self portrait

It doesn't seem that long ago that I was asked by sara Pearcy to take some self portraits for an article she was writing for Scrapbooking Memories. I had the most fun especially since she was after something a little different. On top of that Kristy (the editor of SM) asked me if I'd like to create a layout using those photos - I jumped at the chance.

Here's the layout as seen in last month's Scrapbooking Memories.

Also a question in my last post from Di ... that tab you liked is from Making memories - it's an old one and 2 other tabs are featured on this layout too. I think it was from the 5th avenue collection - I'll let you know if it's not.

And Tiff .. how do I make my pics so big? Well it's the hardest thing to explain but it's in the EDIT HTML section of the blog and you need to change s400 to say s800 and you need to delete some other section that says cursor,height,width or something like that. Hope that helps a little.

Inspiration

I recently received the latest issue of Scrapbooking Memories.

I was excited to find 2 of my layouts in there amongst some pretty cool creations.

Someone who really stood out for me in this issue was Louise Nelson.

I love her unique style and her individuality.

Of course it helped that she loves white space, but her style is considerably different from mine.

Saying that, I was quick to fold back the corners of the pages that had her layouts

and late this afternoon, with her gorgeous pages in my mind, I gathered together

some bits and pieces that I thought might work with one of my new favourite photos.

Here's what I put together and I have Louise to thank for inspiring me to create something.

Yes, I know ... it looks nothing like Louise's layouts and it's not meant to ... but it's great when a layout makes you smile and gives you the little nudge you've been needing.

I can't wait to scrap soon.

As promised

I mentioned in my last post about some invitations and things that I've been creating for a client's 40th birthday. As promised, here are a few photos of the box that I carefully put all the goodies in. While I'd love to show you the contents, I'll have to wait until mid October when the party is on so i don't spoil the surprise for any guests. This was so much fun and it was great to use my scrapbooking skills to create something special for someone who appreciated it so much.

These are the papers and the colour scheme of the stationary inside - I wish I could show you!

Photos from this glamorous birthday party will be available for viewing at

Leanne Stamatellos Photography in late October this year.

Moreton Island

Earlier in the year our family joined 5 other families for a few days at Morton Island.

I knew I had to scrap those photos for the Keeping It Simple Article that I write for

Scrapbook Creations when the topic was 'double page layouts'.

Here is the layout that is in this month's issue alongside

Belinda Venables and Helen Karanfilovski's layouts.

In other news I have been so busy with lots of photography bookings - I'm overwhelmed at times by the lovely response to my photography. Word of mouth can be such a wondeful thing and I'm so fortunate to have so many kind friends (many whom I have never met) refer me to their friends.

I also have just completed a huge project for a 40th birthday party that I will be photographing in mid October. Heaps of invitations, address labels, candy tags, powerpoint presentation, save the date, sign in clipboard .... so much fun when you can create beautiful things for people who appreciate what you do.

Looking forward to getting some 'for me layouts done this week. Then I can share!

Thanks always for dropping by and for the wonderful comments that I receive. It's always a pleasure to read them and I never tire of them. Have a great weekend!

Photo Talk

I've recently had some interest in photographing two families when I'm in Sydney and Melbourne next. I may be heading to Sydney for a couple of days in mid-January 2010 and thought I would see if there was any further interest before I made the decision to book my flight.

My session includes 1-1.5 hours of shooting outdoors

and a disc with high resolution images processed by myself.

I also include 5 photos printed on high quality professional photo paper in 5x7 size.

If you may be interested or would like some more information, please drop me an email at

leannestamatellos@hotmail.com. I have a photography blog now also if you haven't seen it already with examples of my work on it and recent shoots - Leanne Stamatellos Photography

Been meaning to ...

I've been meaning to add this layout to my blog.

I love the photos especially since it was the day I was practicing with my new lens - the 50mm f1.4 - love the depth of field and Joshua's big brown eyes.

As seen in Scrapbook Creations magazine - issue no. 67

Guest Designer

I was pretty excited when I was asked to be a guest designer for INSPIRED BLUEPRINTS. If you go take a peak at their blog you'll see the sketch I had to work with - I loved every minute of it and it was quite liberating to use a sketch rather that to try and come up with my own design layout.

Apart from that, I have just returned home from 4 days in Melbourne and have the dreaded flu.

I'm feeling pretty weak and sore and need to have lots of rest.

Hopefully I should be back to normal really soon.