Joyful Scraps

Just because....

2012-01-29T18:37:00.000-08:00

Flowers that are 'just because ' are the nicest flowers of all.

Hugs

Such a visual feast

2012-01-19T16:59:00.000-08:00

WARNING: THIS POST IS HEAVY ON THE EYE CANDY.
So many things on my list to do today, that I thought the first thing I would do is just check on the new Prima ranges, ok so that was an hour or so ago now but I have found all of this stuff!

These are my all time favourites I think, any way Scrapbooking Australia has pre ordered them so they will hit the cyber shelves soon :)

Then I popped on over to Fancy Pants
isnt this a delish color combo?

This is new from Jenni Bowlin
a cute little chalk board easel :)

But I wasn't just looking at scrapbooking, oh no I can get sidetracked by other things as well, such as day dreaming that my desk will one day look like this....

Guess it won't ever look like this if I do not go and tick a few things off my list hey ;0)
hugs
L

Recharge

2012-01-04T21:28:00.000-08:00

Recharge, Relax and RRRRR restful? Ok so I could not come up with another R word, I probably will at two am, but right now I cant. So let me just tell you what it is that I am talking about....

Scrapbooking Australia Retreat is in about 6 weeks time, there are still some places left. An array of amazing classes and fun awaits you.

2012 Retreat February

Friday17 to Monday 20

Join us for an experience you will remember in a wonderful place called Winbourne. We love holding our retreats here in the peaceful semi-rural atmosphere that is just 15km from Penrith and we know that you will love this retreat too.

Bring along your projects for some uninterrupted 'me' time. This retreat goes back to basics, you pay for the nights you want to stay. Your meals and accommodation and scrap area are all provided for you.

There will be the Scrapbooking Australia shop on hand for those last minute purchases. And classes for those who wish to do them - classes will be held in a separate area so as not to disturb scrappers who wish to continue on their own.

Accommodation is in a modern eight bedroom Cottage. Each bedroom has two single beds, heater, ceiling fan, bed and desk lamps and own en-suite. Each Cottage has a room to suit the needs of a disabled person. Linen is supplied.

A room to scrap in that can hold up to 30 people and is Air conditioned, Handy to pleasant outdoor areas. The room has a kitchen attached with Microwave, tea/coffee facilities, refrigerator, crockery, cutlery. And there is disabled access and toilet facility within.

The Retreat is fully catered, including morning and afternoon teas and a hot breakfast on Sunday morning. All you need to bring with you are your drinks!

Classes are an optional extra and not included in your price - BUT! if you are staying overnight then you will be eligible for discounts on the classes you want to attend.

Retreat options:

It is $130 per night twin share.

If you stay for the three nights, Friday night, Saturday night and Sunday night your rate drops to a flat rate of $370 for all three nights PLUS you receive your discounts on classes.

This is 3 nights, 4 days fully catered with accommodation for only $370

Friday Check in is from 12 noon and Check out is by 4pm Monday.

Coming just for one day for classes, we can arrange lunch for you at an additional cost of $20

Spaces are limited so bookings are essential for both accommodation and classes.

Your place will be confirmed when payment has been received, for overnight stay a non refundable deposit of $100 is required on booking to secure your place. For classes the full cost is required to secure your place.

To book :

Email: leanne@scrapbookingaustralia.com

Phone: 0413 960 600

Fax: (02)9837 0000

Three glorious nights, four days of time just for you! Don't let this opportunity get away :)

Hugs
L

Getting harder each year

2011-12-17T00:31:00.000-08:00

The family Christmas shoot seems to get harder each year, with trying to work within every ones schedules and then allow for hic ups along the way.

So on Friday I had everyone together to try and do a photo shoot, I did manage to get one really good one that I am not sharing here. But these is one of my favourites, not what I had planned but so very my family :)

This one was taken while they were still getting ready and so not everyone is in it.

So not what I planned or wanted for my album, but really a perfect snap shot of just how it is in this house hold right now.

hugs

Christmas tree oh Christmas tree

2011-12-07T15:39:00.000-08:00

Funny weather here in Sydney this year, cold and rainy. As we usually swelter at Christmas it sort of makes you think it is not Christmas at all. Our tree is up and Christmas cards are being made so obviously it is getting to be that time of year :)

Last night I grabbed my camera and started mucking around with the settings to see what effects I could get of the tree. Not sure what I was after actually, just wanted to see what I could get. The Christmas lights were on

I think I like this one the best, sort of moody...

but I do love the detail in this one, and the light shinning through the branches.....

so today was just a ramble about taking photos actually lol
If you are looking for Christmas ideas check out Scrapbooking Australia blog
hugs
L

new beginings

2011-11-21T00:23:00.000-08:00

"Start by doing what's necessary; then do what's possible;
and suddenly you are doing the impossible."
~St. Francis of Assisi~

So I have been doing what is necessary and when talking of bringing a new site to life that is quite a lot.

Some of the things that I thought I would not be able to do have been made possible and so now I am almost onto the impossible.

Still working on the new site, classes are still happening and the impossible is almost a reality!

“The secret to a rich life is to have more beginnings than endings.”
~David Weinbaum~

Fingers crossed that the end of the week will herald that new beginning!

Hugs

what do you see?

2011-11-13T00:39:00.000-08:00

When you look at a blank canvas, what do you see?

White space?

emptiness?

How about possibilities?

That's what I see Possibilities, endless possibilities.

Things around here have been very stressy the last few days (insert weeks and even months and you get the idea) so I decided to do something that I have not done in ages. Forget about everyone and everything and grab some paints and a canvas and just paint.

I think it has been a year or more since I made time to paint a canvas. something just for me.

The thing I love about acrylics is that if it doesn't work, if you don't like it, then you just paint over it.

I thought I would make it easier and instead of carting out my paint carrier with all the paints I just selected a few, add in a couple of brushes, nothing little as I just wanted to get colour onto canvas.

Last year I took a photo and I had always thought that it would make a good painting. But today wasn't about copying something. Today was about the paint and the canvas. So I used the photo as my jumping off place so I had a fair idea of what colours I wanted. But being stressed makes me not be able to decide on things so I cut the paints down to just a few colours on my pallet.

I thought I would see how these couple of colours worked on the canvas. So I started to paint and after half an hour I had blocked in the shape and some of the colours.

On a roll I just kept painting and painting and painting. I had forgotten how good it feels just to paint, not for anyone else just for me.

I love when a canvas starts to 'talk' to me. I don't know how else to put it, its like the canvas starts to tell me when I need more colour or more movement etc. after an hour my arm was hurting and the colour choice had been added to. But I had only used this one brush

Next thing I knew out came Sam and he joined in, grabbing a small canvas and painting away beside me :)

The stress is gone and the paint is flowing

Notice that Sam has a paint brush in his mouth? both his sister and I do that, we usually have multiple paintbrushes in our mouths stuck through our hair etc lol it must be a genetic thing

no where near completed but definitely on the right track

Sam and McGee both seem quite calm and I don't feel so stressed any more.

My to do list is still there and the issues have not disappeared but for a few blissful hours I forgot about it all.

Not worried if anyone else likes it or not My goal now is to make time to finish it.

I decided to share these as a reminder to myself and maybe to you, that we all need time to just be. Just to be for ourselves, not for our loved ones or for our friends, relatives or customers but just BE for ourselves.

I hope you all had a great weekend

Hugs

L
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Christmas Card Class

2011-11-03T00:01:00.000-07:00

Who is feeling a bit overwhelmed at the thought that Christmas is less than two months away?
Peta has decided to help you out with a fantastic card class on Thursday 17 November.

If you love the look of vintage and want some grown up Christmas cards to start off the silly season .....then join in the fun of this class using Simple Stories 25 Days of Christmas range. We will be embossing and distressing 7 lovely cards that have a look of yesteryear.

Simple Stories Christmas Card Class with Peta

Limited places for this class still available. Class cost is $15 materials extra. Call LeAnne to book your place 0413 960 600.

Hugs
L

One bargain down, more to come

2011-10-18T23:24:00.000-07:00

Well the Prima Kit featured yesterday was snapped up so quickly I will have to look for more bargains to share with you over the coming days.
Today I taught a lovely double page layout with a bonus single page to my wonderful Wednesday Ladies, yes classes are still going on, luckily the dust from the renovations is all in cyber space!

hugs
L

Joyful Scraps is closed for renovations

2011-10-17T17:26:00.000-07:00

So if you have popped by the Joyful Scraps website you will have noticed that there is no shop showing there. At the moment the store front has been closed so that we can do massive renovations and......wait for it....... open a bigger and better website.

I had become a little bit frustrated with the way the site was being hosted and the limitations of what the site could offer you my customers. So I decided it was time for a change.

I have turned a new page and am so pleased to announce that Scrapbooking Australia will be opening in the very near future! I wont be sending Joyful Scraps out to retire altogether in fact I am giving it a new lease on life by making it a discount centre, full of great bargains :)

Now while you are waiting for the new site I have a great bargain to start us off, I only have one of these in stock so really first one gets it......

This gorgeous pack of Prima goodies, the pack includes all new products:

papers;

Sparkling Spring Collection - Pink Apron

Sparkling Spring Collection -Emily

Sparkling Spring Collection - Berry Fresh

Embellishments:

Stamp- clear stamp;

Say it in pearls - SIIP with flowers light pink

Flowers; gwendolyns bluebird 6 flowers

tube- No9 Essentials 50 pieces

Pebbles- Cailloux 8 pebbles

Alphabet stickers 171 pieces.

Over $42.00 worth of product.

One only $20.00 plus postage

Too good to miss out on.

Yes I want the pack, click here and let me know

Hugs
L

Times are a changing...

2011-07-27T16:46:00.000-07:00

Well after a lot of angst, and I really do mean a lot. We made a decision to change our youngest child's school. The local school has had some serious issues and unfortunately Sam was caught up in a situation where he could no longer learn there. So we looked around for a school that would be more nurturing and that had a smaller pupil population. And with the help of friends have found a fantastic school for him, where he is settling in quickly and well.

Now the down side to this is that the school is further away and starts earlier. Effectively meaning that we need to be up and about an hour and a half earlier than we used to. Neither Sam or I are morning people. We just are not capable of being cheerful and awake in the morning. Two of my other children and my husband are all morning people. They bounce out of bed and are intent on wishing everyone and the dog a 'good morning ' and then proceed to tell you about what they have planned for the day, what the weather is like and just generally being NICE.

So Sam and I are reluctantly getting out of bed earlier. We do not wish anyone a 'good morning' and really don't give a toss about what people have planned or what the weather is doing. I didn't even know there was weather at this time of the day!

But the thing is that when you get up earlier you do fit more into the day. Which for me is a really good thing. So some of the outstanding projects are being completed or at least progressed. And the drive back from the school in the mornings gives me the time to plan my day out.

Not to mention that it gives me a little bit more time to check out whats going on in face book land :)

So the times are a changing my friends and you will be seeing lots of changes happening at Joyful Scraps too.

Till next time
Hugs
L

A little bit special

2011-06-29T00:14:00.000-07:00

Today's post is all about a very dear friend of mine - PB.

She is special in the very nicest of ways. And lately, in fact for all of this year, she has been battling illness. She has had to take time to look after herself, and as a mum she finds that hard to do. Her time as always is divided into time as a mother, a daughter, a wife and a friend, which leaves very little 'me' time.

She is one of my great cohorts in terms of scrapbooking and good times and to be honest I really miss spending time with her....

Now earlier this year I was lucky enough to do some wonderful workshops with the fantastic women of Graphic 45. And I know PB would have loved to have done them, in fact had she not been ill would have definitely been there by my side as she has been on so many occasions in the past. And while I loved the workshops I was sadden that she wasn't there.

She expressed her delight when she saw the project I had made during one of the workshops. This gorgeous Frame and mini album, which is for my grand daughter.

I love the Graphic 45 papers so many opportunities to fussy cut (my new favorite term that I learned from the owner of Graphic 45 Diane Schultz).

So I decided to take some of the left overs and make a 'get well' card. It started simple but then I just kept going, it was a delight to make and I knew that PB would appreciate it.

front:

inside:

and even the back:

So after fussy cutting all those blossoms, I mounted some with foam and then went over the centres of each with sparkles - I used the light silver one. The stamp is a Daisy Bucket one and the very cute little coat hanger is one from a pack of three that are new from Collections. (just realised that we have sold out of the coat hangers, more will be coming soon).

And to top it all of I know that it gave PB a smile when she got it, and after all that's what we do this craft for!
Get better soon Miss PB cause I wanna hang out some more ;0)

Hope I may have inspired you to get out your scraps and see what you can come up with.

Hugs
L

Who is.....

2011-06-02T02:50:00.000-07:00

Are you ready for a chance to get to know a very friendly, fantastic lady?

Are you ready to see what inspires her?

Are you ready to find out who is the creative force behind Collections Rubber Stamps?

So without further ado let me introduce Julie Van Oosten

My part in the industry is designing and manufacturing for Collections Rubber Stamps which is a small business that has been trading since 1997.

I started with a range of 50 stamp images that have now grown to 400 images producing them here in Perth with 2 vulcanisers (stamp presses).

My designs have been manufactured under licence in the US since 2001. Currently I sell my product line which comprises of 10 different paper ranges, various transparencies die cuts and printed ephemera to Australian stores and internationally to more than 12 countries.

Occasionally I get the opportunity to teach in classes in the ‘Collections’ style both here and overseas.

What inspired you to start Collections?

It first started with a magazine called “The Rubber Gazette” back in 1996 and then it was followed by a range of rubber stamps in 1997 called Collections. Three years later I stated to incorporate papers and die cut shapes into the “Collections” range and Collections Elements was created. My inspiration came from old world vintage, French ephemeral photos, letterpress type and my love of fonts and old papers.

How long have you been scrapbooking?

I don’t really scrapbook 12 x 12 pages and put them into an album. I guess you might say that I am more an “off the page” creator and love to make mini-books and three dimensional items. I have been paper crafting since 1987, so I think I am a bit of a veteran!

When you scrapbook, what do you start with first?

I generally make lots of samples for Collections displays so I usually start out with some base product like chipboard books or frames and then work from there. Sometimes I do have photographs of my daughters and then I might start with those and perhaps do a page using a particular photograph.

Can you describe your style?

Antique Vintage, lots of typography mixed with old ephemera and a lot of detail, some distressing and dimensional layering. I adore anything miniature.

What are your favourite tools?

I love to sand/distress items, so the flexi sander is something I always have on hand. I also love to ink edges and so super sponges are always nearby with my stamp pads. Probably one of my most used tools is my guillotine. It’s a wooden based one that I purchased from office works. I don’t think I could do without it; I use it almost every day and even have a lightweight plastic based one that is full size that I picked up on a trip to the US. It is so great for taking to shows when you have to travel interstate and don’t have to room for a heavy wooden one. High on my list of cool tools is my big bite, this tool is something I also could not live without, and nothing else on the market is as good as this tool for punch through really thick board.

What do you wish that you knew when you were first starting out?

That you can do whatever you want, you can create a product with good design and people will buy it and enjoy using it, whether it is paper card or die cuts or rubber stamps. I think at the start of designing I was a bit afraid to put myself out there and not diversify as much as I could have.

What is the biggest challenge you face?

In this industry it must be the ability to design great quality products that everyone likes. Trying to design papers and die cuts that will meet the needs of the everyday scrapbooker and coordinating colours in the paper ranges that will be inspirational are my biggest challenges at present. However I do accept those challenges happily and meet them full on.

Do you create every day?

Not every day, as I am busy running Collections business side of things, but that doesn’t stop me thinking about creating and tons of ideas about product and how to put them together. When the need arises for a project I am in there creating and nothing stops me until I have something I am happy with.

Describe your perfect creative area?

A dedicated room with large desk, preferable the length of a room with lots of drawers below to house my huge collections of stamps, papers and embellishments. Most importantly great lighting as I love to work at night, that’s when I am most inspired to create. On the wall above the long desk an inspirational display of favourite objects like swatches of colours old ephemera like printers’ trays full of tiny objects. Large cupboards filled with trays of my most needed and used items like, stamp pads, metal objects, paints etc that are all within easy reach and also able to be stored out of site as I like a clean area in which to create. One of my must have’s is a really comfortable chair that is on wheels as I like to create for a few hours at a time. To set the mood - ambient music, from my ipod. That would for me be my perfect creative area.

Does that resemble where you actually create?

Sadly it does not. I have just recently moved house and I have not unpacked all my supplies and decided where my creating we live. So for now it is to the left of my desk in the office of Collections.

Do you prefer to create in a group or by yourself?

Both, I love to get together with friends as I find it so rewarding to see others create and that also give me so much inspiration and ideas. Seeing the joy my friends get from creating is something that I love to see. Sometimes I do like working alone and I often “am on a mission” mindset when I am working on some new product that I am putting together for inspiration or perhaps a class project.

What do you think is the best time of day?

Definitely night time, it’s quiet, and there is a longer span of time without interruption. My most creativeness come late at night and I have far more concentration than in the morning. I am an owl not a lark!

Why is the past important?

Because it is about who you are and how you came to be and is just as much important as the future.

Can you finish this sentence: I am passionate about .... making and creating, it’s something I have always had in my life, ever since I was a small girl I loved stationery and making anything. My life has always had something creative in nature whether it was art, painting drawing, or my years spent at Perth Technical College in the eighties studying Jewellery Making, Printmaking, Drawing and Painting I have always had a passion for creating – it’s who I am.

Thank you Julie for such a great interview! I love the products that Julie comes up with and I can tell you if you get a chance to meet her or do one of her classes be sure to take the opportunity. Julie is so passionate about what she does that it will inspire you to create some magical projects :)

You can find Collections Elements at Joyful Scraps follow this link >>here.

Now if you are an Australian resident, Julie has put together this fantastic range of products as a prize just for you!

All you need to do is leave a comment here on this post!

Good luck

Interested in seeing more of Julie's creations check here:

http://www.collectionselements.com

http://nirvanaelements.blogspot.com/

Hugs
L

Congratulations to......

2011-05-31T16:35:00.000-07:00

Our May winner is comment #4

shirley said...: I am also a big fan of Rachel and Darkroom Door.Love all the awesome rubber stamps,filmstrips,montages and photo chips!; May 3, 2011 3:16 PM; Congratulations Shirley you are the winner of the fantastic prize pack from Darkroom Door.; Send me an email with your details so we can get this prize out to you!; email me here.

For all of you who missed out, no need to be dissapointed you can have your very own selection of Darkroom Door goodies to play with, at a fantastic low price.

Joyful Scraps has a couple of Embellishment kits left, these kits are brimming with Darkroom Door and Green Tara goodness. Read more here.

Stay tunned for our next Guest later on today!

Hugs

Step it up

2011-05-19T02:49:00.000-07:00

Hello all,

Its time to step up your creativity and stay inside where it is warm!

At the moment I have quite a few projects on the go. In fact too many, a blanket that I am crocheting, a quilt that I am sewing, not to mention some assignments due for the study I am doing.

But when it all comes down to it my passion is definitely scrapbooking (and I am being brought over to card making quite a bit lately too).

So it poses the question when you only have so many hours in the day, "Does every page need to be a work of art?"

My answer might surprise you because I actually think yes it should. Not a stare at it for the millennium type of art, but a page that tells your story. Sometimes this is with every product and tool in your stash and sometimes it is just best to keep it simple and quick.

Even simple and quick pages (or cards) can be works of art. Head to your comfort zone, the tools that work for you, your favourite colours. At the end of the day I think it is far more important to get your story on the page for future reading than it is to worry about the perfect page.

Yep that's it, I am not interested in perfect, just art and life and story telling.

So to help you keep it quick and stunning at the same time, I have a great deal for you!

This is a super deal.
Cuttle Bug embossing folders, some for as little as $7.45
Six fantastic styles to choose from.
Two sizes.
Limited stock.
Special price available for a short time only!

See them here

Keep warm and stay creating :)

Hugs

unpacking....

2011-05-15T18:51:00.000-07:00

Good morning!

And what a fine crisp old morning it is here in Sydney :)

I am unpacking boxes full of lovely new products to go on the cyber shelves of Joyful Scraps.

Brand new Tattered Angels and even new distress ink colours - sigh. Here is the problem, as I unpack my mind starts to race, full of ideas of what I want to do with all these goodies. So I do tend to get distracted from putting them on the site. So today I have decided that at least two of these boxes need to go up for you all to enjoy! Wish me luck......

Talking of luck, have you left a comment on the who is who post yet? Its your chance to win the gorgeous prize pack from Darkroom Door! So now I am wishing you good luck :)

Hugs (stay warm)