Back in the swing of things...

We're all back and ready for summer and hopefully a relaxing time. Sharon is back from her My Favorite Things Retreat and everyone is back before the next round of vacations, trips, and weekend getaways start. Dimitra will be leaving the end of June for a summer is Greece so it will be up to the rest of us to help hold down the fort. Several of us have short trips planned throughout June/July and August so you will probably see a revolving door of people when you come in. We pestered Sharon for photos of new product so let's see what she sent.

Frantic Stamper has new dies! Everything from baby themed to adult beverages with some nested shapes in between.

Graphic 45 has several new collections coming out. We've got the first one in. It's like a French Around the World in 80 Days motif.

Pretty Pink Posh is following the summer trend of under the sea stamps with these delightful little sea creatures along with florals, koalas and cute kid stamps for us land lubbers!

I thought I'd share a few photos each week of our trip. We started in Barcelona, which I really liked, and where we boarded our cruise ship. I love the narrow European streets. We spent a day or so wandering around, eating tapas and churros (Alexa's favorite, dipped in hot melted chocolate!)

I love that in cities around the world you find bicycles to rent. Pick up at point A, drive to your destination and leave at point B!

 There was a large arc near our hotel with great detailed relief work. It anchored a large plaza that ran several blocks.

Barcelona is know for it's examples of architecture by famed artist Gaudi. We visited the Casa Batllo also known as the House of Bones. Look carefully at the terraces and the supports on the 2nd floor windows. The terraces look like skulls and the supports look like bones!

Nothing was left untouched by Gaudi. Up on the roof of this 6+ story building even the chimney stacks and roof itself were decorated. 

Walking through streets, not knowing exactly where you are going is a fun way to see these beautiful old cities. I loved the hanging plants and the way people brought the green of outside into the tiny spaces of their terraces and windows.

I'm on the lookout for anything Arts and Crafts - and I found it in this shop of beautiful mosaic pieces.

A display outside a shop, all paper! (Don't look at the reflection of the lady in the glass!)

This was a beautiful theatre/museum around the corner from our hotel. We ate lunch in a little tapas restaurant across the street.

The beautiful arched bridge connecting the two buildings caught my eye but it was even more fun watching this newly wedded couple trying to take wedding photos with it in the background as people kept walking by.

 Beautiful painted lacquer ware in a shop.

Alexa took us to the tapas restaurant where she celebrated her 21st birthday back in February. The food was excellent! (We had to take pictures of the food the whole trip long so she could post to SnapChat!)

That's it for this week. I'll see you next week, happy crafting!