Home...

...after a totally awesome 3 weeks away I am home again and facing up to reality in a big way!!!  Landed Saturday morning in Melbourne, customs and immigration took FOREVER, got to the car park at Tullamarine Airport to a NEW CAR waiting for me, home to Finley 8pm, half-way-house with people coming and going ALL day Sunday, work Monday, work Tuesday followed by a trip to Wodonga, work Wednesday, Thursday (meant to be my day off but got called in) and Friday, classes in Wodonga Friday night and Saturday, house guests arrive Friday night, home from Wodonga Saturday night, house guests leave Sunday, decorate house for Christmas Sunday afternoon then it all begins again on Monday!!!  Hopefully I will have some time next week to post some pics of our incredible adventure.


Oh, by the way, did I tell you how much I LOVE Mexico?  Well consider yourself told...I LOVE MEXICO!!!


Happy Scrappin'
Sal

Up, up and away...

...Just when I am on a roll and actually getting technology to work for me and I up and leave again!!!  My 17yr old son and I are off on an epic adventure to Mexico for 2 weeks followed by a whirlwind few days in the United States visiting my sisters and a surprise visit to a long lost friend.


Happy Scrappin'


Until I return...


Sal xox

My Boys part 2...

I just found this in the archives!!!  I thought I had already posted this one....ooooops!


...Dylan is a lot like me in a lot of ways and one of those ways is he LOVES the beach!

These pics were taken on the shore of the Great Salt Lake in Utah and he had a ball playing in the sand.

The border looked a little bland so I added some

small pics in a few places for added interest.

Salt Lake...LH page

Salt Lake...RH page

Salt Lake double LO

Once again I stamped the edges of the pages with a floral border stamp and also used bits and pieces of some left over rub-ons for something a little different.

Until next time...

Happy Scrappin'

Sal

xox

AT LAST!!!

Finally I have managed to sort out all of the dramas connected with the computer break-down.

So much has happened since my last post.

September saw a number of very excited ladies attend the 2nd Annual Scrapville Retreat.  The retreat provided a wonderful  4 days of much needed down-time for me and I thoroughly enjoyed every minute!  I met some lovely ladies AND learnt some new things!  My goal for this year's retreat was to  make all my Christmas cards.  I am very pleased to say that I DID IT!!!  I have NEVER achieved so much at any of the retreats I have ever attended.  I'm pretty proud of myself for that little effort (or not so little effort as I made 50 Christmas cards) 

This picture was taken at retreat by one of my new friends, Laity.  She was amazed that I was prepared to cut off my long, curly 'mane' to raise money for the Leukaemia Foundations World's Greatest Shave.

 

My son took this photo the night before the shave took place.  I hadn't realised how long my hair had actually grown!

And now for the big reveal...

This is the new me after the shave!
When I first registered for World's Greatest Shave I really wanted to raise $5000.00 but thought it was a very unrealistic goal so I reduced it to a much more realistic $3000.00.  I was amazed that with still a month to go before the event I had reached almost $3000 so I amended my goal to $5000 which I still thought was high but almost achievable.  I am very pleased to say that the total amount raised was well over that figure...$5842!!!  What an amazing effort by all those who helped out.


Now we just have to wait for the hair to grow!!!


Sal xox

Technology...who needs it!!!

Bad Blogger award goes to me but this time is TOTALLY not my fault!

Had to send the computer away to get looked at and fingers crossed all is well now!

No pics but will get some soon-ish

xox Sal

My Boys...

...I LOVE my boys!!! Even when they don't co-operate when I want photos!

Not only does Alex close his eyes DELIBERATELY he also manages to make all sorts of weird and wonderful faces as well. Instead of 'filing' such photos in the recycle bin I thought I would scrap some of them for future generations to enjoy!!!

There are a few aspects of this double LO that I was pretty pleased with.

Firstly, I have so many metal embellishments in my stash and yet I hardly ever use them BUT they did get a good workout on this double LO.

Secondly, I struggle to use flowers on my LO's as I don't usually do any girly girl LO's BUT I did manage to stamp a flower image around the edges of this LO without it taking away from the boysy grunge look.

Eyes WIDE Shut...LH Page

RH page

Double LO

Don't you just love teenage boys???

Happy Scrappin'

Sal xox

Big News!!!

Yours Truly is shaving for a cure!!!

Yep you read right!!!

I have taken the plunge and registered for the Leukemia Foundation's World's Greatest Shave.

Keep a track of my progress and sponsor me online. I am currently working on a number of different fundraising events so watch this space to find out more!!!

When: Saturday 8th October

Where: Finley Railway Station Park (behind the main street shops)

What time: Sausage Sizzle from 10:30am

A Shave Auction will take place at 12:00 noon for the opportunity to be the one holding the clippers and doing the shave!

Did you know that 1 in 2 people are diagnosed with cancer?

You will be affected by this disease at some stage in your life...by suffering yourself or watching those you love suffer.

Please get behind me in this great cause and together we CAN make a difference!!!

Cheers,

Sal xox

Sneak Peek...

It's been a while since I have posted a Sneak Peek so here goes

..This little sneaky pic is a hint of what is to come with the latest monthly pack from Scrapville. There are lots of interesting interpretations using this pack and it is turning out to be quite the versatile range of papers and embellishments. Check out the blog and get one for yourself before they all sell out!

That's it for me,

Until next time Happy Scrappin'

Sal xox

Playing catch up

......Life just keeps getting in the way!!!

I had a weekend away recently and this was the last LO I managed to squeeze in before packing up and heading home. The green and white background is using the Paper Lace Cricut cartridge and I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE that cartridge!!! Of course it happened to be one of the fellow scrappers in attendance but I think I NEED to get me my very own!

I have had this stamp set from Stampin' Up for

a little while now but never used it so I was just

having a play around with it and LOVED how this

flower worked so well with the LO. I wanted

to make more but thought it would overdo it just a tad!

This is a double LO I did a little while back but I was so happy with it that I thought I would share it with you. The frame around the LH page took me hours to fussy-cut (well it seemed like hours but may have been a little less than that!) but I think it was well worth it.

The alphas started life as green/blue alpha stickers but

they didn't suit the LO that colour but I just HAD to

use the eclectic fonts so I inked them and finished

them off with Dimensional Magic.

Side by side...

That's it for me for now.

Happy Scrappin'!

Sal

xox

BAD BLOGGER AWARD GOES TO...

...ME!!!

So much has been going on and the computer has really been way down the list of things to do!!!

I will get some pics uploaded by the end of this week...I promise!!!

Sal

xox

A sad end...

I have been really enjoying the month of Scrapbursts over at Scrapville. It has seen me play around with a lot of stuff that I don't often think about using and Scrapburst #4 (the last one!!!) has been no exception. In this last challenge we were given some song lyrics to use as inspiration and this is my interpretation...

I stamped the flowers stems and leaves then water-coloured

them with the same ink for a perfect colour match.

I am a sew-er from way back and remember as a very small child playing in my grandmas button box and consequently I have managed to collect, amass, hoard and LOVE lots and lots of buttons. I decided to bring them out of hiding and use just a few on this LO. Even though the hand stitching them on the LO can be a bit time-consuming I will definitely be doing this again!

And a little bit of mounting...

Hop on over to the Scrapville blog and have a go for yourself. you have until June 30th to get your LO's in and winners will be announced July 5th.

Happy Scrapbursting!!!

Sal xox

The last Sneak Peek...

...revealed!!!

This is the card I made using the latest sketch from Scrapville. I decided to go through my stash and use some of the bits and pieces I had left over from some of the Scrapville Monthly Packs. I used Crate Paper for the sun, Sassafrass Lass for the fussy-cut images on the front and the sticker on the inside. Cards are such a good way to use up smaller scraps and left-overs. Give this months sketch a go to be in the running for a prize from Scrapville...

I decided to do a little doodling on the inside of the card and finished it off with a sticker to match the front.

Happy Scrappin'

Sal

xox

Sneak Peek #2 revealed....

The June/July sketch challenge has been posted on the Scrapville blog, so I can now reveal my LO...

I started working on the LH page and was having so much fun that I decided to turn it into a double LO...

My husband drives a B-Double semi-trailer and was away from home for most of the summer harvest carting grain from the paddocks to the silos. There was a few times when he was only about half an hour away from home so I drove up to meet him and went for a drive in the truck with him. On this particular occasion I was struck by the beauty of the landscape, especially as the sun was slowly descending in the sky. I managed to get a few pics and have been waiting for the right time to use them...the right time is now!

I used my Cricut for the title. I have been getting so much use out it lately. I think the difference is that I now have it in the open, on it's own desk so it doesn't take any extra time to get it out and set it up. A coat of dimensional magic over the letters brings them up a treat too.

I used mulberry paper for the gathered strip as it gives a very rustic look to the LO. I also did my journalling on the heart shape.

Until next time...

Happy Scrappin'

Sal xox

Sneak Peek reveal #1...

In my last post I tempted you all with just a few Sneak Peeks. Drum roll please...and the first reveal is...

Week 2 ScrapBurst challenge from Scrapville....1-2-3-4-5

The challenge was:

*to use a 1 word title...I used FLOAT (cut using my Cricut)

*to use 2 different ribbons...I used some pompom braid and some ric-rac. I hand stitched the pompom braid using cross-stitches and the ric-rac I hand stitched with a wide zig-zag to hold it in place.

*to use 3 shapes...I used 2 clouds and 1 sun

(or sun, cloud and circle if you want 3 different shapes)

*to use 4 photos...

*to use 5 buttons...

I journalled around the outside of the machine stitching.

I am the proud owner of a new sewing machine! I was very pleased with how well this one sews on cardstock...on anything really...it really is a dream to use.

Until the next big reveal,

Happy Scrappin'

Sal xox

More Sneak Peeks...

As you know, this is the month of ScrapBursts at Scrapville.

Just too keep you guessing a little I thought I would share a little Sneak Peek for the Week 2 ScrapBurst challenge...

Don't forget to check out the blog for the reveal of the next ScrapBurst!

Every month at Scrapville Janet has a sketch competition and this months sketch was created by Janet herself. you go girlfriend!!! I must say I really enjoyed playing along with this one. The official release date for the sketch is 14th June. Keep an eye on the Scrapville blog for all the details.

Here's a little sneak peek...

Along with a LO sketch, Janet has also come up with a card sketch. But...you guessed it, you have to wait until the official reveal date.

Here's the Sneak Peek...

For those of you who don't know me, I do love animals including owls...But when the whole owl craze started to hit the crafting world I didn't understand what all the fuss was about. I was being stalked by owls, everywhere I turned, and I didn't like it!!! I have succumbed to the peer pressure and have used an owl image for the very first time.

Stay tuned for the big reveal!!!

Happy Scrappin'

Sal xox

A month of ScrapBursts!

On the 1st day of every month Scrapville releases a jam-packed Monthly Pack full of all kinds of scrumptious goodies to play with. However, for the month of June, Janet decided to do something a little different...

Each week a new ScrapBurst (a ScrapBurst is a spontaneous challenge) will be posted on the blog for everyone to use as inspiration to create their own LO. Even though there will be a total of 4 challenges, the deadline isn't until 30th June and that means you have a whole month to create all 4 layouts. There are some great prizes up for grabs for each weekly challenge and the winners will be announced 5th July. Make sure you hop on over to the Scrapville blog to check it out.

I was fortunate enough to be asked to come up with the Scrapburst for Week 1 ...and this is what I came up with...

I had been meaning to do a LO using the pattern and design of the shampoo and conditioner bottles we have in the shower but there never seemed to be enough time to do it with everything else that has to be done... so I took the challenge Janet had set and FINALLY managed to create a LO. The more I look around me at everyday items the more I gain inspiration from everyday items to scrap.

Here's the LO...

I used my Cricut Expression to cut the flourishes, letter and shapes and used Stampin' Up stamps and inks to create the subtle tone-on-tone background beneath the flourishes and to ink the edges of the flourishes for a little added depth.

Here's some close-ups...

Add some pearl bling...

I was pretty happy with how it all turned out and will definitely keep a notepad and pen with me to jot down all those everyday inspirations that sometimes get forgotten in the rush and bustle of life.

Until next time,

Happy Scrappin'

Sal

xox

Thank you...

...from the bottom of my heart!

We as an extended family have felt such an outpouring of love and compassion over the last month as we experienced the sad loss of my father-in-law. I wanted to show gratitude to many of those who have helped out so I have been busy making Thank You cards for the family to send as thanks for all the love and support we received.

It has been such a long time since the stamps came out and I dedicated time to card-making. It was so nice to play with ink and rubber with a purpose. I made about 40 cards in total and made a few of each of the following designs.

The good old Stampin' Up stash got a fair workout and I can say that I am very pleased with the results!

Which one is you favourite???

Happy Stampin'

Sal xox

There's no time like snow time...

I'm am back in the land of blogging!!!

I had some real fun with my Cricut creating this LO for the current sketch at Scrapville. I kept it pretty close to the sketch and LOVED how it turned out. The title was the hardest decision to make...I couldn't decide whether to do it in pale blue, dark blue or be adventurous and use vellum. So I decided to layer all 3 and add a bit of dimensional magic to the top layer and I was pretty pleased with the end product. The asterisk snowflakes were fun too...sticker paper, cardstock and a little glitter was all it took to create simple yet effective accents.

Go check out some of the other submissions for a little inspiration and give it a go yourself!

Happy Scrapipn'

Sal xox

Life goes on...

I have been very remiss in my blogging duties over the last month or so but it is with sadness in my heart that the reason for my absence was the weekend trips to Melbourne to spend the last moments we could squeeze in with my father-in-law who sadly passed away on May 23rd, at home and surrounded by those he loved.

Although this has, and continues to be, a sad time for our family, it has also been a time of great learning from this beautiful man and a great relief to see him slip peacefully from this life into the next and be free from pain and suffering.

We are finally back at home again and can settle back to whatever normal might be. Hope to put up some pics tomorrow.

Keep smiling and make every moment in life count!!!

Sal xox

The BIG reveal!!!

I must be up for a nomination for the Bad Blogger Award!!!

I have a few spare minutes before we head up to Sydney for a concert at the Opera House, some shopping, sight-seeing and hanging out with friends for a few days.

First up we the LUV U 3 layout featuring...you guessed it...hubby and my 2 boys!!! I love this pic as it reminds me of the special time we shared during our big trip last year and the way all three of them were so happy just being together.

Next up is one way out of my comfort zone but I was really quite pleased with how it all came together. There are so many little features to this LO...but I will let you see what they are for yourself. Featured in this pic is Son #2 who now towers over hubby, Son #1 and me!!!

Next up for the big reveal is this adorable little card...how cute is that teddy bear?

Next reveal is this LO of Son #1...hard to believe he was ever that small as he now towers over me! I just LOVED playing around with the vinyl Thickers in this months pack from Scrapville. They were so much fun to use. I doodled on the Thickers for the Rubber Ducky layout and stamped on them for the LUV U 3 layout. They really are so very versatile.

The funny thing is that Son #1 (featured in this LO) still to this day tries his hardest to have his eyes closed in every possible photo he can. I laughed when I came across this pic as it is almost identical to the face he still pulls almost 17yrs later!

That's it for me...see ya'll next wek

Happy Scrappin'

Sal xox

Mega Sneak Peek

I have been managing to squeeze in a few spare moments here and there...BUT you will have to wait a few more days for the big reveal!!!

Sneak Peek #1

Sneak Peek #2

Sneak Peek #3

Sneak Peek #4
Stay tuned for the big reveal!!!

Happy Scrappin'

Sal xox

Cropping Blind...

Not only did I have the privilege of creating the Master Layout for this months Blind Crop at Scrapville, but I also had the great opportunity to run both the afternoon and evening Blind Crop classes. The best thing about creating the Master LO is extending myself to explore and play around with different techniques and products...and this month was no exception.

I wanted to do something a little different so I reached way back into the old grey matter archives (aka stretched the memory!) to a time long ago when I used bleach and stamps on a series of cards. It worked then so I thought I would give it a go now.

This is what I came up with...

Always BELIEVE in yourself

I used some plastic alphas as templates and traced around them to create the title. Once this was done I painted the traced letters with bleach, which creates a different effect each time, and outlined each letter by stitching in a dark blue thread to make them stand out a bit more.

As well as bleaching the title, I also dipped the stamp in bleach and stamped around the edges of the LO. Initially this looks like a big globby mess but once the bleach dries it creates quite a soft and watery effect. The bonus is that it doesn't damage your stamps BUT it does give them a really good clean!!!

I have never been a big fan of quilling but the distressed flowers looked so lonely along the stitched flourishes so I thought I would have a little play and see what happened.

When THIS happened I was very pleased!
Another success story....I hope...with many more to come!

Until next time,

Happy Scrappin'

Sal xox