Stamps Ahead

 This layout is for a This or That challenge at Soul Scrappers Challenges: The challenge options: The photos are of my great-nephew taken during his family cruise to South Pacific in December, 2025. I used: Polka dot base 2 photos 4 colours - green, yellow, white and kraft. There are two fussy cuts that have a small amount of pink - I didn't want to leave them out! Border with fussy cut images from a corresponding paper from the same range I used for the base. Chipboard Brads. The round circle below Enjoy says "go wherever the wind carries you" so appropriate for these photos. Journalling will go in the banner space - approx. mid way. Thank you for looking, Margaret No AI used for this post!!!

My sister asked me to cover an A4 book, that she purchased at Kmart, and it will be used in a performance by young children at her church, in December.  Theme, of course, is Christmas.  Here is what I created for them.                                                                                                Front Page                                                                                          Back Page    ...

 ell, I finally found time to do a little scrapbooking.  This layout was for a challenge over at Soul Scrappers to be inspired by a sketch.  Here is the sketch: Mine is loosely based on the sketch - I used a 12" (30cm) layout.  The photos are of my visit to the Qantas Founders Museum, in Longreach Qld, in March this year.  A fabulous museum that bought back many memories of past flights with Qantas.    Loved this quote I found on-line "Once you have tasted flight, you will forever walk the earth with your eyes turned skyward." Leonardo da Vinci Thank you for looking, Margaret 

My sister asked me to make a 90th birthday card for a friend of hers. The party is now over so I can share with you.                                              I have used papers from Mintay-Shutter Glam collection that formed part of 3Quarter Designs Craft-a-thon recently held. In the interest of where I received my inspiration it came from part of scrapbook layout by Aylene Price; Aylene has advised that she was in turn inspired by another member of the group.  Thank you for looking, Margaret 

On the weekend I participated in a 3 Quarter Craft-a-Thon 2026.  There were so many creatives who designed either scrapbook layouts, cards, off the page or art journals for us to follow. I managed three. A double interactive layout designed by Jenny Heslip - the queen of interactive layouts.   A single layout designed by Natalia Bradley.  This was an accordion journal designed by Julie Hill.   All participants purchased 3Quarter Designs paper kit that included papers, and embellishments from their collection "Shutter Glam".  It was advised that over 600 participants purchased their kit. I will be completing more projects this coming weekend with paper etc that I have not used as yet. Thank you for looking, Margaret

 This is layout I created for their July Challenge at What's in the Bickie Tin?   The challenge was a "Stash Buster" challenge. And we were required to use 4 Patterned Paper, 3 Clusters, 2 Tags and a title. Patterned paper were from Unmistakeable Creations "Count Your Blessings" collection. For the first time in a long time I used a die cut 'memory' I cut 4 of the die cut (the last being white cardstock) and adhered them together. I also used up some metallic dots, cheescloth and a frame was from 49 & Market. The photo, of my sister, was taken whilst we enjoyed High Tea for her birthday in January this year at Shangri-La Hotel, Sydney. A memory that will last for a long time. My journalling will go on the blue tag - by the way, my sister's favourite colour is blue. Thank you for looking. Margaret

 A layout I created for a layout recipe challenge over at Unmistakable Creations Here is the recipe.   I used the Mistakeable Creations collection called "Count your Blessings".  This collection is still available on the webpage .  I used 3 of the patterned papers and white cardstock for my layout. See photos below. The photos of my sister (on the right of main photo) and I were taken whilst we enjoyed High Tea at the Shangri-la Hotel in Sydney. It was my sister's birthday, a milestone one, and this was my gift to her.  We enjoyed the treats whilst looking down the beautiful Sydney Harbour Bridge and the harbour.   Thank you for looking.  Margaret

This is a layout I created for this month's challenge at White with 1 . Our challenge was to use shades of brown with a white background and to include vintage book pages on the layout. The photos were taken at a recent retreat I attended and the Saturday lunch was a high-tea Alice in Wonderland style - with tables decorated and several people dressed as characters from Alice in Wonderland. I have created a collage of papers from an old Alice in Wonderland book - Chapter 5 A Mad Tea Party. Some stencilling and stamping in Ranger Distress Oxide Ink Ground Expresso.   I loved this quote in Chapter 5, it put a smile on my face.  'Up above the world you fly, Like a tea-tray in the sky. Twinkle, twinkle .......'" Thank you for looking, Margaret

I volunteer at a local charity 2nd hand store, and we were recently donated a worn and torn Chindi rug. I took the rug home and disassembled it, soaked and washed over 300 pieces of fabric - all different sizes and fabrics. What to do now with them all? I decided that I would run a free workshop, where I volunteer, to make a simple beaded tassel.  So, I have been busy making kits - 10 lengths of fabric torn into approximately 3" (8cm) strips 16" (40cm) with beads and jewellery findings. All the colours are so fabulous.  In addition to the tassels, I have used some of the scrappy bits to make cards, wrapping 20 lengths of fabric (this time full width as they came out of the rug), and other items to show how participants can use the tassel that they make.   I also made some gift cards (2 to a pack) with all funds to 2nd hand store.  I did take the photo of the cards with their packaging (except top left hand one). Then this morning I decided to make each participa...

This is my layout for this months challenge at White with 1  challenges.  The challenge be inspired by a Monopoly board - could be the game itself, or houses or cards or going to jail even. Create on white cardstock and select one colour from the image (red, blue, green, yellow or silver). I went with blue. I found in a local op-shop at u-build Monopoly game that was just right for this challenge.  All embellishments are from the game. Photo was taken at The Lock-up in Newcastle, NSW during a visit there in September 2025.  It is a heritage building/jail (1861) and is now an arts space and creative hub.   Why not check out White with 1 challenges they have a new challenge every month. Thank you for looking, Margaret 

 Here is my layout for CSI Case File No. 479. I have used the colour Lemon from The Scene and the Colour Scheme.  For evidence I have used florals, flowers, leaves, ice cream, limes or other food (Birthday cake - sponge with cream and strawberries made by my mother), frames, something round (the typeface numbers of the year 1952). The topic I selected was to document a summer memory (as my birthday is in December and it is summer in Australia then) and for writing format Joy slip - one line beginning "Todays' bright spot..." and this is tucked into the top of photo on the right. On the reverse of this slip I wrote "What I would tell my 3-year-old self. Photos are of 3-year-old me sitting on the front veranda of our childhood home in Asquith, NSW.  Dad had made the bench out of tree branches, and it features in many photos of our childhood.  Mum made all our clothes and was the most wonderful cook - neither my sister nor I can make a sponge cake like she could!...

I was thrilled to be asked to be a Guest Detective/Designer for CSI June case files.  Here is the layout I designed for Country Cooking Month File No. 478.  Criteria for the Case File was to draw inspiration from the scene, the evidence and testimony I have the red from the scene.  For evidence, I used patten paper, cooking themed items (Cakes, tarts, sandwiches and much more) from Mad Hatter's Tea Party, brads.  For testimony I used 3 of the June prompts -What reminds you of your past? The best kind of laughter is.. and where do you always have fun? I have journalled the answers to these on the back of the tags under the 3 photos at the top.    My photos were taken at Scrapping Clearly retreat Down the Rabbit Hole recently held in Gundagai, NSW. On the Saturday we had a Mad Hatters Tea Party lunch, and the sign was one of the decorations as we walked into the hall where retreat was held.  The printed papers are from Stamperia Alice in Wonderland pape...

Here are the Artist Trading Cards (ATC's) I made for the April swap at Natalie May Scrapbooki ng. The swap was to make ATC's with theme "use your stash". I was required to make 11 ATC's to swap. This was the first time participating in the monthly ATC swap. Everything I used on the ATC's did come from my stash. But, first a little tale... I initially started with a piece of a sheet of heavy-duty white card stock that I believed was enough to make the required number of cards...well, it turns out I didn't I only had enough for 8!! What to do? Left the decision overnight!! I decided to cut up the eight I made into 1" strips and create new background.  What did I use? For original 8 cards I used layered techniques inspired by a virtual retreat I did with Seth Apter this time last year. For the new backgrounds I used the same colours I used for the above strips and sprayed onto the now 12" x 12" white cardstock.  I then applied gesso over this s...

 This is a layout I created for a challenge over at The Hut Creative  - the challenge Autumn. 20/3/26 Autumn evening in Longreach, Qld. Journalling is on the tag in the middle popping out of the bottom 2 photos. Rosebank homestead was a detour as planned Thompson River sunset cruise did not happen due to flood.   Beautiful views of sunset.  I used paper from Penelope Dee Sienna collection. Thank you for looking.  Margaret  Another quote from the collection, that I did not use. "Be fearless in the pursuit of what sets your soul on fire."

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

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