Punch Art Fun

Gone...

2012-01-05T08:51:00.000+10:00

on blog-o-cation for a bit.

Or a lot.

I don't know, but I'll be back.

In a bit.

Or in a lot.

Not sure.

Will see.

Bye now!

Punch Art Christmas Cards - Santa porthole (circle)

2011-12-25T08:30:00.000+10:00

:o)

Merry Christmas to you!

2011 Cody Christmas Card

2011-12-24T08:09:00.000+10:00

After saying I wasn't going to make Christmas cards this year...I ended up making some. Was a surprise to me too.

Sometimes it's just the way of it.

Sometimes intentions lead to motivation and output.

Sometimes they don't.

And sometimes flicking things actually leads to flicking them.

And sometimes it doesn't.

And sometimes inspiration just kicks in whether you want it to or not.

I'd taken some fun photos of the dog in the backyard...

...and made some name tags for a party...

...and bought some oh-so-fab ticket stamps from Unity Stamps (these were a no-brainer when I saw them).

All of them had nothing to do with the other...nothing at all really.

But one day they all melded together and a Christmas card idea was born.

And I wanted to make it.

And I decided to.

And I finished them this week.

Andrew (yes, the man) wrote on them and I addressed/stamped them etc.

We're a good team.

He even wrote on one for me and made me teary. "That was my aim," he said.

Nice. It was.

I love the card.

It's from the heart.

It's just because.

It's us.

It's the dog.

It's me right now.

Simple, easy and fun.

Gotta tell ya though - they didn't take five minutes. You know how I say that 'these things never take five minutes?' Well, I'm right. They don't.

Each of these took about 10 mins - still pretty good for a card.

Worth it.

Bye now!

Merry Christmas!

Christmas lights with an arty twist

2011-12-23T11:46:00.000+10:00

Last night we passed by a local church and decided to stop in for a quick look. I ended up taking some Christmas light photos with an arty twist...literally.

You know how you've got your camera on the Normal setting with no flash and the photos are all fuzzy?

Well, I just went with that and moved the camera on purpose (in a circle, up and down or sideways - whatever) as I was taking the photos and ended up with these...

Shepherds and sheep.

Hmm um, yes, it is.

Angel's skirt.

They make your eyes go a bit funny at this point!

Camels and the three wise men.

Andrew did this one, I think.

Skirt again.

My fav, I think.

Moved the camera to the left and down. Only had 5 mins to do all this, so it was all pretty quick.

The lights were cascading here in real life - they're the best to do this with.

Anyway, like 'em.

Just a bitta fun.

Yep, I'll print a couple out and stick 'em in my book.

Here are the photos for realz.

All taken on the trusty Lumix on the night scenery setting.

No tripod. Just me.

Tried using Andrew's shoulder, but that required coordination of me taking the photo and him holding his breath.

Ended up just holding the camera up and snapping them.

And that, people, is why I'd get a Lumix again in a heartbeat. Quicker than that, can't be without a camera.

Also took this shot of the tree in town...

I think it's a tiny bit fuzzy, but it's still a goodie.

The best option when taking shots like this at night I reckon is to just lift the camera up and take the shot rather than try to hold the camera still for 5 secs before you take it.

My first shot (the lift and snap one) was the best.

That being said, I often use a tripod at home when there are lights involved, it's just easier.

Okay, bye now!

:o)

Punch Art Christmas Cards - Santa Scallop

2011-12-23T09:00:00.000+10:00

:o)

times two too!

Punch Art Christmas Cards - Reindeer porthole (square)

2011-12-22T09:30:00.000+10:00

:o)

Punch Art Christmas Cards - Reindeer porthole (circle)

2011-12-21T07:30:00.000+10:00

:o)

2011 December Daily

2011-12-20T11:56:00.001+10:00

Thought I'd post a couple of updates of my Dec Daily today.

I haven't been doing it every day, but I've been collecting stuff for each day and as of now, I'm up to date. Last night I did three days at once - ie. stuck all the stuff in and wrote a few notes.

The whole blank page thing works for me - I'm not interested in designing much, just documenting. I'll do it this way next year too. I like it.

Full page photos are good - Ali's doing them a lot this year and she inspired me to do one too. Told ya the girl inspires me.

I still have a bit of journalling to write on that second page.

I'm not a fan of leaving blank spots, but it's the way of it this year.

We bought a new star for the tree - ours was second hand when we got it and we had it for about 15 years. It was time!

Sorry, some of the photos are a bit dark.

On the right is a blog post I wrote about the scrapping girls that inspire me. I just printed it out in green and pink (I'm all about the coloured writing this year) and stuck it in.

String (ribbon pics) on the coldest Dec day we've had in 100 years. Hello, it's summer over here. 19 degrees is below average winter weather for us.

Chopped up the free Coles magazine that you get in-store. I'm not a sweet tooth, but I loved the way they presented the things with ribbon and baker's twine (on the right of the second page).

Post it notes show where photos go. I haven't had a chance (or the will) to go back to the shops to get the photos developed - will do at a later time.

Mum, Sue and I did some crafting and we listened to 150 Christmas songs in 8 hours. Whoa baby.

Printed out a calendar and added bits and pieces to it. Like this idea. Will do it again.

Ali suggested writing a letter to Santa this year and Pink Paislee had a downloadable page, so I decided to do it. Just a bitta fun.

Actually wrote a two-parter because I forgot to tell him what I wanted in the first letter!

A spot for two photos to go on the left there again.

We ate dinner outside under our lights and I took a couple of shots. We didn't last too long - the mossies chased us inside.

We've since moved the lights inside, so we can enjoy them each night without the bugs...

I want those Adirondack chairs! I'll have the light blue one please. It's actually the Christmas card that Andrew got from work. Nice, hey?

That's all the pages I've taken photos of. Just wanted to give a general idea of what I've been doing. The book's almost full.

Okay, bye now, talk soon.

PS. I made that banner back in November and kept it to stick in the Dec Daily. Like how it looks.

PS. Numbers are Papertrey Ink number dies.

Crafting update - The string...

2011-12-19T10:09:00.000+10:00

It's a really bad name, but I call it the string.

Maybe it should be the garland or the pretty thing, but the string? Not fab a name, is it?

Here's last year's string...

or strings...there are two really.

The string is actually ribbon strung between the dining room lights.

From now on I'll call it the ribbon.

Here is this year's ribbon.

Some things are the same as last year and some things are new.

The biggest difference is I've made a lot of the strings longer. Just felt like it.

Usually I put a red tablecloth on, but I've kept the coloured one for the moment. Like it.

Cody's stocking is on the end there - it's purely for decoration. We don't do dog gifts. I bought him a ball thrower (hello, bought it for me) the other day out of necessity, not for a gift.

Pinwheels

A long string of flat shapes on one string hanging from the string...er, ribbon.

Chipboard stars covered with gold glitter (Sizzix Bigz die - Pinwheel is Sizzix Bigz too).

3D ornaments - eight trees folded and glued together. Glitter ended at the end. One of my favourites this year. It's the pink Sullivans punch. I walk by and spin them for fun.

A button wreath - can you see it? Got the idea from Martha Stewart on Pintrest. Hers was green. Red's the go for me.

More stars.

More 3D ornaments.

More flat ornaments.

Used My Mind's Eye 12 Days of Christmas collection a lot.

Oooh, there's the Vintage Ornament punch that I had to throw out...see it just there? It's cream and covered in clear glitter. Looks pretty. It's a collector's item now!

There's the button wreath. These photos were taken at a few different times. I only made one wreath.

And see those candy canes? They're fakes. Love them. Got 'em from Big W for $5 for a box of 12. Bought two boxes and put the other lot on our tree. Just stuck 'em in there.

So that's the ribbon update.

I've got some ornaments on my desk that haven't been glittered yet, so I'll do them soon. Haven't been spending much time there recently...

Okay, bye now. Hope your Christmas season is travelling along nicely.

:o)

Punch Art Christmas Cards - Cute girl

2011-12-18T09:30:00.000+10:00

She deserves a lot of gifts, I think.

:o)

Punch Art Christmas Cards - Santa boy

2011-12-17T09:00:00.001+10:00

:o)

Rip punch...

2011-12-16T13:15:00.000+10:00

Well, it doesn't happen often, but sometimes things go wrong and you've got no option but to bin it.

I had to bin a Martha punch - Vintage Ornament, I think it was called.

Pity because it was quite pretty.

The binning could've been avoided if I'd've just used some cooking spray before I punched. I knew it was sticking a bit in there...

Anyway, as you can see, a lot of work was done on it to save it by Andrew and his dad. Andrew checked it one night and then the next day before work and his dad checked it during the day while he was here fixing the computer. He and I worked on it for an hour, but he deemed it unfixable.

Sad.

We tried.

"When in doubt, take everything out," he said. And he did. All the bits came out and were checked over and put back in.

I was in charge of the silicone spray. Andrew brought up the big guns from his tool box downstairs before he left and I sprayed it at will.

Could've done with it in the very beginning like I said...Don't do it to yourselves! Get up! Spray those punches...they'll thank you for it.

And what do you do when you've tried everything and you know you have to throw it away, but you just can't right then?

You have a cup of tea.

It fixes everything...

Bye bye punch, you were good while you lasted.

Punch Art Christmas Cards - Santa porthole (square)

2011-12-16T07:30:00.000+10:00

:o)

times two!

Punch Art Christmas Cards - Plum Pudding

2011-12-15T10:00:00.000+10:00

You can make them big or small.

I went big this time and made a shaped card.

Fun.

:o)

Punch Art Christmas Cards - Ho Ho Ho

2011-12-14T07:30:00.000+10:00

:o)

Punch Art Christmas Cards - Love Joy Hope and Peace

2011-12-13T08:30:00.000+10:00

That's what it's all about.

Him.

:o)

I have no words...

2011-12-12T07:30:00.000+10:00

...only a :o)

Punch Art Christmas Cards - Kids

2011-12-11T12:38:00.000+10:00

:o)

Punch Art Christmas Cards - Santa's Helpers

2011-12-10T09:00:00.000+10:00

:o)

The things you do...

2011-12-09T08:00:00.000+10:00

...because you can, basically.

The red and green look.

The natural look.

The red and green look again because they're Christmas colours afterall.

The non-traditional look.

(The I'm-not-ready-look)

The I-know-she's-gonna-throw-me-the-ball-again look.

She did.

Many, many times before the shoot, some during and lots after.

:o)

Punch Art Christmas Cards - Duck Cards and tags

2011-12-08T12:35:00.000+10:00

Book 3, page 42.

And another version with a tag.

Bells and leaves, who would've thought?

:o)

The scrapping girls that inspire me...

2011-12-07T12:03:00.000+10:00

They've taughtme so much over the last however many years. The encouragement, the answers,the inspiration, the ideas. I'm grateful for the part they've played, and stillplay, in my life.

***

Ali Edwards

Iwouldn't be doing half of what I'm doing if it wasn't for her. How we outwork things is completely different, but I am completely inspired by her. Always have been.

I thinkit's the photos and stories philosophy that she has. They are mostimportant to her and I totally agree. The way she tells those stories inspiresme to tell my own. Little and big, they all matter.

Same with blurry photos - they're still a memory, so include them if they mean something to you.

She tookon Project Life and has been tracking her progress on herblog...(the amount of work that she puts into projects and then blogging aboutthem - I respect that because I know how much work it is)... well, when she put thephoto of her album open on her counter it sparked my whole move to scrapping atthe cabinet in the living room with divided page protectors.

Before thatscrapping and I were at a stalemate.

After that we were friends again.

It was arevolution.

And thisbook. This December Daily thing. All her.

She's been doing it forfive years now and it's grown into one of the biggest crafting events of the year on the web. I've been doing it forfour years and just enjoy writing stuff down, putting photos in and looking back at the different albums.

Anyway, it's all because of Ali, she truly doesrock.

***

Stacy Julian

I've justwatched her four dvds again. They're about six or seven years old now, but theconcepts are still as relevant as they were then. Was fun to look back too and see the old products and how things have changed. No misting then!

Shesparked my whole mini album phase and the resulting 100+ mini albums. Totally amazing.

She'scurrently doing episodes on My Craft Channel now and hers is the only show Idefinitely watch (not true - def. watch Ella too). She's always got something good to say. What I love is that she'spassionate about photos and stories and putting them together. She loves thecrafty part, but the memories are the most important.

"Let go of the expectation that you have to do something with all of yourphotos and embrace the idea that you can do something good (and fun) with someof your photos."

It's sosimple when you think about it.

***

JenniferMcGuire

I think she's a great teacher and I really enjoy her videos.She's a stamper (unlike me) and she's taught me a lot of different things from techniques to product knowledge as well as inspirational things.

She also taught me how to make rosettes. Did you see her huge one recently? I loved it. Almost fell off the chair when I first saw it :o)

***

Noell Hymanfrom Paperclipping

Shehas a lot of good stuff to say about design, organisation and scrapping ingeneral.

Noell always shares her roadblocks and solutions about things. She's all about creative problem solving and providing tools for people to use in their own scrapbooking world.

She's definitely not copy and paste. She's...hold it, what other buttons are there? She's the link button. She links things together for people.

Yep, she's done that for me.

***

Kelly Purkeyand Amy Tan

They both inspire me to go make stuff. I love their stylesof scrapping and their Instax photos. I lookforward to seeing their pages because they're always colourful and trendy.

Amy likes to layer strips of paper and cluster embellishments around one or twophotos. I love how they turn out. And I love the Pivi printer too - could totally get into that.

Kelly's style varies a lot. She's inspired by design around her andtries a lot of different things on her pages. They're right up there - she's very, very good and one of the best scrapbookers out there.

I like these girls, they really rock it.

***

StephanieHowell

She inspires me by telling stories, being honest and makingtime for scrapbooking.

She's a mum of four girls including one-year-old twins. She scraps because she needs tofor the creativity, the therapy and the sane time it gives her. I understandthat. I understand how she makes time and makes the most of her time.

Shescraps really fast because she has to. I like her get-it-down typestyle. Her pages are fun to look at and I love the little stories that shetells. Her girls are gorgeous too.

***

So, thanksto you, girlies. I don't know you personally, but that doesn't mean I can't say thanks.

Thanks for the encouragement, answers, inspiration and ideas. And the like-mindedness, I really like that. Thanks for sharing your scrapping and crafting journey with us and for all the work you put into producing your blogs.

One word: Amazing.

Five words: Merry Christmas to you all.

***

Punch Art Christmas Cards - Santa Swag

2011-12-07T08:30:00.000+10:00

Love this.

:o)

A Scrap Quiz - Where do you store your albums?

2011-12-06T10:08:00.000+10:00

Yes, well, that's been interesting.

For years they were in the linen cupboard because it was the only cupboard in the house that could accommodate them for the keeping-the-dust-off-factor and the size factor. 12 x 12 albums are pretty big and don't fit in most normal furniture I've found.

Eventually I started to need the room in the linen cupboard for actual sheets and towels, so I asked Andrew to build me a shelf in the cupboard of the spare room.

Here's where they get stored now....

Yes, that's a cupboard with a TV in it.

Was my idea to put it in the cupboard so we (I) couldn't see it when it wasn't in use. Works really well.

So there are all the albums, all lined up. I love that they're easy to pull off the shelf and look at on the carpeted floor. Carpeted floor is good for viewing albums on.

Some of the mini albums are stored in this box and basket.

I know, not fabulous, but I don't look through them much (they're not as precious to me in that way). Works for the moment - I certainly don't want them out and scattered all over the place...too much.

I like them altogether in the same room pretty much even though they're in a plastic box...

There's a bookshelf in the same room and some of the albums are stored on there. As are games, other scrapping books and mags and bits and pieces (I can see a dictionary and some Lonely Planet guides up there).

We call this room the snug. It's certainly that - it's snug. It's great for reading (we have an old couch in there too), looking at albums, watching tele and just being quiet.

It's one of my favourite rooms in the house because it just works for us. Took us a while to figure out how to get it that way though. Sometimes things work themselves out...and this room did.

Last note: I think that was another reason I stopped making mini albums - the storage! Hello? How do you store them?

Anyway, that's how I store mine.

:o)

PS. A Scrap Quiz is a bit of a series on the ye olde blog - you can check out previous A Scrap Quiz posts on the right sidebar there.

Punch Art Christmas Cards - Teddy Bear

2011-12-05T07:30:00.000+10:00

:o)

A Scrap Quiz - What's your scrap history? Part 8

2011-12-03T08:30:00.000+10:00

To finish the scrap history posts, I thought I'd end with the stats.

Started in Dec 2000

Still going strong today.

This is not a hobby to me, it's something that I do. It's our life in photos and I'll always take them and organise them in some sort of album form.

Completed at last count:

15 chronological albums - 12 x 12

4 trip albums - 12 x 12

10 other 12 x 12 albums of various themes.

2 albums in 8 x 8

Over 100 mini albums

4 Photo album books - 2 ups

3 December Daily albums

1 On the Road album

Wow, that's a lot.

I do get a bit concerned about the volume of stuff, but I've really pulled back on that in the last few years and I try to let the photos mature before I get them printed out. I print less that way.

So, that's it for this question - it turned out to be an eight parter, far out.

What it comes down to is...

...and that makes me happy.

:o)

PS. A Scrap Quiz is a series on the blog-o. Click on the A Scrap Quiz label on the right sidebar if you'd like to read the other posts. Bye now.

A Scrap Quiz - What's your scrap history? Part 7

2011-12-02T08:49:00.000+10:00

Okay, the move to divided scrapbook page protectors is here, yay.

(I'm talking about my scrapping history - all the different types of scrapping I've done over the years and how it's led me to where I am now)

And where I am now is...

...scrapping standing up at my cabinet in the living room using divided page protectors.

Yay.

Double yay.

The three above are using Becky Higgins' page protectors from Project Life.

They have the four journalling spots across the middle (she's got some additional types of page protectors now too).

I use the spots for journalling, photos and/or decorations.

All the other page protectors below are various ones.

Yearly soup night which we didn't get to have this year. Next year's a definite. We've done soup night for at least eight years (missed another year in there somewhere).

My brother's made a lot of soups...pizza soup was a favourite.

Last year he bought chili soup with a "this will clear your drain pipes" warning on it. The photo at bottom right is him feeding it to Jack who said he was game. To our surprise it didn't bother him too much...a bit, but not much.

Special photo up the top there with my grandma and Pete's three boys (my nephews). Rare shots those.

Andrew's grandma's 100th birthday celebration. What a momentous day. And I love that photo of her and him. A very special one.

Funny dog - he had some blue paint on his nose in the top left photo. Not sure where that came from.

As I mentioned before - I wanted to include more everyday shots in my album. Took this one of Andrew's work bag with all the lunch rejects, mainly fruit. Gotcha.

Family time at Mum and Dad's. That's Andrew playing with Casey and Joey is the baby up the top.

I love to include old photos in my album too.

Just random ones and I stick them in. I like having them all in there like one big happy photo family.

The page above has three different ones that I wanted to put in 1911 (my granny was five), 1957 (my mother was eight), 1983 (I was ten).

Sometimes I'll decorate a lot. Sometimes not. All depends on my time and motivation and will. I like that I can keep it simple or play around a bit...

...and do something like this.

8 1/2" x 11" page protector with nine divided spaces with October Afternoon's Seaside collection.

I love photos, but I love patterned paper too. This was pure fun. I made the decorative bits double sided and used some for journalling and some for just colour.

You can see above it's just included in the album as another page.

I did the same last year with some Christmas papers too.

Essentially I can have fun with the papers and then keep what I make. Can't do that with a card - they're made to give away.

So, that's what my albums look like now.

A big mix of stuff that I love and that I really want to get back to because it feels like I haven't touched a photo in ages.

PS. I use We R Memory Keepers three ring binder albums and I get them from here (Scrap Boutique). Red's my favourite. She has the page protectors too.

A Scrap Quiz - What's your scrap history? Part 6

2011-12-01T08:30:00.000+10:00

We're continuing on with my scrap history today...

You can check out the rest of the posts under the A Scrap Quiz label on the sidebar there.

Today I'm talking about December Daily albums.

I've done a December Daily album for the past three years and I'll be doing one again this year.

This year's will be in another visual diary like the black one below. I find they're what work for me at the moment. I like creating a 'scrapbook' rather than an album.

I was going to use the blue Smash book, but it just said no right at the time I went to use it. It happens.

Below the visual diary is about 10 x 10, this year's is A4. It's black too. I'm going to tie a big red bow on it when I'm done.

Best part? No cover to decorate.

Here are my three December Daily albums.

2008 - top left

I made the album.
Bound with rings.
Pages of all sizes.
Mostly one page (front and back) per day.
A lot of work.
Liked it.
Did the 30 days of December.
You can read more about my 2008 December Daily project here - lots of inside page photos etc.

2009 - top right

Did the project in Dec 2009, but didn't buy the album until halfway through 2010, and didn't finish the whole thing until Dec 2010.
Used page protectors (8 x 8).
Mostly one single page per day.
Made the page inserts.
Kept it a lot more simple.
Didn't finish this one until late 2010 (because of the album and I just lost interest because it got confusing as to what I was doing. Took the buying the album to sort it out).
Think I did just the 25 days of Dec.
I remember this project being a bit of a muck around...just wasn't on my game.
You can read more about my 2009 December Daily project here - lots of photos.

2010 - bottom

Used a visual diary (black cover, white paper, bound spine) - a pre-bought book that I already had here at home.
Didn't have to make an album before December - hip hip hooray (after doing a lot of craft for my job during the year, I found making the album too much and I lost my mojo to actually document December when it rolled around in 2008 and 2009).
Used as many pages as I wanted for the day.
Stuck bits in.
Used a 4 x 6 piece of paper as a template for the photo that was going to go there in the future. Just journalled around the template and wrote in pencil in the middle of the space what the photo was.
Enjoyed the process a lot.
Even used a different punch each day just for fun. I added paper strips to fill up the white spaces if I wanted to and I used the different border punches I had to decorate those strips. What punch are we using today? Liked that.
This approach is very much the old, old (think Lucy Maud Montgomery old) approach to scrapbooking. Scrap-booking.
It's fun.
I used a blue biro to journal with.
I wrote in running writing.
I never do that in my albums normally.
Actually, not true, I've started using blue biro in my chrono albums. I do not like (the proper) black journalling pens when they get chisels on the tips!
Further info on my 2010 December Daily project can be found here.

And here they are open, so you can see the differences inside.

The Joy is the Christmas card my mum sent me that year.

Hmm, interesting projects these.

Like 'em.

Wonder how this year's will go?

Will see!

PS. Next post is my move to divided page protectors for good.

Punch Art Christmas Cards - Cute chick

2011-11-30T07:30:00.000+10:00

An oldie, but still a goodie.

The hanging ornaments are kinda fitting for this year's Christmas theme what with all the string ornaments around the place.

:o)

A Scrap Quiz - What's your scrap history? Part 5

2011-11-29T10:34:00.000+10:00

Previous scrapping history posts have discussed how I started scrapbooking and all the different types of scrapping I've tried.

At this point we're around 2007 ish.

Now, I don't know when it was, but I know I went on a scrapping hiatus for about a year at some point.

I was frustrated with having to keep up all the time.

I was completely overwhelmed with the photo developing part! I was getting them done for mini albums, the holiday album, chrono albums - gosh, I remember how confusing it was.

I'd come home with so many photos for so many things and in so many sizes. All that organising took so much effort...too much and I flicked it eventually.

I know I stopped making mini albums in 2009. It might've been halfway through 2008.

I didn't do it on purpose, it just happened.

I think they had just run their course with me pretty much.

I wanted to simplify things and just concentrate on our everyday photos. They were where my heart was.

I wasn't happy with my process though - there was definitely no output.

I see myself as a lifelong scrapbooker.

A lifelong photo and story organiser.

I am a scrapbooker, yes.

I am a lifelong scrapbooker more like it.

So, no output for a year.

I hoped an answer would come, so I just left it.

One day (and I've blogged about this before), I saw an open album using divided page protectors in a photo that Ali Edwards put on her blog and all of a sudden the penny dropped.

"I need my stuff out where I can see it."

You can read the story here...

After that - it all started happening.

I was getting so much done and I was standing up - amazing.

Before the penny dropped, in an effort to change things up and find a solution, I bought Project Life by Becky Higgins.

It was going to be my introduction to scrapping using a pre-made kit, divided page protectors and a three ring binder (something I'd always avoided)....and hopefully the solution I needed.

(Project Life started out as a photo-a-day project, but it's evolved into more than that. It's a whole system that you can buy and use however you want. My intention was to just use it with my photos as I took them and got them developed).

While I waited for Project Life to arrive...

I kept scrapping the old way to use up the albums I already had...

(Yep, that's an 8 1/2 x 11" page protector in a 12 x 12 album. Ah la Ali Edwards too. She mixes all the different sizes.)

...which led me to my new way.

My old way of scrapping?

Post bound albums
Photos developed in lots of sizes
Full sized page protectors
White backgrounds (the ones that came in the album)
Some colour with patterned paper and bits
Fairly flat - no buttons or whatnots.
Chronological order
I sat and scrapped at the dining table (or other location)
I scrapped in bunches a lot more - 2 or 3 times a year for days or weeks at a time
I did mini albums, chrono scrapping, other 12 x12 albums, gift albums etc etc all at the same time and got very confused!

My new way of scrapping?

Three ring binders (we'll be friends for life)
Photos developed in 4 x 6
Photos chopped from 4 x 6 if I want them smaller
Some larger photos, but not many.
Divided page protectors - all sizes, all brands including Project Life
Colour with patterned paper and bits
Fairly flat - no buttons really
Chronological order
Standing up at my cabinet in the living room (I'm now one of those ladies who scraps in what they call shared spaces).
I scrap more often.
I do just my chrono photos now. I don't do any other mini albums, 12 x 12 ones or anything like that.
Actually not true, I do do the occasional other thing, but it pretty much goes all into the one book (except trips). I really like that.
Trips will be in divided page protector albums too from now on, but separate from the chrono pages. I like to be able to pull a trip album off the shelf and look through it.
I like December Daily albums. I'll do them for as long as I want to. If I don't want to, I won't.

In my next post I'm going to have a look at the three DD albums I've done and then after that show you some pages in my current chrono album.

Back soon!

A Scrap Quiz - What's your scrapping process?

2011-11-29T09:00:00.000+10:00

Well...sometimes the hardest part is actually going and standing at the cabinet.

After that it's usually easy.

One.

I grab some photos from the box where I keep them in chronological order. This is where I put them after I get them developed.

You can see some typed journalling there already. On that day (whatever it was) I typed out the journalling and just stuck it in the box next to the relevant photos, so it'd be all ready to stick in when I got to it.

I scrap in chronological order.

I sometimes add different stories and connections in that chronological sequence.

Two.

I grab some paper from the paper section. Full sheets above.

Scraps in the drawer here.

I cut a piece to 4 x 6 (or choose one from the pile already cut at the front. Some are patterned paper, some are lined paper if I just want to journal the story and nothing else).

Three.

I grab a journalling card to stick to the 4 x 6 piece of paper.

Or I grab a decorative bit if I want that.

I seem to grab a lot of things.

Four.

I choose some stickers for a title if I want to add it with stickers.

Five.

I type my journalling with Grandma's typewriter and enjoy the clickity clackity sound.

Or I write it by hand.

Or I type it on the computer and print it out and slip it behind the 4 x 6 title piece.

(Sometimes I sit at the computer and write the journalling for a stack of photos, cut the bits up and put them in the photo box ready to go)

The result is something like this.

Like any good choose-your-own-adventure-book, the process changes and the outcome changes, but the experience is always the same.

That is, worth it.

:o)

A Scrap Quiz - What's your scrap history? Part 4

2011-11-28T10:30:00.000+10:00

Back with Part 4 today.

Scrapping history topics covered so far - 12 x 12 chrono scrapping, other 12 x 12 scrapping, mini albums, albums made from scratch and then I started taking notice of

2 up albums as per Stacy Julian (also known as Photo Album Scrapbooking)

because they seemed like such a simple option.

On the DVDs I mentioned previously, Stacy showed lots of different types of albums and mini albums. I'm sure she showed her famous 2 ups there.

Or it might've been in one of her books, or from Simple Scrapbooks magazine, but I definitely got the idea from her.

Edited to add: Look what I found in the Nov/Dec 2008 Simple Scrapbooks magazine?

Yep, that's an album done by Stacy. I remember the tags sticking out and ribbons and bits.

Same ad, but with the special issue they were advertising.

Here are some of my 2 up albums.

I made this one in 2005.

I must've seen Stacy's 2 ups in those DVDs that I saw at the beginning of 2005 in order to have made it then.

It's all a blur sometimes :o) - when I did this and started that.

Two up albums are essentially pre-made albums that you buy at Myer or wherever you like. I like the ones without the journalling strips.

This album is one about fun days out. It's nice to look back on and see the things Andrew and I did as a couple, with family and with friends.

Above and below are two family ones.

Here's a Holiday Highlights album that I started around 2006, 2007.

It's ongoing, even to this day (the Days Out one is full).

I get four (or so) extra photos developed from holidays we've had and stick them in here...

with typed journalling right on the photos.

It's al la Ali Edwards. I saw a 2 up album she did like this and knew I wanted to do the same with this particular album.

All these photos are in the chrono albums, so it doesn't bother me that there's writing on them. It's about the photos and the memories together as a holiday theme.

I like this album, it's fun to flick through. It starts with our honeymoon back in 1996 and is ongoing like I said.

Need to do a couple more pages in it - the last ones I did were from 2009.

Still got more scrap history to show you!

This is a ten year process we're looking at here, hope you're sticking with me. Bless you if you are.

:o)

PS. A Scrap Quiz is a series I'm doing on the old blog-o. You can check out my other A Scrap Quiz posts on the right sidebar there.

Punch Art Christmas Cards - Cute Chick with tag

2011-11-26T11:55:00.000+10:00

:o)

A little story - The hunt

2011-11-25T12:00:00.000+10:00

Being the candy cane/peppermint = red and white nut that she is...

(American Crafts Hollyday line)

(October Afternoon Holiday Style)

(American Crafts Elf stickers - I want these!)

Goldilocks (that's me) was immediately drawn to these decorations when she saw them in the catalogue...

Oooo, look at the red and white striped balls, she thought.

And the candy canes.

And the red Ho Ho decs - cute.

She poured over the page looking at all the fun things.

"I'm going to check them out," she said and ripped the page out of the catalogue and put it on her handbag so she'd see it when she left the house next time.

A couple of days later she made her way to Target to check out the decs.

She could feel the anticipation building and was hopeful they had what she wanted.

She found the Christmas section...

....and looked around...

...and looked around again...

She was disappointed.

There was nothing.

They had nothing from the catalogue.

Why don't they have anything? she thought.

Big sigh.

She left.

She ate chicken.

She mentioned the dilemma to Prince Charming, but he had no advice. She even saw the head of Target on telly and silently asked her why she didn't have the decs in her stores when they were in the catalogue.

She checked online, but nothing.

Far out.

Meanwhile Goldilocks went to Myer to check out their Christmas section.

She discovered that if she bought three or more things, they were 30% off. She bought three or more things and was happy.

She even got some red and white striped balls!

The horizontal ones.

At 30% off.

Happy.

Still though, she liked the wavy red and white striped balls in the catalogue and wanted to check them out in real life.

Four days later she was at the shops again doing errands and she decided to run (not run, get serious, go... go) into Target again to see if any new stuff had come in.

Again, she looked.

Again, she found nothing.

On a whim, she decided to go to Big W to check out their stuff.

Off she went. She drove.

She found the Christmas section.

She was intrigued.

She looked.

She found the candy canes from the picture....

....then it dawned on her.

She'd ripped the page out of the Big W catalogue, not the Target catalogue.

She rolled her eyes at herself.

She looked left.

She looked right.

She shrugged.

I'm here now, she thought, good for me.

She didn't get the candy canes from the catalogue - they were a bit chunky for her liking.

She didn't find any wavy striped candy cane balls either.

Or horizontal striped ones.

All the other savvy Christmas shoppers beat her to them...

She didn't find any red Ho decorations - only a lonely white one that was a bit beat up.

She did find some other plastic candy canes that she liked though.

And some red jingle bells, a bear and a Joy word.

Nice.

And as she left the store, she silently apologised to Mrs Target for thinking she'd been false advertising.

:o)

Punch Art Christmas Cards - Have you been good?

2011-11-25T07:30:00.000+10:00

Hello, yes.

Big presents please!

:o)

A Scrap Quiz - What's your scrap history? Part 3

2011-11-24T07:30:00.000+10:00

I'm still talking about my scrap history today.

So far I've talked about my chronological albums, mini albums and other 12 x 12 albums.

The whole process to get to where I am today has been interesting, for sure.

Previously I showed the albums I made from scratch....

Here are a couple of pages from inside them...

And the back inside cover.

I bought the posts and page protectors separately and then covered chipboard as per the lovely Trish's instructions with Bazzill.

The reason I made them was because I had to.

Two of Andrew's favourite things are four wheel driving and fishing. I made him a double-sided album about both. One side was the Fishing side and the back cover was actually the 4WDing side. A double album.

It was bound with rings and pretty hard to handle. It didn't feel finished and it was hard to hold while looking at it.

I left it because I didn't know what to do about it until I saw the video on the now defunct internet scrapbooking show that I used to watch at the time. I can't remember the name of the show unfortunately.

Trish made albums from scratch and I knew instantly that I would make two for Andrew's albums.

They turned out beautifully...really easy (well, easy enough) to do when you know how.

Guess what??

I've found the show on You Tube! I don't know if all of the shows they did are there, but there seems to be a lot. Trish is the lady with the short dark hair, she's lovely.

The show's called TV Weekly - check it out. Might be some good Christmas projects on there.

And I just scrolled through and found the actual album making video - oh fab.

Here it is - Post Bound Album.

It's worth checking out just for the 'wow, I could actually make that' factor.

Looks like they've put all their shows on You Tube for people to enjoy. I'm definitely going to check some of them out again - they're professional people from the instructors to the actual production of the program - it's good.

Well, there you go. A nice blast from the past for me.

And a link to something cool for you.

Good one.

PS. Still more coming with the scrap history question. Gotta get up to the present day!

PPS. A Scrap Quiz is a series that you can check out on the right sidebar there. Enjoy.

Small Christmas tree at PC

2011-11-23T07:30:00.000+10:00

I've done a craft tree for the last two years, but this year has been all about the decorations, so I decided to keep my tree simple this year.

It's little.

I found it at Spotlight for 5 dollars and decorated it with some decorations I already had as well as a few new ones.

I also added the white fizz glitter. Last year's tree didn't have any glitter at all.

I plan to make another for Andrew (using decs I have already) for work. He likes having something on his desk.

Anyway, just wanted to show you!

Can see three of the Holiday Tags ornaments here. When doing smaller ornaments like these I use five layers rather than the standard eight.

A Holiday Tags ornament again.

Lots of fun things to make - rosettes, pinwheels, 3D ornaments.

Very cute.

Enjoy!

Started any Christmas crafting yet??

Close ups of the Christmas decorations at PC

2011-11-22T07:30:00.000+10:00

Here they are!

I didn't get all of them, but tried to get a variety.

I was on a ladder while taking the photos!

Cottage Cutz die with white fizz glitter.

Sizzix die - Ornament #2

Sizzix die - Ornaments #3 (there are two ornaments on the die)

Cottage Cutz die with Martha Stewart glitter

Sizzix die - Ornaments #3 (second of the two ornaments)

It looks a little squished unfortunately.

Spellbinders Holiday Tags

Sullivans blue Bauble punch.

Sizzix die - Ornament, Round 3D.

This one comes in two parts and you slot them together.

Rings made using Curvy Cutter - they're a little warped because I glued them. Should've taped them. Rats.

Sullivans pink star in the middle.

Curvy Cutter again.

Jingle bells from Spotlight.

Sullivans pink tree.

Sizzix die - Clear scallop circle.

Sizzix die - Ornament #2.

Felt from Spotlight.

Spellbinders 2011 Heirloom Ornaments

While I was over there I found these too...

Spellbinders 2010 Heirloom Ornaments.

I've made one decoration with it so far. Want to do more, particularly the biggest one.

Oh yes, both the ornament sets and the Holiday Tags are limited edition sets according to the Spellbinders website, so if you want them, grab them.

Curvy Cutter Oval templates.

Pink Star punch from Sullivans.

Cut acetate with it and put clear glitter on one side. Was going to glitter both sides, but it didn't need it.

New Sizzix die - Flower #2.

It's one of the new ones that comes with a matching embossing folder. Nice.

Foam ball and shard glitter from Photo Continental.

Blue Tree punch from Sullivans.

Want to use the Pink Tree to make the same thing.

Not sure what size circle this is. Doesn't matter - any size works. Bigger wreath, bigger circle.

Sizzix die - Ornament #2.

Small tree wreath - blue tree punch from Sullivans.

Was trying to get a pick of the long one with all the shapes on it.

There's also a long one there with just stars on it.

Well, that's it for the decs. Hope you liked them and if you're in the area, check 'em out. There are lots of brands of dies at PC that you can use to do the same thing. It's all fun.

Thought I'd finish with these two pics again - you can see that I just mixed and matched all the decs and had fun with it.

Hope you do too!

I'm ready to start making some of my own now - looking forward to it!

Craft show Christmas decorations at PC

2011-11-21T14:00:00.000+10:00

Hi there,

Here are the craft show decorations over at PC. We had to put them up in the store for the Christmas season, so fun.

Teena said she was going to do that while we were at the show, but I didn't know what sort of structure they were going to build. Neither did she, but this is what one of the guys came up with.

The girls and I were talking about putting clothes cut outs on it after Christmas :o)

You know how little kids' clothes have motifs on them? Those motifs could be dies or something like that.

Or punch art! Of course...ha ha. Oh, so cute.

Can you see some paper socks on the line with little cars on them or something like that?

Yep, we're going to like the new display area, I can tell.

I took the three photos at the same time - the middle one looks like it's got stacks more strings than the bottom one, hey?

I tell ya, strings are hard to photograph.

Now I realise I haven't done any close ups of the decs for you to see, but I'll post them soon because I did take some while I was over there. The light's much better than in my hallway or at the show.

Bye now - have a great day. Stay cool (in both senses of the word).

It's Monday morning and...

2011-11-21T09:18:00.001+10:00

~ I've kissed Andrew goodbye.

~ And heard him reverse back down the driveway to get the bin.

~ I've patted the dog.

~ And noticed the top of my footwear was chewed off. I thought he was done with chewing.

(Last year's string)

~ I've hung a few things (from 2010) on the string in the dining room.

~ And heard the strains of Advance Australia Fair coming in on the breeze from the local school. We used to sing God Save the Queen.

Other things:

~ I'm going to buy a visual diary for my December Daily. I was going to use the blue Smash, but it's not going to work. I thought it would...I checked that it would. But yesterday it said nup. I said nup. We all said nup.

~ I'll save it for regular Smashing.

~ I like visual diaries - the pages are blank and the pages are thick. I like the bound books...spirals get in the way of writing, stop the pages from turning easily and induce a potential ripping-of-page factor.

~ The Smash books have spirals...hmm. Don't see it as a problem though.

~ I'm an oxymoron.

~ I've got a lot of projects on the go and I just seem to keep adding more.

~ I heard somewhere that it's good for creative people to have a lot of projects on the go at once, so you can follow the inspiration as it strikes. I have literally 11 things I can choose from when I have some free time. They're not a to-do list, they're a 'what do I want to do?' or an option list. I have some time, what do I want to do?

~ And last night what I did was make a tree ornament for the string. It's not finished, it needs glitter, but still...was fun...and it wasn't even on my radar to begin with.

(It's like this, but bigger, has more layers, no glitter yet and a different string. I guess it's nothing like this)

Last thing for today - check out this post.

Oh man, wouldn't you just love some of those drawers??

Please, oh please, drawers are one of my favourite things. How dumb is that? But I just love 'em...

Bye now!

:o)

Punch Art Christmas Cards - Santa layers

2011-11-20T09:00:00.000+10:00

:o)

Video for 3D ornaments

2011-11-19T16:03:00.001+10:00

Dee,

This is for you!

Click here to see the video on how to make the ornaments!

Have fun,

Debra :o)

October 2011 - Craft show update - Part 3

2011-11-19T10:46:00.000+10:00

So here are the decorations at the show.

Hard to see, hey?

If you look up the top you can see all the strings coming down over the black pelmet - there are a lot!

It looked really lovely and was at hit with everyone.

Literally a hit with some people as they got bopped on the head. We did leave room for people to walk in and out of the stand, but still a few got bopped. Including me.

My station was in the u shape there. I loved having all the danglies around me while I worked.

Again, sorry you can't see all the decs - they were really hard to take photos of at the show. As I was standing there taking the photo I could see them, but they just didn't (couldn't) translate. Too busy (visually).

This was one of my favourites - just cut out, painted with glue and covered in the white fizz. So sparkly. Got a lot of comments about it in particular, so others felt the same way.

It's a Cottage Cutz die called Scalloped Doily.

My station. My view. And the white fizz in the container - so much easier to use when it's like that. I have all the stampers around the internet to thank for that.

Had a few visitors - they didn't tell me they were coming. Mum on the left, Sue (sister) and Di (adopted aunty).

Was good to see you girls!

Had a good show - sold things, made things, liked it all.

Will be back soon to show you all the decs at PC - I hung them up over there for the Christmas season.

I'll also post close ups, so you can actually see what they look like!

Til then :o)

A little story - Christmas lists

2011-11-18T08:13:00.000+10:00

A little story...and a long running one.

My grandma was a huge list maker.

And a huge list keeper.

She kept all of her lists in a book rather than on bits of paper and they added up to quite the...well...list, in the end.

In that book she recorded what she served at her son's 21st birthday party in the late 60s.

She also recorded what she took on holidays in the 1970s.

There were wedding lists, Christmas food lists, and the reason for this post, Christmas present lists.

Here's Grandma.

That's her on the right there.

Granny and Pappa are on the left (it was my 17th birthday). Grandpa was there too, as well as the rest of the family.

Mum showed me Grandma's lists book last year - I borrowed it and wrote down some of the Christmas gifts she gave me over the years (I was born in 1973).

1973 - Child's cutlery $4.25
1977 - Jewel box $5.98
1979 - Bed dog (that you put your pyjamas in during the day - I remember that dog) $6.56
1983 - Cluedo $16.69
1984 - Gold watch with safety chain $4.99, Basket $4
1985 - Hair dryer $14.95
1986 - Two silver bracelets $4.99 $4.99, Silver sleeper earrings $2
1987 - Bracelet KMart $4.98, Casette case $10.99
1988 - Night shirt from Venture $15, Pendant - Korean Pavilion - Expo $10, Earrings $12
1989 - Perfume $17.98
1990 - Tape Petra Praise $15.25
1991 - Key ring $3, Crochet (that she made), Book - A Woman Named Damaris $7.95
1992 - UBD KMart $15
1993 - 2 Laser Knives large $9.93, small $6.93, Crisper $4.77

How many people have this sort of list??

How lucky am I?

It's just a little thing, but it's a good thing because it's a collective memory, but it also brings back other memories of the Christmas parties we had with her and Grandpa over the years and all the wonderful times we shared together.

And I remember her showing me the list book probably about ten years ago. I chuckled then because it was so her. I chuckle now because it's still so her, and a bit of me too. Not to that extreme, but definitely me.

This year is the first year we won't have Grandma around at Christmas. She passed away in August. It's sad, but she's in heaven, so she's all good.

I miss her, but I'm glad she's there. It's where she belongs.

Merry Christmas, Grandma, Grandpa, Granny and Pappa - miss you all...so much - thanks for all the gifts you bestowed on all of us over the years, but thanks most of all for the love.

Punch Art Christmas Cards - Bee Jolly

2011-11-18T07:00:00.000+10:00

For sure!

October 2011 - Craft show update - Part 2

2011-11-17T07:00:00.000+10:00

Hi, back again with more behind-the-scenes shots from the October show.

I was making six metres of hanging decorations to hang on the front of the stand, but I needed somewhere to hang them at home too.

Out came the lamps and the tripod! ha ha. Worked well in the end...

This hallway is right outside my room, so I'd make stuff, hang it on the drawer knobs then transfer it out here.

When making stuff like this it's important for me to see how it's progressing and by hanging the bits up as I went along...well, I was able to see how it was progressing.

Umm, kinda slowly.

No glitter yet. Wasn't going to in the beginning, but it needed it and looked lovely with it in the end.

Still slowly...the photos don't translate the string very well. I remember this from last year. Anyway, there are more on there than it looks like.

Love that long one hanging down towards the front there with all the punched shapes up and down the string.

Andrew made a couple of decs too. Can't get away from doing craft in this house. He asked to do it too, I didn't ask him.

He made a jingle bell string with the berries and green/white pipe cleaner right below...

...see it near the black pole there? He also made a foam ball with Merry on it. He just did the Merry bit, I had to fill it in with white glitter.

I love this photo of the dog!

He was walking up the hallway and I told him to Stop and Sit. He's gorgeous. Note the fuzzy ornaments to the right there - swinging due to someone's tail swiping them.

Are are over 100 strings there - I think 110 in the end. Looked like more in real life!

I'll put the pics up of them at the show in my next update post.

See you then!

October 2011 - Craft show update - Part 1

2011-11-16T08:30:00.000+10:00

Wow, it's taken me a bit of time to get to this.

My brief for samples for the show was to make lots of hanging decorations using punches (trees, stars, bauble) and dies (ornaments, poinsettia etc) and to 'fizz everything'.

And 'fizz everything', I did!

White fizz is white glitter that Photo Continental sells. It's really pretty and looked so sparkly on all the ornaments.

Today I thought I'd show you my room during the making of all the stuff.

There's the fizz there in the plastic bag - I dumped it in a container for ease of glittering later.

Punches I had to use to make the ornaments. I punched out eight of each, folded them in half and glued them at each fold to make 3D ornaments.

So fun.

Those trees were punched out of acetate and just covered with shard glitter.

The Joy is shard glitter too (I wrote Joy in glue and sprinkled the glitter on. I did cover the whole ball with white glitter first - I think...)

Onto the Sizzix dies here. Used felt in different colours for something different.

Once I made the glittery ornaments they needed to dry, so I hung them on my drawer knobs for that...

...like this.

Worked well. Didn't have to tie them on, just wrapped them around until they stayed. Easy to get on and off.

Ah, some of my favourites.

Basically they're the same idea - eight of the same shape folded in half and glued together - except this time they were glued on the rings that were on the desk above.

I did cut rings out of chipboard too - they needed them to carry the weight of the bits.

You can't see in the pics, but they're glittered - they're really pretty. Want to make another.

Be back soon with more!

A Scrap Quiz - What's your scrap history? Part 2

2011-11-15T08:30:00.000+10:00

I'm back today with Part 2 of "What's your scrap history?"

In part 1 I talked about how I got started in scrapbooking and the types of pages I did. Today I'm starting with the mini album craze and a craze it was for us.

In January 2005, I made my first mini album after watching a DVD that Stacy Julian did. If you go to the link, there are three DVDs in the grouping you can buy for about $14 USD. Totally worth it.

I was completely inspired by what she said and went on to make over 100 mini albums over the next four years. Some were for me, some were gifts - there were a lot.

I got Mum, Sue, Sharyn and Louise hooked on them too. I wonder how many were made between us all? So funny.

Of course none of them were really interested in them in the beginning, but they eventually caught on and as Sue said, "They're all I do now." Ha ha.

I just went into the other room where I keep most of them and took a couple of pics for you.

I made all sorts.

Ones with photos and a theme.

Ones full of childhood memories and photos.

Ones about Andrew and I.

Journal type ones.

Year in review ones.

Ones with punch art, lots without.

Some big, some small.

Some fat, some thin.

Some with lots of writing, some not.

The Details one has got pages and pages of typed memories about Andrew and I. The book was pre-made and the pages are envelopes. I typed the pages and just put them in the envelopes.

I remember this whole mini album period.

A lot of it was like therapy for me.

These books were ways to write stuff down, sort through things, sort things out. I was crafting, but I know I was growing as a person too.

If you've been crafting for a while you'll probably recognise a lot of the stuff!

Remember those metal embellishments? I think they were Making Memories. Above I used the tools and the dog ones.

And the cut outs?

Even the paper lines, recognise any of them?

It's fun to look back at people's old stuff and recognise things, isn't it? I wonder if there's a scrapbooking museum somewhere??

Christmas mini albums. I keep them in this basket and bring them out to look at during the Christmas season.

Not all of them are photo albums as such - some are Christmas cards I've made, some are memories, some are just fun projects.

Around 2007

I started doing 12 x 12 albums that were separate from my chrono albums - they were based on a theme.

I added a lot more patterned paper because I'd been doing it in the mini albums and was a lot more confident with it.

They're not really over-the-top pages as you can see. I have done ones with buttons, glitter and bits on them, but not a whole lot really.

If you've got any of my books, you'll see the scrapping pages in them too.

I remember having to make them and finding it really hard because I just wasn't a scrapbooker at the time. I was scrapping my chrono photos very simply and not doing pages like you'd find in the magazines.

The scrap pages on the front of these definitely reflect my scrapping prowess at the time (Book 1 was published in 2002 and Book 3 in 2004).

White page backgrounds were where I started and then I moved onto solid cardstock over time, it's obvious here.

I'm a pretty simple scrapbooker at heart.

Things I've not included on my scrap pages:

real sand
real shells
foam core
a mini album

Things my mother has included on her scrapbook pages:

read sand
real shells
foam core
a mini album

I saw the pages again just recently - we laughed!

2006 - 2008

Were very busy years in my scrapbooking.

I was doing my 12 x 12 chrono albums, other 12 x 12 albums (trips etc), mini albums and I even made two 8 x 8 albums from scratch.

Here they are...

These are they and they're the only two I've ever done.

Even to this day I can't believe I made these, but they really were pretty easy. I remember the lady named Trish who made them on a scrapbooking show that used to be on - she was really good and made the whole process really doable.

In my next post I'll show you a bit inside and also the story behind them.

Bye now!

PS. Lots more still to come with this question, so I'll see you soon.

PPS. A Scrap Quiz is a series on the old blog-o. You can check out the whole series on the right sidebar. Hope you enjoy.

2011 Christmas Collections

2011-11-14T11:01:00.000+10:00

Looking for Christmas papers for this year's projects?

Check out Melissa Stinson's article at Scrapbook Update - she's listed them all...love seeing what's out there all in one place.

Check out her article here - Christmas 2011 Holiday Paper Collections Roundup

Thanks, Melissa, I appreciate it!

Smash books

2011-11-14T09:24:00.000+10:00

Hi again,

I've mentioned before that I'm using the blue Smash book as my December Daily this year. Noticed that Blue Bazaar has a whole bunch of Smash stuff in again if you want to take a look!

I'm really looking forward to using mine...fun-ness.

:o)

Punch art Christmas Cards - Bauble Boxes

2011-11-14T09:20:00.000+10:00

Book 3, page 41.

:o)

A Scrap Quiz - What's your scrap history? Part 1

2011-11-11T11:39:00.000+10:00

What's my scrap history you ask?

Well, I made my first page in Dec of 2000.

Want to see it?

Yep, Creative Memories. I think a lot of us started there, yes?

I'd been doing punch art for a few years and knew about scrapbooking, but wasn't interested in it at the time. I knew I'd pick it up eventually and then the invite to the party came and it went from there.

From 2001 to 2002...

I scrapped all my photos in chronological order. All of them.

You see, I grew up with all our family photos in albums in chronological order and I wanted mine that way.

I also wanted to get them out of those cheap slip in albums that were really bulky to store. I had loose photos that needed to be wrangled too...you know how it is.

Yes, ha ha, Andrew laughs about it now because I've gone back to slip in albums. They're not the same type of slip in albums, that's my point.

Here are some of the pages from the early days.

I wasn't interested in doing pretty pages, I was interested in getting my photos in order, dated and captioned.

A note about the captions: They're embarrassing. Please don't judge :o)

I love, love, love these old photos.

That's me in the blue shirt on the right there.

I was sick that weekend and even threw up in the car (I was driving) on the way to Mum and Dad's. Pete was the only one home and came out to a very sick sister and an even...well, not fab car interior.

He cleaned up the whole mess.

Oh my word, I still can't believe he did that.

The story is documented on the page there - real life!

In 2002...

I caught up with my photos and then started scrapping them as I got them developed.

At this stage I added more colour in the way of solid cardstock mostly.

Here are those pages...

I scrapped like this for years.

In 2005 I was flipping through my albums and I thought, "This is not my life."

I was quite shocked because I just wasn't getting what I was wanting as I was looking at my photos. I realised that I'd basically been scrapping events only and not my life.

I changed my chrono scrapping from then on to include photos of lots of different things as well as events. I feel my scrapbooks are a lot more well-rounded now. And the way I want them.

I still flip through them even now with the intent of seeing what's missing in a way. Enough photos of around the house? Out with Andrew? Bits and pieces? You know, just things, people, places - life from my perspective.

I do see my albums as a visual diary, for sure.

And an ongoing record of our lives together.

I have more to tell you - I'll be back very soon to tell you about the mini album craze!

:o)

PS. A Scrap Quiz is a series that I'm doing here on the blog where I ask myself questions that I think you might have (or have been asked) and then answer them. Check out A Scrap Quiz on the right sidebar there to see the other posts.

PPS. We all miss Steve. He was a good man.

I really like this...

2011-11-10T10:11:00.000+10:00

"Most of the time it’s better to be safe than sorry, but in design, sometimes it’s better to be smiley than safe."

Layla Palmer from The Lettered Cottage.

You can read her post here. She's a designer - and a really good one too. In her post she talks about putting an old map on the wall in their bedroom.

Not safe, but smiley.

Totally.

In design sometimes it's better to be smiley than safe.

I agree.

:o)

Crafting update

2011-11-09T10:30:00.000+10:00

I feel like I haven't been productive lately, but that's complete nonsense, I have.

One

Mum, Sue and I have made the glittery flowers (exactly like above with the same paper and everything) for this year's Christmas table.

We're going to put chocolates in them and each person will have one at their place setting. Fun. And glittery.

I love that Pralines & Cream Fairy Dust Glitter!

Two

(Ha ha, he's slept like that since he was a baby puppy.

He's two and I still think he's a puppy.

He is, he still has down, so he'll be a pup in my eyes until it's gone...it's still behind his ears and on his back legs...so soft.)

I've done a bit of cross stitch after not doing any for over 2 months.

I'm filling in all the white on his face. Like it because I don't have to count.

Showed Sue and she noticed I was stitching vertically - she told me go horizontally, it's easier, she said.

I did.

It is.

Thanks, Sue.

Three

I've made over 60 cards in the last few weeks (and about that many envelopes too).

I know, I can't believe it either.

I made about 12 with matching envelopes on the weekend and I wouldn't have said I crafted much at all.

The trick?

Or tricks...

Production lines, ideas that work and produce new ideas, simple concepts, tools that work, a willingness to stand up at my scrap cabinet even though I really don't want to.

Sometimes I just don't want to stand up at that cabinet!

Sometimes I just make myself...

Usually five minutes later I wonder why I didn't stand up there an hour earlier...

Hello? Inspiration vs law!!

Four

I've made stacks and stacks of Christmas decorations.

Made them for the October show (more on that soon).

Also made a couple for myself (going to make more).

Photo Continental is one big light box. I think I'll just take my photos over there from now on :o)

And I was on a ladder.

And the ornaments were on strings.

Not easy photo taking conditions, but they came out fab. See? Sometimes if you don't try too hard things work out perfectly....

The Lumix and I?

We're friends.

And Five

Not something I've made, but something I was given.

Thanks, Di, thanks to you, I love 'em.

And guess what?

When Sue was dividing them out between us, she gave me this one...

...hello?

Did she do that on purpose?

I don't know.

I was watching her when she was doing it and we were chatting at the same time...I think it was an accident.

Serendipitous...

Nice.

Thanks, Snoo.

Thanks, Di.

Sue made a yo yo tree from fabric and used one of them as the base. So cute.

I'm going to make a paper tree and use one as the base...hello, of course.

:o)

Crafting makes me happy and that's all there is to it.

That's why I make myself stand up at the cabinet.

It's good for me.

And I walk away happy...

Have you ever...

2011-11-07T14:26:00.000+10:00

...sat down to do something (blog, make a card, crochet, cross stitch, scrapbook) and it just hasn't gone to plan?

I have.

I've had knotted cotton...

...technical difficulties...

...no desire to follow a plan or timetable...

...ideas, but no output with those ideas...

...no plan, but then good ideas and lots of output suddenly...

Hmmm, creative hurdles, I guess you'd call them.

Maybe, maybe not.

Basically all of it has equaled no blog posts...

The intention was there last week, but the computer said no. It ebbed!

My point is...I want to blog and I hope I will be back soon with something to share.

Something with pictures :o)

I realise they've been sadly lacking lately. I'm not apologising, I'm just sayin'.

Blogging (like anything else creative) ebbs and flows and follows the laws of inspiration and output. At least this blog does...

If it becomes a 'I've gotta keep up with this' chore, I'll be off the computer quicker than you can say 'I'd rather wash dishes.'

Laws and inspiration are two words that shouldn't be in the same sentence by the way, and that, my dear readers, is where the journey is, that is...

...Learning how to balance the inspiration and the law because let's face it, they both exist, and we need to heed both in some way or another.

It's all a process. I know where I am with it. Just trying to explain it to you.

Have a good day - nice spring weather and everything. I'm off to fix up my photos and sort out what I'm doing on here...it's all a part of it.

Bye now.

A little story...about photos

2011-11-01T10:54:00.000+10:00

So the other night it was around dinner time and I wasn't doing very well.

I had a headache, dinner was taking ages, I was frustrated about stuff, upset about stuff and just plain tired of stuff.

Anyway, I wasn't doing great and I was about to lose it.

Then I did lose it.

"That's it, I'm done", I said.

I dropped the utensils and walked to the other side of the bench. That was code for 'you're on duty, Andrew'. He took over and started dealing with dinner.

"Go on," he said, "Go and have some time."

"Where?" I said.

"In the other room. In the snug."

I breathed a big sigh of relief and took myself to the other room. I was going to flick the telly on for a bit, but decided to pull out a photo album to look at instead. I'd been wanting to do it for a while, so I took the opportunity and pulled a recent one off the shelf.

I sat here.

Right in this spot.

I was still upset, but could feel myself calming down after a bit because of the time out of the kitchen and the time with the photos.

After about 10 mins (even less, I think) I felt a lot better.

I love photos and the time spent with them did me good.

I smiled at Cody's antics and he and Andrew wrestling on the floor.

I saw my mother as a young girl on the beach in the 1950s.

I saw myself on a family outing in the 1980s when I was about 10 or 11.

I saw Andrew with his grandmother at her 100th birthday celebration.

I saw my own grandmother with her three youngest nephews.

I saw me doing stuff around the house.

I saw us.

I saw life.

I saw good things.

Andrew came back in 10 mins and asked if I was ready to eat my tea.

I was because he gave me the time I needed and because I chose the photos over the telly.

I love photos, they do their job well....

...if you let 'em.

PS. That album is still sitting there on the floor waiting for me to come back to it. I will. Soon.

A Scrap Quiz - Photo album scrapbooking

2011-10-28T09:38:00.000+10:00

You said that you scrapbook using 4 x 6 page protectors, what does that mean? How does it work?

It's actually a form of photo album scrapbooking.

Rather than 'scrap' 12 x 12 full pages, I use all different types of divided page protectors instead.

Some of them have six 4 x 6 slots, some have nine 4 x 4 slots, some have a 5 x 7 slot and four 4 x 6 slots. Google We R Memory Keepers page protectors to see the options available.

I also use Becky Higgins Project Life page protectors too. Hers have four 4 x 6 slots with four journalling card slots across the middle. Love them.

I slip my photos into the slots leaving one to decorate with the title and/or journalling.

Anyway, that's it in a nutshell at the moment - I'll show you photos of them in the future (the near future).

Meanwhile though, have a look at a video on My Craft Channel that Stacy Julian did about photo album scrapbooking (I'll link it below).

PAS is using a pre-made album to put your photos in, but it's jazzing them up slightly with a bit of colour and fun.

I love two things she said in particular.

"Let go of the obligation and the expectation that you should do something with all of your photos. Embrace the freedom to just do something with some of your photos."

aaannnddd...(my favourite)

"Mums, don't let your kids grow up to be jpegs."

Hmm, if that's not an indication of technology at the moment, I don't know what is.

Gone are the days of getting films developed.

We're in the days of intention right now. We have to be intentional about everything and that includes getting our photos off the computer and printed because it's so easy to download them and just leave them there.

All of this is if we want to, of course.

And I want to.

Why?

Because it's a good thing. Plain and simple.

Enjoy the video - she's worth listening to. It's Stacy Julian talking about Photo Freedom and photo album scrapbooking.

Bye now!

Punch Art - Girl and her cat

2011-10-27T10:06:00.000+10:00

Bright and happy, just the way I like it.

I used the Labels 1 die set again. Love those dies.

Big sigh...just makes me happy.

You?

...................................................................................................................................................

Supplies

Labels 1 dies by Spellbinders.

Carl CP1: 3/16" Circle (flower middle, hair bauble), 1/4" Circle (nose).

Sullivans Punches

Mini Purple: Flower.
Small Orange: Star (inner ears).
Medium Green: 1" Circle (heads, fringe), Star (ears), Birch Leaf.

Decorative scissors - Scallop (for fringe).

A Scrap Quiz - Christmas crafting

2011-10-25T08:32:00.000+10:00

A Scrap Quiz question for you today.

Let's get straight to it.

1. What Christmas projects are you going to attempt for your Christmas crafting this year?

Four things

~ A string of decorations in the dining room like I did last year.
~ December Daily (ah la Ali Edwards)
~ Glittered Flowers
~ 3D Tree

2. What products are you going to use for those?

Decorations - Sizzix dies (ornaments), doily dies (all brands), patterned paper, punches (trees), felt, glitter, baker's twine, jingle bells, real baubles, candy canes - anything and everything. Some new stuff, some older stuff from my Christmas crafting box.

Started that box a couple of years ago. It's a goodie. I just chuck all the bits in it (except patterned paper), it's great. I like that the stuff is wrangled and lives somewhere.

December Daily - I'm going to turn the blue Smash book into my DD this year (this'll be my fourth DD).

I've been smashing stuff into another plain board book for a few months now, but I bit the bullet and bought an actual Smash a while ago. Decided to keep smashing through the Christmas season.

Obviously the blue Smash book isn't Christmassy, but it will be when I'm done. My plan is to add stickers and paper and bits (plus photos) and generally just have a good time with it. Any patterns or pics in the book that I don't like will be covered with Christmas paper. Works for me. Smash it in there, I say.

Glittered Flowers - these ones. Exactly like this, but with a wrapped chocolate in the middle. Nice. Going to make one for each place setting at the Christmas table. Nicer.

3D Tree - this idea was from my sister. She wants to make one and now I do too!

You use a set of dies in graduating sizes (like scallop circles or the Flower Framelits) and cut them out multiple times in each size. Then you stick them on a vertical kebab stick (or similar, maybe wire?) with the biggest ones on the bottom and the smallest ones on the top with some buttons or beads in between a few of the layers to make a 3D tree.

Sue suggested using a wooden spool as the base. I like that idea.

My tree will be glittered too. Of course.

3. Which project are you most excited about and why?

All of them because they involve crafting by myself (which I love) and crafting with my mum and sis and hopefully niece (which I love - and need more of - too).

4. Are there any other projects you'd like to do, but know you won't have time?

A wreath using the tree punch.

I think I might put this one on the 'will do' list because I really want to make another. I made one for the show and it came up really well.

Since I've already done one, I know what to do, so I reckon I'll be able to knock one out pretty quickly. Projects are always (well, usually!) easier the second time.

5. Have you finished your crochet cushion yet?

No.

That's a big, sad no. Oh, well. It was just a stumbling block this year. It happens.

6. How's Cody?

He's fine, thanks for asking.

Two years ago (the first year we had him), I made him a stocking out of cardboard. I might bring it out again this year just for kicks (ha ha - stocking? kicks? Get it?). It's just for decoration and a bitta fun.

6a. Has his ear hair grown back yet?

No!

7. How much do you love your husband?

A lot, even though he hacked Cody's hair.

8. What Christmas products do you still want to get your hands on?

October Afternoon Holiday Style in particular. Really looking forward to that.

I have bought a few coloured, fun patterned papers for the 3D ornaments from My Minds Eye (12 Days of Christmas), as well as some of the red/cream patterns from Crate Paper's line.

Also got the elements stickers from Echo Park's Season's Greetings. Decided not to get the whole paper pack - wanted brighter stuff.

I thought MME Holly Jolly might suit, but I didn't want the brown.

I wrote a post about Christmas 2011 stuff here.

I only wrote that post recently, but my wants have changed since then.

9. In crafting (actually in life too) you always say that you start with a plan and then things find their own way - how is that true for you this year?

I thought this year would be a traditional red and green Christmas for me, but that's changed.

I was given papers to make the decs for the show and there was a lot of green and pink and I'm all over that now.

My colours for this year: Green, pink and red. A bit of blue. Red and cream. Fun. Oh, and glitter. Didn't do much glitter last year.

10. When are you going to start all this crafting?

This week hopefully. Still have to put all the show stuff away and get caught up on things around here, but I'll pull something out and get it sorted this week, I think.

The trick to Christmas crafting is to get going early and get on a roll, so when Christmas rolls around you're already on a roll and you just keeping rolling with it!

11. Oh...one last, and very important, question because Christmas crafting usually revolves around this...are you making any Christmas cards this year?

Don't know.

Haven't decided.

Not sure.

Will see.

12. Okay, this is really my last question. Why the ho hum with the Christmas cards?

Because I've made so many over the years for classes etc that I kinda feel like I've been there, done that and bought the t-shirt so many times.

New things, new things!

The End

PS. Check out the 'A Scrap Quiz' label on the sidebar there for other Scrap Quiz questions I've asked myself and answered. Weird, I know.

Craft show update

2011-10-24T10:41:00.003+10:00

Will be posting a craft show update and round up when I get things sorted like the washing and the dusting in particular.

I betcha I dust up some glitter, it's everywhere around here...

PS. I like it.

PPS. The glitter around the place, that is.

PPPS. I reckon there's no dust in heaven. God wouldn't do that to us girls for eternity.

Punch Art - Girl and her friends

2011-10-24T09:30:00.000+10:00

Some more punch art for you today, so cute.

My favourite punch art is anything with a smile - particularly characters like these.

I re-did the card from page 27 of Book 3 to make this card.

Sometimes updating things can be good. I think so, anyway.

Hope you like.

And that they bring a smile to your face too.

..............................................................................................................................

Supplies

Labels 1 and Labels 1 Small from Spellbinders

Punch Bunch mini Flower

Carl CP1: 3/16" Circle, 1/4" Circle.

Sullivans Punches

Mini Purple: Flower (hair)

Small Orange: 3 Circle and 10 Circle (3mm circle for the middle of the girl's flower), Star (cat - inner ears), Fish Symbol (rabbit - inner ears).

Medium Green: 1" Circle (heads, hair), Fish Symbol (ears), Star (ears).

A little rant about

2011-10-20T20:27:00.004+10:00

commas.

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

You drive me crazy sometimes! Honestly, stop it!

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

I know where to put you sometimes and other times I've no idea, like in this sentence. Do I put one before the and or not? It seems like I need to put one every few words. Other times I can't find a place to put one and putting ones where I breathe doesn't work because I breathe too much!

Whatever! I'm totally sure I missed the day they taught commas at school. I've even considered an adult grammar course because I'd like to learn what's comma worthy and what isn't once and for all. Was anything in that previous sentence comma worthy?

You tell me, people, you tell me.

Will I do that adult grammar course? Probably not, because who are we kidding, but still...I'd like to think I would...if I could...and if I could handle all the other participle/preposition stuff. I don't even know what a participle is.

Writing...

I love it, but it annoys me that I can't do it sometimes.

Rant over.

PS. Craft show going well. Sore feet (normal). Lots of bargains (normal and good). Lots of fun decorations that sparkle and twirl and generally make me smile (special for this show). Said decs are very hard to take pics of!

Craft show

2011-10-19T16:24:00.000+10:00

At the craft show today!

Seems to have been quite a run of shows lately.

I'm not complaining, I like 'em.

Bye now!

A Scrap Quiz - Are there any things in scrapbooking/crafting that you don't like?

2011-10-18T08:30:00.000+10:00

Umm, yep.

Yep, there are.

Quite a few actually.

So ok, I know that everyone has their thing, but I just don't get some things.

I totally get that they get it, and love it, but I don't get it, and certainly don't love it.

And let me stress, if anyone else did this list and wrote punch art on it, I'd totally get that too.

So, you asked - here's what I don't like.

1. Distressing

I just don't like it. I don't like it at all. I don't like all the Distress Inks and Stains and putting them on those foam pads and wiping them over everything. It's just too messy and inky and...messy.

2. Painting with Stencils

For the same reasons as above.

Because they're messy and give less-than-perfect results. I just like clean.

3. Trims

Everyone is really into trims at the moment. And they're called trims by the way now. They used to be ribbons, but they're not just ribbons anymore, they're trims because they include pom poms and lace and stuff like that.

I use some ribbons, but I'm just not that into them in general.

4. Kraft paper and cardstock

Kraft paper is everywhere...like, all over the place. Everyone seems to be obsessed with it.

I like some of the layouts I see with kraft backgrounds and sometimes I think I'd like to give them a try.

I also know if I did though my photos and bits would fly off and say, "Are you kidding me? We don't do kraft."

I'm serious.

They would.

They know it's just not me.

Or maybe they know it's just not me right now.

These things have a habit of changing sometimes.

I reckon I could use kraft occasionally, but not all the time like some people like to.

(Now cream is my colour. Cream and I are friends...we have been for years and we'll never be parted from each other. I know some people think that way about kraft)

5. Decorative Brads

Now, I like these, but I just have no real use for them.

I wish I did sometimes, but I just don't, so I pass them by.

6. Embellishments in general

I really don't like embellishments.

Actually, sometimes I hate them.

I think it's because they're very specific, cost a lot and once they're gone, they're gone. And I never like everything in the package either.

Yep, that pretty much sums them up for me, ie. not on my radar.

7. Dark and Grungy

Oh, please.

Do I need to explain?

There's just a severe lack of colour...

Too much brown!

Too much black!

My psyche can't handle it!

Nuff said!

8. Painting things

I do not like painting things in real life let alone in my crafting.

All the waiting-for-it-to-dry, the paper-warping, the dripping, the mess, the having-to-get-up-and-go-wash-my-hands....no!

I'd rather do dishes...

I will paint glitter on though, I'll do that. It's glitter afterall.

9. Plain Chipboard Shapes

I do not like plain chipboard shapes - they annoy me.

I don't want to paint them.

I don't want to stain them with inks either.

And I definitely don't want to cover them with paper and trim the edges and then sand the edges and get dust all over my work surface and floor and then have to go wash my hands....oh please, don't make me do it. I've done it before, I'm not doing it again.

Please, just give them to me with the paper already on them.

If plain chipboard shapes inadvertently happen to come through this crafting kitchen, they get thrown in the bin.

Yes, the old bin-o.

Or the giveaway box.

One or the other, it doesn't matter, as long as they're out of my space. Be gone with you.

So, what else don't I like?

I think that's it.

Good, you say.

Good, I say, too.

I love so much other stuff I kinda like having things I really dislike. It's good for the hip pocket.

Seriously, I feel for those ladies who love everything....too much shopping, too much money spent. It's a problem out there, people.

Now, has the new October Afternoon Holiday Style come out yet? ha ha

:o)

Simple + cute = good

2011-10-17T09:30:00.000+10:00

Thought I'd post some punch art today.

Well, it's very simple punch art...very.

I'm all over that.

Honestly, does everything have to be complicated and a masterpiece all the time?

No, people, no.

And these cards prove it.

I used Sizzix Square Framelits to cut the card base (put the folded edge inside the die, so it wouldn't cut it) and also the layer - have I posted about these cards before?

By the way - Framelits are totally fab for cutting photos because you can lay them over the photo to see exactly where you want to cut.

And when you cut, you get just a cut. Love it. Hope that makes sense.

The white labels are Labels B Presto Punch dies - got them at our stand at the show, they were 10 bucks.

And the hearts are from the Sullivans orange heart punch (four hearts on the one punch).

Sure I haven't posted about these cards before?

Total deja vu...

Anyway, they're easy and he's cute, so they're worth posting about again.

Bye now!

Report Card/Schoolhouse cards

2011-10-14T10:08:00.000+10:00

Hi,

How are you this week?

Getting any crafting done? Hmm, a few hands there...

Just getting through and crafting is the last thing on your mind? Rats, a lot of hands there. Not good.

I know, sometimes life just gets in the way, doesn't it?

I'm in the 'getting lots done' group at the moment. Lucky me, but I kinda stole some sleep to make it happen.

On Saturday arvo/night we visited with friends which equaled lots of chatter, game playing and eating and when we arrived home at 8:30 pm, I was tired and ready for a sit down (I know, party animals).

I had a shower, got into my pjs, made a cup of tea and went straight to my scrap cabinet though. Don't know why, just wanted to make something rather than sit down.

I ended up staying there until 2 in the morning!

And let me tell you, girls, I forced myself to stay there.

I had back pain, shoulder blade pain (yee ouch, a knife in my shoulder blade, you know those), sore feet and the like, but I made myself stay there.

Just wanted to.

Just wanted to see it through and get all the scraps off my desk.

Just wanted to get to the end of what I was doing.

And what I was doing was making cards with the leftovers of the Report Card and Schoolhouse lines from October Afternoon.

What I was doing specifically was using up the 8 x 8 papers in each line.

Reasons why this rocks:

1. The folded 8 x 8 becomes 4 x 8 and that size fits in a DL envelope. That is, postage of 60c. Nice.

2. The 8 x 8 papers are single-sided, which means my cards were white on the inside...perfect for writing on.

Hello? Rocks.

Anyway...here are the cards.

Again, photos a bit dark - sorry.

PS. Not all of them are fab.

PPS. I'm all for full disclosure here on the blog-o.

PPPS. I like them all anyway...

One of my favourites - just like the fella on the front (journalling card from Fly a Kite) and the patterns.

Kristina Werner has been doing Friday Focus videos lately and she's been specifically talking about how to use patterned paper.

One of her recommendations is to only use one multi-coloured pattern at a time.

I agree with her. That makes sense.

Did not make sense on these cards though - just wanted to use the patterns and use them I did. I was making cards for my stash with the intention of using up the papers too.

So, a lotta colour and pattern going on with some of the cards.

I'm okay with it.

I like it.

Not a favourite - but I still kept it in this list.

It was my first one actually.

First ones are always a bit challenging because you're still finding your way. Obviously my way with these cards was not that way.

Well on my way here - like this one.

Cute. Sometimes the simple ones are the best.

I did pull out a few journalling cards from a couple of other lines too. This one might be from Cherry Hill - not sure.

Ha ha, used the front of the 8 x 8 pad here - ie. the cover sheet. Too nice to throw away and kinda matched in with what I was doing!

I know, this one's...interesting?

Sometimes crafting is about just letting yourself stick it down and move on. The next card might be better. And it was.

Very plain - another 'just stick it down and move on' one.

This one didn't fit in the envelope because I had the bits sticking off the edges, so I trimmed it and then it looked terrible. I'll pull it off, trim the edges and glue it on straight - it'll be fine then.

(Edited to add: Done that now. Had a few problems with the trimming of the cardstock - my knife kept getting stuck and jamming on the adhesive that was already on there. Ended up with no navy/stars...whatever! But the bit's straight and it looks fine)

This is one of my favourites.

I do like red, blue and cream together. Nice.

Anyway, that was my five hour session on Saturday night - 15 cards with 15 envelopes to stick them in with 15 address labels (because I always forget to put them on and then when I go to address the patterned paper envelope I get stuck and then I have to find something plain to stick on to write the address on....annoying. Was determined to stick those plain address labels on at the assembly point and not the departure point).

I made the envelopes myself and used leftover OA papers and others - just patterns I wanted to use up. Better to have them as envelopes than nothing at all.

Hope you like the cards - I've since made some of these types of cards and also the 4 x 6 journalling cards with the Farm Fresh line. I'm definitely on a roll.

It's nice to have some 4 x 6 journalling cards in my stash.

It's nice to have some actual cards in my stash to give away, send out, put through the mail.

It's nice to have completely used up some of my OA lines. Had to happen. Had fun doing it.

Going to make more cards - what line will I use up next? Probably Fly a Kite although I've struggled with the patterns in that line previously...will see what happens.

Bye now!

Some of the 4 x 6 cards

2011-10-12T15:27:00.000+10:00

Hi there,

Yesterday I talked about my scrap space and the 4 x 6 journalling cards I've been making, so today I thought I'd show you them.

Remember they're to fill a spot in my album or to journal on - I scrap using divided page protectors.

They were also just fun to make.

The reason I made them in the first place?

Because when I was scrapping I was getting stuck on the photo, make something, photo, make something process.

Sometimes I just want to stick a few photos in, journal a bit and walk away.

Without any 4 x 6 cards made it was impossible because I always had to make something, find something or whatever. Not what I wanted to do basically.

I decided I needed some 4 x 6 cards in my stash to just pull out when I needed them.

Ended up making stacks of them over a couple of weeks.

So sorry for the photos - they're a bit dark.

There's a lot, hey?

They're so colourful - love 'em.

Some of the cards will be used as is.

Some will have something else added to them if needed at the time.

They were all made with the October Afternoon Report Card and Schoolhouse lines. They worked so well together.

Anyway, enjoy!

Might be time for me to go and slip a photo in or two...need to. Want to. Bye now.

A Scrap Quiz - What's on your scrap desk right now?

2011-10-11T10:59:00.000+10:00

It's not really a scrap desk, it's a scrap cabinet - but the name doesn't matter, it's where I scrap.

I snapped these pictures recently - because I felt like it I guess.

I like seeing goings on through the lens...it's interesting to me.

Here's that small cabinet that was only supposed to be there for the summer last year - we're coming up to summer this year and it's still there, so I guess it's a permanent fixture right now.

I like it. It works and I need the space on top to store things on.

The actual scrap space is a bit of a mess - not to me though of course.

Lately I've been taking each October Afternoon collection separately and making 4 x 6 cards out of them to slip in my scrap album as I need them.

Some are for decoration for when I need to fill a spot or want something pretty, and some are for journalling on.

It's been fun to just use the papers I love so much and build up my stash of bits to use at the same time.

Above I'm using Schoolhouse and Report Card together because they're both school-y lines. A lot of the OA lines coordinate.

And I've discovered a real love for yellow and grey. I remember saying that combo would never come into my crafting kitchen, but it has through these collections.

You can't see it very well, but above there's a yellow and grey striped paper - it's on the bottom half of the card with the tartan in the corner.

I love that paper - you can see it here. It's called No 2 Pencil - very fitting.

The whole Schoolhouse collection is here. It came out two years ago? Back then they had six papers per line, but now they're doing nine and 12.

Sidewalks has nine.

Farmhouse and Sasparilla have 12. Holiday Style has 12 too. Nice.

They used to have a die cut paper with each collection, but they've ditched them for more regular papers. Boarding Pass is the last line to have a die cut paper - the stamp one.

I like the idea of having more patterns in the collections, so that'll be fun.

And what I'm most excited about is that they've bought back the journalling cards. I've miiisseed those. Oh, weelllcome back.

They're perfect for my scrapping albums because I either stick them to a 4 x 6 piece of paper from the same collection or just put them in the little pockets in Becky Higgins' page protectors (I use any and all brands).

Looking forward to using some Little Flyers too - so cute.

Anyway, back to the desk as it is - fun, messy and a really, really, great space for me.

Andrew stood there the other day and was impressed. He liked how it all worked and how I could see the telly and everything else all at the same time.

He gave it a thumbs up. So do I!

A little story - custard

2011-10-10T09:00:00.000+10:00

I realised the other day that I take weird photos sometimes.

They're not weird to me because of course I took them for a reason, but still, weird to others that might see them on my camera.

One of the weird ones is this one...

Yes, that's a custard powder box and container.

The back story?

When I make custard for us, I make it from the packet. I do not like the stuff that comes ready made from the supermarket - never have.

Thus the custard powder.

I've never stored it in anything except for the box until just over a week ago.

We were cleaning out the Tupperware (it's been a year since I moved it all out from the big drawers in the kitchen in an effort to sort it out and it was time to say yes or no once and for all) and I came across this jug, so aptly labelled for my needs.

It's my grandma's container.

I mentioned recently that she passed away over a month ago.

After 16 years of having custard powder in the box, I now have it in the container, thanks to my grandma.

I just wanted to take a photo of it is all.

And I'll put the photo in my album when I get it printed, so when I see it I can:

~ Be grateful for her for just being her.

~ Remember her whistling in her kitchen.

~ Smile.

Again I'm reminded of how good photos are. Printed photos, that is. I like 'em when they're printed, in an album and tell a story as a whole.

Love you, Grandma, love, love, love you. Thought of you the other day when I saw some jelly beans too...ah, the memories. So good.

Christmas 2011

2011-10-07T10:05:00.000+10:00

This week's unveiling of October Afternoon's Holiday Style sparked a hunt for what's actually out there (or expected) in the way of Christmas papers this year.

I mean, hello, Holiday Style is definitely top of the list, but I thought I'd check out some other lines too.

It still seems a bit soon, but I'm used to working in advance with these things. I once taught a Christmas class in August!

Anyway, I've been hunting...and finding some fun things. I do love Christmas papers.

This year I'm feeling like it's going to be a traditional year - ie. red and green. Actually, it might be red and cream. We'll see. Sometimes how it goes is dictated by what's available.

Projects I'm thinking of:

1. Glittery flowers using the Fairy Dust Glitter - need a small pattern on the paper for those.

2. Projects for PC.

3. December Daily - I've done one for the past three years and this year I really want to do a Smash Journal type one. I reeeeaallly wanted the Smash people to put out a Christmas Smash book, but it wasn't to be. My plan at the moment is to make the blue one into a Christmas one - I'll make it work.

Okay, onto the Christmas collections...

Firstly, Echo Park.

(They've only been in business since April 2010, but boy, have they made a splash. The kicker has been their kits, I reckon. So easy to just buy the kit. They also sell their papers in 6 x 6 pads now too)

Check out all their collections here. Just saw another new one called Times and Seasons - very heritage/vintage.

This is my favourite of their Christmas collections - I'm really feeling the green/red/cream. That snowman's cute.

See the rest of the collection here. Love the extra bits - the die cuts, journalling cards, stamps - too. Fun.

I especially love that the base is cream. Oh, cream. Luscious.

I'd buy this collection for cards, general scrapbooking and for the glittery flowers because it's got tight patterns that work well for die-cutting. The 6 x 6 pad would be good for that too.

On 6 x 6 paper pads - they've been around for a while, but they've really hit their stride now. Everyone's making them (except October Afternoon who does 8 x 8, which I'm very happy about. OA, don't change...please!).

Check out Nancy Nally's article here on the benefits of using 6 x 6 papers for die-cutting.

And check out this Paperclipping Roundtable episode where Noell, Nancy and Tammy talk about the 6 x 6 paper pad phenom.

Here are Echo Park's other two Christmas releases. The Dots and Stripes collection makes total sense - a basic set. They've released Dots and Stripes in other colours too.

Next, Fancy Pants.

Their Christmas collection is called St Nick - very traditional.

See the entire collection here.

I know I mentioned this above, and yesterday, but it has to go in here too.

October Afternoon.

October Afternoon Holiday Style.

Yep, chevrons are in. I'm seeing them everywhere.

Love the red and cream. Love the Santa.

Next, Webster's Pages...

This line is called A Botanical Christmas.

What I like about this line is the 4 x 6 cards on that page up there. Perfect for card fronts with a big glittery flower in the white space.

(No, you wouldn't post the cards - too expensive. They'd be 'give to' cards)

Check out the rest of the collection here.

Discovered any favourites yet?

Next, My Mind's Eye.

This collection is called 12 Days of Christmas.

I like the bold stripes and peppermints. The die cuts and bits are nice too. And the base is cream. I'm noticing a lot more of that.

I'm not into decorative brads, but I reckon I'd buy these - they're nice. You can see the brads and the rest of the collection here.

They have another collection too - it's Lost and Found Christmas. Very vintage.

Onto Crate Paper.

Their collection is called Peppermint.

My favourite papers are Candy Cane and St Nick (I've blogged about them before).

See the entire collection here.

Basic Grey also has a collection called Nordic Holiday. You can see it here (on video).

Graphic 45 has a collection called Christmas Emporium. It's available in stores already (good for them, at least someone's getting it out early). I used this collection for those Christmas cards I did. The ones with the glittery flowers.

Bo Bunny is releasing a collection called Father Christmas.

Well, I think that's it for now. Of course other brands are out there...there are so many.

My favourites are Holiday Style (of course) and Season's Greetings from Echo Park. And I think I'd give the My Mind's Eye one a whirl too.

It'd be nice to see them in real life, hey? Sometimes that makes a huge difference.

Anyway, enjoy the virtual shopping - all this stuff is going to start hitting the shops soon if it hasn't already.

Ho Ho Ho!

PS. Totally off the Christmas topic, but well worth the watch, check out Stacy Julian's 'Happy Colours' episode on My Craft Channel. She's a legend, that Stacy, I totally get her on the colour thing.

October Afternoon Holiday Style

2011-10-06T09:00:00.001+10:00

They've put all their images up on their site - woo hoo!

I've just realised that Holiday Style comes from Silver Bells...one of my favourite Christmas songs.

Lots of fun patterns (see below) as well as the gorgeous B side ones that are useful for anything and everything.

Chevrons are in!

Two Chip N Sticks!

Love both...seriously, look at all the vintage images and I love the first one too. Don't make me choose.

And the famous Miscellany pack. Vintage bits again. Look at that LP!

Of course they have the journalling cards and the 12 x 12 sticker sheet (LOVE the Santa stamps in the corner) and all the other fun stuff. No rubber charms, two Chip N Sticks instead.

Anyway, it's all fun!

Love it all and can't wait to get some of it when it comes out....

Check out the entire line here...have fun looking.

:o)

Videos to check out

2011-10-05T08:30:00.000+10:00

Hi there,

Just wanted to point you to some videos today. There are lots more around the place than there used to be.

How to make Washi Tape by Nichole Heady.

2011 Holiday Card Series by Kristina Werner - 25 videos! She started on Monday.

My Craft Channel - Lots of shows on lots of topics. It went live on Monday too - check it out.

Enjoy!

The cute stamps I bought from Etsy

2011-10-04T10:00:00.000+10:00

Thought you might like to see them!

They're so cute...honestly, gorgeous.

And how dooooes she hand carve them?

Amazing.

So what we have here is a DSLR on the left and a regular camera on the right.

The rubber is yellow on the regular camera because I stamped it already and my ink stained it a bit.

I also bought the heart in the speech bubble too - know how I'll be using it...just to add to the scrap pages.

Ha ha, was only having a go with them and didn't notice until now that the camera is saying that it loves me.

I'd love it back if it came to live at my house :o)

The stamps don't have a cushion in between the rubber and the wood, so I put my paper on some thin foam (like fun foam) and stamped on that. Apparently it gives a better impression when you do that.

It does and it did.

Ah, yes, and just for fun I thought I'd try a glittery camera.

Stamped it in Versamark and put some Pralines & Cream Fairy Dust Glitter on it.

So gorgeous!!

I don't know if it's going to be permanent or anything (I don't know much about these things), but I'm definitely doing this again and putting it in my book (scrapbook, that is).

SO FUN.

Thanks, Olga, for sharing your amazing talents with us. If you do a typewriter stamp, let me know!

You can check out her shop (called Cupcake Tree) here. It's so worth a visit.

You can get personalised things too. The dog one with 'Cody' on it would be cute. The kitty one is cute too. And the bacon and eggs!

:o)

Things I've learnt recently...

2011-10-03T10:30:00.000+10:00

....or have been reminded of or have known for a while and just realised again...

1. I'm slow to accept new technology.

Blogger has just moved over to a new interface, and even though I had the choice to stay with the old one, I forced myself to move to the new one and accept the learning curve that came with it.

2. It's worth paying the money to get your oven professionally cleaned. I will do this for the rest of my life if I can.

3. It's also worth paying the money for sticky tape that actually sticks. Cheap is cheap.

4. I drink more water when I use a little cup. Big cups put me off.

5. You can have all the routines in the world, but sometimes your body just says, "no".

6. I didn't realise how much of a team Andrew and I are until I had to go to a family event on his side of the family without him.

We always do that kinda stuff together, so it was weird doing it solo. On the same day (craft show Saturday) he was on a full day out with his work without me and he said it was a bit lonely at times. Yep, a team. A couple. Us.

7. The only way you'll ever deal with anything is to face it head on, see it for what it is and just walk through the pain of it.

Yep, it hurts, but denying it makes it worse. And as the Lord said to Joyce (Meyer), "Yes, it's the reason you are the way you are, but don't let it be your excuse to stay that way."

8. I am very unimpressed by things that don't do what they should like brand new dvd players that stop working in the middle of the movie you're watching.

9. Real tennis balls bounce a lot more and are more fun for the dog. Thanks, Dad.

10. That I know when things are right and when they're not.

I named our new chooks Hilda, Pearl and Ruby, but days later I knew Hilda wasn't her name. I knew it'd come eventually and it did after options like Jasmine, Rose, Rosie and Rosemary were tossed out too.

I waited and it popped into my mind one afternoon.

(I'll admit that previously I did look at her and say, "What isss your name, girl?")

Queenie...her name is Queenie.

I was going to be Natalie Louise, but Mum and Dad said I didn't look like a Natalie Louise. I looked like a Debra. And it actually wasn't my name until I was 27.

I was Debbie my whole life - and still am to my family and friends (that and Deb) - but when I left school teaching I started to be called Debra as you do by people that don't know you very well and they call you by your formal name.

It stuck and that's how I'm known now. I call myself that, I introduce myself to people as that, I am that. I love the name, it's me. Just took a long time to be called it.

Andrew calls me Debra too - no one else in my family does. He's not allowed to call me Debbie, no way! He gets a big hand slapped across his mouth to stifle it if he does. Just sounds weird coming from him...

So, that's my list. It's a random one, but there you go.

........................................................................................................................................................

This post was inspired by Angie's New Things I've Learnt Lately post.

Some fun things I've bought recently

2011-09-30T09:30:00.000+10:00

Don't you love new things?

Oh man, I do.

Here are a few that I've bought recently that rock my papercrafting world. After all the typewriter searches there had to be some buying in there somewhere, right?

Amy Tangerine stickers.

Hello camera and sewing machine.

And typewriter.

Saw it, bought it.

Please, no brainer.

Plus it has a library card pocket sticker - love it.

Typewriter stamp from Maya Road. It's called Tell Your Story.

And I'm going to stamp "I love to tell our story" into our album with the typewriter right next to it.

Hero Arts Retro Typewriter.

Again, no thought for the brain on the purchase here.

I saw these featured on a CHA update and knew I'd get 'em instantly.

Oh my word, so cool - they're vintage spool buttons.

Totally remind me of my grandma's threads that I have on display in my craft room.

Tim's retractable craft pick.

I've got a few craft picks, but I've had to ask Andrew for some red tubing to put over the end...no more, I'm going to try the retractable one and I think I'm going to like it.

Oh, hello, cloud stamps...

...like really cool cloud stamps...

...to match my cloud punches.

Woo hoo...it's the little things that make me happy.

Love the cute banner/flag stamps too.

And the typewriter paper from Jillibean soup.

Had to get it.

Love the notes on it.

Wanted this one from the new Amy Tangerine line too.

Love the camera - going to cut that out and use it.

Love the typewriters.

Going to put this sheet through Grandma's typewriter and type "I love you, Andrew" on the paper there.

Told him so the other night.

He smiled.

I did a little dance.

We laughed.

I love new things - they make both of us smile in one way or another!

:o)