My Birthday Weekend

Hi Everyone,

Even though my birthday was in April, I thought I'd share the fun weekend we had to celebrate the achievement of another year!  Since my birthday fell the weekend before Handmade U - Spring, I figured I'd have lots left to do, so we didn't go away too far.

It was a stormy weekend but we decided to brave the tornado WARNINGS, yes not watches, and drive from Omaha to Nebraska City, home of Arbor Day!  

There is a cute place called Lied Lodge where my husband booked a room.  It was a little dicey as we got close, the sirens were sounding, and apparently tornados touched down 20 miles away..waves of rain drenched the car....but as you may have guessed by my writing this post, we survived!

When we arrived at the Lodge and we relaxed in the lobby which was full of travelers and campers that came in for shelter.  

We taste tested the local Apple Wine, which was very sweet, but not too bad.  Bought some cheeses and crackers and had a little happy hour.

Sunday morning we had a relaxing massage, tasty brunch buffet and headed to tour around the area before heading home.

First stop was Kimmel Orchard

Choices.....

We tested an apple turnover and iced apple cider.  We also picked up some Apple Maple Syrup that we need to try out at home sometime soon.

Then I wanted to show Jim Monument Square, the park with the Whispering Bench!

Here is the tale of the bench...

Jim sat at one end and I on the other and if we whispered to the side of the bench we could hear each other!

We headed on our way back to Omaha with a quick stop at an antique mall that was just recovering from the huge flood we had in the area a couple years ago.  They showed pictures of the sandbag piles they had around the whole huge building that saved them.

When we got home we attempted to go out to dinner to the new Joe's Crab Shack to celebrate Sunday evening with my parents.  However, there was a 2 hour wait since new restaurants get bombarded when they open in Omaha.  We chose Cheesecake Factory next door.  Always a good standard.

Monday was my actual Birthday, so I was surprised by flowers from my sweet husband, after he already gave me generous gifts over the weekend.

We met my parents for a second try at Joe's Crab Shack over lunch on Monday.  Unfortunately it was a bad experience.  Long waits, cold food, unhappy wait staff....the opening month just didn't work for them.   Silver lining we got to wear bibs...and how often anymore do you get to do that?!?

So Jim also had ordered a cake, and of course he thought I needed cupcakes too!  So thoughtful!  Thanks Jim....I don't know why right now I have a taste for cake.....

A wonderful birthday weekend!!

- Rach

Handmade U - Second Semester a Success!

Hi Ladies,

The second semester of Handmade U was a fun one!  It seems so long ago since my "daytime job" has been crazy busy since then, but now I have a little bit of room to breathe and reflect on the wonderful weekend we had.

Thanks to all the ladies that came back for their Sophomore Semester, and those new Freshmen that came!  The group of ladies we had were amazing, fun, and so creative, I can't begin to tell you.
Each semester I am learning so much from these women it is overwhelming!

Handmade U again began with the amazing Michelle Geller coming in Wednesday evening to stay with us.

Cheers to a wonderful weekend!

And behind every successful ART Weekend is a very patient, loving, and supportive husband, thanks JIM!

This semester I was a little more organized and we got some decent sleep the evening before, and got up early to take over Minglewood Lodge, in Gretna, NE.

I wanted each table setting for the students to be bright and cheerful!  Number folders contained the schedule of classes for the weekend.  Goodie bags filled with fun treats, and a little notebook for notes and thoughts for the weekend.  Thanks to sponsors, Wanda Clark, Laurel from Oriental Trading Company,

and my mom Sara from Acorn Ridge Quilting, who did the majority of work on these AMAZING pencil cases.. (from an old vintage cutter quilt I had).

Michelle had her vendor table set up and ready to be shopped!

Anxiously awaiting the students!!

 The ladies begin to arrive!!  We had states all over represented!  Louisiana, Virginia, Oklahoma, Texas, Indiana, Oregon, and Nebraska!

To start Friday morning Shelley and Stephanie were excited to do a SONIC run!  Bless them!  I love a good Cherry Limeade when the notion strikes!  Plus given I was under the weather and losing my voice all weekend, the Limeade kept me going!!

Shelley organized the swap for the ladies.  It was a paper doll swap, and the variety of dolls was so fun to see!  A couple even made them for everyone, so I was able to add them to my journal, thanks!!

The dolls....sorry for the angle!!

Friday we began the Stitched and Stashed Journal taught by Michelle!  Cute bag with all our supplies.

This is the cover I used for my first book...

  Here are all the other ladies books.  I actually made two one with the America Travels cover at the top right....I used my French Blue Books as the signatures inside.  Excited to journal and keep track of all our family travels together in that one!

Michelle loving all the finished journals!  We had a fun day of learning the binding technique, and then decorating all the pages with collage materials, stamps, etc.

Friday night was Pizza night for us, but this little lady came to find we had left over Smoked Chicken that my Dad made for us from Thursday night.....  Michelle and I thought she was homeless and agonized about who would feed her after the weekend.  Luckily, the Lodge owner let us know it was a family cat from the house behind the hill....so relieved!

Saturday morning we spent time working on Prize Ribbons!  I showed a few techniques, handed out the bag of goodies to work with and let the ladies create what was in their hearts!

I love when everyone's projects turn out just how they should, unique!

 Saturday afternoon we spent a lovely time with Pam Keravuori.    Pam is am amazing artist, and she taught us about doodling, lettering and about the right tools and materials to work with!  She created this design for us to model after.

This is the design I came up with.  Working to finish the watercoloring and copic marker colors.

Here is a sample of the lettering technique she taught us...

Pam was so fun just to listen to and watch create!!

 

Saturday evening was a special event.  Our FAVORITE Gourmet Food Truck made a fun stop to feed us!  BOMB DIGS.

We ate Shrimp Tempura Tacos and Chicken Flautas!!

Here are all the Students! (l to r) Me, Shelley, Jodie, Paige, Michelle G., Hope, Pam, Michelle E., Leslie, Laurel, Mollie, and Stephanie!

Staff:  Sara (mom), Jim (husband), me, Gerry (dad), Michelle and Pam!

The Teachers!!

 Of course CUPCAKES!!!!

Thanks ladies for making it a great weekend!!

-Rach

Handmade U is just around the corner! PRIZE RIBBONS!

Hi Everyone,

I can't believe we are already in the middle of March. I am sitting here with the windows open, birds chirping, and having the urge for some major spring cleaning!

It also means that Handmade U - Second Semester is just around the corner. We have an amazing group of women ready to descend upon Omaha to spend the weekend, stitching a hand bound journal, doodling in a mini book, and creating prize ribbons for whomever or whatever they'd like!

I have a few sample ribbons to share. We'll learn a number of fun techniques to use fun papers, fabrics, ribbons, etc.

BEST HUBBY AWARD GOES TO...... Jim McGough

I created this fun award for my husband Jim! I used 6 different scraps of fabrics, a custom made button that says "Best Husband LOVE YOU" typed with my vintage typewriter. I also used the navy polka dot fabric we used for our wedding accessories, and the ribbons/yarns from the fun wands people waved at us as we left the Church after our wedding.

Fun Prize Ribbon - TBD

This award has yet to be named...who should win it?? I used a colorful cupcake liner, some vintage wallpaper scraps, a dennison gold foil sticker, and ledger paper for the award. I used tickets, vintage french ribbon, and a leather pink flowers to finish it off.

THE BEST CAT AWARD goes to.....

Well Bolt thinks he won, after he took this adorable photo, I had to take a picture with each of the guys and the ribbon so jealousy wouldn't prevail.

Noah looks thoughtfully down at the ribbon at his side too.... I think more than the award, the guys liked the jingle bell that was on one of the ribbons attached.

For this award ribbon I used a Sizzix die cut to punch the circles with the slits in the sides that you can move up and down. I used a wired ribbon at the bottom along with a blue playing card for the biggest circle, and other papers to finish it up.

More ribbons will be created for the event, a couple with fabrics and other vintage papers!

If you are considering joining us for Handmade U please send me an email, we do have 1 spot left in the lodge and a couple to attend the weekend without lodging.

Happy Almost Spring!!

-Rach

Handmade U - Second Semester

Hi Everyone,

As I am coming down from the excitement of a Wedding, Honeymoon, Holidays, Husband's Birthday, and being sick, I have a SUPER FUN event coming up to plan for!

Handmade U - Second Semester!! April 19-22, 2012.

The venue will be the same, Minglewood Lodge near Omaha, NE.

For all those who will be Sophmores, welcome BACK!! For those considering coming as Freshman, please come join us for your First Semester!

We have all new projects that will be sure to keep us Creatively Stimulated all weekend long!!

Check out all the details HERE on the Handmade U - Second Semester page!!

Sign ups begin NOW! Email me at mcgoughrachel@yahoo.com to sign up and arrange payment!

Be Crafty -

Rach

I am really still Alive - I'm Actually a Married Woman NOW!

Cheers to YOU!!

Happy Holidays everyone!

I have been gone so long! After Handmade U, First Semester, I was focused solely on our wedding preparations and that took all our time.

Now that the dust is settling from all the events that were all so Amazing, we are headed to Dallas to spend our first Christmas together with Jim's family.

Once we get back from the Holidays I will be announcing Handmade U, Second Semester registration. The dates for the Spring Semester will be April 19-22. Hope you can make it!

Enjoy your holidays with your friends and family!! Thanks for being a reader of my blog in 2011!! Looking forward to 2012! More exciting things to come.

Peace and JOY to you all,

Rach