PARIS ~ PL

Hello!

Today I did a couple of PL Pages ! yes I did ! I was inspired last night from Lisa Webb's Pages. I call Lisa the queen of PL.

So I decided to get some more of my Paris photo's documented. I have quite a few which really aren't that great photo wise, but still want to use, so this is perfect and I am still getting my memories down & then I combine them with my traditional layouts in the album

As it can be hard to get photo's without tourist in them, you can always hide them with Ribbon from Craftqueen and then add a fabulous flair from StudioFourteen40 as in the case of  Arc d  Triomphe and pretty french tissue paper, washi tape and a old button and twine on the Opera Photo.

The gorgeous heart is from Charm's Creations and was from a win over at Show us Your Stuff.

The beautiful wooden Eiffel Tower button is from Marally Craft and the white doily is also from my win from Charm Creations

Don't know if I was tired this day, but gees I could have smiled ! I LOVED the Musee d' Orsay , so I should be beaming .
Thank you for calling by , for my attempt of PL

Love and Peace
Mary

DOWN BY THE CREEK ~ Scrapki Wyzwaniowo September 2014

Hello and welcome
Today I would like to share a layout for the challenge at

Scrapki Wyzwaniowo 

The challenge is to be inspired by the word imagine.

This is my take on the challenge

This is my Dad and Mum when they were quite young. I can only Imagine what life was like back then and I quess we can never imagine our parents being so young and carefree. I think My Dad looks so handsome and my Mum so pretty. 

I am not to sure who the other two boys in the photo are, I will have to see if any of my Aunts know.

I made the flower and the little pink doily on the flower and the pink threads are from Mum's craft treasures. The blue butterfly glass bubble is from Georgia Heald's Etsy shop as is the zipper stamp.

Georgia Healds washi tape from her Etsy shop and Prima "Life" chippie from Craftqueen. The little green squares on the layout are Mosaic tiles. I remember making a teapot stand out of blue, white and brown tiles and I was so proud of it, we had it for years, anyway I digress. 

Thank you for calling by, I appreciate your comments.

Love and Peace 

Mary x

AH PARIS ~ LESSOLOGY CHALLENGE

Good morning !

Today I would like to share my take on the challenge at Lessology , and the challenge is 

I don't know about you but I'm obsessed with travel-related ephemera - map paper, tickets, luggage, globes. So this month, let's see your take on LESSology Challenge #40: Travelogue. We want to see your travel-inspired projects incorporating elements that have to do with travel.

Remember, you can create anything you like as long as you incorporate at least ONE upcycled item on your project. Please indicate what it is in your post as it might not be apparent.

I was inspired by the lovely Marta to start a old book journal . It is so much fun and creatively freeing. Pop over to Marta's blog , she is very inspirational.

So my upcylcle is the old book I have used to journal in, some old vintage thread that belonged to my Mum and serviettes. The Eiffel Tower is a serviette and then I have used the white backing from the serviette to stamp images on, such as the Montmartre scene and the French Lady.

The little gold beads are from Craftqueen, not sure where the little bike charm is from. Hot air Balloon Charm is from The Trinket Track.

Thank you so much for calling by, I hope your day is sunny and bright.

Love and Peace

Mary x

NEW SHOES ~ HOME AND SCRAPPED SKETCH CHALLENGE

Greetings on a beautiful Sunday morning, I hope you are enjoying your day.
Today I would like to share with you a layout for the sketch challenge at Home and Scrapped a lovely , friendly community on Facebook.
This is the sketch 

and my take on the sketch

New shoes

These are old photo's of my Mum, I called the layout New Shoes as on the back of the middle photo that is what Mum had written. Mum is the taller girl, I think it may be her sister Philomena with her, but I am not sure.

Beautiful StudioFourteen40 Flair from the "always" range . StudioFourteen40 have been busy updating their blog with a lovely new fresh look, plus they have released new ranges of flairs recently , so I recommend you pop over and have a look. Old lace that was Mum's, Satin Seam binding and little square pearls from Craftqueen.

Old lace from my Wedding going away outfit, old threads & sequins from Mum's craft stash  and exquisite Rose Chipboard flourish from Scrapmatts that I have coloured with inks and Journal pen. Thank you Cheryl for picking that up for me.

The big button was from a win at Zeus and Zoe quite a time ago , I think it may have even had a different name back then  

Thank you for calling by

Love and Peace

Mary x

MY FATHER MY HERO ~ SEPT CHALLENGE AT SCRAPBOOKIT

Good evening here in Australia. I am like that duck paddling, paddling ! having to work really eats into my scrapbooking time, but trying to keep up and unfortunately will not have to time to do all the challenges I would like. But.... I have created a layout for the challenge at Scrapbookit. The challenge is to celebrate a hero, use 4 different Pattern papers, washi tape, twine/string and a handmade embellishment. OK I think I have it covered :)

This is my layout 

My Father ~ My Hero

I have used the four different PP's and used the filmstrip washi tape as my border, along with a ruler washi tape under my photo. My handmade embellishment is the bottle top. I have added tiny twine and vintage thread behind my bottle top, and tiny twine in my tag. The white foam pieces are the negatives from my foam dots ( waste not )

The gorgeous flair is from StudioFourteen40 "always" range. The words say "I look to the Stars", such a beautiful range. 

This is my Dad and my Grandson. Dad was not only a Hero to me , but I am sure to all those that knew him. He cherished his Grandchildren and Great Granchildren and they looked up to him. Dad was a quiet man, but when he talked people listened, I miss my Dad. 
When my Grandson's mother's Grandmother died , Jedd was saying his prayers and said "When you get to Heaven just look for Deckie (that is what all the grandchildren/ Great Grandchildren called my Dad) He will help you, You will know when you see him , because he has a big smile .  How adorable is that ? 

Thank you for calling by and hope you find some time to document your Hero and join in over at Scrapbookit

Love and Peace 

Mary x

SCRAP AFRICA VINTAGE CHALLENGE AND I AM SO HAPPY TO BE A GD THIS MONTH

Hello,
Three posts in a row! Yep I have some catching up to do ! I am very honoured to be a GD over at Scrap Africa this month and the theme just happens to be a favourite for me ~ Vintage ! :) The layouts from the DT members at Scrap Africa are  always inspirational, so pop over and check them out and enjoy them.

So now I share my layout for the vintage theme

This gorgeous old photo is my husband. I love the old pram.

I kept my layout pretty simple as I wanted the photo to shine.

Prima  Life , crown and clock chippy are from Craftqueen as is the ribbon and beautiful flowers. 

The beautiful little bird is from Jo and just the perfect colour.

The big old button and small button are  from my Mum's button tin and lots of lovely old threads.
Thank you for calling by, I hope you get a chance to join in on the challenge.

Love and Peace
Mary x

ARTasic CHALLENGE AND HAPPY NEWS FOR ME

Hello ,

Today I wish to share with you the new challenge over at ARTastic and to also share my happy news with you. I am very proud to say I am now on the DT for ARTastic :)
I am really looking forward to working alongside the talented team at ARTastic and also for the first time working alongside my friend Lizzy :)
So now to share the challenge with you and look forward to seeing all the amazing takes on this


This month we are being inspired by an artwork with a difference.  This amazing piece by 
Dominique Falla called Tipografia and yes this is all about the string !!  Although you may well also be inspired by the words or the colours of the image.

Criteria is to use string or twine on your work

A little about Dominique Falla -  

Dominique Falla is an Australian designer/artist who works in a variety of craft mediums and combines them with a digital aesthetic to make tactile typography pieces. She is currently interested in the New Aesthetic and exploring ways in which the digital world can inhabit the real one using typography.

This month we have two main sponsors - each offering vouchers to their stores.

So thinking caps on and share your creations with us.

This is my take on the challenge

Relax

The word Relax and prompt string took me straight to total bliss, laying in my hammock at Navutu Island Fiji. It was Good Stuff believe me, how I wish to be back there.

Good Stuff stamp a gift from Lizzy. Relax word a gift from Susan. 

Chevron stamp from the same stamp set from Lizzy.

Thanks so much for popping by and please join us over at ARTastic

Love and Peace

Mary x

ANOTHER FREAKING SCRAPPY CHALLENGE ~ THE BEST THINGS IN LIFE , HAVE TO BE FELT WITH THE HEART

Hello !

Well the 15th of the month rolls around so fast and I have some catching up to do. 
Firstly Another Freaking Scrappy Challenge has a new sketch for inspiration. I hope you will pop over and see the DT awesome layouts and leave them some love.
Now the sketch

and this is what I did with it

This is my baby on her 1st birthday ( she is turning 30 now !) I think she looks like a little old fashion doll in this photo.

Gorgeous flair from StudioFourteen40 "Always" range and wooden floral button from Craftqueen. Floral round button made by Moi :)

Another SudioFourteen40 flair, again from the "Always" range,   that says ~Hello I love you. They seriously are so gorgeous and versatile.
Thanks so much for calling by, I hope you can find time to join in with us.
Tomorrow I will be back with another reveal for a DT and some exciting news for me at least.

Love and Peace
Mary x

ENJOY LIFE ~ LOVE THE LITTLE STUFF ~ PIXELS AND PAPER CHALLENGE

Good afternoon to you ,

Today I am here to share a layout for Pixels and Paper. When I saw the prompt it took me straight to a photo of my middle son , fishing at his Grandads whilst we were on holidays. 
The Prompt

and this is my take

Enjoy Life ~ love the little stuff

You can see why my mind went straight to this photo. I always liked this photo, so it is nice to scrap it.

I have adhered a Scrapmatts word chippy to a StudioFourteen40 file tab. Bull Rush chippies are from Scrapmatts , which I have coloured. Gorgeous StudioFourteen40 Flair from "The Hamptons" range.

Chevron Chippies from Scrapmatts and I have rubbed gesso over them. 

The cork banner is a gift from my friend Jo, and the little coloured star fish thingys are from a win at Scrappy Canary. Torn up bits of doily and some sequins and soft thread paper to make a little water scene.

I have used a second StudioFourteen40 Flair  and the little bird chippies and metal triangle brads are gifts from my friend Lizzy . I think I am going great to get two flairs on a layout, Lizzy got 7 ! Check her amazing layout out, I love it.

Thank you for calling by. It is a sad house here today, as we farewelled a dear friend. The world lost a gentle soul , a gentle giant, a true gentleman.  So live life to the full, and never miss the opportunity to show and tell the people you love how much.

Love and Peace

Mary x

NEW BEGINNINGS ~ SCRAP AFRICA SKETCH CHALLENGE

Hello !

Today I would like to share with you my take on the Sketch Challenge at Scrap Africa . The DT are full of inspiration, I encourage you to pop over check their beautiful work out and join in on the challenge.
The lovely Sketch

and this is my take

NEW BEGINNINGS

I came across this photo and thought it needed to be scrapped.

My brother , just out of school was about to embark on a life changing journey . That is my Grandmother Ma in the front (my Mum's Mum) My Brother , Mum ,Dad and Me . I can still remember that dress and hat Mum had on. The dress was all lace and a blue/mauve sort of colour.

The word chippy is from Scrapmatts. The flourish chippies are 2Crafty, which I have gessoed. Flowers are from Craftqueen. I have used mists and a stencil and lots of stamping.

Thank you for calling by

Love and Peace

Mary x

BE BRAVE BE TRUE ~ ART JOURNAL BOOK

Helloooooo

It's Monday and I have the day off work :) Got to love that :)
So I thought I would share a book journal I played with over the weekend. 
I was inspired by Marta . Marta is such an inspiration and an amazing talent. If you are looking for inspiration pop over to Marta's blog. Marta has video tutorials, so you can see her creating her beautiful pieces of art. Very inspiring.

I had a old book I brought at a stall, so I am going to use this to create in. 

BE BRAVE BE TRUE

Thank you for calling by. Hope your week is spectacular

Love and Peace
Mary x

VINTAGE LOVE ~ SUGAR CREEK HOLLOW CHALLENGE

Morning!
I have had most of this week off work, so I have been busy making things and writing letters for #snailmailrevival. I am really enjoying making nice things and writing letters to Pen Pals . Postage is a killer unfortunately and I am still trying to work out the best way to send as much as I can without it costing the earth. 
Anyway one of my Pen Pals has been making an album of her Grandparents wedding, so I made a tag I thought she might like. 
And seeing the Challenge at Sugar Creek Hollow is to make a vintage or shabby chic tag I thought I would enter it in the challenge.

Satin seam binding and rosettes are from Craftqueen
The gorgeous Love chippy is from Scrapmatts
The gold braid up the top is from my Mum's treasures.
The lace you see around the photo , which I use a lot for my props is actually an old vintage dress that probably belonged to an old aunt of mine at some stage. I am soooo glad Mum kept them . I  used to wear this dress and also some beautiful tops with exquisite lace when I was young! I loved them, but they are  to delicate to wear now, but I can't part with them.
Hope your day is a good one . I intend to go for a walk today

Love and Peace
Mary x

FREE YOURSELF ~ OFF THE RAILS SCAPBOOKING

Hello visitors,

Today I would like to share my layout for the Off the Rails Scrapbooking  current challenge.
The colour palette really appealed to me

Isn't it a gorgeous mood board?
This is my take on the challenge

The keys are to signify setting free. Gold sparkly Washi is from StudioFourteen40. I have cut out some gold butterflies from PP.
I am making an effort to use stash, so I dragged out the ribbon basket and added some gold and blue ribbon

Raided my Mum's old button tin and added a couple of gold buttons. The Rosette is actually a gold button. Painted the chippy gold. Stamping and rub ons.

I found the cool clip in the button tin , Finding little treasures :)
I added the little bits of ribbon onto the layout that I had trimmed from the ribbons.  Of course my layout is not complete without a beautiful StudioFourteen40 Flair, this one is from my fave range "Dali"

Thank you for calling by, I love to read your feedback.
Love and Peace 
Mary x

MISS YOU ~ ANOTHER FREAKING SCRAPPY CHALLENGE

Happy first day of Spring for those of us here in Oz :) I am looking forward to warmer weather and to start walking again.
The start of a new month means a new challenge over at Another Freaking Scrappy Challenge , and the challenge is......

Scrap some memories of your parents, guardians, whoever raised you. Suggestion: How did they meet?
What did they do that you remember the most? Good or bad memories, whatever you wish to scrap or art journal about

This is my take on the challenge

Miss You

This is my Mum and Dad, all dressed up to go to a wedding. 

My parents met at school when they were only young in the village they grew up in , Borenore. My parents and their parents before them lived at Borenore their whole life. My three brothers and I were also raised at Borenore until we got married and moved into town. Two of my brothers moved further afield to different cities and at times other countries.
Dad was a wool classer in his younger days. Mum could grown anything and was a good cook and I believe and excellent horse rider.
Dad a smoker from about 12 years of age , I remember car trips with his hat on the side , smoking his Benson and Hedges and me getting car sick ( I am sure the cigarette smoke didn't help). As we got older Dad stopped smoking while driving and also didn't smoke in the house. He gave up smoking several times, the last in his nineties. Mum Hated it and it wasn't worth Dad smoking around her. 
Dad was a quite man, but when he spoke you took notice. 
Mum was tiny , but feisty. If you upset Mum you knew! She was very clever though and like I said, cooked , had a beautiful garden with very little water at times. We always had to save the washing up water and bath water for the garden. Mum was a lovely sewer and knitter. She made some beautiful clothes for my children. I have kept the special things she made to hand down to my children for their children. She preserved fruit and made amazing apple, blackberry pies and beautiful Pavlova's . My poor husband thought like Mother , like daughter, boy was he in for a shock ! I don't particularly like to cook.
I have lost both my parents in the last five years, Mum less than two years ago. They both lived till in their nineties and I miss them.

Gorgeous Flair is from StudioFourteen40's new "Always" range . It truly is a special range of flairs and I would encourage you to check them out.
I have used lots of misting , masks , texture paste rub ons  and stamping to create the background.

I always try and include a bird on the layout for Mum as she loved birds.
Thank you for calling by . I hope you can join us over at AFSC , we are an easy going lot, that just want to inspire you to get those memories down.
Love and Peace
Mary x