Announcing...

I am calling for expressions of interest for a day of scrapbooking classes (3 in total - morning, arvo and evening) in ALBANY on the 27th of August 2011 (finally!.. says Ann!!). Yes, I've finally decided it's time to get out and about again and share the LOVE and passion of scrapbooking, and Albany is beckoning. If you would like to attend and know more about the day you can contact me at my shop on 08 98805300, or mobile 0427 977 672 or email me at scrappinoutback@bigpond.com and I will note your expression of interest, tell you more details and keep you informed with more information as it becomes available. I am intending to do 3 classes of layouts (Albany has some local talent who teach great Off The Page projects) varying from single page - one photo layouts, to 'cram as many photos as you can on a layout' double pages. Hopefully this rattles your chain and I will be hearing from you soon! If you live somewhere else in WA and would like someone to come to you to share some scrapbooking lurve then contact me and I will consider it. I am thinking maybe Esperance in August as well....?

A little while back I did these 2 layouts of the kids with a Monarch butterfly that they found. The large butterfly on Phoebe's layout is handmade by a lady I met who makes them out of acetate and decorates them with glitter and bling so I just had to have some for my shop.

The papers are all by Basic Grey (of course!)

A day of remembrance...

It is one year today since we lost my brother, Dean. I cant believe its been that long and if I stop and think for too long I feel overwhelmed with grief and feel like it was yesterday. I guess I can stop today though and think about how wonderful he was, how free he is now, but also how much I miss him. Phoeb's thinks he's playing cards with Jesus and Dad thinks he surfing endless waves. It is comforting to know he is free from pain. Today I am going to be with my family.

My baby is 5...

Jett Dean Smith turned 5 yesterday! I cant believe he is so big now. I asked him to stay little forever so I can always kiss his chubby cheeks but he wants to grow up. I'll miss his littleness. We had so much fun recently looking through our videos from when the kids were babies and toddlers and nearly wet our pants laughing at some of the things they used to do. It's amazing how you forget...so thank goodness for videos, photos and SCRAPBOOKING (of course) that reminds us of all those awesome things they used to do. I especially love hearing them talk on videos and cant wait for someone to invent a way of hearing and seeing videos IN scrapbooks!



We had an awesome party at home with heaps of his friends. He had a blast. I have some catching up to do for birthday layouts so I'll have to get my A into G and start scrappin' away - so watch out for some birthday themed layouts.

Layouts to share...

Here is my version of the Crate Paper class kit I mentioned in an earlier post. I have been waiting for years for a scrapbook company to put out a range of boyish papers that are not to babyish ,if that makes sense, and this particular range called Toy Box is real good. I love how versatile it is and so colourful too!

Also, here are my latest layouts for my kids school albums. They have an album each which I put all their school related layouts in and their reports, certificates etc. as well. This years swimming carnival was fun as both of them were involved and we had the best weather and the best day. I was stoked with the pics I captured as well...a win.

I have also been doing kids classes in my shop and so far its going really well. The kids love it especially when they get to apply stickers. I remember the bliss of having stickers when I was a kid. The kids want to use glitter for one of our classes and my anal side is saying no but the kid in me wants to say yes and go for it. Which side will win I wonder...?

Oooh, and I have secured a new tutor for the October retreat but I am going to keep you guessing for a little bit...Ha!

Dusty Attic layout kits

I thought I should mention the beautiful layouts that Jen Hedger and Evana Willis taught at our March retreat...they were to die for! So much detail and lots of pretty bits and pieces to play with.

Jen Hedger's 'The Peaceful Heart'...

And Evana's 'Prima Delight' Layout...
Evana's 'Another Time' layout...

Jen Hedger's 'Life's a Beach' layout...


I should also mention that I have kits for these layouts in stock (limited quantity) and if you would like one then please email me.

Lastly, I taught an off the page class at the March retreat - a children's wall canvas in boy and girl versions...

I have a couple of kits for this as well.

That's all for today folks!

New ranges in stock...

Hi. I'm back with some new paper ranges that have arrived in the last few weeks...I'm a little behind on reporting all the goings on around here!

I love the new To the Moon range by Fancy pants...very cute for little boys but versatile for older boys and other themes too...

Then My Minds Eye released American Made which is obviously very American BUT the papers are also suitable for Australian pages as the papers are double sided and really nice and I have always loved the red, white and blue together...

Also by MME is Hip Hooray boys and girls birthday party paper ranges...

And finally a new Black, white and cream range by Teresa Collins. These papers are lovely and very versatile.

I mostly have packs in at the moment for a lot of ranges as they are very affordable and handy for anyone who likes to buy coordinated papers to take the rocket science out of choosing things that match!

I have been scrapbooking quite a bit and have loads of layouts to show that I need to photograph so bare with me and I will get to it soon.

I have some kits for a great boys layout using Crate Paper Toy Box range complete with instructions for anyone who needs some inspiration to get them kick started...here is the layout...

That's all for today...be back soon...

Some sad news...

On Thursday 19th May Jonathan Lovering (Amy's Dad) lost his battle with cancer. I cant stop thinking about Amy and her family and the grief they are dealing with.

Rest in Peace Jonathan...

An update...

Well, its been 3 weeks since the retreat but it feels like longer than that! It has taken a while to get the shop back into shape and get my creative headgear moving again but we are back on track and into the swing of things. Firstly I should say how awesome the retreat was, the company - I love this bunch, our new tutors were so inspiring and our regular tutors were amazing as well! We feasted on great food, everyone scrapped their little hearts out despite the heat and we even entertained a bunch of Bikies that couldn't believe what they were seeing - obviously they haven't lived if they haven't heard of scrapbooking! So a good weekend had by ALL. Don't worry if you missed out because I've started planning the October retreat which will be on the 21st to the 23rd and I have some exciting stuff lined up. I will get registration forms out sooner than usual as I think we could get filled to capacity rather quickly! So stay tuned... I've been to teach the Newdegate girls this week which is always fun and next week I am teaching a new group at Kondinin, just down the road. Then I am excited to be going to Lake King in May after school goes back. Although in some ways it is hard work to travel it is so much fun getting out to see the girls. We didn't really need more new stock right now but we have had some come in anyway. Echo Park's new range 'Playground' is awesome! Suitable for both boy and girl layouts, very bright and colourful but also versatile... We also have a lot of new Tim Holtz goodies in...very 3D, lots of metal etc. always yummy! I have been creating a little and have a few layouts complete which I will share soon. Have a great weekend!

Heart Ache...

My heart is aching....

For Japan...I cant imagine the devastation...

For Dee...thinking of you....

Reminds me to hold dear the ones we love...

Catch-up and sneak peaks...

I know it has been ridiculously long since I have updated my blog especially with a retreat looming and all...but its been chaotic here to say the least. I have worked all weekend on finishing classes and preparing class requirements etc. to send off to all of you who are coming to the retreat which is now less than 2 weeks away. I apologise for the delay - profusely - and the good news is that I am almost there...it should be ready by tomorrow at the latest.

Here's a peak at my off the page class...a canvas with loads of detail. There is one for girls...

and one for boys...





I seriously had fun doing these canvas's and got to use all my messy stuff like paint and my new best friend, my hot glue gun!

Evana and Jen are putting finishing touches to their delectable layouts, while Lis has almost finished too and has peaks and photo sizes on her blog already - very versatile layouts I must say! If all goes well with finishing off these classes we will have 9 classes on offer with stunning kits. Don't ask how we will fit them all in - I am trying to get my head around that as we speak!

Be back with more soon...