Preview Days and more ...

I don't remember that last time I got to spend four straight days playing with ink and paper!! It would be sweet if I could pull it off more often ... but I think that might be what they call retirement!

Friday and Saturday were preview days for Creative Escape. This is where the teachers get a practice run through their classes, and the staff and volunteers get to make the class projects ... perfect opportunity to fine tune it all for the CE attendees in August. We make the projects, then they get sealed into a box that will be returned to us at the event. Its all top secret at this point!! But I will tell you there's some pretty awesome projects!!

I get to assist Claudine Hellmuth this year ...... and it just happens that her project was one of my favorites ..... AND I LOVE her paints!!

Finished up preview days at 5 on Saturday evening, and went straight to the airport to catch a 7 pm flight to Oakland. My buddy Bick invited me to a special event at Hero Arts for store owners only.

We arrived at Hero Arts Sunday morning to a box full of new stamp images that were released just this past week ... lots of new fun stuff!! We spent all day Sunday making cards using the new images and all kinds of techniques. The cards were then transferred onto display boards ... which just happen to be on display at Frenzy Stamper ...... and the new images will be in stock at the store very soon, as well.



Saturday night the whole group that attended had dinner at The Boiler Room, which is just down the street from the Hero Arts warehouse. Its housed in an old Ford Motor Company building. This was the coolest restaurant, excellent food, and the old building was spectacular!

Monday morning, back at it making more cards and display boards .... and then a tour through the warehouse. I admire Hero Arts now more than ever .... I've always loved their product, but have a deeper appreciation for them and their efforts in producing their goods in the US, and their efforts in making the product and warehouse more green, doing their part in protecting our environment.

The event ended shortly after noon on Monday and our flight wasn't until 7:30 ... so a quick trip over the bridge into San Francisco. We had dinner at the end of Pier 39 overlooking the bay and Alcatraz. Too bad it was grey, windy and raining ... but how can you not have a great time in Frisco .... a quick tour through Ghiradelli square .... and off to the airport!

What a great time .... thanks Bick for inviting me to tag along!

And now a quick week and it'll be a nice long Memorial Day weekend .... enjoy!!