Stamps Ahead

Firstly, this card design was popular with the ladies of the local craft group, who have been making Christmas cards for the troops for the past 4 weeks.  Together they completed 286 cards that I will deliver to Paper Lady, Karen ,who founded and co-ordinates this initiative, on Saturday.  Contact her if you would like to be involved. Closing date for 2012 is 2nd November. Secondly, here are some photos of the some of  ladies creating their cards this week. Thank you to all the ladies involved.  Margaret

Okay, I have taken the plunge and signed up for Pinterest as over at Scrapbook Challenges they had a challenge to create a layout inspired by a 'pin' on Pinterest.  I was inspired by this layout by Nicole Samuels , I loved the scallop border. Here is my layout inspired by her layout. My photos were taken not far from where my sister and I were staying in London.  We were on our way to Christmas afternoon tea at The Ritz last December.  Even though they were taken at the same time, the exposure is different.  The one of me, on the right, is closer to what it was actually like.  Thank you Nicole for your inspiration. 

Scrapbook Challenges  had a progressive scrapping challenge, this month, over 4 weeks.  Here are the steps: Rules: One step per week will be given. New steps will be give each Wednesday. Step 1. Choose your photo. Don’t add it yet. Choose a soft or faded patterned paper. Distress or rip one corner Place a plain paper beneath. Step 2. Add 1-3 paper strips, 1 piece of lace, and stitching(faux or real) Post your LO for step 2 in the gallery and link back here. Remember you can dress your papers and embellies up with ink, paints or mists. Step 3. Crop your photo into a circle or oval. Frame the photo. Place embellishments behind the photo. (flowers, vines, branches etc.) Post your LO for step 3 in the gallery and link back here. Step 4. Add ribbons and a bow Add something that flies. Add shadows as needed.  I loved the idea so much I did two layouts simultaneously.  Here are my finished layouts. What do you think of them and the idea of a progressive challenge. ...

Here are two more cards that I demonstrated to the ladies of the craft group yesterday.  Again there are many variations of this theme.   Both of these cards make good use of scraps that you may have around the place. Thanks for looking.  Margaret

No, not the classical piece of music! For the month of August I am helping out at a local craft group and we have been making Christmas Cards for our Overseas Troops to send back home to their loved ones. Here is one card I developed for last week. As you can see the basic design is the same, but variations in the use of silver card/corregated cardstock, ribbon/thread and background paper.  The ladies did a terrific job on their cards. Please accept the photograph it has been sunny in Sydney today and it reflects on the silver paper. Who am I to complain after the cold weather we have been having lately I will accept the sun on my cards.

Whilst blog surfing I came across this poem, author unknown: A Scrapbooker  A scrapbooker is a treasure seeker, a rainbow chaser, a smile maker, a memory keeper. A scrapbooker preserves a moment in time and saves a dream from being forgotten. A scrapbooker clothes a piece of yesterday in the caring hands of today and makes a legacy of love for tomorrow. A scrapbooker is a treasure seeker, a rainbow chaser, a smile maker, a memory keeper. A scrapbooker is one who sees that knowing our roots gives us wings... and understanding our past gives us hope to celebrate our future. Note: The original has references to "she" eg she preserves ..............but as I know there are male scrapbookers out there so I have amended so the term is generic to all scrapbookers. 

Another challenge over at Scrapbook Challenges  where there was a list of bizarre holidays that exist for the month of August.  You needed to select one of the dates and scrap about it - it didn't have to consist of actual photos taken that day, but you needed find a way to connect them. I was particularly taken with 6th August - Wiggle your toes day.  This photo was taken at Kiama, NSW (about 3 hours south of Sydney) in 2011. I could not resist the urge to dip my toes into the beautiful sea water - bliss on a hot day.  I love this photo (that was not taken on 6th August!) and I did not know how to go about scrapping it until this challenge gave me the perfect opportunity.  Winter in Sydney is almost at an end - I am looking forward to summer and the opportunity to wiggle my toes much more.