All The Pieces Of Me

Good Intensions

2010-12-06T23:48:00.002Z

Its almost 12mts since I blogged but for some reason tonight I decided to log in, to be honest i did not know if it would even let me log in. xmas cards made & almost all sent and hopefully i'll start crafting again!!

will DEF be back very soon
Karen

Perfect Weather For Crafting

2010-01-11T12:06:00.005Z

Well after 3 weeks of snow & ice & getting water from the army I can safely say i have had enough of the white stuff. hopefully we will be back to normal soon, although the army told me this morning it could be 3 weeks before the pipes in the ground defrost. thats 3 more weeks of filling bottles of water for cooking & the toilet. we have to go to my sisters for showers & washing, its a pain. I had a few days hols of work & with the weather so bad & the school closed aoife & I did some crafting. I love this calendar it is for my desk in work. I want to make another one.
I bough a papermania calendar blank and the everything else is from my stash, I even opened and used the grundgeboard that has been sitting on the shelf for 2yrs!
Hope you like it.

It's my brother's girlfriends bday tomorrow so here are a few cards I made

Chat ya soon
Karva

Breakfast with Santa & Let it Snow

2009-12-20T23:06:00.005Z

What a fab weekend. It started early Friday afternoon with the school Christmas show. The kids did an amazing job, Aoife was so excited to get to sing at it. She had been off for a few days before as her asthma was playing up. I think we would of had to tie her to a chair to keep her home.

Saturday brought an early start and we headed to Dublin to have breakfast with Santa in the Hard Rock Cafe it was great fun. Our friend Sandra (the biggest kid of all) came with us and we laughed for for hours. Yummy brekkie & Santa himself was there, the staff as always where wonderful.

Saturday evening Alan & I went to see Avatar in 3D, OMG what an amazing film. If you can get to the cinema to see it on the big screen go for it, it's awesome.
Sunday morning we awoke to a snowey blizzard. It snowed non stop until early afternoon we played out the whole time and had great fun.

.
I dont finish work until Wednesday evening, chat soon
Karva

Catch up

2009-11-22T19:42:00.011Z

Well hello blogland, to say it's been a while would be an understatment. Although I have not been posting I have been making :) I even managed to take pics of some of my makes. I made a pile of christmas cards for my mum but forgot to take pictures.
We had a great Halloween, Aoife was out trick or treating with her pals followed by the mums of course. Between treats & sparklers it was a great night

And I cant resist two recent shots too :)

Hope you like them, I'll be back soon :)
Karva

Started my Christtams shopping got some small gifts for family, like most of you christmas will be a cut back version this year but hopefully as much fun as ever. My mum, dad & two brothers are coming to ours for dinner, Aoife cant wait.

A.W.O.L.

2009-09-21T12:20:00.003Z

I have been AWOL since returning to work, the days are flying by :(
I have four weeks of trainning with homework and exams every few days so the evenings are all used up with that.
No time for crafing :(
I will be back soon
XXXXX
Karva

Bad blogger update & some crafty makes

2009-09-04T14:29:00.009Z

WOW I have been a naughty blogger :( dont know where the days are going to. I have been sick with a chest infection so I have been taking it easy. Aoife went back to school, no fuss no messing she was excited. Here's a pic of the first morning. She kept saying "I cant believe I'm a senior infant now" LOL

I made a few cards over the last couple of days, what I really need to do is clean up my desk and craft space it's a mess with paper everywhere. Usually I work best like this but it's gone beyond workable.

I also had an old wodden box that had turkish delights in it, yum yum :) I painted it with lime green acrylic paint and then topped that with some crackle claze then added some ribbon and a fab velvet flower with brad and hey presto a transformation.

Hope you all have a fantastic weekend. We are taking it easy so I can get rid of this chest infection and be fighting fit for starting my new job on Monday. I will check in over the weekend.
Dont behave :)
Karva

Some crafty makes

2009-08-29T21:40:00.007Z

Hi everyone happy Saturday evening.
We have had a chilled out couple of days. Aoife got some immunisation booster jabs and was a bit out of sorts and had a swollen sore leg so we kinda just watched movies and coloured pictures :)
Today we went for a walk in Belvedere House we started out with hats, scarfs and warm coats and by the time we got around the grounds we were down to T-shirts :) What's going on with the weather.
Anyhow here's what I have to show for my afternoon crafting yesterday.

A mini book dedicated to a day at the zoo, just needs pictures added
Front cover & Back cover

Inside pages

A new job at last!!!!

2009-08-28T09:08:00.002Z

Howdy bloggers
As most of you know I got made redundant along with 50 other people in June well finally I have managed to get a new job :) I'm so pleased, it's in a large insurance company and I start on 7th September.

The up side of no job is that I got to spend the whole summer with Aoife & Alan but the finances have taken a major hit so now hopefully we will get back to normal life very soon
will be back later with some crafty makes :)
Have a fab day
Karva

Two from a very bad blogger :(

2009-08-17T22:30:00.004Z

I know I know I have been a very very naughty blogger. I don't know where the days are going :) Aoife's social life is a million times more hectic & exciting than mine. I seem to have spend the last few weeks being mammy taxi but she is having a fantastic time so that's what matters. Her asthma was playing up a bit last week so we have some antibiotics and steroids. Two more weeks and back to school. I cant believe how quickly she is growing up. She is 5 1/2yrs old but oh my god she is so full of confidence :) Here are a few pics of her on Sunday she asked my sister to records the girls aloud concert on the tv because she loves the songs and the fashion. When she got dressed on Sunday she actually asked me could she bring some outfit changes to my sisters house for the concert. I dread to think where we will be when is 15yrs old.!! but she is our princess.

So on to what you really come here to say :) Just two cards completed in the last week or two. I have been feverishly colouring in stamped images and hope to have some more soon.

Busy week ahead planned, more play dates and some painting in my mums house. I will check in soon
Love Karva

Amazing new challenge blog launch

2009-08-15T22:01:00.002Z

Take you self here at once :)!!!
The amazing Lisa & Steve have launched a fab new challenge blog names Sophisticat challenge blog
They are kicking it all off with CANDY click on the link and join in :)
Karva

Rainy day crafting

2009-08-03T20:41:00.003Z

Well just for a change it rained all day her in sunny Mullingar :( There was no let up in the rain.
Friday night Martina called over and very kindly brought some of her new stamps - total surprise :) she very kindly let me stamp some images. Here are some cards I made today. I water coloured some other images so more to follow :)

The papers are all basic grey urban prairie & cup cake. The ribbon and the ice cream charm are from one of my Raspberry Ribbons Monthly Kits
Hope ya like them :)
Karva

Perfect day for crafting

2009-07-31T17:47:00.006Z

Well I don't know what the weather is like where you are but here in Mullingar it's raining heavy all day :( and it's grey and cold. I cant believe it's July and we had to turn on the central heating today!!! Martina & Sandie I know you are shrieking at reading this because you both know how I am always hot!
Aoife had a school friend over to play today so while the girls where entertaining themselves I was making a few cards. The stamps are from Sandie's Anya stamps the papers on the Anya's are basic grey urban prairie :)

The hello kitty is using some embossed bassil from The Scrapbook Store

I hope you like them
Karva

Busy few days

2009-07-30T15:46:00.005Z

Well it's been a hectic few days. There is a LO 3/4 complete on my desk but that's as far as I have gotten!!
If you have been to my blog before you will probably know just how much my daughter Aoife likes to pose and model this was just one from the latest batch :)

Then disaster struck - well disaster as Aoife saw it, she is 5 1/2 yrs old now and her 1st tooth fell out :( she was upset but after lots of jokes and stories from mammy & daddy all was well

I have been taking some medicine for a few days and one of the side effects is very bad headaches, I have been floored for the last couple of days. I'm trying to just get on with it but sometimes it's not possible.
Today is our wedding anniversary 11yrs of blissful marriage (well mostly blissful LOL :) I'm so lucky to have found my soul mate and someone who is my best bud :)
Enough of the soppy stuff.
Another first today for Aoife she got stung by a wasp or bee and was so upset. She does not cry very often so my heart sank when I heard her crying running up the street with her friend :(. We got some cream in the chemist and she is on the mend but total drama queen feeling very sorry for herself - I have a pic on the camera I will post later.
So no crafting to show but plenty going on. :)
chat to ya all soon
Karva

Another Digi from me

2009-07-26T18:39:00.003Z

Well I'm really having fun with the digi stuff. I have a house full of kids (Aoife & her friends) so I can work away on the laptop and still keep an eye on them. It's so cute they have been putting on shows for me all evening :) Anyway this is a picture of Alan's niece's son. His name is Sean. This picture was taken on a rare really sunny day in Dublin and he kept saying "Rock & Roll" and doing that funny thing with his hand. Hope you like it

Karva

Digital Scrapbooking - 1st attempt

2009-07-26T00:51:00.002Z

For well over a year now I have been saying I would give digital scrapbooking a go, well tonight I finally decided that I would download the trial version of photoshop elements, 2 hrs later I was all set. I googled free digital scrapbooking and downloaded a kit caled girl girl from Here I am so pleased with the result. I can definately see myself doing more of these :) hope you like it.
Karva

Paperplay Challenges

2009-07-24T19:11:00.004Z

Well I'm so pleased with myself for the first time in such a long time I have made a card for a challenge blog :) The theme on Paperplay Challenges this week is Boys so here is my entry, I hope you likes it :) I used the crate paper Orbit collection, I love it :)

Karva

some from me

2009-07-24T17:18:00.003Z

Well girls no word yet on the two job interviews I went for. They said they should have an answer by Tuesday so fingers x'd for one of them at least :)

I was asked by a friend to make two cards for for her last night, so this is what I came up with, hope you like them. The twins one is yellow & green but I cant seem to get a good picture.

We spent the whole day in my mams today, Alan was stripping back the hall door and re staining it. I had the for though to bring some stamped images so I spent the whole afternoon with watercolour pencils and a water brush colouring the images in.
Aoife was playing out all day with the kids at my mums they had a ball. At one stage I looked out and this was the sight :) you just cant help but smile :)
All the gang

My little princess

Fingers X'd

2009-07-20T16:35:00.002Z

Howdy girls happy Monday the sun was out most of the day even if it was ducking in and out of clouds :)
Fingers x'd and positive vibes please I have two interviews tomorrow, one for a temp position and one for a full time permanent position. Hopefully something will come of them.

anyway last night on my way to bed I stopped by my desk and it must be a record but 20 Min's later this was what I had created :) have to say I love it :)

Karva

Anniversary cards

2009-07-18T17:31:00.003Z

Happy Saturday

what a jam packed day we had here for now here are some cards I made today for my sisters wedding anniversary :)
I will be back later :)
Karva

Crafty Makes

2009-07-17T09:25:00.007Z

Well at last........ for the first time in ages I made some Lo's.
The first one is of my grandmother it was taken the day I got married. She has passed away a few years ago but this is exactly as I remember her :)

The next one is of me on my confirmation day :) At the time I though I was the bees knees and the cats pyjamas but now even Aoife my 5yr old said "the state of ya mam" LOL which by the way is her favourite saying at the moment.

My sister asked me to make a wedding card for her sister in law the newlyweds liked the card so much they decided to use it on the cover of there wedding album they asked would I decorate the inside front cover of the album to make it personal for them so here is what I came up with :)

Another card from me but the picture is not the best

Now totally no crafty just down right cute.. I think :) Both Aoife and I do martial arts called Genbukan Ninpo and Jujitsu. Aoife is doing her first grade exam in a few weeks so although the class are only between 5-9 yrs old trainning is very serious LOL :) here are two pics of her before Wednesday nite's class :)

have a good day everyone

love
Karva

Blog Overhall

2009-07-11T20:46:00.002Z

Hello bloggers :)I have made a concious decision to pick up blogging again so in order to start on the right foot my blog has gotten a spring clean. The centrepiece is my fab new banner made by the wonderfully talented Lisa over at I am over the moon with it. It has all my favourite things - pink, ribbons, primas, buttons and bling :)
So your stuck with me now girls :)

I have managed to get a temporary position in a company in Athlone for hopefully 6 months so I start on Monday at 9.30am, it will keep me thicking over.
The weather here is absolutely terrible, just rain rain rain.
Enjoy the rest of your weekend and keep checking in :)

Karva
XXXX

Catch up

2009-07-01T10:50:00.001Z

well it's been a while there has been so much going on :( the biggest being i was made redundant from work, still searching but something will turn up. now that i am at home i plan to update regularly

Karen

Busy Weekend

2009-06-08T20:19:00.004Z

The good news is I got a big batch of orders in work last week so I had a busy sunday :D
The bad news is on Friday 50 of us were told we are being made redundant in the next 30 days :-(
Here are some pics :D

After seeing the wonderful paper flower decoration on my desk in work that was Eva's class at Crafteire 2009 I was asked to make two for godparents of a little communion girl

Busy bunny

2009-05-19T20:51:00.011Z

howdy bloggers I have been a very busy bunny making cards. Went to a crop in Dublin and also one in Tullamore and got loads of Lo's done, i will take pics.
We went to a friends communion on Saturday, Louise the little princess looked amazing. Her mammy & daddy's camera decided it did not want to work so I decided to take as many pics as i could or them. 200 photos later and here are some of my favourites :)

I have been getting quite a few orders for cards in work so here are a few pics.

No post would be complete without some pics of my little princess :) she is getting soooooooo big :)

Egg-stra special weekend

2009-04-13T19:37:00.014Z

Well we are all exhausted, it has been a very busy weekend :)
Here are the pictures. Firstly Saturday in the hard rock cafe, Alan's friend Sandra same along with us, it was great to catch up with her. We also went to visit one of Alan's sisters and as luck would have it one of his brothers was there to :)
Of course I took lots and lots of pictures but here are just a few of them :)

We took a walk around Dublin and Alan & Aoife stood with the Phil Lynott statue on Grafton street :) Aoife was singing at the top of her voice - waiting for an alaby

Alan's baby sister Denise

One of Alans brothers - Joe

Sunday we went to the easter egg hunt in Belvedere, we go every year and it usually a great day out. This year there were so many more people than usual and I have to say the adults were worse than the kids. There was so much pushing and shoving. some kids fell and I even fell myself :( my shoulder and arm are really sore :( Some people got really carried away and very greedy, I saw people with six or more eggs. Most people had a nice time but a few did spoil the start.

After we came home one of Aoife's friends Louise came to play and they made Easter Bonnets

Today we had another fantastic day we went on "The Midlander" steamtrain. The easter bunny greted the kids at the train station and was on the train walking around. The kids and adults had a ball, there was a great atmosphere. We brought a picnic with us and had such a wonderful day :)

Happy Easter

2009-04-12T08:44:00.003Z

Happy easter everyone, I hope the bunny left lots of chocolate for you all.
I finished work on Thursday and am not back until Monday week :)We started off the weekend yesterday with a trip to the Hard Rock Cafe in Dublin to have breakfast with the Easter bunny - it was fab. One of Alans friends Sandra came along and we had a great time. The easter bunny came to each of the tables and stoped for photos with the children. Then the staff took the kids around the restrant on an egg hunt and then each of the children got there picture taken with the bunny and he gave them each a chocolate bunny. Aoife loved it. I have loads of pictures just need to download them and I will post them later.
Today we are off to Belvedere House for an easter egg hunt, I cant wait. We go each year and have great fun, I will post pictures later.

Have a gret day everyone
Karen

Busy week

2009-03-21T18:45:00.009Z

Hi everyone what a week it has been.
Well the diet lives on, went to weight watchers this week, down another 3lb. Thats
17lb down in 7 weeks, I'm so pleased :)

I had the 2nd full day of my occupational first aid course we were thought how to use a defibrilator among other things. It was really interesting but so much theory. The practical and theory exam is next Tuesday, loads of cramming to do :)

Busy crafting week I got an 8x8 book completed for an order, They even supplied the photos but of course i never got to take photos of the completed book. I had 7 mothers days cards made for people in work for Friday morning, they turned out really well, so much so that i got asked for 8 more which i had to make at lunch time, it was a rush but they got completed :)

I have an order to make two 8x8 scrapbook's. I got some of the photos today so I have to et started on them. I got about 10 easter cards made last night and this morning, I will definately take pictures and post them later

The parade was good fun. The weather was amazing so sunny if a bit chilly :) took loads of pictures here are a few of them.

Happy St Patricks Day

2009-03-17T14:54:00.002Z

Happy Tuesday every one and Happy St Patricks day. It's a beautiful sunny morning here and we where up bright and early. Town is a hive of activity, all the council workers are preparing fore the parade.
We went down to the park but it was no open so we took an annual d-tour to McDonalds and got Shamrock shakes (mink flavour milk shakes, yum yum) they usually only sell them on paddy's day in our branch. They are so worth a 12 month wait :)

We then went to Belveder House and had a good long walk, it was so nice there. Aoife literally bumped into a friend from school :)
Back home for a bit of lunch and a rest and we are off to the parade at 3.30pm will have loads of pictures to show you later.
Happy St Patrick's day everyone :)
Karen

Pictures as promised

2009-03-13T20:50:00.004Z

Happy Friday
As promised here are some pics of some of the cards i made recently.

I saw a poster last October in the health centre for a comp sponsored by a drugs company, it was titled express yourself. There was a few categories, painting, poetry, stories, photography so i entered a picture and this week i got a letter to say i won a runner up prize out of 440 entries in the photography section. My prize was a €50 one 4 all voucher :)

have a nice evening

It's back - Yipee

2009-03-12T22:33:00.002Z

Bumbleberry crafts is back, yipee :) If you fancy chatting with crafters who are a great bunch, you have to go to bumbleberry. You are going to be seriously impressed with the cool stuff these girls create
see you there
Karva

March madness

2009-03-12T21:35:00.003Z

As is the norm lately it's been a while and what a few months it has been.

Aoife has been sick, the short version was after two weeks of coughing she got a slight puncture in one of her lungs and had what we now know to be an asthma attack, it was very scary :( we spent a few days in the hospital but thankfully she is on the mend. She has two inhalers to take and had some steroids for a few days. We have to take her to see the respiratory nurse in the hospital next week and she will do some tests.

Bad news in work - we will have to wait until April to find out if the whole company will be closing or just how many redundancies there will be world wide. For the moment we are very busy but it is totally out of our hands. Fingers crossed it works out for the best.

I went to crafteire in February, had a great time and did some amazing classes. I will get around to posting some pictures. It was great to catch up with all the girls on the crafting circuit, your a mad bunch ! :)

I have been very busy with orders for cards and books, I will put up the pictures of the ones I remembered to take pics of.

Some amazing new stash over on The Scrapbook Store I cant wait for the postie to bring my goodies.

Until I get the pics sorted have a great Friday :)
Karen

Creations

2009-01-27T21:01:00.016Z

As promised here are some of the stuff I have been making, I dont always remember to take pictures of them.
I was asked to make a wedding journal book for a friend in work to give to her brothers fiance. It was to be ready for last Friday morning, I remembered at 8pm last Thursday night, major rush but it turned out well. She just somewhere to keep business cards and phone no's etc.

These are some of the LO's I did over the last few months the christmas one was a class at Midlands Craft club

This is last weeks challenge over on Paper Play Challenges

These are some of the cards I made for orders

see I have been busy between all this lot, work and home to :)

chat soon
Karen

The weather outside is soooooooo bad

2009-01-17T15:11:00.002Z

Happy new year everyone, so sorry it's been so long since I posted. Before Christmas so busy with work and home and I'm glad to say crafting. I managed sell all my x-mas cards (about 200) and quite a few books to. Santa was very good to us all. I have been busy crafting away since the new year and have lots of pics which i will post later. My CJ that was over two years on it's travels has finally returned, pics to come for that also :)

I'm off to tullamore to for a crop tomorrow so definitely more pics to follow.
The wind outside is 100 mph and the rain is so bad, Aoife and I just came back from the cinema we saw Beverly Hills Chihuahua, so much fun. back in a while

Karen :)

Big day tomorrow!

2008-11-29T19:55:00.016Z

Hi everyone, have been soooo busy. I got a flyer in my door about an indoor marked and car boot sale every sunday in the Mullingar Equestrian centre for 9am - 3pm. I decided to book a stand and try to sell some cards and books. I have 175 x-mas cards made and about 10 mini books. so I am really excited and also a bit nervous. I've never done anything like this before. wish me luck :)

The weather here is terrible at the moment - 3 degrees, it's sooooooooo cold. We decided we would not let it stop us so we wrapped up in 50 layers of clothes and headed for Belvedere House for a walk. It was so foggy and so cold, we lasted about 30 minutes and I managed to get some cool pictures. You wont believe it but all of these pictures where taken between 1.30pm - 2 pm today :)

Big day tomorrow!

2008-11-29T19:55:00.001Z

Happy Monday

2008-11-24T13:41:00.002Z

I cant believe it has been a whole week since I posted :) Things are hectic. i have been making chirstmas cards and books like a woman possessed! I will post pics tonight.
Brought Aoife to see high school musical 3 on Saturday, she loved it. It was so funny all the kids were singing along and dancing and shouting "Wildcats" LOL.
I went to the monthly crop for Midlands Craft Club yesterday. It was a fantastic day. Did a great class with the ever so talented Mrs Sandie Dunne a fantastic double LO using the Basic Grey Wassill papers, they are so much nicer in 12x12, again I will post pics later.

You girls were all correct it is Cinderella - i have a little something for each of you, Evonne, Cook, Lainey I have your addy's. Ms Brook can you email me your addy across the pond?
so I better get back to work and stop dossing! I have a comfy chair, a desk top fan, a big big mug of tea and a twix bar, guess I'm set for the afternoon.

chat later
Karen

Heavy for a Monday morning but.... important

2008-11-17T10:22:00.002Z

This was sent to us from our Human Resources department this morning.

STROKE: Remember The 1st Three Letters....S...T...R...

PLEASE TAKE NOTE
A nurse sent this and encouraged me to post it and spread the word.

If everyone can remember something this simple, we could save some peoples lives. Please take a minute to read this e mail.

STROKE IDENTIFICATION:

During a BBQ, a friend stumbled and took a little fall - she assured everyone that she was fine (they offered to call paramedics) .she said she had just tripped over a brick because of her new shoes.

They got her cleaned up and got her a new plate of food. While she appeared a bit shaken up, Ingrid went about enjoying herself the rest of the evening.

Ingrid's husband called later telling everyone that his wife had been taken to the hospital - (at 6:00 pmIngrid passed away.) She had suffered a stroke at the BBQ. Had they known how to identify the signs of a stroke, perhaps Ingrid would be with us today. Some don't die.... they end up in a helpless, hopeless condition instead.

It only takes a minute to read this...

A neurologist says that if he can get to a stroke victim within 3 hours he can totally reverse the effects of a stroke...totally. He said the trick was getting a stroke recognized, diagnosed, and then getting the patient medically cared for within 3 hours, which is tough.

RECOGNIZING A STROKE

Remember the '3' steps, STR. Read and Learn!

Sometimes symptoms of a stroke are difficult to identify. Unfortunately, the lack of awareness spells disaster. The stroke victim may suffer severe brain damage when people nearby fail to recognize the symptoms of a stroke.

Now doctors say a bystander can recognize a stroke by asking three simple questions:

S.... Ask the individual to SMILE.

T..... Ask the person to TALK and SPEAK A SIMPLE SENTENCE (Coherently, e.g. It is sunny out today)

R ....Ask him or her to RAISE BOTH ARMS.
If he or she has trouble with ANY ONE of these tasks, call 999 immediately and describe the symptoms to the dispatcher.

New Sign of a Stroke -- Stick out Your Tongue

NOTE: Ask the person to 'stick' out his tongue. If the tongue is 'crooked', if it goes to one side or the other, that is also a possible indication of a stroke.

A cardiologist says if everyone who gets this e-mail sends it to 10 people; you can bet that at least one life will be saved.

I passed it on... will you??

Take a Guess

2008-11-13T12:12:00.004Z

Well as promised here is the passage of text from our communications course. Take a look if you know what it is referring to leave a comment and I will pick a winner out of those who get it right. Good luck

Karen

Quiet weekend

2008-11-12T23:17:00.003Z

very quiet weekend her, Aoife had her friend Lola over on Saturday and they had a high school musical movie day, very girls!! Not much crafting done either, just one card :(

I had two days of communication training in work last week, it was OK very long there was however one example which i will share with you tomorrow. I will post a passage of text, leave a comment if you know what it is, I will pick a winner from a hat and there will be a small prize of stash for that person

nite nite

karen

He's got the bug

2008-11-06T23:08:00.003Z

For a long time now I have been saying to my darling husband Alan to take a look at the camera manual and not just use the auto setting every time, well I would love to say he listened to me but miracles just don't happen in mullingar LOL !!! But the did mess around with different settings and menu's when he was out for a walk this evening. Take a look at the pictures he manged to get in Belvedere House & Gardens this evening, (although I am biast) I think they are fab and only wish it was me who took them!!! Reckon there may be fights for the camera now. xxx

New Challenge Blog

2008-11-06T20:21:00.002Z

Today was the launch of a fantastic new weekly challenge blog Paperplay challenges. I am lucky enough to be asked to be on the team by the ever talented Sandie. This weeks challenge was to create a card using blue and brown with a scallop somewhere on the card. Check out the blog to see the results. Cant wait to see what you all come up with.

What a day in work stuck in the board room all day today and all day tomorrow for a 2 day communication course :) the course if ok but the down side is two days work to catch up on. Not to worry at least tomorrow is Friday.
Oh Still no chococlate or junk eaten this week, I'm so proud!!!

chat soon
Karen

Months gone by

2008-11-04T21:06:00.003Z

Well for all the months i was not blogging I was still busy crafting. When I though of it I took pictures of my stuff but unfortunately as is always the way with me a lot of it would be last minute. Here is a slide show of all the stuff i remembered to keep pictures of. It included a Halloween book, a basic grey mellow book (which was done as a class by the ever talented Sandie from midlands craft club) yet untitled, a rusty pickle kit book and a book I was asked to make for an order along with lots of cards and a couple of gift wallets. I still have to take some pictures of the wedding stationary and about 150 more x-mas cards so they will have to follow.
Started doing weight watchers again yesterday, serious amount of weight to loose. I am a total chocoholic so feeling quite proud. 2 days no chocolate, biscuits, sweets, cakes but i would love some. If I eat any more fruit I will turn into one!!!!!
Very busy in work but it's health and safety week so lots of courses to attend.
chat ya soon :)
Karen

Wassill X-Mas Book

2008-11-02T20:02:00.008Z

Back again, this time for good. Ok so I love Basic Grey..... ususally. I have to say this paper is there worst line yet, I think. It is just NOT festive, however as I started a 6x6 book I decided I better continue. - One Wassill x-mas book never to be repeted. I have lots of pics to upload of all my cards and books and invites over the last few months, I am working on sizing down the files.

chat soon
Karen

Where did Saturday go?

2008-09-13T19:14:00.003Z

All up bright and early in this house 7am!!! (not by choice, Aoife was wide awake) opended the curtains and you could not even see the car in the drive way the fog was so thick!! Did not take long for it clear so off we went to Tullamore or as it's know in our house "Cake town" only because we usually have coffee and a cake when we go. Not to day though quick trip to Argos for a new external hardrive great offer at the moment 500GB only €89 and it plugs straight in with a USB cable.

Finally manged to finish the full set of wedding stationary for my friend 175 invites, RSVP cards and thank you cards (pictures to follow) it seemed like a good idea when I was doing the samples to cut three different size flowers using the cricut then layer them and add a jewel to the centre but OMG I was cursing myself when it came to assembling 175 sets!!!! Even had Aoife lifting the petals on all of them to give the 3D effect, child labour!!!!!

Hopefully Sandie or as most of you know here Cailin from the CS forum will be coming over tomorrow for a few hours to craft, looking forward to that.

Just starting on some new samples for a girl in town for her wedding invites, very fussy wanted a ticket with the RSVP as a tear off, wanted gold ribbon and tourquise and vintage look, I gave her a sample (but forgot to take a picture) and then gave her a more traditional sample with a picture kindly found on line by Sandie, she loved the picture but wantes some more samples with different styles. Here is the picture, i will show you the results tomorrow.

chat to you tomorrow :)

Back at last

2008-09-09T17:04:00.003Z

hey bloggers, it was a long time coming but I am officially back.
Have been very busy creating, LO's and cards and even wedding invitations and others wedding stationary.
Very busy in work changed jobs within the organization but it's a real challenge. More exams on the horizon but those of you who know me will know I am always doing exams and courses.
I will updat the blog later with my new creations and will drop in on all your blogs in the next day or two :)

great to be back
Karva
xxx

Back this weekend

2008-04-09T21:59:00.001Z

Hello strangers, I kinda well off the world for a while, one more exam this saturday and then I will be back, very regularly!!!

chat to you soon
Karen

Busy crafting weekend & a graduation

2007-11-05T20:36:00.000Z

Although I never got to stay and play at the Midland craft club (link to follow) on Saturday I did manage to go and shop, I got this fab blank chipboard Bo Bunny book from the crafteire shop and used the basic grey mellow papers to decorate. The pictures as you all probably recognize at this stage are of our weekly walks in Belvedere

This next book I started last December and only did the cover. I wanted to have a book that I could add to each year to put aoife's santa visit pictures.

My baby brother Wesley graduated this weekend he is now officially a Chef, well done Wesley I am really proud of you, only two people could go to the ceremony but we all went out for a family meal on Sunday, we had a great time.

Work is mad busy but I got my Christmas leave approved, I am in Christmas eve and then not back until the 2nd January!!

Enjoy your week
Karen
xx

at last

2007-11-01T19:09:00.000Z

Well I was all set to blog twice last week and then my broadband connection went down. thank you so much to everyone who has been stopping by despite my lack of posts, I really appreciate it.
Well the exams are over for now, I will have to wait until around Nov 16th for the results but OMG they were so difficult, I'm not very hopeful. Usually I am over prepared for exams but I have to admit for this one, I was not, although everyone I spoke to though they were difficult.
Still under the weather, more tests and things, I have a blood pressure monitor on for 24hrs at the moment as my bp is high but on the crafting side I could not be busyer.

A couple of weekends ago it was the 1st birthday of Scrapwest and to celebrate they had a cyber crop. I managed to get some of the classes done and I totally enjoyed them. All of the instructions are available on the blog.

Last week I had 3 CJ's to complete, I love CJ's they really make me try new things, here are peaks of two of them.

A friend of mine Valerie gave birth to a beautiful baby boy last week called Eoin, here is his card and a couple more.

the week before last the scrapwest team invited me to be guest designer, the theme was autumn here is my lo

Last saturday I went to Elaines monthly Dublin crop, as usual she gave a fab class using the new basic grey periphery papers here is my Lo and one more I finished last night, these are the only two picture I have of me when I was pregnant.

Well I think thats all my crafty creations of late, I will be back regularly again, halloween pictures to follow tomorrow.
nite nite

I'll be back any day now

2007-10-14T10:26:00.001Z

thank you all for stopping by, I know I have been a very bad blogger, what with work, exams, life and being under the weather I have not had a chance to chat. I will be back this weekend.

thanks
Karen
xx

1st day of Montessori

2007-09-29T21:33:00.000Z

On Monday Aoife started going to Montessori for three mornings a week, we brough her into the class and she said ok you can go now. When we asked for a kiss we were told (as she pointed to a fire safety sign)"read the sign it says I dont want to be stuck in here with you guys"

So off we went and left her to it, she loves it. So I made this LO but I have to admit i scraplifted it from the Karen Foster website.
xx

the holidays are well and truely over!!

2007-09-29T16:54:00.000Z

Well I was back to work last Monday after two weeks off and boy was it tough. I went back to a mountain of work and the realization that my exam date has been brough forward to the 13th October instead of the end of October. Between overtime and studying I wont have a minute.
Just as well I did some more crafting before I returned to work. This is actaully Aoife dressed up as a pirate (ok there PJ's)

And I even managed to get a LO done for this weeks theme on Scrapwest the these was "Shopping" which is dear to my heart, I treated myself to this fabby John Rocha necklace, the pearls are a blue/silver colour, I love it!!!

Still under the weather had a CT scan on Friday have to wait a week for the results so we are not up to much this weekend. Went for a walk in Belveder today and all the autumn leaves were falling down!!1
OMG I nearly forgot I was lucky enough to be yesterdays winner over on Rusty Pickle for leaving a comment I won French Market Paper Pack, Stickers & an Acrylic Tag Album! I never win anything, so Yipee!!!!!

Chat tomorrow
Karen

Fruits of my Labour

2007-09-20T19:55:00.000Z

As mentioned on Tuesday night I got two lo's complete

and almost a complete 8x8 album, last three pages done tonight

Here are two more 12x12 LO I did last week

Had a great afternoon at the zoo have some cool monkey pictures but they will have to wait until tomorrow.
nite nite
Karen

Creative, Chilling, Shopping week!!!

2007-09-19T22:19:00.000Z

Well into the 2nd week of my holidays and it's fab, although my bank balance does not seem to thing so, somehow I've managed to shop on line everyday at either The Scrapbook Store or Craft Supplies Annamarie at the Scrapbook store has gotten so much wonderful new stuff in lately it's almost criminal!!!! and over at Craft Supplies they have gotten in the new Rusty Pickle pirate princess and lots of cool Halloween stamps and peel off's and as you all know pink is my favourite colour I could not resist!!! Cant wait to play. Just as well I only get two weeks holidays!!!
I'm having so much fun spending time with Aoife all day, just doing regular stuff, playing, baking, reading books but the difference is it's not all crammed into one hour before work, one hour at lunch and a couple of hours in the evening, I love it!! My wonderful hubby even brough me brekkie in bed this morning, thanks Al xxxx
Last night I had a super productive evening I got two 12x12 Lo's of complted of last years halloween costumes and almost an entire 8x8 album I want to send to a friend in Florida, only 3 pages left to complete in the album, I was on a roll. I was really pleased because I had bought the Cosmo Cricket Biography™ Pack 8" x 8" - Little Girls and any other paper I usesd was all from my scraps pile!! I have to say i much prefare 12x12 not sure why!! I'll post pictures tomorrow.
Off to Dublin tomorrow, got to bring Alan to the doctor and then we are going to the zoo and to visit some niece's & nephews.
nite nite
Karen
xxx

Back from Holidays

2007-09-17T16:07:00.000Z

Hello all you little bloggers, hope you are all well.
We just got back from holidays last night and OMG it's cold, burrrrrrhhhhh. We had a fantastic time, one week in sunny Majorca, the weather was amazing later 30's most days, we had two overcast days but it was still warm. Aoife had a ball. She loved swimming in the Mediterranean sea (until she swallowed some - YUCK!) she loved the swimming pool and must have spent at least 5 hours a day in it. Each afternoon she went to kids club for 2 hours were they did art & craft and games and stories, she loved it. The accommodation and the food were great. Managed to take some 900 pictures (some of which are for the bin!!) but here are a few to get started with.

I'll be back later.
karen
xx

I found the cure :)

2007-09-02T11:50:00.000Z

Well the pills make me feel a bit yuck and out of it, wont be taking them for much longer!!! However I have found a cure, it's called chocolate fudge cake, purchased not baked I'm afraid and OMG it's amazing, sorry but I have to show you all!!!

I also manged to get a LO done of one of my brother Gareth, you is so helpful and sweet and kind and I have never scrapped him by himself.

So no major plans here for her Sunday, mam is coming round for dinner and we are gonna chill, Oh and Mumbles the happy feet penguin dropped in!!!

Enjoy your Sunday
Karen
xx

Scrapwest Blog Celebration

2007-09-01T22:15:00.000Z

Would you like some amazing ideas, using wonderful techniques from the most talented ladies I know? well take yourself over to Scrapwest were the team are celebrating blogs. Follow the links to all the girls blogs and you won't be disappointed.
Have fun and thanks girls for all the inspiration. :)

Were is my baby gone!!

2007-09-01T14:28:00.000Z

Happy Saturday everyone, it's raining here in Mullingar :( but in between showers the sun comes out. Feeling yuck again, I had to go back to the doctors yesterday as I nearly crashed the car on Thursday coming home from work, I got so dizzy I though I was going to pass out. Anyhow doc says sinus are infected again and that with vertigo is why!! more pills.
So we're gonna chill for the weekend, as next Sunday we go on holidays.
So between the rain Aoife and I were out the back and I was snapping away as you do and then all of a sudden my 3 1/2 yr old turned into a moody teenager, I swear it was scary.. and all I could think of was were was my baby gone :( I was asking her to have a drink and as I took this picture she was telling me (yet again, one of her favourite lines) "I'm 3 1/2 it's my decision!!! HELP.......... :)

So we had a chat then about how it was so much nicer to smile and she stopped with the attitude and I got some nice pics, I cant believe how grown up she looks.

After all that she said she was going to be an action model so out came the camera again and it was off to the trampoline - not to self, do not bounce on trampoline until dizziness has gone , yuck :( but Aoife had a ball

So it was an eventful morning and I got all my ironing done (which you all know is my little obsession!!!) and all that before lunch. enjoy your weekend whatever you do :)

xx
Karen

I know very bad blogger

2007-08-29T19:13:00.000Z

Sorry sorry sorry, there truly has not been enough hours in the day lately. I have been working silly hours in work and have could not face looking at a pc in the evening. No real news or gossip here in sunny Mullingar, yes it has been a very sunny week. Working away, usual home stuff and still studying like mad. Had a great nite out at the greyhound track with 50 people from work last week, lovely meal and a laugh. I bet on every race (nothing major €2 or €2) and only managed to win €6 on the last race!! but we had a giggle. Have been doing a bit of crafting also. My very 1st circle journal came home, I will take pics and post during the week. Val was not on my team but she did a lo in my cj so I returned the favour, here is my LO the them was "people or things that inspire you" used my most fab basic grey blush.

I did a couple of get well cards for a friend in work who's dad was ill and a cute little key ring book called family for my mum. On one side of the tile it spells out family on the back of each are pics of her 4 kids and 2 grand kids, she loved it. :)

We had our usual Belvedere walk on Sunday, the weather was fab and the chocolate cake and cappuccino after was even better!!!

We have started our first module of the on line photography course with Cheryl loving it, this week we have to take silhouette pictures and we were not to use the lcd screen, only the viewfinder, this was tough, here are my three pics

I am really enjoying this course, already i feel like i am using my camera to it's full potential.
When I can I like to check in on all the blogs of people I know and some I don't. A couple of months ago I came across a blog from a wonderful lady in Texas called Brook - hi Brook :) :) she is a wonderful creative woman (in a house full of men) and she really makes me laugh. Brook very kindly awarded me " the nice matters award. I have one pet hate and its rudeness, there is really no need for it so I try all the time to be nice and polite and positive, thanks Brook

So here goes my turn to award the nice matters award to two people. There are possible 100's of wonderful people I have met since I started crafting and blogging and I would love to award everyone.
1. Audrey
2. Jackie
thanks a million girls, you truly are nice :)
So that's it I'm off to study, only 11 more days and I'm off on hols, cant wait.
cheers
Karen

Chill out Sunday

2007-08-19T22:22:00.001Z

We had a lovely relaxing day, early start all the boring housework type things done by 9.30am!!
We chilled and watched telly and them once we got daddy out of bed!!!! we headed off to Belveder for our usual Sunday morning walk, it was great. We are so lucky no matter how many times a week we go here, its like new all over again, the landscape changes so much.

We walked for about 2 hrs and went into the walled garden, which we don't do very often. you kind of forget it's there. The place was awash with colour and as I am just getting started on my on line photography course with Cheryl it was the perfect opportunity to take some pics. I've still got so much to learn, but I think I'm getting the hang of my new camera!! there are even a couple of shots of me!!! and even one of me I took myself!!!!!!!!

so after all that we were left with two adults, clear heads and full of energy and one very wet child (who had to go home in the car in her underwear!!!) as she made it her mission to find every puddle in the grounds and dance and splash in them all as much as she could - and she loved it!!! :) :)
Have a good week everyone
xxx

A.W.O.L

2007-08-18T15:54:00.001Z

It's been a long time :( I've been busy but obviously not blogginh!!!
Ok were to start, have been felling crap the last couple of weeks, doc reckons I have vertigo so he gave me some pills and some time's they work and some times they don't. Have not been on line much it's enough of a challenge looking at a screen in work for 8 hrs when your dizzy so I figured I'd give it a miss at home!!!! I'm on the mend now.

Enough moaning so my little darling Aoife went to her first summer camp about two weeks ago, she had a ball!! It took us so many years to acually be luck enough to have Aoife that I'm still not doing so well on the leaving her with other people front!!! but there you go.
she went to Gymboree play/music/art & craft from 9am - 2pm for a week and they went to a kids adventure place on the last day. She had so much fun and brough home a big pack of ther "art work" - the kitchen has been redecorated :) :)

she absolutely loves being with other kids so we have registered her for montessori when we come back from hols, started 24th Sept three morning a week, she is so excited.
Have not been doing much crafting either just a card and a LO from our trip to the zoo, not very impressed with the LO but it's done now.

I had ment to submit this to scrapwest as this weeks theme was "Wall art" but i never got around to it, it's mounted on a scalloped edges cork board.

Now for the good news!!
One of my younger brother has just left and he and his girlfriend have just told us they have gotten engaged!!! Yipee
So this is the happy couple, Gareth & Karen (yep her name is karen, but we call her plum, long story for another time!!!)

Congradualations we are so so pleased for your both. No date set yet! The rock is amazing it's a 1ct solitare set in platnium, it's stunning.
I promise I will be back soon, thanks for checking in.
xx
karen

Double Tag

2007-08-08T20:43:00.001Z

Thank you so much to Audrey who has tagged me for the 7 things tag for this I have to List 7 facts about me and then tag 7 people.
I also got tagged by Kate for the Global Bumper card society.
So....................
Here are 7 facts about me that you probably will not know.

1. I have brough the same teddy bear to bed since I was 13 yrs old.
2. I am a freak for ironing and iron everything.
3. My middle name is Ellen.
4. I hate custard.
5. I am a checker, I check everything over and over, doors locked, windoes locked.
6. I am scared of flying.
7. I dont like animals, sorry all you animal lovers (but I would never harm one)

No hugh revelations but there you go.

Here are my 7 nominations for tag's however you lucky girls you are getting double tagged for both the 7 things tag and the global card tag!!!
Sorry but it had to be done :)

Andie
Paula
Neasa
Brook
Kathy
Beckie
Amber Jane

thanks girls

summer clear out!

2007-08-04T22:27:00.000Z

I was up at the crack of dawn this morning, cleaning and washing and 3hrs of ironing - don't ask, I'm a freak for ironing. Anyway I did a mega clear out of all clothes felt great when I was finished but now I realize I could do with winning the lotto and going on a spree!!!!
We got our for a walk in Belvedere today and had lunch. I reckon we were only hour 30 mins when the rain came and it has not stopped since.
nite nite
x

Great weather, great week

2007-08-03T21:29:00.000Z

This is a long post, so grab a coffee!!! or run while you can LOL
What a fantastic week weather wise, I was off work Monday. Thank you all so much for the anniversary well wishes, I'm totally spoiled after my darling husband giving me a fab camera he also gave me a big box of choc's and a Justin Timberlake CD!!!!!!
Aoife and I were like lady muck sitting in bed eating chocs first thing Monday morning :) :)
The weather was amazing so we packed a picnic and headed for Belvedere house forgetting they would be still cleaning up after the music festival, so off we went to the lake which was like a bog because of all the bad weather so we came home and had a picnic in the garden and played all day.
We got some lovely cards but my mum and dad gave us one with this verse on it, it nearly made me cry. I'm so luck to have found Alan he really is my best friend :)!!

You're more than marriage partners,
you're the very best of friends.
And what holds greater promise
for a love that never ends?
For you have found the secret
that so many wish they knew.
Of growing closer over time
and making dreams come true.

Tuesday evening after work we headed out to enjoy the sunshine off to Belvedere it was so nice to be by the lake and in the fresh air having been stuck in the office all day. We are so spoiled to have such a beautiful place only 5 minutes from the house.

I had a wonderful crafty week. I managed two get 2 CJ entries complete here is a sneak peak of one of them, it could be for the bumbleberry one or it could be for the craft supplies one - you will just have to wait and see!!

A friend of mine in work Fergal asked me to make him some cards for his mums sister who was celebrating her 40th wedding anniversary, I said yes of course but it was a bit nerve racking, it's the first time I've made cards for someone who is not family. He said they loved them so phew!!!!

Thursday evening I went out for dinner with two friends. Lesley is moving from Mullingar to Celbridge the commute to Dublin is killing her and her partner. They are both from Dublin but moved her about 7 yrs ago and Valerie is 7 months pregnant oh she looks great. It was such a girly night we never stopped talking - ok we did at desert while eating American Toffee Cheesecake OMG it's amazing.
One of the girls off my team in work finished up today to start her own business doing massage and reiki and stuff like that so I made the card for the team to sign.

Another couple for some friends

All in all a very hectic but productive week. So now it's the weekend a long weekend at that and the plan is, there is no plan just chill and play with Aoife and go swimming and whatever else happens, happens!!
Have a great weekend everyone

I've been tagged

2007-08-03T21:16:00.000Z

A big thank you to Kate for tagging me for the bumpercardsociety.

The "rules" are:
1) Send ONE card to someone you know within 7 days! (family, friends, associates, cyber people, etc.) ANYONE!!! Doesn't matter who... just do it. Can you imagine the smile on their face when they open their mailbox and see a card from you?
2) Tag (yes, I know, but this is the only way to spread this) 5 people you know to do the same thing (Tag means tag them to send their own cards to their own people).
3) Proudly display this on your blog to spread a little sunshine and pass it on.

More details here
Here are my tags, if your not into tags then just pretend you never saw it!!
Jackie
Crafty Kate
Carrie
Audrey
Caroline

Chilling on Sunday

2007-07-29T23:00:00.000Z

After all the walking yesterday Aoife stayed in bed until 8am!!! Happy days, that is totally unheard of in this house LOL
We had breakfast cleaned the house and then Aoife and I went swimming. When we got to the poor I realised I had forgotten the armbands. I have been bringing Aoife swimming since she was 6 months old and she loves it. The lifeguard suggested she was confident enough to get started without the armbands. She did great, she was standing and walking around the pool, she was so pleased with herself!!
My mam and dad came round today for dinner, real Irish dinner... cabbage, potatoes, ham and rib.. yum yum. Aoife had a great time playing especially when grandad decided he was turning into shrek!!!

We played in the garden and coloured pictures and lots of fun. This evening I got some more of a CJ entry complete and made a couple of cards
No work for me tomorrow so no plans made just have some fun!!!
Here are the rest of the zoo pictures :)
nite nite

A day at Dublin Zoo - and a big surprise!!!

2007-07-28T19:18:00.001Z

Monday is going to be our 9th wedding anniversary - cant believe it will be nine years feels like 2!!!!!!!! So last night I'm getting things all set for our trip to dublin zoo (Trip anyone would think it was on the other side of world its 1hr away LOL!!) so I have the snacks packed and I say I better pack the camera and my wonderful darling husband says you wont need to and gives me a box all wrapped up nice, he says I was going to wait until Monday but it would be a bit silly and when I open it up it's a new camera, I cant believe it!!!!! It's a Fuji Finepix S5700 it's fab I love it so much, I'm a lucky girl a great hubby and a new camera to boot!!!

So off we go to Dublin Zoo, the weather was amazing and we had such a good time.
This little guy fished this bottle out of the water, filled it up and started to drink it!!!
What a little cutie :)
I found these two big monkeys
Aoife has taken a big likeing to Flamingo's - cant think why!!!

We walked around for almost 4hrs, after a while we kept hearing "my feet are sore" we had such a good time. We went and peted the cows in the city farm - Aoife's favourite but them we went into the education centre, it was empty which was good for us as they have all sorts of animal skins and bones and skulls and they have a 100yr old crocodile body and the gentleman let Aoife hold it :) Aoife was touching everything and having a good old nose and she goes over to touch a regular household cat sitting on top of one of the display cases only to discover it is real, OMG she got such a fright and when we laughed she thought it was hilarious!! LOL

By the time we were leaving we were all exhausted but it was so worth it. I was so pleased I had my new toy to play with and was even more pleased I had taken a look at the manual last night, so many setting to choose from, having said that I am really pleased with the way the pics turned out.

Loads more pics os I'll put up a slideshow. We had such a great day we changed the family pass for an annual pass, we cant wait to go back.
Poor old Aoife was bathed and in bed fast asleep by 8pm LOL Me and Alan wont be to far behind her!!

A long weekend for me

2007-07-27T19:10:00.000Z

Yabba dabba dooooooooooo it's the weekend and I have monday off as well, happy days. Well I had my last exam today and passed it. So that's it until October. I cant believe there done, I was getting a bit pee'd off with them.
Nothing major over the last week, work, house stuff you konw how it goes!!
Tomorrow we are off to the zoo, it will be Aoife's first visit so she is soooooooo excited. I hope to get loads of new pics to scrap.
It is one of the girls in work birthday tomorrow so to celeberate today we had chocolate day - yum yum, it's very scary how much chocolate can be consumed in one day!! The Capmark (it's were I work) tag rugby team won the Tag rugby league last night, well done to you all. There were more than a few sore heads in Mullingar this morning. The chef in the canteen could not cook the sausages and eggs quick enough LOL :)
Anyway gonna chill tonight, early start tomorrow.
Happy friday everyone - oh and it's still raining in Mullingar.
Karva

I've been tagged!!!

2007-07-23T19:14:00.001Z

Thank you so much to Audrey for tagging me

The Rockin' Girl Blogger idea originated from
Roberta Flanaghan . It works like this ... you have to give her credit, put up the badge and finally, add 5 other rockin' girl bloggers to the list.

My chosen bloggers are:

Janet
Beckie
Amber Jane
Rachel
Kathy

Karva

It's the weekend

2007-07-21T13:11:00.000Z

Saturday at last, had one more exam yesterday which I thankfully passed. That leaves just one more in this batch (next Friday) and none then until October - happy days.
It was the last gymboree play and music class today until September, they were having a party. Aoife was so excited she could not sleep last night. We were all set to go out the door and I could not believe it she said "mam you never took my picture" - I asked why would you like me to take my picture and she said "you always take my picture when we go to do stuff" !!! me and Alan just laughed :):) Anyway here is said picture, I cant believe how grown up she is getting 3 1/2 going on 10!!!!.

.
We had a great time loads of playing and singing and dancing but unfortunately as there are other peoples children there I could not take any pics.

Now as most of you girls will know from our crops my least favourite thing to do when doing a LO is cutting but I sat last night and cut our a whole 12x12 sheet of flowers - OMG now I know why i hate cutting, i just don't have the patience. Anyway I did this LO last night, the pictures look quite dark but IRL they are not. This was taken in Belvedere house in May!!

Almost there!!!!

2007-07-17T20:16:00.000Z

I know this is going to sound a little off but....... we French student goes home tomorrow morning at 7.30 am OMG I cant wait to have our houses back!!!!
It's been stressful, I have heard so many good and bad stories about students staying but I honestly honestly would never do it again - lesson learned!!!! the hard way.
Off to study :( nite nite

And it's still raining in Mullingar
Karva

the last two weeks

2007-07-15T16:38:00.000Z

Well the last two weeks have been as mad as ever. Work work and back to the doc again - more antibiotics and stuff but I'm starting to feel better now.
We have had a french student staying for two weeks, she leaves this Wednesday (thank god!!!!!) I am so not used to having a moody teenager in the house LOL lets just say it was the first and the last time for students.
One more ECDL exam done and passed, just two left from this batch. Had some good news in work - mu six months probation were up and i was made permanent - Yipeeeeeeeeee as I absolutely love it.
Only 8 weeks to holidays, I cant wait we are having one week in Majorca and then one week back here. really feel like I need the rest.
I don't usually let Aoife go anywhere without me at the weekend because I don't get to see her during the week when I am working but today she went to my brothers house for a few hours - It was very strange, the house was so quiet and I did not know what to be doing with myself. So I made a couple of cards and made a start on a CJ entry.
xxx

A couple of days off

2007-07-02T21:09:00.000Z

Well despite lots of protesting after walking like I'm drunk I went to the doc (again !!!) at lunch time, the good news is it's nothing major, because of the sinus infection, somthing dodgy with my inner ear and that's why I'm dizzy. The bad news is that i have to stay off work for a couple of days and take more medicine!!! dont get me wrong it's not that I'm a workaholic it's just that I hate not going in, I always feel guilty!!! Anyway the doc wanted to sign me off until Friday but after much coaxing I managed to talk it back til Wednesday (My logic was if I felt better before Friday they would not let me back anyway) so I'm at home, a bit sleepy from the pills.
Some the big plan for tomorrow is my little nurse is going to Tesco with Al to get me croissants for brekkie and as she put it "while I'm there I could get myself a jammy doughnout" LOL :):): and then were on the sofa watch Shrek 1 and 2 - we've never seen them.
The weather is so bad just rain rain rain. We might be having a French student to stay for a few weeks, we'll know for sure on Wednesday.
Nite nite
xxxx

Under the weather

2007-07-01T20:45:00.000Z

It's been a strange kind of week, very long days in work and I've not been feeling to well. Major dizzy spells and headaches - it turns out my sinus are infected again. I've got to go and see the specialist in Tullamore on Thursday so who knows what he can do.
Quiet weekend, managed to get Aoife's play room sorted out (remove furniture, big toy clear out), mam came round for dinner today so that was nice :)
Alan and Aoife decided to have a band this evening just after her bath, OMG I cant remember the last time I laughed so much. If only these pictures had sound. She was sitting at the drum kit singing Thin Lizzy - waiting for an alaby and at the end she comes out with "good nite Mullingar, we love you" LOL :)

Over on bumbleberry someone had to opt out of the CJ so I said I'd love to do it, major rush has to be posted tomorrow. All done and packed up for the post office, I know I like deadlines but only every so often!!
Have a good week :)

The midlander

2007-07-01T20:29:00.000Z

Last weekend we had a great day out on Saturday. There was a steam train from Mullingar to enfield, packed full of kids all with whistles and flags it was a blast, they even had a guy playing the guitar. Aoife though it was amazing (she had only ever been on the dart once!!! and that was well over 1 1/2 yrs ago).

I even managed to get a double LO made.

Catching up at last!!

2007-06-23T08:45:00.000Z

WOW cant believe its weeks since I blogged, as usual I have been so busy.
Ok so two American mortgage banking exams complete and passes
4 out of 7 ECDL exams complete and passed.
Two irish insurance exams - well i have started one and the exam is in October and i have decided to defer the 2nd one until April 2008. With all this study and 12 hr working days the aul work life balance was tipping in the wrong direction.
Mon - Fri has been pretty normal, usual stuff.
Two weekend ago we had a great day out at the home and garden exhibition here in Belevedere house in Mullingar.

Last week in work the sports & Social had a competition. They are running a fashion show in September here in a hotel in Mullingar in aid of the larc cancer centre and the jack and jill foundation. The comp was to design the tickets and I WON!!!! prize was a €50 voucher for the woodvill house restaurant. Here is the winning design

Last Saturday I went to Elaines crop in Dublin, had a great time the craic was great as usual and the class was fab, Elaine had all her new products and skills from scrap-a-ganza for the class, the pictures roll like roller blinds and loads of hidden placed for journaling. Jackie also gave a water colour demo at the card table, it was fantastic. What a great relaxing way to spend a Saturday afternoon.

I managed two get two CJ entries done and one more last night which is all read to post. Had a really relaxing evening last night and even managed a LO
We are going today on an old fashion steam train ride from Mullingar to Enfield, Aoife is so excited,pit about the weather its raining so hard. will post the pics later, enjoy your Saturday, sorry for the long post
xxx

Relaxing weekend....

2007-05-27T22:18:00.000Z

After a busy week that was all work, study, work study I decided there was only one thing for it to chill out all weekend.
Saturday morning pulled open the blinds in the kitchen and was greeted by.... a double rainbow. WOW I cant remember the last time I saw one of them.

Brought Aoife to Gymboree play and dance class, she had a ball it was disco and pop. She never stopped so much so that when we went back to the car at 12pm she said she felt sleepy!! Straight home bit of lunch them we went out to the garden centre, it was just a riot of colour. You could spend a fortune
That was just the flowers in the inside shop, it rained so heavy we could not go outside. We managed to console our self with a nice cup of coffee and some cake,, yum yum.
Aoife was delighted with herself when she saw this... She named it Gertie

Just crashed out Sunday, did a LO and some cards will post pics tomorrow.
have a good week.xx

Sports week, it's all over

2007-05-21T21:31:00.000Z

Sorry about the delay with the final results. Friday was hilarious. The last event was a tri your best athon, Made all the more difficult as our team dwindled to only three people but how an ever.
Event 1 was a wheelbarrow race, the wheelbarrow was blindfold and had to pick up tennis balls for bonus points. It was really difficult (and I was only holding onto Hella's legs!!!!) We manged to get two tennis balls and laugh a lot. The big strong lads from IT had a plan, if only we had of known. They decided to leave the balls and get to the next event as it was much easier to get bonus points there, they were so right :)
When you got to the end of the wheelbarrow race the person who was wearing the bright yellow vest had to run over to the next event, which was the three legged race. You had to run together picking up hula hoops for bonus points. IT lads got every single hula hoop, no bonus points for us. From the 2ND event the person wearing the bright vest had to run to the last event, give the vest to the next person (ME) I had to put on swimming goggles, a bikini (top and bottom) and a shower hat all the while been soaked with big water guns. When I was fully dressed I had to run on my knees, ok swim on my knees pretending to do the front crawl !!! to the finish line.

We won the event but as my bikini bottoms fell off while i was pretending to swim on the grass we got deducted 10 points. As if that mattered, IT lads got something like 150 bonus points for hula hoops.
Overall result we came 5th. It was such good fun. So far we all raised €1600.00 with lots more to come and the best bit is whatever we raise the company will match it.
xxxKaren

Family

2007-05-18T19:19:00.001Z

I dont usually bother with a lot of what I call junk email but I got sent this today in work and I have to admit, it almost brough a tear. It really made me stop and think. Its a bit heavy I know but nice. enjoy.xxxxxx

F A M I L Y

I ran into a stranger as he passed by,
"Oh excuse me please" was my reply.

He said, "Please excuse me too;
I wasn't watching for you."

We were very polite, this stranger and I.
We went on our way and we said good-bye.

But at home a different story is told,
How we treat our loved ones, young and old.

Later that day, cooking the evening meal,
My son stood beside me very still.

When I turned, I nearly knocked him down.
"Move out of the way," I said with a frown.

He walked away, his little heart broken.
I didn't realize how harshly I'd spoken.

While I lay awake in bed,
God's still small voice came to me and said,

"While dealing with a stranger,
common courtesy you use,
But the family you love, you seem to abuse.

Go and look on the kitchen floor,
You'll find some flowers there by the door.

Those are the flowers he brought for you.
He picked them himself: pink, yellow and blue.

He stood very quietly not to spoil the surprise,
You never saw the tears that filled his little eyes."

By this time, I felt very small,
And now my tears began to fall.

I quietly went and knelt by his bed;
"Wake up, little one, wake up," I said.

"Are these the flowers you picked for me?"
He smiled, "I found 'em, out by the tree.

I picked 'em because they're pretty like you.
I knew you'd like 'em, especially the blue."

I said, "Son, I'm very sorry for the way I acted today;
I shouldn't have yelled at you that way."
He said, "Oh, Mom, that's okay.
I love you anyway."

I said, "Son, I love you too,
and I do like the flowers, especially the blue."

FAMILY
Are you aware that if we died tomorrow, the company
that we are working for could easily replace us in
a matter of days.
But the family we left behind will feel the loss
for the rest of their lives.

And come to think of it, we pour ourselves more
into work than into our own family,
an unwise investment indeed,
don't you think?
So what is behind the story?

Do you know what the word FAMILY means?
FAMILY = (F)ATHER (A)ND (M)OTHER (I) (L)OVE (Y)OU

Sports week Day 4

2007-05-18T05:36:00.000Z

Thursdays big event. The wellie toss. You had to stand in a sqaure with you back to a large sectioned off area and toss the wellie back over your head as far as you could. Well the IT team won, 5 big strong, no competition. We know lye 5th in the league table but Friday is the grand finale.
Its a triathlon.................
You'll have to wait and see.
Thursday evening went to a creative memories scrap party, had fun and bought a few bits of stash.

Off now to do 300 sit ups, a 5 mile run and get in the zone for today's events.
Oh and great news, I got the results and passed my 1st mortgage bankers exam, YIPEEEEEEE :) :)

Sports week Day 3

2007-05-18T05:32:00.001Z

I was all set, camera in hand the event was the two marbles, two spoons, walk about 500 mtrs, step over a string knee height, then under a string chest height. Walk another 300 mtrs then turn around and run back. All the while you could not drop the marbles, if you did, straight back to start.
I was not able to take pics, a couple of people objected so spots and social committe said best not to, just to keep the peace. :( :( :(.
We were not very succesful, we came joint third and there was only 4 in our group. Our mega impressive lead has fallen and we lye in 3rd place overall.
But we had great fun.
xx

Sports week update

2007-05-15T22:19:00.000Z

Well there is great news, good news and bad news.
The great news is our team won today, we now top the leader board with 40 points!!!!! Today's event was the sack race. You had to hop in a sack in and out between cones, then stop every 100 yards and pick up a hula hoop and continue hoping, carrying the hula hoop until you had all four. When you reached the end of the course you got out of the sack and ran back to the start!!
The good news is I remembered the camera....
The bad news is when I got to work I realised the camera battery was still in the recharger :( I know I know, I'm putting it down to tiredness.
I woke at 3am and never got back to sleep.

Tomorrows event is the egg and spoon and I have the battery in the camera in my bag..
nite nitexxxx

Sports Week

2007-05-14T22:06:00.000Z

This week in work is Sports week. We are raising funds for the Special olympics. Anyone who wanted to take part (and thankfully it a lot of people, about 80) we got sponsorship cards and we are in teams of five. The sports and social have devised a timbetable of events for lunchtimes and the the team with the most points at the end of the week are the winners. Our team is called the Fraggles (dont ask!!!!) and today's event was "Cluck Cluck realy" basically you had to hop or run with a tennis ball between your knees about 300 yards and drop the tennis ball into a bucket, take it out, run back and give it to the next person on the team until all five people had gone!!! The good news is we came first and got 20 points and the bad news is It was hilarous I have the bruises to prove it, but it is all in the name of fun.
Tomorrows event is either throwing the wellie or the marble and spoon and i will definately not forget my camera.
Have a good week everyone xxx

Had a very productive weekend

2007-05-14T21:54:00.000Z

Well I finally did it, I finished off all bar one of my crafteire class Lo's and I am so pleased with them. On Friday and Saturday evening I just scrapped scrapped scrapped (oh and eat white chocolate malteser cakes, recipe courtesy of Linda over on CS forum.... yum yum :). So here they are

Then On Sunday I went to Lainey's crop in Cabra in Dublin it was great to see everyone again and catch up. We scrapped, drank tea, eat chocolate and chatted it was a really nice relaxing way to spend a Sunday afternoon. We even manged to make this fab basic grey clipboard. I love it

2007-05-12T13:03:00.000Z

The weekend is finally here, usual busy week, mad in work but it was a very productive week. I managed to complete my coursework and exam for one of my mortgage banking exams, so fingers crossed I pass and I completed my first module for my ECDL course (I figures I had better update the skills as i discovered it was 15yrs since i did the microsoft ones!!) So I went into work yesterday all set to do my exam and due to technical problems I could not do it, I was gutted, ah well.
At lunch time on Wednesday I took myself down to the travel agents to book a week in Majorca for me, Al and Aoife in September, we so need a Holiday's. Now all I have to do is get over my fear of flying...(Long story, flight to NY, blood clot, hospital...terrified ever since) but at least its only a 2.5hr flight.
Finished off a CJ journal entry cant say who's but can give you a little peak.

Finished off Beckie's father LO from crafteire, really love the papers and I am just about finished kirsty's accordian album book. I will post pics later when finished.
Off to Lainey's crop in Dublin tomorrow cant wait to catch up with everyone, the class is altering a clipboard should be fun. So all in all I'm having a lovely weekend. I have a big cup of tea and a bar of chocolate and all is well.
Enjoy your weekend girls

What a week..............again

2007-05-05T19:19:00.000Z

I seem to be saying that a lot lately, oh well. Take one husband in hospital, one sick child, one full time job and you are left with an exhausted wreck called Karen......
Hubby is home now minus one gallbladder and 14 gallstones, Aoife is all better and I'm so glad its a bank holiday. Pretty hectic week and I started studying for banking exams (boring :( :( :() I also have started my ECDL course as when I was asked would I like to do it in work, I said sure I did all those microsoft exams before. When they asked me when I did them and I had to think it was 15yrs ago!!!!!!!!!!!!! I could not believe it. So here I go again just to update the skills.
On a brighter note about 6 weeks ago we posted off a colouring competition that came with the pack of Tipperary kids water bottles and on Friday Aoife got a package in the post saying she was the April winner for her age group. They send a really cool carousel art set, with paint's, markers, crayons and pencils. She was so excited. Spent most of today in the garden,cutting grass, putting up baskets it was nice to relax. Have a great weekend everyone.

It's the weekend

2007-04-27T23:08:00.000Z

At last the weekend is here. Its been a very long week. Despite all my good intentions to get all my housework done by Friday evening it did not happen. Had to make a couple of cards for my nephews birthday
(Happy 13Th Birthday Bradley).
No major plans here for the weekend, cut the grass and play, play play.
nite nite.xxxx

Lelly Kelly

2007-04-25T19:24:00.000Z

I still dont think I have recovered from the weekend, I am totally exhausted, between work and play there is not enough hours in the day. No exciting news here in Mullingar, its raining again :( :( I miss the sunshine. I have been really busy in work, its nuts. It was one of the girls birthdays today so we decided to make it chocolate day... yum yum. I honestly think I put on about half a stone just today!!!
Aoife has both myself and Alan tormented to buy her shoes that she saw on TV called "Lelly Kelly", she has been asking over and over for about a month, so after work we took ourself off to the show store and here they are
She was so dcited (as she says) and kept touching them and lifting up her foot to see them. She even asked the girl in the shop for the box so she could put them in it at night :):):) I wonder how long that will last. The shoes came with a plastic ice cream cone full of pink sparkly lip gloss and body glitter. She was totally made up. I love to see her smile :) :)
Last night I sat and finished off 3 of my LO's from my classes at crafteire and did a bit more on another one. I will post pics tomorrow. Have a good week everyone.
Karenxx

Crafteire 2007

2007-04-23T22:08:00.000Z

What a weekend. It finally arrived the weekend I have been looking forward to for a whole year. Two full days of classes and scrapping, chatting and laughing. OMG what a super job Kate & Mirelle did. The whole event went fantastic and was super organized. I did 6 classes in total and they were all fab - when I get the Lo's finished I will post. Two classes by the super talented Jane Dean - WOW that's the only word and what a lovely lady :) Two classes by the oh so talented Beckie Dreyer, I am always blown away by Beckie's classes she looks at paper in such a fab way. One fantastic class by Annamarie Redmond of the scrapbookstore.ie what a cute little lunch pale, I loved the class cant wait to make more. One class by Amber Harrop Johnston wow what a fab LO, I love the way she used the papers and last but not least, two classes by the very talented Kirsty Wiseman, I'll never look at double sided paper the same way again. Never got to do any of the cardmaking classes, unfortunately they all clased!! I loved everyone of the classes and cant wait to get them finished.

It was fab to catch up with all the girls and to get to meet so many new people. You lot really are the friendliest bunch of people. I also got some major retail therapy, lots of new stash to play with. Cant wait for Crafteire 2008!!!

Had a great easter

2007-04-14T21:35:00.000Z

Well I'm a bit behind but hey! I hope you all had a fantastic Easter. What a fab weekend with lots of sunshine. We went to the Easter egg hunt in Belvedere House and we had a ball. We even managed to catch up with the Easter bunny!! We ate way to much chocolate but that's what you do at Easter.
Last year when we went to the egg hunt Aoife had her face painted as a cow and as her fascination with cows is growing this year she decided to be a Jersey cow as she told us they make lots of milk! some times I wonder who is the adult.
We spent the whole weekend in the garden playing and we even found time to wash the car, which turned into an outdoor shower!!
I so love weekends, especially when the sun is shining. There is no were in the world I'd rather be.

Easter Cards

2007-04-05T19:24:00.000Z

I finally got around to making some easter cards, at the last minute as per ususal!!! I love all the pastel colours on these papers and once I started I could not stop!!!

I Sat in work today eating chocolate all day. The sports & social club had a competition you had to write a poem about how you eat your easter eggs. I won 3rd place and got hugh easter egg which we opened straight away and eat until we all felt sick!!!!
Here's my poem

HOW I EAT MY EASTER EGGS

I love eating Easter eggs, I love it very much.
Big ones, small ones, tall ones, it don’t matter, they all taste lush!!

And when I wake on Easter Sunday, The first thing I will do
Is waddle like an Easter chick and eat an egg or two.

I usually start with my favourite one and eat it in big huge chunks.
Then I move on to the sweets, and eat them up to lunch!

I tell myself I have to stop, because I’ll make myself sick.
They I smash open another egg and tell myself “don’t be thick”!!

One thing’s for sure when it comes to Easter eggs and
Everyone must agree!! We’ll all get on fine with just one rule…

HANDS OFF THERE ALL FOR ME!!

hope you all have a great easter and the easter bunny brings you lots and lots of easter eggs :)

Not enough hours in the day.

2007-04-01T22:41:00.000Z

I cant believe (again!) it has been so long since I posted. The weeks are flying in. Have not been up to anything exciting, work is really busy so putting in lots of extra hours. I have managed to do a bit of scrapping, one CJ entry complete and with only 3 weeks to crafteire ( I still have 15 ATC's to complet and a new CJ to cover, do sign in page and a double LO - so no pressure then!!!
Have a good week.

Brrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr it's freezing

2007-03-19T22:30:00.000Z

OMG it is so cold. We had snow all day on Sunday but it only stuck for a couple of hours, that did not stop us running out in it!!!!

The weekend has gone by so quick but its been fantastic having the extra day off work!!I had a wonderful mothers day, DH and Aoife made me a lovely card with as many stickers as she cut fit on it :) :) :) but it meant a lot considering DH cant drive or get outside alone. We played games and cuddles all day it was lovely, all rounded off by a nice long bath, a good film and lots of chocolate. Back to work tomorrow but at least it's not Monday!! Have a great week everyone :)

Happy St Patrick's day :)

2007-03-18T16:59:00.000Z

Hope you all had a fantastic day. Ok so the weather was really cold and really wet but hopefully you all got to see a parade. We were out standing in the cold and the rain for 4hrs but we had a fantastic time. The parade here in Mullingar was great this year over 50 floats. On all the streets around town there was face painters and stilt walkers and lots of people dressed up as cartoon characters. Aoife's day was made when she saw scooby doo and he even gave her a lolly!!!!! We even got a glimpse of the man him self - St Patrick :)

There were animals from the circus, marching bands, bikers and it all seemed to go off without a hitch. All the kids (even the big ones) had a fantastic day and we all said it was well worth the wetting!!

What a few weeks

2007-03-13T21:13:00.000Z

Well I cant believe its so long since i posted, the weeks are just flying by. Have had so much going on. Celebrated my mum and dads 60th birthday's with two surprise parties they were shocked. The parties were fantastic, great to catch up with everyone.
Work is mental as always but I am really enjoying it, can't believe i am there over 3 months.
DH had his surgeory and it so far it seems to have been a big success. He is home (with staples)and is very sore but there definately is an improvement. I would have been lost without the help of my family the last few weeks, especially my sis Amanda or "Auntie" as Aoife insists on calling her. So now its time to get ready for St Patricks day and mother day, still no cards made, I have to get my skates on.

I have started to make my ATC's from Crafteire - not long now, and though I would show all the wonderful ATC's I have swaped so far.
Have a great week everyone :)

The big day

2007-02-20T22:36:00.000Z

Well at 3am we got asked is it time for the party yet?? poor thing was so excited. Finally it was morning time and all the decorations were up. It all went well. Everyone arrived including someone who went the wrong way and ended up heading for Wexford!!!!! don't ask. The clown was a big hit, all the kids got there face painted and some of the adults to. The played games and as it was such a nice day they even got out into the garden on the trampoline. It was so worth it when just before bed Aoife decided to tell me all her favourite bits and end with "thanks mam that was the best birthday in the whole wide world" I though I was going to cry :)

The Pressie

2007-02-20T22:31:00.000Z

With the food done it was down to the serious business of the pressie. Aoife asked could she have a new bike for her birthday so off we went to the bike shop. When we got there of course and she saw all the different types she decided she wanted a fork lift instead!!!!!
So after 10 minutes of convincing her she was to big for it she finally chose her new wheels!

Party Food

2007-02-20T22:03:00.000Z

Well with all these guests we needed some food so I had the help (and I use that term very loosely!!) of the birthday girl herself.

Crafty Creations

2007-02-20T21:52:00.000Z

Birthday preparations

2007-02-17T22:31:00.000Z

Had a really busy day today getting all ready for the party tomorrow. DD is so excited, I think this is that although this is her 3rd birthday party, its the 1st one she actually gets.. We were baking and making jelly had a really fun day.
We also went to the bicycle shop for a new bike for her. OMG its so bling!!!!! and pink - I know surprise surprise. I did not influence her at all - honest.
I will post pics tomorrow
nite nite.xxx

D Day arrived

2007-02-16T19:57:00.000Z

Well had a very early start this morning 5am. Had to get DD off to my sisters house as DH and I were off to Dublin to see the Neurosurgeon. The decision has been made for DH its another surgery. This will be the 3rd. It will all happens before he has time to think about it March 4th. Fingers crossed, this is the last chance 3rd time lucky.

Four years ago DH was coming home from work at 3pm on a Friday afternoon. His car got hit by a stolen car which fled the scene, wrote off our car and left DH with back injury. He has only manged to work for about 6mt's since that happened. It's amazing how one event on one day can change the course of your life forever. As I'm writing this I'm thinking, you just don't know what comes next so live each day to the max, how come it's easier said than done.

Have a fab weekend everyone :)