Celebrate 2018

I wanted to do something to mark the fact that I am turning 60 at the end of this year. I thought about a number of things but finally settled on the 'one little word' CELEBRATE and a monthly approach. So I am going to CELEBRATE:

• my memories
• nature
• everyday life
• our travels and 
• important events.

Some months there won't be an important event. That's OK as my aim is to include a story and photos in at least 3 out of the five categories every month, with a real focus on documenting important memories. Two months in and I am going well so far. I am using a 6 x 8in sized album and the Paige Evans collection, Turn the Page, which I thought was quite apt. Hopefully I will be able to maintain the momentum for the entire year. Fingers crossed.

DYL 2.0 by Cathy Zielske

In the paper crafting world there are a number of well known crafters. Some I appreciate because they are creative and talented but..........they are not my style. Others I love and I follow them with a passion (in a non stalking kinda way). CZ is one of those. I am so happy to see that she has relaunched her series Design Your Life. I have previously completed this course but am very excited to see how Cathy has updated it in line with advances in paper crafting e.g. digital supplies and tools such as the silhouette. Bring it on!

Farewell to my HKC subscription.....for now!

Retirement isn't everything it is cracked up to be.....it's better! But don't think for a moment you are going to have lots of time on your hands. I am busier now than ever and one of the casualties is my Hip Kit subscription. 2017 has flown and I have had very little time to scrapbook and so my monthly kits have been mounting up. I do love getting all the lovely goodies in the mail each month but for now I need to stop collecting and do a lot more making and creating. Hopefully I will be able to renew my subscription one day but as they say.....it was fun while it lasted. I am patiently waiting for my final kits - June and July, to arrive. I will admire all the papers and embellishments and then carefully put them away for the next time I have time to scrapbook.

Motivated to scrapbook

Much of my memory keeping of late has been digital or of the Project Life variety, however, I am very keen to get back into some 'real' scrapbooking. I have been motivated by a few new designers and really enjoy watching their process videos. The great shame is that there are no scrapbooking shops left in Australia so getting our hands on new product is almost impossible. Some of the larger online stores charge like wounded bulls for shipping to Australia, so I began to investigate kit clubs. In the end and after comparing what each had to offer I have settled on the Hip Kit Club. I love their kits but I was also very impressed by the free cut files they offer, their process videos, Pinterest pages and Facebook Forum, their flat rate international shipping cost and their customer service. I had a few questions and they were answered immediately. Now I just need to be patient and wait for my first kit to arrive!!!

It's starting to look a lot like Christmas!!!

There are Christmas decorations in all the stores and mince pies for sale at Baker's Delight. It is only the beginning of November but Christmas is well and truly upon us and will be here before we can blink!!! I am looking forward to participating in Wilna and Paige's new Christmas workshop. I definitely need some inspiration for my 2015 Christmas bonbonniere.

This time last year

......we celebrated our 31st wedding anniversary aboard the Scenic Gem in Budapest, Hungary. No such exotic place today, but can't wait to head off next week, on our much anticipated trip to the USA and Canada. Only 7 sleeps!!!

I have been doing Ali Edwards' class - Hello Story. This template was one of the prompts from Week 4, Story Structure = Time. I am really enjoying the class. So many ideas!!!

Happy Anniversary

32 years ago today! Where did that time go?