Stamps Ahead

Here is a layout I have completed today for a challenge over at Pixels and Paper challenge blog : And here is the inspiration photo: The criteria was anything goes but tell us how you were inspired by the photo. I found this challenge a challenge (if that makes sense) I did not have any wintery type photos, and certainly  had none that featured an umbrella.  Okay, Margaret do not be so literal.   I went for a black and white background - that if you look closely could be rain!! I had a photo taken New Years Eve this year (technically 31st December, 2014), it was a dull and overcast evening,  looking towards Gosford from Koolewong (on the Central Coast of New South Wales) and so I decided that I would put strips of brightly coloured paper down to resemble the large firework burst on the photo.  It was looking a bit flat so I wet the ends of the strips and wrapped around a toothpick to curl the ends.  See close-up below.  I ha...

This layout was completed for a challenge over at The Memory Nest - Make it Monday 43.                             These photos were taken in April when the Book Club I go to had a weekend away at The Blue Mountains in New South Wales, Australia.  Each of us supplied and cooked the evening meal for each night we were away.   On this night Janet (on the right) finished off her meal with miniature cheesecakes for dessert - now I am not a big fan of cheesecake and so Janet decided to play mother and insisted she feed me - "open up here comes the aeroplane!!!"  Well did we laugh and of course someone had to just run and get there camera!!!   I have followed the sketch quite closely and left it rather plane ooops that should have been plain!!! - as the photos really tell the story.   Here is the sketch: Why not ...

Yesterday, I had the opportunity to spend most of the day creating.  Here are some pages I have created for challenges over at Soul Scrappers: This was for challenge CC44 - where we were required to make 3 cards with frames as the main feature. I have called my collection - "Variations on a theme".  I have used Sizzix Photo Frame Die, and Stampin'Up! (r) word dies (never used before and now retired), their beautiful Butterly Die and cardstock.  The patterned paper is from the a range by Inspired by Stamping.  Next is a layout for their MYC19 challenge - Picnic (indoor or outdoor). One beautiful day earlier this year my sister and I decided to pack an impromptu picnic and head to beach for lunch.  Time to relax - just read, walk, and photograph.  Looking forward to more warmer weather shortly after a very cold winter here in Australia. The next layout was for Challenge FS2S8 Surf's Up challenge. For this one I went for a double...

This photograph has come out much lighter than in real life - camera must be reacting to all the cold weather we are having here in Australia at present!!!   That is my excuse and I am sticking with it!!! I was inspired by a layout from 2012 by Veronica Goh - thank you Veronica I have left some love on her page.   I just loved the simple title (Veronica's was Just Breathe) and the distressing.  Recently, I have been inspired by the Butterfly die I have used it here.  I like the size of it - not too big and not too small.  The patterned papers I have used are from Kaisercraft Tea Break range and I also used their brick stencil unto which I dabbed some ink and highlighted with marking pen. The circle with arrow and "remember this" I found here free download - lots of cute sayings in the round. The photograph was taken many years ago when I did a photography course - you can see my old camera bottom left of the photo - I loved that camera....

Next weekend I am hosting an afternoon tea and it is time to get out the 'good cups and saucers" aka Royal Albert crazy sets; the fabric napkins; the cake forks; the best table cloth and china.  I have made a table favour for each person, to take away with them: I first scoured the internet for quotes involving tea and I then printed them onto Very Vanilla cardstock and cut out with Stampin' Up! (r) Deco Labels dies.  I made an envelope for a small packet of tea and to decorate with the wonderful Butterfly Die from SU and all tie together with ribbon. Here are all the elements for the favours - each person will get two of the quotes. Thank you for looking - here are the quotes I used.  Off to have a cup of tea myself now. Have a great week.   Margaret :) "There are few hours in life more agreeable than the hour dedicated to the ceremony known as afternoon tea."   Henry James, 'The Portrait of a Lady' "If you are cold, tea will warm...