Stamps Ahead

 Here is my layout for CSI Case File No. 479. I have used the colour Lemon from The Scene and the Colour Scheme.  For evidence I have used florals, flowers, leaves, ice cream, limes or other food (Birthday cake - sponge with cream and strawberries made by my mother), frames, something round (the typeface numbers of the year 1952). The topic I selected was to document a summer memory (as my birthday is in December and it is summer in Australia then) and for writing format Joy slip - one line beginning "Todays' bright spot..." and this is tucked into the top of photo on the right. On the reverse of this slip I wrote "What I would tell my 3-year-old self. Photos are of 3-year-old me sitting on the front veranda of our childhood home in Asquith, NSW.  Dad had made the bench out of tree branches, and it features in many photos of our childhood.  Mum made all our clothes and was the most wonderful cook - neither my sister nor I can make a sponge cake like she could!...

I was thrilled to be asked to be a Guest Detective/Designer for CSI June case files.  Here is the layout I designed for Country Cooking Month File No. 478.  Criteria for the Case File was to draw inspiration from the scene, the evidence and testimony I have the red from the scene.  For evidence, I used patten paper, cooking themed items (Cakes, tarts, sandwiches and much more) from Mad Hatter's Tea Party, brads.  For testimony I used 3 of the June prompts -What reminds you of your past? The best kind of laughter is.. and where do you always have fun? I have journalled the answers to these on the back of the tags under the 3 photos at the top.    My photos were taken at Scrapping Clearly retreat Down the Rabbit Hole recently held in Gundagai, NSW. On the Saturday we had a Mad Hatters Tea Party lunch, and the sign was one of the decorations as we walked into the hall where retreat was held.  The printed papers are from Stamperia Alice in Wonderland pape...

Here are the Artist Trading Cards (ATC's) I made for the April swap at Natalie May Scrapbooki ng. The swap was to make ATC's with theme "use your stash". I was required to make 11 ATC's to swap. This was the first time participating in the monthly ATC swap. Everything I used on the ATC's did come from my stash. But, first a little tale... I initially started with a piece of a sheet of heavy-duty white card stock that I believed was enough to make the required number of cards...well, it turns out I didn't I only had enough for 8!! What to do? Left the decision overnight!! I decided to cut up the eight I made into 1" strips and create new background.  What did I use? For original 8 cards I used layered techniques inspired by a virtual retreat I did with Seth Apter this time last year. For the new backgrounds I used the same colours I used for the above strips and sprayed onto the now 12" x 12" white cardstock.  I then applied gesso over this s...

 This is a layout I created for a challenge over at The Hut Creative  - the challenge Autumn. 20/3/26 Autumn evening in Longreach, Qld. Journalling is on the tag in the middle popping out of the bottom 2 photos. Rosebank homestead was a detour as planned Thompson River sunset cruise did not happen due to flood.   Beautiful views of sunset.  I used paper from Penelope Dee Sienna collection. Thank you for looking.  Margaret  Another quote from the collection, that I did not use. "Be fearless in the pursuit of what sets your soul on fire."

The weekend I am participating in an on-line virtual retreat with Hillbilly Scrappin"  called Do you see what I see (DYCWIS). I have signed up for several of the classes.  Here is a journal page I have created with a class led by Marlene of ART BY MARLENE (ABM). A little out of my comfort zone - but hey need to do that sometimes!   Mostly using paints and pencils from my stash.  I did use ABM Paper Pad Multi Color Madness (ABM-26-DPP417) and ABM Sticky Multi Glue 28ML - all available from Hillbilly Scrappin'. We were encouraged to free-hand draw our options for how we would tackle this - Marlene provided some examples in her video.  Well, all I can say is I could not draw regular looking faces - below see how I started off - scary stuff!!!  I was inspired by a kid's You-tube!! On the right I tried another drawing same as the first by cut down middle! Scarier!!!   So, I was not happy - so I went with geometric shaped face and features!  ...

 This is a layout I have created using Unmistakeable Creations Aussie Adventure collection. Last month I visited The Australian Age of Dinosaur Museum in Winton, Queensland.  This board, located just outside the Museum, is updated daily with the latest fly warnings - lucky for us there were not many of them this day however it was windy!.    Patchwork/quilters may recognise that my grid is a pattern called "Shoo Fly" it seemed appropriate for this layout.  Thank you for looking, Margaret

Here is a layout I have completed for White with 1 challenges . The March challenge was to use white with green and twine. In May 2024, I spent time with my friends in Doniphan, Missouri.  Their property is largely self-sufficient, they grow vegetables, mushrooms and more and they have a pig that is raised for meat - this day the time had come to load the pig onto truck for its journey to where it was to be butchered for its meat.  Well, did we have fun that day - the men took charge of transport from pen to truck - requiring many changes of plan of attack. The ladies well we took photos and provided encouragement and laughs along the way. Thank you looking, Margaret

I wanted to share with you something I have been working on. One of the artists I follow on-line recently had a quote "Your art does not need a purpose." I loved that saying so decided to finish this portrait style accordion journal that I started at beginning of the year and then put aside as I was stuck by my inner artist and began to doubt where I was going with it. This little journal started out as 3 pieces - I decided to join together. Lots of bits and pieces that were laying on my table with mark making, rustic stitching and more. Unfortunately, the white paint pen I used on the black ink shapes did not come out in the photography - trust me there is doodling there! Thank you looking, Margaret

Completed for a challenge over at Soul Scrappers Challenges . The challenge is 'From Screen 2 Scrap".  Here is the inspiration:  The challenge - we are going BOLD and use BOLD patterned paper, BOLD title and two photos that dominate. I used my old Stampin' Up! large letter dies and Vicki Boutin Sweet Rush papers/photo embellishment - the BOLD curves called to mind Sydney Harbour Bridge and Sydney Opera House both visible in the photos of my great nephew and I on the rooftop atop The Rocks Sydney Youth Hostel in December, 2025. Looking for inspiration for your photos to put on layouts why not check out Soul Scrappers Challenges with the link above. Thank you for looking, Margaret

 Another layout for CSI Challenge 468 - January 2026. Here is my layout: Here is the inspiration photo: Here are the clues: In 2012 I was sent a Christmas card from my friends in the USA.  It shows her 2 boys on the cover - those boys are now adults and just as happy and love live as the 2012 photo.  I have used the following clues to complete my layout: winter/Christmas theme, stripes, labels, people, white gesso as snow falling, whimsical font (my friends writing on the card greeting), journalling in a plastic envelope (I could not find my vellum) and circles.   I look forward to what challenges are available in February and the remainder of 2026.  For more information visit  http://csichallenge.blogspot.com/ Margaret

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