Stamps Ahead

It has been a while since I updated.  Computer problems requiring a hard drive and ram replaced, virus check (just don't ask how many viruses were found!) and added to that a problem getting the replacement parts from supplier has meant I have been without PC access for awhile. Enough of that. This is fun layout - I don't usually use pinks (and that is strange given that it is one of my favourite colours). The banner was made for me by the youngest of the cuties here - the photos where taken on Thanksgiving Day in USA last year.  We even made up a song "We're going on the smile train, the smile train...." Another layout for Thanksgiving - this one is of my friend, Reta and one of her sons and his family. It is a fun photo.  I completed a challenge over at Scrapbook Challenges to use something other than paper, I went with ribbon scraps, rubons and colourful brads. The photograph below was taken from Ibis Hotel, Darling Harbour, Sydney on evening of 25th J...

Another challenge completed over at Scrapbook Challenges.  This time it was a challenge to use a previous SC sketch layout and then add: 4 patterned papers (I actually used 5 as the strip to the left seemed to blend into the background Card Stock. 1 fibre (twine, ribbon etc - I used ribbon that I ruched up as I used glue dots to adhere) Minimum 1 stamped image (My favourite Medallion Stamp from Stampin' Up!) Minimum 1 technique (ink, sanding, tearing etc I distresse the edges of wide blue strip to imitate the waves, and also use ink around the Memories title) Minimum 2 metal bits - around the ribbon and bottom left The photographs were taken earlier this month when my sister and I were walking along Waikiki Beach in Hawaii. Enjoy.  I am "on a roll" with my scrapbooking this weekend.

Santa Monica, California Las Vegas, Nevada San Diego Zoo San Diego Zoo St Louis, Missouri Waikiki, Hawaii I have been travelling in USA.  Here are just a few photos of some of the places I went. I will be starting my scrapbooking of my adventures shortly, so please check back soon.

Recently watching Scrap It TV Rachel Greig was demonstrating a layout using Distress Stains and Inks - I was inspired to create this page. Check out her link here. I added a spray of Walnut Ink as well. Bear Country USA is in the Black Hills of Dakota. This is a close up of the tag. "I see bears". I have been to Alaska - no bears seen, I have been to Yellowstone - no bears seen. Okay Bear Country USA is not in the wild BUT I SAW BEARS!!! I am happy. More pages with bears yet to come. Thank you for looking and thank you Rachel for the inspiration.

Where have I been? Well, for the past six weeks I have been travelling in The United States of America. I have seen so many wonderful places - a favourite was The Grand Canyon, this photograph was taken at sunset. Amazing. Of course, I have taken many more photographs and will begin scrapbooking them asap - stay tuned to see more amazing photos. One of the other wonderful things about travelling is the people you meet. This card is for Ruth Ann, from South Carolina, who very kindly gave me the book she was reading when she finished it. This card was inspired by a challenge on Splitcoast Stampers. More later and thank you for stopping by. Margaret

On June, 2009 I was staying with Carol and David, down on their farm in Doniphan, Missouri. Here is a layout of our shopping trip into town on 2nd June, 2009. Not sure what the man at the feed shop thought of this stranger from Australia taking his photo. The population of Doniphan was 1932 at the 2000 census (from Wikipedia), so it is a very small city.

One of the first things I noticed on my very first visit, many years ago, to the United States was the mailbox system. Householders work out how much the postage is going to be. No going to the post office or a post box to post your mail, simply put it into your mailbox, raise the flag to let the mail collector know you have mail to be collected. If they have mail for you they will put the flag back up - that way you know you have mail. I first saw the mailbox template in a scrapbook magazine sometime ago, cut it out planning to use it - sorry I do not remember the magazine. It was supposed to be enlarged another 50% but I like it as a smaller version. I cut a small piece of paper and using my scissors created a little bit of grass at the bottom of the mailbox. Are you like me - do you have loads of paper in your stash - so when looking for cardstock to use I came across this great cardstock that has been hiding for a few years - loved the numbers and it just seemed right. These are...

Over the past few weeks I have been making cards as well as catching up on scrapbooking. Here is a page I completed today. I was staying with Carol in Missouri in June this year and one afternoon we - Carol, her sister Candee and I made some no-bake peanut cookies. Carol lives down on a farm and is a great cook. Candee lives up the dirt road from Carol. I have had this cooking paper and accessories in my stash for years - obviously just waiting for the right photo.

Wow 3 posts in one day - here are three completed pages of my visit to Dinosaur Ridge, Denver, Colorado. I searched high and low for dinosaurs (well paper) with no luck and my thanks go to Ryn for the chipboard dinosaurs and paper from her stash. Ryn I hope you enjoyed the chocolates.

This weekend, I demonstrated the 3-D flowers, shown in my earlier post, and I photographed, with their permission, the cards (and a box) completed by Michelle D and Fiona. Images: (c)1990-2009 Stampin'Up (r) Artwork: Michelle D and Fiona P.

Images:(c)1990-2009 Stampin'Up! (r) Artwork: Margaret L Crawford I took the photo at Manhattan Beach, California on my recent holiday. I had to get ready 25 of these for this weekends "card in a box" - okay not technically a card - but with 12 made up to swap and the remaining for participants to make up, I wanted something quick and easy. Enjoy.

Some images: (c)1990-2009 Stampin'Up!(r) Artwork:Margaret L Crawford Drawing inspiration from a layout in Scrapbooking Memories, Vol10 No6 here is a 12"x12" page of Sadie (the wonderdog). Sadie is the beloved pet of Sharon and Gary in Colorado. Now most people know that I am not a 'doggy' or even a 'pet' person but this little dog sure wins over hearts. Each morning she would bring one of her stack of toys to show me. She is wearing her 4th of July outfit purchased at Walmart . The front door is one of her favourite spots to wait for her family, for her post delivery lady or friends to walk by. Cute.

Here I am in Texas. Sitting here with 7 others ladies (Carol, Laura, Tracey, Gaylen, Leisha, Susan, Vicki) looking at our purchases today from the convention. Lots of oohs, aaah's, and where did you get that going on. I have been doing classes and will share some of my creations soon. Bye for now. Margaret

The first page is one that I created in July - I got the idea from Creating Keepsakes July 07 magazine. I have used Stampin' Up! (r) stamp set "It's a Date". This is a great challenge - my bits and pieces on the table in front me. There were some photos of my China trip, some planning for my USA trip in September 07, parts of train tickets, tv programme, calendar entry, etc etc. A fun project - why not try it today yourself. Some images: (c) 1990-2008 Stampin' Up! (r) Artwork: Margaret L Crawford The next page is Merrilyn and I (hence the paper covered "M") on her wedding day in October. I have known Merrilyn (a friend's daughter) since she was born, and I helped at her home on her big day - making cups of tea, sandwiches, painting the fingernails of the flowergirl - that sort of thing. The third page is from my September 07 USA trip. Again, this page was inspired by a layout in Creating Keepsakes January, 08 magazine. I was inspired by the titl...

Here is a 15cm x 15cm ( 6" x 6") scrapbook page I created today. I have used Watercolour Joy Wheel (105516 $11.95) to make my own background paper. The stamp sets are Big Deal Alphabet (108751); Looks like Spring (108864); Sweet Shapes (108927). I have also used Spring Bouquet Flower punch above the "I" and Word Window punch. Images: © 1990-2007 Stampin' Up!® Artwork: Margaret L Crawford

A couple of more photographs taken on my recent USA/Canada holiday. On the way to Springfield, Missouri, we stopped at Big Springs. Yes, the water was as blue as it is shown in the photographs.

I spent time on a friends property in Missouri, USA during my holidays. I love this photograph, that I have taken, of a creek on their farm. The autumn leaves, rocks, reeds and the reflection of the sky and trees are all magical. Enjoy.