Stamps Ahead

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

On Saturday night I participated in a Blind Scrap Challenge via video and here is layout I created during the blind scrap and another I made on Sunday. This was the layout I completed during the blind scrap challenge video.  I used a favourite paper collection - Marigold from Kaisercraft.  On Sunday, with the benefit of more time, I was able to listen again to video and I must confess, take some notes and I completed this layout.  This time I used 49 and Market Curators Botanical collection.  My sister also participated and here is her layout  For the challenge there was a mood board, and we were to use this to inspire us to use the colours indicated on the card and we were given instructions beforehand on cutting papers.  Look at all those circles in the photo! Thank you for looking, Margaret #calvinball #calvinball2025 #scraphappy

 Twice in one day! This time the layout is sunrise in Sydney, taken from my cabin window on Level 3, at 6am on the 9th February, 2025.  How special were these views - the start of a magnificent day ahead.  This layout truly uses bits and pieces from my stash - I cannot tell you how long I have had the chipboard clockface!  If you read yesterday's post, you see my reference to using Project Life cards - well one more has been reduced from my stash. Thank you for looking, Margaret  #calvinball #calvinball 2025 #scraphappy

The Sydney Opera House is one of my favourite buildings in the world. It has inspired me over the years in my artistic endeavours.  Therefore, leaving Sydney on a cruise is always a perfect opportunity to take more photos! Grid style using up 4 project life cards from my stash - so many more to go!  Do they multiply in the drawer! I have added this layout to Calvinball 2025 - still time to check it out if you are after a fun scrapbook challenge - there are "rules" but they are subject to change at anytime!   Thank you for looking, Margaret.   #calvinball #calvinball2025 #scraphappy

 This is a layout showcasing the group of ladies and I on our Unmistakeable Creations cruise - Scrapbooking with Jen and Melissa. Fun time was had by all. I have used 49 & Market Art Options Spice collection that was in the gift bag we received from Melissa.  I have loved using this collection, the colours were just so 'me'.  I have enough left over of the papers and embellishments to make a mini book/journal.  I did use some bits from Kaisercraft Bombay Sunset that was on my desk.  This layout I have added to Calvinball 2025 challenge - for more information head to http://scraphappy.org/calvinball. Thank you for looking, Margaret

Nearly 12 months ago I travelled to USA and I spent part of my time there with good friends "The Baxes".  Here we are at Cracker Barrel waiting for our dinner to arrive The layout was completed for an optional early bird challenge prior to Hillbilly Shenanigans- The Great Papercraft Caper - Virtual Retreat later this month.  Admission to retreat is now finished however they are having another Mixed Media virtual retreat later this year. This challenge required us to use this sketch to complete a layout and we were free to interpret it however we liked - flip it, rotate it, or take just a few elements that inspired! I used Celeb8 Bon Appetite paper and embellishments (except for background red and the larger polka dot papers) from my stash. From memory I have these papers, at least, since 2020! As I am participating in Calvinball 2025 I have also added this layout to Scrap Happy .  Check out Calvinball - a fun papercraft event happening this March - just click on the link ...

Another layout- double this time.  The objective was to finish a layout that was started before 1st March, this year. This is the story of two parts.  Firstly, the layout was started in February 2020 in a workshop with Jenny Hislop at Scrapbookers Confetti Box in Swansea NSW.  It was not completed so I set about finishing it today.  It is an interactive layout with many flips.  Secondly, about the photos.  In November and December, 1990 I spent time in the United Kingdom and a 35-day tour of Europe. On returning home I placed all the photos into an old-style photo album and overtime they faded and some even became unable to be seen properly.  So, a couple of years ago I removed them from the album with the idea that I would put them into a scrapbook - but like so many ideas it went on the back burner.    The left-hand layout I put United Kingdom photos in and on the right photos from Europe trip.  Of course, I had quite a few left over...

 Time again to participate in Calvinball 2025.  Here is the test layout I uploaded What is Calvinball?  In short, Calvinball is a scrapbooking game/challenge based off the Calvin and Hobbes comic strip.  Calvin and Hobbes invent Calvinball where the rules change constantly.  That concept was taken and turned into a scrapbooking challenge many years ago.  It is fun, you get points or you can just participate.  This layout I have entered as a test layout - to check that system works!  I received points for this, as well as posting on socials, using stars (1 point regardless of number of stars on layout) and using green.  Other Day 1 points could have been - if I had used journalling of 100 words plus or using an avocado.  Each day other items are added (or taken away).  Other papercraft projects are permitted as well.   Check out Scrap Happy  for more information.  http://scraphappy.org/calvinball I have also compl...