Castleknock Crafters...

Just started up a new morning crop in Castleknock today and it will run every fortnight so if you are new to crafting or have lots of crafty ideas to share then you are very welcome to join the Castleknock Crafters. I had a very productive morning which was surprising - one layout and 3 cards so hoping these Mondays are going to improve my productivity.

I stumbled across this lady's work tonight (Allison Strine-a founding member of the freestyle scrapbooking movement which influenced many such as Elsie Flannagan) and I fell in love with her collage style. Loving that blue!!! Check out her link below for some more funky designs....

http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=51268

So anyway, as it's Monday, here's a few funnies to lighten the week - picked these up from one of the crafty girls over the weekend and they made me giggle - enjoy!

Household hints...

1. If you are choking on an ice cube simply pour a cup of boiling water down your throat. Presto! The blockage will instantly remove itself.

2. Avoid cutting yourself slicing vegetables by getting someone else to hold while you chop.

3. Avoid arguments with the Mrs. about lifting the toilet seat by using the sink.

4. For high blood pressure sufferers: simply cut yourself and bleed for a few minutes, thus reducing the pressure in your veins. Remember to use a timer.

5. A mouse trap, placed on top of your alarm clock, will prevent you from rolling over and going back to sleep after you hit the snooze button.

6. If you have a bad cough, take a large dose of laxatives, then you will be afraid to cough.

7. You only need two tools in life - WD-40 and Duct Tape. If it doesn't move and should, use the WD-40. If it shouldn't move and does, use the duct tape.

8. Remember: Everyone seems normal until you get to know them.

Daily Thought: SOME PEOPLE ARE LIKE SLINKIES. NOT REALLY GOOD FOR ANYTHING BUT THEY BRING A SMILE TO YOUR FACE WHEN PUSHED DOWN THE STAIRS

Look who I met today...







Isn't she so gorgeous. Her name is baby Hazel Ellen, little sister to Grace and she is just 6 weeks old. What a little cutie she is. She loves to sleep during the day and is a party animal at night. Congratulations Muriul and Dom!





I'm really enjoying Cheryl's online photography course - we went to the Phoenix Park last weekend so the kids could ride their bikes and I got some shots in the late sunshine...

















And Lucy was non compliant in the photography stakes so I had to make do with this...







So it's been a really busy week - Eva started gymnastics and piano lessons (yay!) and she's loving both activities. Lucy has started swimming as well so my life is turning into one big mammy taxi schedule... I did part 3 of my Photoshop CS2 course (wrinkle removal was a most useful lesson!). Dave is a great teacher - check out www.digitalbeginners.ie for details. Last night Audrey and I took part in a market research panel in town which was great fun. I've also been working on a few upcoming projects. I'm setting up a new craft club in Castleknock once a month Monday mornings - so that kicks off next Monday 24th Sep. Then there's Scrapfest by the Lee in early October...never a dull moment in my life! There's a reason why my laundry is a mountain!

Bad Blogger me...

Have been a bit under the weather this week :-( but feeling back on form this weekend. I was so sorry to miss my crop and class last weekend - but thankfully Annamarie stepped into the breach for me and delivered my class - this Autumnal layout featuring the fab new Cosmo Cricket Gretel papers. Thanks Annamaroie - I owe you one!

Just got back from a great day at Craftzone in Abbeyleix (www.craftzone.ie). I taught two classes - both featuring interactive LOs - one old and distressed and one fresh and modern. We had a great day out- a really well organised event. Thanks to Sharon and Christine for all the work they put into it behind the scenes - and it showed! Here's to an annual event hopefully.

This was my first class - an interactive 'love' themed LO - inspired by Karen Burnson's paper engineering style. Look at those goegrous swirly things - made using the Cricut machine - right now I have machine envy after seeing a great demo today. I want one!

So this was my second class - an interactive travel themed LO featuring the very versatile Pizzazil cardstock and again more cricut accents and lettering. This LO featured a waterfall card for additional journaling and photos.

We are coming up to one year of Scrapwest and we are planning a cybercrop on Sun 21st October so keep an eye on the blog for details. Here's my last two entries - 7 deadly sins (Pride) and School days. I love the weekly deadline of Scrapwest - really pushes your creative barriers.

And the winner of my competition for Blog Inspiration is Noelle (congrats Noelle!). Thanks to everyone who left comments that week.

TFL

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Sneaky Peaks...

I've had the busiest week - it's been all go as the school runs and hobbies start off again. However I have enjoyed having my mornings back to myself to catch on some things that urgently need doing and no that doesn't mean laundry! Stuff that ...it can wait! Just the other really important stuff ;-)...

Have a busy calendar of events coming up over the next few weeks. Next Saturday is my Class and crop and I've been waiting for 3 weeks for my papers to come in from a UK supplier. Up to this morning there was still no sign of them but thankfully Annamarie from http://www.thescrapbookstore.ie/ was able to help me out with an order I placed for a later class. So it was thinking hat time on yesterday and I came up with an Autumn themed LO so here's a sneaky peak (above)...

The week after on 15th September I'm teaching two classes at http://www.craftzone.ie/. This is a two day fab event of scrapping, cardmaking and stamping in the midlands (Laois). They have lots of great packages available some starting at €99 so go and have a peak. Both of my classes are interactive layouts so lots of sneaky hidy places for photos and journaling. I've had great fun making up these samples (especially as Christine from http://www.inspiredcrafts.ie/ sent me lots of Cricut lettering and swirls to play with - I really want one!!!) so here's a few little glimpses...Hope to see you there ;-)

So what else has been happening....hhmm..I've started a new photoshop CS2 course which so far has turned out to be really good - so well explained and pitched at novices like me. I've also started Cheryl's online course 'Painting with light' and it's a great way to learn by going out and doing it. Here's a few of my fav's from the last two modules...

TFL

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