Trip to Nashville & a little Bon Jovi

Just got back from spending four days in my favorite city – Nashville - as always had a great time! Started Wednesday with a Bon Jovi Concert at the Bridgestone arena, Dashboard Confessional open and were great. Bon Jovi was AMAZING; they rocked the roof off . It took until Saturday to get my hearing back in my right ear. (That may have to do with two nights at the second fiddle on Broadway, but I’ll get to that in a minute).  Here is  the playlist. They hit all the big songs and a few that were old alum cuts that you don’t hear as often, but still know all the words. The only song that they didn’t play that I would have liked to hear is Bed of Roses, but maybe they will play it in London. 

We went down to Lynchburg, TN on Thursday to tour the Jack Daniels Distillery. Here is the picture of the whole tour group. I am hidden in the back and I am ok with that. :) We had an awesome tour guide names Bettie. She was great and had a wonderful sense of humor. Walked around the cute historic district which I think had a total of 10 stores. Then headed back north to Franklin, TN. Walked around Main St and saw some great little shops and had dinner at a Mexican restaurant called Sol. It was great and the guacamole was made table side which I always like.

Thursday night was night 1 at the Second Fiddle. The band that was on stage when we got there was Brandi Thornton and she is a great singer that knows how to engage the crowd and keep their attention. I would go see her again. The 2^nd group to come on was Barefoot Justice and I have to say I wasn't impressed and was sad to see that they were on again on Friday when we went back. Luckily they were the early band on Friday was they were off the stage by 10:30 and then the Shawn & Hobby band took the stage and they were also good. I look forward to seeing if any of these groups make it big. You never when you hit the bars on Broadway, they could be the next big thing...

Friday during the day we toured the Belle Mead Plantation which was very cool. I had never toured a plantation before so I got a good dose of history while there. We also drove by its sister’s house West Meade which is just a mile down the road and still family owned.

 

After having to check out Saturday morning we headed down to the Factory in Franklin.

It has a lot of local artists which is nice. A little too nice as I managed to buy two paintings. One by Deborah Gall. 

 

This one is  by Becky  R. Gholston.  I also looked through the window at Deann Hebert ‘s work, but she was closed. Next trip I will be heading over to see her. 

After that it was time to head home. Once again Nashville, you made it hard to leave...Next trip is for work. Atlanta in Mid May!!! Until then I am off to Craft. :)

Packing

Packing, my least favorite part about travel. I love the planning, love the flying, loving being there and even coming home is nice. Packing and unpacking - that is what i hate. Airport security, checking in, hotels, rental cars - piece a cake. Packing so not my idea of fun.

It is really an art form and I do have it down to a science, but it is a science that occupies my mind for days before I leave. What are we going to be doing on this trip, do i need day and night outfits, business and fun? Shoes - that is a whole other issue. Comfort or style...Seldom do you get both.

Ok, so I need to pack leave on Wednesday for Nashville. I love that city and have tix to see Bon Jovi. So I am going to need day and night attire. Along with some comfortable and stylish shoes...I think there may be a need for some shopping! :)

Ok, off to look the closet. :)

Using Tin On Cards

WOW. It has been crazy Saturday. Had to drop the car off this morning for an oil change, got home did 4 loads of laundry, changed out the winter and summer clothes and then made a batch of brownies. Tonight is our SU! Demo’s monthly workshop and I am the host this month so snacks are brownies. 


I am also on the lookout for a cheap rental car for Nashville this week. Heading down there on Wednesday and staying til Saturday - looking forward to a fun little getaway with my favorite travel gal.

So with all that going on I still had time to sit down and make a card. Last week I went to the Queen’s Ink (http://www.queensink.com/) in Savage mills and was amazed by all the different mediums they use. I bought a few different things, but was most intrigued with the 8.5x11 colored tin sheets by Ten Seconds Studio. (http://www.tensecondsstudio.com/)

The card is simple, but the paisley background is what I am excited about. I cut the tin down to a large background layer for my card. I picked a sizzix embossing folder and ran it through my Big Shot. The tin then takes impression of the folder. I took a sand paper and sanded the raised impressions to remove the color from the raised tin. Leaving the pink in the background and the silver shining through – I think this is going to be new favorite technique for awhile.

Ok, off to finish getting ready for tonight.

Craft Space

I see a lot of people posting about their craft space. I thought that I would do the same. I live in an apartment so my dining room doubles as my craft room. And, If I were to tell the truth, 90% of the time it is a craft area and only do I move the stuff if I have to feed people at the table. If I can get away with dinner on the couch I do it. 

The space isn’t huge so I have to be careful on what stays out and what gets put away. I tend to keep my cardstock, DP, copics, brown & Black ink out along with my cleaner. Stamps come and go between the table and the plastic drawers I store them in. (which are in a large walk in closet in my bedroom)  

I have recently done a clean out and upgrade of my crafting items. It started with the purchase of copics which cause the upgrade in cardstock and ink. That leaded to the want of new stamps and finding many new stamp companies. I had been only using stampin up stamps with Michael’s cardstock. Now I have bought several different stamps sets from many companies. For Cardstock I am using Taylored Expressions for white layering, Gina K for bases, and Stampin up paper for layering.

So, while i don't have a lot of space I still find the space to be inspired. 

Alright off to be creative will share later.

Patti

First Blog, First Post

HI!


I think the title says it all. I love to travel and I love crafts. Oh, and live music, but that normally goes along with the travel. I have recently taken my crafting to the next level and feel like I can start sharing it with the outside world. I my goal will be to post several times a week about crafting and then when I am planning a trip post about that as well.