As we crossed into Alaska, we gained an hour of sleep, which meant I was up at 5:30am.  We had breakfast at Windjammer and headed straight to Base Camp (my spin of the wheel won some Petal Pink Rhinestone Gems).  I read more of my book before heading to a "Card Making Class."  I felt sorry for the Royal Caribbean employees who led a crayola construction paper-ish class with a bunch of Stampin' Up! demonstrators, mainly because no one told her her enrollment would go from the usual 5 to about 45.  

After lunch, we arrived in Juneau and got off at AJ Dock.  I was ready in my long sleeve shirt and pants, but it was so warm I had to stop and buy a t-shirt.  We were told repeatedly that the weather was unusual, sunny and mid-80s all week with not one drop of rain.  (The only time I was ever cold was due to wind on the top deck of the ship).  We waited 25 minutes until our bus departed for our first excursion, Whale Watching.  We saw a few Humpback Whales, but they were hard to get a good camera shot.  Then we found some orcas, who stayed on top of the water longer.  On the way back, we saw a few more Humpbacks.  Once back on land, our bus took up to the second part of our excursion, a Salmon Bake at Gold Creek.  We ate salmon with brown sugar glaze cooked over an open fire, plus a bunch of sides and blueberry cake.  We could have stayed to roast marshmallows, but we were on to our next excursion in downtown Juneau. 

We boarded Mt. Roberts Tramway to take a cable car to the top of the mountain.  I sat in the restaurant to finally check my email (since we did not pay to get internet on the cruise ship) while Nicholas took photographs.  After an hour, we went back down the tram and did some souvenir shopping in downtown.  

We boarded the ship just in time for our 8pm dinner (yes, we ate 4 meals this day!), back to the hot tub, and then to the room to find my next pillow gift: Merry Christmas to All stamp set and thinlits!  Stampin' Up! has allowed me to have a meaningful hobby and meet new people.  And my husband really is fine with giving up the basement to an endless parade of stampers!  Especially if it means he gets to go on his first cruise to his dream destination!  

Day 2 was spent cruising at sea, so lots of time to explore, sit in the hot tub, read my book, and attend activities.  We tried ordering free room service, but managed to eat a second breakfast in the Windjammer.  I ended up eating pita, hummus, salmon, capers, cucumbers and tomatoes almost every morning!  

After breakfast, I stopped by Base Camp to drop off my swaps and of course to spin the wheel.  I won a punch that we'll be using to make a Halloween card in an upcoming class.  Any guesses?  Then, we had an Opening Session in the Palace Theater where we received the new Holiday Catalog (starts September 5th!). I didn't win a Prize Patrol, but we had plenty of All Attendee Giveaways.  I am most excited about the YouPick Tool, a tool to pick up gems, glue dots, scraps, plus functions as a paper piercer and stylus.  Even Nicholas won a prize, although he is not sure how to properly display the SU logo and asked if he would put an Alaska sticker over it!  At the end I was called up on stage to help announce the destination of the 2020 incentive trip: Maui!  Doesn't that sound lovely?

Afterwards, we went to an art auction, but I will be saving my money for the Holiday Catalog (my wishlist is $411)!  After lunch, I took a nap while Nicholas played in a soccer tournament.  After our daily time in the hot tub, we went to dinner.  It was formal night, so we managed to get a little dressed up.  After dinner, we went to  Finish That Lyric Game Show, where Nicholas answered the first clue correctly with Right Said Fred and was thereafter a participant in the show!  Unfortunately, he had the camera in his pocket, so I didn't get to take a picture!  

Inspire. Create. Share.  Coming back from Alaska, I am more inspired than ever, need some time to create, but have plenty to share!  As most of you know, I am a Stampin' Up! demonstrator.  I started this venture in 2011 when we moved to Indianapolis, Indiana.  We were asked several times on the cruise ship: what is Stampin' Up!?  We are celebrating our 30th anniversary this year as a company of more than 50,000 demonstrators in 10 different countries who "express their own creativity through handmade cards, papercrafting projects, memory keeping, and home décor."

In 2016, I set a goal to work towards the Stampin' Up! incentive trip which had been announced would be a cruise to Alaska.  My husband, Nicholas, and I were turning 40 and Alaska had always been a destination to which he wanted to travel.  That began a year where I worked each day to approach my hobby more like a business.  Over the year, we accumulate "flex points" for sales and recruiting and then can redeem those flex points on various incentives.  Instead of spending them along the way like I normally did, I saved them to try to reach 160,000 points, the amount needed to earn the trip for free for myself and one guest, airfare included!  After a year of hard work, I crossed the threshold about 2 days before the deadline!  Then began the year of waiting until departure!  

On Friday, July 20th, 2018, Nicholas and I headed to Seattle where the Royal Caribbean ship, Explorer of the Seas was set to debark at 4pm.  Of course I had to wear my KD Supersonics shirt, since I have long been in love with Seattle and was there 10 years ago (at the same time when KD, my former student, was named Rookie of the Year).  We boarded the ship with 400 other demonstrators, their 400 guests, and 200 other guests of achievers (who paid their own way).  So we totaled 1000 people on a ship that holds about 3100.  

We found our room which greeted me with a cute Alaska sign on the door and our luggage had already arrived!  I was so thankful for a balcony in our room where I spent much time each morning drinking coffee and finishing a 700 page book.  After lunch in the Windjammer buffet, we explored the ship and found Base Camp, a room SU had reserved on the ship for us to come hang out, eat candy, see displays, and win prizes.  Each day we could spin the wheel to win some product and my first prize was a pack of neutrals designer series paper.  Before dinner, SU held an appetizer reception for us.    

We had 8:00 dinner time in the Sapphire Dining Room (which was 11:00pm our time!), where we had the best seat in the house next to the window and even caught a glimpse of a whale jumping that first night!  We dined with Tracy Penn and her husband from Australia, who both love tennis and attend the Australian Open every year, our next destination on our bucket list.  After dinner, I discovered my first "pillow gift."  SU spoils us with a gift each night on our bed.  We received a much needed jacket, plus an embossing folder from the upcoming Holiday Catalog.  For someone who goes to bed around 8pm each night, I don't think I ever slept so soundly...     

The next session of VIP Club starts in September!  I am starting a new Club on Saturdays (morning or afternoon, depending on interest).   This is a techniques focused group who has a lot of fun!  

Last year we tried embossing paste, marbling, re-inker spread, fancy folds, light up cards, brusho and embossing tricks.  This year, we plan to try embossing mats, the string technique, bleaching, impossible cards, multi-colored embossing, and tarnished foil (subject to change based on what is the current trend!).  

There are only 5 openings, so contact me to claim your spot!  

At card classes, I often hear ladies arrive and claim to have forgotten something at home.  While I try to provide most of the supplies, I do ask you to bring the following to make the cards of the month:

1. Adhesive of choice (I recommend snail; and don't forget a refill in case you run out!)
2. Scissors (I recommend snips)

At the last class, ladies mentioned it would be beneficial if I put together a list of supplies that would be helpful, but not required,  to have to reduce the wait time while their neighbor fussy cuts!

1. Specialty adhesive (glue dots, dimensionals, liquid glue, tear & tape)
2. Trimmer (since the SU trimmer is too big to bring, consider the one from Creative Memories or the Tiny Trimmer from Michaels)
3. Adhesive remover (SU doesn't sell this anymore, but you can find elsewhere)
4. Bone folder (to help fold cards cleanly, even though I score for you with the Scoring Tool) 
5. Clear blocks (the D block is the most common; just make sure to label yours with a Sharpie or washi tape)
6. Black marker (the Stampin' Write is common, but the Journaling Pens are great for drawing fine lines)
7. Stampin' Pierce Mat (to be used under photopolymer stamps to get the best image)
8. Paper Piercer (to help poke out the pieces from your die cuts)

If you have these, collect them in a bag and grab and go next time you come to class!