Stamps Ahead

Sharing two layouts I have done recently.  Autumn layout for a new, to me, challenge group on Facebook  The Hut Creative  (Autumn layout) and the other another layout from the recent Scrapbook Fantasies Virtual Retreat.  For this layout, I created leaves using several types of paper and then die cut them using Sizzix die Leaf Fragments, and arranged them around my photo taken in Taralga, NSW during Autumn this year.  The background cardstock is from 3Quarter Designs Mocha Fix Collection. For colouring the leaves I used watercolour powders from Lucys and Colour Crush.  With the leaves I did not use I created tags and clusters to use on later projects. This layout was designed by mother and daughter - Alicia and Naomi-Jon Renshaw - of Scrapbook Fantasies.  I have used more of the beautiful papers in their Very Vintage Range.       Thank you for looking, Margaret 

 This weekend I attended the inaugural ScrapKat's retreat in Goulburn, NSW.  The landscape garden features a stationery Southern Aurora Railway carriage on its own private railway platform. Here are layouts I completed - sorry/not sorry long post: For a challenge over at Soul Scrappers - One word title starting with either 'D', 'A' or 'S'. Photos from my time in Florida in 2024 with my friend Kathy - taken a few different places.  The bottom left photo was a 'highway' of alligators, I had never seen so many together. Completed for challenge with Hillbilly Scrappers - a virtual mixed media retreat starts at end of the month and this was a warm up challenge - Monochromatic.   Photo taken last year, again in Florida when we visited Russell Stover Chocolates outlet. They are the makers of Whitmans Chocolates that are available in Australia and were a favourite many years ago.  Yes, I did purchase a supply. Completed this over the weekend - a layout desig...

This is a layout I have created for a challenge over at SOUL Scrappers Challenges.  The challenge is a favourite of mine - Tic Tac Toe (TTT). Here is the TTT board - my selection die cuts, staples and tag (s) I went mixed media on this layout - gesso, Vintage Photo Crackle Paste, watercolour splotches and much more.  Die cuts/tags - all tags were die cut and covered. The orange cogs were die cut.  I also added some old and rusty 'things' I recently recovered, locally, from being thrown out! Staples - holding the title I stamped on calico.. Staples also on the tags to represent the cell bars.   This is what the layout looks like with tags tucked in the side.  Note: that gentleman you see is one of the exhibits in the ground.  Of course, he had to be included. Close up of the larger tags.  The pattern paper is actually photos I took, printed on matt paper and then chopped up!  I have also used tea bags that allowed to dry, removed the tea and t...

 Here is a layout I have created for the July challenge at White with 1 .  Here is the challenge mood board.  I was inspired by the lace and the tan colours in several of the photos and of course the grid itself.  They led themselves to a vintage layout. I recently participated in a free abstract art on-line course with Laly Mille and for this layout I have drawn on the skills I learned in that course.  I love the abstractness of the collage elements I have added The photograph is of my sister (sitting ) and I with our mother.  It would be around 1953 and probably taken in bushland near Berowra, New South Wales where our uncle lived at the time.  I seem to remember that rock! A couple of close up shots  Why not consider checking out what challenge they have for August...will be available on 1st August. Thank you for looking, a quote I found " The memories we make with our family is everything" Candace Cameron Bure Margaret 

Here is my final layout the last 1-2-3 recipe challenge entry over at Mystical Scrapbooks.  The recipe was 1 mixed media product - 2 photos - 3 embellishments. This week a friend gave me a tin of Lyra Aquacolors, that had been given to her also by a friend.  My friend did not think she could use them so passed them on.  I had to look up Google to find out how to use the crayons.  I have used them to make my background and I think I have a lot more to learn.  They are more vibrant that Distress Crayons and Gelatos.  In hindsight I should have put gesso the cardstock before using them.  Oh well!  My embellishments are from my stash. Below is a close up of my watercolouring. Thank you for looking, Margaret

Layout No. 2 for Calvinball 2022 Rules used - Single layout, Green, Blue and Yellow (Distress Oxides Prize Ribbon and Mustard Seed smooched together), Stencil (Raindrops), Silver (Texture Paste and Glitter Kiss/Creative Expressions mixed together), Tropical flowers or leaves, stamping, date, arrow, camera. Record breaking rain over Australia's east coast has flooded towns and cities in Queensland and New South Wales (NSW), submerging thousands of homes and business and unfortunately there has been people who have lost their lives.  I live on the Central Coast of NSW and whilst I, my brother and his wife, and my sister are safe in our homes, we have not escaped the record rainfall that is expected to continue for several days more. Local roads have flooded, potholes have lost any repairs that have been made leaving big holes in lots of streets and laneways.  The photo above was taken on a street in Ettalong Beach.  I had attempted to take a photo of the ducks enjoying the ...

Here is mixed media layout I created this past few days for the September Kraft + challenge . Sorry, not sorry, this is a longish entry today. The challenge was to be inspired by the work of Laura Horn - see below.  For the Kraft + challenges all projects must have a Kraft background. The Kraft must be the hearo of your background, not simply pattered paper mounted on Kraft.  Let the Kraft Shine! Check out some of the other simple rules on their website . Now never having heard of Laura Horn, I went in search of her work on social media - and I found her website Laura Horn Art , well what an inspiration, I spent hours looking at her work.  I did a free class she has on her website  called Abstract Collage Creations. This class provided me with the inspiration to create my layout - not a collage but a representation of many of the techniques she uses.  I also checked out her facebook and Instragram during my research - I am hooked and did and will try more! Laura...

 Here is a layout I have created using all Kaszazz products available from Kaszazz.   I drew inspiration from a layout I created 3 days ago.  There is space for journalling on the tag and underneath the photo.  Spring is coming - my mini daffodils are blooming this morning and look top right the first freesia has arrived as well. Thank you for looking, Margaret I am a Kaszazz consultant and if you are interested in purchasing any of the products available from them please visit my website   www.kaszazz.com/cart?consid=110787  spend over $99 you get free postage and the products will be delivered direct to you.

I recently wrote about a Blind Challenge I was doing with Unmistakeable Creations.  I was lucky enough to win a great paper set by AB Studios called Old Dreams.  Here is a mixed media layout I created with the papers and other bits and pieces from my stash:  The photograph of me was taken on 19th July as I was going out for my second Covid-19 jab.  As we were (and are currently) lockdown so I decided to get "dressed up" for my journey out of the house.   Thank you for looking. Take care all. Margaret 

Here is a layout I have completed today for the April challenge over at ARTastic challenges The challenge was to be inspired by this painting by Evelyn Chapman titled "French Ruins with Poppies". The criteria was Remembrance and to include the colour Red. The layout did not have to be Anzac themed.  I know as soon as I saw the inspiration it reminded me of a photo I took on Anzac Day 2020. First, let me tell you about the photo.  Australia was in lockdown due to Covid and therefore Anzac Day events were cancelled. No dawn services, no marches, nothing. People around the country held front garden sunrise services.  My 94 year old neighbour, Lorna, every year would donate to service clubs the Rosemary, from her garden, for patrons to wear - alas she could not do so in 2020.  She came to me and said what did I think of her putting Rosemary on the bricks at the front of our villas.  I said go for it - a great idea.  Later in the day, she came to me and said no-...

In my last post I wrote that it was my sisters 70th birthday this week.  She has a lot of activities planned the first being an afternoon tea on 18th January with our brother and sister-in-law.  We went to Saddles, at Mt White.   I ordered the cake she wanted (and it was the most expensive cake I have ever bought!) and it was delicious.  Here is the layout I have created with her and the cake. We had this afternoon tea earlier than her birthday as our brother and sister-in-law were due to head toTasmania on holidays, however it was cancelled due to Covid restrictions at that time. So, we went ahead anyway and met up for a great afternoon tea. In my stash I found a previous watercolour and texture paste background I had created and it was just right for this layout.  The heart is a nod to the heart locket my sister is wearing.  It belonged to our mother and my sister recently had it cleaned and started wearing it again.   Yes, I did make a boo...

Here is a layout I have completed today, using Kaszazz stencil Dandeloin, 3 ways - stamping, misting and tracing: I have used Ranger Distress Oxide sprays Peacock Feathers and Dried Marigold  for the stamping and misting. I have also used Ranger embossing powder Blueberry Speckle,  Kaszazz Collage Paper pad for fussy cut flowers, Kaszazz chipboard Beautiful Moments  and the stamp Word Montage - Journal Messages. A word about the embossing powder that I have used to emboss the chipboard word and emboss the grungy dotty stamp from Collage Stamp - Imagine Uncut Set (6426Q). It is very sparkly and unfortunately due to the dullish day here the photograph does not do it justice. The photograph of me was taken during a road trip to Bendigo several years ago.  Thank you for looking, Margaret .

No I have not started making dolls!  However, I have completed another challenge over at White with 1 - Challenge 3 another recipe challenge.. Here is my layout - I had inky fun doing it! The recipe involved many elements which I will summarise: Using white cardstock (CS), ink or paint in colour of your choice, spray onto a plastic bag, add some water and then put your hand in the bag and "splodge" onto CS. Ironically, I went with Broken China  Distress Spray and Ink. Using gesso apply to edge of your photos. Loved this idea on these photos. Cut 2 photo mats each increasing by 1/4". On the first one ink edge and then add texture stamp. Using stamps that match your photo randomly stamp on the white CS.  I searched and searched and eventually settled on a texture stamp that had words and butterflies on them.  Cut white CS into various sizes - distress edges, stamp on some, use left over spray on some and leave some white.  Place under photos. Mount ph...

On my recent cruise, at each port at breakfast ship photographers would be waiting outside the eating area ready to pounce and take photos dressed in all sorts of weird costumes.  I tried as I could to avoid them BUT this person dressed as dolphin, as we arrived at Akaroa, New Zealand port, followed me and insisted I get a photo - no, no, no.  The costume was dirty and I am not one to hug and cuddle people dressed as animals!  So I got one photo just to get them off my case - as you can see I was not all that interested. Here is the layout I created: The background is gesso applied haphazardly and I have used a stencil to create the grid pattern over the gesso. Thanks for looking, Margaret

A layout I completed today, using papers I had already out from previous post. This is a photo of my sister walking along Black Head Beach near Forster in NSW.  It was an overcast day and so beach was not seen in all its glory, but it had the most fantastic tidal area where the rocks were exposed. For this layout I have used Dylusions Spray Periwinkle Blue - sprayed to top of white cardstock and then held up to all the drips to fall - I also sprayed water to enable quicker fall and to dilute some of the spray. When it was dry turned it on its side. I wanted to lighten the effect of the blue on left hand side so using Dylusions Paint White Linen and Bubble Background stamp randomly stamped. I also used the left over paint on my mat to stamp the #moments onto black CS. Papers and arrow embellishment are from the Distress Surfaces range and of course all supplies are available from Kaszazz.  Yes, I am a consultant and I love the products available. Thank you for looking. M...

Another layout completed for the cybercrop over at Scrappingclearly share and inspire facebook group. This was for a scraplift challenge with a layout by Marelle Jackman in at 6" x 12" layout format. I was drawn to the mixed media elements especially the paints and colourful layout. I started out attempting a 6" x 12" layout however I just could not come to grips with it, so I added this smaller piece to a piece of red CS. My photo was taken just prior to leaving my hotel and heading for Disneyland for the day.   Here is a close up of my detail in the middle piece. I love the transparency of the paint over my inked background of heart shaped bubble wrap. Thank you for looking, have a great day.   Margaret.

One of the surprises of my recent USA holiday was to find a bronze statue of Mary Tyler Moore on Nicollet Mall in downtown Minneapolis, MI.  I watched the Mary Tyler Moore show, when it aired on TV many years ago and this street was featured in the opening credits to the show.  Here is a layout I have created.   Mary Tyler Moore passed away 17 January,2018, she was a strong role model for women during her lifetime. I created this layout for a challenge over at Soul Scrappers to use corrugated cardboard on the layout. About this time last year I was at Paperific , Melbourne and did a workshop with Beck Beattie where she used lots of small stamps on a layout - I loved this technique and have done quite a few layouts since. For this one I used crinkled up plastic wrap and Distress Oxides to create my background then a short spritz of water to smudge them together.   For the cardboard (from a box that I received some goodies in) I tore of the top layer to expose th...

What do you do when you lose your MOJO and there is a heap of inspiration out there?  Well, you get stuck right into creating.  This weekend I have been creating.  Here is a layout I have completed for a challenge over at Soul Scrappers - the challenge is random word challenge PHOTO and we were to use one of the following on our layout - Say Cheese; What a View: Snap: Camera Shy; Photo Bomb or Selfie.   I choose What a view.   Here is my layout. I took the photograph last year when I visited Central Australia.  It is of Kata Tjuta (also know as The Olgas).   I took a trip out to see them and do a walk around the rocks.  They are just as spectacular as Uluru (in fact they are larger in size). In search of inspiration that would do my photo justice I came across Scrapbook Boutique blog and there was a layout/video by Louise Turner that got my mojo going. I have used products available from Kaszazz on my layout.  I have kept the embellish...

I am leading a scrapbooking workshop this coming Saturday.  It is a fund raiser that will assist raise funds for a school in Kenya.   The ladies, most of whom I know, love to use new techniques to them. A long post follows, so please stay with me. The first is a single page layout and they will be making the following layout, which I have shared previously on my blog: The ladies will choose their own Dylusions Spray Inks to create their own background to match their photo of choice. The next session on the day will be a double page layout: This is a based on a technique called "bookending or bracketing" that I found on the website of Debbie Hodge .  It is a mixture of two of the layouts in that article - Katie Scott (I love the use of multiple photos on her layout) and the layout created by Gretchen Henniger (I was inspired by the wide papers bracketing the lay out and the use of paper doilies).   I sought further inspiration for the photo frames I have crea...