artistic journey to alaska...

this was nothing short of a trip of a lifetime for me.  no matter how much i write, words cannot capture the experience this artistic journey to alaska was for me.  alaska was everything i had hoped it would be, every photo, brochure, tv program i had ever seen on alaska could not do justice to seeing it in real life - amazing!  i was able to share this adventure with 200 of my new friends - you all were incredible!  thank you so much for taking a chance and signing up for this artistic journey not even knowing a single project we would be doing or what was in store.  i sincerely appreciate all of you, and enjoyed spending time sharing our creativity with each and every one of you.  the workshops were so much fun for me as well - to see each of you taking what you were learning and following your own creative bliss and believing to "embrace imperfection" was inspiring to experience.  i hope that each of you enjoyed your artistic journey to alaska with me and once again, thank you from the bottom of my heart...
i am so thankful for my team (mario, michele, karen/keychain, and sharon) aboard the ship.  each of you by far went above and beyond to make sure everything went off without a hitch - thank you, thank you, thank you!  from the prepping, kitting, and organizing 5 different classes for 200 students, taught 4 times each day (over 1000 kits) and seeing that each detail was taken care of was nothing short of perfection.  jim & steve from scrapmap made this journey entirely stress free and helped out during every single class, event, and made sure every request made by anyone in our group was taken care of throughout the week, and jaci for seeing that everything was in order before we even stepped on the ship  - talk about going above and beyond!  in my opinion scrapmap is clearly the only way to go!  and finally to all of the support i received from ranger, advantus and the numerous companies that supplied products & giveaways for the classes - we had tons of great products to play with and create with.
one of the best things about this journey was the fact that all of us had a chance to create while we were at sea, yet explore, experience, and enjoy every port throughout our adventure.  so i wanted to share a few of the photos of some of the amazing scenery we experienced and the projects i taught.  i am putting together a video blog of our artistic journey to alaska to post later this week, but for now it's time to unpack - so enjoy...t!m

the cruise terminal in seattle (here we go)...

our ship - the pearl (very colorful inside and out)...

first stop - juneau alaska (great little town tucked in the mountains)...

second stop - skagway alaska that's the ship downtown (it's bigger than the town!)...

our white rail train excursion in skagway (my favorite part of the trip)...

it started snowing on the way up the montain (cool old train)...

then it was REALLY snowing at the top and the way down (never seen this much snow!)...

third stop - glacier bay and one of many photos (simply incredible)...

final stop in alaska - ketchikan alaska (our first day of sunshine!)...

hand carved totems in ketchikan (the most artistic town)...

great view from our balcony on the ship (breathtaking scenery)...
and finally - the workshops all designed for our artistic adventure...

Comments

[Ronijj]

OMG Tim ~ the photos alone are amazing...I can't imagine actually being there. I'm glad you all had such a super time and can't wait to hear more!

BTW ~ The projects look great but I knew they would!

[Kim D in FL]

Loved seeing those photos (the one out of the train window is stunning). TFS with us and can't wait to read more.

I hope that one day, one year, I'll be able to take a creative cruise journey with you (hope you'll be teaching years and years and years down the road.)

~Kim D in FL

[Jo]

all i can say is WOW! the scenery looks amazing, and so do the projects!

Cant wait to hear more about it - maybe see some more of what you created? :o)

[Sanderijn]

I love all the stuff you made, those mini albums, great!!!!I have a lot of the metal stuff, I love it so!!!!! those tokens, and swivel clamps, and the journal tickets, everything is so great to work with!

[lois Skiathitis]

The scenery is breathtaking and the projects look amazing. Welcome back Tim! thanks for sharing a little bit of your trip.

[Robin Beam]

Tim...sounds like an unbelieveable time! Good for you!

Inky Hugs, Robin

[Deborah]

Oh Tim wow! The pictures are stunning, just incredible, I can well believe it was the trip of a lifetime! Your projects are fabulous too, as usual! :)

[Sofia]

Wow what a landscape so incredible beutiful

[Peggy from Texas]

Tim,

Welcome home! I just KNEW you would have a wonderful time. I was in Alaska several years ago. Rented a motorhome and the BEST part of the trip was staying in a National Park and sleeping "under" a glacier. I still get chills remembering the beatiful scenery and the quaintness of most of the towns.

Cannot wait to see your video.

Peggy
Kerrville, TX

[poupetteval from FRANCE]

wowwwwwwwwwwww amazing cruise , amazing photos !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

hope you had a wonderful trip !!!!!

[debi]

THANK YOU soooo much for such an amazing Journey, Tim!!! I had the BEST time EVAH! John loved the trip too, so HE thanks you heh heh... Thanks for posting the pics, cuz now I don't have too. I'm sending friends here to see.

Wasn't that train ride just the BEST??? We took pics of us standing on the platform between the train cars in the snow. SOOOO much fun!

Thanks again for the journey of a lifetime!

debi (duh boring one, heh) aka...*Martha* HA!

[debi]

oh...and... HEY Robin! I MISSED YOU!!!

debi

[melissa]

Must have a great get away from the heat here in Arizona. Beautiful pictures.

[Ruth]

It was the trip of a lifetime. Tim was so funny and creative and giving of his time and talent. We had a wonderful time & I'm ready for the next one!!

[StampinCathy]

WOW sounds like everyone had a FUN and creative time. Your pictures are AWESOME. Thanks so much for sharing your journey with us in blogland.

[Elizabeth R.]

Thank you for the amazing photos! I would love to take a cruise of a life time you did!

[cottagerca]

All i can say is WOW! the scenery looks amazing, and so do the projects!

Cant wait to hear more about it - maybe see some more of what you created?

Loved hearing all about the details.
thanks
ava, cottagerca

[michelle]

Oh man! Been waiting all week to hear about your trip. Was hoping you would post pics of some projects and I was so impressed with all of your pics. You are so very blessed and we are blessed too by your sharing! Get some rest now my King o Crafts.

[Alison S]

Thanks Tim for sharing with us what we missed..hehe
Looks like you all had a blast. I love the pics from the train.
Welcome home and again thanks for sharing.

[Theresa Grdina]

Oh Tim. How wonderful! Your projects are fantastic and they actually do remind me of Alaska! WOW! Thank you for sharing...I wondered all week how your trip was going. I can't wait for that video blog!

[Andi Sexton (rrlscrapgal)]

So cool!!!! Two of your photos are at the top of my list: The one 'windows and words' and the last one - your photo of you, what you journaled and all the awesome pieces of the trip...

[Anne, Bulles dorées]

WOW fantastics photos !! J'adore !! the train and the glacier bay. C'est superbe !!

[Kathleen]

I went to Alaska and year ago and for me it was also a "trip of a lifetime." I took over 1000 pictures! Now if I had been able to make the cool stuff you taught then it truly would have been "over the top". Great stuff!

[Erin Glee]

Welcome back, Tim, we missed you!
I'm so happy for all of you that went and had "the trip of a lifetime".... it really looks like it was magnificent... and the projects~WOW!
Thanks for sharing... can't wait for MORE!

[Gunn Mandal]

It seems like a wonderful journey. And so fun to hear that is was even better than you hoped for.
Maybe some day I can take part in an journey like that. Meanwhile i love to see your picture and I am so looking forward to the video.
Gunn

[k@ren]

I've recently become addicted to your blog... and have been checking everyday for a post. Finally!!! All I can say is WOW! Thanks for sharing! Love it all....

[molly]

My mom and aunt had a great time on your cruise- my aunt especially so, since she won the grand prize! Their projects are just stunning and my mom is addicted to your alcohol inks now. They had a great time and both agreed Jim and Steve were incredibly helpful. They enjoyed themselves so much, thanks for providing them so much creativity and inspiration!

[christina]

Gorgeous photos! And the project pictures look awesome too!

[Kirsten V.]

WOW! The pictures are beautiful and I can't wait to hear more about your trip!

[tigger]

Your photos are wonderful - I'm so glad you had a great trip, didn't I tell you Alaska would be the trip of a lifetime?

#1 :-)

[Jen]

WOW! What amazing photos! I can't wait to read more about the trip and see more pictures!

[Debbie Smith]

What wonderful pictures and cool projects to boot. Thanks for taking the time to post them!

[Norma Davenport]

When is the next crusie and how do I sign up??? I know just what you mean about no book, picture or documentary can do justice to Alaska. I had the pleasure of living in Fairbanks in the early 70' and loved it! But Fairbanks in is the central not costal Alaska. But when you have the next cruise to Alaska....you'r gonna have this Souther gal with you. Thanks for the pics they are awsome.

Norma

[jimini78]

Glad you had such a fabulous time Tim. Thanks for sharing all the photos. They are great. Looking forward to the video blog. Welcome home - relax!

[Kim Caldwell]

What an amazing adventure! Looks like the journey of a lifetime. . . LOVE the picture of the ship docked in town -- sort of reminds me of what a small part we have in the overall scheme of things but how big we are to those that we call home. Congrats. . .

Hugs, Kim

[Pamela]

Yipeeee!!! It's good to have you back! What great pictures of Alaska and your projects!

~ Pam

[Cathy]

Tim,
Thanks so much for the incredible journey to Alaska, it was a fabulous trip of a lifetime. We had so much fun! You guys were amazing. Thanks so much for all the memories!
Cathy

[Cathy]

Tim,
Thanks so much for the incredible journey to Alaska, it was a fabulous trip of a lifetime. We had so much fun! You guys were amazing. Thanks so much for all the memories!
Cathy

[Damiane Lucas]

BREATHTAKING!!! Wow, what beautiful photos! And, thank you for sharing your workshop projects. I absolutely love the last pic of your travel journal. Very, very beautiful. Thanks for the pics!

[Jackie W.]

Welcome back, Tim! What an awesome glimpse we got of your trip! It sounded heavenly and I can't wait to see/read more about it! Jackie

[Sharon F.]

wow!

[Phyllis Strickland]

You are right, this is the trip of a life time! I took the same route, including the white rail pass, a number of years ago. We backpacked and took the Alaska Marine Highway Ferry, but it was amazing despite the lack of creature comforts. It was worth it!

[Michelle Granger]

What amazing photos, Looks like you guys had an amazing time. Color me jealous, and know that (if there is a next time) I will do my best to be along for the next journey. Can't wait to see more!

[Blondie]

Wow! Great pictures. Wish I could have been there with you all!!! Looks like you had a great time.

[Maria Jesus]

Tim
Welcome back!!!
nice to know that you enjoyed the trip to Alaska, your pictures are beautiful, hmmm i think i have to write Alaska on my travel list. :)

MJ

[Julie Howard]

WOW tim, thanks for sharing the photos! What a fabulous trip, and such awesome scenery!

The projects look amazing too! I really love the journey album, and those necklaces are fab!

[Lisa]

So cool. Great Alaskan pictures. I wonder if Mt.McKinley in Denali was in your view. (Not sure where you where exactly). Beautiful. Love your blog. I check in regularly. Lisa

[Jo W]

I love the photos, especially the shots of the train!!!
The projects look like a whole lot of gorgeous!!!
and hey, when i brought home my TH keys from the local scrapbook store, before i had time to play with them, my daughter jacked 2 of them and made necklaces ... your products are just sooooo very versatile. :)

[Misha]

Wow, wow, wow! That's about all I can say. The trip sounds so awesome and those photos are unbelievable. Glad you had a nice time--no hurricanes?

[Misha]

Wow, wow, wow! That's all I can say! The trip sounds like it was amazing and those photographs are unbelievable! So I guess there were no hurricanes??