Artist Spotlight: Karen MacDonald

I originally met Karen at the Liscombe Lodge Scrapbooking Retreat in June 2013, and she blew my mind with her talent then, so as you can imagine I was super pumped to see her at the Gadget Girls crop.  Well, she did not disappoint! I'm afraid my pictures aren't the best, you really need to see her projects in person to get the full effect :)

Halloween Corset Album

AMAZING Sketchbook

Halloween TINY THINGS!!!!

I wish I had taken more photos of her projects! She goes into such detail on every element, I swear I see something new every time I look at her creations! I can't wait until we meet again so I can see what has come out of her brain next!!

Gadget Girls Fall Mega Crop -Day 3

Well geez, it's WEDNESDAY and I'm finally getting around to posting about the final day of the crop!  I'm usually so on top of things.... I SEE YOU ROLLING YOUR EYES, BRIGITTE!!

So I woke up at about 7:30 on Sunday morning, and that meant I was on about 4 hours sleep. Now I guess I should talk about my ghetto room here, since people have asked lol I guess ghetto wasn't the best word I could have used.  As you can see from the room pics yesterday the room INSIDE wasn't all that bad.  It's the fact that it wasn't located in the main part of the hotel. I had to go outside, through a courtyard by the pool, into another section of the hotel that looked like a motel, THROUGH THAT to the back parking lot that was super dark and creepy, to my first floor room. Now, I was lucky that the lovely Lynn was so kind to help me A) locate this dark corner of the hotel, and B) stay at the crop with me until 2:30am so I didn't have to walk back there by myself. 

It wasn't nearly as scary in the morning, but seriously, who puts a single female traveling BY HERSELF, in a room like that? NO BUENO!  Here are a couple of shots I took on Sunday morning so you can kind of see what I'm talking about. None of the pics would show up on sat night, it was just took dark.

So I had a snazzy coupon for a free breakfast at the hotel, and as you all know, I'm a sucker for breakfast lol 

I basically spent the morning finishing up some projects, paying my tabs at the stores (GULP), and cleaning up. Here are the 3 lovely ladies of Table 11 who were my crop buddies for the weekend: Donna, Felicia, and Irene. You will get to see 2 of Irene's layouts in an upcoming issue of Canadian Scrapbooker Magazine! 

So as the day came to a close, I packed up my gear, helping the Cutting Garden girls pack up a little bit, and then headed home. 

This was what I brought, since a few people have asked, and I have a better idea of how to prepare for the next one.

And here's Oscar judging me. Lol

So I ended up ordering a Silhouette Cameo this weekend, and signing up for another crop on Nov 1, 2, & 3! I'm insane! I can't help it! I had so much fun at this crop and I am absolutely going again next year. I think some of you ladies (& guys!!) would really enjoy it!

I know I haven't posted my projects yet, but I fully intend to, after I finish putting all of my stuff away. I'm making progress I promise! 

Well, I hope you have enjoyed my coverage of the Gadget Girls Crop. I'm about to get back in to putting things away, getting some groceries, taking my Darling Dejah out for her birthday lunch, and then off to yoga tonight! PHEW!

xo

Gadget Girls Fall Mega Crop - Day 2

Alright, day two complete! I set my alarm for 6:30, but kept hitting snooze until almost 8! It was just SOO comfy!! I rushed around to get ready, checked out of the Comfort Inn, and figured I'd get breakfast at McDonald's or Tim's, but bypassed both in order to get to the crop.

I ended up getting the breakfast buffet at the BW+, and it was pretty disappointing. The hashbrowns and sausages were great, but the eggs were pretty bad. No matter, I ate and got back to the crop room with 2 min to spare for the photography class I forgot I had signed up for lol

The class was put on by Rob Rodgers ( www.rodgers-photography.com ), and even though he said he wasn't a professional, he certainly is a wealth of information and a fantastic photographer. I might actually be able to figure out Jeff's camera now!

After photography it was time for a group picture of all 155 ladies! I'm glad I didn't have to organize it lol I will scan my picture and share it with you when I get home.  

I was able to tune in for the last bit of my friend Lindsey's 3D Ultrasound after the group photo and got to see some new footage of my godson :) I hope she doesn't mind me sharing his picture!

The ladies from Canadian Scrapbooker were at the crop today and did a cute Make & Take tag with us. I learned some great tips and techniques. 

I finally had a chance to eat lunch around 2pm, and got a one piece fish & chips. It was yummy!

At around 3, they had a Candy Bar! FREE CANDY! It was insane! No pictures because I had to fight my way in there lol I lied, here's 1 pic:

I spent a lot of time hanging out (and harassing) the Cutting Garden girls. I swear I spent more time chatting with them than I did actually working lol I went to supper with them and had pan fried haddock with a baked potato and some cucumber (the cuke was supposed to be shaped like stars, but the 'chef' apparently didn't find that funny lol)

After supper I actually started getting some work done, so I don't have too many pictures. Here's one of the crop room at about 11:00pm. Only hardcore peeps were there past 11 lol

Seriously, there are SO many people here!!

Anyway, it's now 2:45am and I'm in my ghetto hotel room. I'll explain this more tomorrow, I'm so sleepy and have to be up soon lol

Night night, my darlings!

Gadget Girls Fall Mega Crop - Day 1

So I finally got myself packed and on the road and I arrived in Truro at about 2:45pm. I checked into my hotel, and then went straight over to Carsand Mosher to check out what they had for sale. I picked up a few goodies that I didn't need at all lol

I headed to the Best Western Plus Glengarry for the crop at about 4:30pm.  I set up my area and checked out the goods at the 2 stores on site: The Cutting Garden and Shabby Shutters. Of course, I picked up more goodies at each of them too. SIGH.

I went to the Best Western restaurant at about 6, and was pleasantly surprised to see they had a section of the menu called Waist Watchers, which were healthier options. I ordered the Que-slim-dilla and it was delicious! 

I finished up my Birdsong mini album and almost finished a 2 page layout I started in the spring for Oscar's first pumpkin picking fiesta in the Valley. 

It's now 12:25am and I'm back at my hotel, watching Fast & Furious on TV and eating a Happy Meal. Did you know they actually come in those crazy boxes now?? 

My toy is the Tinman from the Wizard of Oz. He's my bud now and will be spending the rest of the weekend with me :) 

Tinny and I are sleepy and heading to sleepy land. Night night!

 

PS- I HAVE FOUR PILLOWS TO MYSELF TONIGHT!!!!11!'

I know, I KNOW!

So I know I'm a big fat liar and I said I was going to BLOG MOAR, and then I totally didn't, BUT I HAVE A REASON!

As you know, I have made the decision to sell off my entire My Little Pony collection (check out my blog posts called the End of an Era to see pics), and I'm about a month into now.  Sales are going well, and so far, I've only had one issue, which is great!  So my craft room has been transformed into a shipping warehouse and I've just had ZERO inspiration to get any work done.

About a week into sales, my darling Dejah took this shot because she's still shocked by all the pony stuff I have.  This doesn't include all the stuff in that bin under the table or the other 4 giant bins in the spare room... SIGH.

So now I'm trying to prepare for the Gadget Girls Crop this weekend in Truro, Nova Scotia, and my craftroom has just exploded and I have procrastinated for WAY too long about what to bring, etc, etc.  So here I am 4 hours before I'm set to leave and I'm JUST starting to pack.  I will never learn lol

So I have decided to blog about my weekend, and maybe even do a video or 2 to show that progress I make (fingers crossed).  I guess I should stop typing and start packing lol  Wish me luck!

PS - I might even do a bit of a giveaway if I gain some more followers this weekend.  I know all my lovely wordpress and typepad peeps don't show up on my follower count, so if you follow me from one of those blogs, please comment, so I know and can include you in the draw :)

xoxo