California Travel Teaching Trip

I'm Back!!   

I spent the last 8 days in California teaching and taking classes and being creative with other like minded creative people.  I think I have truly found my new passion "Travel Teaching".   The last few years has been quite a journey for me and If you would have  ask me ten years ago what I would be doing with the next chapter of my life, I would never have thought it would be traveling and teaching and sharing what I love to do with others.  I know I repeat this a lot but I truly feel blessed many times over to get the opportunity of a lifetime to be able to do what I love for a living and to share it with others!  

They journey started on the thirteenth with the first flight out of Baltimore and there was a slight delay in the flight and when we arrived in Atlanta we only had 10 minutes to get to our next gate for the  flight to San Diego.  Thank goodness we made it and I was a little concerned our luggage would not make the transfer in time as it contained my supplies for class the next day, there was much relief when all the bags came rolling out of the baggage belt..  
​

​I was up at 10:30 am  yes the night before only 2 hrs sleep and we traveled all day.  I believe all we had was the pretzels and nuts on the flight as there was not enough lay over to get any food so when we arrived, we were starving.  Shara took us to a nice place called the Soup Plantation, we do not have these in PA.  

I think I could have eaten a little of everything!!!

Next, we arrived at the retreat in Fallbrook .  What a happy colorful place that was renovated for gatherings of creative people.  The theme was "The Hive".   Normally I don't like posting photos of myself looking like I have been ran over by a freight train and hair a mess but I am at the point in my life who cares!!  I am a happy looking freight train girl!!!

Not knowing what to pack for the trip I was very happy when I found out I could wear my comfy clothes all week and my PJ's if I wanted to.  
​

I shared a room in the retreat with 3 ladies Jane, Shara and Judy.  It was a girls week!   I picked out my bed closest to the door as I am a non sleeper and didn't want to wake anyone if I had to sneak out.  I believe they got to witness the entire week my non sleeping habits of 3 maybe four hours a night.  I was glad to see I am not the only one :).    I looked hanging above my bed and these were the prints above my bed.  How fitting!!

Beautiful view by the pool.  I love all the orange and lemon trees in the yards!  
​

I loved all the little touches in the retreat and how cute it the paint brush garland.
​

Let the fun begin!  I think I took this pic at about 12:30 am while everyone was asleep and yup I was wide awake!  We had two creative rooms full of ladies, there was 20 of us all together.

Oh how cute is this little pig pic that was in the kitchen.  I have to say our cook  for the week "Debbie was out of this world fabulous!  We ate all week and I will be going through withdrawals this week!  Thanks Debbie for all your hard work and her good friend Linda.  You ladies are the best!

I think by the end of the week I felt like that little pig lol!
​

I designed "Angel" especially for the class as we wanted it to be a class anyone could do especially if you were a beginner!!  I also wanted them to have creative freedom as I do in all of my classes.  I suggested they could even paint them different colors if they like as we all like different things.  I suggested you may even want a black sheep and wait to you see Sandy's sheep as she painted hers black and it changes the whole look.  
​

I believe we had a lot of nervous ladies at the beginning and they kept asking are you sure I can do this!  I assured them all yes you can!   When teaching I like to break down every single step and I never move on till everyone has that step complete.    We had so many great "Angels"  created  and they  ALL  turned out fabulous!!

I'll let the pictures speak for themselves!
​

 
Here is Sandy's Black sheep and she did it in her colors.  I LOVE it!  I really think she should have given it to me lol!  Shhhhhh don't tell Sandy I liked her sheep better than mine lol!  

​See the difference in just changing the paint colors.  It's all about creativity!

The next day I got to play!!!  We made ornaments, learned to soldier which I haven't done in years! and made a Shara painted Heart box.  We were given a few of the plastic ornaments to roll the paint in and to paint and you know me !!  I had to add quikwood to mine.  I made mine into a snowman and started a few gingerbread men.  A few of the ladies ask if I minded it the did that to theirs , so we had a few snowmen created with different looks to them all.  Here is a few pics of mine and the are not all done and when I got home the paint in the one gingerbread man separated.  I believe from the high altitude on the plane.  I 'll have to touch it up.  

Examples of what you could do with them! Very sparkly and cute!

I always think sculpting haha!

I had so much fun making this "Shara" design piece and getting to soldier the heart.  

Next we packed up and headed to the high dessert in the mountains to Judy Craliks beautiful log cabin.  All I can say is OMGOSH  if  I could stay in her creative room all day everyday I would die happy!  You just can't imagine!!!!  I didn't take any pics as I like respecting others home and privacy but just let me tell you it's to die for!  Judy, Shara, Jane and I spent Thursday being creative and soldiering and making jewelry.  I have a lot to learn but I absolutely loved every minute of it.  Judy you are one special lady for making me feel at home!  Thank You for your California hospitality and kindness that week.  

The Inspire and Blessed necklaces Judy made and I purchased as I loved them both and the other were ones I was playing around with.  Like I said I have a lot to learn.  My mind is spinning!

We then traveled to Kreative Klutter where Shara was teaching a 2 day seminar and I joined the fun!   Now remember I am a sculptor and I really wanted to learn how others paint as I am a complete self taught and have taught myself visually how to paint.  Let's just say I struggle with the shading and use of using a bigger brush.  I am a angle and double loader and mopper  but I tried my best and I plan on practicing my new learned skills.  What  a wonderful two days!!!  My projects are not complete and I have to finish them.  I finally made something for myself hahaha!    Please don't laugh at how bad my pumpkin is!  LOL  I think I will re-paint him .   

"Shara Reiner" designs!
​Painted by me in class!

We then traveled back to San Diego area to stay the night at Shara's as we had a early 6:30 am flight back home.   I had the most wonderful week and they invited me back next year to teach and I am looking forward to next year already!

Thanks you to all for making my creative week in California wonderful!!!   I believe I was spoiled for the week and now it's back to reality.  Today I will be re-cooping from the 3 hour time change and jet lag and trying to answer all the e-mails and messages.


Blessings! 
Wendy!!