Stamps Ahead

The weekend I am participating in an on-line virtual retreat with Hillbilly Scrappin"  called Do you see what I see (DYCWIS). I have signed up for several of the classes.  Here is a journal page I have created with a class led by Marlene of ART BY MARLENE (ABM). A little out of my comfort zone - but hey need to do that sometimes!   Mostly using paints and pencils from my stash.  I did use ABM Paper Pad Multi Color Madness (ABM-26-DPP417) and ABM Sticky Multi Glue 28ML - all available from Hillbilly Scrappin'. We were encouraged to free-hand draw our options for how we would tackle this - Marlene provided some examples in her video.  Well, all I can say is I could not draw regular looking faces - below see how I started off - scary stuff!!!  I was inspired by a kid's You-tube!! On the right I tried another drawing same as the first by cut down middle! Scarier!!!   So, I was not happy - so I went with geometric shaped face and features!  ...

 This is a layout I have created using Unmistakeable Creations Aussie Adventure collection. Last month I visited The Australian Age of Dinosaur Museum in Winton, Queensland.  This board, located just outside the Museum, is updated daily with the latest fly warnings - lucky for us there were not many of them this day however it was windy!.    Patchwork/quilters may recognise that my grid is a pattern called "Shoo Fly" it seemed appropriate for this layout.  Thank you for looking, Margaret

Here is a layout I have completed for White with 1 challenges . The March challenge was to use white with green and twine. In May 2024, I spent time with my friends in Doniphan, Missouri.  Their property is largely self-sufficient, they grow vegetables, mushrooms and more and they have a pig that is raised for meat - this day the time had come to load the pig onto truck for its journey to where it was to be butchered for its meat.  Well, did we have fun that day - the men took charge of transport from pen to truck - requiring many changes of plan of attack. The ladies well we took photos and provided encouragement and laughs along the way. Thank you looking, Margaret

I wanted to share with you something I have been working on. One of the artists I follow on-line recently had a quote "Your art does not need a purpose." I loved that saying so decided to finish this portrait style accordion journal that I started at beginning of the year and then put aside as I was stuck by my inner artist and began to doubt where I was going with it. This little journal started out as 3 pieces - I decided to join together. Lots of bits and pieces that were laying on my table with mark making, rustic stitching and more. Unfortunately, the white paint pen I used on the black ink shapes did not come out in the photography - trust me there is doodling there! Thank you looking, Margaret

Completed for a challenge over at Soul Scrappers Challenges . The challenge is 'From Screen 2 Scrap".  Here is the inspiration:  The challenge - we are going BOLD and use BOLD patterned paper, BOLD title and two photos that dominate. I used my old Stampin' Up! large letter dies and Vicki Boutin Sweet Rush papers/photo embellishment - the BOLD curves called to mind Sydney Harbour Bridge and Sydney Opera House both visible in the photos of my great nephew and I on the rooftop atop The Rocks Sydney Youth Hostel in December, 2025. Looking for inspiration for your photos to put on layouts why not check out Soul Scrappers Challenges with the link above. Thank you for looking, Margaret

 Another layout for CSI Challenge 468 - January 2026. Here is my layout: Here is the inspiration photo: Here are the clues: In 2012 I was sent a Christmas card from my friends in the USA.  It shows her 2 boys on the cover - those boys are now adults and just as happy and love live as the 2012 photo.  I have used the following clues to complete my layout: winter/Christmas theme, stripes, labels, people, white gesso as snow falling, whimsical font (my friends writing on the card greeting), journalling in a plastic envelope (I could not find my vellum) and circles.   I look forward to what challenges are available in February and the remainder of 2026.  For more information visit  http://csichallenge.blogspot.com/ Margaret