Stamps Ahead

One of the joys of doing a scrapbook cruise is that I get to make Artist Trading Cards (ATC's) to swap with others on the cruise.  Here are mine for the latest cruise I am taking. It is not compulsory to make ATC's, however I do like to make one for each person and the class leaders.  This time 30 cards.   Here are some close ups of some of the cards. A great way to use scraps of paper to make circles, chipboard and wood veneer from my stash and finally a piece of cheesecloth under the chipboard and wood veneer and a Tim Holtz chipboard finishes off my ATC's. Thank you for looking.  I will finish with a saying that I found online and added to the back of each ATC. Thank you for looking.   "Life is a circle.  The end of one journey is the beginning of the next."    Joseph M. Marshall 111 Update: Due to mechanical problems (Azipods) on the Anthem of the Seas our 27th January cruise to South Island of New Zealand has been cancelled....

 My first ever layout for CSI challenges - No 469 January 2026. Here is my layout  Here is the inspiration photo  Here are the clues  I was inspired by the photo and the story of then and now. I used case file colours (there is tangerine on background cardstock (CS) I used), sticky notes and a journalling prompt - what word/s would you bring into the new year. The photo was taken by my sister during dinner on The Anthem of the Seas cruise we took in November 2025, and it reminded me of the inspiration photo.  I handmade sticky notes from patterned paper (PP) and underneath each note I journalled following the words I added to the notes.  I used items from my stash to finish this layout. Thank you for looking and happy new year as we move into 2026.   Margaret

Ahoy , this layout was created for one word challenge over at Soul Scrappers Challenges . The choice of letters this month were K, V or A. Of course, I went with A or AHOY!  These photos were taken in November when my sister and I (the 2 small photos) were taking a scrapbook class with Unmistakeable Creations  as we journeyed towards Eden on the South Coast of New South Wales aboard The Anthem of the Seas.   All papers (excluding the 2 plain cardstock) and embellishments are from Unmistakeable Creations Cruise Control collection.   AI generated: "Ahoy" can be a playful greeting, a quirky conversation starter, or a nautical-themed twist in everyday interactions . Margaret

Inspired by 12 days of Scraplift 2025 - Day 1. Find the challenge over at Scrap Squad on Facebook.  I created this layout. The photo of my sister and I, taken by on-board photographer, last weekend during our 3-night scrapbooking cruise on The Anthem of the Seas Sydney > Eden > Sydney.  Papers and embellishments were created especially for the cruise are from Unmistakeable Creations and they will be released to the public at some time in the future. You can see from the inspiration photo below that I adapted the layout to be able to put on the larger photo without losing the essence of the grid design. Thank you for looking more layouts from our cruise adventure to come.  Margaret

I have just returned from a 4 day/3-night cruise to Eden on the South Coast of New South Wales. One of the fun things we can participate in is to create Artist Trading Cards (ATC's) to swap on the cruise.  Firstly, I used a collection of spray inks to create backgrounds, then I cut them up into 3" x 4" cards.  This size is smaller than regular ATC's for ease of displaying in our scrapbooks. I then applied strips of black cardstock to left side. I wanted some more texture on the ATC's so I used the spray inks on white cheesecloth, allowed it to dry and then cut and distressed the cloth.  These I placed behind the focal points and greeting on each card.  I used Tim Holtz idea-ology Paper Ladies and Chit Chat stickers on my cards.   If you look closely, you may be able see that I have displayed them on a very old metal travelling box that belonged to my grandparents.  Here are some close up. I loved the last image - ready to embark on her voyage of discov...

Hillbilly Scrappin' has a virtual retreat called Merry & Bright Downunder coming up.  There was a warm-up challenge before the event starts.  The challenge was  ... " create something merry… without using traditional Christmas colours".  Here is what I created We could make a small background, tag, journal page, card front - using no red, no green, and no snowflakes! Think Aussie summer colours, beach days, faded eucalyptus, ice-cream pastels, sunburnt skies..or anything not a usual Christmas palette.  There was an optional extra challenge to add one that that says Aussie Christmas - a gum leave, thongs, flies, maybe a cold drink ring mark on the page.. interpreted however you wanted.  As you see I created a square card front. I must admit that I sat on this challenge for at least 3 weeks - nothing would come to me - and then this morning I went to my Colour Cube box and selected a card that inspired me. I loved the leaves strung along the line and the ...