Stamps Ahead

No, I am not doing any fitness or diet challenge! I am participating in a 20 day challenge over at Junk Journal Ides and Inspiration Facebook page. Day 1 - the prompt 'A penny for your thoughts. I was recently given a 20th January,1951 English magazine called Home Chat and it was this image introducing a story and 'thought for every day' was a regular feature apparently. What was she thinking of in 1951? I have included some thoughts in the pock I made on the page for a new junk journal I am creating for this challenge. What thought would you put into the pocket? For the challenge we can make anything - clusters, pockets, belly bands so really anything goes so long as it is appropriate for the prompt each day which has a nostalgia feel.  So, let's see what I can create - next prompt is 'actions speak louder than words'. Until then, happy thoughts. Margaret

Breaking records with the heat here in Australia at present, yes today is hot, hot, hot again.  Here are two layouts I completed recently for some classes I am leading for a local community group.. Inspired by a layout by the August Paper Flourishes kit. The papers are from Kaisercraft.  I have adapted for a more heritage layout. I found the great quote on the internet.  And is that not what we are as scrapbookers, preserving for future generations.  The photo is of my grandparents in the front of their home in Asquith, New South Wales in I would say the early to mid 1950's. This bright and happy layout includes a photo of my friend, Mel and her kids taken at Buderim Rainforest Walk and Falls, last year.  We walked down to the falls and I must say it was a relief to spend a little bit of time in the coolness before we headed up again to the road.  The button on the left says "Never give up" and I didn't I pressed on and achieved one of the greate...

Here I am back with a layout created for Soul Scrappers - this time the letter challenge was "V" and the criteria Vellum.  My word is Vintage. The photograph is of my parents on their wedding day - in their "going away" outfits.  My mother was a tailoress/dressmaker and she made all of her clothes for her big day and I am sure for her trousseau.  Is this word still used today? It means the clothes, linen, and other belongings collected by a bride for her marriage. For their honeymoon they went to Newcastle, NSW not far from where I live these days. I searched my stash for some vellum - not an easy task as it is not something that I regularly use and in fact it is not something that I have really embraced.  Yes, it is Christmas themed - oh, well, how was I going to make it work. As I was doing this, I found a piece of Graphic 45 paper with a fashion theme.  Taking inspiration from the fact that Mum was a dressmaker I decided to keep the word...

I will be so glad when I get my camera back from repairs.  This layout was completed for a sketch challenge (SC90) over at Soul Scrappers. Here is the sketch: My layout incorporates all the elements but at different angles to suit the portrait photo of my parents during their courting days.  Looking at the photograph I am making an assumption that it was taken on George Street, Sydney near the original Bank of New South Wales (now Westpac) headquarters. I recognise the ornate doors. As an aside - this building played a big part in my working life as I worked for the 'Wales/Westpac' for many years. I have used Kaisercraft "Antique Bazaar" papers and elements on my layout with the exception of the little button bottom right,  a couple of papers on the banner and the twine and brads.  I loved this collection as soon as I saw it and it seems to fit the 'oldness' of this photo. Thank you for looking, time is a great storyteller, Margaret :)

cards (c) Bianca Clarkson - Princess Bee's Designs - Classes at Fantasia. Yesterday, I made these cards at a workshop at Fantasia , Bella Vista. Lots of good techniques. Today. it is a beautiful winter's day here in Sydney,plenty of sun - I have really got my creating mojo happening - I have made some scrapbooks for SCKC (South Coast Kids Camp) and some christmas cards for Aussie troops overseas. I really need to get some photos of my holidays printed and start scrapbooking my holiday.

Jayne's final challenge for the night was to find a card, in current SU catalogue, that you like and turn it pink! You can substitute other stamp sets too. Just use the card you choose for inspiration. My inspiration came from page 90, top right hand corner, the one with hearts. Doesn't it look great with the flowers from my garden.

Images: (c) 1990-2009 Stampin' Up (r) Artwork: Margaret L Crawford No, not a senior's moment! I have been reading a book, by Alison Houtte & Melissa Houtte, called "Alligators, Old Mink & New Money" about one woman's adventures in Vintage Clothing. And this started my creative juices flowing - why not make a vintage style card. This is the result. I love old lace and have a large collection that I just cannot part with and I have used some on this card. An update from Stampin' Up! (r), as at Friday they had so far donated $15,744.85 from the sale of stamp sets mentioned in an earlier post. And the special offer is still current so there is still time to buy and remember SU is donating 50% of the sale of the sets to the Australian Red Cross Bush Fire Appeal.