Business Awards Night

Andrew and I had such a good time at the Business Excellence Awards this year. Thank you to David Boyes from Business Local – RSM Australia for his encouragement and support through this process, I’ve never felt more proud of my little business. It’s time I let the people of ‪#‎Geraldton‬ know a little about the paper craft industry here in the midwest. We’re not just selling pretty paper (although it IS very pretty)

Being invited to sponsor a table by Mid West Chamber of Commerce and Industry- MWCCI was an exciting opportunity to showcase some of the beautiful creations handmade by the people and products of The Scrapbook House

Preferring to showcase what we actually do rather than advertising our “logo” colours with business cards and bags, I think was well received, the table could see the albums and artwork and really get a good feel for what we can create. Thank you to the talented Celeste for the loan of some of her beautiful work to add to our display and Sharon for her ideas, the lighting and tulle was perfect. How fabulous it was to overhear people talking about our table on the night, I was thrilled that it was so well received.

I hope the recipients on our sponsor table enjoyed their gifts, and would go on to gift them to their friends and family, after all, that’s whats most important to us all… friends and family.

I am so grateful for the help of my friends Janine, Rita and Sharon to complete these all on time, it put me in a spin when it was apparent that we needed to whip up 2 more sets…. they take about 4 hours each to complete, but my friends are right there by my side to make it happen.

Each setting had a gift bag to put their goodies in and take home. I was inspired by Jim’s lunch pail by Graphic 45 and created our own to fit the handmade cards, gift card holders, pens and vouchers. We hand stamped, cut, inked, shaped and glittered over 250 Heartfelt Creations flowers to put these 12 kits together.

Thank you to Cathy and her team from LETS PARTY for the Black napkins and beautiful black linen, they looked so smart.

Congratulations to all the winners on the night, it was an honour to be amongst fine calibre of excellence and you all deserve to be awarded.

Thank you to the Chamber I will be coming to see you soon Jess! You and your team did an amazing job.

Thank you. ~ Tania

 

Watercolour your World

When Emily came to town I couldn’t wait to give her these sets of watercolours, check out what we created with them.

Watercolour Confections: just like a tin of sweet confections our new watercolour tins are filled with wonderful, delightful watercolour pans in a decadent array artist-grade, high quality, and highly pigmented watercolour pans. Each tin includes flip-out mixing trays and superb features for the artist on the go! Available in Decadent Pies, Tropicals, and The Classics. (Psst…Decadent Pies has four metallic pans included!)

 We had fun in our art journals, the colours are so vibrant and luscious. I can’t wait to include these in a class somehow.

Available at The Scrapbook House

Have a colourful day

New Layout Kit – Handmade Quality

Here’s a layout I created with a picture of my Dad at home in his shed. I just loved the set of stamps (they are included in the kit) and our trusty brick die cut got another workout.

I have a limited kits available. Click the picture for more information on how to purchase, or message us.

I thought it was time for a masculine page, this one suits the handyman or the tradie. With embellishments like tools, bricks, gears and wood elements there are a variety of subjects to use. It would also suit a home building or renovations style theme.

 

 

Weekend Fun

This weekend was rather busy with the shop, family and friends. How blessed I am to have so much to do!

Friday night was the Art Journal class, using Distress Ink, Paint and Stain. Here is Kim’s page – I’m loving the colour tones in this.

Saturday after the shop had closed, we had a children’s birthday party scrapbook class held at the shop where we shared the afternoon with 13 little girls (and some helpers who didn’t quite know they’d signed up) as they crafted and chatted the afternoon away. Jo shared a photo with us afterwards – so cute as they left, walking to afternoon tea, hand in hand in rows of two.

The Nagle Year 12 Ball was held this weekend too, and how wonderful it is to see our beautiful young people dressed in their finest, on their special day. I think half the town heads out to the Marina, it seems to be “THE” spot for photos, the perfect venue for “Pre- ball greeting and photos”

I had the pleasure of shooting with some friends – they all looked so beautiful.

At the beautiful Marina and also the 50 cent ‘seat’ (more commonly known as the 50 cent swing)

And my darling hubby had his beloved old car out tonight.

Then we all went out to dinner for my Mum’s birthday – we were late… but we were there! Happy birthday Ma xxx

I’m not sure where Sunday went, but it whizzed by far too quickly. I did go see The INKS at the Freemasons as usual for a few hours – chill time, so good 🙂

 

 

 

 

Valentine idea

One of my beautiful customers handmade this and gave it to me…

Isn’t it just beee-u-tiful? Sweet little sentiments like this are just the best, they make my heart smile and the beautiful friends in my life know just how I love receiving them.

It would also make a perfect gift on Valentine’s Day, not that’s it’s here yet, but the weekend is fast approaching and it’ll be here before you know it. I can’t crochet to save myself, but I do have an idea for a card to add to that box of chocolates to give to the love of your life, you still have a few days left.

How about something like this?

I’ve embossed the background, and stamped the hearts twice each. Once on the embossed background and again on a flat card then coloured and cut out, ready to attach with foam tape. Add a greeting ( iheartyou ) and a little ribbon.

Sweet!

We have plenty of cardmaking products all supplied right here at your favourite scrapbook shop!

Siamese Sun Lovers

I had another day off today, to laze about, sleep in and catch up on some housework. I don’t usually like Summer cleaning, but after our super hot day the other day of 46, I am warned that there are plenty more days of Summer to endure yet.

My 2 kitties love the heat though… here they are sun baking. Meet Milo and Bailey, my Siamese lovelies.

So I pulled down the Christmas tree ( yay, finally, I know I know… I am slack! ) and it is all packed away in the shed. It gets really hot in there, so I was glad today was such nice weather, did a little vacuuming, cleaned the bathroom cabinet. Phew, that’s enough for me… back to hanging out with the family.
Josh has had us a little concerned for a while now, he’s brewing something, but we can’t put our finger on what it might be. He’s not sick, but something weird is happening, and he’s lethargic, sleeping most of the time and occasionally bringing things up before breakfast. Very unusual, doesn’t seem to have pain, and his blood sugar levels are fine. Weird. The kids are all on “go-slow” with lots of relaxing… just as the holidays should be. Right now, they’re all watching tv.

I’ll leave you with another photo of my kitties sunbathing, I woke them, but they couldn’t open their eyes… too bright!

Back to work tomorrow.

Time out to create

Tonight there was no class, but we still met up anyway for a bit of inky fun. I love watching Michelle go crazy with the Dylusions sprays – she loves colour that’s for sure!

She had an idea and wanted to see how it would play out in real life, the first layer being lots of colour. Next she played with acrylic paint and glass bead gel medium to create large petals in a kaleidoscope of colour. It was 3/4 done when she left tonight, but I’ll be sure to grab a photo to share when I see her later in the week.
Eva also got very busy, taking on a few interesting projects.

She loves to paint with her fingers! I can’t wait to see the finished pages.
Me, I sat with a couple of blank gesso pages for a while.

I decided to use teal and purple, and to add texture paste mixed with teal as a frame, then to stamp the rubber stamp into it to add dimension

A bit of stamping with some black and white penning and it was done!

The journaling reads

Those who are happiest never did have everything
But rather,
They are thankful for everything they do have

Love that quote, live that quote. ❤

Art journaling to share

Some friends have a little art journaling to share with us from a few classes ago.

This is another take on one of our classes, I do believe this us from Eva’s Janice’s book (correct me please if I am wrong  thanks for the correction) and I love the “hands” and the play on words.

the journaling reads

A Mothers hands can tell a story.
The hands of strength is a Mothers hand
You may hold my hand for a short time but you’ll hold my heart forever
A mothers hand never let’s go
Two hands are better than one
❤My Mum

Just lovely, a nice dedication to Janice’s Mum!
Next we have Janice’s page, using the “positive” image and boy… she has picked up the texture paste thing and “run with it”!

These pages have layers of goodness! I love the silhouette of the cowboy.

The journaling reads

The world of reality has its limits; but the world of imagination has no boundaries
Things that matter most must never be at the mercy of the things that matter the least
Life is not about waiting got the storm to pass, it’s about learning up dance in the rain. Life is what happens up us while others are still making plans

And Julie has a lovely lady to share

Julie’s lady had beads and pearls and feathers too! The script stamps are a favourite, I don’t think I would ever tire of them.

Thanks to these lovely ladies for sharing with us –
Have a great day

Far and Away

Tonight’s class was small, just the four of us, so relaxing and easy that I decided to complete the page along side with the girls. We used Teresa Collins “Far & Away”, I love the banners the most!
Of course because I decided to do this last minute I didn’t have the correct size photos, so I needed to leave the black & white Washi tape and the “sign post” off in order to fit the photos on. So, my layout isn’t as striking as Michelle’s, but at least it’s done. Gotta be happy with that. Our classes are all adaptable to your own style or taste, and to accommodate your photos. There are kits left from this class, call us for yours on 08-99648288

An easy night with some fun chatter and some laughs – and a bonus was that I ended up with a few of my “phone” photos of my nephews scrapped! This was our amazing and fun whirlwind weekend away to do the class with Finnabair at Scrapbook Secrets in Perth, which turned into a bit of brotherly love as my two brothers were both in the city too. Loved this weekend – good things.
Night – sleep well xx

Learning to Draw an Eye using Charcoal

Having a daughter who is talented artistically is wonderful but having one who is willing to give the old lady a lesson or two is bloomin marvellous. She was telling me about the newest art assignment, “surreal, with a human element” and it sounded so interesting, I wish I was on school learning cool stuff. They were doing an eye using charcoal and then bringing in colour in the form of a landscape within. Trouble is I couldn’t even draw the basic eye in charcoal, let alone a landscape as they were planning in class.
My sweet girl assures me I could draw an eye, I just need to actually sit down and try properly.
So she sets us up to draw a basic eye, my first time with charcoal, messy stuff!

You need charcoal, paper (I did it straight in my art journal book) an eraser and a mirror. Light would have been good at this point in time too. Oh well.
With Miss Em’s instruction we began with the outline, shading as we went, looking at the eye for lines as well as the dark/light properties. Then bit by bit adding pupil, iris lashes and brow, blending and shading. The key was to really look at the subject, see the light and dark elements, add contrast where it needed it… and over and over she told me “it doesn’t need to be perfect”.

I erased my outlines a dozen times and it still looks pretty dodgy but for my first time with charcoal I am happy with the result, it does in fact, looks like an eye!
I think Miss Em is a fine teacher!

Art journaling “the weekend”

Its the first weekend of Winter here in Australia, temperatures have dropped (it was 7 degrees the other night) and time for the garden to change with the season. For those of us who live in Western Australia we had a long weekend, with Monday as a public holiday “Western Australia Day”, and our family certainly enjoyed the long break, lots of relaxing and hanging out together. Sleeping, games, gardening and a couple of marathon late nights of “Game of Thrones” on the TV.
This weekend Miss E and I planted some bare rooted roses out the front and also some shade-loving plants (forget the name) by the fence out the back. We are also trying Geraniums in the back garden, hopefully they’ll be ok. It has a lack of sun most of the day. Most everything there died early this year, and we feared it was the soil we brought in so we’ve been very cautious as to what goes there. Perhaps it was a watering issue??? We are not sure, but we tried very hard and it was a lot of time and money wasted, so we are hoping for a better outcome this season. On a positive note the jonquils have all popped up and look like they’ve doubled, also the grape hyacinths have sprouted and are healthy green. Oh and a few tomato plants have emerged, growing vigorously, must have come from seeds in my compost. The soil can’t be all that bad surely?

A quick page for my art journal – oh how I love the weekend.

Most of the time I don’t know where to start, I always feel the need to be given the “starting point” or some kind of “direction” in my art journal, and more often than not I stare at a blank page and it remains blank for the rest of the week. I wish creativity came to me easily. I am working toward trying my own hand rather than finding things I want to emulate. I spend a while lot of time looking at art, rather than making something individual.
I began with green chalk ink and then added the stem border with leaves.

My journaling reads

I love the weekends – time to spend a lazy morning sleeping in late. I feel at such PEACE when I am sitting in the dirt of my GARDEN, working my body and enjoying the sounds and smells if the EARTH around me. Bring on the weekend! Is it Sunday yet?……….

I hope you enjoyed your weekend… They go too quick, even when it’s a long one!

A baby for Kate

Do you remember Kate? She was that fresh-faced girl who we were lucky enough to have working and teaching in our store years ago. Here’s a layout I did of her as a “New Kid on the Block”

Well, she is still gorgeous with that fresh-face but no longer a girl- today she became a Mum!
Congratulations to Kate and Matt on the birth of their baby boy Mason, in the early hours of this morning. And a big congratulations to Janine and Kym – now a Nana and Pop! How so very exciting for your family xxx
It doesn’t seem all that long ago I was holding my own newborn son in my arms – it was one of the most incredible days in my life. That amazing feeling, it stays with you.

Living Love

This page in my art journal is about pet loss. It has been a couple of months since my beautiful Siamese friend passed away and I have found it playing on my mind so very much these past couple of weeks. Time to journal it out, lose these tears and grow through it. Michelle’s challenge to me this week for homework was to use the silhouette “positive” shape on a page, so I have used a cat shape.

the journaling was found on a website without an author, and although long, it said what I needed to say.
The journaling reads

LIVING LOVE

If you ever love an animal, there are three days in your life you will always remember…

The first is a day, blessed with happiness, when you bring home your young new friend. You may have spent weeks deciding on a breed. You may have asked numerous opinions of many vets, or done long research in finding a breeder.

Or, perhaps in a fleeting moment, you may have just chosen that silly looking animal in a shelter – simply because something in its eyes reached your heart. But when you bring that chosen pet home, and watch it explore, and claim its special place in your hall or front room – and when you feel it brush against you for the first time – it instills a feeling of pure love you will carry with you through the many years to come.

The second day will occur eight or nine or ten years later. It will be a day like any other. Routine and unexceptional. But, for a surprising instant, you will look at your longtime friend and see age where you once saw youth. You will see slow deliberate steps where you once saw energy. And you will see sleep where you once saw activity. So you will begin to adjust your friend’s diet – and you may add a pill or two to her food. And you may feel a growing fear deep within yourself, which bodes of a coming emptiness. And you will feel this uneasy feeling, on and off, until the third day finally arrives.

And on this day, if your friend and God have not decided for you, you will be faced with making a decision of your own – on behalf of your lifelong friend, and with the guidance of your own deepest Spirit. But whichever way your friend eventually leaves you, you will feel as alone as a single star in the dark night.

If you are wise, you will let the tears flow as freely and as often as they must. And if you are typical, you will find that not many in your circle of family or friends will be able to understand your grief, or comfort you.

But if you are true to the love of the pet you cherished through the many joy-filled years, you may find that a soul – a bit smaller in size than your own – seems to walk with you, at times, during the lonely days to come. And at moments when you least expect anything out of the ordinary to happen, you may feel something brush against your leg – very very lightly. And looking down at the place where your dear, perhaps dearest, friend used to lay – you will remember those three significant days.

The memory will most likely be painful, and leave an ache in your heart. As time passes the ache will come and go as it has a life of its own. You will both reject it and embrace it, and it may confuse you. If you reject it, it will depress you. If you embrace it, it will deepen you. Either way, it will still be an ache.

But there will be, I assure you, a fourth day when – along with the memory of your pet, and piercing through the heaviness in your heart – there will come a realization that belongs only to you. It will be as unique and strong as our relationship with each animal we have loved, and lost. This realization takes the form of a Living Love – like the heavenly scent of a rose that remains after the petals have wilted, this Love will remain and grow – and be there for us to remember.

It is a love we have earned. It is the legacy our pets leave us when they go. And it is a gift we may keep with us as long as we live. It is a Love which is ours alone. And until we ourselves leave, perhaps to join our Beloved Pets – it is a Love that we will always possess.

Wishing you love

Kira’s Farewell Dinner

Here is my version of last week’s class kit, a Finnabair style inspired layout by Basilia. It was great to be able to create a double page with the leftovers as there were few photos to fit on – thanks to Viv for the photos!

I loved all the little rips and tears and tucking little surprises inside. We cut up the metal trinkets and flowers, very easy to do with a pair of scissors which surprised me. The ladies who did this page in class all enjoyed it and ended up being very happy with the result. We have these kits for sale, includes all products and instructions, email me if you’d like me to hold you one!

This range by Finnabair was created with Prima, so of course along with the metal mechanicals there are flowers!

Thanks for looking – have a great day!

A flower to brighten the day

Walked into the store this morning and this lovely big flower greeted me with it’s beautiful orange petals.

It’s from my Mum’s garden – there is something quite special about being given a flower from one’s garden… Thank you Mum I love it!
Flowers brighten up any space – I think it looks lovely right here on my front counter where I get to see it all day. Just hope I don’t knock it over.

I meant to bring in a proper vase, but forgot again, so this KFC Homer Simpson cup will do for now with a piece if card and a ribbon. I have to figure out a better option to make it stand in the middle of the cup – sticky tape is doing the job now – ha ha… So classy! Have a great day wherever you are

Something Bright For Joshua’s Room

He loves looking at it!

The canvas is now on Joshua’s wall, he spends a great deal of time here, now it looks just that bit brighter.

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Oil Pastel Melting Art

Don’t have crayons to melt? You can also use oil pastels!

These ones from Crayola worked a treat for Emily, they still need to be hot glued into place on the canvas or board, and then use a heat gun to melt them. So easy and fun!

Emily allowed the first drops to cool before hitting the pastels again with the gun, creating thick gorgeous layers!

Completed Crayon Melt Art

So what do you think of the finished artwork? It was seriously so much fun to do, if you have ever thought if giving this a go at home, I say, “Do it!”

This is how I glued the crayons onto the canvas, using a hot glue gun (essential) and adding a few extras to give them more height.

Then I used a Heat Gun ( you could try a hair dryer if you didn’t have a heatgun, it would blow the wax about a whole lot more too, could be good for a splattered look?) and the wax dripped as melted. I let a section cool and then went back to add another layer, quite addictive really!

Crayon melt art

Earlier last year Emily and I came across some cool crayon melting art whilst we were floating around on the world of YouTube. We knew we just had to give that a go! Not that I had anywhere to put art like that, it’d be fun to play!

We played with oil pastels as we didn’t have any crayons in the house and had trouble getting them to stick to the board, we’d need the hot glue gun and that was at the shop… So we forgot about it for ages until we saw it again recently on Better Homes and Gardens and remembered we wanted to try this. Also, Joshua’s room is finished and provided the perfect spot to put something bright -right above his bed!

We’re using a long canvas and I went down to my local Jacksons, (love that shop!) and purchased a bunch of crayons. Best time to buy crayons is now, right before school, they are so cheap!

We sat and lined them up in colour order, but then I thought I’d have a trial on a smaller board first… you know… to figure out some kind of technique to use. It took us ages to get them just right, and each one was carefully lifted so not to mark the canvas.

And here is the trial version…

How cool is that? Joshy loves it too (ok, so he just wants to bash it, but that’s how we know he likes it, he’s reaching for it) so we will go ahead with the big one tonight.
It’s sitting here on the table, which is very difficult for boys on the autism spectrum to leave alone… they both have been compelled to line them up straight and I want them haphazard. Emily is using oil pastels again, which will give thicker drips of colour, I’ll be sure to post a picture soon!

Good things to report

Surgery went well! We are pretty happy with how Joshua’s day went for him, although it was long and my lip is missing skin from my nervous biting habit.
We were required at the hospital yesterday afternoon to see if we could sort out a dental procedure to be added onto his list whilst he was under general anaesthetic. (You know, just another thing) So after our flight and dealing with their new (and time wasting/frustrating/annoying) procedures for wheelchairs we hit the humidity of Perth and waited for a wheelchair taxi. Because of Joshua’s need for wheelchair these two things had set us back over an hour, then some holidaying family wanted our bigger cab… I don’t think so! I didn’t have to say a word though, two gents stood in and made sure Joshua got his ride.
After our afternoon at PMH we headed over to Ronald McDonald House to wait for Andrew who was driving, then bunked down for a sleep. (Well kind-of.) back at PMH all ready at 7am for admission and drip set-up (yuck, this is where Andrew bails on us, and he headed back to the room to get a couple of hours sleep before the nightshift)
Fast forward to ‘after surgery’ and we are very happy. He was under for 4 hours. Our surgeon decided to do less invasive surgery on his ankles/feet and Joshua looked great (well as great as one can look after a general anaesthetic), after previous ops he was a mess, worrying everyone. So nice to have all his “numbers” perfect! (Temperatures, blood sugar levels, heart rate etc) He has colour and is responsive. Yay! Win for Josh! Oh… And they did the dental too! So now he doesn’t need to go back for another general. Winner winner, chicken dinner!
So dude has his feet wrapped up and has to keep them elevated… and he also has shiny teeth!
Here’s a photo of his right foot, this will be a “before” shot. This one turns the most, or should I say “used to turn most”. Cast will come off in 6 weeks to see the difference.