Stamps Ahead

I have been creating more of my own background paper for 15cm x 15cm (6" x 6" for my USA friends). Here are some very old photographs of my now adult nephews. I am really glad that I got the photos out of their magnetic albums, they were starting to deteriorate. I have used Rough Texture Jumbo Wheel for background and Word by Word (108965) to create punched highlights on both pages. For Joshua: Big Deal Alphabet (108751) and the star from Hung up on the Holidays (108842). For Garth: Headline Alphabet (108833). Images: © 1990-2007 Stampin' Up! ® Artwork: © Margaret L Crawford

This is a card I have created from another stamp set available in the Summer Mini Catalogue. This time I have used Easy Elegance (111235 set of 4 $39.95). I have applied Stampin'Write Markers direct to rubber, spritzed with water and stamped onto the fabulous Stampin' Up! watercolour paper. And I just love the blue hydrangeas from my garden. Images: © 1990-2007 Stampin'Up! ® Artwork: Margaret L Crawford The quote is not very visible in this photo but it says: "How beautiful a day can be when kindness touches it". George Elliston . I "googled" the author of this quote - George Elliston and it shows that she was born in Kentucky in 1883 and what an extraordinary life she led. She was a reporter for the former Cincinnati Times-Star for over 40 years. At a time when most newspaperwomen were forced into writing for the society or cooking sections, George Elliston was a hard-news reporter covering crime, murder, and local tragedies. She was known for going to

Images: © 1990-2007 Stampin' Up! ® Artwork: Margaret L Crawford It's thyme to celebrate the holidays with a festive offer that matches the season. Stampin' Up! ® have released exclusive Holiday Thyme double-sided Designer Series paper (item 107890). It is perfect for making cards, party invitations, gift wrap, or scrapbook memories and more. And a packet is only $14.50 (for 12 sheets of double-sided paper - a bargain) for the month of November. As many of my readers know, I teach a local papercraft class. Here is a decoration that they made this week, using the Holiday Thyme papers. It does incorporate some non-SU supplies eg, wooden star, rub ons. I had fun designing this.

Here is a 15cm x 15cm ( 6" x 6") scrapbook page I created today. I have used Watercolour Joy Wheel (105516 $11.95) to make my own background paper. The stamp sets are Big Deal Alphabet (108751); Looks like Spring (108864); Sweet Shapes (108927). I have also used Spring Bouquet Flower punch above the "I" and Word Window punch. Images: © 1990-2007 Stampin' Up!® Artwork: Margaret L Crawford

My papercraft class made these this week. You use an A6 envelope. What fun to receive a gift this year in one of these. They are quick to make and you could use any of your stamp sets. I have used Peaceful Wishes (108888 $45.95 Set of 5). If you would like the instructions email me. Enjoy. Images: ©Stampin' Up! ® 1990-2007 Artwork: Margaret L Crawford

A couple of more photographs taken on my recent USA/Canada holiday. On the way to Springfield, Missouri, we stopped at Big Springs. Yes, the water was as blue as it is shown in the photographs.