Calligraphy Cruise Alaska 2014 – A good time was had by all!

This June 21-28, 2014 we took our calligraphy pens and brushes onto Holland America’s msWesterdam and journeyed to Alaska’s inner passageway. What a treat to enjoy our artistic endeavors in the lap of luxury! Holly taught Flourished Italic while Gary Lord taught Decorative Painting on Glass. Students combined the two skills in their final projects. Come take a peek – I’ll share a few pictures with you! Get on my email list if you would like to join me on a future cruise adventure!

Marilyn Dietrich, Maria Medeles and Holly Monroe about to board msWesterdam

Marilyn Dietrich, Maria Medeles and Holly Monroe about to board msWesterdam

CruiseTitleLogoNODATEThursday, before our Saturday sail away, we met at a downtown Seattle hotel and enjoyed some time getting to know each other. There were 22 total in our group this year! Friends, Debbie and Ray Story (top right in photo) surprised me at the hotel, I had no idea they were coming. All the way from Tennessee! Others were from CO, OH, IN, TX, and CA.

Gathering at hotel in Seattle

Gathering at hotel in Seattle

Thursday evening, we ate at The Purple, Seattle. Friday, many went on the 3 hour tour of the city, while others went off on their own.

Waterfall park  in downtown Seattle. Peggy Whalen (travel agent), Holly Monroe (instructor), Maria Medeles, Debbie Story)

Waterfall park in downtown Seattle. Peggy Whalen (travel agent), Holly Monroe (instructor), Maria Medeles, Debbie Story

Chihuly's Glass and Gardens

Chihuly’s Glass and Gardens

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Friday evening, we gathered at Salty’s and enjoyed the view of the harbor and mountains.

Browns, Judys and Marianne Lord at Salty's

Browns, Judys and Marianne Lord at Salty’s

Ray Story enjoying a lobster at Salty’s, Seattle

Holly at Pike Street Market

Holly at Pike Street Market….original Starbucks after a power walk through town.

Saturday morning, we boarded the ship for our week long adventure!

Flowers on msWesterdam

Flowers on msWesterdam

Our calligraphy/decorative painting class was a serious 20 hour focus. Weather this week was a little cloudy and chilly, was a perfect excuse to be creative! The classroom, lined with windows allowed us to view the Alaskan landscapes as we worked.  Here is Gary Lord showing Marilyn a painting technique.

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One half of the classroom! The windows in the room gave us a perfect view of the scenery.DSCN2132Holland America provided us a beautiful classroom for the week. All of our supplies could be left there nightly. Daily, they provided us with coffee, tea and cookies. There was a Chocolate Beverage bar out the back door! Those of us who signed up early for the cruise had a $50 per day credit for beverages of any type! We were well hydrated!
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As promised, everyone was able to enjoy all of the towns and excursions as the ship docked. Our first town was Juneau, Alaska where many went whale watching and hiked to  the Mendenhall Glacier.

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Totem Pole trail in Sitka

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Here we are on the ship’s deck checking out Glacier Bay….

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This was out of the Lido window as we overlooked the Ketchikan skyline. Can you see the sea plane landing? Such a beautiful sunny day….

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And then there was an evening in downtown Vancouver, British Columbia. Took a water taxi over to the main part of town! Such fun….

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So many amenities on the ship…from fine dining every evening

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…to formal nights and amazing entertainment….from Dancing with the Stars, music (Recycled Percussion) and comedy

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I have so many pictures, it was hard to decide which to share. Ask me to see others!  I’ll close with our fabulous group of travelers on a formal night. (Missing are Abbey and Wayne Hutchison – they did not jump ship! 🙂

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Fantastic Flourishes a Workshop

Flourishing adds elegance to a calligraphers repertoire, both with the broad edged pen and the pointed pen. It’s like dancing on paper. The Saint Louis Calligrapher’s Guild kindly invited me to lead them in their opening workshop as they created their beautiful flourished spirals of words. September 2013.

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My example above, on genuine vellum and a page from my Book of Hours project, caught their eye. So we set out to not only flourished individual letters, words, and lines of words but also a spiral or circle. Their finished projects were delightful!

Leslie Barnes, Holly Monroe

Leslie Barnes, Holly Monroe

Below are class members Denise Gerstung, Joanne Kluba, Esther and ________

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Special thanks to calligraphers Leslie Barnes (contact), Carol Savage (hostess), Susan ______(Friday night lecture & display hostess), Kathy Orf (advertising) and the entire group for making me feel comfortable and welcome. It was my pleasure to enjoy the weekend with them!

Calligraphy Cruise! C’mon, let’s go!! Caribbean and Alaska 2014

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While you were shoveling snow, we were enjoying the sun and beaches….

The 2014 Calligraphy Cruises are selected and posted on my website! In March, we’re off to the Eastern Caribbean (from Ft. Lauderdale) with the calligraphy focus – Engrossers’ Script and Flourishing. June takes us to Alaska (from Seattle) with the focus – Flourished Italic and Decorative Painting on Glass. Gary Lord and his wife Marianne will be joining us on the Seattle Cruise. www.PrismaticPainting.com  Please call Holly about the classes and Peggy Whalen with Holland America Line questions or reservations. $100. reserves your place in class!

Cruises > www.HollyMonroe.com > Scroll down on the home page and find the Calligraphy Cruise logo or click on my CLASSES page. You can download the Class and Cruise info for both.

Enjoy the pictures of the 2013 Calligraphy Cruise to the Western Caribbean. We had a great time! A spacious workshop room, new friends…..

CruiseClassroomFun in the sun at ports of call….Jill Quillian with the dolphins, up close and personal!

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Blue skies, beautiful beaches…

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Key West from the deck of the msWesterdam….KeyWest

Several on-board pools, hot tubs, spa’s…..

HollandAmPoolTwo formal nights….but always 5 star dining!

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Gourmet picnic on the ship’s deck….with travel agent Peggy Whalen. Contact her at peggy@sunconnections.com or (360)-606-9339 for cruise details.

PegGaryDeckFoodAnd there’s a lot more! Hope that you can join us!