What a blast! It is no secret that I truly love California- the more as a couple of really dear friends live in and close to San Francisco. It was a bit crazy doing this tour before CHA – but it was WELL worth it

We had some fun shopping and strolling through different neighborhoods

dreaming of living there and taking photos of street art. One day we will be there…or in New York…or not- LOL

Love those fishies and the black, white and orange colors

and hanging out with friends

Then we headed to San Jose where I taught 3 classes at the Scrapbook Island. Such an awesome store and an extra huge classroom. I loved it and had a great time. Here are some girls It was wonderful seeing Emi, Erin and Christine then later again at CHA – I missed Laurie there though.

A special thanks goes out to the Scrapbook Island staff who did a tremendous job helping me before and during the classes and also to Christine Delgadillo - who is not only an extraordinary teacher but also a wonderful helper!! Thank you girls!

I was turned into a 49er fan this day- and was telling all I like that Smith guy in the team (they have three of them- LOL). I’m not sure my hubs is happy about it…he is a Giant’s fan

We went to the Death Valley National Park – and it rained -which blew my mind- LOL -but it was somehow fun to see. I mean- it never crossed my mind that it could actually RAIN in the desert but of course, dummie!

Amazing landscape – Artist Drive with different colored rocks- I think this was my favorite of the Death Valley National Park.

Badwater – stunning! And somehow the bad weather made for some really beautiful sceneries.

We drove a lot and sometimes….to fast….AHEM – here in Germany we have radar and you get a “nice” picture in your mail and a message with the ticket about your speeding. I only knew the cops get out the car thing from American Movies – my husband found it quite funny that I was so excited about this – he hadn’t had a speeding ticket since we live in Germany- all I say is AUTOBAHN – I guess he got spoiled. Well – it was a pretty expensive excitement and for the rest of the trip we behaved!

Ghost towns – pretty cool. It is so surreal – having those buildings in the middle of nowhere.

Loved those sand dunes at the Death Valley

It always baffles me in America when you are at a place like this and every couple of miles everything looks totally different.

Are you still here? Well…hang in there…LOL – more photos from my trip tomorrow- and yes – CHA photos are coming too – but those are coming last ….I like it in order…hey- I’m a Kraut

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Due to popular demand and getting lot’s of emails asking about it, I decided to reopen theÜber*Media PanPastel Online Workshop earlier again. So as of now you can sign up again for this 6 week-long extensive workshop. It starts tomorrow on February 5th, 2012 – you have access to the classroom till July 31st, 2012- Check it out here .

Nat