Travel - February 14, 2014 - 
Happy Valentines Day!!

We had another wonderful day in Florida.  Early this morning we woke up for an early breakfast so that we could meet Ralph from the tour company.  He picked us up about 9 o'clock to take us, plus three other couples, out to see the Everglades.  We road a van about 45 minutes outside Ft. Lauderdale to a park called Everglades Holiday Park and Gator Boys Alligator Rescue.

I'm going to keep the words to a minimum tonight and just share a few pictures.  I had a large video to share with you, but technology has over taken me.  Maybe tomorrow I'll have better luck.  It seems that Blogger, Picassa and Google like to continue to play with their programming and videos are no longer user friendly.  I'm also sure I am using a large amount of hotel band width.  Good thing it is late at night!

The photos were taken during our ride on the air-boat.  Some pictures were taken while on that ride and others were take during the Alligator wrestling demonstration and the Alligator rescue "education" show.  All in all, the gators just wanted to bask in the sun and sleep.  Who could blame them???  It was a fairly chilly day by Florida standards; around 67 degrees.  I wore a long sleeve sweater to dinner....buurrr...almost Seattle weather!!  We had a wonderful Valentines dinner with our friends at our favorite local restaurant at Pier 66.  Thanks John...it was GREAT!!!

Tomorrow we board the ship.  It should be a busy day getting our luggage on board, unpacking and getting to know our way around the ship.  

The adventure just keeps getting better!!  Sure glad you are coming along for the ride.
  

February 13, 2014 – Travel

Tampa, Florida, a little before 1 o’clock in the morning and the pilot advised that the storm in Ft. Lauderdale had passed and the airport was open. We were cleared for take-off and the ride would take about 39 minutes. We were one of about a half a dozen planes that had been rerouted due to the storm. I think we must have all arrived in Ft. Lauderdale at once.

Taxis were at a premium at 2 o’clock in the morning, but we eventually made it up to the head of the cue. Check-in at the hotel was quick and we had no problem finding our room. 

We were pleasantly welcomed by Charlie, a three inch cockroach running across the hotel room floor.  (No pictures were taken...I didn't want him to get away!)  It is a good thing I have lived in a warm, cockroach infested environment before. One big stomp and Charlie was headed for the trash. A few of his small cousins were also destined for the same end and we were ready to move in. AHHHHhhh home sweet home for a few days. Yes…we are in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida…a little humid after the rain, but not too bad. I’m not complaining. This is the best time of the year here!

Late to bed and late to rise, we had a tour schedule for later in the afternoon, but decided to reschedule for tomorrow morning. We are going to see the Everglades. That should be a lot of fun! We decided to take it easy, sit by the pool, take pictures, and catch up on the blog, sleep and just take it easy. AHHHhhhhhh, nice start to the first day of the trip after such a crazy plane ride.

After meeting Charlie last night, we met some of the other critters in the hotel courtyard today. I thought you might like to see a few. While we were lounging on our pool chairs Ignacio the Iguana decided to slither by.

I had three cameras with me, but the only one really handy was my phone. Ignacio poised for a while and then ran into the bushes again. You could hear the folks around the pool running for their cameras as he decided to make another appearance. I think he just like to play with the tourists. He probably does this every day. A program we just watched on TV indicated that they bite and can put you in the hospital. I’m sure glad I respected his space! Who knew???

John decided to go to the room and leave me alone with these creatures. I’m still writing the blog, when Emily the Egret decides to walk by and take a drink in the pool. She was very tame. She must be another one who enjoys entertaining the tourists. This time the closest camera was my computer. Isn't it wonderful to have so many tools available to capture experiences when they happen? Even so, it is still hard to reach for them fast enough.

I also got my Nikon D600 out and enjoyed a little camera time. I’ll spend more time with those and share them on my Artfully Ann’s Etsy Shop.

Stay tuned…the Everglades are on the slate for tomorrow!! I can’t wait!!

February 12, 2014 – Travel

Let the adventure begin! John and I left at a reasonable time Wednesday morning for the airport. Weather was beautiful by the time we arrived at the airport. Our flight took us from Seattle/Tacoma to Denver and then on to Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. With the weather so horrible around the country and so many flights cancelled, we felt fortunate that we had good weather and smooth sailing all the way. At least that is what the Weather Channel and the meteorologist were saying.

The flight to Denver was smooth and uneventful. There was chop over the Rockies, but there always is. Denver skies were clear and you could see for miles. The sunset was one to remember. Our plane was full and it took a while to get everyone on board. I sat next to an interesting lady from Boulder who owns her own event planning company.

From the time we took off from Denver the pilot kept the fasten seat belt sign on. He indicated that there was weather in the area and we all had to stay seated. Oh really? It was some of the smoothest flying I’ve experienced. This was a four hour flight. For the first two plus hours everyone stays seated….no potty and not drinks…UGH!! People started to get restless. Eventually they let us move around. Stay tuned, there is more to this story….

I hear a whimper….yes…a whimper under my seat. Did you know that they let dogs on the plane?? Not just service dogs, but dog – dogs??? I’ve flown quite a bit in my life, but never with a dog. Her name was Sasha and she was from Denver. She actually belonged to the daughter of the lady that sat next to me. She was so sweet and spent most of the time curled up on the daughter’s lap. I just had to take a picture!!



About 45 minutes without seat belts and then there goes the  seat belt light again. An hour later and we are already to land in Ft. Lauderdale when the pilot announces that there is a major thunderstorm in the Ft. Lauderdale and the airport is closed. Could have fooled us. It’s still smooth sailing with our belts on!

They have diverted our plane to Tampa. Here is another first for me. Questions abound as to how and when we would make it to our destination. Would the weather eventually clear? Would the pilots still have enough flying time to take us to Ft Lauderdale? Would they bus us? Would we have to rent a car? By this time it is 1 o’clock in the morning East coast time the next day. John and I looked at each other and said…”Yes we are traveling again….”

Welcome to our next adventure!!!

Travel - February 4th,2014

A New Adventure!!!

John and I are taking off next week for Fort Lauderdale, Florida.  We are headed back to our old favorite Hyatt Regency on Pier 66.  This is the same hotel were we stayed prior to our trip across the Atlantic early in 2013.  This time we are getting ready for another adventure.  We are heading out on the Crown Princess, of the Princess Cruise Lines, for a trip around South America.  We end our trip in Los Angeles in early April.  It is going to be the trip of a life time.  

We will spend 49 days on board and of those 9 will be formal nights.  Packing is becoming a challenge.  I have a couple of "little??" black dresses and a variety of scarves.  I hope my Girl Scout training of dressing up and down a plain dress is up to this!  Thank goodness we have decided to pack a third bag or I don't think I would have had much to wear.  Shoes are so heavy and I'm not a one shoe girl.  Some of our friends are taking a side trip to Antarctica and have to pack polar gear as well.  Sure glad we have decided to skip that piece.  We will get to see penguins in the Falklands.  That works for me.

Here is an overview of our itinerary.  Some of my favorite days are those we spend at sea.  We will have a number of them through out the trip.  It is nice to rest between ports of call.  Otherwise is can be exhausting.

John and I will be blogging before or after each stop.  We look forward to sharing our experiences and letting all our friends, family and followers know what we are up to.  When my kids were little I always made everything we did an adventure.  Sometimes they were good adventures, sometimes they were challenging.  When I mention an adventure these days they just roll their eyes.  AND YET...they are still up for a good adventure when one is in the offing.

We hope that you will come along on this adventure and enjoy the ride.  Get your sea legs ready!!

Fiber Art - January 20th, 2014

I know I say this all the time, but  how the time flies!  Christmas is gone, New Years is gone and we are over half way through January.  Well, Ann and the elves have been very busy learning how to use our new pieces of equipment.  With a new serger and embroidery machine there is a lot to learn before putting out a number of products for sale.

Ann and Jael, (one of the elves from California) rebuilt a beautiful silk blouse to fit Jael, in accordance with Jael's design.  It had embroidered Coy fish on the sleeves and was cropped at the midriff.  It really looked nice when we were finished.

Ann and Kerry made a prayer flag for a baby shower Kerry went to last weekend.  The flag was embroidered with a dragon fly and was a great success.  Blankets have been made, Ann's clothing has been altered and the research, development and training continues.

Here is the first product developed using the new tools.  This is a knit tube of recycled Sarre silk and wool, embroidered with butterflies and sewn into a belt.  I love the multi-colors in it.  It fits a 28 inch waist.

Now Ann is working on wedding ring pillows.  Who knows what she will come up with next.

The adventures continue.  Stay tune, there are some big adventures in February.

December 25, 2013

Artfully Ann and her elves wish everyone a Very Merry Christmas!!  We hope that Santa brought everything you wanted.  If he didn't you know where you can come to shop!!  Artfully Ann's would love to have you come visit.  

www.etsy.com/shop/artfullyanns

Cheers!!!

The Art of Needle and Thread - December 22nd 2013

My how the time flies!

I've been so busy moving to a larger area and expanding my work capabilities ten fold.  I didn't know I had so much stuff.  John could see I was busting at the seams...literally.  He offered to trade office space. 

I nearly tripled work space, but it is already full.  My only defense is that all the kids toys and a desk for each of them is included in the set up.  

They love climbing under my cutting tables,which are new and fill up a lot of space. Building forts are high on both Nolan and Maggie's list of things to do in Artfully Ann's studio. I finally have the area and machines I need to create some awesome items. Now it is time to learn how to use some of the new additions

My first example is an apron that can be personalized for the lucky recipient. No matter it Birthday, Christmas, Valentines day or other occasion, this is a present that will put the sparkle in any chef's eyes. This bib apron is 100% hand made of green broadcloth. 



The embroidery layout is designed and applied by Ann. There is even room for a name right on the top of the bib. This apron has three front pockets for those items that a chef needs close at hand. It has a long tie back and a long adjustable neck strap and should fit almost any size adult...male or female.

You can see that I had fun making this apron.  There are bigger and grander things to follow  No doubt there will also be more aprons in my future.  If anyone is interested in a custom apron let me know.

Check all my creations at www.etsy.com/shop/artfullyanns.


There will be more frequent adventures...I promise.  Have a wonderful Christmas and a Great New Year.

Cheers from Ann and her elves Nolan and Maggie!!!