Crouching Dog Graphics

Since beginning this scrapbook journey that I’ve undertaken, I have learnt that some photographs are easier to scrap than others.  Amongst our children’s photos I found these pics.  They were taken by ‘Pixie’ photos.  I don’t know if they are still around, if they are I hope that they are using better quality photographic paper than these were developed on!!!!  All the colours are faded and there are a number of discoloured patches on the photo itself.  However they are precious memories and I’m grateful to have them.  This photo definately falls into the ‘difficult to scrap’ category for me.  However now that this page is finished I’m very happy with the result.

I used yet another sketch LO given to me by the lovely Vicki McBride.  Thanks heaps Vicki!!!  (At least you know I’m making good use of the stuff that you gave me)

I’ve used the gorgeous Paisley Petals DSP teamed with Bravo Burgundy cardstock.  I cannot believe that these kids have all grown up, this photo was taken in 1982.

Onto something completely different!  I have a scrapbook class to which three delightful girls attend.  It turns out that these girls share February, with me, as our birthmonth.  So each February we get together for a lunch and girly time.  Inspite of the age difference we all get along famously and I just love these three as if they were my own daughters.  As things happen we met up today for our ‘birthday’ lunches and it fell on Simone’s actual birthday.  Knowing how Simone has such a sweet tooth for all things sugary and knowing that in her childhood she just loved Napolean cake, Angela managed to bring along such cake and we celebrated in style.   Here is the lovely Simone ready to blow out her candle and get stuck into the cake.  Thanks for the lunch girls, good food, great company.  Can’t beat that!

Have  an amazing day Simone!

Until next time stay happy and stay stampin’

Jacqui

I recently had a downline staying for some team training.  Vicki McBride is a SU demonstrator in Kyogle who specialises in Scrapbooking.  Vick also does cards but she’s known in the area as one brilliant scrapper.  Anyways she was here recently picking up some tips on cardmaking and so I picked her brain on some ‘simple’ scrapbook layouts.  This is one of them.  It’s just lovely to showcase a single photo.

This pic was taken at Tony’s 18th birtday party.  So it’s a gorgeous photo of our eldest child, Sharon, and our youngest child, Tony.  I really wanted a simple LO that wouldn’t steal away the closeness in this photograph of the two together.   Also rather than going with the colours in the pic, I decided to ‘highlight’ the LO using the colour of Sharon blouse as the ‘feature’.  Clever trick!  (thanks Vicki!)

All the products are SU of course!

Recipe for success:

Cardstock – Very Vanilla, Cajun Craze, Not Quite Navy

DSP – Well worn (Oh how I’ve fallen in love with this!)

Stamp Set – French Foliage

Punches – Triple Doily Punch, Eyelet Border

Letters cut using the Big Shot and Simple Letters Alph Bigz Die

Until next time stay happy and stay stampin’

Jacqui

I must be nearing the bottom of the plastic tub with all Tony’s photographs.  I’ve completed his school pics and won’t bore you all to death with those however I’m still wading through the more interesting photos.  The one featured today was taken when he was in Kindergarten at St. Carthage’s in Lismore.  Tony and Dennis had just attended Father’s Day Mass and it happened to be Red Nose Day!!!  The Northerns Star often called me on Red Nose Day to find out where Tony was so that they could catch up with him and do a quick pic.  This photo was actually nominated for ‘Northern Star Photo of the Year’.  It didn’t win………………but we love it anyways.

For someone that doesn’t really like bright colours I sure am using lots of this DSP!  It just works so well.  Scrapping the kids photographs is such a ‘remembering’ thing to do. This pic in particular brought back lots of happy memories of Tony’s childhood and primary school years.

Recipe for success:

Cardstock – Taken with Teal, Whisper white, Real Red

DSP – Under the Big Top

Stamp Set – Under the Big Top (don’t you love it that SU’s stamps match the DSP????)

Colouring – Stampin’ Write Markers

Ribbon - Taken with Teal narrow grosgrain

Tony, Amber and Xavier leave this morning to return to Tamworth.  It’s been such fun having them and I’ve taken a few pics so do come back and check them out.

Until then stay happy and stay stampin’

Jacqui

I’m still struggling through this plastic tub of Tony’s scrapping as I go in between my usual household chores.  (which take me a lot longer lately since I pulled a hamstring behind my knee – ouch!)  However I’m on the mend and even doing a couple of short walks twice a day.  Anyhoo……….I’ve also a member of the Bent Inks arriving tomorrow afternoon for some team training.  Vicki McBride will arrive from Kyogle tomorrow and stay Thursday evening, so I thought I’d better post this pic before I get too busy chatting/stamping/scrapping etc.

I’ve always loved this pic of Tony.  I’ve no idea who took it but I know it was at my neices birthday in Ballina.  It was a very hot day and Dennis had taken the children down to Shaw’s Bay for a quick dip before lunch.  This photo is so very typical of Tony and how easy going and relaxed a kid that he was.  He’s still showing the effects of his prematurity in this photo it’s an interesting exercise to look back at how far he’s come……….and grown.  It’s also the pic that we had enlarged and gave it to the doctor that took such good care of me when I was pregnant with Tony (actually he delivered the first two of my children)  Dr. John Chadwick.  Dr. C as the kids called him was the typical family GP, he loved my kids and Tony was his smallest surviving babe.  He had a soft spot for him.  Dr. C was promoted to Glory a few years ago now, it was like loosing a special member of our family really.  So this page was special for me and I really like how it turned out.  What do you think?  Please leave me a comment.

Recipe for Success:

Cardstock – Marina Mist, Early Espresso, Old Olive, Whisper White

DSP – Letters from Santa

Stamp Set – Under the Big Top (I’m rooly loving this set – we received it at Regional Training in Brisbane)

Coloured with SU’s Stampin’ Write Markers

Large Old Olive buttons from the current Mini Catalogue

I’ll be back after the week end with more pages that I’ve finished.

Until then stay happy and stay stampin’

Jacqui

Well maybe not famous in the true sense of the word, but he’s famous in our family!

You probably wondering why I’m only scrapping pics of the youngest member of our family, Tony.  Well he’s not really the favourite (although Joe would argue about that point), it’s just that each of our children have a plastic tub at our home here and we are anxious to be rid of them.  You know what?  Kids never take their stuff.  They move out, get good jobs, get married, travel overseas, all this…………..but they never take their stuff!  2012 is going to see the Crouch kids take their stuff, so to facilitate that I’m beginning the long, long task of scrapping all their pics before their respective tub goes to their respective houses.  Tony’s tub happened to be the first one that my long suffering husband brought up from his shed.  See it’s really all his fault.  He wants his shed space back.

These pics were taken as part of the newspaper interview that Tony and I did when we formed a pre-term infants support group in Lismore.

The first page of the DLO.  Tony is really having input into this interview and concentrating so hard.

I really enjoyed doing this DLO.  Brought back lots of memories of that day and what a sweet, quiet loveable little boy he was.  wonder what happened?  (just kiddin’)

All products are SU of course.  However some are retired.

Recipe for success

Cardstock – More Mustard and Whisper White

DSP – Spice Cake – from the current mini catalogue

Ribbon – More Mustard scallop/dots

And a yummy large button from the current mini catalogue

Stamps – Triple Treat Flower

Large and small alphas and Big Shot

Thanks again for visiting me and until next time stay happy and stay stampin’

Cheers

Jacqui

Remember this song that Jimmy Little recorded?  I often sang it to myself when Tony was a wee boy.  As most of you know he was born at 25.5 weeks gestation.  Things were often ‘touch-and-go’ for him health wise.  He achieved his milestones in growth/development way behind the due dates, however achieve them he did, and often in grand style.  I remember thinking to myself “This kid must have a direct phone line to God!”

These are the two pages of DLO together.  It was such a joy to begin scrapping Tony’s infancy.  I found myself remembering all sorts of bits and pieces about him and then would find myself in tears.  Tears of joy, tears of relief, tears of achievement.  All sorts of tears.  Our family is just sooooo blessed to have him.  He is truly the icing on our family cake.

This is the first page of the DLO.  These pics were taken for a newspaper article about him.  He was so at home sitting on a desk in my office playing around on the old manual typewriter.  (perfect match for SU’s DSP).  All the product used in this DLO is from SU however a couple of bits are retired.

Do you know what I just love about this pic the most?  The fact that Tony’s concentrating so hard on the typewriter and attempting to master the art of pushing down the keys, but without even looking his other hand is holding onto my arm.  Like a little security hug.  Special moments!

Second page of the DLO.  The little tabs on the photos are like a ‘handle’ that turns the page to reveal ‘personal’ journalling.  Sometimes it really is necessary to write our feelings down, but it’s not necessary for everyone to read what we feel.  My journalling in this case is for Tony and for him to know my feelings for and about him at the time.  It’s like my own personal diary to him.

Thanks for visiting my space and until next time,

Stay happy and stay stampin’

Cheers and love

Jacqui

I’m just popping in here whilst I still have the time and the sanity to wish all my blog readers a very happy, safe and blessed Christmas Day.

I’m sitting here on Aedita’s computer enjoying the unusually cool Brisbane weather for this time of the year.  The gifts are purchased, wrapped and under the tree.  The food shopping was finished this morning and as I type Dennis is with no. 1 daughter, Sharon, (who lives on the other side of Brisbane)  building her an above ground vegie garden.  Both girls decided that’s what they would like for Christmas this year.  So Sharon’s garden will be done today and Aedita’s on Boxing Day.   They have a great Dad and he’s not bad with the hammer and nails either!!!! Whilst Dennis was out shopping for the timber for the gardens Aedita and I drove Tannikah to the airport so that she could catch her flight to Perth to spend Christmas with her Dad.  It was a sad journey back home but I pray now that she enjoys her time there and arrives back safe and sound in time to commence High School at Stuartholme.

Joe is with his partner, children and in-laws, at home on the Sunshine Coast (his present is still sitting in my suitcase here in Brisbane so he may have to wait!!!)

Tony is driving from Tamworth to Sydney to be with Amber and Xavier  (who flew down earlier this week)  for Christmas, we will see them early in the New Year.  I’ll be pleased to hear his voice when he rings to say he’s arrived safely.  Our roads are such a bad place to be during this Christmas lead up.

I enjoy using this period of the year to reflect on the ‘year that was’.  So much has happened it’s almost a blur.  We continue to enjoy living in Tenterfield.  I didn’t find this last winter near as cold as the first.  We’ve met more people.  We drove to Melbourne for SU convention.  We became Grandparents again.  We drove to the Sunny coast to visit Joe, Anna and the girls.  We’ve driven the Tamworth and Brisbane legs many, many times.  We have many blessings for which to be thankful.  The most important of these being our children, our home, our friends and our fur babies.

Thank you to every one that has visited my blog this year and to all my friends and customers (now that I think about it all my customers are friends – how blessed am I?)  I special thank you to my Tenterfield class participants.  I’m so touched to have such lovely class attendees who show such appreciation for what I do for them.  I look forward to many happy, fun-filled and creative days in the coming year.  Thanks to each of you for including me in your circle of friends and welcoming me as you do every time we meet.  I’m humbled by the generosity shown to me this year.

A huge wave and hello to my gorgeous Lismore girls.  We have had a great time together this year.  Each month I’ve driven from Tenterfield to Lismore to hold a class for them.  Dennis and I use this time to stay overnight, eat out and do those bits of shopping that Tenterfield doesn’t really cater for.  Thanks Lismore girls for your generosity and kindness this year I look forward to doing it all again in 2012!!!!!  I could say lots of lovely things about this group, they are just such good mates themselves and I love each one of them to bits.  My visits to their class is always lots of laughs.

I especially would like to say a huge thank you to the girls in my SU team The Bent Ink-linations.  What a brilliant, talented and generous lot of ladies you are.  I love our get togethers, chats and times of sharing.

So I wish you all good health and happines and that sometime during Christmas Day you take time to remember the “Reason for the Season”.

Cheers Everyone!

Jacqui

When my Tenterfield class requested this class I thought to myself “Well!  It is Christmas and I’ve certainly developed the belly for it!!”  My diet will HAVE to commence in earnest early in 2012.  So what better time to concentrate on Belly Bands than the Festive Season?

The first card is a little Hope you’re Feeling Better card that holds a tea bag.  (sorry for the photo quality)

Front of the tea-bag holder.  And then with it open.

Recipe for Success:

Cardstock – Pool Party, Island Indigo, Calypso Coral and Whisper White

Stamp Sets – Share a Cup and Loads of Love

Punches – Various circles and scallop circle

Ribbon – Calypso Coral ruffled

White gel pen

The next card was an Engagement card.  I just love the black and white theme with a smidgen of red!  Says passion to me.

This pic doesn’t do this card justice.  It’s very elegant and super simple to make.

Recipe for Success:

Elegant lines embossing folder

Cardstock – Basic Black, Whisper White and Cherry Cobbler

Punches – Scallop Trim Border, Large and Small (retired) Ovals

Black Grosgrain ribbon

Stamp Set – Fabulous Phrases

The next one was a female birthday card and so I reverted to my very fave stamp set.

I’ve done this card in two colours.  I love the brown, that’s my fave.  However, I’m aware that not everyone loves the earthy colours as much as I do, so decided to do something in yellows as well.

So now for the inside.

Recipe for Success

Cardstock:  Crumb Cake, Early Espresso and Cherry Cobbler.  So Saffron, More Mustard and Cajun Craze, Whisper White

Inks –  as for the cardstock

Stamp Set (still my fave) – Elements of Style

Punches – Scallop Trim Border and Decorative Label

The next card is one for the boys!  I have to admit that the MOTH inspired this one.  There was all types of discussions on tool belts, nail belts and their dimensions and uses.  For Goodness Sake!  I just want inspiration not a sign up for a builders apprenticeship!

I just love how this card turned out and I’ve been wanting to update my blog with it so that I can now post it off to number 1 son, Joe.  He had his birthday this week so this card and the gift voucher it’ll hold is waaayyyyy overdue.

Recipe for Success

Cardstock – Crumb Cake and Early Espresso

Inks – Early Espresso and Soft Suede

Lots of White Gel pen and Early Espresso SWM

Stamp Set – Totally Tools

What would a Christmas Belly Band class be without a Christmas card?  The perfect belly band would be Santa’s belt.

This was a fun card to make and it wasn’t until it was finished that I realised that there was no stamping involved.  lots of SU products though.

Recipe for Success

Cardstock – Real Red, Whisper White and Basic Black

Inks – Cherry Cobbler

White Gel pen

Punches – Scallop Border, Scallop Circle, Petite Pennants and Owl punch

I really hope you like my Belly Band Class.  I had such fun preparing and presenting it to my girls.  They loved it.

Feel free to leave me a comment.

Until my next post stay happy and stay stampin.

Jacqui

As if I wasn’t busy enough at this time of the year, SU have just released some specials in time for stuffing your Christmas stocking.  There’s between 30% and 50% off these babies!!!  Why not let your family know what’s on your Stampin’Up! wish list.

There’s some fabulous bargains here. Email or call me if you wish to place an order.