FYI ... Steamboat!

Okay we interrupt regular posting to bring to you all a cooking delight

... the steam boat

... my Mum calls it the Steamboat Shuffle and in some articles it is referred to as a hotpot!

Some of the articles show ceramic steamboats, some are stainless steel or brass.

Some links for you ...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hot_pot

http://ilearn-culture.com/chinese-hot-pot-or-steam-boat/

I remember it as being lots of fun but you wouldn't want to be worried about "double dipping"!!

Hope that this information has been helpful.

We will now return to regular posting!

Marika - Fran's August sketch

oh beautiful Marika. AND you have used a trademark of Frans.... those round Heidi Swapp stickers!!

Love your wave element along the bottom and those yellow thickers are one of my fav. ones. Great, bright summery colours also in the banner.

Just sensational!

Page 100 challenge - Tracey

Tracey said ... 

Attached is Page 100 from Travel Africa magazine.  My page looks nothing like it except for photo placement if you look at it with a squint, a very dodgy effort at the challenge.  All other mags I looked at had very boring page 100's with loads of writing. My page was very easy and used up some summer photos of which I have too many, as always.  

This is wonderful Tracey! I think you have used the p.100 well to achieve the layout of your photos and the title placement.

By the way I think your photos are great and give across a fantastic feeling of your holiday!

Thank you for sending your layout in!

Nic's sketch & misting challenges - Sandra!

Sandra said ...

Bit late I know but here is my answer to Nic's sketch and the Misting challenge
can you see Nic's sketch under there??
and I glimmermisted the pennyfarthing, the tree and the alphas.
and yes....I crocheted the border!! (my Grandmother would be sooo proud!! lol)

WOW Sandra!! Thank is brilliant!! The crocheting is sensational!!

Something I have all the equipment for ... now I juts need to get a lesson or three!!

The colour of the Glimmermist on the chip looks perfect for your layout

So beautiful!

tonight....

... i had the most amazing reminder of what scrapbooking is all about.

I had the privilege of looking through an album that was lovingly created in memory of a family member. This album was OVER 80 pages long and had taken over A YEAR to create. Absolutely amazing.

Each page told a story about this person and by the end of the album i felt as if i had known him personally. It was so touching that i felt his loss, even though i had not known him.

The creator told me that she had kept the page designs 'simple' but any other adornments / embellishments would have detracted from the beautiful, stunning photos and the real meaning behind the album.

It was a master piece and i feel so lucky to have seen it. What an amazing keepsake and an incredible thing to create. Well done K. A beautiful momento of a special man.

Thank you.
xx

Jenny - Nic's sketch

This is cute, cute, cute Jenny! Loving those pink pearl scattered across the page  - gorgeous! The lace is so delicate and pretty - just like that sweet little dress. And oh what a great cluster of elements.

Fantabulous!

Michelle - large photo and vertical title

oh the colours in this are stunning Michelle! Love your yo-yo flower, the chip grasses behind it and that vertical title is fabulicious! Great tie in with the photo colours too!

This is beautiful!

Ali's magazine challenge

Ali said ...

I was really inspired to do the Mag challenge. I chose a Thai Magazine that I bought while we were there a couple of months ago, I flipped to page 100, and loved what I saw. I basically used the design AND the colours. Thanks for the challenge.

Wow Ali that looks wonderful!! A great interpretation from the original!

Love your photo too - I love Asian food!

My Mum has a steamboat although I have only had one it was lots of fun!! I should look out for one next time I'm in Adelaide at the markets!

Thank you!

Tracey - August colour challenge

Howdy Amanda,

 shock horror, yes I know, I can hardly believe it either, answering a challenge in record time for me!!! Actually the colour challenge has been very loosely followed ... sorry a lack of orange but substituted with yellow!!  This was an easy layout for me not too much brain straining going on, its quite the miracle. I love this photo of Charlotte, she was so loving herself in her bikini, it was hilarious! Have a good week. 

Trace xx

oh Trace that photo is so funny - she really does look like a little model in that bikini and pose. Gorgeous green title and love your cluster of elements. I also really like seeing those bright colours against a black background... they really pop! Beautiful work.

Thanks for showing us!

More CHA photos ...

Check out this girl's blog ...

http://balzerdesigns.typepad.com//

she has tonnes of photos of the goodies to come our way some time in the future!!

August guest sketcher

Well i am sure this lady needs NO introduction. I have been a massive fan for a very long time - everything she does is gorgeous. I was so excited when she agreed to be our special guest sketcher for e2c for the month of August while Sue is still away.

Our sketch artist this month is FRAN TYNAN.  Fran is on the DT for Anna's Craft Cupboard, Karen's Scrappin kupboard, has also been on the Kaisercraft DT and regularly appears in our scrapping magazines.

She has provided us with an amazing sketch. Really different and unusual - not only is the sketch itself brilliant but how she has presented it is WOW... in fact i have never seen a sketch scrapped!

and here is her example:

I hope you are as inspired by this as i am!

Thanks so much Fran!

August colour challenge

August Challenge .... the first one!

Notebook magazine Issue 60, page 100

Okay so you are probably think ... "what the?"

Step one ... grab a non-scrapbooking / craft magazine

Step two ... open it to page 100

Step three ... be inspired!!

Step four ... take a scan or photo of the page (& tell us which magazine it is from) to send to us with your layout

So just as an example from this magazine page above you could be inspired to ...

1. use various shades of blue
2. use various shades of blue paint
3. use two fonts that are like the fonts
4. use string, as is attached to the paint chip
5. use a paint technique
6. use fabric
7. use blue and white
8. whitewash (the paint sticks look whitewashed) a piece of paper as seen here on the Studio Calico blog

So hopefully that will help you get started!!

You may want to look at a couple of magazines to find the right inspiration

... the first one I looked at was the latest Masterchef mag and the page had a photo of lamb chops with green beans!!

The only idea I came up with was colours!!

Can't wait to see what is created with this!

Ideas, ideas, ideas ...

Hello everyone!

Things have been a little quiet lately so I thought I would look for some inspiration on the Web!!

Misting ...

 http://studiocalico.blogspot.com/2010/07/tutorial-misting-masks.html

I have been using the Maya Road mists lately!

http://www.mayaroad.net/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=198 ... some yummy colours there!




New products ...

http://www.thescrapreview.com/

this site has reviews and new stuff from the Craft and Hobbies Association (CHA) event that is on in the USA at the moment.

http://www.writeclickscrapbook.com/write_click_scrapbook/2010/07/the-products-our-picks.html

I really love ...

Aren't those alphas cute!!

Oh my I have a thing for punches at the moment ... mainly buying them!! These slim line ones are great!!

As my boys say "I want to punch stuff" but I think they mean something else!!


Mini books ... 

http://diaryofarenegadescrapbooker.typepad.com/my-blog/

this girl rocks mini books ... very inspiring! I haven't made one for ages and feel the urge coming on!!

A scrap night ...

contact one of our / your local scrap shops and get out so seek some inspiration!!

I know that Scrapworkz have one each Thursday night,

Sheoak Craft Cottage are having one on Friday 6th August

and the Shabby Chic Shack have been having Friday night scrap night fairly often!

Blogs ...

I love looking at other people's scrapping

... we have a list on the side bar of girls that attend our retreat who have blogs

... Japan has some really clever scrappers
... take a look at this one I found last night ... http://poki.air-nifty.com/blog/

Magazines ...

My favourite magazine has a new blog ...
http://northridgemedia.net/blogs/create/


Where have you found your inspiration lately? Post a comment with your info!


Ooohh and stay tuned some new challenges will be posted soon!! 


Amanda and I had a little meeting at the footy yesterday to discuss!!


And we have a great guest sketcher for you this month ... her sketch is apparently very unique in its style!!


And our favourite regular sketcher is going to be back on the block soon!!

Misting Mayhem - Ali!!!

"Have just done this challenge ...  now I'm spraying the stuff everywhere!! LOL! 

These are much loved photos of Mia and her Dad last Summer in our pool, they have a ball! Bring on Summer I say!!

I have used Glimmermist on the white cardstock along with some gold lustre that I have in my stash from when I used to go to Ceramics, it cost me so much, I never threw it away.

 The layout looks all sparkly and glittery in real life.

Thanks.

Ali xx"

Wow gorgeous Ali ... love the yellow tones!!! 

And the title across the bottom photo looks sensational!! 

And as alway I admire anyone who handwrites so very cool!!

And great action photos!

Thank you ... mwah!!!

Tracey - some scrapping to share!

woohoo. Bless this girl's cotton socks - she has emailed me in some images to share with everyone!

Howdy Amanda, thought I should send in a layout although it is nothing to do with the sketches or any challenge. Its just to prove that I am scrapping something!!  These two beautiful people are my mum and dad at mums 21st arn't they cute!!  Using prima papers and prima flowers.  It being roses I had to buy lots, what a surprise.

on a roll now.....this was a layout that went in an album for my nana.  This is a photo of my great nana when she was young, lovely photo.  The sheer ribbon didn't appreciate being put through the scanner and being squashed so it hasn't copied well. I have loved doing vintage lately and learning to layer stuff.  I still get a brain strain throughout the process, it will never come easily!  Feel free to put this on the blog when your having a lull in your in-box.  Now I shall probably go all reclusive again, he he. Love, Trace

wow these are AWESOME Tracey. You do vintage so beautifully! Stunning roses! Also that scrunched dress pattern in the bottom layout looks fabulous!


Thanks for sending these in for us to feast our eyes on! Delicious!

Julie C - Nic's sketch challenge

I was so excited to see this in my inbox! Thanks so much for taking the plunge Julie! She said:

Hi Amanda,

 Here’s a page for Nic’s sketch challenge.  Only the 2^nd page I’ve ever sent in, but I made a ‘to do’ list for the holidays, and ‘submit a page for an e2c challenge’ was on the list!  Better late than never...

 Can you recognise each of us?  Weren’t we a bunch of cuties!!!

 Thanks  

Julie C.

Oh you certainly were/ are a bunch of cuties! Love the layering of papers and how you have used two photos... i can see Dakota strangely enough in that sassy little hand on hip action LOL.

Gorgeous Julie. Thanks again for sending it in. Hope there are many more you can show us! Cute cute cute!!

Ali - Nic's sketch

Oh Ali - this is cute in so many ways! Firstly - how adorable is that little yellow dress!?? So sweet. the papers that you have chosen look awesome  - love that yellow heart sass paper.

Very clever handmade scallop border on the bottom. and i am so jealous of your cool handwriting. Looks great! Yummy thicker title and those cute little letter stickers finish it all off so well.

What a beautiful example of how a sketch can be an inspiration. Thanks!

Marika - big photo and vertical title

oh this is lovely Marika. The 'school' feel to it (grid paper and ruler sticker) really give the page extra punch. Great use of those yummy yellow thickers too - i have them and use them all the time. Delish. How cute and grown up does he look!? And what a cheeky 'big boy' smile.

this is fab Marika. Thanks for joining in the challenge. Hope to see some more pages up here again soon :)

e2c - published

A massive well done to Tiff, Maryanne, Amanda, Marika, Louise, Nicole, Meredith, Tatum, and Kerryn who all featured in the latest Scrapbooking Memories Magazine.Vol 12 No 8.

What a great mag chocca block full of e2c talent!

Well done girls. Beautiful, inspiring work as always.

Ali - big photo and vertical title

Hi Amanda, I have finally gotten around to doing your challenge this month. It is a pretty bad photo, but I love it in real life. I have had this photo for ages, it was a special moment for my Mum. Love her so much!

Thanks Ali x

WOW thanks Ali! What a great statement your page is! The big photo really emphasises the 'special-ness' of the moment ... a big photo for a very big occasion. Awwwwww at those bubbas and look how proud she is! Just beautiful.

Love the paper strips too - sensational work. Handwriting on a layout is always awesome in my book because it is something that i simply cannot do lol. Yours looks fabbo on those funky shapes Ali!

Thanks for joining in the challenge.

Amanda - Nic's sketch

Marika - Nic's sketch

Hi Amanda,

Just finished this layout friday for Nicoles sketch challenge as always I find the sketch inspires me to get a page done.
Thanks Marika

Oh this is lovely Marika! Is that a retreat goodie bag i spy?! Fantastic! Wow at all your detail (those layered butterflies are all the rage atm and look brilliant) and also wowee at the Bella necklace! It is great to be able to re-use some of those types of things that have a special meaning but can't be worn anymore.

Beautiful work!

Funny photo site ...

While we were waiting for lunch yesterday there was a Who magazine on the table that I flicked through.

One of the articles was about a new book out, based on this website ...

http://awkwardfamilyphotos.com/

Good for a laugh I reckon!!

Misting Mayhem challenge - Lou

Lou has joined in on the misting challenge and I love it!!

The subtle tones of the mists are really effective, I also love the chip tree and the layering of paper, mesh and corrugated cardboard.

Thank you Lou ... looking forward to more soon!

Lou - big photo and vertical title

ooooooooh this is delicous Lou! The little leaves certaily add to the verical lines and also love love love how you utilize your scraps and make them look AMAZING.

Also adore your use of jounalling on this one Lou - normally you don't say much but i do enjoy hearing the 'story'.  Brilliant.

Something to look forward to ...

October Afternoon lovers ...

a new range is on its way!!!

From their site ...

http://www.octoberafternoon.com/line.php?line=SS

This blog has even better picutes of the "wood panels" ...

http://dannisdoodles.typepad.com/dannisdoodles/2010/07/theyre-up-theyre-up-2nd-post-today.html

Can't wait to get some of it!!

Hello from Stuttgart

A quick hello from sunny Stuttgart, Germany....

The weather is beautiful, we sit out in the garden and have a beautiful bbq with Angela and her family!! We spoke to home yesterday...so are thinking of you in the cold weather!!

Still having the most amazing time....loving all that we are seeing...Sooo good to see Angi again!!

Loving all the LO here on the blog...keep them all coming.

xxx to you all!!

Nic's Sketch - Meredith

Lauren - Nic's sketch challenge

Hi Amanda!

My layout for the sketch challenge :)
Sorry about the dodgy photo, lovely overcast afternoon here and my first time fiddling around in photoshop (it took an emergency phone call to Tatum too!! lol!!)
Thanks for the challenge...now to work on that Misting one!
Happy Thursday,
Lauren xx

ooooooooooh check out the detail here!! Just stunning - look at those beautiful roses! and the vine is perfection behind it.... and that birdcage! GORGEOUS!

Love the papers also - they seem so random but are perfect with each other.

OMG still drooling over those roses lol. Just a tad jealous over your handwriting too Lauren.

So glad you could participate - hope to see some more really soon.

Meredith's Misting Mayhem challenge ...

Okay my challenge this month, although a little late, is to ...

go forth and mist yourselves silly ...

try something different ...

try something you have seen somewhere else and post the link to us as well ...

use a commercial mist like Glimmermist or Maya Road or make your own ...

see Amanda's example below this post for a great effect ...

Make sure you are protected while misting ... we don't want any irreversible misting ... we don't want any cutting edge carpet styles or clothing debacles ...

May the mist be with you!!

Okay here is my little example ... masking the clouds and misting away ...

then adding the other elements!

Amanda - colour challenge

please excuse the terrible night time photo

Kathryn - big photo and vertical title

Hi Amanda


Don't faint, but I have completed a page for this month's challenge, large photo with vertical title. It has taken me the past 3 nights to do, but I am pleased with the outcome.

The photo of the actual page is abit crap, the back cardstock is navy blue and title is orange. It is nearly 11pm! It was a fun page to do and now I might keep going and do some more scrapping over the holidays.

Thanks for the wonderful inspiration!
Kathryn

WOW Kathryn! This is fab. LOVE that orange title - how you have placed the climb and then the up horizontal. And what a fantastic photo! Beautiful!
 
 
So glad to see you scrapping again - hope it can continue and we see some more of your brilliance!

Hello from Salzburg

Just popping by to say Hello to you all!! Having the most amazing time! I have to pinch myself every morning ....yes, i am in Europe!

Paris was beauiful, busy with people and cars tooting their horns alot!! We went to the top of the Eiffle Tower....the views were spectacular!

Lucern, Switzerland....is just so beautiful....i just love this place! Sooooo pretty!

Now we are in Salzburg, Austria for today and tonight leaving for Vienna! The weather has been lovely and hot 35° but this morning it is raining here! The travelling by train is so easy and loving seeing the country side.

See the blog is popping along....will have to do Nicoles sketch when i get home....like it Nic!!

I cannot find one single scrapping magazine so far!!

Take Care & happy scrapping!

Sue xx

July Sketch by guest designer - Nicole Aspinall

Well we had a little vacancy in the team this month so i asked Nicole Aspinall (yes our very own Nic from the e2c retreats) to fill in for Sue.

She had big shoes to fill but has done an amazing, incredible job. I feel enthused just looking at this!

Not only did she supply an inspirational sketch but also an amazine demo layout.

Look at those delicious OA papers and how that (super cute) little red boob tube just makes the photos POP. The orange letters are so delicous and OMG those flowers are so funky - i want some!

Thanks Nic. You have always been so supportive of me and also towards e2c - thanks chickie. It means a lot. xx

July Challenges

Sorry for the belated challenges but I usually have a hectic start to July lol.

Ok i have a guest sketch designer lined up and all will be revealed in the next few days. I know you are going to love what she has done for us.

My challenge this month is two pronged.

1. Use a big photo.
2. Use a vertical title.

here is an example layout i have done (i did the jounalling a couple of days ago when i was freezing my tootsies off!)

Sandra - photo in 3rds

Hi Amanda




I created this layout AGES ago but I couldn't share back then because it was also for the Twiddleybitz DT postition ....so I couldn't share back then.


THANK YOU for the inspiration to cut this photo into thirds...so happy with the effect!!






Can't wait to see the challenges for July!!


Sandra

 
 
WOW Sandra. This  has some amazing elements in it! Love the shells and tiny details!! The collection of 'sea' goodies combined with the net is just totally WOW! (am lost for wow words it is so good lol!)
 
I also think your photo cut into thirds looks fabulous! I think it really adds dramatic effect and visual impact to an already incredible photo!
 
It is a great example of that challenge Sandra. Thanks being brave and cutting a photo up!
 

Amanda - Sue's sketch

Marika - Sue's sketch + Fabric challenge

Fantastico Marika! Love how you have incorperated the zig zag stitch, that cute date tag and all those delicious OA papers.

OMG at how big Bella looks in those photos!! Where has your baby gone Marika?? Very cute expression of joy on her face.

Brilliant use of fabric too!

Fabric challenge - Sue

Well, one last post & LO for me.... I have used the American Crafts fabric paper with this one and the last of that piece of orange cardstock (from the colour challenge)....works well with Mace's birthday cake, i thought.

Now to pack all the scrapping gear away....hoping not to have the scrap daughter invade & 'borrow' my goodies while away LOL!!

Catchya xx

Scrapathon Mini / Maxi Retreat

Kaiser's new design team

I just followed the link to Kerryn's blog on the side bar and discovered this ...

http://www.kaisercraft.net/blog/please-make-welcome-kaisercrafts-new-design-team-for-2010-2011/

Kerryn has attended the last 2 Escape2Create retreats and I was thrilled to read that she has been chosen on the new Design Team!!

Congratulations!!

The work of the other new Design Team members is beautiful too so go and check it all out!

Amanda - fabric challenge

what's happening?

you may well be asking?

LOTS.

HEAPS.

EVERYTHING.

is my reply.

One of our lucky ladies is busy as a bee packing her bags to go OS. Another of our ladies is SSD (scrap sucked dry) and the other one is the ever positive, gentle encourager.


At the same time, we are all madly planning the most awesome-est time for everyone in October. Details will be out very, very soon... keep your eyes peeled, your nose clean and your ear close to the ground. You will see it HERE first.

If you know of anyone interested in coming along, please spread the word for us. We would hate to think someone missed out on such a great time at our retreats simply because they didn't know about it.

Again I will stress that the 'mini' retreat / scrapathon is a no fuss retreat. There are NO bells and whistles like the main retreat. This is not to say that we wont have a great time.... as last year proved it was so relaxing for everyone to kick back and do your own thing with no classes, no pressure, no goodie bags, no frills, no husband, no meals to worry about and no kids. Brilliant!

In other news : another nifty way we can stay in touch with you (and you to e2c events) is facebook. YES - e2c is now on facebook. It is really exciting to see many, many new faces joining from around the country every day! (i dont' think there have been any international girls yet??!) Needless to say we also love seeing our familiar, local girls too 'cause we love you all so much!!

click here if you would like to join our 'group'.

Never fear - this will NOT take the place of the blog. I see it as another vehicle to get our info about the retreat around. This blog is the main train on the railway of e2c info and the facebook page is one of those kalamazoo hand carts... if you follow my analogy.

Anyway there is lots happening behind the scenes so please don't think that just because the blog is quiet that we are all resting on our bottoms. Far from it!!

Also don't forget to say hello if you stop by. We get encouraged to continue the blog and retreats by you... yes YOU!

Tiff - colour challenge

This was perfect colour combo for the stuff I collected from the show a couple of years ago, and it being next in my album of LOs to do. The ticket in the top left corner came out a bit orange but irl its more yellow than orange.

I've also smudged the contact details on the show book.
I kept it pretty plain and very simple except for the corner.

cheers tiff

wow gorgeous detail in the corner Tiff. Quilling is very intricate! Very 'Lou' styled butterflies too.

fabbo.

Fabric challenge - Tiff

Tiff said ...

"My LO in answer to the fabric challenge. I used 4 different types. Can you spot them all??


Journaling says: You had the best day ever at the Cummins Show. You had the biggest smile all day. And you even had a go at whip cracking. Somehow I don't think being in a dress helped with that much."

Great collage of the day to record the memories. Love have you have incorporated the E2C felt flower!! And that looks a bit like some Dear Lizzy flower ribbon undernearth - is that right? I can't wait to get some of that soon - delish!
 
I think I have worked out all the fabrics but I'll leave the guessing to the commenters!!

Trish - colour challenge

Hi Amanda,

thank you so much for you comments on my fabric challenge, talk

about makin a girl blush! So here is my colour challenge, its actually matted on grey not that it looks like it but it is. Like some other girls I don't have orange anything but this photo just fitted perfectly I thought. This sunrise was taken last year at Edillilie, coming home from a nightshift at Coffins. Keep up the great work!!

Cheers Trish


Trish sometimes i think that is the best bit about working night duty - the sunrise AND crawling into bed!

Beautiful colours - the orange sunrise is gorgeous! Putting it on that dark grey card makes it absolutely eyecatching. Love how the trees are sillhoutted in the background or the photo and your rubons seem to mimic that tree line horizon.

Stunning.