Stamps Ahead

 Have you heard of paper netting?  I came across a video by Francisca Nunes where she explained and demonstrated her technique. Here is an art piece I made for a warm up challenge at Hillbilly Scrappin' for the upcoming virtual retreat.  This will be a long post - I hope you stay with me. I had not heard of this technique, and it reminded me of when I made patchwork quilts (the stitching of course). The paper here is a page from The Country Diary of Edwardian Lady by Edith Holden  I placed onto a paper bag, which I have left open as I intend that this will be a cover for a junk journal - cardboard can be tucked into the bag to make it more rigid. Now, I got to this by experimenting and I have included my inspiration  Many years ago, my sister gave me an old hexagon quilt top she had found - I would say probably fabric from the 1960's.  It has sat in my quilt collection for many years and as soon as I saw this technique it reminded me of the quilt. A few pho...

 This weekend I attended the inaugural ScrapKat's retreat in Goulburn, NSW.  The landscape garden features a stationery Southern Aurora Railway carriage on its own private railway platform. Here are layouts I completed - sorry/not sorry long post: For a challenge over at Soul Scrappers - One word title starting with either 'D', 'A' or 'S'. Photos from my time in Florida in 2024 with my friend Kathy - taken a few different places.  The bottom left photo was a 'highway' of alligators, I had never seen so many together. Completed for challenge with Hillbilly Scrappers - a virtual mixed media retreat starts at end of the month and this was a warm up challenge - Monochromatic.   Photo taken last year, again in Florida when we visited Russell Stover Chocolates outlet. They are the makers of Whitmans Chocolates that are available in Australia and were a favourite many years ago.  Yes, I did purchase a supply. Completed this over the weekend - a layout desig...

Here is my 2nd Blind Scrap challenge that I completed with Hillbilly Shenanigans prior to last weeks virtual retreat. I will admit I got a little confused with mat placement and I hear you say 'you have 3 matted photos!' there was originally only 2 matted photos. Well, as Michael Crawford (no relation) would say "I had an oopsy" with some stamping, so rather than toss the lot decided an extra photo would cover it up! I used some last remaining sheets of Kaisercraft Magnolia collection that had the flowers and leaves that required fussy cutting. Photos are from my trip to UK last year from top right Stoke-on-Trent, Chester and Jane Austen Museum in Bath. Thank you for looking, Margaret

Over the next 3 days I am participating in a virtual scrapbook event. Here is the layout from the class I did today. The retreat is being hosted by Hillbilly Scrappin' - The Great Papercraft Caper Virtual Retreat. The tutor for this class was Jo Johnson from 3Quarter Designs and the collection is called Mocha Fix. The photos were taken when my sister and I were in Bath, UK last year and we headed out for breakfast on our 2nd day to a local cafe - I know not 2pm as my clock face shows on the layout - a little bit of creative licence.  My sister loves her coffee, and I am a tea drinker. She gave the coffee a thumbs up!  Thank you for looking, Margaret.

 This layout has been created as the result of a challenge - create a layered embellishment suitable for a boy and then use on a layout. One of the things I have been doing recently is going through my stash trying to use it up or donate or send for recycling or donation.  I found in my stash as I was doing this the leftovers of CeleB8 Take Note collection (many years old). I firstly made the embellishment Using Kraft cardstock and my We are Memory Keepers Envelope board I created a 6" x 4" envelope and then decorated it layers of the bits and pieces in the kit and finished up with some white splatters. I used a magnet to create a closure for the envelope. Also, I found a small book that I started many years ago so this I put in the envelope - just put a piece of chipboard to make it easier to remove from the envelope. The photo on the layout is off my great nephew on his first day back at school in 2025.  Thank you for looking, Margaret

 A Clean and Simple scrapbook layout with the challenge to use no tools - no scissors, no rulers, no cutters, no die cut machines, you get the picture. Glue and tape allowed.  Here is my layout I can't tell you how many times I said "Margaret you idiot - you can't use scissors, etc".  I have just about finished the 49 and Market Art Options Spice papers and embellishments. Okay, I was not strong and did buy another kit of the paper and embellishments!!! I love it so much. I was tempted to use black pen to outline the layout - but alas a pen is a tool! The photo was taken at Cody's Restaurant, The Villages, Florida - my friend Kathy (right) invited a friend of hers who lives in both Australia and US to join us and we spent much time talking and eating. Thank you for looking, why not try to challenge yourself to use no tools. Margaret #calvinball #calvinball2025 #scraphappy