Moxie was bursting at the seams with TV shows when I got home Tuesday night. Unfortunately, having not remembered to change the "2 episode limit" the first installment of American Idol had been deleted. *sob*
But it should be noted that I don't actually LIKE the early AI shows where people, the majority of whom I suspect are not "all there", embarrass themselves on national TV. I prefer the show when it gets to just the good singers.
Plus, embarrassing yourself nationally pales in comparison to embarrassing yourself internationally, I always say.
I saw a highlight from that first show where Simon said "You're ridiculous!" to an apparently less-than-talented geeky-looking warbler. At which point the geeky-looking warbler replied "No, YOU'RE ridiculous!" At which point I called out "No, I'M ridiculous!"
My first utterly ridiculous embarrassing moment overseas was on Saturday, when I instructed my entire class of 27 people to make something incorrectly. I had simply forgotten how to make my own project! Feeling the sweat rising, I tried not to panic as I said, somewhat lamely "But why doesn't it spin? Mine spins. Why doesn't it spin?" and feverishly went over the steps in my brain while an entire class of underwhelmed students looked on with concern. Agitte figured out a way to save all the pinwheels, which shows how very smart and talented she is. She should probably write a book or something. Oh wait! She did! Thanks, Agitte.
I did figure out what I did wrong, though. Sunday's class went better. Here's what we were making:
All of the papers are from Basic Grey's Blush line (plus one sheet of Fruitcake) and they worked just perfectly for a Seasons theme.
I did not mess up on the other class, other than grossly underestimating the time to complete it, but truly . . . what else is new?!
Now & Then uses KI Memories papers, Rusty Pickle chipboard, CI letters & ribbon and Basic Grey magnets.
As usual, the owners, staff and customers of Akke Fietje were wonderful. They've already invited me back for next January and I was extremely flattered to hear that four people have already called to sign up for a year from now. I'm huge in Europe! (Or at least that's what the tee-shirt says)
On Monday I was back in Amsterdam to teach a workshop for retailers at Scrapbookmate's new spacious warehouse and office. The weather was mostly lousy while I was there, including the day I landed, Thursday, which made international news because of the storm that ripped up trees and diverted planes to neighboring countries. My plane landed roughly, but safely, just before the storm turned deadly. The severe weather was over by that evening, but the cold, wet and wind remained. The retailers workshops were chilly, but no major teaching mistakes. Clap Clap!
Here's what I taught:
This one uses Paper Salon stamps and Making Memories Kraft Paper and embellishments. The paper lantern is a well-established card technique that I take no credit for, other than drafting an original template.
Now despite the cold weather and a jam-packed teaching schedule, I managed a few firsts on this trip. I finally got to ride a bike through Amsterdam! Geoff, who is the brother of the owner of the distributor (is that enough "of the's"?) was nice enough to be my tour guide. I wanted to watch the Saints game on Sunday, so he suggested we ride to a sports bar where there would be lots of other Americans. Now Geoff claims to have only lived in Amsterdam for a year, but I'm not sure anyone from the States can get that fearless on a bike in only one year. He was dodging around trains, cars, pedestrians, street poles like a world class skier in the giant slalom. I was huffing and puffing behind him, stopping at streets, waiting on trains, taking wide turns and resembling a spelunker with a faulty head light. (Similes. So good at the similes.)
But we made it!
ME: huff puff Geoff, how can you ride like that?! huff puff Weren't you worried about the cars when you darted out into the streets? gasp puff
GEOFF: Nah. I just take a quick look and go. They're not supposed to hit you.
ME: Oh, OK, so they're not supposed to hit you. How comforting. I can tell that to the nice doctor who sets my legs.
Sarcasm. So good at the sarcasm.
Now Geoff said that the sports bar would be a lot of fun because of the atmosphere. All those other fans screaming and yelling, etc. Of course, he didn't mention that they'd all be Bears fans. It seemed that the guy next to me was maybe a Saints fan, but he didn't do nearly enough yelling. And Geoff, who likes the Rams, refused to become a "bandwagon fan" as he called it, so I was on my own to cheer my team to a crushing defeat.
It could have been any sports bar in America except for a few differences, like the smell of pot, the game being called in Dutch on one of the bigscreen TV's, the sign that said you couldn't drink if you were under 16 years old, and the TV that was showing porn.
Yep, right over the bar were 4 TV's playing the following selections: NFC Championship, NFC Championship, Porn, NFC Championship.
And speaking of porn . . .
Segues. So good at the segues.
We had ridden by, but not through, the Red Light District on our way to the bar. In four other trips to Amsterdam I'd never been there, so I was curious. On my last night we walked down to get a closer look. I, rather foolishly, had not connected the name of the district with actual red lights. Duh.
But red lights there were, and a lot of them:
When we came up to the canal on the main drag I saw the buildings on the other side with barely-clad women in the windows.
ME: Are those mannequins?
GEOFF: Nope. They're real women sitting in the windows.
ME: Wild! They're in every window! Look at that! I should get a picture!
So I put my camera to my eye, zoomed out to get a wide panoramic view of the whole line of houses, and then noticed that the lights went out in the windows.
ME: (lowering the camera without taking any pictures) Huh. That's weird. They turned out the lights.
And then we noticed one of the window ladies shooting me the finger! (Apparently that is the same in Dutch as in English.)
ME: Oh.
GEOFF: Yeah, I don't think you're supposed to take their pictures.
ME: Why? Because they're modest?!!
GEOFF: Well you don't know - they might be secretaries during the day or something.
ME: Now you tell me.
At least the red glow of the lights disguised my embarrassed blush. I put my camera away and we scooted out of the area.
I only took a few more photos after the finger-flipping-incident and they were pretty blurry anyway. Amsterdam is very pretty at night.
My grand plan to stay up most of the night to get back on American time actually worked pretty well. It's only two days later and I feel nearly recovered!
Not knowing how I'd be feeling after the trip, I waited until the last possible moment to decide if I was going to CHA. I am. Booked my ticket this morning for a quick trip. I'll be at the show on Monday and Tuesday and would love to meet some of you crazy cats who are always nice enough to post comments on my blog. I won't be at a booth, so the best thing would be to tell me what booth you'll be at and then I'll track you down!
And to all my dear friends in the Netherlands - thanks again for a wonderful time! See you in June!
RKQOTD (Me: Karl, please try to have a good day at school today. It would really help me out. Karl: It would really help ME out, too!)
once again---totally jealous that you were in Amsterdam! I fell in love with that city two years ago and would give anything to go back.
I wasnt brave enough to take any pictures in the Red Light District. I wanted to hurry up and walk through it so I could say I had and not have to look any of the girls in the eyes. The rest of the city, though, I took a ton of pictures! :)
Posted by: april | January 25, 2007 at 05:02 PM
I've always wanted to visit, but haven't been yet. I'll remember the unwritten "no photo" rule in the Red Light District...
Oh, and thanks for cheering on the Saints. I'm a huge fan - myself and my husband live in New Orleans and have been season ticket holders since we've been here. What a terrible game - stupid Bears. But the Eagles in the Superdome the previous week....now that was picture worthy!
Posted by: tanya | January 25, 2007 at 08:39 PM
Sounds like a spanking good time. Or maybe you just saw one in the bar on Tv numero 3.. I'm amazed by your talent, spin or no spin. And then you will be so close, yet so far. Same state, but not quite close enough. I had planned to go to CHA, but... As PeeWee said "everyone I know has a big but." Hopefully your landing will be less eventful than in Europe.
Posted by: Sibylle | January 25, 2007 at 09:51 PM
Karen, glad you are back safe and sound!
Posted by: robyn bedsaul | January 25, 2007 at 10:21 PM
ah karen i've missed you so.
that was a classic KB post that should be put away in your annals for future generations....you are a trip!
i'm not at a booth either. call matilda and we'll see if we can meet up.
Posted by: wendy | January 25, 2007 at 10:55 PM
ARGH!! The one time you go a trade show, I am not! BLAHHHH!
Posted by: Alana M | January 25, 2007 at 10:55 PM
bwhahahaha on the red light district part! I loved having you here in the NEtherlands again and when your back in June I will take you out to eat Tapas!!! Loved both your workshops and you have inspired me a lot with your techniques!!!!
Corinnexxx
Posted by: corinne delis | January 26, 2007 at 12:27 AM
Those projects are fabulous. No wonder they've already booked you for next year. Looking forward to seeing you on Tuesday!
Posted by: Juls | January 26, 2007 at 02:38 AM
Thanks for the workshop on monday, even though it was late and very cold you were great ! You are the interactive queen ! Hope to see you again soon.
Posted by: D@nielle | January 26, 2007 at 03:57 AM
Karen! It is so good to see you again! I have clicked on your blog so many times hoping to hear how Amsterdam was. Have a great time at CHA!
Posted by: Kelli Noto | January 26, 2007 at 08:30 AM
Such creative projects. I love the swirls/flourishes on the "Now & Then" project. Did you freehand cut them?
Posted by: debbie susee | January 26, 2007 at 10:56 AM
Now would probably not be a good time for me to write
DA BEARSSSSSSS,
would it? :)
Glad you had fun - those interactive layouts are TOO COOL! Would you ever come to Chicago to teach? sheesh! :)
Posted by: janet o. | January 26, 2007 at 12:43 PM
OMYGOSHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH! I so want to meet the person who has been my online source of entertainment, as well as crafty guru goddess!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I won't be at a booth, as I am just walking around with the owner of the store that I will be teaching for. Hmmmm....Maybe I will email you my cell number...or maybe I will run up to you at the convention and hug you, altho that may scare the crappola out of you since I am a stranger. Normal looking stranger, but stranger nonetheless......So excited.
Posted by: christy | January 26, 2007 at 02:53 PM
stories, so good at the stories. ;)
your trip sounds fabulous and I'm once again amazed at your projects. just gorgous!
I'm sad I'm not going to CHA now.
Posted by: Amy B-perumbula | January 26, 2007 at 04:13 PM
I'm so glad you are back. I was having Karen withdrawals. I needed a Karen-fix. Hey, look at that, red lights. I just thought it was a name for it, not actual red lights. Love those projects. They are really awesome. When you coming to NJ? I mean, I know it's not Europe, but......
Have fun at CHA. Tell us about the best stuff you see - please !
Michelle
Posted by: Michelle OKeefe | January 26, 2007 at 04:23 PM
What a great pic. of the red light district and the Munt Tower!! Great story too ;)
And hey, now i'll never forget how to make the pin wheel spin!! Thanks again for those interactive techniques!
Posted by: monique helfrich | January 27, 2007 at 11:42 AM
My pinwheel is still spinning, but no wonder, you fixed it yourself!Again forgot to ask you to sign my book, but your fingerprints are on my album, I will always remember that ! And we`ll keep the book-signing in mind for june, sooooo glad you´ll be coming to SAG !!
BTW, great blog posting, you really made me laugh out loud again !
Greetings from Germany
Barbara
Posted by: Barbara | January 27, 2007 at 01:22 PM
wow your projects look really cool!!unfortunately i couldnt come :(
Posted by: fauve | January 28, 2007 at 02:05 AM
wow your projects look really cool!!unfortunately i couldnt come :(
Posted by: fauve | January 28, 2007 at 02:06 AM
I want those kits something bad the colors just scream to me. As always your work is wonderful, just wanted to thank you for always putting a smile in my face. The last few weeks I have had to deal with surgery and all that good stuff and coming here and reading you is just what the Dr ordered. You make me smile that is a good thing. Hugs Wanda
Posted by: Wanda E. Santiago | January 28, 2007 at 10:46 AM
So amazing..you really are...love your writing girl!
Hugs
cheryl
Posted by: cheryl mezzetti | February 01, 2007 at 09:54 PM