Stamps Ahead

Inspired by a You Tube video from Natasha at Treasure Books I decided to have a go at making some whimsical tags.  I had Christmas scrapbook paper and scraps sitting on my table They are all different sizes approximately 3" x 5" in size (7.5cm x 13cm). They did not take long to create.  Great to use in a junk journal as tags, journalling spots or attached with paper clips.  Why not for Christmas tags to add to gifts or hung on a tree. My sister chose the bottom one and she will add to her 2024 Christmas journal. Just how easy is it to get side-tracked I was clearing up my craft stash and came across these papers - of course had to stop and make these tags!  Cleaning up can wait!!!   Thank you, Treasure Books for the inspiration and thank you to my readers - Merry Christmas to you and yours. Margaret Whimsical (adjective) playfully quaint or fanciful, especially in an appealing and amusing way.

 Here are the two other layouts I created whilst on the recent crop evening Inspired by a layout in a long ago Kaisercraft magazine and using up bits and pieces in my stash.  The photos are of Flatford Mill in Suffolk, UK.   John Constable painted his famous painting "The Hay Wain" here. A quick and easy layout - using strips of 6" x 6" (15cm x 15cm) strips of paper cut into random sizes  A great way to use up those paper pads in your stash - use the embellishments at rear of most of the pads for extra decoration.   Photo taken at Clacton-on-sea in UK, when we were visiting our 2nd cousin and we met up with her for dinner.  Thank you for looking.   Margaret

On Saturday 29th November, I went on a 24 hour crop with The Central Coast Croppers Group.  Here is what I created:  My sister and I at what became the start of our "scone journey" through England, Scotland and Wales in April/May this year.  Here we are Windsor Farm Shop, Windsor UK.  I have used Bee Arty "Full Circle" kit.  I did add some of my own stamps, stencil and modelling paste.  Inspired by a layout on Bee Arty Creative Group Facebook paper by Julie Schinkel.  I have used Bee Arty papers from their newest collection - Addicted to Grunge.   Tarrah McLean created this layout and included in our cost were the supplies to create it.  I followed instruction - no diversions!!!  As I type I see that the string of one of the decorations has fallen off - okay need to fix that NOW. We were also set 2 optional challenges - see above.  Now of course, I was prepared to do non-Christmas layouts - luckily there was a fellow cropper se...

My swap partners "blind date with a book" package arrived today, from Adelaide SA. Here are some photos: Brown paper packaging with stamped images, and pockets full of embellishments.                                The book was a 1978 edition of The Country Diary of an Edwardian Lady. These books are rare to find and so much loved by junk journalers around the world.  Also shown some of the embellishments from the pocket on the wrapping. My swap partner also included a little extra folio of goodness. The photo below shows the inside with lots of tags and pockets. I was overwhelmed to receive all these goodies and have sent thanks to her.  I will spend many an hour going through these looking more closely at each and every page.   Thank you for looking, Margaret

Here is what was in my package to my blind date with a book partner, a long post follows: Book packed in pretty brown paper from my stash.  I have used Tim Holtz Thinlets 662697 die to create the pocks on the front of the package.  Also shown are instructions to book partner and a small bag of additional bits and pieces for her to use. There is a small journal card, a small book, a bookmark (that could be used as a belly band or to create clusters and tucks.  There is also a selection of ribbons and lace I decorated some of the pages in the small book. Stencils had a great highlight to plain pages. Great pianola paper with words and numbers on it. A tuck with a couple of small cards that can be added to the journal. Another stencil to fill a plain page. Front and back pages of book.  This is a great way to use sentiment sheets that often come with paper packs. Folded it is 3" x 4" approx.  Here is the blind date book I sent: Full of quotes - one per page.  ...

I am participating in a "blind date with a book" challenge over at  Junk Journal Fix with SunflowersAndDors!   It is like a regular blind date where you don't know what you're getting until you get there - but with books!! And to make it even more interesting, someone else make the choice for you! Here is my book packaged ready for postage tomorrow to my swap partner in Adelaide, SA. Some hints as to the book I have sent: Inspired by a movie you may have seen and loved. Draw inspiration Words to live by Principles to live by A year-long adventure I will post what is inside when my blind date with a book partner has received her package. Thank you for looking, Margaret

Another layout for the numbers and letters cyber crop with White with 1 Challenges . Challenge 1 BIG LETTERS. In May this year I visited with my friend Kathy in Florida USA.  On 16/5/2024 we went to one of the recreation centres in The Villages where she lives to play Bingo - her regular table players welcomed me and were very interested in Australia, several having visited over the years. It cost US$17 for two cards plus several smaller cards. Very different to how I remember playing Bingo in the past and it took me a bit of time to get the gist of the games.  It was fun and much laughter.  I did not win but Kathy and several of the other ladies were lucky.  We did go back later during my visit again no wins! The only big letters I had in my stash were these from many years ago and as I did not have an entire alphabet had to make some creative adjustments.   Thank you for looking, Margaret

White with 1 challenges , had a Letters and Numbers Cyber Crop last weekend with entries due by today.  Well, it has been a hectic couple of weeks and I could only manage one entry this time around: This was for Challenge 2 - Highlight numbers.   This is my Great Nephew (aged 6.5 years old) and he is showing a great aptitude and love of Maths.  He started school this year and they are not even up to doing Math at the level he is showing.  He has a large book, his Mum (our niece) sets the problems to be solved and he is off.  When we caught up for dinner last weekend he was able to finally get "5" around the right way - so it was high 5's all around.  And, he loves to read as well as you can see by the books on the table - currently he likes books about rocks and science!  Proud Great Aunty here!  The coloured chipboard was a challenge trying to get it to match the shirt - there is 4 layers of different oxide inks and I still not get the colou...