Happy - DT layout for CSI 157

Hello scrappy friends, thanks for visiting my blog today.

There is a bonus sketch this week from Em Stafrace 

and the challenge is open for the whole month of March.

CLICK HERE

to see what the DT and guests have created for your inspiration.

I chose to use Grey at the predominant colour 

and minimal use of the red.

The background paper is from 13@rts, the Timeless collection, Perfect Moment, just the ticket for photos taken on a wedding day.

 The chipboard title and circles are from 2Crafty,

The sparkly dots are "Say it in crystals" by Prima.  

The wooden hearts are by Freckled Fawn

The metal charms are all from Seriously Scrapbooking, my LSS

EVIDENCE

Camera

Circles

Metal

String

Hearts

Distressing

TESTIMONY

I used the words capture and click to inspire my journalling. (My words are on the back of the page)

It can be tricky to capture natural looking photos of my Husband and my Son.  So those two images, which were clicked while they were focussed on something else, (waiting for the bride), are very precious.

They are alike in many ways, both reserved and thoughtful, yet with a quick wit and dry sense of humour.  They are both averse to conflict, but can take a stand, if an issue is important enough to them.

Their gifts of thoughtfulness, generosity and kindness, contribute so much to a relationship, smoothing the way through rare turbulent times, when friction threatens to disturb the peace.

Passionate about their beloved football team, they have been known to scream, shout, jump in the air and disagree (bleep....bleep) with the umpire, both at home and at the game.  Such a contrast to their normal behaviour!  They really are true believers.

In the early days of our marriage, I was surprised that my husband was willing to lend a hand with the household chores, something he was accustomed to, as both his parents were teachers. Mind you, I soon got used to the idea and came to appreciate it enormously!

By his example, our Sons learned how to treat women with respect, to appreciate their views and to share the washing, cooking, cleaning and decision making.

They knew from an early age, that household jobs are not gender specific, that women have a right to work, a right to have their own friends and a right to their own interests. They know, of course, that there must be reciprocity, for none of this could work, if all the giving is one sided. 

To me the essentials of life, are to find someone to love, to find something to do and to have something to look forward to.  We encouraged our Sons to take their time, to travel, not to settle for second best and to wait until the right person came along, before committing to a life together.

To be part of the wedding celebration as our youngest Son married his partner, was an absolute delight.  It's a wonderful thing to see all our chicks settled and happy. 

Our Sons have all found strong, intelligent and beautiful women to spend their lives with and we are delighted that the tradition of equality, set by my husband’s family, continues on to the next generation.

Life - DT layout for CSI 156

Hello, hello, today I’m sharing a DT challenge for CSI

So, are you ready for this week's challenge? Grab your forensics kits, 

CSI members, and get ready for some serious sleuthing 

as we open Case File No. 156.

CLICK HERE 

to see what the team and guests have created for your inspiration

I struggled with the colours and binned my first three attempts, so reverted back to what I know best.  The KISS principle.

I used the Teresa Collins range of papers "Nine & Co"

the bright patterned ones.

And a ten year old corrugated one by Wendy Irving.  

Glad I didn't purge that one!

Do you like the hat?

EVIDENCE

Leaves/flowers

Liquid pearls 

Cursive font

Triangles

TESTIMONY

I used the words, grow, spicy and power to inspire my journalling.

The photo of me was taken at a friend’s wedding on Kangaroo Island many moons ago.   We had just finished our Nursing Training and for the first time in our lives, had some choice about what we would do next.  My friend decided to marry, after only a few months courtship.

I was shocked, to say the least.  Marriage to me, at that time, spelt lack of freedom, inability to work and endless pregnancies.  Who, in their right mind would want to do that?  

Three of my Aunts were Registered Nurses, two of whom were single.  These two lived a life of freedom, dressed beautifully, drove their own cars and had regular holidays.  By contrast, the third Aunt married soon after training, had four boys in four years and suffered a nervous breakdown.   The poor woman never really recovered her brilliant mind and incisive decision making skills.

Which path would you choose, I wonder?  It seemed like a no brainer to me.  My inner voice said “Pick up your own power, explore the world and grow into the Woman you are capable of becoming.  Who knows what lies beyond the far horizon”.   So off we went, myself and I, with two like minded friends.  For a year we explored Europe, Britain, the United Sates and Canada. We Nursed the landed gentry on Harley Street.  We poured beers in pubs and cups of tea at Village Fairs.  We listened to jazz in New Orleans and protest songs in Irish pubs. We rode Camels in Egypt and ate spicy curries in Bombay.  Each country offered something new and fascinating.  Different food, architecture, languages, smells and sounds. Such enriching and enlightening experiences, which taught us that our previous view of the world was parochial and xenophobic. 

We returned home with a passion to continue our Nursing and a determination to have equal rights in any partnership. Nothing much had changed in our little corner of the world in our absence, but we knew there was more; we’d tasted it and were not ready to settle for mediocrity and small town attitudes.  This was the first of many journeys; once the travel bug has bitten it stays for a life time.  In the following years, life has not always been rosy, but I've learned that it doesn't have to be perfect to be wonderful.

“If you think adventure is dangerous, try routine, it is lethal.” - Paul Coelo

Yin and Yang - CSI challenge 154

Hello scrappy friends, I haven’t posted for ages.  I was sick before Christmas and since then have been in Thailand for a very special family celebration.  Our youngest Son and his lovely partner were married in Thailand.  It was a wonderful family time and we are so happy for them both.

So, on with the challenge 154 for CSI.  The colours could be used for Christmas layouts, but I’ve used them for a boy’s page.  I hope you will join in and use all five colours.

CLICK HERE
To see all the major sponsors and prizes to be won.

I used some very old patterned paper.  

The striped one is by Daisy D and the polka dot is so old, 

I’m not sure of it’s origin.

The envelope is by Maja

The chipboard is from Scrapmatts

The wooden people are by Studio Calico

EVIDENCE CLUES

Polka dots

Stripes

Wood

Alphabet as a design element

Globe - top left

Textured paper - Bazzil cardstock

Metal - on envelope and world embellie

TESTIMONY

Use a mix of letters/fonts for journalling.

The journalling is inside the envelope

You two little boys are so different and yet play together amicably (for the most part).   It’s almost as though the gifts and talents one has, encourages the other to try and succeed in that area too.  You learn from the one another's mistakes and avoid certain things which have caused a problem for your brother.  It’s fascinating to observe.  I hope when you begin ELC this year that the teacher will treat you as individuals and not as a set of twins with the same brain and learning abilities.  Recently, at the shops, a woman asked if you were twins and when I said “Yes”, one of you objected vociferously, saying “No, I’m not a twin!”   “He might be; but I’m NOT - I’m just a Boy!” 

 Love Granny 25th November 2014

Love - DT page for Scrap Africa sketch 42

Hello there, welcome to my blog 

as we say goodbye to 2014 and welcome in the New Year.

Today I’m sharing my last post as part of the creative team at
Scrap Africa.
 It’s been an honour and a joy to create with Denise van Deventer and the team.  I am unable to continue for a variety of reasons, 

but will always be grateful for the opportunity.

Thank you so much Denise.

I hope you will feel inspired to enter and be eligible for a $30.00 voucher from PPBN Designs or a prize pack from Papermania.

I have used techniques which I learned at an inspirational

class with Louise Nelson. She is an original and creative artist and I feel so lucky that she lives and teaches in my area.  

The Chipboard is by Imaginarium designs

The journalling is on the back and it reads:-

Because we don't see you as frequently now that you are at school, I always try to take a few photos when you come for a sleep over.  These days, you are not as keen to sit for five minutes while I do this and you assume a sad or silly face.   Pa tries to help out, by making rabbit's ears behind me or threatening to drop the washing basket on my head.   Invariably your sense of mischief kicks in and you get the giggles.   I love your sense of humour and the way you take delight in the ridiculous.  As challenges come your way, I hope your sense of fun will help you to always find the rainbows in the rain.

Love Granny - 16 November 2014

Barefoot Bakers - Challenge 41 Scrap Africa

Hello, hello - today I’m sharing a Design Team page for 

Scrap Africa, challenge 41.

CLICK HERE

to see what the rest of the team have created.

Create a project - layout, card or altered project that depicts what Christmas Time/ December Holidays/ Hannukah is like in your home, town, city or country....for some it's a snowy winter in Europe…

For us in Australia, it’s summer and usually hot.

So tell us what a traditional December is like for you.

I adapted a sketch by Susan Stringfellow from Sketch Savvy.

I know it's a busy time of the year,
but I hope you find a squidge of time to play along.

Last week, when we had the twins, they helped us decorated the tree and then they wanted to bake Anzac biscuits. They like to cook without too much quality control from me, so the biscuits come out of the oven in all shapes and sizes.  The bigger the better as far as they are concerned.

The paper range is from Authentique, "Wonder" and "Foundations"

some more treasures I found whilst rummaging around in my stash.

The lovely stars are from Scrapmatts CB 6081

They come in this lovely red and I just

 shimmered them up it bit with some glitter.
I did a bit of a Lizzy Hill and splashed some gold around,
but I might need remedial lessons from the gold Queen herself!

I did the journalling on a joined tag and slid it behind the photos.

The journalling reads:-

Christmas time for me is about family gathering to break bread together.   The Grandchildren trimming the tree, with ornaments which their Daddy used to hang.  It’s the smell of baking throughout the house.  Using the old bowl and the recipe handed down from my Mother to make the Christmas pudding.  It’s shopping for fresh seafood to eat outside under the verandah, hoping that it won’t be over 40C.  Singing Christmas carols, especially my favourite, “Silent Night”.   It means writing letters to friends far away, and hearing from them too, about their families activities for the year.  It’s remembering those no longer with us and giving thanks for the legacy of love they left behind.   It’s about thinking hard before choosing the perfect gift for each person. It’s the joy on the children’s faces, as they open their gifts. Christmas is also about donating to those less fortunate than ourselves and giving thanks for all that we have.   8 Dec 2014

Celebrate Moments - CSI challenge with S365-10

Welcome to my blog gentle people, it's lovely to have your company.

I hope you will find something to inspire you and perhaps

take the time to leave me a comment.

Here is the challenge for this week, you have until Dec 31st to enter.

CLICK HERE

To see what the guests and design team have created.

I find it difficult to achieve accurate colour when photographing white and ivory, so this looks a bit muddy - it's much better IRL

Because I had a lot of journalling I tried to keep 

the layout fairly simple and use lots of white space.

The mason jar is from American Crafts.

Some lovely Kaisercraft collectables, "On this day"

The embossed brick stamp is by Deep Red

Love the versatile words from Scrapmatts Words, 01 and 03

A few sparkly bits from Prima and it's finished.

I did have a whoopsy with the stamping,

so I just cut it out to the shape I wanted 

and stuck it on a new piece of card stock.

EVIDENCE

Jar

Metal

Flowers/leaves

Bricks

Tag

String

Embossing powder

TESTIMONY

I went to the Journal Jar prompts and chose to write about the most serious illness I have had.

This photo was taken around the five year mark, when I felt almost brave enough to hope for a future.  But the slightest thing could push me off kilter, extinguish the hope; send me down dark alleyways, swept along by fear and tossed helplessly on rough seas of despair.

But I’m getting ahead of myself, the story began years before, when the specialist told me I had Cancer, that I needed to have radical, invasive surgery and that the odds of survival were 50/50.

I felt angry and cheated that this could happen when I ate healthily, was not overweight and exercised regularly.  Why me? What had I ever done to deserve this?  I felt out of control, confused by different medical opinions and raped by invasive procedures.

Because of my nursing experience, I knew exactly what to expect and that increased my terror; I’d assisted at the surgery they proposed, which left the operating theatre looking like a slaughter house.

If I died, no one else would Mother my children as well as I could, nurture them with loving kindness and steer them on the path to adulthood. How would my husband cope with working and raising the children on his own?  

The post operative pain was beyond description, only eased by a superb night nurse who topped up my pain medication, before positioning me as gently as a new born.  I never saw her face, but I would recognise her soothing voice anywhere. The nights seemed interminable; once I recall sitting bolt upright in bed and screaming “I want my Mother!”  My body ached and my heart ached for her loving arms. 

We were blessed by the kindness of family and friends, who provided meals, did the laundry and collected children from school. They brought books and flowers and massaged my aching body.  

I have disabilities because of the surgery, but I have gifts too.  If someone had asked me, if I wanted to waltz with Jack Dancer I would have said a resounding NO.  But there are gifts which came with it. Previously a bit of a pessimist and inclined to melancholy, I’ve learned not to worry too much about the future, to enjoy each moment, to stop and smell the roses, to tell people I love them and to be grateful that I’m one of the 50% who survived.  My glass is always half full.   Journalling 5th Dec 2014  

First Selphie - DT page for Scrap Africa sketch challenge 40

Hello on this hot day in South Australia,

I hope you have somewhere cool to relax.

Today I’m sharing a page for Scrap Africa

which is a sketch challenge.

You can find the details HERE

I chose an ancient film strip which was taken in a photo booth, 

long before mobile phones were invented.

The background paper is from Prima,

Epiphany collection, “Clear as day”

I used a very old negative strip from Creative Imaginations which I found sulking at the bottom of my acetate collection. 

It had frilly edges which I cut off, ‘cos I wasn’t in a frilly mood.  

Hope I didn’t hurt it’s feelings too much!

The orange hexagons are from a scrap of 

Kaisercraft the “Paradiso” collection.

I had fun trying some new techniques with stamping and gold leaf and am happy with the final result.

I wrote some journalling on the back - it reads:-

Who is this young woman, all fresh faced and innocent?  I hardly recognise myself.  A friend and I had caught the train to the city to buy clothes.  At the Adelaide railway station, we popped into a photo booth to play in a strange contraption which took instant photos before popping them out of a little slot. 

I remember that dress, which I bought with my first pay packet as a telephonist with the PMG.  It was a soft polished cotton with a modern geometric print.  It had little cap sleeves, a belt and a full skirt.  I thought I was the bees knees in it. 

Like a lot of teenagers, I was egocentric and gawky, socially inept and yet wanting to appear sophisticated.  If only I had known, that most people didn't give a darn about how I looked or if I made a faux pas, I would have been bolder, taken more risks and slurped the marrow out of life, while my limbs were still strong and resilient.

My Mother used to say "You can't put an old head on young shoulders" and how right she was.  But wouldn't it be fun to try it for a month or two?