planning, prepping, packing

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I love September!  Even though I miss having the kids around and would like the summer to be a little longer, I love that 3/4 of the way through the year we have an opportunity to start over.  Just like the students who are breaking in new books and adjusting to a change in routine, we can reinvent our habits, start new practices, and move forward with a revised vision for the rest of the year.  And as a bonus, the evenings and mornings are cooler…and that energizes me!

I have been enjoying the new spray paints I told you about and I will show you some of that soon.  I did learn that Liquitex headquarters is in my town.  Really?  Right here?  How's that for being a small world?  I wish they had a storefront…I'd be showing up often for refills.  So I had to set aside spraying for a bit because I wanted to get a jumpstart on prepping for my next event, Synchronicity.  I loved making the handout – I tried a new format and it was a blast!  In fact, I want to drop everything and make handouts for my 2013 workshops!  In less than a month I will be at Valley Ridge.  I will dearly miss my annual visits where I had amazing experiences, met treasured friends, and witnessed rampant creativity.  I'm grateful to be part of the final cast, especially on the final weekend.  I'm already blinking away tears. 

 

MWsynchronicityprep

In addition to taking care of business and trying to stay on top of assignments and deadlines, I'm happily planning for a very big trip.  I am going to England and Italy in November!  Can you stand it?? 

 

MWtravelplans

It was five years ago this weekend that I posted the photos below for Crusade No. 12 – Crush On You.  I confessed to crushing on gothic architecture.  And because of that crush I've fallen in love with buildings, and with cities.  For many years It's been a dream of mine to get to Venice.  And now I'm going!!  VENICE!!  I am thrilled to be going back to England, where Fallon and I will visit family, and see London…then we are off to Venice and Verona.  I'm reading and researching and taking notes and getting thoroughly giddy.  A dream come true.  Pinch me!

MWcrushonvenice

I'm booking the hotel this week.  I think I am settled on which one….if you have any recommendations based on your own experience for places to visit in Venice I am all ears. 

Comments

20 responses to “planning, prepping, packing”

  1. Jennifer W. Avatar
    Jennifer W.

    Amazing trip you have planned … Cannot wait to hear all about and see pictures … Missing you my friend …. xo

  2. Cath S Avatar

    Oh Michelle I am *so* pleased for you. Our trip to Italy in 2010 is still fuel for my imagination so can only begin to think what you will do with all that you’ll see, smell, hear, touch and taste…

  3. Danee Kaplan Avatar

    Michelle, Enjoy your trips. Anyone who has seen more than 2 blog posts realizes you are head over heels with gothic architecture. What an amazing inspiration the trip to Italy and England will be.

  4. Sarah Avatar

    Oooh ooh oooooh you’re coming here??? Do let me know if you have a spot free in your English itinerary, it would be fab to meet up!

  5. Carrie Avatar

    Incredible that Liquitex is right in your back yard! You could find a way to do what Tim Holtz did with Ranger… become Liquitex’s rockstar instructor and product developer! Teehee…
    Really wish I had been able to do the Synchronicity workshop. le sigh. Have fun! I’m sure it will be an awesome swansong for Valley Ridge!
    And how cool that you’re going to London and Venice! Someday I’d love to see several places in Italy, but first on the schedule is Germany. Woo in-laws! Free lodging and all the castles I can handle! Anyway, can’t wait to see all your pics from your travels. I’m sure you’ll be capturing all kinds of architectural details and soaking up lots of inspiration!

  6. Marylinn Kelly Avatar

    OMG, the dream trip. I am so happy for you and what an experience for Fallon. Your mind must be dancing with all the things to come. And those may be the most elegant hand-outs ever. The molded pieces are fabulous, works of art in themselves. Party on. xo

  7. twitter.com/artl8dy Avatar

    Venice!!! Check out my blog post… Incredible meatballs !! http://e14studio.blogspot.com/2006/03/delizioso.html

  8. Coral Avatar
    Coral

    Your handouts are gorgeous – of course. Your students will treasure them as works of art for years to come – do you realize that when you make them? That years from now, your students will pull them out, looking closely at how you made them, running their hands over the texture, remembering their art experience with you? Maybe you do and that is why you put so much effort into them. Oh, to be able to come and play….
    An adventure to London and Italy – you must be about to burst with excitement. I hope it is even more beautiful than you have imagined and you come home with your soul full from the experience.

  9. Nancy Avatar
    Nancy

    Michelle, instead of a hotel consider an apartment. We stayed in a lovely one when we were there in May; clean, convenient, near a couple of nice little markets and several restaurants. I booked through cross-pollinate.com. They were super to deal with and had a huge list of B&B’s, apartments, etc to choose from. How I envy you, we loved Venice and I want to go back. I’ll look up the name of the place where I got my mask and send it to you. There is a place where you can make your own mask if you want, I’ll get that for you as well.
    Have a wonderful time, I hope you’ll give us a peak at your journal. I’m going to miss seeing you at VRAC, I’m so sad this is the last year. Big hug,

  10. Sylvie Avatar

    I am so very happy for you. I hope this trip will be all you dreamed of.
    Looking forward to spending a weekend with you in Valley Ridge.

  11. Seth Avatar

    So many wonderful things to look forward to. I cannot wait to share these adventures though your eyes on your blog.

  12. Erin Perry Avatar

    In Venice you need to go to a little paper store kitty corner from the La Fenice Opera House plaza. The store is called Linda Gonzales – she makes marvelous marbeled paper and journals and her delightful French husband runs the shop. We were there in 2005 and bought massive amounts from them. In London – a marvelous little lane near Covent Garden that is awash with little shops that carry all kinds of antique paper – prints, books, currency, etc. What a wonderful adventure!
    Erin in Morro Bay

  13. deniz feneri/ lighthouse Avatar

    Just wanted to let you know that I was inspired by your “Synchronicity” workshop and created a doodle related to it (I am more than a thousand miles away). Here is the link : http://www.izmircadisi.blogspot.com/2012/09/her-gun-sanat-art-everyday-46.html
    Hope you have a nice journey…

  14. Brian Kasstle Avatar

    We stayed in an amazing hotel right off the canal in Venice, and they made us an breakfast every morning!

  15. Christine Edwards Avatar
    Christine Edwards

    What exciting trips! The London/Venice trip sounds like a blast. It’s been over twenty years since I was in Venice…definitely need to plan a trip back. I will see you though in a few weeks at VRAC. It will definitely be a bittersweet weekend.

  16. Gabriele Avatar
    Gabriele

    Wishing you a wonderful time in europe, have fun !!!

  17. Sandi Terry Avatar
    Sandi Terry

    I’m so excited for you and Fallon!!! What a dream come true! Of course I know you’ll be sharing all your amazing finds and adventures with all of us. Have a wonderful, wonderful trip!!! I’m so sad not to be joining you at VRAC, especially when you share such tantalizing glimpses of your class materials! Thank you for making MY Valley Ridge trip an adventure to treasure.

  18. Janine Avatar
    Janine

    OMG you will love it! I walked, walked, walked and walked some more and spent so much time on the water visiting the islands, the cemetary… cannot wait to see your photos! Hope you and Fallon have a fabulous time! You are going to be blown away xoxox

  19. Rosie Avatar

    I don’t live in London but the far north of England – welcome anyway!! Hope Europe is inspirational for you.

  20. Chris Avatar

    Hey, congrats!! I have been loving some Venice photos from friends lately, and it seems like I can’t get enough! So it will be great to read all about your trip! We’re going to London in 2014. Yes! I haven’t been there in over a decade and I can’t wait to see all the changes! We may get to Wales and Scotland if we play our cards right. We have to save money way in advance, so we are going to be relishing the prep!
    I love those travel books. Lots of pics and you don’t have to worry about throwing them about.

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