Forgot this one!

I had forgotten to post this layout that was featured in a recent issue of Scrapbooking Memories.

It was about our visit to Australia Zoo last year - where did the time go?

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Lots and lots of photos

When Kristy Evans, Editor of Scrapbooking Memories, asked if I could create a layout using 12 or more Travel Photos on a double layout, I knew exactly what I wanted to do. Having come home from a trip to America earlier in the year, I had plenty of pics to choose from.

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Here is the layout I created and it is published in a recent issue of Scrapbooking Memories.

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Thanks for dropping by,
Leanne

Canvas Art

I don't often create alot of Off the Page items but I had alot of fun creating this mini canvas for the Keeping It Simple Article this month for Scrapbook Creations Magazine.

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Like my style, it was clean and simple and definately not too complicated.

All I need to do now is find a little girl with the name AVA that I can give it to.

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Thank you for dropping by and I truly appreciate all the lovely comments.

Enjoy the weekend!

Happy Holidays

I just returned from a lovely week away at the Gold Coast with my family.

Lots of beach and pool and while the weather was a little wet and overcast, we still managed to have "the most awesomest time ever" .... according to 4 year old Joshua.

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Thought I would post a layout that I scraplifted from my beautiful friend, Severine.

I loved the layout the minute I saw it and knew I had to lift it.

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As always, this layout has a simple story that I want to preserve.

Thanks for dropping by,
Leanne

A busy year!

I recently made a difficult decision to finish up writing the Keeping It Simple article for Scrapbook Creations. I have been part of the team for a couple of years now and have loved every moment of it. I say it was difficult because I truly loved working with the wonderful editor, Kim taranto and team at Scrapbook Creations as well as Belinda Venables and Amanda Hall who contributed with me every second month.

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Also my regular monthly commitment as a Scrapbooking memories Master had finished for the year where again I was so fortunate to have worked with an amazing team of girls and also the editor, Kristy Evans as well as Cassie Bellemore and Sharryn Thomson.

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This year has been a busy one.

Not only for myself with the wonderful scrapbooking opportunities that I've had but also with my photography and my incredible family and their commitments.

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I like to think that I will always give 110% to whatever I can do whether it be for myself and my interests or my family and theirs. So, I've had to cut back on my crafting commitments to do that.

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And you know what? Since doing that , I've scrapped 3 layouts this week !

Three brand new, never before seen, not for any magazine, but for me - and that makes me happy because I love what scrapbooking means to me and I love that it reminds me of all the little things about my family and life that I would otherwise have forgotten.

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So, below is one of the 3 layouts I did this week - not rocket science, but I did it and it means something to me and that's what counts, don't you think?





Thank you to all who let me know they enjoyed my contributions to both magazines whether it was in the Keeping It Simple Article or as a SM Master - it's been an absolute pleasure!

Surfer - layout!

My Surfer layout as seen in Scrapbooking Memories a couple of issues ago.

I love the use of Kraft cardstock - it seems to work so well with the beach photos!

Oh and on the photography front, I'm having alot of fun and have just started offering some crazy cool Xmas Mini photo Sessions . If you're a Brisbanite or can get to Brisbane on Saturday 30th October, then you will have the best time having these Xmas Photo Booth pics taken - take a look here if you're keen!

are you in shock?

Yes, another layout on the blog!

One that I created a little while ago about the cute PJ's out there for the kids.

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clean, simple, nothing too over the top ...but I like it!

Not so subtle!

I need to clarify that this post ... this very belated post .... has nothing to do with the fact that a certain scrapbooking friend , not-so-subtley reminded me that 'it's been a while' since I posted.

I seriously had this on my to-do list and since I just left her home mere minutes ago, this will surely send her into shock!

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As for an excuse .... well things have been crazy around here. With family, school fete, kindy bush dances, photography going beyond my wildest expectations ... well, it's been crazy!

So, here is a layout that was created for Scrapbooking Memories for the Cristina Re Challenge. Lots of pretty product used - especially my favourite Swiss dot Bazzill.

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So by chance you want to send my dear friend into further shock, I'd love you to leave me a message of support and I promise I won't take so long to update next time.

100 pages of USA!

Since I returned home from America in late March I have been working on a Photographic Album for all of my favourite photos from the trip. If you take a look over HERE you can see an online version of the album that's currently being printed in America.

I can't wait to see it when it gets delivered - but that will be about 4 weeks or so.

I'll be sure to keep you posted.

New stuff to share!

I've been meaning to share a layout that was sent to me by Colleen Boshoff who recently won a pack of goodies that I had up for grabs on my blog. Colleen was kind enough to send me a photo of her layout using the products and I think she did a wonderful job.

I also came across a photo of the layouts that I sent to Scrapbooking Memories to display at the Scrapbook and Papercraft Show a couple of weeks ago. Here they are photographed on the carpet in the study - I'm sure they looked nicer framed on the wall at the convention!

Oh, and I'm excited to share a recent layout that I created recently.

The best part is that it was done for me and I like the way it is - simple!

I was hugely influenced by the super talented, Simple scrapper, Wendy Bretz - a US friend from my early scrapping days.

Thank you for dropping by!

Meant to be!

It's been a rugged couple of weeks but I'm happy to report that I'm getting back on track and starting to feel so much better than I was when I was told I had Parvo Virus. I'd like to thank all the lovely friends who sent me photos and texts and updates on the weekend of the Scrapbooking and Papercraft show - you have no idea how nice it was to know that I was thought of and I am still so sad that I was unable to speak about my style of scrapbooking. I guess it was meant to be and that's that!

I wanted to share a layout that I created late last year that I forgot about. I was inspired to create this "walk to school" themed layout by Nicole Southworth who I've seen do this sort of thing before and I loved the concept. It's a double layout done in A4 format.







Oh, and hopefully I'll get my hands on some more photos of the Scrapbook Show and post them soon for you to see how it all looked. Thanks for dropping by and your comments are always so appreciated.

So disappointed

I have been feeling a little unwell for a couple of weeks - the usual tiredness that we all battle through due to over doing it but I sent myself off to have some blood tests on Monday.

By Tuesday, I was experiencing extreme joint pain, inflamation and lots of fatigue. It continued up until today where I have started to feel mildly better. My results came through indicated that I have parvovirus - a virus that you catch from kids that have had the same thing - it shows as bright red cheeks in kids but in adults it shows as rheumatoid arthritic like symptoms.

Fortunately, it's something that will get better with rest but I am so disappointed that the Doctor has suggested I not be in contact with anyone

(particularly pregnant women) for a little bit longer.

So, what does that mean for me?

I was scheduled this long weekend to speak at 11am for Scrapbooking Memories Magazine in their STUDIO at the Scrapbook and Papercraft Show.

Sadly, Dr says I'm not allowed to do it.

Nor can I see my layouts on display in the Scrapbooking Memories Masters Display area.

It's really disappointing.

My apologies to anyone who was planning to go along and hear me speak.

Kristy and Cassie, from Scrapbooking Memories, have my notes and have suggested that they present my talk on my behalf. Wish I could have been there in person.

I'd love to hear how all about the convention

and I'll be thinking of you all especially at 11am each day.

PS. Forgot to add .... thank you for all the lovely feedback about the Art cards.

shillito.rachel.m - I'm having these cards printed at Officeworks - a cheap black and white copy but done on a 200gsm white card so they look nicer. And by all means, this is not an original idea from me, feel free to have a play and do it for your school too

- just note that it is alot of work.

School Art Cards

As always, life is super busy.

And with a child at school, it seems never ending.

This year I put forward an idea that I had seen at another school for fund raising.

Each class was given an item to draw and then each student in that class had to draw it. I then scanned the drawings and laid them out in photoshop to create a card design.

At our school , we have 20 classes in total - so I have created 2 packs of cards.

10 cards have Christmas Designs on them and the other 10 cards have General Designs.

I'm really pleased with how they turned out and I'm hoping they'll be a great success!

So that's what I've been doing, what about you?

scrapping simple

It seems like such a long time since I've put some time aside to scrap for myself.

I love the challenges that are put to me by the magazines but I really love it when you have the freedom to create for yourself.

This morning I created this layout with some photos that I've had since Christmas day.

They were the usual Christmas Day photos of the boys that I love to take but this year I managed to hit the jackpot and get a really nice one of the two of them. The journalling tells how I seem to love the crazy ones even more when I look at these photos altogether.

Don't be fooled by the simplicity of this page.

There are 9 different items used on this layout and I love how clean it still looks.

This is definately my new favourite layout.

Scrapbook & Papercraft Convention

I'm pretty excited to have been asked to talk at The Scrapbook & Papercraft Convention on June 12-14th this year in Brisbane. I was even more excited when the program came out in print and I was listed amongst some wonderful scrappers in the industry who will be teaching that day.

Here's a link to the Studio Talks that are being held by Scrapbooking Memories - I'll be talking at 11am each day and can't wait to catch up with some friends (both old and new). I would love to say hello if you come so please don't be shy and come and introduce yourself.

The girls at Scrapbooking Memories have asked me to talk about my Simple Style and how to achieve it. I'm in the processing of trying to think what to say so if you have any thoughts on what you'd like to hear then leave me a message so I can be sure to include it in my talk.

Looking forward a great long weekend in June - take care, Leanne

Collage layouts - thanks for sending them through

I received three gorgeous layouts this week using quite a few photos - the first two were from Colleen Boshoff and the last one was from Michelle Jamieson.

I love them all.

I thought I might split the pack and send you half each - it's really lovely so start choosing your beach photos and your pack will be in the mail next week - can you email me your postal address? .

Thankyou for sharing your creations.

I'd love to see what you create with this new kit when you're finished.

My next layout .... step 1

I have a layout due with Scrapbooking Memories soon and they have sent me some fantastic papers to use that have a beach theme.

I chose a handful of my favourite images and created a collage from when Ethan had surfing lessons a few weeks ago while on holidays at the Gold Coast. I love collages and I love lots of photos on a layout - I think it really helps to tell the story.

So, if you're in the mood to scrap a layout with lots of photos using a collage, nows the time, because I'd love to send you what's left in the Scrapbooking Memories

challenge kit once I've finished with it this week.

And for those who know how much product I actually glue to a page, then they will tell you that there will be heaps of stuff leftover to send to you - sheets of paper in fact.

Start emailing me your layouts (old or new) at manistamatellos at hotmail.com

and I'll choose someone to send some goodies to on Saturday!

Thanks for dropping by,

Leanne

Here come some layouts, promise!

The hardest thing about having commitments to Scrapbooking Magazines is that you can't share your creations until after the magazine comes out and in the case of Scrapbooking Memories, they prefer us to wait 2 months until after the issue has been out in the newsagency.

So, I forget!

I really do forget what I created and also if I posted it on my blog.

Here was a favourite one I did - especially because I got to use that gorgeous aqua flower made by my dear friend, Michelle Jamieson.

Go take a look at her site, Chelley Bean Designs and you'll be tempted no end.

This layout was for Scrapbook Creations - Keeping It Simple Article.

The topic was 'Something Old, Something New'.

It was alot of fun combining old and news scrap goodies to create a layout.

And if you want to take a look at what I did in Las Vegas at WPPI last month,

then my photo blog has the updates there - Leanne Stamatellos Photography

I'm back!

I know it's been ages since I've posted but for good reason.
I have just arrived back from 3 weeks away in America and I had a fantastic time!

Firstly, I flew alone to Las Vegas for a week at WPPI - this is a huge convention where 15 000 photographers flew in to hear some of the best photographers in the world speak and share their secrets and techniques. I can't begin to say how much I learnt from these incredible artists and I loved every minute of being there.

After that, my husband flew in to join me and we became tourists and did the sight seeing thing in Las Vegas then New York then Los Angeles. We had an amazing time away and I'm looking forward to printing up my favourite photos out of thousands of photos so I can scrap ..... like this one!

It's great to be home!

Keeping It Simple Article - Stamping

If you grab this month's issue of Scrapbook Creations you'll see an article that I wrote with Belinda Venables and Helen Karanfilovski about Stamping.

When I saw that was the topic, I thought to myself 'holy moly' ... I barely own a stamp but I called my trusty scrap buddy, Michelle, and she came to my rescue with enough stamps to satisfy any stamping addict. I chose the scallop border and also the journalling brackets as you'll see in the layout below. Simple I know, but it was a painless start for a non-stamping scrapper.

Thanks always for leaving your comments - it really is lovely to read them.

Photography bookings for May onwards

I've been busy scrapping up a storm lately with layouts going to Scrapbooking Memories for the Master's challenges as well as articles going to Scrapbook Creations. The reason I've been so busy catching up is that I'm heading off to Las Vegas in March to WPPI which is an amazing photographic conference. Approximately 12 000 photographers from around the world are expected to fly in to be taught by some of the leading photographers in the world.

I'm looking forward to being inspired by some incredible talent there and I can't wait to be able to share what I learn and what I see over there.

In case you would like some information about a family session or wedding with me, then drop me an email within the next couple of weeks. After that time I'll have limited internet access until I return home from America. I am currently taking bookings for the month of May and onwards for Brisbane families and will be in Melbourne in the early part of August for some sessions.

And because a post is more fun with photos, here are some recent ones of Ethan and Joshua.

School fete Ideas

I had a bit of a play this morning and grabbed some leftover scraps of double sided patterned paper, some embellishments and ribbon and made this collection of gift tags.

Our school fete is coming up in August and I was asked to join the Stationary/Craft stall to help out. I'm taking these to show the girls next week and see what they think. Is this something that would sell at a fete? I'd love to hear your thoughts on any cool ideas that are easy and fast to make that fall into the Craft and Stationary category.

14 to go!

Managed to fit in another layout late last night and early this morning.

I've been keeping a list of all the layouts I really should do

and for the first time in a long time I'm really behind.

It seems I have 14 more layouts to go to catch up.

Wish me luck!

Time to scrap

I promised myself that today I would find 1 hour somewhere in the day to scrap for me.

I promised that no matter how many books were left to cover in contact for the new school year,

or how much ironing needed to be done, or how many photo sessions needed to be processed ...

I would scrap for me.

Nothing flash, but I did it and I'm pleased.

A story about Ethan and his first time rollerskating.

Seriously wonderful!

Things have been seriously wonderful lately!

I would love to thank each and everyone who took the time to visit my blog and leave me a congratulations about my news with Scrapbooking Memories and Masters 2009.

It is so encouraging to find these messages in my email box - many who are friends who have visited my blog for a long time and also quite a few who are either new to my blog or have never commented before. I loved reading them all and I can't thank you enough.

I've already completed a few challenges for SM and I hope you enjoy them as much as I have creating them.

Since I can't share those layouts just yet, I thought I would post a few layouts that were featured in Scrapbooking Memories towards the end of last year.

Thanks again for you support :)

News to share!

I'm so pleased to be able to announce that I have been chosen as a Scrapbooking Memories Master for 2009.

It's an honour to chosen alongside this very talented group of girls ...

Bernie Dodd
Christine Rumley
Ebony Van Der Starre
Georgia Keays
Hetty Hall
Karen Watson
Kellie Lusted
Kim Arnold
Sarah Gladman

Thank you to Scrapbooking Memories and I look forward to seeing so many different and wonderful styles of work in this year's monthly issues. Can't wait to get my hands on the special Master's Edition which should be in stores January 20. Congratulations also to the girls who received Honorable Mentions - there will be lots of inspiration in this special edition I'm sure.

A special thank you to everyone who contacted me already to send their good wishes - I'm overwhelmed at the support and lovely, kind words. It's really been a fantastic surprise to be asked to be part of this team .

Thanks again,
Leanne

Off to a good start!

The New Year started really well, scrapping wise.

I have completed 2 layouts in 2 days - woohoo!

I'm happy to say that I can share one of them with you,

while the other one is off to Scrapbooking Memories (to be seen in a few months time).

Each year, we make gingerbread and decorate them.

I have Nicole to thank for this lovely tradition. I saw them on her blog a couple of years back and she generously gave me her recipe.

We have great fun baking them and it always makes for a fun page

full of detailed photos and a little story.

This year, due to a lack of time, I bought the gingerbread from IKEA already baked and we decorated them with Royal Icing - they looked less perfect than previous years only because we all had a real play at decorating them - and I love that!

Apart from scrapping this year, I'm looking forward to booking lots of photography sessions.

I'll be heading to Sydney in 9 days time to do just that.

If you'd like to see some of my favourite photos from 2009 sessions,

take a look over at my Photography Site ....

Leanne Stamatellos Photography

Best wishes for a Happy, Safe and Healthy New Year!

Happy New Year 2010

Where did the year go?

It certainly went quickly but I had a great time - no complaints here.

It's been a crazy last couple of weeks with the lead up to Christmas Day and then the wind down after. We spent a lovely day with family - lots of fun, lots of food and lots of gifts for everyone. It was a very hot day and the children all spent the afternoon in the pool splashing and enjoying themselves.

It's been a while since I've created a collage - I love them and the way you can show so many photos altogether to tell a story. Here's a few pics from Xmas morning this year.

Last year I took advantage of a double layout and created 2 collages with loads of photos. It really captures the fun we had that day and I'm not sure that one or two larger photos would have done that.

Here's 'christmas 08' ...

Well it's another year and I'm looking forward to a great one.

Thanks for always dropping by - I love reading your comments - it encourages me to post more often. Here is the list I promised, compiled by you from my last post, of some clean and simple scrappers that you will be sure to find inspiration from. There are so many beautiful sites here to look at ... I'd love to hear what you think of them and if you have any more I'll add them to the list next post.

In no particular order ...

http://www.nathsdesign.net/

http://www.feastsonscraps.com/

http://www.dianeseverydaymoments.blogspot.com/

http://www.nicolesscrapsandlife.blogspot.com/

http://www.whereiamat-amanda.blogspot.com/

http://www.simply-s.blogspot.com/

http://www.jodywenke.blogspot.com/

http://www.kathythompsonlaffoley.typepad.com/

http://www.louise-justloolabelle.blogspot.com/

http://www.artscrapandmore.blogspot.com/

and believe me there are heaps more .... I hope this keeps you inspired!