some interesting reading

Hi girls.



Things have been bit quiet in here!!! Where are all the pearl layouts - i hope to see some soon :) Dont forget this blog isn't exclusively for blog challenges - we would LOVE to see anything new you have been working on. If you would like to show us ANYTHING please forward it to one of us (emails on sidebar)


I spent a very interesting day today infront of the computer collating all the info from our retreat feedback forms.



Just some interesting facts that we can share with you.



* 43 surveys were returned from 50 retreat go-ers

* 43 ladies said that they had a great time on the retreat (YAY)


* 43 ladies said that they were happy with our onsite (Val and Lorrae) catering


some improvements we could make were listed -

• get rid of the mice


• 50's and 60's music


• change dinner format for Saturday night


• keep having retreats


• make the weekend last longer /more time!


• have a photochopy of the finished class project on each table


• option of not having to stay the night


• more instruction on class photo requirements prior to the retreat


• needing more free time to scrap.


• get two masseusses (not sure if that word even comes as a plural!)

And basically the vast majority were pleased with the setup (some stating it was a better vibe/atmosphere because of the table placement).

There was not one negative comment about the classes being run in the shed and everyone who did a class liked the powerpoint display as an extra aide.

This is great news for us. I thought the retreat went so well in 2008. The feedback we recieved then was also very very positive. For us to actually IMPROVE on something that was good in the first place is brilliant. Thanks to all who took the time to fill out their surveys. These responses help us to know what the attendees are thinking and what we can work on changing.

The main two problems for 2009 were the hotel tea and the appearance of Stuart Little and a few mates. Rest assured the format for Sat. night tea WILL change for 2010.

Here is my answer to Tiff's challenge. Technically they are not pearls - but Kaiser make them and they are called droplets.....and are fairly new on the scene. I am not a pearly or bling-y type of person so this is my page. (yep it is 6x12 inch - i didn't stretch out the image!)

Challenge 32 - pearls

It's Friday.
wahu.
bring on the weekend.
Bring on the new challenge.

I would love to see what you can do with pearls.
Since KaiserCraft released them a while ago in so many colours and oh so cheap, they have become very popular. I have seen black pearls recently. Very masculine for little fella's pages.

Let's be creative. Lets see how many different ways to use pearls.

looking forward to lots of response to this one.

this is one I have done for the challenge. Pearls in the centres of the flowers and pearl ribbon slides.

Kate.

A warm welcome back to Kate.

She sent me this page which damn near broke my heart. Last week Kate had an unfortunate incident with their pup Sid. Basically cars and dogs are bad news........they dont go together too well. Sometimes these little pups dont realize this and in a very quick second things can go very very badly.

I know that Kate loves her pets and that she has cried buckets over this. Chook - it isn't your fault. It is just one of those bad things that happens to us all at times. Dogs are so faithful and forgiving. He loves you all and I am certain that he is so thankful that you all gave him a second chance and got vet help for him.

The emotion in this page is obvious. Love the colour choices, the buttons and the journalling strips. And the long title is just so sad.

Hope you are all doing ok Kate.

Introducing Tanya C

TA DA.

we have a new scrapper on board. Tanya started scrapping 2 hours ago. Literally. This is her first ever LO.

And wowsers. Not bad for the first creation. Not bad at all. Noice stripes and journal strips. And I see you have mastered the art of journaling with the computer and printer already.

Well done chick. I look forward to your next masterpiece.

t

tiff 2

hiya.





A long title for the current challenge. This challenge has certainly got the juices flowing for everyone.

Any new faces out there who would like to say hi or have a go at a challenge?? We are friendly mob here and we don't bite. If any previous ones grab your attention (categories on the right side bar) give it a shot. never too late for sub.
;)
tiff

Sandra's no. 2

I think i may well be in shock - the layouts keep pouring into my inbox for this challenge! I never in a million years thought people would actually do so many pages with really long titles!! (although i admit it is really fun - am so OVER one word titles LOL )

Another gorgeous one here from Sandra - using one of my fav. peices of BG paper ...that red is divine. I really really adore your cluster of elements and the different fonts / alphas you have used. And Ryan has an amazing smile that does totally light up his whole face........he is a lovely, happy and friendly boy!

Beautiful work Sandra - and loving seeing everyones take on a long title!

Marika aka - scrap machine

This chook is on fire!! Pumping out the layouts ....

She says that she is so enthused since the retreat it is hard work trying to keep herself out of her scrap room/office.

This is great news for all of us. Firstly because it means that us, as organizers managed to get some mojo happening for some people ......being in a big room full of scrappers it is kinda hard NOT to feel inspired to create! And secondly it is great news as we get to see her fantastic layouts!

LOVE the blue in this. The big monogram is perfect as is the gorgeous blue combination with the craft. Love that tiny sliver of ribbon? or paper down one side - stunning.

And Noahs eyes ARE amazing. A very cute little boy.

Keep those long titles coming girls! This page is another great example of the challenge.

My longish title ...

Hi all,

Apologies for not commenting lately ... have had no computer for the last week. Oh my goodness how did we cope before computers and the internet!! The hard drive went but luckily we didn't lose anything, just have to re-install a couple of programs that the computer guy didn't have!!

Anyway here is my layout ... great idea Amanda, I have wanted to do a long title one for a while and this was the push I needed!!

The title isn't crooked, just my photo taking!!

Marika

Just look at this one!

1. nice long title

2. gorgous spots

3. adorable baby

4. fab. journalling

5. great colours

6. retreat give-away thickers!

7. paint or inky edges

8. date stamp!

great work Marika! Great memory too.

Sue

Well this challenge had me thinking!! I have incorporated my journalling and title together, and using different alphas to form the title was fun!! So with a couple patterned papers, various alphas, bit of stitching and a few buttons, all was complete!!

Trish

Trish has done very well with her long title.

She says -

Hi Amanda, this is looooooong but its not BIG. It has a grand total of 9 words though.
And for those without 'pointy eyes' , as my once 2 year old son told Nanna, it says "you really enjoyed painting the cobra model with Ian."

Cheers Trish S

I love those squigley black dots - they look fantastic! Are they hand drawn? They compliment the papers fabulously and the lettering 'cobra model' look like it was just made for your page!

Great work Trish - i see a bit of Meredith style in this one - craft, little letter stickers and a very big wow factor!

wonderful.

Amanda

I wanted to use the title to actually tell the story - so the title and journalling are combined in a VERY LONG sentence about our muching mutts.

and yes that is a bit of my FAVOURITE chewed up jacket on the layout :(

Sandra

Sandra has shared something really special with us.

Not only has she met the 5 words or more title challenge, but also challenged herself to journal directly onto the cardstock with her printer - fantastic!

She says -

Hi Amanda!
Here is my answer to your challenge... and boy did I find it a challenge!
I am still not 100% happy with the title placement.
I have set myself a challenge this year to try something new on each page..
this time it was journalling onto the layout... usually I put it on a tag or journalling strips.
So hence the font being so big!... Lesson learn't. lol
I also feel rather over exposed with the journalling subject... I suppose I could of hidden it... but chose not to.
So sorry, a bit of heavy reading, and I suppose cryptic too.
The photo is of me, at the age of 13.... the journalling is me, at 40, talking to the 13 year old me back then.

Great challenge.. and one I will try again in the future!
Cheers
Sandra

I love all your paper placements. The colours you have chosen are fabulous. What a great photo of yourself!!!

The title placement looks excellent to me and wow at your journalling - so personal. I know that i have often scrapped 'difficult' topics and found the art of getting those thoughts down on paper very healing.... I hope you did too Sandra.

famous five (words that is)

challenge done. phew and not as tough as I thought.

I cant show too much as this is a gift for a special person in my life (thanks Meredith for the idea of it in the first place!!), and I dont think she lurks here very often. But, just in case......

This is an off the page project using a Heidi Swapp Mirror book. And I just loved it. Gave the whole thing a brand new dimension.

I just know that 'she' will love it too.

Challenge 31

Hi girls.

Due to Sue being away, Meredith's computer having a meltdown and Tiff off scrapping.......................i will post another challenge :)


This challenge is


to use






a






very long title on your page.

Now i haven't done up an example as i honestly haven't had time to scratch myself this week! But i am envisaging titles that have MORE then 5 words in them. No more one worders. Nope to two or even three words.

Let's get all long, big, convoluted and take up a lot of room with your title.


I want it big and loooooooooooooooooooooooooooong.

(title that is)

spot the diamond

have a good look. It is there.


found it yet????

Trish is playing funny buggers on us LOL. But trust me its there.

Great to see you back Trish.
I remember you showing me these pics a little while ago. Great masculine LO chick. The line of green dots above the i in brushing reminds me of paint drops.

Kerryn's diamonds.

woohoo - here is another new face which i am sure you will all know from the retreat.

Welcome Kerryn - glad to have you participating in this diamond challenge!

What fantastic diamonds you have made here! love absolutely everything - the paper, the colours, the funny photo and what a classic title! Your distressed edges and stitching look so effective.

For those who are having trouble remembering, Kerryn was one of our 'special' Adelaide guests and was an absolute POWER scrapper! She finished a massive number of pages on the retreat!

It is so great to see you here :)

how to comment on the blog

To leave a comment on the Blog

Left click on the word ‘comment’ at the end of each post
A new window appears with a text box
Type in what you would like to say along with your name (important, otherwise unless you have a google account, we have no idea who you are)
Left click Anonymous
Left click ‘publish your comment’

how to save and email a layout to us for display

There are many ways to skin a cat (apparently - never tried it myself) but this is Tiff's way.


To email your photo or scanned image of your LO.
Save it as a jpg on your computer
Right click on the file
Send to
Mail Recipient
Left click yes to make Picture smaller
Your email window should open with the file attached
Pop in one of our email addresses
Type in a short spiel about your work
Send.

Maryanne's dimonds.

Fabulous fabulous fabulous example of how you can make diamonds work so well for your pages. Another great example - see what an array of diamonds we have had! Stamps, paper, shaped pp, stickers, rubons, decorative edges!

Also note how Maryanne has maybe deliberately or possibly accidently used a technique called 'mimicking' where as the patterned paper looks like a snakes skin................

(this is a very loose and abstract 'Amanda' interpretation of that technique. A more direct way would be if there were snakes on the paper i guess! LOL)

Whatever the case this is great. That orange is so striking and omg i just love love LOVE that sassafras lass little strip along the bottom. I just *have* to have that paper now Mary!