Erica's 21st.

Here's a layout I've done for Aussie Scrapjacked. It was at Erica's 21st and being a costume designer now, she needs a page about how she organised this outfit for her fantasy themed party.There were also large black wings (not worn in this photo). I went for the Parisienne look with the antique heart and swirly rub-ons and curly writing.The 7 gypsies card went beautifully I thought.

Busy, busy, busy.

I've been too busy to be blogging for a while.My daughter has completed uni and moved home awaiting results and a job.My mother has had pneumonia then been in respite care for 3 weeks.This has involved a lot of my time. My scrapbooking has gone on the back burner for the moment. I participated in 2 Secret Santas on line and received some beautiful scrapping stuff in return.I've also done 2 circle journals for purplescraps.Every moment matters has had a christmas Card competition which I've been part of, involving one card to make each week. my friends and family were given these and have admired them.

Power scrapping!

On Sunday I had just returned from Wagga Wagga then I rememberedI had some layouts to do for the sketch challenge and cyber crop which were due Sunday Night. I sat down at 4pm and produced 4 layouts including one double paged one.They all turned out quite well considering the speed at which I needed to do them.

One involved only circles which I have uploaded here.It was my 47th birthday.

My nephew was mowing the lawn and found a split tennis ball so he put it on his nose to make the kids laugh.After taking the photo I noticed the satellite dish on next door’s roof in the background. It gave me the idea of an alien/unexplained humanoid.I put faces on the loopy brads to be the aliens and added metallic circular embellishments.

Getting through the list

I've found a selection of places to leave my old scrapping magazines. I'm selling some on ebay plus donating others to various DR surgeries etc.
My Secret Santa parcels are both posted and one has arrived at its destination.
I'm still working on my retreat mini album but should get some time today to fix it.
I've done a layout for Aussie Scrapjacked.
I'm enjoying making cards on EMM for their weekly challenges and have found time to do Purplescraps sketch challenge as well.
It is so much easier with my new arrangement to find the things I need.This in turn means I am more productive.

Reducing the "to do" list.

Okay, the 2 Secret Santa gifts are ready to post.I worked on them over the weekend.
Now I have 2 challenges to complete.I've managed to locate a powerpoint presentation so the scanning can be done.I also called into my scrapping store and tried to off load old scrapping magazines but nobody seems to want them.They suggested donating to a local library.
Getting my new cupboard has made me more organised ,scrapping wise anyway.

Busy time ahead

I have 2 secret santa projects to complete this month plus the purplescraps circle journal plus the retreat accordion album I am working on. Suddenly there is pressure to get all these things done.Add to that a powerpoint presentation for Erica's 21st which involves lots of scanning photos.
I've recently done a sketch challenge layout using my favourite basic grey papers.

Christmas approacheth

I've been busy creating christmas Cards for my special friends. I'm having fun using up all the red/green/white/silver scraps.Everymoment matters is having a competition to display one a week.
I need to get some more baskets or containers for my new scrap cupboard to help keep it tidy.

Circle Journal begins its journey.

My Purplescraps retreat journal begins its journey today. It is going to Tasmania, Broken Hill then 3 places in Victoria.Each person will be doing a page about the antics we got up to at mealtimes.I'm looking forward to getting it back again to see what they all said.Here is the cover

They have arrived.

The CD with all the photos arrived today as well as a chipboard tag album to use for the circle journal. I have lots to keep me occupied now.i'd better go and get started as the first CJ swap is early November.

The old recipe

Today I'm scrapping a very old recipe from a great aunt featuring 24lbs of tomatoes. My goodness they certainly cooked in huge amounts in the olden days(1915). I'm trying to achieve the faded look in pinks and lilacs.One item I've used is a fabric flower from a birthday cake long gone. I've also used tags.
It is important to preserve these things so future generations can appreciate the differences.
Apparently, there is to be a circle journal from the purplescraps retreat that I will be working on.

October challenge Aussie scrapjacked

I've just done this layout to put on Aussie scrapjacked. Nathan and the boys were having swings on the clothesline rails and were really enjoying themselves. I thought it was a photo moment. It was hard matching colours but I opted for red and gold.Eyelets appealed to me as the trim and I had fun hammering them into place.

Mini albums take time

I've started doing a mini album from the retreat.It is a concertina one that I actually put together there. Now I'm using heaps of purple embellishments and paper scraps that I have accumulated over 5 years. It is fun but very time consuming. I plan to do it in sequential order as things happened over the weekend.
At the same time I have joined a new site everymomentmatters where I have noticed some great layouts and lots of topical discussions.

The morning muster

The purplescraps girls

Left to right:Emily,Nikki,Melinda,Julie,Kaye and Julene(Me)

Purplescraps retreat

I've just been to the best scrapbooking retreat at Bendigo Victoria. We met up at Tullamarine Airport then travelled together by car. It was great to finally meet up after 3 and a half years of talking online.There are some talented scrappers amongst them and we were hosted by Melinda at Scrapping'n'craft. Prizes were donated by most of the major scrapbooking suppliers. I was lucky enough to win a kaisercraft set of papers, paints, rhinestones and a wooden fibre winder and box set.(Plenty of work to complete that now). We were also given a bag of scrapbooking goodies each and a pink sturdy scrappers backpack from Creativ.We exchanged gifts hidden in a toilet roll, so I am now stocked up on brads, clips, hinges etc.There were so many donations and extra bits it was hard to fit it all in the suitcase.
We all wore purple on the first day and tiaras.When we went to the local hotel for dinner we got some strange looks. Photos will be put on here shortly.

Car accident,Macbeth and Teaching a lesson

I've been very quiet here lately following a car accident last week which has prevented me from scrapbooking or even typing on the computer. My bruises and broken sternum are slowly healing. I went to WaggaWagga to see CSU's production of Macbeth.My daughter was stage manager.It was an excellent production. This has led me to doing a layout about it.I'm featuring a vellum pocket with tartan ribbon and swirls(flourishes). It is coming up quite well.
I also ampreparing a lesson for our Purplescraps retreat next weekend. I'm getting excited about meeting the other girls from there.

Purplescraps retreat

I'm off to a scrapbooking retreat from 14th to 16th September. I have paid my money plus booked my airfare, so now I'm getting excited. It is at Bendigo (Kangaroo Flat actually). I'm so looking forward to meeting all the Purplescraps girls. I have been on the site for 5 years so now I finally get to meet them.

Bonnie Babes box

Inspied to help

I bought the latest Scrapbooking memories and in there they are asking for boxes.These are for Bonnie Babies to give to parents who have had a baby die.I have bought 2 packs of K and Co's new papers and intend to make these.With a time frame to work within I am inspired.
I visited the craft shop where I applied for a job and at least they remembered me.She was very friendly and even commented on my new hair colour.

Exploring others' work

I went blog surfing yesterday and found Mel Deiner's blog. My goodness she has been published a lot of times! Her strong style has developed since I last saw her work.It was amazing! She is also on design teams so must be a busy lady.
On a more personal note my journal jar and matching notebook are finished and given to Mum to work on.She liked the idea.Lets hope thosememories come flooding back.
I haven't scrapbooked in a week but hope to do some this weekend.
Here is my list of published layouts.
Scrapbooking Memories
Volume 4 No. 10(Scrappers' Challenge winner-Erica's first bikini)
Volume 5 No 6. (My first class and Why I became a teacher)
Scrapbook Creations
Volume 3 no 8. (Double page project Aeroplane-creative shaker box)
2004 yearbook. (Woy Woy)

I have tried to achieve more but so far not successful.

A Scrapboxx day

The Sydney Scrapboxx girls met yesterday at Fred the Needle at Penrith.It was great to see Susan,Chrissy,Bev,Tracey W,and meet Lusi. We all chatted and ate lunch as well as attempting to scrap. I was surprised that I actually finished a journal jar and matching note-book for my Mum to use. It has rejuvenated my scrapping interests after they have somewhat waned during winter.

Lucky Day
I was reading in the newspaper about how the 7/7/07 is a lucky day. It has inspired me to do a layout about how lucky I am and being thankful that things have gone my way.It is amazing how long this list can become.

What I am working on.

My favourite scrapbooking sites are Purplescraps, Scrapboxx and Blue Bazaar. I have been amazed at the people who have already found my blog and left comments on here. It is so nice of you!

My scrapping at the moment has been on a Christmas in July theme. I am making a mini album for a swap.I have found an amazing paper with reindeers names all over it and a matching reindeer cut out.Now all I have to do is assemble it. Mini albums take so long to do usually but this one I have only to do the skeleton because the person I send it to does the details.In return I will receive something "Christmassy" ready to use with my photos.

I also recently entered an ATC swap with the technique of stamping. I used white paint on my stamp with a dark red background.These could be Christmassy too, I just realised.

While we are on Christmas, above is a double page layout I did with tags.I felt it is important to record the traditions of our family.

Welcome

I was so excited about Carole Janson I forgot to introduce myself and say welcome.

I am a scrapbooker with 6 years practice and still very enthusiastic.
My teacher was Caroline McLachlan, one of the best!
I love basic grey and 7 gypsies.
I mainly do uncluttered layouts and some off the page stuff.
I have been published 5 times in Scrapbooking Memories and Srapbook Creations.
My main scrapbooking "genre" is heritage as I have a keen interest in history and geneology.
I have taught scrapbooking at 2 different stores and am currently hoping to find a 3rd.

I am a mum to 1 almost 21 year old daughter who is very creative and has assisted me greatly on my path to creativity.I have always done crafts including embroidery, knitting,tapestry,other papercrafts, macrame(in the '70's) and sewing.
Some of these crafts I have been able to incorporate in my scrapbooking though i am yet to knit a layout!
I have set up this blog to share my thoughts and work with other like-minded people.I'm a blogging virgin so this will eventuate slowly.
Please comment I need the feedback.

Carole Janson's 3d work

Meeting Carole Janson was great. She was at the craft show at Darling Harbour with her 3 dimensional scrapbooking on display. I knew about her from the scrapbook masters last year and was curious to see her work. It is fantastic!It is tempting to touch but I didn't! I came home very inspired.
I've put one of my layouts in my blog which I am proud of and have had favourable comments about.The title is hand done.