A pic from the Wedding

Ok Tanya, this one is for you. I've just been emailed a picture of myself, my sister and my neice at my brother's wedding. The pictures of us from my camera didn't turn out very well as I handed my camera over to someone with chronic camera shake.
Tanya is one of my "downlines" from Stampin Up. She has become a dear friend in such a short time, and is a constant source of inspiration for me.

I had Thailand on my mind today since hearing about the plane crash in Phuket. We've been lucky enough to have visited there a couple of times and have had wonderful holidays there. I'm really feeling for the families who have lost the people they love and will keep them in my thoughts and prayers.

I got out some photos last night of our times in Phuket and decided to scrap a few of them. This page was fun. I saw a class that Ainslee recently offered at Scrap Junkie about using beads on your pages. So I created my own chipboard accent, painted it then covered in Stampin Up Crystal Effects, sprinkled it with beads and tiny sea shells and even a starfish. I love the way it looks. I also painted my Making Memories chipboard alphabet, then covered them in sand and Crystal Effects again for a shiny finish. If you click on the photos, you'll see them closer up.

Colours

I've got to say that I think Australia has the BLUEST sky in the world. Its just beautiful! But....I think the UK holds the record for the GREENEST grass. I had forgotten how green, green can be.

Upcoming Christmas Card Class

I've had my head down putting together a class to help you all get started on your Christmas Cards for this year. I'm really trying to be organised and have my own done BEFORE December arrives. I'll advertise this upcoming class in my next newletter, when I have dates finalised. Its a class where you can make 5 of each of the cards showing. I'll then create another class where you can make another 5 of 2 different cards. But for now I'm concentrating on my son's 9th birthday party which is in 2 weeks. We've decided on a Science theme, so I'm busy planning science experiments for the kids to do....such as making slime and making a volcano with a mixture of vinegar and baking soda lava. I'll look for a lab coat and some wild hair that I could wear so that I look the part of a Mad Scientist or even a Potions Master (hehehe....aka....Severus Snape...although I'd need greasy black hair for that!) Just for a laugh, check out this amazing layout....especially if you're a HP fan.

A Layout from the HK Class

Just thought I'd show you one of the layouts I put together for the class I taught in Hong Kong. It had to be a stamp free page, as I couldn't take along my stamps. With all the shopping I wanted to do while I was there, the stamps would have added to the weight and taken up some very valuable space in my suitcase! I found it challenging to put my stamps aside and create something without them. Now that I'm home though, I'll probably add something with my stamps. It just seems a little naked without them!

It was a lot of fun teaching this class.....thanks Ange for organising it....and thanks again to Ange, Heidi, Merridy, Emma, Paula and Carla for giving me such a fun evening with you all! Love you ladies!

What my friends are up to....

Just thought I'd share what a couple of friends have been doing with their Stampin Up products. My wonderful friend Steph (Princess Stephanie) bought the Simply Scrappin' Party Pieces Kit at a recent workshop. With these kits, its so easy to put layouts together quickly as the kit contains everything you need to create some gorgeous pages. This Party Pieces kit was also featured in Scrapbook Etc (my favourite scrapbooking mag) in the May/June 2007 issue in Supply Smarts article. Love it Steph! Thanks for sharing!

My other dear friend Ainslee from Scrap Junkie is a huge Stampin Up fan. Ainslee recently went away for a weekend scrapbooking retreat (sounds wonderful doesn't it). Before going to this, Ainslee prepared 24 ATCs to take with her. If you look closely, you'll see 3 different stamps sets used on these beautiful little ATCs. (Expressive Flexible Phrases, Trading Collection and Mixed Bouquet). Hope you had a lovely weekend away Ainslee! Thanks for sharing!