Friday 18 January 2013

Hurray For Hollywood... & Good Morning Baltimore!

...or, as I would say it... hurrah and thrice for Hollywood!  Day 4 of CHA dawned bright and early and saw us going to say our goodbyes to all the lovely peeps we had met over the weekend... and... how's about this... I got... a signed set of Tim stamps! Signed by Tim of course lol  I cannot wait to play with them, which might just happen later today as we have an inky afternoon and evening planned.  Anyways.  Once we had said our goodbyes to the convention, we set off on a rather exciting expedition to LA.  HOOOGE thanks to Anita who organised and arranged our excursion, seriously, this is one of the most amazing things I have ever done... our driver, Trevor, was a veritable mine of information and knew all the best places to take us.  Here are just a few of the photo's that I took:

Check this one out..... our first glimpse of the Hollywood sign... 



And of course, no trip would be complete without the company of our Freckles.  He is still a smidge sad because he is missing Pinky, I think he was a tad smitten you know ;O))





Our first stop was at the Dolby Theater (note American spelling, cos, you know, it is American) It used to be the Kodak Theater and when Kodak went bust a few years ago, Dolby took it over.  It is where the Oscars are held you know!




And here are we girlies, all posing because we are on the actual stairs that actual stars walk on to get to the Oscars!  We were all supposed to be looking up but ...erm... I got neckache and decided to spoil it rofl



Next we went to the Walk of Fame.  The actual Walk of Fame!  I did a few dolphin like squeals... I can't describe just how exciting it was to be standing there, on that street, with all those iconic stars in the pavement (sidewalk)





But imagine this, the dolphin squealing reached a crescendo when we turned a corner and saw this...



Yep, Mann's Chinese Theater... WOW... and thrice WOW!



And look at some of the handprints... these are just a couple of the famous names... Bette Davis, the star of my favourite film,  Now, Voyager and Cary Grant, star of many a woman's dreams :O))



And Ellen and I  recreated a very famous pose... how cool is that!!!




Another shot of the Hollywood sign...



And after a quick pitstop for lunch, we returned to the car to find this little fella tucking into my stash of Cheeto's!  Mmm, guilty look on his face!





Next we drove up into Beverley Hills and stopped outside none other than the Playboy mansion - we didn't linger too long because old Hugh might have spotted us and tried to keep us all there (ahem...)  After driving through Bel Air and seeing the home of Gene Simmonds from Kiss... and spotting him driving past us, and seeing the home where Michael Jackson passed away... and Janet Jackson's modest 42 bedroom palace (ok, slight exagerations there but it is mahooosive)... we ventured on to Santa Monica Pier.



Where the funniest thing in the world happened.  So, Candy says "I gonna buy you all a Churro... "  So, what is a Churro?  It is a long crispy donut stick with cinnamon and sugar coating... oohlalaaaa...nomnomnom.  That is the noise I made just before saying "Oh you dirty b******d"... when we were pooped on by humungous seagulls. Apparently, they too like Churro's!  I got lucky and only got the poop on my hand and shoulder, poor Anita with her beautiful long locks got it all in her hair!  Dirty little scavengers they are!  Mind you, it was so funny we were holding each other up cos we were laughing so hard... Here I am with my Churro... I know, it is ever so slighly rude but....


And oh boy was it cold and windy... you can see in this pic how chilly it was, Candy and Anita look frozen!  The blue skies more than made up for the cold  though, it is hard to be grumpy when the skies are this blue...



As we were walking along the pier we were browsing in some of the little shops along the way when I found these... especially for our Kaz who loves her moustaches... how cool are these sunglasses!



One thing I love about America is their patrotism.  To see their flag flying makes me smile, I think we Brits should take a leaf our of their book and fly our flag more... instead of just when England are playing footy or there's a Jubilee going on!



Then it was time to say goodbye to California and to my beautiful CHA Sisters.  I had the best experience at CHA but without a shadow of a doubt, those girls made it perfect.  So a hooooooge, big, mahoosive, ginormous thank you to Ellen, Candy, Anita, Linda, Cheryl, Yvonne and Susan for making the weekend so fun filled and for making me laugh so much I couldn't breathe.  Here's Anita and me, acting the goat as usual... 


So, Wednesday saw us all flying off to our various destinations and I hopped on a couple of planes to get to Baltimore - it was a shame that Ellen and I couldn't get on the same flight but we made it, eventually.  When I got to the airport, Ellen's hubby Jack was waiting for me... with this sign (and he hand drew this too... clever!)  I fair pee'd my pants when I saw it... something tells me that my addiction to Cheesy Chester Cheeto's isn't a secret...







Anyways... yesterday we went off to Five Guys for the best burger in the world (really, truly, THE best!) and then we went and did a little *ahem* browsing in Michael's, AC Moore and Bath & Body Works where I subjected the poor sales assistants to some proper Yorkshire charm - well they did ask me to tell them some rude words that we Brits used so the venerable word "chuff" had to be used right?  Today we are off to see Queen Patti at The Queen's Ink - a smidge more browsing *ahem* and then lunchingtons at The Rams Head where they do the most amazing Chipotle chicken (yes, tis all about the stash and the food!) I best get a wiggle on... I am in full on lazy-mode at the moment lol   Thanks for looking... have a good day!  I Skyped Grim earlier and he showed me the snow!  Wow, you all have snow... I am hoping it is still there when I get back on Tuesday - I need to build a snowman lol   TTFN!

Hels x




32 comments:

Caz said...

There is no doubt that the snow will still be here when you get back - more forecast for all day Sunday and some Monday so you won't miss out. Sounds like you are having a fantastically brilliant time - I was just about to message you and say you're late with some more photos and your crystal ball must have been working 'cause up popped this post!
Have a great rest of your stay and safe journey home!!
xxx

Helen said...

Wow, I am even more envious now... what sights you've seen! Yes, the snow will still be here when you get back. It's snowed all day (since 8.30 ish this morning and it's now 3.30 pm)

Joanne said...

What a wonderful post I can feel the laughter enjoy the rest of your stay and show us what you and Ellen make xx

The Hardy Stamper said...

There's nothing wrong with stash and food! A girl after my own heart!

Marleine said...


Hi Hels,

Amazing pics. You are all having so much fun. X

Unknown said...

You look like you are having a ball, the places you saw are amazing and I am relieved the girls never left you with Hugh though you are a little old for him LOL please remember my stash on your travels as I am getting desperate. Enjoy your stay and we have no snow in Rochester x x

Artyjen said...

looks like a lot of fun! Wishing you even more staying with your friend.
xoxo Sioux

Dee in N.H. said...

What an amazing adventure you had!! I am so happy for you and I'm glad you shared your adventure with us!!

Martha Richardson said...

It was wonderful to meet you at CHA...I'm not sure who is the ring leader of that tribe...you or Ellen ;)

Carole Z said...

Thanks for sharing all your wonderful photos Hels, you sure did have a wonderful time! Enjoy the rest of your stay, hugs Carole Z X

Planetsusie said...

I think you are having such a good time out there Hels even though you are just 'browsing' - lol!

I found a lovely Craft Shop in LA - even though I wasn't looking for one!!!!!

Big hugs to you Sue Pxxx

Carol Plume said...

oh Hels you make me laugh - its great that you're having such a fab time....yep we've snow and its flammin cold you won't be walking around in your birkenstocks here!! lol

safe flight home x

Crafting Queen said...

Sounds like you had a wonderful time. Love Bath and Body works, down to my last handwash, so jealous. :)

Kyla said...

Sounds like you are having a fabulous time, I love seeing all the photos.
Thanks for sharing and enjoy then sun, blooming freezing here!
Kyla

Terry said...

Ohhh Hels, I just love to reading your stories about all the adventures, the girlios and you have encountered, the pictures are just fabulous and the funny picci's are just hilarious LMAO still....Thanksss for sharing your fabulous adventures and your pictures Hels I just love it Hugs Terry xxxx and a HUGE hugs to your girlie Ellen xxxx

Anne-Marie said...

Ooooo...didn't Cary Grant have neat hands? Looks like this is a trip of a lifetime.....turnin' a bit green with envy, here...and so glad you are enjoyin' every moment....great piccies in this post, Hels!

Redanne said...

Wow Hels, stamps signed by the Master himself, now I am envious of that! Also love the personal sign you got at the airport, that drawing is brilliant. Keep having fun and thanks for the tour and the laughs too. Hugs, Anne x

Kirsten said...

Stash & food - what else is there????
I'm so pleased you're having a wonderful time, the photos are terrific, esp the ones of you all in the Dolby Theater & the sign that Ellen's hubby met you with. AND lucky you getting a set of Tim's stamps, especially a signed set. Enjoy the rest of your stay.
PS Hope you brought a few empty suitcases with you. :)

rachel said...

looks likeyou had so much fun Hels - thanks for sharing with us all - brilliant xx

Karen Petitt said...

America, American peeps and their food, shopping and stash shopping = my idea of heaven. Rest well and enjoy Karen x

Miriam said...

Missing you loads but can see you are having a fabulous time. Can't believe you have not tried churros - will have to make some for you!!!!

Safe journey back xxx

Carol Q said...

you look like you are having the most fabulous time Hels.

Krisha said...

So glad you are having a grand time in the US. Yes, LA does get sold, not always like the tourist photo most people see. Living 100 mile north is close enough for me. Love to visit LA but mainly drive through it. AWWWH Churrows!! Welcome to California. They are the BEST when you can get them fresh and still warm. Can't wait to see your loot when you get back.

voodoo vixen said...

Green with envy, you look like you managed to cover a lot of real estate whilst there and have loads of laughs, the perfect trip indeed!

Sue A said...

Love all yr pics, so glad you had a blast. I am home in Oz after my two month stay in cool Yorkshire, wish I was back there in the cool, it was 45 here yesterday, NOT fun!!! Loved seeing you on the Selly Telly whilst I was there. I was also lucky enough to do a class with Kate Crane at Art From the Heart, shame I only discovered it last year and will prob not be back to Yorks :(
Happy new year and happy crafting to all for 2013 xxx

Anonymous said...

Wonderful adventure hels. Great photos I wish i was there with you and Freckles. Freckles will have some great things to write in his diary when he gets back.

Churros are Spanish and are sold here with a tub of chocolate to dip into. Even more calories and they say the Mediteranial diet is healthy!! Val in Spain xxx

nannapat said...

What a fantastic time you must have had Hels - and a set of the great man's signed stamps too!! what more could a girl want? Pat x

Patricia Howarth said...

Hi Hels, Wow, what a fantastic time you are having, all those things to see and all those fantastic peeps. I was introduced to churros when in Spain, they are gorgeous, aren't they.
Snow, snow, and more snow, I wish it would learn to stay on Christmas Cards, I'm definitely bah humbug when it comes to snow, like to see it but don't like to be in it ha ha.
Lots of love from Patricia xx

Anita Houston The Artful Maven said...

I've been laughing for days...couldn't post my comment until now. No one really knows how fun and funny this really was! And guess what? It seems freakishly large seagull s&@t is actually good for the locks...soft and lusciously shiny was the hair after a bath! Oh how I miss you girls!!!!

Craftychris said...

What a fabulous post! There is too much to comment on - its all brilliant and had me smiling so much! I am glad you are having such an awesome time xx

Cass said...

I can say that I've been there and done it! Not the CHA, but LA - Hollywood etc, hope you found the Pig and Whistle on Hollywood Blvd! Santa Monica is my favourite place in LA. Glad to hear you had a great time and now you are back to the snow...

Cass

Pat Taylor said...

Oh Hels you are so funny I loved reading all this excitement you had! It's brilliant really brought it alive! I've finally found out where I am going wrong when commenting on the blogs, so you might just see me on here again cos I love the way you write! You make it so enjoyable! Take care now love from me xx

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