A Crafting Cruise I Never Imagined
- Tracey Bellion
- 2 hours ago
- 4 min read
I'm home, unpacked, and still smiling every time I think about the experience I just had aboard a Royal Caribbean cruise to the Bahamas on the largest cruise ship in the world....The Wonder of the Sea!
I was invited to join the Crafting Cruise as a guest artist, and honestly, even typing those words feels a little surreal.
First, I want to say thank you.... to the incredible people who invited me, organized the cruise, and trusted me to be part of such a special creative experience. It was thoughtfully planned and filled with people who really love creating with their hands and heart!
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Crafting Cruise Together
Teaching art on land is one thing. Teaching art on a ginormous ship in the middle of the ocean is something else entirely!
I taught four different crafts throughout the week, and every one of them was so much fun. We painted whimsical pepper mills, canvas bags, wooden boxes....and my favorite......felt hats!!! I'll be sharing a separate blog next week diving into the felt hat experience and the how-to details.....because it deserves its own spotlight.
What made the class extra special wasn't just the projects...it was the people. Meeting new faces, crafting alongside women (and men) from all over, laughing and sharing stories, and watching everyone's confidence grow as they painted was such a gift!
And then there were the familiar faces!
When Longtime Friends Show Up at Sea
One of the sweetest surprises of this trip was getting to spend time with so many loyal friends and followers who have been part of my journey for years! People who've painted along with me online and at my retreats.....joined me once again on the cruise!
This group also gave me the biggest surprise ever by dressing up as ME for the Heroes and VIllains theme costume party! Talk about a shock.....and then a wave of emotion!!! I could not love this group more!!!
Getting to hug you, sit with you, laugh with you, and create together while sailing the open water was something I'll never forget. That was a treat I didn't even know I needed!
The Greatest Gift: Family
As incredible as the crafting was, the most meaningful part of this trip was that it became a family vacation too.
Matt and Zadie both joined me. My oldest daughter and her family.... my sister and her kids... all joined!
We explored, rested, laughed and made memories together.... because of ART!
I never imagined that something I love so deeply would create opportunities like this for my family. Watching my grandchildren experience something new, seeing my girls enjoy time together, and knowing that my work made it possible fills my heart in a way I can't fully put into words.
A Path I Never Planned Led Me to this Crafting Cruise
There's something I keep coming back to.
When I shifted from being a nurse....then a stay-at-home mom....into crafting and painting, I never dreamed of this. It was not on a vision board. I didn't plan for it. I didn't even know it was possible.
And yet...here I am. Grateful. Humbled. A little in awe.
I've somehow landed in a place where my work doesn't feel like work. Where creativity has opened doors I didn't know existed. Where I get to meet people from all over the world, build real connections, and do what I love.
So Much Gratitude
This experience reminded me how important it is to say yes when doors open....even unexpected ones. To keep showing up. To keep creating. And to stay thankful for the paths that lead us somewhere better than we ever imagined.
Thank you to everyone who was part of this journey...new friends, old friends, organizer, fellow creatives, my family....and most importantly.....to God! I'll be carrying this experience with me for a very long time.
I'm standing in faith that the next adventure is already waiting!
✨✨JOIN ME FOR MORE✨✨
Curiously Creative
If you enjoyed this and want more of a deep dive into home decor and DIY processes, I would love it if you joined my exclusive online creative group, Curiously Creative. I show up LIVE to guide you through every step of updating, upcycling, crafting, and creating on-trend home decor and gift-giving ideas!
Better Together
Join Matt and me every Wednesday night for LIVE thrift flipping! We offer weekly LIVE videos (Wednesdays at 7 pm cst) on Facebook as we upcycle and dress up items we find from our local thrift shops using paint and other upcycling materials..... as a way to network with others while settling into our new empty nesters lifestyle.
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