{MY PLACE}

A different crafting exercise

2011-02-17T13:02:00.004+11:00

I've always wanted to do patchwork only I don't think I have the patience and it seems to take forever to complete. Although I am quite particular about finishing things properly, I am also prone to say "that will do!"

But there are some amazing pieces produced by some amazing quilters/sewers that I've seen in my travels.

I have two people in my life who are talented quilters, my eldest daughter (who is a whizz at hundred things) and my SIL who has some incredible quilts and quilted pieces that she has designed and sewn. She also teaches quilting.

So, when I say I'm going to do some quilting, part of me cringes because I always measure myself against these two women. My work never seems as neat or finished off ... even though I know what I do is worthy.

Having a new grand-daughter about to grace this world, I have completed a cute coverlet (thanks to Nell for cutting out the shapes and making the gathered petals) for her birth.

It was made with a lot of love and I am very happy with the way it has turned out. So I am sharing it with you before it is wrapped up and given to its rightful owner!

Till next time ...

Trying to keep up ...

2011-01-19T22:05:00.001+11:00

I don't suppose there is anyone else out there who has big ideas, starts things and then realises that it may all be too much to handle? Of course not I hear you say!! It just seems that experience and age don't dampen my enthusiasm - I constantly dream up great ideas and truly believe that I can achieve them ... then I scramble to do it all!!

Working has kept me busy during the day, I'm pretty tired at night and my good intentions feel overwhelming.

What am I talking about? Doing my 365 Project, getting cards, albums and calendars made for the market, starting a Gratitude Blog and making sure I keep this blog up to date. Alas, it happens, but not as I intended and more erratically than I hoped! Still, it happens!

Here is a sample of the Vintage Calendar that I am working on at the moment. Really need to finish it as January is nearly over!

Till next time ...

Vintage Calendar

2010-12-18T17:44:00.002+11:00

I have a special friend that I wanted to get something different for Christmas - I was making a Shabby/Vintage desktop calendar for myself and thought I'd like to make her a calendar also.

She isn't into really feminine, girly things so I decided that, seeing she's a movie goer, I'd make a vintage movie calendar for her.

I used DCWV 'La Creme' paper. Beautiful paper in blacks, creams and whites, with flocking. I made the covers with corrugated card and used two black rings to hold it all together.

I enjoyed making it and hope that she loves it as much as I do!

Here is a sample of the calendar -

So, till next time...

Another mini album to share ... and a new family addition

2010-12-15T09:15:00.000+11:00

Here is the second Christmas Mini Album I have done. This is to be sold as soon as get myself organised with my Etsy store!

I used a clear acetate sheet for the front cover and embossed it with my Cuttlebug with the Christmas baubles embossing pad.

I used some flocked Christmas trees on the next page.

A clear tag added some interest into the next page.

A couple of removable, top note tags.

The present opens up to three sides for photos.

A tag or photo can slide into the ribbon.

The gold envelope opens up also.

Some more places for photos. There were more pages - I have just added a selection here.

And introducing Miss Lulu - our cute little kitten (well not technically mine but in our household!)

This is Lulu on my bed - I woke up to find her snuggled up next to me! So cute!

She also likes to drink water in the shower - as does Gypsy Rose our other cat, hence we have a bowl in there for them.

More pics soon.

So, till next time ...

A little creativity ...

2010-12-07T16:17:00.000+11:00

Having completed (and passed) my course, I have been able to get in some 'finger food", aka mini album completion.

I started a christmas mini about 2 months ago - finished it at last and actually sold it at the Town Hall Market in Albury last weekend.

Will have more minis to share in the next few days.So, till next time ...

Priorities

2010-11-08T19:56:00.000+11:00

September, my last post ... oh it's been a long time!

Lots of changes here - after some volunteer work and casual work in aged care I took the plunge and enrolled in Certificate III in Aged Care. Wow, getting back to study has been very interesting to say the least. It took me a little while to adapt to the whole academia stuff - I'd forgotten all about the elitist jargon and the vocabulary that just confuses.

Anyway, I have proved myself to be a wonderful student - me, getting my assessment tasks done days ahead of the due date! Very unlike my past student days where I spent many long nights trying to complete assignments before I arrived at the class where they were due to be handed in that day.

So with my studious activities (two days a week in class), my volunteer work, my paid work and my placement experience in an Aged Care facility, my creative little fingers have not gotten dirty.

I have had some mini albums started, my Christmas and vintage cards begun and some layouts ready to complete - all ready for me in the next couple of weeks when i have completed the course and get back to crafting.

I am so looking forward to getting lost in paper, ribbon and lace. I have purchased some wonderful stamps hoping that I can get the hang of using them without smudging and making a mess. Can anyone help me with the best type of stamp pads to use for stamping? I have a black Stazon and some little Versa ink pads and a couple of Stampin' Up pads. I want some budget ones that don't smudge and dry quickly.

Hopefully in a couple of weeks I'll have some wonderful creations to post here.

So till next time ...

Floods ...

2010-09-06T21:48:00.000+10:00

Just thought I'd share a couple of photos I took as we headed south down the Hume Freeway on Saturday. We were just near Violet Town and I had just made a comment to my DH about not having come across any flooding as the news reoports had been telling us.

We were following a big semi-trailer so we hoped it would clear the way for us ... which it did but also splashed water onto our car if we were too close.

So, till next time ...

Reflecting

2010-09-01T17:37:00.001+10:00

I did the layout below for Sketch Insiration's latest challenge and DH had a good laugh remembering the incident with our little dog Molly, who is no longer with us. We also reminisced about her funny antics with different things that happened in her life. She was such a faithful, loving little pooch who played a big part in our lives for 12 years.

It's so important to be grateful for everything that we experience because life is so full of wonder and discovery ... yes even when things aren't going as we wish.
I discovered this video on my internet travels that I'd like to share with you today.

So, until next time ...

Experimenting

2010-08-29T22:27:00.000+10:00

I have been contemplating doing 8 x 11 layouts instead of the customary 12 x 12 and this weekend I took the plunge and got started.

With the smaller page size I decided it was best to keep the design simple, thank you to Nicole S., Fran Tynan and Leanne Stamatellos for giving me the inspiration to create simply.

I'm looking forward to continuing my relationship with this size!

So, till next time ...

Vintage Cards

2010-08-26T18:05:00.001+10:00

I love the old vintage photos and they make such a wonderful 'embellishment'. I have spent alot of time searching for images that I love and have been busy making some cards. It's fun to gather all the different bits and pieces - and the paper, it's absolutely gorgeous! I found some Grace taylor paper the other day and was amazed when i paid for it that it was only half the price I thought it was!!

Here are a some cards I have completed.

So, till next time ...

A Reminder ...

2010-08-21T16:12:00.004+10:00

While blog surfing, I found this and thought it a good idea to post here ...

I have an automatic backup with my Apple Time Capsule. Someone suggested that I should also have an offsite back up. With so many precious files on my computer (including a few thousand photos) this is a major consideration for me!

So if you haven't done this for a while ...

So till next time ...

Micro Sculpture

2010-08-20T12:07:00.000+10:00

Here are some amazing images of some equally amazing sculptures ... imagine the precise movements, the care needed and the eyesight required to work with something this tiny! I thought they needed to be shared!

So, till next time ...

Getting ready to sell

2010-08-19T10:56:00.000+10:00

Well, having been busy making some altered albums, I am now ready to upload them to both Madeit.com.au and Etsy (just need to work out shipping costs!!). If anyone knows how it works, especially for Etsy, please let me know!

I love albums/notebooks and it is inspiring to write in one that I totally love. I am also in love with the vintage/shabby chic look so I am trying to create albums that represent this style.

I am also making some vintage cards to sell.

Here are a few of my albums ...

These are the first I have completed. More coming!

So, till next time ...

A couple of layouts

2010-08-15T18:26:00.002+10:00

It's a very wet and cold day in Melbourne today so it's been a great day to stay inside! I have the house to myself and my plan was to get heaps of creative things done ... alas I have done less than I wanted to in that area.

But I did spend a couple of hours re-organising Rob's office, creating more space for him. It certainly heated me up - even took my jumper off!

Here are a couple of layouts I have completed recently.

This layout was for a challenge for Sketch Inspiration using a very old photo.

Hopefully I'll get the photos for the other things in the next couple of days.

So, till next time ..

Fitting everything in ...

2010-08-13T22:53:00.000+10:00

Life is one constant source of activity ... work, wife, mother, friend, creator, planner ... there is always something to do! I muse over people who say they are bored, there is so much to do and see and discover. I love the busyness and I also appreciate the need to be still and reflect and be grateful.

I am also amazed at the productiveness of others, especially those with young children. There are so many amazing women who look so organised and who constantly share the creative pursuits they follow - and they do so much of it! I don't get to bed till midnight most night and I still don't get as much completed!

So to all those wonderful women who produce abundant creations, I salute you!!

I have been not only working hard (who loves to do bookkeeping? Arrrgh!) but have had some time to do some of my favourite things - scrapping, card making and creating altered journals and photo albums. My christmas card making is ahead of schedule - yay!

Once I retrieve my camera from my teenage daughter, I will take some photos to share what I have done. Hopefully tomorrow.

So, till next time ...

Latest creations ...

2010-07-26T15:04:00.003+10:00

It's certainly been chilly in these parts! It's so cosy to stay indoors and potter away with my scraps and paper. I even got to re-organise some of it and discovered things I'd forgotten about!!

I'd really like to get my christmas cards done well before December this year - so, with 21 weeks to go, if I want to make 100 cards, I need to complete around 5 per week - quite achievable! Just need to get myself organised - I'll keep you updated!

I've been continuing on with my creating and here are some of the things I have done -

I love doing these vintage cards!

This was one I started at the SIA Trade Show 2 years ago!

Thought I's share this fun image also!!

Till next time ...

Really getting in to it!

2010-07-17T17:12:00.001+10:00

It has been a busy week or so and I didn't get any scrapping done last weekend but I am certainly on a roll ... and loving it!

It's been quite a cold winter in Melbourne so far - we've been spoilt over the past few years with only a few cold days - but I am so thankful for our wonderful heater that keeps me very comfortable.

Even though I have lots to do, work wise, I find that being able to get out of my left brain and into my right brain to create, helps me to be more productive all around! So, work doesn't suffer, I don't suffer and the rest of the household doesn't suffer!

Here are my latest layouts...

Till next time ...

Mojo's returned ...

2010-07-01T10:59:00.000+10:00

It's a funny thing isn't it - creativity! There are times when it seems such a struggle to get the juices going and to happily create ... and then there are the wonderful times when everything seems to flow and it's all too simple!

Well, thank goodness my mojo has returned and I am delighting in being able to get out the photos and go with the flow. Perhaps it is also to do with the early nightfall and the cold nights when it is cosy to be able to set myself up in my room, keep warm and potter around to my heart's content!

Anyway, enough of the sentiments, here are some of the layouts I have created for the NCJS challenges ...

So while the iron's hot ...

Till, next time ...

It feels so good ...

2010-06-13T22:41:00.000+10:00

... to do some scrapping again. I must have been on a roll as I have completed 6 layouts in the past 3 days - not at all like me! The challenge at NCJS has inspired me to do something.

I think I am getting back into the swing of things with my room setup - still not enough space to store things and it does take me a while to find things sometimes - but it is feeling good.

Maybe the cold weather is enticing me to stay inside and create rather than wandering down to coffee shops for a Latte or Flat White!

Here are some of the layouts I have completed - my camera battery ran out before I took photos of them all.

Hope to get some more loaded tomorrow.

Till next time ...

Some creating at last!

2010-04-23T19:28:00.000+10:00

Has anyone else has a problem with their Christmas Countdown widget? I tried to open this blog the other day only to receive a warning about malware and it's potential to harm my computer.

Being on a Mac I felt confident it would be okay so I opened it up and lost my wireless mouse! I don't know if this was the cause but it was a pain - I'm lost without my mouse. I don't know the commands to navigate the computer.

Anyway - I had another mouse which I finally got to work and was then able to get rid of the Siggies Christmas Countdown. Apparently it was creating havoc on other blogs too. A pity, it was a nice one too!

Well I have finally got my hands dirty! What a wonderful feeling to spread out my bits and pieces and enjoy making these altered notebooks.

It's a great way to use up my scraps, ribbons, embellishments and odds and sods that I have collected over the years.

I have a heap to decorate and now I'm on a roll!

So, till next time ...

One Digi Share & a Laugh

2010-03-22T22:18:00.003+11:00

I had a bit of a go with another digi layout. This was part of a challenge from the NCJS group and as I had little time and no space in my room, I decided to go digi.

This one is about the 80's. It was fun to do - I had lots of memories coming back as I checked out the decade between 1980 - 1989.

You know it's the 80's when ...

You thought mullets looked good
You know all the songs in the "Jazz Singer"
You fell in love with "An Officer & A Gentleman"
You ooohed and aaahed in "Dirty Dancing"
You went "Back to the Future"
You had a Cabbage Patch Kid ... a Rubix Cube ... and played Trivial Pursuit
Video Killed the Radio Star
You asked "Who killed JR?"
You "Walked Like an Egyptian"
You wor shoulder pads under everything!
You wore matching leotards, leg warmers and headband to the gym
You sang and danced to Cyndi Lauper's "Girls Just Wanna Have Fun"

Bringing back memories??

Here is a hilarious video that I had been searching for - I'd seen it about 12 months ago and chuckled all the way through it. Seeing it again didn't dampen my mirth! Hope you enjoy it ...

Till next time ...

Don't Quit!

2010-03-10T11:18:00.035+11:00

We were lucky to escape the major hail storm last Saturday - the rain was torrential and we did get some hail. The only real damage was that the hail ripped our BBQ cover, tore through the meshing on the pergola and one of our outside lights no longer works.

I was driving and luckily missed the hail stones - the roads were flooded and a few times visibility in the downpour was difficult. When I arrived back home, this is what I saw ...

In the front garden, it looked like snow.

The side verandah - the hail must have come in sideways!

Lots of ice and water!

It seems like my crafting just isn't happening! Somewhere along the path I have lost my mojo ... and there are so many things competing for my time and energy! I am planning to get stuck into making some Altered Journals and I am determined to organise time regularly to get them done. So, watch this space ...

In the meantime, this video is a reminder that giving up is not an option ... enjoy ...

Till next time ...

Twenty Ten already!

2010-02-15T17:21:00.006+11:00

Time waits for no-one! It's been a big six months with many changes in my life - a challenging but rewarding journey.

One of the things I have been working on is to get my goals for this year (bit late I know!) and I must say it has been a big process and has taken me a loooong time to get myself organised. But, it is happening.

I am making a canvas Vision Board - and it is creating it's own challenge with much thought going into the process.

On my travels through the web, I came across this amazing video as I was searching for 'things' about Gratitude, which I believe to be the major key in our our life.

So I hope you enjoy it as much as I have and may it bring you joy and gratitude for the amazing people in this world!

And remember to express gratitude and appreciation for all the good things you have in your life, every day!

It's Been a While but ...

2009-09-06T19:32:00.008+10:00

It has been a while since I've updated this blog! It's been a mixture of busyness and also not being well. Life has been a continuous roller-coaster and I haven't been able to get my fingers 'a scrappin' so my supplies are gathering dust. Plus with everything that's been happening I have lost my mojo which is frustrating because I believe that creativity is the way out of feeling sorry for yourself!

Anyway, the downturn of being stuck at home feeling sick is that I have been able to potter with the computer and get some Digital Scrapping done - it's still a big learning curve but as with everything ... practise, practise, practise!

So here are three layouts I have 'whipped up' ... LOL!

Papers and Elements - All Summer Long - http://scrapu.blogspot.com

Quick Page - Come on Get Happy from Scraps by Andrea

Credits - Patterned Paper by Cudlebeez Scraps, Plain Paper by Gunhild Storeide, All Flower Elements by Ginas Gems Scraps, Frame by K Pertiet, Small Leaves by Delicious Scraps, Tiramisu, Large Leaves by Cuddlebeez Scraps, Lace by TBugs, Tag by Shabby Princess - Happy Go Lucky, Font - FG Leaf Queen 2, Title - Coventry Garden, Stitching by KSK Designs

So, till next time ...

Some challenges to share ...

2009-07-25T19:51:00.009+10:00

The NCJS group had its monthly Cybercrop two weekends ago and I finally had the opportunity to get some scrapping in (even with a trip to the country on the Saturday!)

This one is a double page using more than 5 photos. Keeping it simple and uncluttered was my goal.

This layout is based on a monotone design - the photograph of my Great-Grandfather is in beige tones so I decided to keep with that colour in different shades.

I thought I'd save time and do a Digi Layout - not as simple as I thought. This one took me about 2 1/2 hours (I did lose my work once when Photoshop crashed!) It was a bit of a play - not quite turning out as I imagined but I learnt some more things along the way.

Till next time ...

Netball, Dancing Queens, Ferris Wheel, Aquarium and Disney on Ice ....

2009-07-08T17:00:00.014+10:00

Nearly one month has passed and I have not added anything here in that time! Creative pursuits have been in very short supply, everything (and everyone) else seems to be taking over my time. But I have managed to enjoy myself with some fun times during the holidays - yes it's the second week of the school holidays in Victoria and there seems to be kids everywhere!

The first weekend started with Grace's Netball Grand Final - her second Premiership in two seasons! Quite an achievement and she played very well.

Ella and Sophie came to Melbourne to spend some time with me and here are some photos of the things we got up to -

Dancing in Federation Square ...

The Ferris Wheel at Birrarung Marr...

Cool fun on the Cup & Saucer Ride by the river...

Feeding fish at the Aquarium ...

The penguins were a big hit ...

And watching them swim was soooooo funny!

They loved 'Disney on Ice - Princess Wishes'

By Saturday, I was totally exhausted and had a Nanna Nap on the couch in the afternoon. They are already planning their next trip to Melbourne!

Till next time ...

Getting Some Creating In!

2009-06-12T16:12:00.006+10:00

It's been a while since the last post here! I have done very little scrapping, and then trying to scan/photograph the layouts just escapes me ... so my posts haven't been happening!

I did some digi scrapping last night. Went to the LSBS to learn some more about Photoshop Elements. Doing things with an instructor is so much easier for me ... generally I tend to work things out for myself, which can take so much time. I found doing the class meant I not only learnt things immediately but I had others to talk to and learn more.

Here are the two pages I did - not necessarily the design or paper I would choose, but they are a good start and I feel satisfied with what I achieved.

I am planning to do some paper scrapping tomorrow, finally! But I am certainly interested in doing some more digi scrapping, practising what I learnt and learning more.

Check out these sites for great Digi Scrapping freebies. And here to learn more about Digi Scrapping via Video.

Going Digi

2009-05-04T21:09:00.004+10:00

I've had a play around with some digital scrapping today and I've come up with my new header and this layout ... admittedly it was a pre-designed one (Lynn Griffin - A Mother's Love), but I just needed to have a go! Not bad if I say so myself!

Till next time ...

Heritage Layouts

2009-04-30T17:55:00.010+10:00

I have been busy doing some more layouts for my parents album. I have just had some more photos printed and I am really keen to get them 'scrapped.

I am also going to run some classes in May/June about creating Heritage Albums so I really want to have more examples for the class participants.

So here are three more I have completed ...

I really enjoy the vintage look of heritage layouts, there is so much that can be used in the designs, from current trends to shabby chic. The imagination can run wild!

Till next time ...

A Quick Share

2009-04-29T21:43:00.004+10:00

I've been doing some scrapping, getting ready for an Expo where I will be 'showing' scrapbooking and highlighting "Heritage Scrapbooking'.

I was experimenting with some handmade flowers after watching this video, Handmade Distressed Flower Embellishments, and here are the results ...

They were a bit fiddly but definitely worth it!

Here is one of the layouts I have done -

I shall have to photograph the others in the daylight tomorrow so I'll post them tomorrow night.

Till next time ...

Bruno Torf - A Garden of Memories

2009-04-19T17:05:00.014+10:00

Haven't scanned my completed projects yet :-( Life is moving too quickly! My 365 Blog is being kept up to date though! Yay!

We visited Marysville yesterday with my Dad who was staying with us for the weekend. Driving around the destroyed town was quite a moving experience. Bruno Torf's Garden was open to the public so I took the opportunity to visit it.

Bruno was there and I really felt the heartbreak of what has been lost, but a the same time, he is determined to re-build his beautiful little piece of Earth.

Here is a moving video of the amazing garden before February 7th ...

I wanted to share the photos I took yesterday ... with signs that nature is determined to restore itself! I also think the figurines look sad too don't they!

And here are the remains of the gallery ...

My goal is to get back there in 12 months to see the changes!

So until next time (hopefully with some great shares) ...

Smile :-D

2009-04-01T17:20:00.002+11:00

I was just sent this great little video, it's worth watching till the end ... enjoy!

I hope to get some layouts scanned and uploaded in the next couple of days ... so stay tuned!

Till next time ...

Some things to share and passing on awards

2009-03-09T21:59:00.008+11:00

More layouts completed and ready to share -

This one is special as it is Grace and my mother before she passed away. Mum was so loving to all her grandchildren - they were the world to her.

I just loved this photo - there wasn't much more I could add to it - it needed to be kept simple.

Another cute photo - I've enjoyed keeping the layouts simple and uncluttered.

The Premio Dardos Award acknowledges the values that every blogger shows in their effort to transmit cultural, ethical, literary, and personal values every day. The Premio Dardos award acknowledges the values that every blogger shows in their effort to transmit cultural, ethical, literary, and personal values every day.

The rules are:

1) Accept the award, post it on your blog together with the name of the person that has granted the award and his or her blog link.

2) Pass the award to another 15 blogs that are worthy of this acknowledgment.

Remember to contact each of them to let them know they have been chosen for this award.

The blogs I have listed are all talented, giving and generous creators ...please go visit their blogs and pass on some love and appreciation for all they do and share...

Kaz Was Here - Karen Yates
Creative Considerations - Vicki Brunner
Sandie's Place - Sandy Downey
Chantelle's Stamping Place - Chantelle Huizenga
They Call Me the Scrap Nut - Julie Dudley
Our Wonderful World - Liz Weber
Girls Wear Blue Too - Tammy James
A Happy Scramper - Linda Langes
Mel Stampz - Mel McCarthy
Anna's Crafty Stuff - Anna
tikkled pink! - Shazz
Addicted to Digiscrapping - Amanda
Lindsay Jane Designs - Lindsay Jane
Josie Dean - Josie Dean
Stamp A Latte - Leonie Schroeder

Wow, that is a marathon effort! Thank you for bearing with me, and thank you again Libby! Love you!

Till next time ...

Slowly but surely and an Award!

2009-02-26T14:50:00.009+11:00

I am steadily getting some creating into my time and have booked an all day crop on Saturday. I need to complete some layouts and I intend to be fully prepared to get some serious scrapping done. I have learnt, the hard way, it is so easy to do a heap of layouts as long as I am prepared and have the design, photo, paper and embellishments organised and ready to go. It is so easy to waste time pottering around 'looking' for the right paper, design, colours .....

I made a card for Grace's birthday - verrrry bright, in fact much brighter than I would normally do, but I was very happy with it and Grace loved it. Turning 15 means a little more sophistication! I loved the Heidi Swapp mirror bird!

I have also been a lucky girl with an award from the remarkable Libby who is so focused and committed to everything she does! It is called The Premio Dardos Award that acknowledges the values that every blogger shows in their effort to transmit cultural, ethical, literary, and personal values every day. Thank you Libby - I shall now have to make a list of 15 other Bloggers to pass this award on to.

As soon as I have made my decision, I will let everyone know.

A short entry today, hopefully I'll post some new layouts and the 15 Bloggers names early next week.

So until next time ...

I've Finally Done Some Layouts!

2009-02-19T21:51:00.015+11:00

Well it's taken me longer than I had planned but I've finally finished some layouts. I've also had to 'fiddle' and 'tweak' with my HP scanner and my old PC 'cos my new Lexmark scanner does a very mediocre job. I printed some photos a couple of weeks ago with my old HP scanner and realised that they are heaps better than the ones from the Lexmark - they actually dried really quickly also.

And I have re-discovered my ArcSoft Panorama to stitch my layouts - so I have been re-organising my PC (although I still love my iMac) for my scanning and stitching. I seemed to be loading, uninstalling, re-loading, cleaning up and so on and so on for ages - at least 2 days worth of fiddling! But it's been worth it!

So here are my latest layouts - I've decided that simplicity is much easier and quicker too!

The heart is actually a soft pink Heidi Swapp Mirror but it came out black with the scanner :-(

So until next time ...

Devastation

2009-02-09T14:16:00.011+11:00

This is a very sad and moving time for many of us here in Victoria. The absolute destruction of the bushfires is so painful to comprehend. There is not one Melbournite I have spoken to that doesn't feel the horror and sadness of the fires.

I liken it to a tsunami of fire - once people realised what was happening it was too late to escape. So many people were caught trying to drive though thick smoke and flames. The small country communities, on the outskirts of Melbourne, that were well known, idyllic places to escape and unwind from the city pressures, have been wiped out, together with many of their residents and enormous numbers of local houses and farms.

One place in particular is the township of Marysville with it picturesque, tree lined streets, the history of 100 year old buildings and very old trees and the beautiful bush arts. It now no longer exists!

Here is a picture of one of the streets in Marysville before the fire -

And this is what it looks like now -

But there are good stories coming out as well - this picture sums it all up -

Saturday 7th February, 2009, with record temperatures and 100kpm winds, will remain in Victoria's history forever now as one of the most devastating days our state has ever experienced.

I hope that everyone of you will support the Bushfire Appeal Fund in one of the following ways -

Phone 1800 811 700
Any NAB, ANZ, Westpac or Commonwealth Bank branch
Any Bunnings store
By direct deposit to the Victorian Bushfire Relief Fund - BSB 082-001, Account number 860-046-797
Myer Bushfire Appeal - All proceeds to the Salvation Army. Donate at any Victorian Myer store
Baptcare or to make an offline donation, please call 03 9831 7222

Thank you Libby!!

2009-02-04T22:37:00.006+11:00

This woman is amazing! I am in awe of her continuous stream of creations and the way she blogs faithfully - even with a full time job and a family and other craft business creating! Thank you Libby, I feel humbled by the Marie Antoinette Award you have bestowed on me when your blog, Libby's Crafty Scraps, is always a hive of activity and sharing and her cuttlebug creations are out of this world!!

The rules are as follows:

Put the picture of Marie Antoinette on your blog
Link to the person who you received the award from
Nominate at least 4 or more blogs
Link to those blogs from yours
Leave a comment on their blogs to let them know you've shared the award with them

So, I nominate these creative ladies (blogs) ...

It feels like an eternity since I have done anything creative with my hands, I am in withdrawal mode!!! But, I am looking forward to spending Saturday with some wonderful friends in Mornington, at the Paper Squared Demo Day, getting my teeth into some layouts, doing some make and takes and browsing the shelves for some new products. Aaaah, my mouth is drooling just thinking about it! So hopefully, I will have some shares next week!

I have been committed to Project 365 and have a whole month of phots - very unusual for me. It is a challenge but I am enjoying it and it's certainly making me think about my photos. It's also making me think about the benefits of an SLR Digital camera ... but I need to get really good before I get a 'big girls' camera!

So, till next time ...

Trust

2009-01-23T10:20:00.007+11:00

Life constantly sends us many challenges - that is a constant! Rather than feel victimised - "Why me?" - it is so important to look at what we have been offered and know that it gives us an opportunity to learn more about ourselves and our world.

I am choosing the word TRUST as my word for 2009.

A trust in whatever comes my way, I can handle.

A trust in that everything will work out positively.

A trust that whatever I choose to do will create success.

A trust that my dreams will come true.

This is my image of TRUST that I got from Wordle.net - I tried to just use the word Trust but it doesn't repeat it so I trust what I have is perfect for me!

I haven't been very 'creative' lately - at least with either my scrapbooking or cardmaking so I really don't have anything to share. Hopefully I will scan some layouts to upload in the next couple of days.

I have kept up my 365 photography and blog which is big for me! My photography skills are getting better - now I just need to learn how to use the camera properly!

So until next time ...

Twas the Month After Christmas ...

2009-01-18T21:08:00.006+11:00

I found this rhyme on Jaimie Emmerton's Blog and I just love it! Hope you don't mind me using it Jaimie ...

T'was the month after Christmas,
and all through the house,
Nothing would fit me,
not even a blouse.

The cookies I'd nibbled,
the chocolate I'd taste
At the holiday parties
had gone to my waist.

When I got on the scales
there arose such a number!
When I walked to the store
- not a walk but a lumber!

I'd remember the marvellous meals I'd prepared;
The gravies and sauces and beef nicely rared,
The wine and the rum balls, the bread and the cheese
And the way I never said, "No thank you, please."

As I dressed myself in my husband's old shirt
And prepared once again to do battle with girt...
I said to myself, as I only can,
"You can't spend this summer, disguised as a man!"

So, away with the last of the sour cream dip.
Get rid of the fruit cake, every cracker and chip.
Every last bit of food that I like must be banished
Till all the additional ounces have vanished.

I won't have a cookie, not even a lick.
I'll want only to chew on a long celery stick.
I won't have hot biscuits, or corn bread, or pie.
I'll munch on a carrot and quietly cry.

I'm hungry, I'm lonesome, and life is a bore...
But isn't that what January is for?
Unable to giggle, no longer a riot,
Happy New Year to all, and to all a good diet.

Who's with me!

OMG - it's mid January already!

2009-01-16T13:42:00.013+11:00

Well, it has been ages since my last post! It was such a busy time over Christmas and New Year - lots of family events; I de-cluttered and cleaned 90% of the house (not Rob's Office though, too hard!!); I ate lots; I did very little exercise (at the gym anyway!); I enjoyed the company of my beautiful eldest daughter and 3 grand-daughters and I even managed to get in some creating time!

I felt very inspired after Heidi Swapp's workshop and I made Grace an a to Z mini-album for Christmas - lots of fun doing it! I used a Making Memories 6" x 6" Cloth Album in a stunning lime green colour (my favourite colour!) and the base pages were from the 6 x 6 Basic Grey Collection Pad. I added lots of inserts of varying sizes and used lots of embellishments through out the album. Luckily Grace has a zillion photos of her - self portraits - that gave me a great stash to choose the main 26 from. I didn't start till the week before Christmas and the only thing I didn't finish was the ribbons on the spine.

I was over the moon as she was really wrapt with it - even dropped a few tears. I didn't think that Grace was really interested in my Scrapbooking - but she did show one of her girfriends my albums the other day and talked about them as though she has been listening to everything I speak about the pages and the scrapbooking.

Here are some of the pages ...

I started (but still have to 100% complete some scrapbook pages and here is the one I have finished - I will post more at a later date. The colour in this is not very good - the white, red & black are much more vibrant.

I have also started the Project 365 which will support me to be more creative with my photography (and learn how to take better photographs!!) I have decided to start a new blog - 365 Days a Year - specifically for that one. Keeping everything up to date will be a real challenge - but then that's life!

So until next time ...

An Award & Heidi Swapp!

2008-12-17T09:51:00.018+11:00

As a wonderful lady so aptly put it - right now it's so 'Crazy Busy'! I always find that the lead up to Christmas takes on a life of its own and the time seems to accelerate as the 25th December gets closer - or is it getting worse!?! Things are getting done but I still have alot more to do ... it will be done!

Last week, the amazing Libby gave me an award, my very first one and I thank you very much Libby - This is called The Proximity Award.

"These blogs invest and believe in PROXIMITY - nearness in space, time and relationships! These blogs are exceedingly charming. These kind bloggers aim to find and be friends. They are not interested in prizes or self-aggrandizement. Our hope is that when the ribbons of these prizes are cut, even more friendships are propagated. Please give more attention to these writers! Deliver this award to eight bloggers, who must choose eight more and include this cleverly-written text into the body of their award."

So the 8 bloggers I choose to pass on the award are ... **drum roll** ... Vicki, Karen, Sara, Leonie, Julie, Julie, Ness and Heidi ... I really enjoy reading these blogs and I'm sure you will too!

I have been frantically doing some creating - presents for friends (decorated albums & notebooks), some cards (very few!! Even had to *shock horror* buy some!) and making a mini album for my precious 14yo daughter for Christmas. It is an A to Z or her and I'm loving doing it - it's all falling in to place so easily. I'll post pictures when it's finished. I got some great ideas to add to it from my day with Heidi Swapp yesterday ...

What a frenetic day! I attended the Create 08 workshop in Melbourne as many, many other avid scrapper did. Heidi has increased her standing in my eyes - she is such an emotionally honest and inspiring woman - I love her! We spent the day doing some wonderful techniques - beginning with a calendar album (did 4 pages) and a mini mirror album. It was go, go, go right from the start but an amazing day! If you ever get the chance to be in one of Heidi's workshops I highly recommend her - she is so down to earth and what she offers covers all types of papercrafters styles and expertise.

Here are some shares from yesterday (unfinished but still impressive!)

Here is a picture of the venue - verrry crowded, with no room to move which was a bit frustrating! Really the only thing that I didn't like about the day. The venue was in a beautiful setting but not one to hold so many crafters with all the paraphernalia that we all need to do our work! I'm standing up right at the back, in the white shirt!

This is the view from our table - Heidi is the speck on the right at the front!

And of course, I had to have my photo taken with Heidi and my scrapping colleague, Wendy. It's not what I usually do but decided that I wanted to remember this amazing day with an amazing woman. Of course, with all the paparazzi there it was hard to know which camera to look at!
Thank you Heidi!

So until next time ...

100 Pages!

2008-12-07T22:00:00.009+11:00

I know, this is too crazy to believe - but I have just finished 100 pages (6" x 6") for the Southern Cross Kids' Camps designed to create happy memories for children who have been victims of abuse, neglect and abandonment. Julie Stone - Making a Difference - has taken on the mammoth challenge to provide, literally thousands, of pages to be made into albums for all the children who attend the 7 camps around Australia and 2 in New Zealand.

I think that this is just an amazing thing to do for these kids who are "over the moon" to get these albums, with photos taken at the camp, presented to them on their last day. Check Julie's blog entry from earlier in the year to see the finished albums.

It feels good to be able to contribute and I urge all you crafters out there to spend some time, even in this crazy time of the year, to create, and send off, some very basic but colourful and inspiring pages. She needs them for the camps to be held early in January. It's a great way to use your scraps and all those extra bits and pieces lying around. You can contact Julie for her postal address.

Here are the pages I made - they are basic, as they are meant to be, and are just to show you how easy they are to make! The campleaders add the photos and a bit of journalling so there needs to be space for these things.

Here is what a pile of 100 looks like -

I also managed to get some Christmas cards completed last week - I spend a wonderful week with my eldest daughter and 3 grand-daughters getting some TLC after my bout of the flu. Being an avid crafter, she has a space set up for her paper crafts and I made good use (and a big mess) of it and made these cards (my camera is being repaired and I've used my iPhone camera so the photo's are not as sharp and crisp as they should be) -

Well they are my shares for now - hope to get some more creating done this week - meeting up with the gorgeous Dorothy on Wednesday for a social crop. I have an album to complete for my rebellious but beautiful youngest daughter, for Christmas - will be a push!

Till next time ...

Few and Far Between!

2008-11-20T11:36:00.011+11:00

Doesn't time fly when you are having fun! The 8th November is 12 days ago - nearly 2 weeks since the last post! Urrrgh! But it has been rather a busy 12 days! I celebrated my birthday last week with friends and close family. There were some very important people that helped to make my day special and they know who they are!

I was then hit with the flu - not fun! I don't get sick and this came as quite a shock to me! My body felt like it had been hit by a truck - even to sit down was extremely uncomfortable. I slept more than I had in ages but then had to continue with life, warts and all. Anyway, I am now on the end of it all - still coughing and spluttering but as long as I don't talk too much I am okay!

I was able to get some card making in yesterday. I went with a friend to Scraptacular and we made 8 Christmas Cards using the Wassail Card Kit! So simple and so beautiful! It felt like cheating! These are cards for special people in my life! So I am gradually getting there with my cards!

Here are some of the cards I made -

Well that's all for me now ... so until next time ...

Top Ten Essentials About Me

2008-11-08T15:35:00.012+11:00

I just saw a great idea and thought it would be good to start off a tag team activity using this idea from Big Picture Scrapbooking -

TEN "essentials" that I cannot scrapbook without:

My computer - to give me lots of ideas & resources
Photos of the important people in my life
A clear workspace
Double-sided tape
A good choice of paper
My tote with all my essential basics
Music - mostly from my iTunes collection
A sharp pair of scissors
My 12" cutter & my Creative Memories photo cutter
Lots of embellishments to choose from

NINE words I love are:

love, happy, freedom, family, passion, success, achievement, pride, respect

EIGHT of my quirky habits are:

I have to make the bed each morning
I love eating out
I love surfing the net
I always get to bed 1 hour after I say I am going
I love all sorts of music from country rock to classical
I procrastinate too much over my scrapbooking
I have bouts of de-cluttering where I literally throw out bags and bags of 'rubbish'
I cry easily during movies

SEVEN things I love about my "every day" life:

I am totally loved and supported
I enjoy my hot drinks with friends after gym
I have a home that has lots of space, including my own space
I love having family around me
I love spending special time with my children and my husband
I love being a mum
I love having my own business

SIX places I'd love to visit before I die:

United Kingdom esp. England & Wales
Italy
Mexico
China
Nepal
United States

FIVE things I do everyday, without fail:

Check my email
Use my computer
Drink water
Give my husband and daughter a hug
Think about my family

FOUR websites I frequent:

Scrapbook Hub
No Crap Just Scrap
Friend's Blogs
Anything to do with scrapbooking & papercrafts

THREE layouts I love:

TWO decisions I've never regretted:

Having children
Getting married

ONE additional and very important thing you should know about me is:

I also enjoy 'me time' where I can lose myself in whatever activity I choose to do!

So now I 'tag' Vicki Brunner to answer these questions ...

A Fortnight's Worth of Chatter

2008-10-25T20:38:00.015+11:00

Life moves along so quickly and I am very aware of how it is so important to treasure every moment. Just to be able to stop, breathe, be in the now and be grateful is something I must remind myself to do. It is too easy to get caught up in the 'busyness' of everyday living and neglect the things that matter most to me. I am making it my intention to give myself 15 minutes every day to just breathe in my life and give gratitude for everyone and everything that make my life the wonderful experience that it is.

I have done very little personal scrapping - I started my Christmas cards yesterday with a friend who is just starting her creative journey. When I say started, I literally mean started cos that's all I did - I certainly didn't finish anything! But, the room is set up with my Christmas supplies and so I can get a bit done every now and then when I can grab myself some moments to create.

Last weekend, I spent Sunday with some wonderful, wise women creating my new vision board. It was a day that provided motivation, challenge, support and encouragement. We sat overlooking Port Phillip Bay, and even though it was cold and wet, it was such a peaceful energy. I didn't have specific intentions when I started but found myself drawn to certain areas - getting myself organised was a big one and one that surprised me.

I have been busy with the site - keeping a check on its use and making sure that everything runs smoothly. So far, the few problems have been minor and easy to correct. It is great to see the activity with both the Forum and Gallery - some amazingly talented women out there! If you haven't made it over, go and check it out - lots of resources with more being added all the time. I am looking for suggestions also!

Whilst on my research travels I came across a site called Creating Intentions. What a great way to manifest your desires through scrapbooking. But it does make sense doesn't it! Creating my vision board was a bit like creating a layout.

As I have no fresh layouts to share right now, I thought I'd show you some photos of my scrap space.

This was my very first space in a very tiny room, as you can see by the way the desk (sewing table) stretches from one wall to the other.

The next images are the room I have right now - and notice how tidy it is! It's not like that at the moment!

So there you have it for now ... so until next time ...

Another Birth Day!

2008-10-12T21:59:00.002+11:00

It's finally happened - ScrapbookHub.com.au is now alive and well! Nine months of planning, researching, designing, communicating ... a lot longer than I realised it would take ... has now come to fruition. Thank goodness this birth was relatively painless - just a click of the mouse!

Something I have always wanted - somewhere to find all the resources and information that I need when I want some inspiration, some motivation and anything specific to what I am doing. A font to suit my layout. A title to give it spark. A design to suit my photographs in number and size. Some ideas for when I am stuck. Some supplies or tools to help me create. A site that would give me much information in the one place - in the past have spent hours looking for something going from site to site and blog to blog. So now here it is - one site to find everything any papercrafter could possibly require - with more to come!

I have a talented and passionate team just bursting to provide lots more inspiration, stimulation and enthusiasm into the papercraft world. I welcome Karen Yates, Vicki Brunner, Deanne Stewart-Mills and Sara Noendeng! Welcome to the team!

After working for long hours over the past few weeks, I was able to enjoy some social time over the weekend. Friday night Rob and I chatted with a few friends over drinks at the Aria Lounge in the Langham Hotel in the city. After the others left, we stayed on an enjoyed a sumptuous smorgasbord meal in their Melba restaurant. The food range was amazing and fresh. Anything cooked was done on the spot - I'd certainly go back there again!

Saturday I spent with my scrapping buddies at Paper Heaven - it was good to get back into some hands on creating! Then Saturday night we went to an Egyptian themed party hosted by friends heading off for a trip to Egypt on Wednesday this week. I went as a belly dancer (with a covered belly!) courtesy of a friend who has done belly dancing. It's certainly not a quiet outfit! Now I know what the cat feels like with her bell! Rob piked out of a full costume but I managed to tie a cot sheet around his head so at least looked as he had made an effort! I didn't get any photos as our camera is playing up right now - isn't that always the way!

This morning Rob and I went for a 15km ride on our bikes, with a head wind most of the way! It makes even little hills feel like Mt Everest! My legs feel a bit tired right now! It was a beautiful morning, the sun was warm but not too hot and Melbourne in spring is just a glorious site. It's such a different view going along the roads on a bicycle. Tomorrow will be interesting as the Boxing Circuit class I go to on Monday morning is full on but I think I will need to be kind to myself and pace myself a bit more.

No shares tonight - I haven't completed the layouts from the weekend. Hopefully there will be something to share later in the week. So make sure you head off the ScrapbookHub.com.au and get your teeth into some of the great resources. Please let me know what you think about the site - suggestions and feedback are most appreciated!

So, until next time ...

Happy Birthday Nell & Rob!

2008-10-08T22:30:00.005+11:00

We've had two birthdays in our family this week - Nell celebrated her birthday on Sunday 5th and Rob's was yesterday.

I spoke to Nell on Sunday morning, just before she went out to lunch with her girls and Justin, Justin's parents and her father. Both Ella and Sophie bought her chocolate which apparently Sophie ate! She is such an amazingly exuberant little being, so full of life!

But, I am a bad wife and partner, I have been so focused on getting the website up and going that I completely forgot Rob's birthday until yesterday morning. So he had no present and not even a card from me!!! But, I will surprise him on the weekend with a night out on Friday and a present. So not all is lost!

Below is one of the few layouts I have with Rob in it - it is usually him behind the camera. Photography is not one of my strong points!

And this one is a life collage of Nell - what a gorgeous woman!

Well, lots of exciting things happening right now ... so watch this space on Friday!

So, till then ...

Wednesday wonderment ... is there such a word!

2008-10-01T08:45:00.015+10:00

Isn't it amazing how some things just happen magically! Yesterday was a day of coincidences as Deepak Chopra calls them and I am feeling blessed (sorry, it's not meant to be a religious term!). I just know that when good things fall into your path it is a that you are heading in the right direction and that's how I feel right now. The whole day culminated in me finding a shiny, new $2 coin on the footpath last night - I thought it was a 5c piece! I always remember a wise man saying that we should never decline a gift - no matter how small it is - and even a small coin is a gift and a message. So for me, finding that a 5c coin was really $2 gave me such a gift! So now - to get the message! What would that be for you? I invite you to leave a comment!

On the creating front, below are the four Olympics ATC's I did for NCJS. I covered the card with gold tissue paper, using the Jo Sonja Sealer, I first covered the card with the sealer then I scrunched the tissue paper and put it over the mixture. Keeping it scrunched, I then re-applied the sealer over the top of the tissue. I had lovely gold fingertips!

Using NOBO Overhead Projector Transparency Film purchased from Officeworks, I printed the peace dove, the Beijing Logo and the Olympic Rings. I trimmed these and then used double-sided tape to adhere them over the gold tissue. To cover the tape, I cut strips of textured gold paper and applied this over the top.

I used gold heat embossing powder (so much fun to do!) on the Peace Dove. The printed Olympic Coin image was trimmed and I printed the English and Chinese translation of One World One Dream on textured cardstock. I edged these with gold stamping ink.

On the Olympic Rings Card I attached a small Chinese Coin with gold Christmas string and used a gold pen to write over the words Faster Higher Stronger. Even I really had to think about what I was going to do on each card (as we had to make 4) it was fun in the end!

Here is a layout using the Creative Memories Circle Templates - I do them, they are so easy to use. I hear the blades are now available in a swivel version which will make them even easier to use! I also used Heidi Swapp Ghost Letters which still stand out over the white base. I'm so looking forward to Heidi's Create08 Day being held in Melbourne on 16th December - all booked out now though.

The white card looks greyish bit it is a lovely crisp white in reality. I used the complimentary tones of green and pink and the ribbons made a beautiful match.

Grace took this photo of herself - when i ask her to do something for me it never works out the same! Darn! I'm not good with the camera, my creativity doesn't extend there - but I am determined to learn!

Thanks for reading on! So, till next time ...

Computered Out!

2008-09-25T17:25:00.004+10:00

I have been sitting in front of my computer for such long hours this week, getting things completed for the launch of Scrapbook Hub, that I have had enough of concentrating - so I am computered out! There are so many ends to tie up and although I am generally quick at doing most things, the little bits and pieces are taking me ages! But I can't complain when it all helps me to get one step closer to launch day!

I feel withdrawal symptoms right now! I am so looking forward to going to a Scrap Together tomorrow night - I need to let my fingers get into paper and ribbon and flowers and chipboard and .... all things scrapbooking! I'm worried I have forgotten how to create! Hopefully I should have something to post after this weekend.

Saturday will be a quiet day in front of the TV watching the AFL Grand Final. Even though I'd love the Bombers to be playing, it's also good to be able to sit back and not worry about who wins (although I always end up barracking for one team anyway!) So, who will it be - the Cats (or Pussy Cats as my 3yo grand-daughter calls them) or the Hawks (or the Dorks as we call them to my 5yo grand-daughter who barracks for them).

On a lighter vein, I found this video on another site and even though I have seen it before, I thought it was worth keeping. Enjoy it and remember to give someone a hug today (even if it is yourself!)

Till next time ...

Wow - where has the time gone!

2008-09-21T17:04:00.015+10:00

It's been one week since my last post and it has been a whirlwind week! I actually got to catch up with Chris today to celebrate his birthday - one week late! All the family went to a fantastic little Greek restaurant in Swan Street, Richmond called Agapi. The food was absolutely delicious and I feel so full and it's six hours after I've eaten!

I have had the pleasure of having all my beautiful girls with me over the past week - until Friday night, Rob has been the only male in a house of five girls (six including the cat!) It has been an absolute delight to have so much happy energy around - it has also been very tiring! But I wouldn't swap it for the world! The house will be very quiet after tomorrow - but then again, it is school holidays ...

I did get some layouts completed last weekend for the NCJS Challenges - just as well because I haven't been able to do anything else this week. I love doing the challenges, they give me some motivation and guidance - even though I have heaps of photos to get organised. I also managed to complete the ATC Swap - The Olympics - we had to do a set of 4 cards. Kept me thinking!

The first one is of the gorgeous Sophie who is such a character! Rain has been something she has seen very little of in her short life so the chance to use her umbrella was so exciting for her, even if it was in her backyard, all by herself!

This next one features 'The Fish' structures that decorated the Yarra River during the 2006 Commonwealth Games. Their colours were magnificent in the darkness of the night, combined with the reflections on the water and the fireworks, made for a wondrous sight every evening of the games. I wish I had read an article I found recently about how to photograph fireworks - they are not a sharp as they should be.

The journalling is unreadable due to the scanning process (red and black, love the colours but always have problems with them being scanned) but it tells of the 72 structures and their nightly exhibit.

Last week also saw me busy with Scrapbook Hub's completion (well getting very close to completion). It has been a massive job and it's all fallen into place. There are loose ends to tie up and then it will be ready for first stage public launch on 1st October. I'm getting very excited now that I can physically see the 'working product'. Before, it has just been pictures of the pages, now I can actually do things on it - Yay! I have also enlisted the talents of some amazing women who will feature on the initial launch ... but stay tuned to find out more ...

So, I will keep you informed of Scrapbook Hub's launch - until next time ...

Happy Birthday Chris!

2008-09-13T20:12:00.007+10:00

It's my baby boy's birthday today! Well, he's not really my baby as he is 36! But, for all mums, we know that our children will always be our babies no matter what age they are! Chris is my eldest and my only son. He is now married and I am waiting to hear the big news that he is going to be a father.

Here is a layout of Chris aged 4 - he only rarely had a sad face but it usually meant he felt really sad!

This next layout is one page of a double - I am still waiting for Chris to give me back his baby photos so that I can scan and scrap them. It shows his growth over 35 years.

I spent this afternoon at Paper Heaven, with my wonderful friends, doing some scrapping. Each month, for the past 20 months, we have been meeting to focus on an album that is about our lives - we are the About Me group. So, it has been a natural progression for all of us to get to know each other very well and to become buddies! I was doing some photos of 70's weddings! Love the fashions! Will share them when they are complete.

I'm off to complete two cybercrop challenges, courtesy of No Crap Just Scrap and the generous Anna Costello from Anna's Craft Cupboard. I always love a good challenge!

So, till next time ...

Busy, busy, busy!

2008-09-12T08:16:00.004+10:00

Just a quick post before I head of to a meeting with my website developer ... things are now starting to speed up in regards to the web launch after quite a frustrating period of snail pace (well it felt like that to me!) So things have been quite hectic over the past week!

I am now in the process of sending out invitations to some very talented crafters, to join Scrapbook Hub's community. I am also seeking sponsors for a variety of activities and competitions so there is alot of admin work to be done also - oh I wish I had someone who loves doing the detailed stuff that I dislike!

Anyway, it all has to be done so we keep plugging away! I plan to get some scrapping done this weekend - I have some ideas after my Stampin' Up Demo on Monday night. Lots of goodies there to play with and I'm looking forward to my stash arriving!

Hope to have some shares over the next couple of days.

Till then ...

A Happy Father's Day!

2008-09-07T21:25:00.016+10:00

Father, husband, brother, son, son-in-law - to all those males in your life who are 'fathers' - this is a day to honour their influence in our life. At times it will feel positive and at times it may feel challenging, but their influence has a profound effect into developing us into the person we are, right now, today.

I have had the pleasure of sharing today with my father, my brother and my husband and when I reflect on how each of them have shaped my life in some way, I am grateful. Not every moment has been happy and joyful, life is not like that - but I am grateful for the times I have felt challenges because they have provided me with the situation to become a stronger person. I am also grateful for the caring and supportive times because it is in those times I have felt worthy and I have felt loved.

So, today has been the culmination of a busy weekend! We rushed to the hockey final on Friday night (it took us 45 minutes to get from the city to the hockey ground) and the girls played a fantastic game. It went into extra time and the other team (top of the ladder) scored a goal 2 minutes before the final whistle! So, we have no Friday night hockey till next year!

Saturday morning Grace played netball and the team were outstanding, winning very comfortably. Grace played such a solid game in GK! Very proud! I caught up with a girl friend Saturday afternoon. It's so nice to have someone to completely relax with and just chat! Saturday night I spent watching football with my wonderful husband.

Today consisted of time with the men in my family (I have eaten so much!). So, I didn't get the time I anticipated to do the ATC's or any scrapping! But, the personal time can never be re-created, the scrapping time will be!

Here are my shares for tonight - a Paper Bag Baby Album I made a few months ago -

Getting the colour right is still a challenge for me! As I have mentioned before, I scan the layouts and then 'stitch' with PE6. But, even when I play with the colour, it just doesn't turn out to be the vibrancy or tone that it really is. One day I'll get it right!

I love the versatility of the Paper Bag Albums - they can be created into anything! I was having a play with this one and the challenge was to make it neutral so when it is given as a gift, the user can add whatever they need to make it their own - journalling, photographs, memorabilia ... whatever! I am making a Pregnancy Album at the moment - I shall share that when I have completed it!

So, until next time ...

ATC's - Minature Art

2008-09-04T08:13:00.007+10:00

I have been busy - or at least my mind has been busy - working on an ATC set for a swap organised by my amazing friend Joyce, also ATC Swap organiser for the No Crap Just Scrap Group. I participated in one last month which was called 'A Pocketful of Friends'. In this one we made a card representative of our self - this was relatively easy!

Here is my card - on the back I put my details. I haven't received the others' cards yet, they are in the mail as I write!
This month's swap is themed the Beijing Olympic Games. Now this also sounds relatively easy, but we are required to make a set of 3 or 4, which shouldn't be too difficult either. But, being me, I wanted to make sure that I don't duplicate what I anticipate the others will make so I have pondered over how to make my cards differently! I have been told that I make things too complex and I am beginning to believe it!

But, I have decided that it doesn't matter if they are similar to someone else's as my interpretation will be different anyway! I have almost completed one set and I think they look good. I will share when the swap has been completed!

I did get some scrapping done over the past couple of days - with nights in front of the TV (there are some good shows on right now!) in my scrap room are just what the doctor ordered. I am also finding that I am getting my layouts done quicker than I have before so that helps get more completed.

Here are a couple of shares for this post -

This first one is part of the heritage album I am completing about my parent's lives. I don't have all the information about my mother which is a shame. She was an only child and I don't have access to her ancestry as she was Italian and I don't speak the language.

This next one is a Grace layout - she loved performing and is really a Diva!

I hope to get my ATC cards completed this weekend - in between Hockey finals, Netball and Fathers Day Lunch.

So, till next time ...

Officially the Last Day of Winter!

2008-08-31T11:30:00.007+10:00

I know it's all in the mind but it feels good to get the winter behind us. Spring is such a nice time of the year and I look forward to the warmer days and nights, the refreshing spring rains and the glorious abundance of new growth. Here are the blossom trees in our street that are in fine display and driving down the road is a picture of colour and brightness.

I haven't done much creating this weekend - I spent the yesterday with my eldest daughter, Nell, who was having a girlfriend weekend in the city, with an old school friend. It was a wonderful day especially as I don't often get her to myself these days.

Here is a photo of Nell and Ella her eldest daughter -

I also had the misfortune of going to the football this afternoon where the very depleted Bombers were thrashed! Not a good place to be when your team is struggling to be competitive ... well there is always next year! And I'm still smiling ...

Here are some shares for tonight -

These altered journals reflect the simplicity of the beautiful Japanese designs.

I used an image I downloaded from the web, matted the image with black card, then a copper metallic card , and more black and white card behind that. The Chinese coins were added to complete the Asian theme. I also use black elastic to hold the pages closed.

This altered journal was done with Collections chipboard squares and Japanese papers. I used gold card as matting and a golden elasticised hairband to keep the journal shut. I also included a hand-made, large pocket on the inside of the cover for notes and other mementoes.

I hope your weekend was a good one!

Till next time ...

Fantastic Friday

2008-08-29T13:38:00.011+10:00

Why fantastic? Because the weekend is here and that means I get to play and create more! It's also fantastic because the glorious sun is shining, it is a beautiful 18 degrees outside and the flowering blossom trees are looking absolutely majestic. Yesterday, I struggled to get warm, today the heaters are turned off! Ahhh, that's Melbourne for you!

Speaking of Melbourne, here is a double layout I did showing part of a tour with a visitor from the UK. We went on a boat cruise down the Yarra and across the bay to Williamstown. On our return to Southbank, we sat riverside and watched the night descend over the Yarra River. The thousands of lights on the calm water looked magical.

I am working through a stack of photos of Grace and here are a couple of layouts I have completed recently.

I found the quotes on Teen Angel on a 'Communicating With Teenagers' website - if you have teenagers, I'm sure they will make you chuckle too!

Grace is so shy (NOT!) ... I am forever finding self portraits on my computer that she has taken with Photo Booth. It is a nifty little Mac program that can do some interesting things with the photographs it takes. Here is an example -

I love the way she just plays with these programs and comes up with really interesting poses and photos. She's not afraid of testing technology!

I got a bit of a surprise yesterday - we have just about used our quota of downloading and uploading from the internet - 95% of 30G! I never thought that would be possible! But, after making enquiries, I was told things such as My Space (everyone with a teenager knows this one!), Facebook and You Tube and music downloads really guzzle up the data allowance. But sadly, I also found out that Radio broadcasts and Podcasts are also culprits! I love listening to the different music stations from iTunes, with no ads too!

Recently I have also been listening to and watching Oprah and Eckhart Tolle discussing The Power of Now and A New Earth. Very interesting! But now I will have to be aware of my internet usage habits and start playing my CD's more often!

Till next time ...

Farewell Beijing!

2008-08-24T23:03:00.008+10:00

I have been fascinated by the Olympics over the past two weeks - I shall be lost without them now! The courage and determination of all the athletes has absolutely amazed me, especially those who have made many sacrifices to get to where they are in their sports. I previously hadn't thought about what it costs - physically, emotionally and financially - until I listened to some of them speak about what they, and their families, have had to put in to getting them to Olympic standard. Not alot of athletes have financial sponsorship that allows them to lead a life of luxury (as the US Basketball Team!)

But, I shall get off my soap box and continue to marvel at the dedication of these amazing human beings, for the next little while at least! Then, it will be another four years tiill we remember them again, hello London!

My creating this weekend has been limited as we have had interstate visitors and spent some time visiting some of our beautiful city sights - I do love the diversity of Melbourne! I did manage to finish two layouts this weekend, that I had started a while ago. So, another lot done for Grace's album.

Here are my shares for this blog entry -

With the theme of focus and goals, this layout fitted perfectly. Grace edited her own picture using Picasa - I loved the effect that she created and it has made a great layout. She has written her goals on the card hidden behind the photo. I know she will have a chuckle when she re-reads it on a future date! Even now, her goals have changed somewhat! She has a natural talent with the camera - I have been trying to coerce her to do some photography for me. But at 14, she thinks there are other things more important right now!

This layout was scraplifted from a Jen Hall creation. When I saw what she had done, I knew exactly what photos I would be able to use with this layout! I really love her bright layouts and her creative doodling.

Well, back to the closing ceremony at Beijing.

Till next time ...

Power off!

2008-08-18T09:49:00.004+10:00

Woo hoo ... the fuse just blew, the computer went off and I thought I'd lost this post, but when I turned the computer back on and Firefox restored the session - here it is! What's that about saving your work as you go? Should remember that!

Getting some creative time on a weekend is always a challenge. I am lucky enough to have my own space where I can snatch a few minutes to create - even when we have a house full of visitors. Luckily, it was in-laws (who were here from lunchtime Friday to Sunday afternoon) and they are very understanding!

I actually got to complete two more layouts - one for a NCJS monthly sketch challenge, and the other one is a page for the album I am doing about my parent's lives.

This is the sketch challenge - I really enjoyed this one! Lots of circle cutting!

This one, although alot simpler, was harder to do. I like doing heritage layouts but want to make sure they keep their 'old world' essence but also look fresh. I don't have alot of information regarding this photo so the text is very basic. I am happy with it's simplicity though.

As I was going through documents and photos yesterday afternoon I started to feel quite overwhelmed at the amount of work I still have to do. Actually, I shouldn't call it work! I love spending time sorting, re-arranging, browsing, pondering and then to the final creation and its completion! Oh what a feeling! I know that I will never be bored as I will always have some scrapping or card making to do!

Here are another couple of layouts I did after our tour of inner city laneways, searching the street art of Melbourne.

Well, how do you eat an elephant? Chunk by chunk of course! So, when a daunting task is in front of you, just attack it bit by bit!

So, till next time ...

Break Time!

2008-08-14T17:18:00.006+10:00

I so need a break from working at the computer - my neck and shoulders end up feeling cramped up and tense. I need to keep remembering to stretch and also to sit properly but I get so engrossed in what I am doing that the time just goes by. Rather than doing stretches every hour, it's my neck that tells me it's time to stop and move.

Of course it doesn't help that I keep having to twist to watch the TV - the Olympic Games telecast is must-do viewing right now isn't it! I do find myself watch sports that I would never normally be interested in. Funny about that! There is so much happening all the time. The women's swimming relay this morning was so exciting! Go Aussies! I loved the reaction the girls had when they'd finished in world record time! Third gold for Stephanie Rice - boy has she got it made now - but not after alot of hard work and sacrifice.

I got this photo from the internet so I hope I don't get into trouble over copyright!

Here are a couple more layouts that I've done - I love to see the growth my girls go through over the years. Doing layouts that show different years is such good fun.

And it's so nice to reflect on the bond they have had.

Well, I've had my stretch, now back to work!

Till next time ...

Scrap Challenges to Keep Warm

2008-08-11T17:18:00.007+10:00

What can you do on a weekend when the rain is falling, the air is icy and your child cannot play sport because she has a dislocated thumb? Scrap of course! What a perfect weekend to be inside, cosy and warm and creating. The NCJS group held its weekend cybercrop challenges and gave me some inspiration to get some of my 'old' photos ready for albums.

Here are the two challenge layouts -

Our beautiful little dog Molly died earlier this year and it was a bit emotional to re-visit these photos of her as a cute, fluffy puppy.

I still have a few of these photos to scrap - they were professionally done (by a person who wanted to be a photographer) and are very cute! The trouble with alot of our older photos is that they are not very interesting - I think that's where I need to get creative with my layouts!

I have a bit of a dilemma at the moment with getting my photos professionally printed or doing them myself. I scanned a heap of photos from when my eldest two were younger and decided when Harvey Norman had their printing special a couple of weeks ago, I would get them done there. I was very happy with the quality of them.

I do worry that the ones I print will fade quickly and I feel more confident that professionally printed ones will last a lot longer. The only problem with not doing them myself is the limits to the sizing. I guess the jury is still out.

Well, as this week is going to continue to bring blasts of wintery weather to us southerners, I shall continue to make use of my nice, cosy and warm scrap room.

So, watch this space ...

Making Collages

2008-08-08T12:11:00.007+10:00

Isn't it frustrating when you have heaps of great photographs that you can use in a layout, but not the room! I love the look of collages and when I had a PC I used Picasa - a fantastic storage and editing program which is a free download from Google - but now I have my wonderful iMac, I can't use it as it's only for Windows! While surfing the net a couple of days ago I found a program called Posterino, which was very cheap and only available for Macs, but does lots of good things with more than one photo. So now I am now able to create my collages again!

Here is a Christmas 2007 layout I did with the Picasa collage before I got my Mac-

I included some Christmas embellishments and actually raised them using different thicknesses of chipboard.

I saw an idea in a scrap mag where a year of photos were collaged and used in a layout that depicted that year. Posterino has a few options to doing a year's worth of photos - they are called Life Posters. I had a bit of a play with it and here are photos from 2007 -

It even put them into date order! How clever is that! Now, I just need to plan it a bit more and make sure the photos I have are the ones that I want to use for 2007.

Check out either Picasa collages if you have a PC or give Posterino a try - you can scrap events - such as weddings, birthday parties, christmas celebrations; scrap months or years; anything where you have lots of photos that you'd like to display.

Happy scrappin'

Happy Birthday Ella Rose!

2008-08-03T22:00:00.007+10:00

August 3rd is my beautiful grand-daughter's 5th birthday! She is an absolute delight as well as a real chatterbox and organiser! She really enjoys doing craft things, just like her Nannie and her mum, easily spending a couple of hours drawing, painting, cutting and pasting! She loves making cards. I can't wait to spend time with her doing her own scrapbooking. I hope that she had a wonderful Disco Party this afternoon with all her friends!

Here is a layout featuring Ella Rose (photograph courtesy of Rob Lacey, professional photogapher and neighbour.)

I spent yesterday at Paper Squared with some wonderful friends - Dorothy, Wendy and Suzanne. We participated in their Super Demo Saturday and evening crop. It was absolutely wonderful searching through the enormous store - each time I went to look for something for my layout, I came back with so much more. Lucky me won one of the goodie bag give-aways too! Suzanne also was a winner. I think about 6 bags of scrapping stuff was given away and we won two of them - how lucky is that!

The store is a 45 minute drive from home so we made a real day of it, leaving the shop at midnight. I was surprised that I still felt very wide awake even at that time of night - I was grateful as I knew it was a big drive home. By the time I got to bed at 2am, I was ready for a good night's sleep! It was a great day, and evening, with lots of shopping and cropping done by all of us. We have already booked our next day in Mornington in November. I think I'll be more organised this time!

How do others get so many layouts done over a weekend - especially when you are not at home with all your supplies, if anyone can give me some hints I will be most grateful!

Until next time ...

Card Challenge

2008-07-31T16:11:00.015+10:00

When there's a challenge ... what can I do but create! Thanks to the wonderful (and funny) Joyce from Just Joyce I took up the challenge to create a card just using scraps. If you are like me, throwing away anything is very hard - everything can ALWAYS be used, at least that's what I think at the time. But, I do have to get a ruthless otherwise I would have so much scrap junk that there would be little room for anything else! And besides, keeping track of it becomes a nightmare.

So, thank you to Joyce, I grabbed a blank card (which happened to be yellow) and then delved into my scrap drawers and simply created this card.

I very rarely buy cards - it only happens if I am disorganised and run out of time to make one for a special occasion. I love to create a unique card for those people in my life who are important. I also like to have a stock of home made cards on hand. Using up all the bits and pieces that I have and creating some snazzy designs is so fulfilling. And best of all, I love spending time with my beautiful daughter Jenelle, sitting together creating and chatting ...

Why not organise a card making session with friends - each of you brings along your scraps and bits and pieces (ribbon, buttons, odd embellishments etc) to share. Saves having to plan for a crop session and you can get heaps done.

Or, have a Christmas Card crop in the next few weeks - get an early start and avoid the Christmas rush! Here are some I have made from scraps...

Happy scrappin!

Scrappy Weekend Wonders

2008-07-27T21:48:00.007+10:00

It's been a busy weekend and I've managed to complete two more challenges. I am finding it good to have some 'organised' scrapping to do. It makes it easier to do the layout when there is a goal. Yesterday I spent the day at Paper Heaven and apart from having a good chuckle and gossip with my scrapping friends Dorothy, Alex and Lyn, I felt quite productive. Just goes to show what a bit of pre-planning does!!

Here are the challenge layouts I have completed:

One of the biggest problems with uploading layouts is the actual scanning. I find that getting the depth and detail is not always easy get accurately. I have found that my HP Officejet gives quite a good scan and then I use the ArcSoft Panorama Maker program to stitch the images. This is a really easy to use program, available for Windows and Mac, and it is not expensive.

Photoshop Elements 6 also has a Panorama Merge. This is also fairly easy to use if you have this program. This is the one I use with my Mac, but I'm not happy with the quality of my Lexmark scanner. It leaves a shadow and blur in the middle of the scan.

Here are some links to help with scanning and stitching layouts for you to upload:

HP Website and also Two Peas. But if you would prefer to photograph your layouts, check out this article from ScrapJazz - 'Skip the Scanner'.

This week, my goal is to get 10 Christmas Cards done - I was supposed to do 5 last week but time escaped me. I am also eagerly awaiting my new Cuttlebug embossing and cutting folders to use with my 2008 Christmas cards. The newly released range is absolutely fantastic! Check these out - Lace Tree, Christmas Ornaments, Embossing Borders - With Love and Frills and also Embossed Treetops. Hopefully, next Sunday I will be reporting my card completion goal as being achieved!

I used Sizzix Alpha Dies with the Cuttle bug on the weekend and was absolutely delighted with the ease they cut. Think I will check out some of these sets in future - the Cuttlebug Alphas are very limited. Here is a PDF file that explains how to use the other dies in the Cuttlebug machine.

Until next time ...

What an Honour!

2008-07-24T12:02:00.004+10:00

Woo hoo! I've just recieved my very first accolade for my work and I feel both honoured and humble! I belong to the No Crap Just Scrap group and I won the Cybercrop Challenge No.2 for the month of July!

Here is my layout -

The colours in the scan aren't as vibrant as they really are - I need to work out the way to scan properly so that the colour is even and not distorted with the lumps and bumps from the embellishments on the page.

Mothers Day Photo Tag

2008-07-20T22:29:00.005+10:00

This year has been very busy on all fronts, I now have three beautiful grand-daughters to love and to create for. I made a Tag Set for my daughter Jenelle, for Mothers Day. It was so cute and very easy to make - thanks to the Buzz & Bloom 'Tabbed Book Kit:Circles". Here it is ...

Aren't they the most gorgeous girls!! I think so!

STARTING OVER

2008-07-20T22:10:00.010+10:00

Procrastination is such a waste of time and energy - just thinking about doing anything certainly doesn't get anything done ... so I have found out. So, post number three in 10 months, here I come. Boy has alot changed in those 10 months and best of all my dream of having more opportunity to create has been fulfilled.

I am now in the throes of developing my own business, having 'broken' away from working with my husband, Rob. We are still together personally - I have just moved in a different direction professionally and have finally been able to use my skills and creativity in something I am passionate about - scrapbooking and papercrafts.

So, what is it you say? I have developed a website that will provide a pivotal role in promoting and showcasing the Australasian Papercraft Industry ... from designers, manfacturers, distributors, retailers and teachers through to the crafters themselves. Scrapbook Hub is my baby and on September 1st it will be presented to the public. It's all very exciting and very scary at the same time.

It is a very large resource that will focus on user contributions. Over the next few weeks, I will be making calls for contributions ... so watch this space!!

2007-09-20T08:28:00.000+10:00

Life creates lots of opportunities but I know for sure that I am not always consciously aware of what is around me. it's so easy to go with the flow and not stop and take time to really see what is out there.

I was made aware yesterday, by a good friend that we have been given some really great opportunities to promote our business - but we failed to see them! Big wake up call!! Now that we have got our web site online, it is easy to let people know just what we have to offer. We don't have to explain, they can see for themselves.

I am so looking forward to the time I can get away fro the nitty gritty of 'work' and dive into my creating. Spending as much time as I want on my artwork as I wish, interacting with like minded others, sharing, teaching, having fun doing it!!

The time is coming closer. I really want to complete albums for all my children, myself and my parents.

I actually pondered this morning on just what I have achieved this year - craft wise - and I was quite amazed at the quantity of work I have managed to do. So I can say to myself, "Well done! Keep up the good work!"

Till next time ...

I have been playing with making my own transparencies and thought this was perfect for the ultrasound photo.

It's time

2007-09-18T20:34:00.002+10:00

Well, I have finally done it, taken the big step and decided to submit a layout for publication. It's time I put myself out there instead of just looking at everyone else's work and judging my work negatively.

I just love scrapbooking and all the bits that go with it - designing, crafting, colours, connection with past and present, so many gorgeous papers, so many ways to present ideas - and nothing is wrong! It's always so easy to be critical but I have finally got it that there are no mistakes - everything is just as it should be.

And if there are 'mistakes' they can be covered or incorporated into the layout.

I've also discovered card making using scraps, stamps, embellishments, punches, ribbons, buttons ..........

As usual, there is so much I want to do and only a certain amount of time to do it all in! But, I'll keep plugging in there and catch bits of time in all sorts of places!

Cheers for now.

My gorgeous 13 year old Grace