Thursday, June 9, 2016

Baltic Trip and Giveaway Details...

Good Afternoon Everyone!

The Trip...

Almost ready to go!  You know you never really know if you have everything ready to go... do you?  I have made countless lists and crossed things off and then remembered something else and added it to a new list.  There are lists on my phone, taped to the kitchen cabinets, lists scratched on old tags in my studio and I even found one in my car....Am I totally over thinking this or am I being organized?  Who knows...But the good news is...I've about scratched everything off my lists and have my two pieces of luggage packed and they are under the 50 pound limit!  Who knew!

It's crazy how time flies and the trip is here in like 3 days!  Sunday evening we leave for our night flight to London...and get this, British Airways flies out of Austin direct now...The bad part of that for me is that it's a 9 hour 20 minute flight going and a 10 hour 30 minute flight back!  Ugh!  We've always left from New York which I really like because it's an easy 6 hour flight.  You board, have dinner, watch a couple of movies and try to sleep... which never happens for me...and then they turn the lights back on...serve breakfast and you are there...

As much of an Anglophile I am, I will have missed the Queen's Birthday Celebration by one day!  The pageantry of Trooping the Colour and the exhilarating Fly Past...But maybe one day I'll be able to experience it!  I understand that there could be up to 10,000 picnicking folks near the Mall and if I were mixed in with them, who knows when anyone would find me...So it's probably for the best...

We will be in London a few days and will meet up with our old traveling buddies and some new ones and explore new areas of the city...I personally LOVE London...It's a big city, but I have always felt safe there.  So much to do and see in the city and the surrounding areas..

On the 16th of June we all shuttle down to Southampton and board The Navigator of the Seas for a 12 night cruise through the Baltics.    Our first stop will be Oslo, Norway followed by Copenhagen, Denmark on to Tallin, Estonia then to St. Petersburg, Russia for two nights, cruising next to Helsinki, Finland and then Bruges, Belgium...  

On June 28th we arrive back into the port of Southampton and will be shuttled back to London for a few more days of exploring the countryside of England.

We will be back home probably pretty exhausted and jet lagged on Saturday July 2nd.

The Giveaway...

In the past, I have always liked to do a giveaway for the folks who followed us on our journey.  This year is no different...It's my way of thanking you for allowing me to post a million pictures to Facebook as well as a thanks for those who enjoyed taking an armchair journey of our travels.

Here's a few details...On July 3rd, I will do a post on this site with questions of things that I have mentioned  or  have shown pictures of on Facebook and/or my website of our travel adventures.  If you answer them all correctly, you will be put in with a group of others that have also answered the questions correctly and a random number draw will be generated and a winner chosen on July 5th by 2:00 p.m. CST.  There will be just one winner chosen and I will notify that person via email on July 5th.  Please Note: Those taking the trip with us will be ineligible for the giveaway.

What's up for grabs?  Well, let me tell you it's going to be a nice HAUL!...

Graphic 45 has generously donated these goodies which include (1 of each) 8 X 8 pads in Children's Hour Paper Collection and the Children's Hour Calendar pad.  (2) Metal sets of Brads, (1) Washi Tape Set, a Children's Hour Chipboard Die Cut and a Red Numbers Square Tag and Pocket Album in the 5.5 x 5.5 size...Thank You so much Graphic 45!


Xyron was so kind to donate a Creative Station Light that comes preloaded with the adhesive and a 3-inch refill to go along...Did y'all know that the Creative Station's can take dual sizes of their films?  That is so cool!  Thank you so MUCH Xyron!  You Guys Rock!

And... I wanted to give away some of my favorite things to add to the mix...

(1) Graphic 45 12 x 12 Pad of Botanicabella, (1) Graphic 45 12 x 12 Pad of Cityscapes, (1) Graphic 45 12 x 12 Pad of By The Sea, (1) Tele-Photo Kit, (3) of my Just Bits and a Zutter Spinner Album Kit...


I hope you will join us on our Northern European Adventure...I look forward to posting new things daily either here or on Facebook...Sunday can't come soon enough...So looking forward to seeing new sights, meeting new friends and experiencing new cultures!

Thanks so much!

Jim
The Gentleman Crafter





45 comments:

  1. SO jealous! Can't wait to "arm chair" along with y'all. Safe journey!

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  2. Looking forward to taking this trip, (Virtual ) with you both, have FUN
    can't wait to hear all about it

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    1. Thanks so much Lori for following us along the way!

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  3. Will be taking copious notes. What a haul. Of course the best prize will be traveling vicariously with you guys.

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    1. Thanks so much Kim...And thanks for taking care of my Mom!

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  4. Sounds like a awesome trip!!! Would love to be on it!!! Have a great time!!!!

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  5. looking forward to see your trip through pictures because it makes me feel I am there also. Thanks Jim.

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    1. Thanks for that! So happy you will follow along! :)

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  6. I came by here by accident today but I'm pleased I did!!! Have a safe flight and a wonderful trip here in the UK and also on your cruise. It sounds very exciting! I'll give you a wave as you drive past my house on the way from London to Southampton! Happy travelling! Hugs, Lesley

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    1. Thank you Grenouille Greetings and welcome to my website! Hugs back at cha! Jim

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  7. Sounds like so much fun. Your first day in London is my birthday (celebrate for me ). Hope you both have a wonderful time and come home with many awesome ideas for projects.

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    1. Yes! Tons of Ideas is what I'm hoping for! Thank you so much and Happy Birthday early Jennifer! :) J.

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  8. I follow you faithfully on FB and plan to keep up with your marvelous adventures. Even though I'll be on vacation too. What a trip you have planned, thanks so much for the opportunity to win some fantastic supplies. Have fun and save travels!

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    1. Thanks Lisa and I hope you enjoy your vacation as well! :)

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    1. Thank You Dawn! We are going to give it the old US of A try! :)

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  10. Enjoy your trip, and I'll enjoy it too!!

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  11. Wish I could go along! Hubby is wanting to do London & Paris. I think the outlying g areas & English countryside wo u ld be nice tooď

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  12. Have a wonderful trip. When you say you are going to the English countryside, will that be East Anglia? It is beautiful there.
    Dorothy Freeman

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    1. I believe it's where Highchlere Castle (Downton Abbey)...The White Cliffs of Dover, etc...

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  13. Safe Travels! Sounds like a wonderful adventure.

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  14. Your trip sounds like so much fun. What a shame that I will miss you in London by a few days. I was actually born in Southampton and my Maternal Grandfather used to work at the docks there, decorating the insides of the old cruise ships when they were in port! If you decide to come north to Manchester do let me know as I'd love to meet up again. You are very generous to give away so many gorgeous craft supplies too. I hope that you both have an amazing trip and I look forward to reading all about it.

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    1. Lynn...Thank You! I will miss seeing you this trip...How totally interesting your Grandfather worked there..So cool! Thanks Love! J.

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  15. I'm sure you will have a wonderful and inspiring holiday visiting such great cities and regions!!! One of the best things about fb is being able to include or join family and friends on your/their travels. Thanks for taking the time to share yours with us. Enjoy and safe journey, Jim! :)

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    1. Oh Thanks Ursula! Going to share every moment...Thank you for the well wishes! :) J

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  16. Oh it just sounds fabulous! Going to be fun to travel along with you and Cesar! You got this long flight thing. Headphones and your journal and you will be chilling! Enjoy!

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    1. I hope so my sweet! I've gotta! I may be walking the aisles and taking some xanex, but I just need to think about the things ahead! Thank you Sharona! Love you! J.

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  17. Your trip sounds absolutely magnificent!! Here's wishing you & Cesar happy and safe travels! I love seeing your travel-logue photos! And Bon Voyage for the cruise portion. For the long flight.... loose fitting clothes and don't forget to drink plenty of water and be sure to get up and move about every couple hours or less.

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    1. Thanks Caroline for the advice and the Bon Voyage! So looking forward to it! Hugs to ya! J.

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  18. You cannot imagine the shade of green I am with envy. I'm so happy for you and Cesar. Have a just fantastic time and can't wait to travel with you.

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    1. Thank you Chiller! So happy to share the things we see with you...Please don't be green...think of the green you are saving and ALL the green we spent...LOL!! :) J.

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  19. How could we not follow you and Cesar on your trip! I wouldn't miss that fun! Looking forward to it all and the creative inspiration that you create when you return home.

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  20. Love armchair travelling almost as much as the real thing except I can do it in my PJs. Look forward to seeing the photos whenever you get chance to post. Enjoy your trip.

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  21. It's going to be the trip of your lifetime. I was scheduled for that exact cruise last year and had to cancel so be sure that I'll be following you both since I didn't get to go!!!

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  22. I hope you two have a fun journey. I'll be "following along" from my hometown of Highland Falls, NY.

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  23. We did that same itinerary on Royal Caribbean several years ago. You are in for a real treat! I look forward to your pics and stories.

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  24. We did that same itinerary on Royal Caribbean several years ago. You are in for a real treat! I look forward to your pics and stories.

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  25. Your trip sounds exciting. Will be anxious to take the virtual trip with you thru your posts.

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