Stamps Ahead

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...

 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

 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...

Layout for another challenge over at Soul Scrappers Challenges . The challenge ONE word either "O", "K" or "W".  I chose "O" for Ovation. On 31/1/25 I boarded the Ovation of the Seas for a scrapbooking cruise to South Pacific.  This photo was taken in Hobart - what I hear you say, "when was Hobart in the South Pacific!".  With Vila rebuilding from earthquake in December, 2025 and with cyclones in South Pacific there was a change of destinations - Airlie Beach, Queensland and then down the coast of Australia to Hobart. For this layout I decided to use circle die cuts and anything embellishment in my stash that had a circular shape (except for the film strip chipboard I was excited to find and Royal Caribbean image) continuing the "O" theme.  The challenge was to use only ONE word - no other words, word strips etc allowed.   Thank you for looking, Margaret

I am back from my recent cruise - more on that below.  Here are some layouts I have created using 49 & Market ARTOPTIONS SPICE collection.  This collection did not form part of the classes on board however was included for us to use as and when we pleased. Photo taken whilst creating in the conference room, Level 13 of Royal Caribbean Ovation of the Seas. Photo taken by photographer on board the ship.   Ready for my photo to be added.  The base layout paper when placed the way I have, had butterflies upside side - simple remedy add butterflies from embellishment pack over them!  Now the cruise - arrived at Sydney Terminal to board only to be told that due to Vila still recovering from the earthquake in December we would be heading to Airlie Beach instead. No worries understood completely and feeling for the people of Vanuatu who rely on the tourists so much.  Before leaving Airlie Beach, we received an announcement from the captain that due to cycl...

 I am leaving a jet plane-----no I am leaving on a South Pacific cruise.  It is a scrapbook cruise with Unmistakeable Creations . One of the fun things to make are ATC's to swap and here are mine  We swap ATC's with each person (it is optional to participate) however I like to give one even if a person is not participating.   We do make them at little bigger than regular ATC's so that they fit into a pocket style page.  For mine I have used the following: a neutral kraft coloured cardstock. Edged with Distress Ink. torn corrugated card (mine came from a cut down delivery box). Edged with Distress Ink. tape I made with Distress inks and stocks (you will find this on the right-hand side of each ATC) tea dyed cheesecloth (was white but I dyed in a cup with hot water and about 5 tea bags, left for a while, removed and washed, then dried. 8 images from Darkroom Door Sheet (purchased at Wrapped in Paper, ACT) and 3 images that have been in my stash for ages - sor...

This week I am departing on my scrapbooking cruise with Unmistakable Creations . We had been provided with a small mini canvas and easel to create a name tag.  We could use any technique and here is what I created. It will sit on our table in our conference room onboard. I wanted to try a something I had not done before, so off I went to internet to do some research and found Ranger Distress Glaze resist technique.  I must say I loved the result and I added a small cluster to top right so that I could incorporate my name and to cover up and area that I was not all that happy with. I used the following products: I sprayed the canvas with Dylusions Ink Sprays - Calypso Tea, Peony Blush, Vanilla Custard several times onto the canvas until I was happy with the result, drying in between and dabbing with a paper towel if too much water. Allow to dry. Note: I did not gesso the canvas beforehand. Next, I used Ranger Distress Glaze through a stencil in places on the canvas. I must conf...