Stamps Ahead

A layout for the "It's 5 o'clock somewhere" challenge at Paper Issues (Friends and Fans) facebook page: The challenge was to create a paper project using 2 alpha fonts; chipboard - I used Kaszazz chipboard and coloured with Plum Archival Ink; Florals; Patterned paper only; black and white photo. Papers and stickers are from Kaisercraft Treasured Moments collection and flowers and wood veneer from my stash. About the photo - in February US-owned General Motors announced it was pulling the plug on its Australian operations and this saw the end of on our most iconic brands.  The 160 year old Holden name, as much a part of our cultural fabric as meat pies, football and kangaroos. Our family car, at one stage, was the one in the photo - it had a pink strip along its side - sorry don't know the model number. The photo shows from left - me (aged about 15); my sister (aged about 13) and our brother (aged about 10) in the drivers seat.   It was taken in the backyard ...

My second layout for challenge over at Paper Issues (Friends and Fans) facebook page. My name is Margaret and I am a reader!!!   The top photo shows books lined up ready to be read (confession - I have more in another room) and I am currently reading Obsession by Jonathan Kellerman which seemed quite appropriate when I saw the title and description of this challenge. Twitterpated - Create a paper project about something you are obsessed with or make a layout about something or somebody you are obsessed with. In another ironic moment ABC news on-line just published an article From crime fiction to true crime - why we cant get enough of the genre.   I have added extracts of that article to my page.   On the tag I have written: I like most genres of books, except Sci-Fi, Fantasy etc. My favourite genre would be crime! Is it because I am the daughter of a policeman?  I am also obsessed by crime shows - on Investigation & Discovery and Crime Channel.  I like...

Today, I am completing some challenges over at Paper Issues (Friends and Fans) facebook page - Spring 2020 Crop.  Okay, so in Australia it is not spring but that does not matter.  This layout is for "Over the Rainbow" The challenge was to create a paper project using a rainbow, a Paper Issues cut file or rainbow colours. This photo was taken on 16th March as I was driving back to my home along the road that passes the beach.  For those who don't know, this is Ocean Beach on Central Coast of NSW, it is just up the road from home - walking distance.  I feel truly blessed that this is on my doorstep.  I stopped to capture the rainbow as it dipped into the water. The rain fell as I was taking the photo. I debated for some time if I was going to use rainbow colours, but they just did not suit this photo so went with a moody capture of what I saw.    The papers are Kaszazz and all the bits and pieces came from my stash. Thank you for looking. I will be...

No so much of a craft day today - the assignment "Open an atlas, pick a random destination, and write 3 lines about what you think it looks like there."  How appropriate.   Now I do not own an atlas so rather than pick a random destination, I chose one of my favourite cities - Paris or more specifically The Eiffel Tower.  I have visited several times and this photo I took on a visit in 2012. Here is what I wrote: Paris a beautiful city and you cannot but be entranced by The Eiffel Tower.  I think at this time of coronavirus pandemic it is desolate, alone and dark.  It will like everything bloom again when the time is right. Another photo from my 2012 visit to Paris. Imagine it now without the people - Paris 2020. Thank you for looking, Viva La France,  Margaret

Day 3 assignment is to take a photo in the same spot for a week.  I have decided location, being encouraged to stay home during the pandemic proved interesting, as I would normally chose the beach at end of my street. Stay tuned for end of 7 days. Day 4 is to make a flower out of everyday materials: newspaper, packaging, wrapping paper etc. Here is the flower I created: Now I can hear you say Margaret has made these before!  Yes, I have however this time there is a difference.  Let me tell you how I went about it: First, I started with something completely different to make when I saw a flower made with book paper made by Cynthia Shaffer on Pinterest from 2011. I selected papers from an old Mrs Beeton's Cookbook. And following instructions coated both sides of paper with Mod Podge, instructions said matt but I only had clear.  This made the paper feel leathery....I liked it! The next step was to create Cynthia's flower.....a terrible result....straight i...

From My Flow Keep Calm Daily Craft Book - Day 2 was to make your own stamp (out of an eraser or potato) and print a pattern.  I diverged slightly not wanting to use a potato and did not have a larger eraser and went for a background print created with an acrylic block and rubber bands. I then created a card. Large acrylic block with rubber bands.  I did not mind that they twisted more texture. Stamped with Ranger Distress Oxide inks (shabby shutters and wild honey) into a somewhat random pattern- the good thing is that you get to use both sides of the block. This is the card I created with my background.  For the flowers I used Ranger Distress Oxide Ink - wilted violet and twisted citron, I firstly stamped and then sprayed water onto the image.  The flowers and die(Peony) and the with love die are all available from Kaszazz. Now for the a good thing - wash your acrylic block with water, dry and then you are good to create with colours.  That is what I...

Just 4 weeks ago I was in Coffs Harbour area. I picked this book up, put it down, picked it up again where it was for sale in a Moonee Beach newsagency. I purchased it and packing up the suitcase I took today I found it - did I know something was on the horizon? So determined to start today. Lots of crafty experiences to come my way via this book - looking ahead at some make a collage out of fabric scraps, make a composition using washi tape, write poetry, and Day 2 make a stamp. Off to find a postcard from my stash!. Follow along with me as I try one day at a time - warning I may skip those that don't inspire me on that day and find one in the book that will !!! Today, I day to remember. Not just that our dad would have been 100 today but also the postcard tells about my workmates journey around London - the museums, galleries etc.  They will still be there when all this is over.  I did not stick the postcard down rather put it into a clear envelope so those w...

Here are a couple of cards that I made with my card ladies last Friday.  It will be the last classes that are conducted at the local community centre for some time, following guidelines set for social distancing and care at this time. Poppy card uses the spotlight technique.  The stamp is a long retired Stampin' Up! stamp called Pleasant Poppies.  It is not my original design, I found similar card on the internet (sorry can't find original post - I will continue to look) I did update it with a small dot stamp I have and different embellishments.  We used alcohol ink markers to colour the image.  The stamps used on this card are available with Creative Stamping magazine Issue 82.  I know as soon as I saw this card on the inside it was one I wanted to share with my ladies, who rushed out and purchased their copy after class.  Whilst in Australia we may not have this exact view anywhere, I believe it is timeless. Both of these cards are going to a...

Here is another layout I completed today.  The photos were taken at McMasters Beach in February as my sister and I and a friend enjoyed morning tea overlooking the ocean. I was on pinterest and somehow I got onto stash busting layouts and I found one that gave me inspiration for this layout.  I was on Lasting Memories blog and I was inspired by the banners and the note paper punching on the right side of Lesley's layout. I have left some thanks on the blog for her. Papers are from several piles of paper I have laying around - the eagle eyed my spot some Kaisercraft (papers,stickers and rhinestones) and some very old Stampin' Up papers. This is another layout that I am putting into Calvinball 2020 and here are the 'rules' I used. Single page layout Shared with Calvinball2020 facebook page Added to pinterest Circles Handwritten journaling (it is there snippet of today)  Multiple photos Green - stickers that have wording on them Woodgrain paper (temporary ru...

Here is a layout I have created with leftovers, plus other bits and pieces, from my previous double page layout of today.  Again inspired by a layout by Erin Bruton from Celebr8. My sister, brother and sister-in-law and I first arranged to get together with my niece (my brother's daughter), little Oscar and her partner to celebrate birthdays and Christmas in December. Well, fate had a big say in that - the devastating fires NSW had in December caused us to postpone until January and we arranged to meet approx. halfway at Berowra from where we lived. Well, yes fate had another plan - my sister had an unexpected trip to hospital so we postponed until February.  Yes, we eventually all met up in Berowra for lunch - I will say it was raining unceasingly that day - but we were all determined that it would happen. We had great laughs as we exchanged gifts in the middle of the restaurant - Christmas had come!! Here is Oscar writing! Well attempting to. The paper with the pencil...

I recently attended workshops using Celebr8 papers and embellishments at Scrapbook Confetti Box in Swansea, NSW.  The classes were led by Erin Bruton from South Africa and Jenny Heslip Australian distributor for Celebr8.  Here is a double page layout designed and led by Erin: Double page layout, lots of stencilling with texture paste, chipboard, printed acetate and fussy cutting. The range is called YOU WERE BORN FOR THIS. Close up of left hand page.  My great-nephew Oscar is growing up so quickly and getting his own personality.  Right hand page.  In a pocket I have this photo of me with Oscar. On the back is this great quote by Dr. Seuss. Thank you for looking.   Margaret