Stamps Ahead

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

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...

Hillbilly Scrappin' has a virtual retreat called Merry & Bright Downunder coming up.  There was a warm-up challenge before the event starts.  The challenge was  ... " create something merry… without using traditional Christmas colours".  Here is what I created We could make a small background, tag, journal page, card front - using no red, no green, and no snowflakes! Think Aussie summer colours, beach days, faded eucalyptus, ice-cream pastels, sunburnt skies..or anything not a usual Christmas palette.  There was an optional extra challenge to add one that that says Aussie Christmas - a gum leave, thongs, flies, maybe a cold drink ring mark on the page.. interpreted however you wanted.  As you see I created a square card front. I must admit that I sat on this challenge for at least 3 weeks - nothing would come to me - and then this morning I went to my Colour Cube box and selected a card that inspired me. I loved the leaves strung along the line and the ...

Here is a layout I created for a challenge at The Hut Creative.  Challenge was to use envelope/s and some script on layout. This layout, of me at the Jane Austen Museum in Bath UK last year, using papers that I have cut down from larger sheets.  I have also included some very old clear stickers, tape I made, rhinestones and fussy cut butterflies.   I am old enough to remember using pen and ink in Primary School, long before we were introduced to that new invention - the biro.  To this day, I still have a bump on my middle right finger from using the pen!!  This was the first thing I thought off when visitors could sit down at desk and write some Jane Austen quotes or memories of the day. Thank you for looking, Margaret A quote from Jane Austen "My  style  of  writing  is  very  different  from  yours.  Oh!  write,  write." This  quote  emphasizes  the  individuality  of  wr...

 This past week I worked on two projects during a free on-line event with Making Zen Studio. Firstly, I completed a workshop with BB Henry to make this Textured Snippet.  I made mine small 3" x 1 (8cm x 2.5cm). I used fabrics from my stash - the pearls were part of a lace piece I used - I removed the and sew them on individually.  Various suggestions were given on how I could use it - a hair barrette was one not sure about that one, I feel certain I will use either as an embellishment for my junk journal or as a small gift card.   It was fun to create and I see more in my future. The second project I completed was a workshop with Heidi Iverson, Mini Button and Loop Pouch. Again, a small project finished at 3" (8cm) square.  Slow Stitching using Japanese fabrics (except for red) from my stash. Thank you for looking, Margaret 

I recently designed and made-up kits for a craft group. I included instructions for the leaders to follow. Here they are: And the extra - a card that could be for any occasion - birthday, congratulations, Christmas I have not made many cards since I finished up teaching classes so it was fun to get out supplies and to get creating. Thank you looking, Margaret

Here are 3 fun and colourful whimsical houses I created this morning. I used some bright papers and cut the whimiscal shapes and attached to cardstock with glue stick and then I machine stitched around I was inspired by a photo my friends, Jenny and Lyn took in August in Qaqortoq, a Southern Greenland cruise port. They have been on 3 month journey around the world and this was one of the ports they called into. Here is the photo they took and served as my inspiration - the colourful houses stood out to me Thank you for looking, Margaret

 A layout I have today created for a tic-tac-toe challenge at Soul Scrappers. The challenge grid. I selected stamping (2 favourite texture stamps applied with white paint and Arrows stamped in Archival Ink); Hexagons (die cut to various sizes - the smaller ones I scrunched up and applied Vintage Photo Vintage Photo ink to mimic the stones on the beach) and 1 photo of me taken on Llandudno Beach, Wales on 25th July 2024.    I used Unmistakable Creations Water's Edge collection papers and embellishments.   Thank you for looking, Margaret

This is a layout I have created for this months  White with 1 challenges  - Burgundy with Flowers Other layout from my visit to Epcot, Walt Disney Resort, Orlanda, Florida USA on 22nd May, 2024 with my friend Kathy, who lives close to the resort and visits often.  This beautiful display of living flowers, leaves and cacti really caught my eye.  It was part of EPCOT Flower & Garden Festival Topiaries - every Disney character and one-off displays, like this one, were throughout the Resort.   For my layout I have used a very old Kaisercraft collection called Treasured Moments - one of my favourites and I will be sorry when I have used it up.  Flowers are a mixture of embellishments from the collection plus fussy cutting from some of the pages.  I did use Aged Mahagony Oxide ink for the scattered dots using another favourite stamp set.  Thank you for looking, Margaret

The Batheaston Toll Bridge, a single lane bridge, has been operating since 1872. It is a Grade 2 listed structure. My sister, a friend and I were lucky enough to stumble across it in 2024. We walked it no cost! We had a giggle or two on reading the signs.  I was inspired to create this layout after seeing one by Chrissi Maddix on Scrapbook Fantasies Creative Family facebook page.   It uses papers and embellishments from their Nature Lover collection. Thank you for looking, Margaret

I was inspired by paintbyles to create this quick to make small journal cover Cover denim and fabric pieces from my stash. Vintage button that I have had for years, ceramic bead purchased last year in a gallery in Tea Gardens, NSW, stamping, my handwriting and cord made from calico I had tea dyed.  Signatures will be added later. Covered open. Inside.  Now before you say or think "oh my she has posted photo upside down!"  No, it was an  oopsie' that I will embrace as I place signature in future. In all it took my around 1 hour to put this together using items on my table.  I can see more in my future. Thank you for looking, and thank you to paintforbyles for your inspiration.  Margaret

 In April this year I purchased a kit from Hillbilly Scrappin  of the Stamperia Romantic Collection - Journal with instructions by Jenny Curthoys to make this double page interactive layout. Following are individual pages. Hopefully you will stay with me to the end. At this stage I have not added photos to my layout. On the left are two little books that are slipped into the pocket underneath. Great to add journalling or more photos. There are also two blank photo mats included in the pocket. I made the photo matt to flip back so I could add more photos or journalling underneath. These flips have a belly band and waterfall flap placed on its side. This is the front of the flip you see above. I had 1sheet of patterned paper left over and I made a companion or stand-alone layout page. I love interactive layouts as you can add so many photos.  Also, the kit is no longer available from Hillbilly Scrappin! all sold out! Thank you for looking, Margaret

Melissa from Unmistakable Creations Group on Facebook  set an interesting challenge (more later) here is my layout  Melissa has recently seen a number of layouts using embossing folders as backgrounds.  Her challenge was to use our embossing folders with white cardstock and create your background and then create a layout using one of the Unmistakeable Creations collections.  I used the Water's Edge collection. Thank you for looking and why not visit Unmistakeable Creations and check out the ranges.  Margaret.