More sneak peaks...

Hidy Ho! I finally have more to share....yay! Here are the sneak peaks for Mel Connells class layouts....they are gorgeous...

Back with more soon. xx

Retreat update...

Hi folks! Just a quick update to let you know where we are up to with the March retreat in Hyden. Firstly the scary but exciting part...there is only 4 weeks to go as of tomorrow! Thanks to all of you who have registered and sent emails saying how excited you are. There is still time and spaces to register if you havent.

We are using gorgeous new ranges just released at CHA in the USA for class samples and I am eagerly awaiting their arrival.

Toni Crane is using new ranges by Kaisercraft which are just lovely. Here are a couple of sneak peaks of her layouts.

That's all for now. x

Retreating in Albany...

We are currently in Albany for a retreat at Emu Point Holiday Park (I highly recommend this place!) where the weather is perfect, the company awesome, the scrapbooking plentiful and the food to die for. What more could a girl want? We have had some 'pants wetting' moments as well....comment of the weekend goes to Rowena - we were talking about our weight issues and she made the comment to someone that she had not yet lost her 'baby weight', still working on getting it off. When asked how old her baby is, she answered "22". Maybe you had to be there but we roared with laughter. I will remember that story...

Anyway, we have made some fantastic memories. Looking forward to the Hyden retreat now on the 30th of March. If you havent received the brochure and application and would like to attend email me and I will forward the information to you.

Scrappin Outback

Presents

the 14th Wave Rock Scrapbooking Retreat

30th, 31st March & 1st April 2012

I am so pleased to announce that registrations are open for the March 2012
retreat! I am so looking forward to the retreat once again and would love it if
you would join me for a weekend full of inspiration, laughs, good company and a
great shopping experience for scrapbooking supplies.

Brochures and applications out shortly...

New Basic Grey 'Kissing Booth'...

Basic Grey's new line Kissing Booth is their new Valentines Day range which is in store now (paper packs and 6 x 6 paper pads) and I have the new Page of the Month kits. There are 2 different kits both in Kissing Booth, but they are very versatile, not just suitable to Valentines only. Drop me a line if you would like one!

Also new in store are lots of yummy Thickers which after all these years, even with the adhesive issues!, I still love Thickers and especially the new fonts. I will be using them for class layouts for sure as they are awesome! I am working on classes for February...getting the creative juices flowing again. Its tricky after being stuck in book work mode for a couple of weeks! Looking forward to cranking up 2012 classes though.

Thanks for looking! Back soon.

Announcing...

Scrappin’ Outback

Presents

The Albany 'Emu Point' Scrapbooking Retreat

17th – 19th February 2012

You are invited to join me for a weekend of scrapbooking at the Emu Point Holiday Park, in beautiful Albany, W.A. The retreat will commence at 3:00pm on Friday 17th February through to 3:00pm Sunday 19th February 2012. Classes will be held throughout the weekend with lots of inspiration, tips and tricks. There will also be plenty of time for social scrapbooking and shopping of course! All meals (excluding breakfast) will be provided.

Contact Karen Smith on
98 805300 (Wk), 98805761(A/H) or 0427 977 672
Or email scrappinoutback@bigpond.com
to book and for further details.

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas...

Hi there. I finally got around to taking some official photos of Christmas 2011 and here's a couple. I love this time of year as crazy as it is! I just love getting ready for Christmas and decorating, wrapping, dressing up and celebrating.

There are always things we wish could be better in the future but lets also reflect on good things that have happened as well. I have my health and my kids, a husband and my Mum, Dad and brother so I am extremely grateful. I am also grateful to live in such a fortunate country - Australia. I love my job, my town and my home...so much to be thankful for. I hope you have loads to be thankful for too. Enjoy the Christmas break and your families - they are more valuable than gold.

I sincerely wish you all a very Happy Christmas

& a safe and memorable 2012

Back soon!

New Releases from Dusty Attic...

Hi there! Just thought you might like to know I have the new releases from Dusty Attic in store now....they are gorgeous! You can see them here http://thedustyat.cart.net.au/store/new-release/ and you can order them through mwah! I am especially looking forward to using the new Christmas tree and titles for my Christmassy layouts.

I've been busy in the shop creating framed layouts for people for Christmas gifts and also doing some off the page projects with kids - also for Christmas gifts. I have been making cards as well and my favourite is this Diorama style card. Easy to make and really cute. If you would like the instructions let me know...

I have also begun a December Daily album which is a concept Ali Edwards came up with about taking photos everyday in December and documenting them in a mini album. I have managed to keep up with photos but havent kept up with the pages so far but I am not worried as I will finish it in January. I don't know how the thousands of other women doing the December Daily project find time to keep their albums up to date in December as life is just so busy! I am pleased to be giving it a go at least. I will show pics soon on the progress.

I am hoping to blog often this week to show all the projects I have been doing so here's hoping I can! That's all for now.

Its a pink one!

Hi there folks. At the October retreat I promised an update on Amy's progress with her status on becoming a Mum and (although its late!) I am pleased to announce Amy and Garth had a healthy, beautiful baby girl - Saskia Morgan - at 3:17pm on Thursday the 10th November weighing 3.055kg. Both are doing really well now and Amy is a very chilled out good Mum. Its so nice to see them have a bundle of joy an what has been a tough year. Good on you Amz...your awesome!

Phew....I'm back!

Ok, so the last few months have been crazy - which is nearly the norm - so I havent updated my blog for a while and you may have given up checking it out but here's an update anyway.

The Hyden retreat was a huge success with 60 ladies attending. We had amazing tutors who wowed us with their creativity, great company - girls from all over, great food (important) and even nice weather - its amazing the difference this can make. I am so pleased with how it all went and appreciate the feedback I have received, both good and the constructive suggestions. I try hard every retreat to make improvements and make each one different to keep it interesting. We raised $1164 for breast cancer research which was an added bonus. Well done girls for your generosity and congratulations to those who won prizes - well earnt!

I am pleased to announce the date for the next Hyden retreat - the 30th - 31st March & 1st April (oh dear...April Fools Day!) so mark your diaries. I will be taking registrations in late January so stay tuned around about then.

I also had a successful mini retreat in Denmark last weekend (17th - 19th November) at The Cove chalets. There were 14 of us who had a relaxing, creative weekend in the tranquil forest surroundings....just beautiful. I was quite unwell over the weekend but the girls were so gracious and enjoyed there time none-the-less. I have some layouts to share from the retreat but firstly I am pleased to announce the next retreat for the Albany region is on the 17th - 19th February 2012 at the Emu Beach Holiday Park in Albany. There are limited places so be quick to put your name down. You may register as soon as you like but registrations officially open early January 2012.

In between retreats, class preparation and all the travelling I have been doing, I have been putting together more Advent calendars for orders. I still have 2 more to do before the 1st of December which is next Thursday! Not long now til we get to try them out...the kids are so looking forward to it. I have some other ideas for Christmas decorations and cards so better get onto those soon...so much to do - so little time!

I have some fabulous new giftware in stock for Christmas and its so cool that Donna Downey - a scrapbooking celerity - now has a giftware line made by Demdaco who also make Willow Tree Angels. I have the Donna Downey collection of wall plaques which are stunning colours - very funky but suited to most decors. I also have a large range of Willow Tree Angels and another range of angels also made by Demdaco called the Kelly Rae Roberts Collection. These are stunning and come with sayings on them that are just so appropriate for gifts for special people in your life. If you are interested in purchasing any of these you can see them at demdaco.com.au. there are also wall plaques in this range but stocks are limited on all the giftware I have mentioned as they have been extremely popular. Mail orders welcome.

Now to share the layouts I did for the Denmark retreat...I was surprised to find out at the Hyden retreat that although my style is very simple, the girls absolutely love my double layouts where I cram heaps of photos (stylishly of course!) onto a layout because I quite often take way too many photos of some events then struggle to cull any because I like how they tell the story of the event. So with that in mind after the response to my We R Family class at the Hyden retreat, I created another 'Multitudes of Photos' layout and here are the 3 samples I created...

That's all for today...there is heaps more to share but gotta get some creating done...Bye for now.