Goodbye Limerick, Ireland - Hello Manchester, UK

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The short version of the story goes as follows:

- The boy applied for a very important and impressive science programme in the UK

- Said programme involved lots of hard apptitude tests and four (FOUR!) interviews

- He passed them all, but didn't get a place

- He did however get placed numero uno on the reserve list. (We thought "So close, yet so far!)

- We thought "Nobody will cancel, Canada looks pretty though, lets move there."

- We started to research Canada, save a bit of moo-lah and imagined living there.

And then....

-Boy gets phone call. Place offered. Place accepted. We're moving to Manchester!

Why is this awesome, fantastic and all round amazeballs?

- I'm excited for him, but also for the change Manchester will bring for both of us

- I've already researched a ga-zillion artistic projects happening over there and I just want to get stuck in,     like right now!

- I can now do all the creative and "was too scared to try" things I wanted to do with LuckyRainbowDesigns! Vlogging anyone?

- I've lived in lovely Limerick for 13 years and a change in scenery is very much needed even though I will miss my current work colleagues and Limerick friends.

- Did I mention I'm excited to become a 'proper, no holds back blogger/vlogger now?'

The plan...

Science boy (as I like to call him (I'm art girl by the way!)) has to be in the UK for the start of September and will be there in the next 6 weeks! I'm on the job hunt, and who knows how long that will take to materialize. I will join him once that very big box of employment is ticked. Science boy even suggested I make a real, proper go of LuckyRainbowDesigns on a full time level and put into plan all the wacky, crafty ideas I talk about at every hour of the day....but erm, that's kinda scary.(or is it??)

Right now, we're researching nice places to live, saving money and looking foward to the big move. I'm also looking at every single item I own (especially everything in the craft room) and wondering should I keep, sell or throw it away. Be prepared for a very big online sale of clothes, items for the home and crafty tools and materials.

Moi and 25 random facts

I am a big fat sucker for blog posts where people share random facts about themselves, maybe its because I'm  nosey, but I find it provides a real insight to the blogger themselves and if you want to write a wee post about yourself, well then I'll be there reading it and rooting for you, so go on right ahead and be sure to let me know about it.

The reason? 

Well, normally when you follow a blog you really love reading and admire, you take it for granted or assume that you know that person really well and that all is perfect behind their screen. So, when they take the time to tell you a bit more about themselves, I personally really enjoy this process and type of blog post and when I really enjoy someones blog and their style of writing / sharing info, I like it even more when they feel confident enough to share info about themselves be it personal or otherwise.

Am I making sense? No? Didn't think so! Read on so.

Seeing as I want to be a better blogger, I thought I'd share some random facts about little ole me. Perhaps you're interested, perhaps you're not? Sharing these insights don't necessarily make me a better blogger, but perhaps it counts towards adding a tad more personality to this ickle interweb space of mine.

1. I'm a bit of a control freak at times. I tend to think my idea is the best idea....actually scrap that, I nearly always think that! ha!

2. I can hold a tune - meaning I'm not a bad singer. I've sang on stage and at weddings too! (not at the end of the night drunk type singing, but you know, when the lady in the white dress is walking up the aisle.)

3. I own too much makeup, but I still buy more.

4. I don't tan...ever. I'm always the whitest person on the beach and people always stare at me. Except in Asia where people have walked up to me and touched my skin. I love you Asia.

5. I have lots of regrets. (Too soon to share them, I'm afraid)

6. I think I don't have great skin, but others have told me differently. I keep looking at wrinkles!

7. I'm 5ft 4 inches but would love to be taller

8. My boyfriend is called Robert. We've been together over 6 years and he's 6ft 5 inches tall. He's a dab hand at reaching things on the top shelf.

9. I'm scared of flying, but it doesn't stop me from travelling anywhere and I have cried on flights.

10. I can't drive. My boss has tried a million times over to get me driving. I joke with him that if he were to see me drive in his lifetime it would be his single greatest achievement.

11. My favourite childhood film is 'Flight of the Navigator'. I fancied the kid in it.

12. I love days off work when I don't have to wear a suit and instead get to wear colourful clothing

13. I secretly would like to wear glasses, like proper geeky ones!

14. My dream car is a vintage mini or a nissan figaro

15. I really, really, really want a dog. So bad.

16. My dream career as a kid was to work in Visual Display. It still kinda is.

18. If I'm in a bad mood, I usually take a nap so I don't have to think about why I'm in a bad mood

19. I love baking, but usually try and refrain from eating all of it.

20. I'd love to have the guts to get a really, cool and out there hairstyle.

21. Most of the time, I'm happiest when on my own because I love quiet time.

22. I still really, really, really want a dog. This point deserves two spots on this list.

23. I collect notebooks. I never fill one but I always keep them.

24. Whenever I go on holidays, I also check to see if they have a local craft shop.

25. Finally, I've never had a manicure.

So there you have it, 25 random but no too personal facts! Any of these resonate with you or perhaps you'd like to contribute and share a few below.

Top o the morning to ya!!!

With St Patricks Day fast approaching, I've been rooting around in that room I like to call my studio for all things green and Irish like!!!

I've created a range of St.Patricks Day cards for those of you out there with Irish loved ones abroad, or those of you who own a red setter and think "well I'm pretty much Irish!" If you look closely you might have noticed a difference in my photography skills. I've been working hard at improving these and thanks to a another card making blog I read, I picked up a few tips....the biggest one was, turn off the flash and use natural light and thats exactly what I did! I'm super dooper pleased with them!

Lots more items to come in my etsy siopa, so stya tuned as they say!

Enjoy! x

Nepal!!!

So as some of you know, I packed my bags and jumped on the volunteer bandwagon and embarked on a three week adventure to Nepal! My misson, to volunteer for Christmas in a child protection home in Katmandu. I've uploaded a few of my favourite pics of what really is a wild and beautiful place - I have to say I'd love to go back but only with someone or as part of a group. The poverty levels really are shocking and it really gave me an insight into how lucky we are in Ireland, we may not think or feel it at times, especially as many of us out there have lots jobs or have had to experience a finanical cut some way or other...but the important thing is to treasure what we have and know that material things and expensive items really are not that important.

In the child protection home, I counted about 5 toys...really simple old toys, like a worn football and an old rusty slide, yet the children were the happiest I'd ever seen or met. They had nothing, their parents were in prison, they had no family....but they were so happy! It broke my heart and enraged me a little to hear about my boyfriends nephew getting a wide screen TV for Christmas....he's only five!.....that some food for thought!