What a trip.
I have always wanted to visit Washington, DC. Most of the time when I travel to teach all over the place, there is just not enough time for me to get to experience any other part of the city besides the store (and you know I love the stores). Being able to get out and actually see DC, Georgetown, and Alexandria was huge for me. To see all these places I have read about, seen on TV, etc was a major highlight. So much happens in this small area of our country. It is almost hard to comprehend how amazing it really is...
Being there I experienced a mixture of emotions. Pride in our country. Saddness for all the lives that have been lost...and thankfulness for all those men and women who have fought and continue to fight for the ideals we hold most dear. Even if my politics don't match the current administration, I was still so totally excited to see the presidental choppers flying overhead. (The above photo was taken up inside the Washinton Monument.)
Speaking of choppers...Marirosa, Ashlie and I had just come down from our adventure to the top of the Washington Monument. We were walking acorss the lawn towards the WWII Memorial when we heard the choppers coming - and then we saw them. FOUR of them. I totally got so excited as I saw them turn towards the White House that I full on sprinted towards the White House across the lawn. I wanted to see who was getting out! Marirosa and Ashlie were totally laughing at me, but I did not care one little bit. I felt so excited...that little kid kind of excited. I ended up not seeing much except the press corps getting off the last chopper - that was cool enough.
After being in the heart of DC we headed to Alexandria (earlier we had visited Georgetown - totally never realized how close it is to the Capital - and visited one of my favorite stores Paper Source) and lunch at Union Street. YUM - especially those garlic mashed potatoes and the local beer.
I found my favorite purchase of the trip at the Torpedo Factory Art Center (the coolest place) made by a designer names Jenae Michelle. The bag is made of vintage coats. In looking at her site this morning I found a link to another cool site: unsung desginers (I am sure I can find just a couple things on that site).
This was on the wall of the little shop where the bag was found:
Also while browsing around the Art Center I came across a painter that I now love: Susan Finsen. Love to get ahold of one of her paintings one day. Totally inspiring.
After all the touring and shopping and eating we headed back to Ashlie's for a potluck. I got to meet a bunch of wonderful women who were brought together because of scrapbooking and they brought awesome food along wtih them.
Saturday morning it was time for classes and the crop. The weather forcasters were all calling for snow. And it started coming down with avengence by early afternoon. I liked it of course (speaking of that it was snowing here this morning too). And just about everyone made it to class. Loved connecting with everyone in the classes. So many beautiful, friendly faces. We laughed a bunch and everyone worked really hard. I especially love commments about how tough the homework was for Perspectives - tough but good - just how it should be :).
I know I have said this before, and it is true everytime, I LOVE meeting all the people in classes. Thank you all for being so kind and for being excited and willing to play.
Hung out after the classes on Saturday night and then taught again Sunday morning before heading home Sunday afternoon. Made it even though the weather was on the questionable side. Happy to make it home on time since I leave in the AM tomorrow for a couple days in Salt Lake before heading to The Netherlands on Sunday.
And then, something else I thought was totally cool: the girls at Get Croppin are selling these awesome colanders with personalized rub on phrases. They made me one that says "Capture Life. Create Art." Of course, I love it. Totally perfect for storing more of these supplies I keep acquiring.
So thanks, my dear friends, for one of my most favorite trips yet. I am sure there is more, but I need to get to work.
My house is in route to Camp David, so I see those whirly birds quite often. And although I'm not a Bush fan, I always wave, 'cause I know he's in one of the four:). Fun stuff. And looks like I need to do some shopping down in DC:).
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dang! I purged...and now I wish I didn't. I swear I had all 4 of the coats to make that bag! LOL Fun post...I've never been to DC either. Yet.
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Sounds like you had an awesome trip! Love reading about all of your "adventures!" And that purse you bought, in a word: AWESOME!!!
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What a cute bag!!
Annemieke
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sounds like an awesome trip! DC is just so cool. I loved it there. And that purse...totally rockin' :)
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I posted on my blog pics of the day too! Truly enjoyed Friday!!!!!!!! Eventhough DC is just a regular place for me now ... I can still remember how I felt being there for the first time. Thinking just how many decisions are made there on a daily basis that affect each and everyone of us. Ali- you a truly a breath of fresh air! Thanks for being apart of an awesome event, awesome day, and awesome weekend! -the other AE
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Man, as patriotic as I am, I got goosebumps seeing all those American flags...I would have been child-like myself...TFS...
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You truly captured some great photos. And when you showed us that bag the other night, it made me think that I need to get down to the Torpedo Factory. It's a shame that I have all of these neat places right around the corner from me and I never take advantage of it.
I can't emphasize this enough when I say how truly inspired I was by your visit and your class. And I truly do hope you come back again soon.
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Ali, thank you for spending the time with us and building these memories. I love your all around spirit...had a blast running around town.... you truly made this event....Marirosa
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Your trip sounds wonderful.. I found me some of these colored colanders on a recent shopping trip here locally in MN.. I bought one for me, and embellished it.. fun! Then I went out and bought 4 more... to either embellish and use, or give away to scrapping friends.. You can see pics of them on my blog...
love the colander... it's almost as nice as mine.. lol
loveya Ali,
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That purse, I NEED one! I don't say that too often, very cool, so unique. I love the idea of recycle/re-use. That was a good purchase. Have fun in Europe.
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I am SOOO in love with that bag, and I'm not really a handbag type of gal. Wow, nice.
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Sounds like a wonderful trip. I'd love to go to DC someday.
Loving that cute little bag!!!
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Sounds like you had a wonderful time, well deserved too. As for being patriotic, I love my country (Canada) but I would like to think of myself more of a citizen of the world: my community is more than my backyard.
I love that purse!! I only started using a purse in the last few years and now wonder how I ever lived without one.
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hahaha...i laugh at the thought of you running across the lawn towards the choppers...too cute! and those colanders, even cuter...what a cool idea!
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Looks like you had a great trip! I was lucky enough to live in DC for 6 weeks while attending a course there a couple of years ago. Spring is gorgeous, especially when the cherry trees are in bloom in April. Love that bag!
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Ali DC is by far one of my favorite places- and I LOVE LOVE LOVE the torpedo factory!!! What a cute find! =) So glad you got to experience it all. I know I get chills just being near all the history and greatness. Good stuff!
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Thanks for sharing. Touching post. Love the purses and the colander! Just read your Mom's article online at CK site. Wow! Impressive! You've taught her well! ;)
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LOVE your new bag. :o)
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Well, wonders never cease!!!! A wonderful use of a Colander - why would we want to use it for cooking when we can use it for SCRAPPING!!!??? Loving that purse too and the WA D.C. pics!
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When I was teaching high school chorus, we took the band and chorus on a trip to DC. One morning while standing on the sidewalk in front of a museum waiting for it to open, President Clinton rode by on his bicycle followed by about 3 black Suburbans full of Secret Service agents. We lost about half our kids who went tearing off after him towards the whitehouse once we'd realized who it was, lol!
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ali,
love the way you "blog".
-p
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Loved reading about your trip to Washington... sounds like you had a wonderful time and I really love the bag... it's beautiful!
There is something about those choppers... they make you act goofy. I live about 20 miles from the President's ranch in Crawford and the choppers are always flying over when they come in and out. I always have to stop and watch them. Once we had to pull over for his motorcade to pass us on a two-lane road and he was in one of the suburbans. I was waving like crazy and acting so giddy... you would have thought it was some famous hunky movie star in there. My husband thought I was nuts.
Oh, well, he is the most powerful person in the free world!
Have fun on your trips to SLC and The Netherlands... look forward to more shared details and stories.
Pam C.
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That purse is adorable!! Love the colorful colanders, too!
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Collanders. What will they think of next???????
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