At last....!!!!

Well it's been a long time coming, but here I am at last with a blog update.

After nearly missing my flight to Portland, I landed with no luggage. There wasn't time to load it onto the plane apparently!!! So I caught my connecting flight to Sacramento, and surprise surprise there was one of the suitcases. Talk about confused.!!! I was told my other case was still on it's way to Portland and should be with me asap. Luckily when I pack I try to split everything in between the two suitcases, so for example I had my toiletries, but no makeup...some show samples but no class samples... no chocolate but plenty of Nobby's nuts, lol. So apologies for the make up free face in the following pics ...those of a nervous disposition please look away now......

The truly gorgeous bundle of gorgeousness that is Richele, met me at the airport as she had foolishly invited me to stay with her for five days...he he he ...that'll serve her right for speaking without thinking.!! Any how she took me to her mansion...what is it with American homes, they are mahoosive...even the rooms have rooms.!! And there is a room for everything. Laundry room, boot room, craft room. 

Richele was teaching the next day so I went along to heckle. She is a fabby teacher and really knows her Ranger stuff. Go to her blog to see a fabulous step by step tag...say Hi from me...)

Look at the gorgeous project she had made.

This is the lovely Deborah who was teaching the next day.

And this is the fabulous Carol, owner of Stampers Corner where I was teaching. And what a store, every square inch utilised. So much eye candy it was un believable. My new stamps were ready and waiting for me, so in between heckling Richelle, getting to know the natives and eating lots of munchies, I finished off a few pages I had started on the plane.

See...M n M's, tea, dill pickles ( I know, it's one of their quaint traditions, lol ).

As usual I was soon really really inked up, like a mucky pup.

And to add insult to injury, what little clothes I had with me decided to fall apart. I'm such a professional don't ya think.??

Proof of me actually working.!!!

The next day it was my turn to teach, I had three 3hr classes, and the women were just fabulous.

They were soon inked up to their armpits and taking it all in their stride. I think I took a bit of getting used to, but then, don't I always.?? lmao

Richele and her husband Del, made me so welcome and really feel at home. Normally I struggle staying in others homes and prefer my own company in a hotel, but I was so relaxed whilst staying there that I almost didn't want to leave. I re payed her hospitality by giving her a big kick up the jacksi as far as her career goes, lol. And I hope her new found confidence continues now I am home. I know I have truly made a wonderful friend and she is now stuck with me lmao. My suitcase eventually turned up, so the show and class samples crisis was averted, luckily.

We were driving the 6 hrs from Sacramento to the show in Anaheim. Heres what the boot , or trunk as they say, looks like. It was fuller than this, because I just kept loading bags into it, until Richele discovered I had packed all her husbands bags as well!! oops. He was going away for the week, just not with us.!!!

I love this photo of our designer challenges riding side by side.

Thursday was the start of the teaching event for Crafters Home, with a full and very busy classroom.

One of the rare times you will see Mario doing nothing.!

The gorgeous Patti, who is responsible for making sure all the kits and equipment is shipped and in the right place.

Mario tweeting his BTS (behind the scenes)

Some of the tags I made, before I was distracted by...

the arrival of my inks, first time seen in their new packaging.!!!

Frikkin excited or what...? There was a fair few squeals I can tell you !!

Happy dance, happy dance...

Here I am with Mr Stampers Anonymous, the lovely Ted, who makes my stamps. ( Available HERE )

Our Ben landed half way through so came to join us.

Inked up again as per usual.

Tim having a bit of a breather

The lovely Wendy Vecchi.... just love her, all we do is be rude to each other, in the way only good friends with a deep respect for each other can !

Then it was on to the show floor to start setting up the booth. So exciting to see my sign up and ready in it's place.

And here's the new sign for the top of the spray ink rack. I can only describe it as all the pieces of the jigsaw finally starting to piece together.

As you can see it's such a glamorous life being a designer. !! Here I am getting all my display boards in order. I had a prime spot in the booth with lots of display area and really wanted to make the biggest impact that I could.

Here's some of the Ranger team, hard at work

As soon as my boards were done it was time to make more samples. They all laugh at me, because I just can't sit still, I always have to be doing something, lol.

So there is my first week. Tomorrow I will take you through the run up to the show and the workshop I taught along side, the Master himself, and the gorgeous Claudine Helmuth. 

Can you believe it, I had to keep pinching myself that it was all really happening. I feel so privileged and fortunate and I thank you all for your good wishes and support along the way.

Enjoy xx