A Fiery FiskaFriendzy

My day started at just before 7am. I know because when I was in the shower I looked at the clock in my bathroom and said, “Holy Cow, I only got 5 hours of sleep!” I started the 90 mile drive to the Queen Mary only to be disappointed by GoogleMaps YET AGAIN. Uggh!! Anyways, I finally made it.

I had never been on the Queen Mary before. It was pretty cool to be there and see all of the details and the history, Wow. Oh yeah, and then there were FISKATEERS EVERYWHERE!!! It was great to see old friends and make new ones and to just have a day of crafting and fun. I got to sit at a table filled with some great friends (Joanne, Elena, Melanie, Liz, and Tran) as well as meet some new friends, One lady, Carmen from West Covina (I think) had our mouths watering with all of the wonderful recipes she shared with us! I also saw some other ladies I know from around town like Tiffany from The Scrappin' Table, Gina a customer at Collective Journey, The Durbins who volunteer for Scrapbook Royalty, Lead Fiskateer Cheryl and her daughter and hubby, Donna Salazar, got to meet Elizabeth Hicks, had fun with Stephanie Ackerman, saw Candace Carpenter again, chatted with Naomi and her friends, saw Rochelle from So Cal Scrap and finally met Renee/Ranita who I chat with on sb.com, hung out with Patty and Sandy from Scrapbook Royalty…just a great day filled with friends! (sorry if I forgot to mention anyone).

We did a fun make n take designed by Candace Carpenter, had games run by the cruise director Elena, and just had a blast with some of the Lead Fiskateers there. Then after lunch we went to the Aquarium of the Pacific. And finally, we went to Bubba Gumps' for dinner. We filled half the restaurant!!

I lifted some of Tran's pics form the photosharing site we are all using. So far only she and I have uploaded so I'll post more pics as they become available. Here are some highlights from the day:

Naomi and me, just hanging out in the awesome room we were in. There were all these details to look at–carved wood walls with inlaid images, waves in the plastered ceiling, the windows, inlaid glass ….so pretty and crafted so well!

Elena's Godmother makes these awesome aprons that Elena designs. She had me wearing this super cute one made with Heidi Grace fabrics:

That's me with a bunch of ladies from the So Cal Scrap Group.

Tran and I:

Joanne, Me, and Tiffany on the deck:

We got little “Under the Sea” these cupcakes for dessert:

Here's me at the end of the event:

We were all covered in ash and the sky was gray with smoke. While we were in Long Beach having a blast several of our friends and store owners we know were evacuating their homes because of two BIG fires in Orange County and in Silmar. It actually took me quite a long time to get home too becuase many of the freeways were closed. I hope everyone is okay…just please keep them in your prayers.

I had a blast and it was great to just go and have fun! It was really a day long crafting party. Can't wait to do it again!

Author: Jennifer Priest

It started with jewelry, beading, sewing, home decor, painting, basket weaving, pottery, and cross-stitch. Marry that to an entrepreneurial spirit & at 9 years old a girl is selling her wares at craft fairs as far as her parents and grandparents would drive her. These days, Jennifer enjoys crafts of all genres from sewing to scrapbooking to jewelry with a little dabbling in the mixed media world. Her style is approachable and she wants everyone who sees her work to feel that they too can embrace creativity and make their home and life beautiful.