A New Layout

When I was down in Sydney, I took so many photos of my grandchildren, enough to keep me going until my next visit. This is Hamish and he was only a few days off turning 1 year old. He loves nothing better than playing with balls, balloons....anything that is round and moves. It has been a long time since I did an actual layout and it feels good.



Cheers, Irene

A New Look

OK, I have exhaled, taken a deep breath and I am ready to start blogging again. The last few weeks have been tough in one way or another. I have been uninspired, unmotivated, and generally feeling flat. But that is all in the past.

I now have a fresh look for my blog and I am ready to start creating those layouts that have been hidden away in the dusty corners of my mind. Like most people, my life is very full and I need to be very organized so I can have time to scrap, paint, play Mah Jong, improve camera skills and of cause create and alter wedding gowns and bridesmaids dresses. Then comes the housework, laundry, cooking etc. Notice that I included them last. LOL

Today is a very special day.........it.s my man's Birthday. He will be celebrating his 61st birthday.
Ross and I have been going together since we were 17 and I am proud to say that I love him more today then I did on our wedding day.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY sweetheart

Letters to Scrap By Challenge

Once again the girls over at Letters to Scrap By have set the challenge. This week it was the colour "Turquoise" that was to be used as the basic colour in a layout. Here is my effort. I love these photos of Isla. Standing beside her daddy's surf board looking very much the part of a surfer girl. She enjoys having her photo taken and is ready to strike a pose as soon as she sees a camera.




Thanks for popping in and having a peek.

Cheers, Irene

Letters to Scrap By Challenge

This is a layout I did for Letters to Scrap By. This week we were asked to use the colour Sienna. Recently we visited with our daughter Debbie and of cause I took tons of photos. This photo was taken while he was in "quiet" mode LOL. He look so cute that I had to scrap this one.




I often wonder just what little ones dream about. Lachlan loves all kinds of animals and at the moment one of his favorites are dragons, so this is what inspired me with this layout.

Paperclipping Monthly Challenge

Here is a layout I did for Paperclipping Monthly Challenge. We had several topics we could choose from and I went with using fabric on your layout. The journaling says it all so if you want to read it then just click on the image. I warn you, the file is large.


I sprayed the corners with black paint to give the effect of the subject being in the spotlight. And to add interest, I also added pieces of DH's shirt that had to be cut off the grinder and his arm.

Cheers, Irene

"R" is for Red

This layout is for Letters to Scrap By challenge. We were asked to use the colour RED. When our grandson was about 2, we were at a shopping center and while mum was getting some groceries, Ross and I let Lachlan have a ride while we waited. Even though the photos aren't all that great , they showed how much Lachlan enjoyed his ride on the merry-go-round.


Cheers, Irene

It's been a tough couple of weeks

It's been a little while since I have posted. A couple of weeks ago I discovered just how easy your world can do a massive flip. Thursday evening I was waiting for my DH to arrive from work, as usual. It usually takes about 40 minutes driving thought rolling hills and cattle country, when I got a phone call from our very good friend Ted. Ross had called in to see Ted after work (which is not normal) and while there suffered a mini stroke. It all happened so quickly, he was perfectly normal one minute then unable to speak the next. Fortunately the symptoms only lasted a few minutes but he had his first ambulance ride that night and had to stay in hospital for 3 days for tests etc. I can't imagine what would have happened if he had be on his way home when the attack happened.

The following Tuesday we got another phone call. This time it was from Roger, our Best Man, letting us know that his partner of 30 years had lost her fight with cancer. Narrele was a beautiful and loving person who fought a seven year battle with courage, a positive outlook and determination, never giving up hope. She will be sadly missed.

We drove to Brisbane , well actually, I drove since Ross had only just got over the Stroke scare. It was my first long distance trip which took 7 1/2 hours straight and I was amazed that I didn't feel totally spent when we arrived at our destination. After the funeral, we drove to Debbie's (our DD) for a short stay.

On a brighter note, we got to spend a couple of days with our grandsons. They live about 8 hours drive away so we only get to see them a couple of times a year. Lachlan is 4 1/2 and has been diagnosed with speech and communication disorder. We were amazed at how much he has improved with all the help he is getting and it warmed our hearts to see the bond that is gowning between him and his Granddad. And as for Benjamin who is 21 months........well he is too cute and totally 100% boy.

I just don't want to believe it........I was on my way to bed and went to cover Salem - he is our little white budgie and I found he on the bottom of his cage. If ever there was a little bird with a huge personality/attitude, he would have to take the cake. He has been part of the family for around 12 years and we are going to miss this little guy very much. I don't have a photo of him but he was happy to do a photo shoot for a Xmas layout.

Q is for Quirky

This week Letters to Scrap By had a real challenge. They couldn't find a colour for "Q" so they opted for a style. As a rule I am not one to go way out, I feel much more comfortable if I am more in control. I was having a good think about what to do and since I had just put a colour through my hair, I thought "why not"? So here is what I came up with.


The journaling reads: I have inherited my dad's hair. His hair was fine and silky and had a soft wave. I always thought that he looked so debonair. The only problem was that he went silver grey quite early so that is why I have developed a relationship with the BOTTLE.....the hair colour bottle that is.

When I took this photo, the light must have been perfect because this layout IS this colourful. Here in Queensland the sunlight is very bright and even in the shade, the colours don't always come out right. Fortunately today was overcast. So if you want to have as much fun as I have, then join in the fun at Letters to Scrap By and you might be lucky enough to win a great prize.

Cheers, Irene :)

Great Weekend

Well good morning all. Even though I have nothing to show you today, I have been busy over the weekend. I am working on a couple of projects for two of my daughters for their birthdays. It is killing me not being able to post these - can't even say what they are because both Stacey and Cathie visit my blog and the surprise would be spoiled. But I promise that as soon as they get their presents, I will post.

Oh, one thing I can show you is this cute little owl I made for an "Owl Swap" over at The Boxx.



Well I am off to play with some paint brushes and oils. Hope you have a great day.

Cheers, Irene

"P" is for Plum Challenge

Well it has finally happened, I have dipped my toes into the world of digi scrapping. Don't get me wrong, I will NEVER give up my paper.......I love everything about it. So here is my layout for the Letters to Scrap By. This week our colour was plum. It's not a colour I use much though I love the richness of it.


Most of the elements I used for this page were free downloads. Unfortunately I don't have a list of the designers as I have used bits and pieces from everywhere but I will go searching to see if I can find them to give them credit.

Cheers, Irene :)

Sketch Challenge

This is a layout I did for a weekley challenge on The Boxx. I used the Kaisercraft Dancing Jewel range for the page, some of their rhinestones and a touch of Kindy Glitz, BG rub-ons and my nifty Fiskars boarder punch.

The title is a mix between a shadow box and a window. I got the idea from The Techniquezone. Then have some great ideas with step by step tutorials and I always get inspired when I visit.

Thanks for stopping by and having a peek.

Cheers, Irene :)

Mother's Day Card

What, two posts in one day.......
This is a card I made today for my mum. I have a Cuttlebug and need to use it more than I do. A little while ago I came across ikki's blog and it is the best thing I ever did. Ikki is passionate about sharing her knowledge of just what a Cuttlebug can do with step by step tutorials. Ikki creates the most amazing cards.........that's where I got inspiration for this one.

I wont tell you that I made a mistake when using the debossing technique, I like the two score lines down the side instead of the bottom lol. I don't have a die for hearts (YET) so I made my own from a piece of cereal box. If anyone would like to know how, just leave a comment and I will get back to you. I mounted the embossed hearts on pink CS which I cut out using my nifty fancy scissors. Finished off with a pink satin ribbon and a touch of Kindy Glitz.


I added an inner page by printed out a message on vellum, trimmed the side edges with my nifty fancy scissors and embossed a little floral strip down the left hand side. So........if you have a moment, go check out ikki's blog. There is plenty to inspire you and you could even learn a thing to two.

Cheers, Irene :)

A little bit of nonsense

I was sent a couple of pictures in an email recently and I think that they are so much fun I would share them with you.

Now I always associate murals with walls and ceilings but this one could really mess with your head. I can just imaging someone going to the bathroom opening the door and grabbing the door frame in panic while tapping the floor gently with their toes. LOL




The next one I feel is better than any warnings on cigarette packs. Going to the Smokers Room for a quick puff would definitely give you that sinking feeling.



Cheers, Irene :)

Mini Album

I thought I would like to share my first mini album, this is the one that has started my passion for mini albums. I made this one for my VBF (very best friend). We met in 2003 and hit if off right from the start. Over the years we have been there for each other sharing the good times and the bad. In 2007 Trish moved away to be closer to her family and even though it was hard for both of us, our friendship has stayed strong.

Trish is one of those people that has everything so I decided to have a go and make her a mini album for her birthday. I wanted to focus on our friendship and the fun times we shared as well as affirming who she is and how much she has to give. It now has pride on her sideboard and she shows it it anyone that happens to walk through her front door LOL.

click to enlarge

I hope you have enjoyed looking through this mini album, there are 10 pages in all and it was hard to stop there.

Cheers, Irene :)

"O" is for Orange

I have had this layout finished for a couple of days now but the light has been pretty YUCK as far as taking photos. This morning I managed to take a photo of my entry for the "O" is for Orange challenge over at Letters to Scrap By.

click on the image to enlarge

I really love these challenges, they get you to use colours that normally you would avoid. I am not a yellow/orange person but these colours are growing on me. One thing I have learned is that you can tone down a colour by grunging it up a little. On this background I applied paint to a piece of exposed corrugated cardboard (torn from a cardboard carton) and stamped the cardstock. The journaling tags are paint sample cards.

So, if you would like to join in the fun, meet some lovely girls and even win a prize, then head on over to Letters to Scrap By.

Cheers, Irene :)