A star in the making ...

My beautiful niece Alexis is 5 years old and this year started taking singing lessons.  Here's a little snippet. I think she's fantastic ... a star in the making!

Her little brother Harry wants to get in on the act too.

Enjoy,

Di

Envelope Inspiration ...

Today was the Online Stampers Luncheon held at Cafe 88 at Parramatta Leagues Club, NSW. This year marked the third year I attended this luncheon and it's so nice to catch up with other creative ladies, participate in an ATC swap and look at the wonderful projects created.

Here's the ATC I made for the luncheon today ...

It's made from using the patterned inside of security envelopes.  Using recycled materials is not only a good way to be “green” for the environment, it’s also a great way to save money. So often I come across objects and imagine a new and creative use for it ... but it took my friend Pam to introduce me to using the insides of security envelopes.

Below is the first ATC I made using security envelopes and the last two pictures are cards created by Pam.

Maybe you'll apply this to your own crafting projects ... I can already see the piles of those envelopes! Oh, and if you absolutely adore these patterns and want more, check out this Flickr group dedicated to envelope security patterns. Enjoy!

Some more scrapping ...

A couple more layouts completed, slowly bringing down the pile of unfinished scrapping. The first layout I believe was designed by Susan Couzens in a Copy Cat class at Scrapbooks Etc, the other designed by Lyndal Grant in a January 2010 Sketched Class.

I used to put so much pressure on myself to make my layouts perfect ... which meant they never seemed to get finished.  I am finding the art of scrapbooking again quite therapeutic by using the stash of supplies I have available, my own handwriting and not overthinking it ... ease and grace!

Enjoy.

"The standard of success in life isn't the things. It isn't the money or the stuff -- it is absolutely the amount of joy you feel."

~ The teachings of Abraham ~