BEADING WITH AUTUMN COLOURS

- Thursday, 26 June 2008

I had an order from a very special friend for a necklace and bracelet set in an orange colour scheme. So here's what I came up with. Now, we must just keep our fingers crossed that this dear friend (she knows who she is) will give these creations a stamp of approval.

On the home front we have been experiencing a very mild Gauteng winter to date. Still awaiting the coldest winter in a decade, which numerous weather experts have been predicting. Don't mind the cold, as long as we get treated to some snow!

- Winter blues signing off

MAKARANGA SCRAPAGANZA

Saturday, 14 June 2008

So, here's the scoop ......

I flew down to Durban on Thursday, 12 June. Michelle {Doing Life's (DL) Chauffeur Service} collected me just after 12pm at Durban Airport. We made a pit stop at Michelle's {DL's Storage Foreman} home to load all the Scrapaganza's supplies en route to Makaranga, where I was staying until 18 June. I initially posted two boxes to Michelle {DL's post lady} containing the kits for the two layouts to be presented on the day, but Michelle {DL's Stock Manager} then emailed me a comprehensive list of supplies that was required for DL's shop on 14 June. So yours truly sent box no.3 and no.4 to Michelle with a note that box no.4 is the final box. No sooner did Michelle receive box no.4 when she received another email furnishing her with the tracking number for box no.5, which was definitely the last box of supplies. But alas, a few weeks later Michelle received yet another email furnishing her with the tracking number of box no.6, which WAS eventually the last box of supplies. Thanks Michelle {DL's Weight Lifter} for all the fetching and carrying of the boxes which nearly all weighed more than 20kg's.

Thursday evening it was the TP [Teacher's Pet] Gang's reunion with their ex-Teacha at Oscars in Hillcrest. Thank you all for a lovely evening of catching up with happenings in KZN. It was great to be back 'home' again ...

Friday morning, Michelle {DL's Breakfast Companion}, joined me for Breakfast on the terrace at Makaranga, before we started setting up the conference venue. After a hectic day of setting up the Doing Life Shoppe me and Michelle went for relaxing facials at Makaranga's Spa. I found out for the first time, during our facials, that Michelle {DL's Tree Chopper} was a snorer! After our refreshing facials we had a quick bite to get the energy levels up. I can really recommend Makaranga's toasted sames and especially the potato wedges which accompanies their sames. With the energy levels recharged me and Michelle {DL's Gas Co-Ordinator} set off blowing up 45 balloons of which 13 contained spot prizes. And of course the balloons were gas quality and not 'breath' quality as pointed out by a severely breathless Michelle {DL's Quality Controller} .

Saturday morning, Michelle {DL's Alarm Clock} arrived just after 6am at Makaranga. After a quick reconnaissance we made our way down to the Conference venue. Very over-eager delegates descended upon us as early as 6:35am! Now, if this not proof of how dedicated scrappers are to their trade, I don't know.

The Scrapaganza kicked off with a warm welcome and a few announcements by yours truly, followed by an Ode written and read by Michelle {DL's Author}, which has by now become a tradition at DL Scrapaganzas. Here's the Ode:

AN ODE TO THE MAKARANGA SCRAP DAY 14 JUNE 2008

It is the 14th June

And you’ve all come back

To see what we have put together

For you all to scrap

Desire always spoils us

With gifts and more

That’s why we get excited

And always come back for more

The name tags are made

The competition is decided

And everything is ready

To get you all excited

The Herma Queen

Has to defend her crown

So don’t make her laugh too much

Otherwise she just might slow down

The shoppe is open

Lots of goodies to see

So bring your credit card or cash

And hand it over to me

When you open your pack

Read the instructions carefully

Then get on and scrap

So that we all can see

There was another competition

To see who can guess

So I hope you used your thinking caps

And put your brains to the test

There are lucky draws

That will take place

And as one of you win

We’ll see a big smile on your face

The tea, scones and muffins

Are all just so yummy

And the buffet lunch

Will fill the gap in your tummy

So whether you have come from near or far

We’re really excited to say

How pleased we are that you have come

To share another Makaranga scrap day

Enjoy your Scrapping Day!

The day's proceedings kicked with the first layout of the day entitled 'SPECIAL MOMENTS'.

Kits for this layout is available at DL's Online Shoppe at R180.

THE DELEGATES

From top left: Shelley Candiotes and Rayna Winson, Kerry Harper and Lynn Hulland (Daughter and Mom), Jeanette Cornell and Theresa Condes, Tracey Meikle and Brenda MacDonald.

From top left: Yolandi Milne and Vaun Milne (Winner of Grand Prize) (Daughter in law and Mom), Gladys Bevis (Winner of Online Potty Competition) and Linda Campbell (Mom and Daughter), Carolyn Lynn and Cheryl Gwillam, Beverley Dow and Denise Pienaar.

From top left: Tracey Pienaar and Tarryn Ballard (Sisters), Claudette Upfold and Lisa Bartels, Karen van Staden and Lesley Stewart, Lisa Gallagher and Vanessa Scott-Moncrieff.

From top left: Charmian MacKenzie and Jenny Reid, Dee Bristow and Sheila Corfe, Stella Fischer (sorry about your closed eyes) and Nicola Jennings (the Greek Connection), Ulrike van der Ham and Linda Musgrove.

From top left: Dionne Collette and Audrey Raath (Herma Speed Queen), Ellie Griffiths and Wendy Roberts, Samantha Wright and Carol Liebrandt, Libby Houareau and Robyn Keulder.

From top left: Theresa Condes at work, Yolandi Milne busy creating, Ann Farquharson proudly displaying her handy work, Sabine James and Jacqui Bourne (Mom and Daughter).

This is the afternoon's layout which is also available at DL's Online Shoppe at R180.

NEWLY CROWNED HERMA SPEED QUEEN

A very excited Audrey Raath boasting with her prize for becoming the newly crowned HERMA SPEED QUEEN after defeating 44 contenders for the title!

Audrey's name will be engraved on the floating trophy. She is the second Herma Speed Queen.

THE DOING LIFE SHOPPE

DOING LIFE'S CASHIER just recently escaped from prison on her way to the HeyDay's Sale!

THE VENUE

MAKARANGA GARDEN LODGE

DAVID

AND HIS FANS ADMIRING HIS CREDENTIALS

DL MANAGEMENT AND STAFF

CHILLING OUT

Michelle and hubby, Dereck stayed over at Makaranga Saturday night. It was Michelle's birthday on Sunday and after a sumptuous breakfast on the patio, we wondered through the breathtaking beautiful gardens and took some pictures which I am sure will hold fond memories for Michelle of her Makaranga Birthday ... it seems to be a general trend that women love having their pictures taken and men absolutely dread it ....

The happy couple celebrating their 24th wedding anniversary in Makaranga's Japanese Garden (Michelle and Dereck's wedding anniversary was on Monday, 16 June)

Now that's more like it Dereck ... a smile on the dial at last!

MAKARANGA'S FLOWER POWER

Most of you have probably heard on the news about the flash floods in KZN and that certain areas have been declared as disaster areas. Most people probably thought that Durban Airport was closed because of the adverse weather conditions on Wednesday, 18 June, but this was not the case. The Durban Airport was closed because an aeroplane skidded on the tarmac after landing and ended up in muddy grass next to the runway. So, yours truly sat from 11am at a CHAOTIC Durban Airport and only arrived just before 11pm at home in Johannesburg, nearly a 12 hour stint ... rather late than never!

A big thank you to all the delegates who attended the 14 June 2008 Scrapaganza. Without you, such a day won't be possible.

See you all at the next Makaranga Scrapaganza on Saturday, 6 December 2008!

BEADING CREATIONS - Tuesday, 10 June 2008

I know I have been guilty ... no blogging for some time. Final arrangements for my Makaranga Scrapaganza this coming Saturday, 14 June 2008 has been keeping me occupied. I am very excited about hosting my third Doing Life Scrapaganza at Makaranga Garden Lodge in Kloof, Durban and as I have heard via the grapevine, the same counts for most of the delegates attending. Hope you have all entered the 'Going Potty Competition' (see a few entries below), a handsome little scrapping hamper is up for grabs, if not go and take part right away. I would also like to take this opportunity to thank all the delegates for their loyal support. Without you the Doing Life Scrapaganzas won't be a reality.

I am flying down to Durbs, Thursday morning and Michelle (Doing Life's Deputy Chair lady ... note the promotion!) will be collecting me at the airport from where we will be transporting boxes of supplies from her home to Makaranga. I am also looking so forward to seeing the TP Gang on Thursday night ... hopefully there will be no green mamba specialities on the menu. I must say I would rather prefer Greek connection specialities (Oscars, please take note) ... just teasing Bev hey!! And let us hold thumbs that the Botha's Hill Gang won't live up to their reputation and gate crash! A certain Botha's Hill Gang member has already been gate crashing here at Fernridge Estate.

Winter has been creeping up on us here in Gauteng and suddenly the nights have become quite chilly and so has the days. The underfloor heating in my scrapping studio has been working overtime the last week or so. Apparently, a fiercely cold winter 2008 has been forcasted by the weather experts for SA. Mmm ... I do hope that our new garden plants will survive the winter. Fortunately, their fate is not in the hands of Eskom ... so this can only be a good omen ... or what?

I have also been creating some jewelery lately and here are some of the creations. The creations have become popular birthday gifts and I have to replenish my supplies quite regularly as of late. I must say it is much more convenient than racking our brains and braving the masses in the shopping malls, for presents.

Necklaces: R250

Bracelets; R100

For those of you who are contemplating attending the Inkungu Lodge Berg Scrapping Breakaway from 18-19 September '08, remember the final date for bookings is 20 June '08 (see advert below).

Looking forward to seeing you all at Makaranga Garden Lodge on Saturday ... just a few more sleeps.

- Overly excited signing off

This is your Invitation

'CELEBRATING SPRING 2008: SCRAPPING & SELF-INDULGENCE AT INKUNGU LODGE"

(Live well, Laugh often and Love with all of your heart!)

Pack your scrapping tools, bring your husband/partner or a friend and come and enjoy a few blissful days in the extraordinary mountain splendour of the exclusive INKUNGU LODGE, Drakensberg:

This is your invitation to have some fun whilst: - creating three double page layouts created by yours truly, at your leisure (inclusive of comprehensive kits) This once in a lifetime 'special' package includes the above as well as: - 3 nights luxury accommodation (all rooms ensuite)- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner and mid-morning and afternoon Tea/Coffee and biscuits - Use of conference venue for duration of visit

Details of photo and tool requirements, for the three scrapbooking kits, will be available in due course.

SCRAPPER'S COST: R2,220.00 pp (non-refundable) payable on or before 25 June 2008 [This amount includes the three comprehensive scrapbooking kits.]

NON-SCRAPPER'S COST: R1,620.00 pp (non-refundable) on or before 25 June 2008 [This amount will be for partners who don't scrap.]

(all inclusive, except drinks, room service and telephone costs which will be for your own account)

DATE: Thursday, 18 September to Sunday, 21 September 2008 (Checking in on Thursday at 2pm and Checking out on Sunday at 10am)

VENUE: Inkungu Lodge, Drakensberg

RSVP: On or before Friday, 20 June 2008.

This promises to be a weekend of sheer unwinding, taking time out for ourselves and appreciating nature's beautyRemember to bring those cameras to capture nature's exquisite beauty on offer at Inkungu Lodge.

Please feel free to contact me with any queries. Updates on this weekend breakaway will be posted here on DOING LIFE from time to time. Here is a snippet from Inkungu's website: http://www.inkungulodge.co.za/lodge.html

"Welcome to Inkungu Estates in the picturesque Cathkin Valley, an exclusive, intimate new development in the heart of the majestic Drakensberg. Inkungu, a Zulu word meaning 'mist' promises a tranquil escape from the frantic pace of modern-day living for the discerning investor, holiday home buyer or holidaymaker. Only 20 units will be developed at Inkungu, giving ample provision for privacy and exclusivity. The spacious chalets are widely spaced on stands of between 3500-3900m2 'as opposed to the normal Berg stand size of 1000m2 or less' and are built of natural stone and timber. Luxuriously designed and catering for both the privacy-seeker and active individual, Inkungu promises discerning investors and holiday makers a private, modern mountain retreat, in harmony with the natural beauty of the Central Drakensberg."

- 'Bergie' Signing Off