Karen's Creations ...

Hi Meredith,
Thought I'd share the"LOVE" ;) I haven't gotten to the challenges yet (I will, I will) but yesterday I did some scrapping, YAY!!! (it feels like forever) I have been inspired by some of the other girls who are trying different size LO's and decided to give it a go. I'm hooked!!!! I think you don't feel like you have all this space and need to fill it up, if this makes sense?! LOL. I'm hoping to spend a day just scrapping this weekend with a beverage or two ;)
Cheers have a good weekend.
Karen D

Karen just looking at these layouts fills me with the need to scrap soon!!

Love the colours the A4 type size, the white space, the photos, the embellishments ... just love them both ...

right I'm off to scrap ... !!!

Marika - Sue's sketch

Marika has turned Sue's sketch onto it's side and come up with a fabulous page! Love the embellishment cluster and those papers just pop against the black! Very cute beach photos too = what little surfer boys you have Marika.

And that stripe paper looks familiar too ;-)

beautiful work and great alternative interpretation.

Book of She ... Tracey

Howdy Meredith,

Attached is my layout for the She challenge. I took a photo of it at an angle to avoid the glare and when I cropped it, it now looks entirely crooked. In real life it is all pretty square.

Anyway, this quote is very fitting for my mum, this is her at 17 years old. 'She made the whole world feel like home. Celebrate her warmth.'

I stuck with a layout I've done a few times but enjoy. I am so into this striped paper and I only have a smidgen left.... I'm a bit upset about that!!!
Hope you have had a great day.
Tracey

Oh Tracey what a beautiful photo!! Love the colours you have used, the layed flowers look so effective. Really like the red font too for the quote. Such a stunning layout ... fabo!!

Have you used a rub on in the top right hand corner? And that striped paper looks like a Basic Grey one ... ???

Ali E's tip of the day

15. Read more about the Art of Finding.

Now i have only had time to skim read this but as far as i can see it is about collecting bits of memorabilia from our lives and using them. While this is great for 'memory lane' type scrapping it also strongly advocating the message of 're-use and recycle'.

I am not a huge fan of collage - it just isn't my style - but i do agree a page with lots of interesting bits and peices really makes you want to look at it for hours to see what else you can find hidden!

Further along the road ... Trish's travels ...

Hi Meredith
As promised. The bottom line in red actually says "Germans 4 1/2".
Cheers Trish

Great photography Trish ... you must have known we were going to have a travel photo slot :-)

She ... by Tiff

"Hi Meredith.

Oh I love this one. It came together so well.

Lots of different influences are involved here.

1. Sandra's home made Prima Lollipop Flowers

2. Nic's use of the Prima Flowers on her 'Life with you is Sweet' LO at Puzzle sketches

3. The She...challenge at e2c

4. The gorgeous photo of Annie taken by Amanda Hall.

5. Very loosely based on a sketch from Page Maps. (well it gave me the germ of an idea, but ended up nothing like it lol)

thanks.
Tiff"

Tiff ... the pink and black look stunning together, the flowers are gorgeous with those leaves and the punched decorative border is beautiful. The photo is beautiful too!! You should be so pleased with this layout!!

Sandra - she

Sandra says:

Hi Amanda
Here is my entry for the 'She' challenge...REALLY love these quotes. When I saw this quote in the list Narrelle came to mind...This is a scraplift.....look familiar?? lol
LOVED your Cry layout with young Sean, sooo used this layout as inspiration to try something new (lol.. again) and played with my photoshop.

I used photoshop to erase the background and make the photo lighter... there is a technical term there... but beyond me at the moment, and then printed the photo on to cardstock.Soo much fun... and scared the s#*t out of me too! 3 pieces of cardstock later (lol) and finally got to stick something on the page. Not 100% happy, but as Ali
says... just stick it on and move on!

thanks for the inspiration

Thank YOU Sandra. It is a huge compliment to be scraplifted and what an amazing job you have done. That quote is PERFECT and love the finished effect with the blue/teal papers picking up N's top. Stunning Sandra. You should be 110% happy chook!

Dont forget that you can forward your layouts/ photos / challenges to any one of us (Meredith, Sue and me) I am feeling like a bit of a blog hog atm so sharing out the posts would be fabbo :) We need the other two E2C ladies to feel the love as well!

Tracey - travel

Tracey has forwarded these great travel shots onto me for our travel photo theme.

She says:

Love the background in this one as it looks more like a painting. It was taken during a dust storm, hence the look. This is near Angorichina, Flinders Ranges

This one is taken on the walk into Wilpena Pound. Just love the scenery up there.

Great photos Trace! The trees and path look awesome in this bottom shot and i thought it really was an old painting effect on the top one - fantastic.

amanda - Sue's sketch

the scan is a bit fuzzy but you get the idea. Did journalling strips instead of laying pp horizontally.

Ali E's tip of the day

14. Collect stuff (and not just scrapbook supplies). Mail pieces. Tags. Bits of stuff. Cut it up. Grab a manila folder or a basket or a box (don't make it complicated) and stick stuff in there. Regularly dip back into that spot for ideas and inspiration.

This is something that i do not do = i wonder if you do? I don't really venture far from the scrapbooking products side of things. I collect ideas and that is about it. Do you have a storage place for all those little finds?

Trish's Travels ...

Trish sent me some photos from some recent travelling ...

"This was taken just north of Pt Augusta on my recent trip to Marla. "

I think this is a classic photo ;-) ... only in Australia. I grew up on a station northwest of Woomera and they didn't have those signs back then!!

"This is "travelling" home from Coffins from a night shift. This is a sunrise at Edilillie."

Beautiful Trish ... very serene.

Thank you for your photos.

Sue's - 'She' challenge

When i first read this i thought, oh wow....that's too hard for me! And while i was out walking the old brain cogs got going!

I knew which photo i wanted to use....one of my Nanna Proctor many years ago....enjoying a cuppa tea at some supper dance. I love this photo of her. Just which quote to pick was probably the most difficult....so many suited this grand lady.

I have been wanting to use my new Tim Holtz bird/ branch stamp, these new October Afternoon papers that i purchased at Lock shop on Saturday, plus cut some card in a semi circle........and before i knew it, the page had come together.

Challenge completeo!

Ali E's tip of the day

13. You can never go wrong with circle or square punches.

I have been experimenting a bit of late myself with round-ness on my pages... and do you know what? I am loving the effect.

Marika - she

*insert bulging eyes*

O.M.G. Marika. This is GREAT. love love love love the blue paint, the combo ofpapers and that clear dymo. Your photo is incredible - what a great shot! And oh my goodness i just love how that quote gives me goosebumps on that page - so beautiful.

and is this a smaller size i see too? Great work - good on you for experimenting size wise. You are total proof that bigger isn't always better and that great things come in small packages. We have been telling our men that for ages so now we need to believe it ourselves LOL.

Tiff - she

oh wow this one is amazing Tiff. Really lovely.

Tiff says:

the Prima Petite Fleur vine just sets this one off perfectly. Great timing for these quotes as I have a number of Annie photos coming up that they will suit perfectly. So you may see a few from me this month. ;-P I put in an extra pic so you could see the 'watermark' print of the quote. Very very subtle in real life. Amanda Hall
Photography ;-D

that prima vine is perfect there Tiff. Lovely use of that quote.

Maryanne - photo challenges

Maryanne has sent me two images for last month's looking down photo challenge. She asked me to decide which one i liked better but i couldn't either. LOVE the vicious look of this first one

and the crispness of the photo in this next one -

Maryanne says :

this is our[sort of] cat lucky.Scruff rescued him from one of the cells at the yeelanna silos around 7 years ago.Hes never really become domesticated,still a little feral, and actually went missing for a couple of years but turned up again around a year ago!!

Fabulous- love these!

and i almost fell off my chair when i saw this next one for the current theme of TRAVEL.

Maryanne says:

And heres something for the travel challenge....very appropriate for me as I will be going to nsw in 3 weeks time and have been getting a little concerned about travelling with all this swine flu about.Have even been considering one of these....but maybe not..

classic shots Maryanne. Funny fish!

Ali E's tip of the day

12. Just stick it down. If you have been looking at a single layout for days and days and days it is probably time to just stick it all down and move on the next. Isn't it awesome that there is always another story to tell?

again i think i may have to frame this one and sing it like a monk's mantra 'stick it down, just stick it down'

Trish's gift

"Just a little project I have finished for an 80th birthday pressy. Its for a lady Mum and I stayed with in Port Augusta on our way to Marla recently. We both were given a cup of tea (saucer included) in bed each morning,ohhh bliss. I know it doesn't fit a challenge but someone suggested rather strongly that I should send it in LOL. Any guesses who?
Cheers Trish S."

Wow Trish ... love those bling embellishments and the flowers with the brad centre!! I am sure the lady will love your gift! An amazing lady by the sound of it too!

Hello June

Welcome to June and here is a whole bunch of new challenges we hope will inspire you to create!

Sue's Sketch for June

Sue says -

Here's my sketch challenge for June. I have distressed the edges of the papers, added various embellishments and even some rubons up along the side - which aren't part of the sketch..... so have fun and i look forward to seeing what you all come up with.

Amanda's Challenge

Ok well my challenge is to make a layout but incorperate a quote..........some very specific quotes actually. Don't worry - there is a LOT you can choose from. Just choose one and let the quote inspire you.

These quotes are from a great empowering book by Kobi Yamada.

{She} ...by Kobi Yamada

• She must be something special. She is. Celebrate her.




• She loved life and it loved her back. Celebrate her passion.




• She listened to her heart above all other voices. Celebrate her wisdom.




• She pursued big dreams instead of small realities. Celebrate her priorities.




• She saw every ending as a new beginning. Celebrate her resiliency.




• She discovered her real measurements had nothing to do with numbers or statistics. Celebrate her self-esteem.




• She was kind, loving and patient…with herself. Celebrate her tenderness.




• She woke up one day and threw away all her excuses. Celebrate her accountability.




• She realized that she was missing a great deal by being sensible. Celebrate her spirit.




• She turned her can’ts into cans, and her dreams into plans. Celebrate her goals.




• She ignored people who said it couldn’t be done. Celebrate her independence.




• She had a way of turning obstacles into opportunities. Celebrate her magic.




• She went out on a limb, had it break off behind her, and discovered she could fly. Celebrate her faith.




• She discovered she was the one she’d been waiting for. Celebrate her self-reliance.




• She added so much beauty to being human. Celebrate her presence.




• She walked in when everyone else walked out. Celebrate her friendship.




• She just has this way of brightening the day. Celebrate her radiance.




• She made the whole world feel like home. Celebrate her warmth.




• She decided to enjoy more and endure less. Celebrate her choices.




• She decided to start living the life she’d imagined. Celebrate her freedom.




• She colored her thoughts with only the brightest hues. Celebrate her optimism.




• She was an artist and her life was her canvas. Celebrate her brilliance.




• She ran ahead where there were no paths. Celebrate her bravery.




• She crossed borders recklessly, refusing to recognize limits, saying bonjour and buon giorno as though she owned both France and Italy and the day itself. Celebrate her joie de vivre.




• She held her head high and looked the world straight in the eye. Celebrate her strength.




• She not only saw a light at the end of the tunnel she became that light for others. Celebrate her compassion.




• She designed a life she loved. Celebrate her joy.




• She took the leap and built her wings on the way down. Celebrate her daring.




• She said bye-bye to unhealthy relationships. Celebrate her happiness.




• She remained true to herself. Celebrate her authenticity.




• She made the world a better place. Celebrate her.

Every single one of these quotes make me want to punch my fist in the air and yell 'hell yeah' so i really encourage everyone to take the time to read them and try and feel the message that they are getting across to women.

Find one that really speaks to you and do a layout featuring the quote.

I can't wait to see the pages you make encorperating those words!

Photography Challenge

ok well this month's photography challenge has a theme - TRAVEL.

You might like to share a special photo of where you have travelled to in the past. Or somewhere that you would like to go. It may be modes of transport or think outside the square and take a creative travel shot.

This is my example but i will also do a newer one. From Meredith and my great Melbourne adventure.

There will be more fantastic challenges popped up as the month ticks by - keep checking back!

Tiff - recycle and reuse

Tiff says -

I have had the Heidi Swapp mask sitting in my stash for so long, rarely used. Such a waste really.So last night it came out. Instead of using it for it for its original intention, I cut it up and used the flower mask as an embellishment.

I really like the result.

This looks great Tiff. Love what you have done with those masks. A great example of layering here too! Black and red = striking as always.

Photo by Amanda Hall Photography ;-)

Tiff - houndstooth

Tiff Says -

I just remembered I had this Sheer Delights Hound's-tooth LO that I did a little while ago. the photo was taken at Adelaide airport with my phone camera. I was really surprised how well the pic turned out. Its called Flane and at the time Sean couldn't pronounce P for plane

this one is really eye catching Tiff. I love how you used the sheer delights here - i haven't seen them around much ....they never really caught on as 'the next big thing' as they thought they would did they? Pity as i think it looks so effective.

Ali E's tip of the day

10. Layer. When you are putting a layout together think in terms of layers: cardstock, patterned paper, transparency, stickers, stamps - what can you add on top of the last layer to make the piece more interesting?

this is a great tip on how to get the basics of your page constructed. Of course you wouldn't use transparency/stickers and stamps on every page but this is the guts of how to layer.

It sounds easy right? LOL - now off to create!

Sandra - something new

hmmmmmmmmm maybe Ali E's tips for trying something new is catching on!!

Sandra says -

just a couple of things to share :)A tissue box, (a gift for a friend), and a layout... on a 6x12 !!I used a Page Maps sketch for the layout and found it helped ;)Found the template for the flower on the box on the internet.. thought the flower turned out ok.

Ok? It turned out MUCH better than just ok!! I would say bloody fabulous! Great job Sandra for extending yourself. Lovely delicate handmade flower, and very cute saying on the tissue box!

and OMG at your long skinny page. L.O.V.E. it!!! The branches, the embellishment clusters- all totally wow...... and I need to know where that little tiny pink bird is from this second!!

brilliant work!

Marika - something new.

Marika says -

Hi Amanda, I have tried a different sized layout and loved it. I found it so easy to do with a 4 by 6 photo is just seemed to come together well. Also I have then been able to print straight onto my layout which I have never done before. This was a little scary I think I should have used bold type so that it stood out better on the dotty paper but oh well. P.s notice the type-ra font I was able to download and save it.

WOW Marika. I SOOOOOOOOOOOOOO understand what you mean about the smaller page being so easy and just coming together well. Love, love love what you have done here. And to be able to print straight onto he page is very liberating and opens up a whole new world of possibilities.

gorgeous page with the dots. And love that striking pink with the orange - really different and so eye catching. Great combination!

Ali E's tip of the day

9. Alphabet stamps in classic typefaces are great for the long haul. Here's a couple favorites: Hero Arts Printer's Type or Basic Upper Case.


ahhhhhhh stamps. *sigh* What she has written is so true - for longevity in your stash and an 'all rounder' for an alpha you cannot go past classic type stamps.

I just have to work up the courage to use them. ~lol~

How about you? Have you got many stamps? what are your favs that you come back and use time and time again?

Colour combo - Tiff

"This LO has been on my desk for a week before I could give it any attention. Life has become so frantic lately. lol. Wouldn't have it any other way tho.

The colour challenge fitted this just perfectly has the certificate has just the right colours already.

So without much brain strain, U R A star came into being.

Tiff"

Good to see a layout without a photo ... a great way to keep track of those Super Kid awards!!

Bazzill Matchmaker ...

I found the following site advertised in an American magazine ...

http://www.bazzillbasics.com/matchmaker/

It features Bazzill cardstock colours that match newer ranges of patterned papers by companies such as
- 7 Gypsies
- Basic Grey
-Cosmo Cricket
- Chatterbox
- Creative Imanginations
- Fancy Pants
- My Minds Eye
- Pink Paislee
- Webster's Pages

and more!!

So if you were to be ordering over the internet or at your local store you could ask for specific colours of cardstock to match the papers you were buying!

Would save time trying to match them yourself!!

Ali E's tip of the day

8. Note to self: there is no perfect layout. Forget about perfection; rather adopt an attitude that you will learn something from each layout you complete. Maybe it will be a new way to combine colors, create embellishments, or crop your photos. Maybe it will be that you totally dislike the way you did something. Make a mental note and move on to the next thing.

ok well this is something i need to frame and hang alongside this next tip (particularly the first sentance) -

11. Learn how to be self-critical without putting yourself down. How do you do this? As you create stuff ask yourself "does this really need this accent? Am I adding to the overall story or am I adding it just to add it?" There's no right answer - it's more about developing a general awareness and connection with yourself as you are creating. Be ok with stopping yourself and moving on to the next piece.

and yep i have skipped ahead a little bit. Dont worry - i will fill in the blanks in the next few days :) I thought these two fitted together perfectly so included a double bang for your buck today!

Karen's - gone green

well actually i think i have gone green.

Listen to what Karen wrote -

Hi Amanda, Heres something I have been working on today at the Shack. It is a tin that some Prima flowers came in, I decided to decorate it and the plan is to make a mini album to fit inside (yet to be done) Thanks for looking.

Omg imagine working in such a cool place that there are fabbo little tins just there for the decorating.

I love this idea Karen - i can't wait to see the album you design for the inside - how cute!!! Ooooooooh at the tree, bird, sun, rainbow and that October Afternoon paper - just delicious!

This is recycling and going green in a great way!

Ali E's tip of the day

7. Expand yourself. Find something else to learn about next: a new interest, a new subject. Learning stuff fills you up, gives you more to draw from when you sit down to create.

A new interest, technique or finding a new way to present something always seems to give an extra zing in our old interests. Incorperating two together can be the magic that you need sometimes.

not long now................

until the end of the month which means...

















the start of a new month and NEW challenges!

Now who is hanging around patiently waiting? Leave us a little hello below!

Don't forget you can show us anything you are currently working on - we really love seeing your creations.

and don't forget you can email your images to either Sue, Meredith or myself. (i was feeling like a bit of a blog hog last month!)

Meredith posted a couple of really funny links and that made me think about the art of writing blogs. Some people are very clever and can make you cackle with laughter at the screen.

Lynette Van Barello is one of those funny writers.

Cathy Z is another which often has me in fits of giggles.

i have also stumbled upon this blog The Scrapbook Widow which is written from a husband's point of view. His earlier posts are more about scrapping and less about coffee and are really funny. It hasn't been updated for a long time which is a pity.

Let me know if you come across any blogs that make you chuckle.

Sandra - trying something new.

This chook is gaining so much confidence it is so lovely to see. She says -

been playing today, trying a few new things.
Bright colours, large photo on a smaller sized paper.

This is really beautiful Sandra. The journallingyou have included, those yummy colours and a great photo make this a stunning page.

Fan-bloody-tastic.

Ali E's tip of the day

6. Repetition. Probably my favorite design principle: do something once and then do it two more times. Three is a very nice number. Repeat colors. Repeat shapes. Repeat accents.


clever.

creates harmony and balance.

and

gotta love this next bit...................

easy.

Ali E's tip of the day

5. Keep an inspiration journal. This is the one of the best things you can do for your creative self. Don't judge what you write in it or put in it - just use it and abuse it and let it be a place for the things that are scrambling in your head. For a long time I have had too many of these and it began to feel way to scattered. Recently I have combined it into one notebook - forcing myself to use just one and go with it.


This has been one of the best things that i have done. Over a year ago i made myself a little diary to put snippets of inspiration for scrapping. While it sounds a bit anal, I was sick of walking around and seeing design elements that i wanted to try in the world of scrapping and then promptly forgetting them. I have since stuck images that i would like to scraplift, or just some elements from pages that i would like to try, and written in colour schemes that catch my eye, quotes or just a general idea / theme for a page. Often i will write the journalling that i would like to have on my page well in advance and have it all ready to go.

This is a hugely helpful scrapping tool to me. I would love everyone to try it - if you have a spare little notebook to write your ideas in i am sure you will find it a massive help / mojo boost too.

Mine is titled 'see art in your everyday' as i really do see ideas everywhere. Look around you and i am sure you will too :)

Ali E's tip of the day

4. Mix up your page sizes. For the last year I have been experimenting with all sorts of different sizes - this is a huge creative boost. Online lately I have seen really cool pages that are 6 inches x 12 inches, 4 inches x 12 inches, 8 inches x 8 inches, etc. Don't limit yourself to one size.

I think this is the biggest hangup some scrappers seem to have. Let me tell you from my own experience that i never felt more inspired than when i changed to an A4 (or 8.5 x 11 inch) sized page. Although i find it much much easier now, i also dont limit myself to ONLY doing that size. If i feel like a 12 x12, or things look better on a bigger page = well i do a bigger page.

I also have done 3 or 4 layouts with the long skinny size (12 x 6 inch) which were also great to get that mojo flowing. It challenges you to think about your page a different way.

Dont be scared to try different sizes. There is a much bigger world out there than just 12 x 12.

Karen - Sue's sketch

Karen Says -

I have finally gotten to a LO. This is Sues sketch, mind you I always start off planning to be true to the sketch but end up wandering off the track a bit!! You can sort of see, if you squint!!

Oh Karen...that brown with the BG stripe is delicious. And that little birdy rubon coming out from the calendar card is a sweet touch. Love your little highlights in red and i really need to know what kind of alpha you have used for the main title - got to have some of those!

Glad to see you back in here. Hope all has settled back to normal at home and you can fit a little bit more scrapping in. Great work.

Sandra - colour challenge

gee wizz - my inbox has been overflowing with pages lately! It is great to see so much action and support on the blog - well done everyone!

Sandra has sent in her page for the colour challenge. Love that background - so bright and vibrant. The other colours just seem to set it all off brilliantly. Those flowers coming off the blue strip = stunning. Also love how the main cluster - photo, title, date and journalling is all at the bottom. Very clever design which works so well here. It has a nice sense of balance to it all.

Great job Sandra

Colour combo - Meredith's LO

Houndstooth challenge ... Meredith

Marika - sue's sketch

goodness we are all getting so much inspiration from Sue's sketch. Marika has rotated this for a classic black, white and pink layout about her precious fairy! I am also loving how you trimmed that photo down - nice a skinny. I have also noticed that this is a bit of an incoming trend so you are right onto it Marika!

Love your choice of papers against that pink - striking!

Amanda - colour challenge

Ali E's tip of the day

3. White cardstock is always a solid choice for the foundation of your layout. I love it. It is my go-to color of choice.


How ironic that Marika sent in her page on white cardstock today when Ali's tip is about exactly that. I agree with her that white is always a great choice - some may say safe choice - but i just love how it makes every colour pop. White can also give the sense of space, without the busy-ness of fancy patterned paper. If you seem to be stuck for a page idea - pull out a sheet of white cardstock and start from there.

Marika - colour challenge

Marika has sent in an amazing page. She says -

Just finished my colour challenge a lift from Ali Edwards CK April 09. Just loved it and realised I had the same paper

I can see why you lifted this one Marika - stunning! Love the embellishments in a line under the journalling....they seem totally perfect for the page. Again i keep feeling that those colours are so funky, happy and fresh.

lovely work and a great answer to the colour challenge.

Ali E's tip of the day

2. Examine how you look through the lens of your camera . What do you really see? What are you looking for? Next time you pick up your camera let yourself play a bit more by looking up, down, to the sides, etc. of your subject. There are so many interesting things out there in the world. I am particularly interested in the ways things meet together - people, places, things.

ok well this is a big extention from our perspective challenge. Re-think how you will take that shot = zoom in and get the really important bits.

Just for a laugh ...

Okay we love to take photos and scrap them.

But these ones would be so funny to scrap!!

http://cakewrecks.blogspot.com/

Make sure you look at quite a few of the cakes ... "pole dancers rock" really made me laugh!!


Then make sure you take a look at this site with photos that would be funny to scrap ...

http://awkwardfamilyphotos.com/

Sue's in - with colour combo

Hi there everyone,

When i saw Amanda's colour combo challenge....it got me inspired!! And sitting home quietly on this blowy Saturday....i have been busy getting out papers and scrapping away!

What beautiful colours to put together....and i was inspired by a layout i saw in Scrapbook Trends April 09, by Laura Vegas. I have used cream instead of a yellow. I got a lovely surprise from Meredith......the circle Heidi Swapp stickers, which goes just perfect with this page!

Catchya next time

Sue xx

Ali E's tip of the day

I dont really read many blogs and am not really into following scrapping 'celebs'. (whatever the hell that is)

However i just found these tips on Ali Edwards' blog and i just love them. There are 20 tips so i will try and remember to do one tip a day. I find myself nodding and agreeing with every one.

Todays Ali Tip:

1. Get over what you "think" it should be and just allow it to be ("it" will be something different for every person).

back tomorrow for another.

Photos of you and yours ...

An American woman and scrapbooker, Aleida Franklin, was sadly killed in a car crash last year.

She encouraged others to take photos of themselves with their children.

So have a look at Emilie Ahern's blog

http://www.em-il-ie.com/2009/04/aleidas-challenge.html

From Emily's blog ...

Aleida said "she made it a goal to take a picture of herself with her children at least once every month. And that to use excuses about how we look, as women, is ridiculous, since our children will never care what we looked like, but only that we had physical evidence of the bond between mother and child. "

Aleida tragically and unexpectedly passed away last September, leaving 2 small children and a grieving husband. After she passed I thought of how those children must feel to have those precious photographs.

So make sure you take some photos of you with your children.

Here is one I snapped at Easter time 2009, of me and Hannah ...

These next two were taken by Jack and Lachlan in September 2007 ... I don't look so great but hey I have some fun photos of me and the boys.

Lachlan was only 4 1/2 ... just make sure the camera strap is around their neck!!

Some times we need scrap pages of us in the photos too!!

surprise challenge - colour combo

i love this combination - it seems so happy and fresh. You can use black, white, brown or kraft also if you need.

I noticed this group of colours used on this cover layout on the Scrapbooks etc magazine in April which was designed by Janna Wilson.

(sorry for the small pic but i couldn't find anything bigger online)

you will notice in that page that instead of using equal parts of the colours (and perhaps making the page overwhelming) that the creator has used mostly yellow, then green with a tinge of aqua. The red border is basically used to give the whole layout that 'pop' or 'wow' factor.

See how you get on using these fresh, funky colours on your next page. We would love to see what you come up with.

Sandra - photo challenge

Here is Sandra's cute photo for the 'looking down' perspective photo challenge.

she says -

Final challenge done!I have to admit I took this photo awhile ago. It is one of my favourites... it is not technically a great photo but I love the memories attached. They were having a ball tickling each other.

What a great moment captured Sandra - you can really feel the love! You really can almost here the giggles just by looking at the photo.

fabulous!

Tracey - Sue's sketch

Now i am thinking that this is what everygirl needs around town - a set of handknitted bathers. Although i can see that they may work better for smaller children. Perhaps a cutoff age of 11 or 12 to stop any stray nipples poking through. Obviously Kaye had a VERY good knitter in her family - as you certainly wouldn't want any dropped stitches in your bathers!

Tracey says -

I have done another layout using Sue's sketch turned on its side. The journalling says 'Kaye Gregory at 14 months in her handknitted bathers at Henley Beach 1950'.

What a brilliant photo Tracey - how precious! Just have to love those random black and white snaps that are 'older' and have so much story to tell. Your collection of flowers, little tags, gorgeous rich colours and that little oval with the date really add to the vintage / heritage feel. I bet Kaye would love to see this one!

Sandra - houndstooth

Oh my goodness. Have a look at what this VERY clever and VERY talented lady has whipped us up. SOME HOUNDSTOOTH CARDS.

Check out the perfection of them - the female images are just gorgeous Sandra! I can't stop looking at all the little details : the buttons, flowers, scallops, circles, rhinestones and lace.

Totally awesome Sandra. Gawd you rock woman!