Stamps Ahead

 In September each year Kaszazz issue a new catalogue and a team training day is held to introduce the new products.  This year, however, is different - and the world-wide Covid pandemic has changed all that. Most states in Australia are in lockdown and it impossible to get together as we normally would.   Whilst official events will not be running, consultants have decided to hold a challenge (usually set by Head Office) using any of our large background stamps.  Here is what I have come up with. The background stamps I have used are French Script Background (4926Q) stamped with Archival Ink Watering Can (AID39006) and Papillon Background (6600Q) stamped with Aquamarine Archival Ink (AIP30577).  The greeting is from Word Montage - Hero (6623M).  The die is Die-Layered - Butterfly (7926). Thank you for looking.  Margaret

White with 1 winter cybercrop challenge No1 was to use the colour Smokey Blue/Grey and fabric.  Here is my layout  My photograph was taken during a Danube River dusk/evening cruise in Budapest.  It was winter and it was cold!!  This cruise is one of the highlights of my travels across the world.  You may recognise this as the Parliament building. On the way back the building was illuminated and that is another 'wonder' moment. I have used Kaszazz stamps from Destinations collection and a small amount of paper from Writers Block Collage pad.  The fabric is calico that I sprayed with Dylusions Pure Sunshine ink spray then lightly washed and allowed to dry. I also frayed the fabric and used the threads as to give added wistfulness to the beautiful scene. The background is texture paste coloured with Stormy Sky distress oxide ink. Thank you for looking and remember - never lose your sense of Wonder - wherever and whenever we can!   Margaret

 Way back on 8th May, 2007 I started this blog.  It has been a journey of change and experiences that I never ever thought I would have.  Thank you to those who have read my blog and I hope there are still some out there who do.  For my 1,000th post my scrapbook layout is about change. Like the quote here, that I found on the internet - If I never changed from how I did things back in 2007 I would not have grown as an artist, teacher or indeed as a person. I have been retrenched (not the worst thing in the world as it turned out), travelled extensively, had my own business, worked in a call centre or two, went back into a financial role, left became a carer, and then working in China teaching English for a year. Moved to Central Coast of NSW.  Finally, retirement! Retirement - never!!  Not afraid of change!!  This week, I even started a Facebook group so that ladies in my classes can share what they have been doing and connect during the lockdown here in NSW. This layout was for a chal

Today, I am participating in a Winter Cyber Crop at White with 1 challenges .  Here is my layout: The challenge was to be inspired by the photo below using colour of your choice and to include stitching I was inspired by the grid pattern and the sashing lines on the photo.   In September, 2019 I took a holiday to Uluru - and one of the things that I did was go on an early morning sunset tour of Uluru.   I have loved these photos but could never get the inspiration to do justice to them on a scrapbook layout.  This was the challenge for me to use them.  There is a fabulous quote (anon) that is very apt as Australia works it's way out of our pandemic lockdown: May every sunrise bring you hope. May every sunset bring you peace. What is not too clear on my layout is that I have placed a very old metal embellishment "HOPE"  top left that I found in my stash.  Thank you looking, Margaret

I am often asked 'where do you get your ideas?"  One method is to seek out a sketch and start from there. Here is a card I made yesterday: Where did I get my inspiration?  Firstly I searched the internet "free card sketches" and I found this sketch here . You can also find sketches in magazines or books available from your local library. Sketches can take the guesswork out of designing cards. You can get amazing results by flipping or stretching the sketch. For my Christmas card  I “stretched” into a rectangle card.   My card uses Kaszazz products - background paper is from Christmas Morning collection (I love all the papers in this collection) called Vanilla (5760), SB Essentials Evergreen (1086) and Crimson (1069). The stamps I have used are from Word Montage - Christmas Morning (6013M - 6 versatile stamps), stars are from Santa Down Under (6448M also includes Santa in sleigh pulled by Kangaroos) and the Christmas Tree is from a recently released set called Stamp V

I recently watched a video by a fellow Kaszazz consultant Julie Whitechurch where she demonstrated a great way to make to make your own backgrounds on paper.   Here is what I came up with Basically the technique using Distress Inks and Distress Oxide Inks applied to paper with a dry brush to create a checkerboard pattern (leaving white space) then embossing over the top using Embossing Ink applied with a ruler edge - see top right.  I then decided to use a ruler and the edge of an acrylic block.  Next, I decided that I would see what it looked like using Scarlet Distress Mixed Media Embossing Powder and Black Embossing Powder.  Love the result and when I do it next I will not leave as much white space.  I have left a thank you to Julie for the inspiration.  Check out her video, link attached above.  Now to make make into Christmas cards. Thank you for looking, Margaret

Lockdown in Greater Sydney continues.  Here is a card I made to send to my niece and her family to say I am thinking of them. I wanted a card that would put a smile on the face of my great-nephew when he opened the mail.  I also put in a couple of magazines for them all. The cute bear is from Kaszazz Spring Meadow Friends Un-cut set (6 stamps), the leaves are from Spring Meadow Sprigs Un-cut 6 set (3 stamps) and the background stamp is Floorboard Background   I have coloured with alcohol markers but any colouring medium would work.  I wanted a bright and happy images. My thanks also go to Janene Neale, a fellow Kaszazz consultant as I drew inspiration from cards that she created to make mine.  I have sent her an email in thanks. I am a Kaszazz consultant and if you would like to order any of the products offered by Kaszazz please visit my website  www.kaszazz.com/cart?consid=110787 Thank you for looking, Margaret

 Here is a layout I have created using all Kaszazz products available from Kaszazz.   I drew inspiration from a layout I created 3 days ago.  There is space for journalling on the tag and underneath the photo.  Spring is coming - my mini daffodils are blooming this morning and look top right the first freesia has arrived as well. Thank you for looking, Margaret I am a Kaszazz consultant and if you are interested in purchasing any of the products available from them please visit my website   www.kaszazz.com/cart?consid=110787  spend over $99 you get free postage and the products will be delivered direct to you.

I recently wrote about a Blind Challenge I was doing with Unmistakeable Creations.  I was lucky enough to win a great paper set by AB Studios called Old Dreams.  Here is a mixed media layout I created with the papers and other bits and pieces from my stash:  The photograph of me was taken on 19th July as I was going out for my second Covid-19 jab.  As we were (and are currently) lockdown so I decided to get "dressed up" for my journey out of the house.   Thank you for looking. Take care all. Margaret