a memorable trip...

hey there bloggers!  hope you've enjoyed your week.  i must say that i had an amazing trip to ohio.  a big shout out and thank you to all of my students in the workshops at the adventures in stamping show last weekend - what a blast!  i had such a great time and sharing with everyone was so inspiring for me as always.  in addition to the day of workshops i spent the next two days demonstrating in the stampers anonymous booth.  the show was busy, busy, busy and that's always a good sight to see.  here are some pics from the workshops and the stampers anonymous booth...

after the weekend i stayed an extra day to visit stampers anonymous headquarters in cleveland.  it's hard to believe i've been designing for them all this time and never had the chance to see how everything works - and you know how much i love behind the scenes stuff!  we were greeted by the staff who were all wearing these very cool, very custom made shirts that said "we are enjoying the journey...thanks tim....your stampers anonymous family" - seriously, how cool is that?  i was just speechless standing there seeing all of these faces as they were applauding me?  me???  they are the ones that deserve the applause for making such a quality amazing hand-made product.... yes each and every stamp is made by hand.  i had no idea how much effort and labor goes into manufacturing every single stamp and how many different people touch it along the way, each doing their part.  i must admit i was so blown away and overcome with emotion that i didn't remember to click a single photo  - i was honestly in the moment.  next trip you guys, i promise!  here's a group shot of the stampers anonymous team and the owner of it all - mr. stampers anonymous...ted!

 
i had a chance to walk around and meet all of the wonderful people who make the stamps, ask about their part of the process and see all of the cool machines and gadgets that make stamps - it's incredible!  hopefully next time i'm there i can do a little behind the scenes "how it's made" video for the blog.  hint-hint ted...  then they planned a cool trolley tour around cleveland to learn the history of this city and check out some local sights.  so about 30 of us piled in the trolley and set out for a fun afternoon.  we drove all over the city, saw such great architecture and learned stories of the history of cleveland.  of course my favorite stop on the tour was the famous "free" stamp sculpture.  talk about a HUGE stamp - check it out, and then see ted and i standing next to the thing.  i would love that in front of my house...

then we went for dinner in little italy and took in a few more sights before calling it a day.  the next morning we headed home for a quick stop.  we're off again tomorrow to teach in canada this weekend and then straight to michigan for the mega meet!  so much to get done, so little time, and yet i wouldn't change a thing.  thanks for sharing the journey...t!m

Comments

[Jason Pettigrew]

oh looks like it was a fun time and I love the huge free stamp how cool is that
~Jason

[Joanne]

Oh! thanks for sharing that. I felt as if I was there too - I wish. Enjoy the next trip. x

[Trish]

amazing tim. I'd love to see how they are made too - i love that kind of stuff. have a great weekend.

[Shanna]

those t-shirts are so cool! I would have been speechless, too. Who am I kidding, I would have been balling right when I saw them. Sounds like a great trip. It's always fun to see how much work goes into all of the items we use. I'd love to see a behind the scenes video, if you go again.

~Shanna

[Laura church]

HOW are you coming to Canada and I didn't know about it? Where are you going and WHERE is your schedule on line??

[Jeanette]

Sounds like you've had a really good time!!

That stamp sculpture is soo cool!! :D

[Cindy]

Good Travel Documentary

[GLENDA BROOKS]

Whew! What kind of vitamins do you take?

[Libby from Oakland]

Sounds as though you had a great time.

[Lisa aka Myran]

That stamp is awesome!! Sounds like you had a good time :)