It was AWESOME!!!!!




















As my good pal ;-) Lisa Bearnson would say Scrapaganza Holland was just AWESOME!!! I'm literally in the door and haven't even looked at the 4 bags/cases I brought home (funny I'm sure I left with two haha!!!!). It was the bestest weekend ever- never stopped laughing and scrapping all weekend. From the moment we met up to go to the airport we were like giggling schoolgirls on a school tour...


















When we arrived in Schippol airport we were like a group of Japanese tourists in the duty free shops, snapping photos of clogs and tulips for our scrap pages (teehee!!!)





We bumped into the other UK/French/German scrappers at the big red meeting point in the airport and the lovely Eveline directed us to our double decker bus where were transported to the hotel. Along the way I was really struck by how flat Holland is - you can see for miles. There were really pretty villages and fields of alliums all along the bicycle lined routes. The Dutch have a great healthy lifestyle - everyone cycles everywhere!

So we checked into Hotel Zuiderduin at Egmond en zee. We were starving after the journey so we pottered down to the local village area to grab a bite. It's a lovely seaside town - miles of white sandy coastline and little white wooden shops and bars.




































After a lovely pizza and an even nicer Italian waiter :-) who insisted that we called back to see him later, we wandered down to the beach across the road. It was roasting and we just sat on the beach for 20 minutes taking in the views. Soon it was time to go to our first classes of the evening. I took two classes - Lida and Michelle's 'Sing a Song named life' - a really novel idea. Then it was Lisa Bearnson's 'All About Me'. She is an amazing presenter - she really communicates with her audience. It was the first scrapbooking 'lecture' of sorts I had attended and it was inspiring to see how she approaches her style. She is really generous with her time and stopped to meet, talk, sign and pose for photos with anyone who wanted to meet her. Joanne and I did our utmost to persuade her to come to Ireland - so watch this space!!!! haha!!!

Both classes were fantastic and I was amazed at the amount of kit we got. It's fantastic when they are sponsored by the US manufacturers! Afterwards we picked up our (generous!!!) goody bags and went to the crop and shop hall - OMG I thought I died and went to heaven! It wasn't the size of the shops but the quality of the materials they had - everything you could wish for. I felt I was in a supermarket sweep grabbing from this stand and that. At 11.30pm they threw us out of the crop room so we had no choice but to go to the bar!




















Next day I had a really busy schedule -6 classes in all. I had 2 more of the 4 part class with Lida and Michelle. Again - another box of materials were handed out. Then I had a lovely tin album (Junkitz) 'If I had a heart..' and then a little mini album with Emily Adams 'Staggering possibilities'. I then took Lisa's second class 'My Simple Truth' where we did a BOM mini folder album and composed a poem about ourselves - loved it! She signed my copy of Creating Keepsakes (100th edition) so I was chuffed to bits!

We finished the classes with Dyan's perfect pearls class - loved the technique! Then it was party time. Scrapaganza are great at getting people involved. They had lots of games and entertainment lined up for us. At the raffle - we were sitting around the table and I announced that I was going to win the big shot (totally tongue in cheek). Next thing the guy calls my number out for...you've guessed it...THE BIG SHOT! I was thrilled to bits - apart from the bit where he disputed my ticket because it had one line under the number and he had two lines so he announced there was a problem and was there any one else in the hall with my number (em...eh ...Skarlet!!!!) I wanted to sit down disreetly but eventually he agreed the prize was mine and I got the ribbing of my life from the girls. Isobel said I had a pact with the devil! haha!

We had such a great night which finished up in the bar (quel surprise!) and lots of hilarious stories of bad interviews and interviewees we've all had. Joanne's and Annamarie's stories made us cry with laughter (...Interviewer-do you have a car? Interviewee - eh no but I'm in a draw for one!)...

So next day (Sunday) it was the fun part of packing and trying to work out how to get our stuff home without being screwed by the airlines in charges. I took another 3 classes (Lida and Michelle's part 4, Him and Her and Karen Burniston's wonderful 'Borderline'. The woman is an engineering genious with paper! Then I found out I came second in both of the competitions set by SAGA - a LO on your craft obsession and the mini album. Well chuffed I was!



Then it was a quick dash to the airport, a few scary moments when we thought we were going to be foiled for having too much hand luggage (ahem 15kg's in my case!) but phew we got checked in by a decent girl who threw a blind eye at our stuffed bags hidden behind the desk and our lop sided shoulders from carrying them. Then it was a quick bite to eat at the airport - more giggles and funny stories. We were still giddy going through security and the attendent took one look at my passport then my face then my passport then my face.... The only thing I could think of to say was 'Im tired! Ive been to Amsterdam for the weekend'. How we werent arrested with the giggles! Then Sharon gets pulled over for having a pokey tool and hammer in her hand luggage. The whole episode was priceless!

So then a sedate flight home where we all nearly slept as we were wrecked. And of course the best bit when you walk in at 11pm and the kids are standing there with hugs and kisses and requests for their presents! Definitely one of the best weekends I've had ever so thanks to all the girls for the memories! Roll on next time!


And here's my haul - well part of it. I have a shipment from Holland arriving any day soon...






















XXX

3 more sleeps!!!!...



























...to the first official day of Summer and that means 3 more sleeps to SCRAPAGANZA!!! Counting the days now to our weekend away in Holland. Have been busy packing and printing photos and organising the troops (dinners, clothes etc) when I'm away. I cannot wait for this weekend it's going to be so much fun!!!























With all the happenings of the last few weeks I've forgotten to post up my Circle Journal from Bumbleberry cafe - What Inspires you... so here ya go...


Sign in

















My entry


















COCO















Audrey















Miniflan















Vicky














Jan














Orla (Alro)














Thank you so much to everyone who took part. I will treasure it - it's a beautiful CJ!

XX

Thank God for Photoshop :-)

Last month at Crafteire some of us had our photos taken professionally by the talented Kirsty Wiseman - just got my CD back and these are my fav ones - especially as they feature my favourite shade of BLUE

It's pretty impressive what photoshop can do for laughter lines/mammy lines... call 'em what you like but all I can say is ...thanks Kirsty!

Just had a busy few days. Last weekend we had no less than 2 parties in one afternoon. My kids have a better social life than I. First it was Leah's 5th Birthday party-complete with bouncy castle...

Then it was a quick dash across the M50 to my niece Emily's First holy Communion party with you've guessed it...another bouncy castle.

Mental not to self - must invest in bouncy castle business as it seems to be the most lucretive opportunity to fast track to millionaire status in Ireland! Anyway we had a lovely day and I took some photos of Emily in her beautiful dress. She's such a giggler and I couldn't stop her for the photos...

This is my dad with Emily - proud Pappy!

Then on Monday I was given an invitation by Annamarie to attend a craft retail day with Creative Impressions (or was it expressions?). Anyway a whole day to play with new products and make things. A nice little precursor to Scrapaganza (8 more sleeps!!!!).

Anyway today is election day so hope you all have gone out to exercise your rights :-)

Chat later

XX

KNOCK KNOCK.... it's An Taoiseach Bertie Ahern!


There I was an hour ago, frantically trying to upload the Scrapwest blog, Ed was putting the kids to bed so I pottered down to answer the door. Lo and behold it's the nation's leader Bertie Ahern canvassing for votes for next week's general election. There was a time that I would stop to argue politics on my doorstop, giving politicians my list of things to do and things to fix. However now that I have moved to the dark side of scrapbooking, I whipped out my camera, called Ed and the kids down and promised him my vote if he stood for a photo. Well the idea of a scrapbook layout was just too tempting. How shameless am I!!! If truth be told I like the guy - he works hard for the people in his constituency... Anyway as they say - this photo is one for the grandchildren!

So anyhoooo..... busy week this week. Have been working on some new and exciting projects with Annamarie. Can't say too much at the moment but watch this space... :-) All I can say is some of you might be packing your bags soon...


Speaking of packing your bags - I'm on countdown for Scrapaganza. This day 2 weeks I will be sitting in Lisa Bearnson's class (***celebrity exposure swoon***)!!! I have a mental agenda worked out for myself - 12 classes in all and 7 of them are in one day. AND I CANNOT WAIT!!!!
Can't believe I am going - wow that was one hell of a great idea Audrey eh!!!!



So for some crafts....tonight's Scrapwest challenge is Swirls and Filigrees set by Jackie. I took this photo last month when we had a picnic in the garden - hard to believe now that a gail force wind is blowing up a storm outside tonight...

So, it's been a while since I showed some of my jewellary so here goes ...

This is one of my fav's - I wear it all the time. There's something lovely about glass beads - all that bling. The twisty glass beads are a joy to work with...

This is one of the first ones I made. I keep chopping it up and doing it again but I think I'm happy with it finally. The combination of pink, purple and green is great as it suits most of my clothes!

I made this one for my dear mum on mother's day and she wears it a lot. I got the lovely big beads from Elven on craftsupplies in a swap. They are stunning beads -have three left so I'm saving them for special people :-)


I made something similar to this last week for Annamarie and forgot to photograph it so I made another for myself. It's a real chunky necklace - one that you find yourself fiddling with as all the beadstrands are unique. Another fav of mine...

Carrie gavce a fab class at Crafteire on beaded accents and this is one of the things we made - it's such a gorgeous technique. I cheated and taught this in a class a week later at a charity crop (but I did give you credit Carrie!) :-)




Carrie gave me these beautiful BLUE semi precious stones for my birthday and I was nearly afraid to make anything with them as they are so divine however I am delighted how it turned out. If I had to choose my fav this is the one...

Ahem ahem...

Look what I got today!!! Annamarie from www.thescrapbookstore.ie gave me this beauutiful rolling tote set as a thank you for teaching her class at Crafteire. I'm still in awe of it as it is stunning and gorgeous and full of pockets and holders and....Can you tell I'm just a little bit excited about it! Love the colour too - we will be travelling in style to Scrapaganza next month! Thank you so much Annamarie XXX (but waaaayyyyy too generous!!!)

If you tilt your head ....you get the picture haha!

I held my monthly class and crop today and we altered a clipboard with the new Basic Grey Scarlett's letter. It was great to see everyone -especially some new faces. I always love the hum of chatter in my crops - sounds of women having fun. Sure what else would you be doing on a Sunday afternoon!!!

Madeleine's Eye Holds Vital Clue


Madeleine McCann's family believe a new picture of the missing four-year-old could play a vital role in the search for her. The photo of the youngster shows clearly the her distinctive right eye, where the pupil runs into the blue-green iris.

The new poster of Madeleine
It is this distinguishing mark that will identify Madeleine to those on the lookout for her, according to aunt and uncle John and Diane McCann. The Glasgow couple aim to distribute the appeal poster, which features the Crimestoppers telephone number, as far afield as they can.
Family friend Andrew Renwick told Sky News that support for the search had been "overwhelming" and her family were extremely grateful.

Her right eye
Mrs McCann said: "The purpose of the poster is to highlight the distinction in Madeleine's eye.
"We want to make the most of it, because we know her hair could potentially be cut or dyed."
Mr McCann added: "The poster was designed by a friend of the family and I've begun emailing it to acquaintances in different parts of the world. "I'm asking people to circulate it the best they can and make it be seen."


If you blog or have access to forums please circulate this information to as many people as possible. If Madeleine is still alive, media attention and vigilance will keep her alive.

Thinking of you today Madeleine on your 4th Birthday
XXX

She did it!!!


Dubray books, Grafton St


Last night my dear pal Niamh Greene had her moment of glory at the launch of her first novel 'Secret Diary of a Demented Housewife'. The big launch took place in the rather cool 'Fallon & Byrne' on Exchequer St. The vino was flowing, courtesy of her publishers Penguin and everyone was so proud of her incredible achievement. She looked a million dollars and quite the celebrity signing copies of the 100 or so books which were sold last night. When she was up there giving her speech I really had to stop in my tracks and ask myself is this the same Niamh who sat in my kitchen sipping coffee for all those years. It just seems her life has made the mose incredible turn and will never be the same again.


Here she is, lady of the moment with the lovely (and much skinnier in real life- clearly the camera does add 10lbs!!) Blaithnaid Ni Chofaigh who hosted the launch and of course the 'Kate' inspired pretty princess Caoimhe.

Audrey really enjoyed the evening and was delighted to have her photo taken with Niamh before she gets to be REALLY famous :-)



It was a proud evening for Niamh's folks. They told me the whole experience has been like a wedding!


BTW today on 'The Afternoon Show' she was listed in the reviewers top 10 books for your holidays and Niamh's was the first book chosen with glowing reviews. She even made it into OK this week with another glowing review. She's currently Irish book of the month in Easons nationwide. I finished the book this morning and all I can say is -hysterical! Go and buy it today!

Go Niamh!!! Remember us mere mortals when you are living in LA negotiating film deals and hanging with your good pal Sharon Stone again (not a word of a lie)!!!!!

PS she will be featured in next Saturday's Irish Times Weekend supplement (12/5/07)!!!

XXX