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!