Goodbye March

Melissa says:

There is one thing that became obvious this month. I was inspired by everything. From making a costume for my little man to cosy night in the lounge. I found that instead of my usual 2 ATC pages, it stretched and was filled so easily. Here are the first few photo's to inspire you to either start appreciating the little things or get your lifescrap up to date.

February at last!

Jill Says:

Well I do feel a bit slack. Lucky we made the rule that we can change things as we go along. I have certainly done that this month. I was very speedy for the start of Feb then I needed one photo which Mel had sent me (it was of her ear cos I needed her to listen to me a lot throughout Feb & March for that matter!). I had it and I didn't print it. I used the excuse that I was waiting to print out photos for March as I needed four photos to print out at one time. Well, tomorrow will be a scrap day to get March up to speed (not much done there either!) so I thought it best to finish Feb and print March photos at the same time. So I'm now finished Feb and on my way for March. It's amazing how little time and effort is required to get back on track. You just really need to decide to do it.

Melissa says:

Finally the month of February has been finally been put to bed. Sometimes it takes me a bit longer as I like to add my own personal touches to each of the journalling cards. Either stitching, rub on's and embellishments can make each month look so different.

I have March well and truly under way. My design was inspired by a few of my workmates interpretation of a kit we worked with recently.

Blank spots

Melissa says:

It's true that life just takes over, things fall by the wayside and scrapbooking can sometimes take the backseat. Right now, there seems to be so many other things that need doing. I haven't sat and scrapped in my life scrap journal for a few weeks now. I'm supposed to be producing for classes right now but have only found the time to jot down the date and what my photo was for that day. I will get my journal up to date over the weekend. Even as type this, I am reminded of a conversation Jill and I had when this all began. We promised ourselves to enjoy the process, not to stress and if you don't get something done every day, there's always tomorrow. Something will twig and you'll be off and running again. Maybe all you need are a few ideas that can help fill in those blanks.



No 1. Print an email from a friend.

No 2. Use a favourite quote that lifted you spirits.

No 3. Stamp an image on a journalling card.

No 4. Use a link to remind you of something inspirational.

No 5. Take a photo of your phone.



Little kick starts like these take only 5 minutes. I might even use one myself today.

International Women's Day

I'm not sure if you are aware that today is International Women's Day. I Googled the celebration to find out some more about this day so I could share it. Normally I would paste in the link, however it wouldn't work with this site. It's called "Only Kent-Breaking World News" and it claims that International Women's Day celebrates and recognises women's achievements in social, political and economic fields. It began in 1909 in the United States. The event faded in popularity between the 1930's and the 1960's due to the feminism movement and it's popularity.
This year, International Women's Day focuses on the women trying to escape armed conflict who are facing intimidation and violence.
Today I have taken a few moments to think of the women in my life who have or still do make a difference. The reason why I posted to this blog is because Mel, the other 'project manager' on this blog, has made a huge difference in my life. She motivates me, she inspires me, we laugh together, we share our tears with each other and we grow together. She is such an amazing person and I wanted to especially say thank you to her today even though she makes a difference in my life every day. Thanks Mel.

Scrapbooking Styles

Today we scrapped together and after pouring over the pages of Elizabeth Kartchner's new book, 52 More Scrapbooking Challenges (you can see it here: http://elizabethkartchner.blogspot.com/), we decided we would like to write our own questionaire and post it on our blog to share more about our scrapbooking lives. So here is the Quiz and our answers. If you feel that way inclined, please put your answers in a comment and add them to our blog. We would love to read your responses:


1. How many scrapbook albums have you filled?

Mel says: 10, but I have 100's of layouts still waiting for albums. I need at least another 15.
Jill says: 20

2. The number of hours you would spend on average creating a double layout?

Mel says: Sometimes it can take me up to a week. Creating pages to inspire my students takes me time. I can't make it too easy for them or they wouldn't need me to teach them new techniques.
Jill says: 2-3 hrs

3. Where does your inspiration mostly come from?

Mel says: The product calls to me from the shelves when I'm suppose to be working and Elizabeth Kartchner's blog is my daily inspiration starter.
Jill says: A toss up between chatting with Mel and magazines (sometimes at the same time!)

4. What is your favourite accompaniment to scrapping? e.g. chocolate, listening to Robbie Williams, etc

Mel says: I love to play my favourite Dvd's when I'm scrapping on my own. True Blood is my guilty pleasure.
Jill says: My friends, Mel and Sandra

5. How old is the oldest piece of scrapbooking embellishment still in your stash and what is it?

Mel says: I first bought a coluzzle cutting system nearly 10 years ago and I still use it occassionally.
Jill says: When I first started scrapping I bought some bright blue letter stickers and I still have them six years later, used a little but still there!

6. What would you say are your 3 most used tools?

Mel says: Edge distresser, sanding block and paper piercer.
Jill says: Paper trimmer, paint brush and cutting mat

7. If you were to describe your scrapbooking style, how would you describe it?(30 words or less)

Mel says: Symetrically distressed with hand stitched elements.
Jill says: Clean lines and simple design

8. What is the thing you dislike experiencing the most when you are scrapping? e.g. dogs barking, loud music, etc

Mel says: People knocking on my front door. I have been known to close it, so it looks like I'm not home.
Jill says: Let me start off by saying I love my child dearly. I do find it hard to be creative when I am constantly hearing my name "mum......." "mum......." You know how it goes. I cannot stay in my creative zone when I hear this.

9. When do you "pack away" your supplies that you have got out to use on a layout/project?
a) as you go
b) after you have finished the page/project
c) "pack away", what do you mean?
d) other, please explain..............................................................

Mel says: d) I clean up at the start of every day, usually as Griffin is getting ready for school, so I can yell across the hallway to tell him to hurry up. I'm a multi - tasker!!!
Jill says: b) I like to have a clean desk to start my next page/project

10. In regards to alphabets, what do you like to use the most:
a) Stamps
b) Chipboard
c) Stickers
d) Rub-ons
e) A combination of 2 or more

Mel says: Chipboard, but always mix the fonts because I'm always out a particular letter.
Jill says: I would have to say chipboard and soon this will translate to using my Pazzle machine (when I am the full box and dice on how to use it).

11. Who is your biggest fan when it comes to your scrapbooking?

Mel says: I would have to say my students at Scrapbooks Etc are. I get a kick out of the fuss they make when they see a layout I created for the first time.
Jill says: Me! And only me! Glad I don't do it for anyone else.

12. What's the latest or earliest time you have found yourself scrapbooking and breifly explain?

Mel says: Being a night owl, anytime is a good time.
Jill says: 3.30 am. I was at a retreat and someone in our cabin was snoring very loudly and I couldn't sleep. So I went up to the hall and started scrapping. Next thing you know it's 3.30 am.

13. What is your favourite technique?

Mel says: Hand stitching with embroidery cotton.
Jill says: Ripping

14. What is your favourite supply at the moment?

Mel says: I just bought a set of Nestabilities Classic scalloped circles today. When I got to work it will be something else.
Jill says: Acrylic stamps

Me too!!!

Melissa says:

Thanks to Jill for motivating me to put up photo's of January's pages all completed. I had been meaning to do it for quite a while. Anyway, here they are.

I am very proud of how they look. Especially as a little collection, using the similar colours and embellishments helped to pull it all together.