Heading for Vegas, baby!

Thelma and Louise have nothing on us.  We're leaving tomorrow for a quick trip to Las Vegas.  Staying at the Cosmopolitan Hotel and planning a few adventures.  We'll stop by Viva Las Vegastamps to see owner, Wayne Gartley.  VLV must be one of the last, biggest, best stamp stores in the country and it's always fun to visit with Wayne and experience the menagerie of dogs, cats and who knows what else.  Taking a tour of the Neon Museum on Saturday.  This is the graveyard where neon signs from closed and remodeled casinos and hotels are kept.  Apparently there are signs that have been restored and are functional, but also a huge number that are stored in an open area waiting to be rescued or scavenged.  Should be a great photo opportunity.  Plan to people watch at the Hard Rock Cafe, too.  It's the annual adult video awards show weekend at the hotel -- we shouldn't look too conspicuous in our jeans and t-shirts...another great photo op.  I'll try to keep it G-rated so I can post photos here.  Have the addresses of a few large antique malls in LV and thought about going to the pawn shop that's on Pawn Stars or Pawn Store wars...whichever...but figure that stuff is too high end for us.  Should be lots of Elvis memorabilia at the antique malls in Vegas, old stripper tassels, out-of-date tuxedos.  I bet I could fit into one of Sammy Davis Jr.'s old tuxedos...maybe not...he didn't have a butt.  Hope to see a show if we can get discount tickets; one of the Cirque de Soleil shows would be fun, I've never seen one.  Just a fun getaway with the girls (none of whom drink or gamble, except me, so it's an interesting choice of destinations) for a couple of days.  I've been saving my quarters only to find out that none of the casinos take coins except for maybe downtown...love the 'clunk' of those coins hitting the tray.  Might play roulette a little and find a slot machine that pays off.  Will definitely try to find the best martini in Las Vegas to add to my list and people watch on the Strip.  Wish me luck!

Classes with Mary Jo McGraw at the "Studio" tentatively scheduled for July, 2012

We're in the early stages of planning a series of classes at the "Studio" with Mary Jo McGraw this July.  She'll be in town visiting family and friends and we can't pass up the opportunity to host classes at the studio while she's available.  A tentative date is Sunday, July 29, 2012 and we'll publish class descriptions and info as our plans gel.  In conjunction with Mary Jo's classes, this weekend may be the perfect time to have our first annual warehouse sale, but more on that later.  Mark your calendars for Sunday, July 29, 2012 to attend classes or just drop by to say "hi."

Happy Holidays everyone.

The Betsey Johnson-designed Christmas tree for the Plaza Hotel this year really sums up my hope for the holidays.  Joy and peace wherever you may find it.  My wish is that everyone is able to spend time with loved ones, enjoy each others' company, and give a little back when you have the opportunity.  I love reading about the people who have paid off strangers' layaway accounts for Christmas gifts, but I am saddened to read about people brutalizing each other to get a pair of Air Jordans or flat screen TVs.  It's a simple Christmas at our house this year; no tree for the first time in 43 years except for some silvery branches decorated with our favorite ornaments.  We're just thankful for family and friends, good health, jobs, and each other.  Have a wonderful holiday season and a kinder, gentler new year.  We had iced cold martinis and a traditional New England corned beef and cabbage dinner this Christmas Eve and are heading to my niece's house to see the family tomorrow and enjoy a Mexican food spread.  Nice blend of east meets west -- Merry Christmas and Feliz Navidad!

Betsey Johnson's Christmas Tree, Plaza Hotel, NYC

More classes in 2012

I'm excited that I'll be able to offer more classes in 2012 as I travel to stamp conventions around the country.  So far I've confirmed classes at Guadalupe's in Santa Fe on March 8 (two classes) while I'm in New Mexico for the Albuquerque convention on March 10 & 11 and another at the Northern Idaho Rubber Stamp Convention the weekend of April 14 & 15 in Coeur d'Alene.  Waiting for confirmation on classes at the Carson show November.  Contact info is forthcoming for the Santa Fe and Coeur d'Alene classes as we finalize the class descriptions and photos of the classes will be posted on the blog and web site (http://www.carmensverandarubberstamps.com/).  Hope to see you in class at one of the shows or at the "studio" in Anaheim when it's ready for visitors.  Also plan to host teachers at the Studio this year, including Mary Jo McGraw in July.

Yes Virginia, there is a Santa Claus...and her name is Ellen.

We're on Ellen today at 4 pm.  The show was taped Thursday and we're in the center section, front row, sitting behind a decorated wall, but your best bet to see us is when Ellen dances down the row behind us.  Portia sat down on a stool in front of us for the taping so Ellen was frequently looking our way.  Karen is wearing black with a red sweater and I have on a patterned coat.  There is a tall man with gray hair sitting next to me.  Great organization of gift distribution to the audience.  They handed us the smaller items as we left and loaded the car as we drove out of the parking lot.  It was Windows day so we received Microsoft products, far more than I expected to receive, and I'm sure I'll find good homes for some of the gifts.  The audience really came through with Toys for Tots donations; bicycles, games, dolls, etc. and the Marines were on hand to collect them.  A fun day with a trip to Porto's in Burbank for a snack, a little shopping, and Ellen.  I feel very lucky that we were among the audience members for one of the 12 Days of Christmas Giveaway shows.  Since Oprah is no longer the "Christmas Gift Queen," Ellen has taken her place..."The queen is dead, long live Ellen."

The Carmen's web site is up and running and we're visiting Ellen again on Thursday!

We've published our web site with a "taste" of what's to come in the next few months.  Please visit http://www.carmensverandarubberstamps.com/ and send your feedback to elainemadrid@att.net.  We'll be featuring seasonal and new stamp images, convention and class news, fun info, photos, resources and more on the web site.  I used a GoDaddy template and really like the graphics.  Hope you do, too!

Big News!  We're going back to the Ellen show taping tomorrow.  Karen and I were invited to return to Ellen for one of the "12 days of Christmas giveaway" shows and tomorrow is the day.  Usually the show airs the day after the taping and we're not getting our hopes up again -- Brad Pitt eluded us last time -- but Sting is the guest on the Friday show so he may be a guest during our taping Thursday.  Regardless, it's a fun experience; we're eating lunch at Porto's, snooping around the thrift and antique stores in the vicinity of Warner Brothers, and making a day of it.  I'll be sure to let you know when to expect to see (although last time you could not see us in the audience) our episode. 

Lots of ideas for fun holiday cards and decorations coming soon.  Working on the twelve days of Christmas "Carmen style" in honor of Ellen's giveaway shows, as well as some unorthodox Santa images...

Happy Holidays!