Recap of my Fairytale Trip at Paper and Pictures in the Netherlands

    I wish there were more hours in a day. I never seem to get everything done.

As promised this post is dedicated to amazing experience in the Netherlands. I think everyone who reads my blog knows I spent my birthday in the Netherlands. Truike Bron

the owner of Paper and Pictures invited me to her stores 4th birthday. The cool thing was the stores anniversary is on my birthday so we celebrated both.

My adventure started on Thursday the 17th when I tried to be superwoman and bring 200lbs of luggage to the airport. I had 2 carry ons weighing a little under 75lbs. In Atlanta I arrived in gate A and had to be in E in 30 minutes. It was sight I tell you me running around a airport like a chicken with its head cut off. Ok so once I got the plane I slept the whole time. I arrived in Amsterdam in the morning of 18th. Truike met me and we went to the scrapbook store. I had a class in the evening we had to kit for the class. I went to pull out the sample and realized I did not have it... We did not panic I had my instructions.

So I sat down and started recreating the sample. Truike and her whole staff were counting flowers, cutting papers, creating die cuts, and even dying daisy chain for 80 kits.

It was a sight to see Monique took these great pictures of the experience. By the end of the day all the kits were done and ready to go for the classes thank you is an understatement you ladies are a lifesaver.

The first class was Friday night we had a full house. We had so much fun and everyone almost finished they had a few flowers left to put on.

I do not have any other pictures from this class if you have them please send them to me.

By the end of the night jet lag set in, and I actually fell asleep while talking to Truike. I went straight to sleep when I got to hotel. Than at 3:00 I was wide awake so turned on the TV. Oh wow what a eye opening experience that turned out to be. In the US we have a infomercials for products , and in the Netherlands there are infomercials for woman. On about 10 channels they were selling woman for the night. I was in shock and hoping I had not been charged for pay par view so I turned the Tv off.

Saturday we had 2 classes both classes finished the project. I worked these ladies hard for 3 solid hours, but when they were done with a completed project they were so happy. We had 2 amazing classes. Here are the group photos in front of the store.

After the classes Truike, Nina, jolonda, and I went to this amazing restaurant for my birthday. I took these pictures because the place was so beautiful and the food was a complete work of art. I have to say it even tasted better than it looked. One of the best meal I have ever had.

 

Sunday morning Truike's husband VIp made homemade chocolate croissants for my birthday breakfast. All I can say is that WOW can Vip cook. They were so super yummy and look at the beautifully wrapped package at my seat. Inside that perfectly wrapped package was this beautiful Pandora bracelet with a turquoise Pandora bead on it. I had been admiring these bracelets on everyone. I love turquoise it is my favorite color. I was so excited to have my very own bracelet. Thank you Thank you Thank you Truike this is my best birthday ever.  

We left and went to the scrapbook store. We had more than a full house in this class so it was a tight fit. All the girls were so sweet and worked so hard to finihs their albums and everyone did. In this picture Truike and i were hamming it up for the camera. We had so much fun and both recieved so many presents.

Throughout the weekend I was showered with gifts and cards. To say thank you does not begin to express the gratitude I feel. I took these pictures to show my readers all the cards and gifts that I recieved and once again say thank you for being a part of the best birthday ever...

For dinner Truike invited me over, her husband Vip made this soup that was to die for and white aspargus(white gold) only available 6 weeks out of the year and it was out of this world. He is one of the best cooks ever Truike you are so lucky. thank you again this was the best birthday ever I sound like a broken record. I wish I lived there I could scrapbook in the store all the time. I would have to pick up bike riding to keep off the pounds from all the insanely incredible food. On the way back to the hotel we made plans to get together in July at the show.

On Monday Monique and I went to Amsterdam to shop. At lunch Monique gave me a birthday present this beautiful necklace and bracelet set from Pilgrim. All their creations have flowers on them.

Thank you so much this set is just beautiful. WE had so much funI had to see all the things that make Amsterdam unique. i took pictures of all these things too coffee shops that do not sell coffee, to these very colorful smoking devices,unique museums, stores that only sell protection, windows with red lights that house working woman, and stores strictly for the voyeur. If you have a desire to see these sights look in the photo album. I also went on a boat tour it was beautiful and we saw so many amazing buildings and different architecture.

Ok so we went shopping and I had to get some more charms of course. So I ended up with five more 2 special ones a tulip and a suitcase to mark my travels to the Netherlands. i had a list I bought my daughter a handmade holland girl doll in traditional clothing she is beautiful. I was able to buy my hubby a bottle of wine from the only vinard in holland it was super yummy.

After a great day of shopping Monique and I had a wonderful dinner not as good as Vips but still yummy at this cute little restaurant. I was sad to say goodbye to her we had so much fun and I do not know when I will see her again.

In the morning before the shuttle came to go to the airport, I took these beautiful pictures of tulips. To say this

trip was a fairytale is an understatement.

Thank you thank you you Thank

I have since recieved pictures from so many ladies here are some I recieved. I even have a lo from Dorien made from the class. Thank you again this is why I teach to meet extraordinary women like all of you... I will add more tomorrow

Have  a Scrappy day

Michelle:)

Comments

[Reginne]

Hi Michelle,

I love to read your story but i don't see the pictures!

Hug Reginne

[Michelle Van Etten]

Ok so my computer in my scraproom is acting up. I actually had retype the whole post that is why it came through so many times different. I was typing and saving so I would not loose everything. All my pictures are on that computer so I am letting her take a break than I will add the pictures. i just wanted to add the story first. I will be filling in the photos today.

[Brooke]

Wow, sounds like an amzing trip! Can't wait until the pics come through. Happy Birthday, by the way!!!! Sounds like a place I would love to go to in my lifetime!! Thanks for sharing the experience with us.

[Monique]

Hi Michelle,
Love the post, I had a good time and lots of fun.
And I'm sure we'll see eachother again.
XOXOX
Monique

[Je@net.]

Hi Michelle!!
Just love the see all those funny pictures. We had such a great time on Sunday and I just loved your class!
Hope to see you again one day!!

[Edna Stofmeel]

Hi Michelle I added some photos in my blog also.
I had a great time and i really loved your class.