Pass Resort gift shop


Susan and I at the Best Bead Show



Where we visited the Lilly Pilly girls, Heidi and Jodi. I've always loved their pendants and now they are doing their amazing designs on metal. And for you Beading by the Bay gals, they donated one of their spectacular pendants for our daily raffles. And I bought a bit of metal.....I'm excited to try my hand at it. Heidi's hat is protecting her from the crazy bitter cold weather that Tucson is experiencing. A predicted low of 15 degrees tonight, crazy!



Here's Andrew graciously posing with Little Hoot. Andrew also donated a lovely selection of Green Girl Studios charms for Beading by the Bay. I want to keep it a surprise for now but will post the pictures once we have the event. Trust me....their good.


We left the Best Bead show where I captured this serene shot of trees on the sunlit horizon.



Per Kate's 'A Pirate's Guide to Tucson' we had dinner at Caruso's. The Wired Art girls Tracy


and Janice



joined us as did Debi and husband David from Beads of Colour in Dundas Ontario. Many laughs later we headed back to the Marriott for a bit of rest before tomorrow adventures.

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More Tucson!

Yesterday I was lucky enough to spend time at the Swarovski venue where all the classes are being held. I got hugs from Kellie DeFries, Stephanie Dixon and Debra Saucier. Oh, I also got to pick up my new iphone and ipad cover from Kellie. Photos soon, they are wonderful!

While there I was able to see the new Swarovski trends and there are some amazing new colors and shapes. I can't wait to use some of them, design ideas abound.

It is record record cold here, but fortunately I thought to bring my new winter coat, so I'm toasty.

I had dinner with Ron Rock, Swarovski's key account manager for the West Coast, Marshall and Walt from Blue Mud and the Fusion girls Katie and Lyndsay. Aren't they beautiful, and full of fun!



And.....Little Hoot found a playmate




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Tucson!

Day one I drove from San Diego and arrived within 5 minutes of Susan's San Francisco flight. Pretty good timing. We spent the rest of the day at To Bead True Blue. I found some wonderful leather cord in amazing colors and a new to me product called Silversilk. I'm really anxious to spend some time with it. for sure there is a Carribean anklet in my future with some Swarovski dangles.

The evening was spent at the Tucson Museum of Art where Interweave hosts a fabulous party every year.

Here's Tracy and I in 'the pose'


Margot Potter and I, we'd never met in person before!


And here's Little Hoot suggesting it's well past my bedtime and I should call it a night.


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