M.I.A.

I'm missing in action like Sharon! Haven't had much time to sit down at the computer lately and haven't had the camera out for ages! I've been too busy preparing for the retreat which is only 8 sleeps away...yeehah! Oh hang on a minute...I need every one of those days to finish preparations.

One of the reasons I've been so busy is that in my bid to get ready early for Christmas, I have been making Advent calendars and teaching classes on how to make them. They have been such a huge success I am now being commissioned to make some to sell...lots of work but very exciting seeing each one evolve and finish up looking different from the rest. I love these babies and I think I could just about make them in my sleep. The raw calendar comes from my fav WA manufacturer Jen @ Dusty Attic. Then you choose a centre scene and decorate. Here is a pic of my first one...






If you would like one let me know!

More sneak peaks...

Hi there! I have received Aimee Grahame's layouts for the retreat also and some sneak peaks of them to share. Firstly let me say how excited I am about Aimee being able to tutor for our October retreat. She has been a quite achiever over the past few years attending retreats and joining in as a participant. Her eye for colour and design has not gone unnoticed by other participants or myself so I thought it was time to ask her to show us her stuff and share her bright and colourful work! Aimee has a single page 'collage' layout to share (love it) ...

And a double page layout to share as well...

Both layouts are stunning and she has thrown in a bonus layout as well...looking forward to her classes.

Class requirements are almost ready to be sent out so stay tuned to your emails early next week for all the low down on what we will be doing. Adios!

Yet another sneak peak...

We are very privileged to have Sharon Manning back to tutor for our October retreat and I love what Sharon has prepared. Her class consists of three A4 layouts which can also be converted to 12 x 12 layouts. I have enjoyed doing A4 layouts in the last few years and they can fit into 12 x 12 albums now that We R Memory Keepers and American Crafts albums both fit 12 x 12 and A4 page protectors in them. You will love Sharon's classic style that is very versatile for many themes. Here's a taste...


I don't know about you but every year Christmas comes around long before I am ready for it and I don't get into the Christmas spirit or have all the frills I would like to lead up to the holidays. Well this year I am trying to be organised much earlier than usual so i am making an advent calender months in advance so once its finished I can fill the drawers with goodies for my kidlets. I am also going to attempt making bulk Christmas cards and perhaps even start on making some presents for loved ones. I'll keep you posted on my progress once I have achieved some. I always look at blogs leading up to Christmas where paper craft artists are preparing mini albums in advance for the 25 days leading up to Christmas and I think - "how do they find the time to do this?" Each year seems to get crazier as the kids get older and there are so many school commitments, end of year functions and then swimming lessons for the last 2 weeks before Christmas to top it off! Who has time for Christmas shopping?! Well (I'm a little slow sometimes) I figured out that some must start back here in September or even earlier! In fact, my sister-in-law does all her Christmas shopping in September so there is no pressure thinking about all that while she is harvesting right up to Christmas Eve....smart girl!

Bye for now...thanks for looking!

More sneak peaks!

Hi there! Well I have received Mistra's layouts and you will not believe how incredible they are...I have ordered lots of stock for these kits as I am sure you will all want one. If you cannot make it to the retreat you are welcome to order kits also - more details on that later.

Toni Crane has prepared her classes, 2 in total. The first is 2 single page layouts using one kit that will have tonnes left over for extra layouts. The second is an OTP project that is really lovely. You will not be disappointed with Toni's classes either! Her style is different from any tutor we have had before and she is very talented. I am sure you are going to love her work too! Here's a taste of what she has created...

I will have more sneak peaks to show soon from our remaining tutors.

On a serious note, we lost a very dear friend and community member on the 31st of August. The late Denis Collins was the manager of the Wave Rock Hotel and Wave Rock Enterprises with his lovely wife Sheenagh. He is sorely missed by so many. I have come across generous people in my life but this couple pretty much top the list with all they do for the Hyden community, the environment and myself personally as well as many other individuals. Denis used to lend us his ute and help us move all the stock from my shop to the town hall for our retreats as well as countless other things he did to help me out. I want to pay tribute to this generous man as he played a part in helping me with my business. Rest in Peace big D.

Sneak Peaks and Basic Grey Page of the Month...

Hi, got some exciting stuff happening today!

Firstly I can reveal the sneak peaks for Mistra's classes (for the October retreat) - yes that's right, she has finished both her classes already! And I have the layouts in my hot little hand - TDF (to die for) You wont want to miss these classes I can tell you!

The first layout is feminine, pretty, fancy and all that girlie stuff! Y.U.M.

The second layout (if you were wishing for something more masculine and rustic) is SOOOOOOOOOO rustic and masculine and the layout is called 'Wild Abandon'. Here's a peak...

Also, the Dusty Attic on this layout has been specifically designed for this class and is exclusive to the Wave Rock Scrapbooking Retreat, until a January release so if you participate in this class you will be privileged to see it and have it first! I feel honoured that these girls would design product just for us and Jen even named the product 'Rustic Charm Frame' which was my suggestion! Thanks Jen.

So, if that wasn't enough news for one day...theres more. I have finally become a stockist for Basic Grey Page of the Month kits which started earlier this year. Each month (actually 2 kits every second month) new kits are released with new product from brand new ranges from Basic Grey. The kits come with a sample layout and instructions and tonnes of product to complete multiple layouts. These are great value for money. Let me know if you are interested in signing up for the kits each month or would just like to try one or 2 to start with. Here are some pics of the paper ranges in the Page of the Month kits...

Albany class a huge success...

Hi all! I have just returned from a weekend in Albany where I taught scrapbooking classes for a day with a fantastic bunch of gals. Everyone who came seemed to enjoy themselves very much and even learnt a thing or two! It was a smallish group but we were able to get to know each other quite well and have a relaxing and fun time. I am really looking forward to doing this again and will look at a November date and then early February as well.

We started with a technique packed class with lots on layering and a vintage feel. Here is the layout I shared with the girls...

Limited kits and instructions are available for this class or better still you can do it with me at Scrappin' Outback where I can show you the tools and techniques I used.

We also did 2 other classes that were packed with photos and I will share these sometime - you are also more than welcome to come do these classes with me. If you are anything like me I have tonnes of photos to scrap then these 2 classes will put a dent in your piles of photos!

I am busily getting ready for our October retreat here in Hyden and places are filling quite quickly so if you are coming and haven't sent me your application you had better do so! Mistra has already completed her classes and we are putting kits together. I will show a sneak peak soon - her classes are awesome - you're gonna love them!

Announcing the 13th Wave Rock Scrapbooking Retreat

It's time for... Click on the image to make it larger. I will be emailing out brochures and applications later on today.

Sinking me teeth in...

Ok, so school holidays (which were fun by the way) are over and its back to work which I am excited about. I am off the Lake Grace for a class tomorrow and Lake King next week. My Albany class is only a month away and I'm very excited about this one!!! Class layouts are coming together and I should have them completed by the end of the week.

I was a little frustrated that I had all this creative energy over the holidays but couldn't be at work using the energy....BUT we had the best time with the kids and our families and I have tonnes of new photos to scrap and precious memories we made together so it was worth the lack of scrapping time.

My Mum and Dad are in California visiting my nephews and Sister-in-law Cassi so I cant wait to see all the photos they bring home too.

New in while was gone is Bo Bunny 'Zoology' and 'Barefoot & Bliss' ranges and these are to die for! I cant wait to play.

Ooooh...and I confirmed a new tutor for the October retreat...very exciting - will reveal both new tutors soon. Maybe a 3rd in the pipeline...

Because I don't like doing posts without photos, here are some layouts I did last term that I haven't shared yet...

Thats all for now! Thanks for looking. PS I LOVE COMMENTS!

It's official...A day of scrapbboking classes in Albany

Scrappin' Outback

presents

A day of scrapbooking in Albany with Karen Smith

27th August 2011

Come and join us for a day of scrapbooking in the beautiful city of Albany. You will be inspired by Karen Smith of Scrappin' Outback in Hyden. We will complete 3 classes that are all layouts varying from single photo/single page layouts to layouts with 'multitudes' of photos. You will learn useful techniques, 'how to' use of tools and other tips and tricks.

Contact Karen on

Wk: 08 9880 5300 A/H: 08 9880 5761 or 0427 977 672

or email scrappinoutback@bigpond.com

to book your place.

Cost; POA

I have some class layouts completed and here is a sneak peak of the first...

It's a vintage layout using a black and white photo (or sepia) but would also suit more recent photos as well. More to come...

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!)