Jot Mag Issue 16

Jot Issue 16 2016

STORY TELLERS | PAPER CRAFTERS | MEMORY MAKERS | PHOTO TAKERS

A LOVELY PAPER CRAFTING MAGAZINE FOR THE MODERN DAY MEMORY KEEPER.

Jot Magazine 1

Traditions 58 Glebe Road The Junction NSW 2291 (02) 4961 1609

www.sweettraditions.com.au CANDY BAR SUPPLIES | KIDS PARTY BAGS |SWEETS FROM AROUND THE WORLD | SHOP ONLINE OR IN STORE Jot Magazine 2

EDITOR’S LETTER | Jot

MERRY TIME IT’S THE SILLY SEASON. I HAVE A LOVE/HATE RELATIONSHIP WITH THIS TIME OF THE YEAR. I adore the holiday season with its twinkling lights, decorating the tree, Christmas shopping, pretty gift wrap and waiting to hear Wham’s Last Christmas playing at the shops so I KNOW it’s truly, finally the festive season.

However it’s also a crazily busy time I dread ..with so many things needing to be done before that big ol Christmas deadline.

The end of 2016 has been even busier here than usual in the Archer family with our youngest girl Capri, graduating Year 12 and involved in all the festivities that go along with that milestone including her graduation Mass, HSC Final exams and her formal. We were able to frock up and head off to the formal with Capri and it was a chance to relax for a few hours, savour the moment, forget about deadlines and all that needed to be done and come to the realisation that we no longer have school age kids in this family. Which is rather confronting as it reinforced how quickly time flies past and also how important it is to keep on telling the stories, documenting the moments and capturing the pictures!!

So as the year draws to a close, I want to say THANK YOU for continuing to support and embrace Jot. Without you guys, there would be no Jot.. The Jot Girls and I have loads of exciting plans for 2017 here at Jot HQ and we look forward to sharing more mag issues, blog posts, ebooks and mood board challenges with you.

We hope you enjoy Issue 16 and I would like to wish you all a very merry, festive and creative season. Oh and happy new year.

© Copyright. Kim Archer | Jot Magazine 2016. All projects in this magazine are for recreational purposes only and are not to be reproduced, distributed or sold without the publisher’s permission. PUBLISHED by Jot Magazine, Newcastle Australia. ABN 88649297554 Jot Magazine 3

Connect with us.

Publisher/Editor Kim Archer Editorial Assistant Anna Allan Writers Kim Archer Anna Allan Shari Brewer

Grab a

cuppa &

head to our blog for more Jot stories and inspiration. or follow us on social media.

SUBMISSIONS Interested in submitting to Jot Magazine? We accept submissions of creative project tutorials or written articles that are in line with our paper crafting/ modern memory keeping theme. We also put out certain gallery calls from time to time (check our site).

Email submissions to: hello@jotmagazine.com

Contact Us hello@jotmagazine.com

Published by Kim Archer ABN: 88 649 297 554

Website:

www.jotmagazine.com

2016 Jot Girls Team Yvette Adams Leanne Allinson Meghann Andrew Anna Allan Raquel Bowman Loredana Bucaria Petra Corcoran Natalie Elphinstone Suse Fish Sheree Forcier Amanda Hall Lauren Hender Kim Jeffress Sharmaine Kruijver Jamie Pate Mardi Winen Jodie York

Meet the Jot Team here>

*Our cover project is by Jot Girl Sheree Forcier Jot Magazine 4

092 043

IN THIS ISSUE. 03 06 08 10 14 41 43 72 92 126 130 135 158 163 173 184

EDITOR’S LETTER MEET OUR TEAM QUICK LAYOUT Kim Jeffress CONFETTI with Anna Allan GALLERY Fringing Fringing Shopping Guide GALLERY - Cocoa Vanilla Studio WHAT’S IN THE BOX..The Jot Girls GALLERY - Patterned paper MEET FELICITY WILSON JOT SPOTTING STORY TELLING - CHRISTMAS SILK SCREENS Petra Corcoran POCKET CARDS - Jot Team POCKET PAGE GALLERY DEAR DIARY - Shari Brewer

COCOA VANILLA STUDIO

Again we are so fortunate here at Jot to work with some brilliant companies and in this issue we got to play with the gorgeous goodies from Aussie company Cocoa Vanilla Studio. CHECK OUT THE GALLERY ON PAGE 43.

072

041 Jot Magazine 5

MEET THE TEAM A

I am .. ANNA a mummy, daughter. sister, friend, crafter, blogger, thrifter and domestic goddess (wanna-be!)

Y

M

P

L

I am .. YVETTE a part time worker, crafter, colour loving mother of one.

R

I am RAQUEL .. a primary school teacher, mummy to Charlotte and Jack, wife to Clint and scrapbook obsessed.

L

I am MEGHANN .. a 30-something mom to a beautiful toddler, wife to a Brit and a maker of many things.

I am PETRA, an all or nothing person from sunny Queensland.

Jot Magazine 6

N

I am LEANNE .. a mother to four children- one daughter and three sons.

I am LOREDANA ..a new mom, wife to my biggest love, a dreamer, cheerful, passionate about crafts and I adore fabric.

I am .. NATALIE. Wife to The Trophy Husband, mum to two beautiful girls and one son, obstetrician and gynaecologist who loves her work.

S

I am .. SUSE, a forty-something mum of one little girl and two cheeky kittens.

S

L

I am SHEREE .. a wife to Paul, mum to three kids, a scrapbooker, card maker, crocheter, knitter, stitcher, soccer mum, blogger, Blythe collector and addicted to Instagram.

A

I am AMANDA .. a classic Libra – an indecisive perfectionist with a type A personality.

Our Jot Girls produce jaw dropping projects that will have you racing for your supplies, pulling out your photos and cutting and pasting in no time at all.

K

J

I am KIM .. wife, mum to two boys and living in beautiful Brisbane, Australia,.

M I am JAMIE ..wife, mother of five children, a church goer, volunteer, an educator, small business owner and constant thinker of all things creative.

I am LAUREN ..wife, mother of two and super cool step mum to one. I am a crafter, employee, sister and student.

I am MARDI ..wife, mum, nan, a full time Paramedic…and perhaps a jack of many trades….master of none.

S

I am SHARMAINE .. a 40 something, Tarago driving, happily married mum of four girls and I work as a teacher’s aide.

J

I am JODIE, mum to four kids living in a 100 year old cottage that we adore.

Jot Magazine 7

By Loredana Bucaria

QUICK & EASY This is a super easy layout that came together quickly as I followed a few little design ideas like using a group of square photos and using a large title.

Use a grid of photos in the same size to tell your story. I printed several photos onto a 4x6� sheet of photo paper and then cut them out and grouped them together on my page.

Add in a large title to the bottom part of your page in the same colour as your background cardstock for a clean, fresh look.

SUPPLIES |Bazzill; Patterned paper: Paislee Press; Embellishments: Ali Edwards

Jot Magazine 8

Add in circular embellishments (see my “Us� chipboard circle) to break up the square images and to add interest.

A phrase sticker or two and a few embellishments add a little pop of interest to your page.

title YOUR CHALLENGE: Use our sketch as inspiration for placing your photos, title and embellishments for a quick and easy layout design. Share your work here on our Facebook Page>

Jot Magazine 9

CONFETTI Little bits + pieces from around the web. Curated by Anna Allan OUR THEME //TIED UP WITH STRING

FLORAL PACKAGES

Adorn your gifts with floral elegance! How gorgeous do these look? This parcel of goodness is just too pretty to open! It’s simply divine! FOUND HERE ON THE JUST IMAGINE BLOG VIA PINTEREST HERE>

Jot Magazine 10

WASHI TAPE

PARTY BAGS

Spruce up a plain brown paper bag by grabbing a shipping tag, stamping on a sentiment and tying it on with string. SPOTTED ON THE PARTY STUDIO BLOG VIA PINTEREST HERE>

ABOVE | Oh so dainty and feminine! And all you need is some butchers paper, string, and some wide patterned washi tape to add that little extra detail. Simple, no fuss gift wrapping that looks oh so pretty...how sweet is that! FROM SHINZI KATOH AND MASTÉ JAPAN AS SEEN HERE.

CANDY CANE PARCELS LEFT | Candy Canes! You know it’s Christmas when these babies come out! This is the kind of gift no sweet tooth can ever resist. FOUND ON PINTEREST HERE>

Jot Magazine 11

TWINE

ABOVE |Twine! I think it should be a staple in any craft room. And in great supply! The addition of Twine! I think it should be a staple in any twine, in any colour or just in its natural state, lifts craft room. And in great supply! The addition the appearance of anyof gift. agree!?! twine,Don’t in anyyou colour or justAny in its natural little package tied upstate, with lifts string makes my heart the appearance of any gift. Don’t sing! FOUND ON PINTEREST. you agree!?! Any little package tied up with string makes my heart sing!

Jot Magazine 12

BOHO STYLE DIY Create this boho style gift wrapping with your left-over craft supplies. Gather together some lengths of lace, leather or string offcuts, feathers, fabric flowers and turn them into some Oh So Bohemian gift packaging decorations! CHECK OUT THE TUTORIAL HERE.

DOILY PACKAGING Create a little doily pocket, add in your choice of herbs, tuck and tie...you now have a delightful package fresh for the giving! Check out the tutorial for this rustic country style wrapping by Scarlett Clay on her blog HERE.

Anna Allan lives with her family in a small country town near the beautiful Esperance in Western Australia. She loves making pretty things, lots of colour, yummy food, daily cups of coffee, plenty of sunshine, being happy and having fun! You can get to know Anna better on her blog One Big Sunshine Spritzer here.

Jot Magazine 13

FRINGING G A L L E R Y Pull out those scissors and start snip, snip, snipping away because aside from the fact fringing adds a rich texture to papery projects its also FUN! FEATURING THE JOT TEAM Jot Magazine 14

Jot Magazine 15

HAPPY

Jamie Pate - The Jot Team

How fun is fringe! It gives such a soft and girly yet playful feel to a page. Perfect for this pic of these silly girls.

SUPPLIES | patterned paper: Me & My Big Ideas. Foil paper: Bazzill. Stickers and label: Maggie Holmes. Die cut: Heidi Swapp. Other: Color Shine, doily

Jot Magazine 16

TODAY

Sheree Forcier - The Jot Team

I love the added texture that some fringing can bring to a layout! I used some fringing scissors to cut just a few of the strips on my page...so fun and easy too!

SUPPLIES |Patterned paper, die cuts, embellishments and stickers: Crate Paper. Other: date stamp, Ranger ink, white tag, twine, sewing machine, fringing scissors

Jot Magazine 17

Jot Magazine 18

OH BOY

Leanne Allinson - The Jot Team

Why not try fringing on a miniature scale? Here I have added rows of fringed patterned paper only 1cm wide, to some pre-cut cardstock letters. When carefully trimmed around the letter shape, the fringe adds a fun texture to your page.

SUPPLIES Bella BLVD, American Crafts. Other - foam dots, black paint.

Jot Magazine 19

Jot Magazine 20

HAPPY DAY

Suse Fish - The Jot Team

I’ve created a fringed tag for a little present for a friend (and it smells divine too - it’s a posh soap!) I’ve used a mix of paper, cardstock and some crepe paper for my fringed tag.

SUPPLIES | All Felicity Jane ‘Happy Day’ apart from tassels by Crate Paper.

Jot Magazine 21

“I used the Heidi Swapp magic medium to create the circle pattern for my background.

I used a cotton tip to draw the circles on the paper first. Once dry, I dragged out the watercolour paints to add colour and then the pattern was revealed! Very fun and an easy way to create your own personal and unique design to the page.�

~Anna Allan

Jot Magazine 22

IT’S OURS. OH YEAH. Anna Allan - The Jot Team

“I’VE USED ONE OF MY FAVE COLOUR COMBOS OF PINK AND YELLOW AND A CUT FILE FROM COCOA VANILLA STUDIO.”

Channelling some Wilna style in this one! She creates such lovely painted/water coloured backgrounds and I was inspired by a video she did using gel medium and then applying watercolours over the top. The gel medium acted as a resist which created a lovely pattern.

In this layout, I used the Heidi Swapp Magic Medium on the page before doing the water colours.

I have incorporated the fringing as a decorative feature on the page and I’ve used vellum and patterned paper layered underneath the floral cut file. I’ve also repeated the vellum fringe in the cluster at the top left. I really adore how it adds texture and lovely detail to the page.

SUPPLIES| Studio Calico, Heidi Swapp, Cocoa Vanilla Studio, MME, American Crafts Amy Tangerine, Flutterby Designs, Maggie Holmes, Fancy Pants, Ali Edwards, Think Spring (Etsy), Teresa Collins, my own stash

Jot Magazine 23

Jot Magazine 24

SAY WHAT?

Loredana Bucaria - The Jot Team

I decided to use crepe paper for my fringe. I love the final effect and I loved mixing up white, fuchsia and some pops of yellow! My journaling is hidden on a journaling card behind the photo and I think the fringes are perfect for a girly page.

I have just sewed different strips of crepe paper one above the other, and voilĂ several rows of fringing on my layout!

SUPPLIES | Patterned paper: Studio Calico and Paislee Press; Cardstock: Bazzill; Stamps: Ali Edwards; Embellishments: Basic grey, Heidi Swapp, Studio Calico; other: white and fuchsia crepe papers, sewing machine, black ink, button and a metallic brad

Jot Magazine 25

Machine or hand stitch your rows of rainbow fringed papers to your background.

RAINBOW LOVE

Meghann Andrew - The Jot Team

A rainbow of fringed bunting just like my daughter’s craft rainbow and color-blocked embellishments! I wanted to create a happy layout, just like her smiling face in the photo.

SUPPLIES|Patterned paper: Elle’s Studio, Studio Calico, My Mind’s Eye, American Crafts; Stickers: Pink Paislee, Elle’s Studio; Die-cuts, tags & acrylic: Scraptastic Club; Chipboard & enamel dot: Studio Calico; Stamp: Elle’s Studio.

Jot Magazine 26

SELECT A RAINBOW OF COLOURED PATTERNED PAPERS, GROUP TOGETHER IN COLOURS AND SNIP A FRINGE IN EACH FOR A FUN BUNTING INSPIRED BACKGROUND.

Jot Magazine 27

GELATO AT THE OPERA HOUSE Sharmaine Kruijver - The Jot Team

I thought the patterned paper, from Crate, was perfect for a big fringe. I also fringed a Crate die cut and curled the paper to mimic the stairs leading up to the Opera House.

“I LIKE A BIG FRINGE AND I CANNOT LIE!” ~ Sharmaine Kruijver

SUPPLIES |Patterned paper: Crate Paper. Alphas: American Crafts. Embellishments: Crate Paper, Eyelet Outlet, Pink Paislee. Other: Typewriter, pencil, date stamp, ink.

Jot Magazine 28

WILD HEART Raquel Bowman - The Jot Team

It is no secret that I love white cardstock. I love the crisp and fresh look it brings to a layout. For this layout I decided to create a layered and detailed background using a combination of fringed and punched white strips.

I love the texture it brings to the layout and know it is something that I will repeat in the future.

SUPPLIES| Pink Paislee ‘Take me Away’ papers and embellishments, White card stock. Other: American Crafts Knock out Punches, Herb Scissors Jot Magazine 29

Jot Magazine 30

LOVE THIS

WHY NOT TRY A FRINGED LAYERED CIRCLE EMBELLISHMENT !

Amanda Hall - The Jot Team

It was easy to put my own spin on this theme by making layers of patterned paper circles and fringing them. I have seen pre-made fringed circle embellishments that you can buy but it’s seriously super easy to make your own in exactly the size and colour coordination you want. Cheap fabric fringing scissors made the job easier but certainly not essential.

SUPPLIES |Cardstock : American Crafts. Patterned paper : Heidi Swapp, Kmart. Embellishments : Heidi Swapp, Kaisercraft, American Crafts.

Other : thread, scissors, fringing scissors Jot Magazine 31

WAIKIKI

Kim Jeffress - The Jot Team

Fringing is my newest favourite way to embellish a page. For my layout I die cut a pineapple shape using my Big Shot and then added some fringing on the top of the die cut and trimmed around the side to remove the excess.

SUPPLIES |Cardstock: Bazzill, Bella Blvd, Crate Paper, Embellishments: Heidi Swapp Glitter word, glitter bow, stickers, stamps, Colorshine, Jillibean Soup letters, My Little Studio flair buttons

Jot Magazine 32

WE’RE LOVING KIM’S COOL FRINGED PINEAPPLE WITH IT’S GLITTERY BOW

YOU MAKE ME SMILE

READER GALLERY

Diane Williams - New Zealand

This spread in my Traveler’s Notebook really does go by the rule “less is more”. Minimal supplies and a whole page of fringing create subtle texture and draws the eye to the photo and journalling.

DIANE’S BLOG SUPPLIES | Crate Paper Notes & Things Chipboard Frame, Martha Stewart Fringing Scissors, American Crafts Darling Thickers, Nuvo Crystal Drops – Liquid Mercury, Bubblegum Blush, Duck Egg Blue.

Jot Magazine 33

TODAY

Flora Monika Farkas - HUNGARY

Loving my fringe scissors! It was super fast to create such a huge element for my scrapbook page like this colorful, fun butterfly.

READER GALLERY WE ADORE FLORA’S FRINGED BUTTERFLY EMBELLISHMENT FILLING HER LAYOUT BACKGROUND.

FLORA’S BLOG SUPPLIES |Hip Kit Club, Bella Blvd, illustrated Faith

Jot Magazine 34

THEY DO LOVE ME

READER GALLERY

Melinda Sweetman - Perth, Western Australia

I was inspired by the gorgeous hearts from the Maggie Holmes Bloom collection when making this layout.

MELINDA’S BLOG SUPPLIES | Maggie Holmes/Crate Paper Shine collection, Colour Blast sprays, Enamel dots, letter stickers, and embellishments - source unknown.

Jot Magazine 35

READER GALLERY

FELICITY’S BLOG

SPRING

Felicity Wilson - Queensland

I love nothing more than using fringing on a small scale of a 9 x 12 layout. Adding lots of layers and a small amount of embellishments allows the layout to have impact without it over powering your photograph.

Jot Magazine 36

SUPPLIES |American Crafts, Shimmerz and Crate Paper

WE ARE LOVING ALL THE FRINGED LAYERS ON GWEN’S BEAUTIFULLY TEXTURED LAYOUT.

READER GALLERY

GWEN’S BLOG

PURE JOY

Gwen Wruck - Australia

You know you’ve been scrapping a while when you see a trend come and go and come back again! I started this layout with a stack of fringed paper strips teamed with layers of washi tape all sewn on to create a lovely textured background layer to go with this fun photo of my daughter.

SUPPLIES |Pink Paislee, American Crafts, Heidi Swapp, D-lish Scraps, Dusty Attic

Jot Magazine 37

SUNSHINE AND SMILES

READER GALLERY

Neftali Zambrano - Long Beach, California, USA

I wanted to showcase the beauty of nature in the photograph, so I used a fun and bright range of colors and lots of different textures, like the fringe and tulle, to add a special something to such a gorgeous shot.

NEFTALI’S BLOG

SUPPLIES |Simple Stories, Fancy Pants Designs, Artist’s Loft™ Fundamentals™ Watercolor Pan Sett. PAPERS: Millie & June So Pretty – Fancy Pants Designs.

Jot Magazine 38

TODAY

READER GALLERY

Zoe Guest - UK

I’ve become more than a little obsessed with fringing, and perhaps need a scissor intervention, but I truly loved putting this one together. I love how it adds a soft, almost touchable texture to this page, which really emphasises the hug shared by my children in the photo.

ZOE’S BLOG SUPPLIES |Crate Paper, Heidi Swapp, Studio Calico

Jot Magazine 39

DAC

Júlia Posta - Hungary

Raising kids is not always easy. With this layout I decided to commemorate the defiance period.

READER GALLERY

WE ARE IN LOVE WITH JULIA’S FABRIC, RIBBON AND POM POM FRINGED FEATURE ON HER LAYOUT.

JULIA’S BLOG SUPPLIES |American Crafts cardstock, Liquitex acrylic paint, Felicity Jane Studio labels, paper and letter stickers, Wilna Furstenberg’s cut files.

Jot Magazine 40

1.

2.

FRINGING MUST HAVES 1. Fringing scissors from Stampin’ Up. Find them here> 2. Ready made fringe from We R Memory Keepers Fringe tape - great for pinata making or scrapbooking and paper projects. Shop here>

3.

3. Fringed flowers for your crafty projects - from Justyrs. Find the Etsy shop here>

4.

4. Gorgeous tissue paper garland by Petite Party Studio.

Shop Party Supplies by BBS Etsy store here> 5. Happy New Year fringed party blowers from Balloon And Paper.. Find their Etsy shop here>

5.

Jot Magazine 41

layout by Zoe Pearn

see our full product range online!

for wholesale enquiries or to find your nearest stockist

www.cocoavanilla.com.au Jot Magazine 42

COCOA VANILLA STUDIO + The JOT GIRLS

We’ve joined forces with Cocoa Vanilla Studio who has generously sent each of the Jot Girls a bundle of beautiful products from the fresh new MAKE A WISH collection. Keep an eye on our Jot Blog during December for some added projects too.

PHOTO CRED: LEANNE ALLINSON Jot Magazine 43

COCOA VANILLA STUDIO

BEST EVER WISH

Raquel Bowman - The Jot Team

It is no secret that I adore the Cocoa Vanilla collections and am absolutely honoured to also be a part of their design team. This layout is one of my faves using the Make a Wish collection. Although the collection may appear more feminine in colour palette you can totally make it work for a more masculine layout like this one. The collection was perfect for documenting this cake smash photo taken at my little man’s first birthday.

Jot Magazine 44

COCOA VANILLA STUDIO

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU Anna Allan - The Jot Team

I have always loved the Cocoa Vanilla collections so was super excited to be able to work with this one. The theme of ‘Make A Wish’ was perfect to document this cake moment for my 5 year old. I adore the blues and pinks and all the cute embellishments that just make a layout work. I showed my daughter this page and she gasped in wonder saying, “It’s so pretty!” Was music to my ears!

Jot Magazine 45

Jot Magazine 46

COCOA VANILLA STUDIO

LOVE

Mardi Winen - The Jot Team

I couldn’t have loved this Cocoa Vanilla collection more. The colours...patterns and florals are gorgeous...and those acetate pieces...sigh!

I noticed this collection although perfect for birthday photos...also works beautifully with all those ‘special moment’ shots we take.

Jot Magazine 47

Jot Magazine 48

COCOA VANILLA STUDIO

DREAM BIG

Yvette Adams - The Jot Team

I loved all the pink in this kit, but for this layout I drew from the kit the more foresty colours of green, blue and amber, along with woodgrain. I cut up some of the word stickers to make my own words.

Jot Magazine 49

WISH

Sheree Forcier - The Jot Team

The colours and mix of patterns in this collection are just so pretty and so very easy to work with!

Jot Magazine 50

COCOA VANILLA STUDIO

FOREVER BUDDIES

Sharmaine Kruijver - The Jot Team

Give me a pack of beautifully coordinated die-cuts and I’m in heaven!

The “Make a Wish” products were a dream to work with and just perfect for this page, documenting the friendship these two have.

Jot Magazine 51

HELLO LOVE

Amanda Hall - The Jot Team

SUPPLIES | Cardstock - Kaisercraft, Cocoa Vanilla ‘Make a Wish’ range, cotton thread, sewing machine.

Jot Magazine 52

COCOA VANILLA STUDIO

LOVE

Mardi Winen - The Jot Team

We love how Mardi has layered her Cocoa Vanilla elements together to create this pretty and feminine layout celebrating her granddaughter’s birthday.

Jot Magazine 53

Jot Magazine 54

COCOA VANILLA STUDIO

BEAUTIFUL YOU

Meghann Andrew - The Jot Team

I couldn’t resist cutting up the words on the “Loot Bag” patterned paper to create my title! This collection is so fun, bright and happy!

SUPPLIES | Paper, stickers, diecuts, enamel dots: Cocoa Vanilla Studio; Other: twine.

Jot Magazine 55

Jot Magazine 56

COCOA VANILLA STUDIO

DREAM

Lauren Hender - The Jot Team

In this layout my Dolly is celebrating her first birthday. In some ways it seems like yesterday and in another way it seems a life time ago. The wonderful thing about the Make A Wish collection is the colour palette is bright and beautiful, and the embellishments are so cleverly thought through which ensures you have enough to make many detailed accent points on your layout.

Jot Magazine 57

Jot Magazine 58

WE DO LOVE AMANDA’S USE OF A FULL PAGE PHOTO ON HER LAYOUTS.. AND THIS ONE LOOKS DIVINE!

OH HELLO

Amanda Hall - The Jot Team

Loving the little cluster of embellishments and the swirl of some thread to tie it all together in this Cocoa Vanilla layout from Amanda.

SUPPLIES | photo paper, Cocoa Vanilla ‘Make a Wish’ range, cotton thread. Font American Typewriter

Jot Magazine 59

HIP HIP HOORAY

Natalie Elphinstone - The Jot Team

The Make a Wish collection arrived with perfect timing to scrap my daughter’s 10th birthday and it was so completely me! I have a tradition that each birthday layout contains an interview with the person who is celebrating and I journal their answers to such questions like “what’s your favourite activity, what’s your favourite food etc”

Jot Magazine 60

COCOA VANILLA STUDIO

“This year I even let my daughter do the journaling herself directly onto the page without any prompting. I think it captures her personality even more!� ~Natalie

Jot Magazine 61

HELLO SWEET THING

Yvette Adams - The Jot Team

This kit was perfect for a welcome card for my new niece.

Jot Magazine 62

COCOA VANILLA STUDIO

MINI ALBUM

Leanne Allinson - The Jot Team

My challenge for the Cocoa Vanilla Studio Make a Wish collection was to create a 4x4 mini album to include a photo taken of my daughter on her birthday each year.

Jot Magazine 63

Jot Magazine 64

COCOA VANILLA STUDIO

Cocoa Vanilla was the perfect kit for Leanne’s birthday mini book project for her daughter.

SEE LEANNE’S ALBUM IN FULL ON THE JOT BLOG HERE>>>

Jot Magazine 65

WE LOVE LORY’S MACHINE STITCHED GRID ON HER LAYOUT BACKGROUND.

Jot Magazine 66

COCOA VANILLA STUDIO

THESE ARE THE GOOD TIMES Loredana Bucaria - The Jot Team

I love to think outside the box and this Make a Wish collection from Cocoa Vanilla was just great for a summer page! I loved this pic of us all together and my idea was to create a page of happiness and these colors, papers, embellishments were just perfect! Perfect for my story! I have created a grid with my sewing machine and yellow thread and then I have played a lot with many different embellishments...this is what makes me happy!

Jot Magazine 67

Jot Magazine 68

COCOA VANILLA STUDIO

HAPPY

Kim Jeffress - The Jot Team

Being a mum of two boys I struggle to get girly sometimes but I just loved all the floral vellum and paper die cuts in the collection. I layered them across a central line around the photo of my husband and me and it creates such a pretty effect!

Jot Magazine 69

Jot Magazine 70

COCOA VANILLA STUDIO

YAY

Suse Fish - The Jot Team

I was just in heaven playing with the Cocoa Daisy ‘Make a Wish’ collection - the pretty colours and sweet sentiments were just so completely ‘me’! And the collection made it so easy to capture this moment of joy and fun with my little one.

SUPPLIES | All Cocoa Vanilla, ‘Make a Wish’; cardstock: Hobbycraft

Jot Magazine 71

COVER PROJECT: Natalie Elphinstone Jot Magazine 72

WHAT’S IN THE BOX? With the holiday season around the corner, some of our Jot Girls have created some beautifully wrapped gift ideas that we are sure will give you loads of ideas for your own gift giving this festive season.

WITH THE JOT GIRLS

Jot Magazine 73

“YOU CAN’T REALLY GO WRONG WITH BOWS AND FLOWERS RIGHT??.” ~Anna

Jot Magazine 74

BAUBLES

Anna Allan - The Jot Team

I quite enjoy pretty packaging. I’ve taken a simple and inexpensive approach to this project.

The box and flowers (yes they are imitation flowers) were bought from my local discount store. I decorated the lid with ribbon from my stash and a sprig of the flowers.

You can’t really go wrong with bows and flowers right!?!

WHAT’S INSIDE? For the gift inside the box, is a glass bauble I’ve created as a teachers gift.

All I have done is stamped a Christmas themed sentiment onto a label, adhered it to the middle of

a feather. To get this all in the glass bauble I’ve slightly folded the label in half length ways and pushed it through the hole at top from the small end with the feather.

To finish off, pop the top on and I’ve tied on some twine to hang the bauble and some ribbon for an extra decorative touch.

WHAT YOU NEED| glass bauble / label / Christmas stamp set / ink / feather.

Jot Magazine 75

WHO WOULDN’T LOVE RECEIVING A BEAUTIFULLY WRAPPED GIFT LIKE THIS!

Jot Magazine 76

GIFT BOX + TAG Sheree Forcier - The Jot Team

I’ve used a white gift box with gorgeous red glitter and striped ribbon tied around some subtle splatter mesh to wrap my gift. I then created a simple gift tag with die cuts and touch of stickles for added shimmer.

WHAT’S INSIDE? Inside my gift box you’ll find pretty stationery including stickers, pens, mini kit and a lovely book for its new owner to record all of her special happy moments in. All of these items I found at Kikki K.

WHAT YOU NEED| Project Life Card and Die Cut: Elle’s Studio, Dies: Stampin’ Up. Other: cardstock scraps, glitter ribbon, striped ribbon, splatter mesh, twine, jingle bell.

Jot Magazine 77

Jot Magazine 78

TREAT BOX

Meghann Andrew - The Jot Team

WHAT YOU NEED| Milk carton box cut file: Lori Whitlock; paper, transparency, stickers: Pinkfresh Studio; Brad: Crate Paper; Other: sequins, ribbon, twine.

I love giving homemade gifts during the holidays, and it’s even more special to make something that reminds me of my childhood. These buckeye candies are a favorite treat where I grew up, and are made to look like the nut of the Buckeye tree, a regional species.

I simply modified the box cut file to create a circular opening, perfect for the Pinkfresh Studio “Oh Joy” collection transparency card to fit in the window.

Jot Magazine 79

HOLIDAY BOXES Amanda Hall - The Jot Team

It was too easy to punch out these templates and fold them into little boxes... no glue needed! What a great way to give a tiny gift. These inspirational little magnets were a perfect fit.

WHAT YOU NEED| Kikki K box template from the Paper Lovers Book.

Jot Magazine 80

WHAT’S INSIDE? I’m glad you asked.

These teeny boxes are the perfect packaging for some inspirational magnets which Amanda has tucked inside each box, nestled on some black tissue paper.

Jot Magazine 81

Jot Magazine 82

CALICO BAG

Kim Jeffress - The Jot Team

Kim stamped the word “believe” over her calico bag using red ink.

I found this calico bag in my stash and couldn’t wait to use the brand new Heidi Swapp Christmas wooden stamps and inks. I used the “believe” stamp and red ink to stamp randomly over the front and back of the bag. I then layered some tags and added them with a clip to complete my bag.

WHAT’S INSIDE? Inside I placed a hand painted necklace that my good friend Mac and Roma created for me to give as a present at Christmas.

WHAT YOU NEED| Heidi Swapp Ink, Wooden stamps, tags, ephemera, clip, calico bag Jot Magazine 83

Jot Magazine 84

WHAT’S INSIDE?

ADVENT BOXES Natalie Elphinstone - The Jot Team

My kids absolutely adore the tradition of an advent calendar during December. The joy of opening a new box every day in the countdown to Christmas is so exciting.

This year I decided to make a new version... with bigger boxes! And I’ll fill each one with a new surprise for them to discover. It won’t all be lollies and gifts, some days there will be ‘vouchers’ for different Christmas activities too.

WHAT YOU NEED|Paper: Bella Blvd Illustrated Faith, October Afternoon, American Crafts, Bo Bunny, Studio Calico. Embellishments: Gossamer Blue Veneer Numbers. Other: Sizzix Every Occasion Box Die

Jot Magazine 85

Jot Magazine 86

GIFT BOX

Raquel Bowman - The Jot Team

I love to personalise and customise gifts for our friends and family.

The We R Memory Keepers punch board made it super easy to create a gift box to store a special Baptism gift. There is nothing quite like handmade.

WHAT YOU NEED| Pinkfresh Studio ‘Indigo Hills’ papers and embellishments, Crate Paper bow, tag. Other: We R Memory Keepers 123 Punch Board.

Jot Magazine 87

PAPER STARS Suse Fish - The Jot Team

My church small group had a member go into hospital, so we wanted to send a homemade ‘we’re thinking of you’ present.

When you un-do each paper star, there is either an encouraging phrase, song lyric or a sentence about how we feel about our friend.

WHAT YOU NEED|Papers and confetti all Felicity Jane

Jot Magazine 88

JOIN US IN OUR MONTHLY MOOD BOARD CHALLENGE Every month we release an inspiring and beautiful Mood Board challenge for our Jot readers. Take a look at our December board. Our Jot Girls join in too - you can see their take on the challenge each month right here on our website. Check it out and why not join in! WE WOULD LOVE YOU TO! Visit our Mood Board challenge details right here>

Jot Magazine 89

It’s The Little Things... bring your memories

to life

As scrapbookers, it’s often the little things that bring the most joy to our hobby.

Whether it be a cute patterned paper, a shiny enamel dot, a sassy flair button, or the perfect piece of ephemera. They might just be little details, but when you add them all together they make a big impact... And that’s what makes embellishments so important!

They help bring your memories to life, and bring a lot of fun into telling your story!

Finding the perfect finishing touches for your pages is simple when using a collection of perfectly co-ordinated products, giving you more time to create and enjoy the process.

Jot Magazine 90

Cocoa Vanilla Studio makes choosing the right papers and embellishments easy.

To help tell your story, each new collection is released with a wide variety of gorgeous coordinating embellishments.

Cocoa Vanilla Studio offers a wide variety of beautifully co-ordinated embellishments, including flowers, puffy stickers, die cut ephemera, enamel dots wood veneer, and much more.

These beautiful contemporary accents have been carefully designed to work seamlessly within each collection’s unique style.

Cocoa Vanilla Studio’s new collections are designed with the modern day memory keeper in mind, and feature on-trend colours and styles to make your memory keeping journey fun and inspirational.

We make it easy to enjoy the little things...Capture your memories in style and make a beautiful life story with Cocoa

see our full product range online!

for daily inspiration or to find your nearest stockist...

www.cocoavanilla.com.au Jot Magazine 91

PATTERNED PAPER G A L L E R Y

Patterned paper -- mixing up bold stripes with florals, dots, spots and diagonals. Anything goes.. lets take a look.

Jot Magazine 92

READY SET GO

Sheree Forcier - The Jot Team

I’ve used seven different patterned papers on my page so to keep it from feeling too busy I included plenty of white space too. I cut random angles from my patterned papers and stitched them together to create a colourful feature underneath my photo.

SUPPLIES | Cardstock: Kaisercraft. Patterned papers, Stickers and Die Cuts: Crate Paper. Stamps: Elle’s Studio, date stamp.

Other: Black Ranger Ink, twine, sewing machine and stapler.

Jot Magazine 93

Jot Magazine 94

HELLO FRIEND

Leanne Allinson - The Jot Team

Patterned paper is my weakness! If it coordinates and has a pattern conducive with the story I am documenting, then there’s no way I won’t use it! I love how patterns can help support your journaling even if there’s not much journaling on the page to start with!

SUPPLIES: Cardstock - American Crafts. Patterned paper - American Crafts, Jillibean Soup, Bella Blvd. Embellishments - watercolour tag, die cut shapes, stickers, Elle’s Studio labels, watercolour paint. Tools - sewing machine, typewriter.

Jot Magazine 95

Jot Magazine 96

ENJOY

Loredana Bucaria - The Jot Team

I love, love, love to play with papers and create my backgrounds with little paper pieces! With many different leftovers I have created a patchwork background for my photo. In each square I have added some embellishments like buttons, sequins, a badge or a phrase sticker and I have stitched all the squares to the white cardstock and here is the result!

SUPPLIES |Cardstock: Bazzill; Patterned papers: Studio Calico, Paisley Press, Sodalicious; embellishments: buttons, wood embellishments from Freckled Fawn and Studio Calico, sequins, Ali Edwards, white and black inks; digitals: Studio Calico and Kellie Stamps; stamps: Studio Calico and Kellie Stamps.

Jot Magazine 97

SUPPLIES | Cardstock: American Crafts. Patterned paper: Bella Blvd Illustrated Faith. Embellishments: Bella Blvd Illustrated Faith, Studio Calico.

Other: embroidery thread, Tattered Angels Glimmermist

Jot Magazine 98

CREATED 2 CREATE

Natalie Elphinstone - The Jot Team

Want to use lots of patterned papers on the one layout? The trick is easy... stick with the one collection because then you’ll know they’ll all coordinate together! To assemble it I tried not to over think this step either - all I did was cut varying width strips and arrange them down my page. Leave space for journaling and a title and it’s done!

Jot Magazine 99

Kim’s mixed stripes, dots and patterns together for this fun layout.

Jot Magazine 100

BEAUTIFUL

Kim Jeffress - The Jot Team

I combined pops of orange, pink and yellow in my patterned papers to coordinate with the colours in my photos. I used a vintage flower punch with more patterned paper to add a bit more fun.

SUPPLIES| Cardstock: Bazzil Basics, patterned paper: Bella Blvd. Embellishments Heidi Swapp.

Jot Magazine 101

ENJOY

Mardi Winen - The Jot Team

This is the only photo I have of my daughter in a recent wedding and it worked beautifully with this mix of papers and embellishments.

Jot Magazine 102

SUPPLIES| Patterned paper- American Crafts, Crate Paper, Pink Fresh.

Embellishments- Crate Paper, Pink Fresh, Cocoa Vanilla. Other - machine stitching.

STICKS & ADVENTURES Meghann Andrew - The Jot Team

Die cut backgrounds make using a lot of different patterns easy work, and using patterns from the same collection helps to ensure your colors match!

SUPPLIES | Cardstock: Bazzill, patterned paper and embellishments: American Crafts, Die-cut digital file: JustNik Studio, Font: Rough Typewriter.

Jot Magazine 103

BEACH DOG

Sharmaine Kruijver - The Jot Team

Keeping with wave theme, I curled the edges of my patterned paper, making them turn in toward the photos. I hand cut my title and zig zag stitched over the top, again keeping with the wavy theme.

The big wave is cut from a planner page from Cocoa Daisy.

SUPPLIES |Cardstock: Bazzill. Patterned paper: Crate, Carta Bella, Bella Blvd, Basic Grey, October Afternoon, Cocoa Daisy, American Crafts.

Embellishments: Crate, Cocoa Vanilla Studio, Pretty Little Studio, Evalicious, Doodlebug Design. Other: Ink, watercolour paint, pencil, typewriter Jot Magazine 104

WANDERLUST

Amanda Hall - The Jot Team The title on this page was hand cut with no tracing or exactness of the letters. It was done super quickly and is so opposite to my normal ‘everything has to be perfect’ mentality. Using papers from the same ranges helps tie the whole look together.

SUPPLIES | Patterned paper : My Mind’s Eye, Studio Calico, kikki k. Alphas : October Afternoon. Embellishments : kikki k, Simple Stories, My Mind’s Eye, Maggie Holmes Crate Paper, Heidi Swapp. Other : biro.

Jot Magazine 105

OXO

Jamie Pate - The Jot Team

Did someone say patterned paper? I LOVE patterned paper. Always found on my layouts.

Collections are the best way to make use of patterned paper. But throwing in a piece not from the collection is a great creative exercise too.

SUPPLIES| Pink Paislee, Maggie Holmes. Ephemera: Maggie Holmes. Heidi Swapp Color Shine.

Water colors.

Jot Magazine 106

CAPTURE

Lauren Hender - The Jot Team

Creating with lots of different patterned paper can be challenging. A key tip is to have a photo that stands out and does not blend in with all the busyness of the patterned paper. To achieve this in my layout I have chosen a photo where I am wearing black so it pops off the page.

SUPPLIES | Products: Crate Paper, Teresa Collins Designs, Flutterby Designs, Project Life

Jot Magazine 107

“This grid design was perfect for including multiple photos on my page.� ~ Anna

Jot Magazine 108

TODAY DOCUMENTED Anna Allan - The Jot Team

This was a random page idea that was an ‘idea-one-day-created-the-next’ kinda deal! I have predominantly used papers and pieces from a Studio Calico kit and then added random other items from my stash. I created a collage of my images on the Diptic app on my phone, uploaded to my computer and printed out on my Epson Picturemate.

The photos are 2x2”. I’ve used three different papers here but used the b-side on a couple of them so it makes it five different designs. The papers are cut into 2.5x2.5” squares and I’ve placed them randomly over the page.

Some are used as photo backers and the other squares are used as title and decorative blocks.

This grid design was perfect for including multiple photos on my layout.

My family has a private messaging thread on a communication app and we often share little snippets of our day with each other - and on this particular day I felt like documenting it. I find that keeping to a particular shape (eg. square) makes the page more cohesive and creates an easier flow to a page that has a lot going on.

SUPPLIES | Studio Calico kit + other Studio Calico items, Simple Stories

Jot Magazine 109

FUN FEST

Suse Fish - The Jot Team

At the music festival this year, my girl spent almost the entire time in the craft tent - the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree! I wanted to capture the funky festival vibe by patch-working some gorgeous Dear Lizzy prints together for a page that really zinged.

SUPPLIES | Dear Lizzy; alphas, sequins and heart embellishment: Felicity Jane; ‘memories’ square: Crate Paper Jot Magazine 110

BEST DAY

Raquel Bowman - The Jot Team

I am a scrapbooker who loves pretty papers and embellishments. However, it is rare for me to create with all patterned paper and especially no white cardstock. I have used a background entirely made up of patterned paper on this layout.

SUPPLIES| Crate Paper ‘Gather’ papers and embellishments, Pinkfresh Studio chipboard hearts, Simple Stories enamel dots.

Jot Magazine 111

BEAUTIFUL YOU

Anna Allan - The Jot Team

I have gone with a selection of papers from a Heidi Swapp range here on this page. That way, it’s all matchy matchy without having to think too much! I decided to get out my circle shape cutters and go circle mad for this layout.

Even the photos were circle punched to fit the theme.

Then it was a matter of embellishing - I chose a mixture of embellishments, not just circular ones like flair and sequins etc. as I wanted to break it up and make the page flow and connect.

Jot Magazine 112

SUPPLIES | American Crafts, Heidi Swapp, Seven Paper, Studio Calico, Carpe Diem, Fancy Pants, Shimelle, WRMK, Ali Edwards, Merci, The Craft Stall

FAVE

READER GALLERY

Júlia Posta - Hungary I decided to document my kids best sayings in scrapbook layouts. This is the first one of the series.

JULIA’S BLOG SUPPLIES |Felicity Jane Studio products (paper and cut file), the title is from Dear Lizzy

Jot Magazine 113

FABULOUS

READER GALLERY

Niki Rowland - UK

I just love to backfill large bold shapes with lots of different patterned papers as this gives my layouts so much interest and the wow factor!

NIKI’S BLOG

SUPPLIES |Paige Evans Take Me Away papers, wood veneer shapes, Thickers. Dear Lizzy beaded string, A Flair for Buttons - flair badge. The Cut Shoppe cut file ‘I heart string art’.

Jot Magazine 114

HEY GIRLFRIEND

READER GALLERY

Piroska Czakó-Radványi - Hungary I’ve been inspired by the big circle chipboard (made by NőiCsizma Design): I covered the back of it with many little stripes of paper. The colours of the Crate Paper Cute Girl collection and some papers of the Bloom collection were perfect for my photo.

Although it took a long time, I really enjoyed making this layout.

SUPPLIES | Crate Paper, NőiCsizma Design products.

PIROSKA’S BLOG Jot Magazine 115

FANTASTIC MR & MRS FOX

READER GALLERY

Belinda Spencer - South Australia

One of my favourite techniques is to layer different patterned papers together to create an interesting frame underneath my photo. It is a great way to use up all of those scraps leftover from other projects. For this layout, I took inspiration from the fun photo of my children in their book week costumes to layer black and white papers of varying patterns together with a touch of gold foiled vellum.

BELINDA’S BLOG SUPPLIES |Crate Paper, Pretty Little Studio, Pink Fresh Studios, American Crafts, Imaginarium Designs, Corbett Creations, Evalicious, Charm’s Creations, Kaisercraft, Ranger, Other: gesso, sequins, Typo stamp, date stamp Jot Magazine 116

SPECIAL HEROES

READER GALLERY

Belinda Spencer - South Australia I love to mix and match different brands, colours and designs of patterned papers on my layouts to create an interesting frame under my photo. I shuffle those papers around on my layouts until I have them just how I like. I know that if I pull them apart to start taping onto the layout I will never get them back the way I originally had them placed so I simply add a couple of quick staples in the middle to hold them all together. This allows me to still be able to ink all of the edges as well as slip embellishments in and around the edges.

BELINDA’S BLOG SUPPLIES |Patterned paper: Crate Paper, Teresa Collins. Cosmo Cricket, book paper, Imaginarium Designs, American Crafts, Tim Holtz, Ranger, Kaisercraft, Charm’s Creations. Other: yardstick, sequins, flair badge, wood veneer and Typo stamp.

Jot Magazine 117

FANCY

READER GALLERY

Caroline Armstrong - UK I really wanted to show off all the gorgeous patterns and colours that were in this collection, so I started by punching circles from almost every sheet in the 6x6 pad to create my background. I arranged the circles in a large spiral and adhered them, before hand stitching through the centres to really bring it together. I printed my photo in black and white, so it wouldn’t be competing with the background, and backed it with vellum to soften the edges. I kept my embellishment fairly minimal, using a slight angle to continue the feeling of movement you get from the spiral.

SUPPLIES | American Crafts cardstock, Dear Lizzy Serendipity paper pad and Ooh La La paper, Bazzill Basics vellum, Dear Lizzy & Freckled Fawn enamel dots, Tim Holtz Chit Chat stickers, Heidi Swapp glitter wood veneer word.

Jot Magazine 118

READER GALLERY

JEANS DAY

BEA’S BLOG

Bea Valint - Hungary I mixed three Crate paper patterned papers and some ephemera to create this layout.

SUPPLIES |Maggie Holmes patterned papers and ephemera, Pinkfresh Studio heart chipboard, Dear Lizzy ribbon.

Jot Magazine 119

SO LOVED

READER GALLERY

Ulrike Dold - Germany Colorful and sweet! I think this layout shows how our life with this beautiful little girl looks like. I filled every single triangle with different patterned paper.

SUPPLIES |Patterned papers, alpha sticker, acrylic words and stars and stamps are all from the fabulous *Felicity* September Kit from Felicity Jane. The cute heart cut file is from Cocoa Vanilla.

ULRIKE’S BLOG

Jot Magazine 120

SO HAPPY

READER GALLERY

Enza Gudor - Seattle, USA My love for different patterns and quilt designs came together in this layout about my little girl. The mix of colorful papers is perfect to document her happy personality.

ENZA’S BLOG SUPPLIES |Pink Paislee Fancy Free collection. A2 Quilt Card cut file from the Silhouette store.

Jot Magazine 121

I LOVE US

READER GALLERY

Kat Benjamin - Tampa, FL, USA Mixing different patterns on my layouts is one of my favorite things to do. I usually keep my backgrounds fairly simple to allow the patterns to shine.

KAT’S BLOG

SUPPLIES | Cardstock: Bazzill; patterned paper, stickers, flair, alphas, sequins: Felicity Jane; Date Stamp: American Crafts

Jot Magazine 122

ELECTRIFIED

READER GALLERY

Zsoka Marko - Neu-Isenburg, Germany I love mixing and matching patterned papers - you will not often find me using white backgrounds. I love patterned papers too much! In this layout I’ve incorporated all of my favourite things: patterned paper, bold colors, circles, water colors and hand stitching.

ZSOKA’S BLOG

SUPPLIES |Fancy Pants - Meology, American Crafts - thickers, Faber Castell gelatos, embroidery floss, Bazzill cardstock, Kuretake water colors, enamel dots and brads.

Jot Magazine 123

HOME

READER GALLERY

Marybeth Hancher - Swanton, Ohio. USA For the past few years, my home has contained a rambunctious cat who is either wreaking havoc or lazily loving on us. I knew I wanted to make a bright & somewhat-messy layout to emphasize the playful relationship we have with our kitty, so I cut small strips out of my leftover paper scraps and layered them along the bottom to create a landscape for the rest of the layout. Cute and colorful- just like home.

SUPPLIES |This layout was made using the Crate Paper collection called “Cute Girl”.

Jot Magazine 124

MARYBETH’S BLOG

FOREVER BEGINS TODAY

READER GALLERY

Giorgia Rossini - Italy

My layout is about my wedding and it completely shows my love for mixing colors and patterns.

SUPPLIES |Crate Paper, MAMBI; Fancy Pants, Trimcraft, Pink Paislee, Cocoa and Vanilla, American Crafts

GIORGIA’S BLOG

Jot Magazine 125

LET’S MEET FELICITY WILSON TELL US A LITTLE ABOUT YOURSELF AND HOW LONG YOU HAVE BEEN PAPER CRAFTING? Hello. Let me introduce myself. I am Felicity Wilson, who lives under the influence of three children! Prominently boys. My husband is my biggest cheer leader who encourages and supports in this journey of life.

We live on a rural property in Central Queensland, just far enough out of town so the township can’t hear my monstrous farm voice! After 7 years of paper crafting, I feel like I’ve become the expert in ‘looking’ busy at my desk when my husband asks me to help with irrigating the crops. Don’t worry, he’s worked me out and that excuse no longer stands! Tee hee Jot Magazine 126

FELICITY WILSON

“I love mint, teal, black, white and peach/pale pink. ”

HOW LONG DO YOU WORK ON A PAGE? ARE YOU A FAST OR SLOW SCRAPBOOKER? Now this is tricky. Lets say on a good day 2 hours, without interpretations from children or husbands or technology. On a bad day, in other words, this page is not working, I need to file it in the garbage bin or I am lacking inspiration today, can take me a day to complete. Bear in mind I don’t always get a full clean run on a project because of the said family and farm commitments that always seem so very important when I sit to create!!

Jot Magazine 127

WHAT ARE YOUR FAVOURITE EMBELLISHMENTS TO USE? I am glad you didn’t stipulate a number of favorite embellishments, because there are a few. Paint or any wet medium is my go to for starting out a new project. This is closely followed by embellishments as no project is complete without a hundred (okay, perhaps exaggerated there) embellishments. I also can’t resist flowers, after all this household is dominated by boys, so I take any chance to be a little girly. I love tags or labels, they’re super cute tucked in here and there. I will add one more favorite and that’s thread, in any form, from sewing machine to just a bunch of thread swirled under a button.

Jot Magazine 128

WHEN CREATING, DO YOU START WITH A PHOTO, COLOUR SCHEME OR PRODUCT FIRST? That varies. If I receive a box of goodness in the mail and my jaw drops to the ground, I find I go with the products.

If the kids have done something amazing or I have struck it lucky and got a really nice photo, I go with photo first then products.

FELICITY WILSON

“The three words to best describe my work would be colourful, textured and unique” WHAT’S THE BEST THING ABOUT PAPER CRAFTING/MEMORY KEEPING? The best thing is that I get to freeze the moment forever. I don’t need to rely on my failing grey matter or when I am in a nursing home. All I have to do is pull out my albums and the memory is there, all recorded.

Visit Felicity and say hello here on her blog: HERHAND.BLOGSPOT.COM Jot Magazine 129

JotSpotting

WHAT HAVE THE JOT GIRLS BEEN SHARING ON SOCIAL MEDIA?

In our regular feature, we get to know the Jot Girls a little better by taking a peek into their daily lives as they share some of their recent Instagram photos with us.

Leanne Allinson Yikes! It’s October and I’ve just added three more nutcrackers to my collection! Obsessed much?!! I think I’m in trouble!!! @leanne_allinson Jot Magazine 130

Natalie Elphinstone

@natalieelph

A little behind-the-scenes look at what it’s like to be a creator-Mum and have a curious toddler around who likes to get into everything (and drool on everything!! LOL!) - including this project I was trying to photograph for Sizzix!

Sheree Forcier

Black and white favourites on my desk today. @shereeforcier

Amanda Hall My roses are an absolute picture this year! I love having them in my home. @apolkadotheart

Jamie Pate

Sunday mornings. Fresh starts.

Inspiration to write. These are a few of my favorite things. @jamiepate

Jot Magazine 131

Kim Jeffress

@kimjeffress

Recently I celebrated World Teacher Day with all my fellow teachers. I couldn’t help but celebrate with my Heidi Swapp light box

Sharmaine Kruijver

@4squirts

Mardi Winen

@mardi_jane

Jot Magazine 132

It’s addictive. I can’t stop playing.

Today I switched from the oversized cord to string .. it’s amazing what you can create from bits left over from other projects.

This is Otis. He is a very well travelled, pocket sized zebra.

Recently he visited Sydney and Melbourne. Here he is outside Sydney’s Luna Park.

Petra Corcoran

#decemberdaily2015 day 24 is done.

One day to go and I’m ready for 2016 #decemberdaily @petracorcoran

Lauren Hender @lauren_hender

@annamayde

The Christmas planning begins.

Fingers crossed this planner I made will keep me organised and stress free.

Kim Archer @jotmagazine @kim__archer

Our gorgeous girl. Capri’s Year 12 Formal/Graduation night.

We were so happy that parents were also invited. Was such an awesome night.

Anna Allan

Yvette Adams

Thank you Typo - LOVE my new pens!!

Spring in Canberra means a visit to Floriade. Always. @eeveeadams

Jot Magazine 133

Suse Fish

@suse.fish

After much agonising, I decided to trade in my scruffy little organiser for a proper grownup planner... which gave me the perfect opportunity to post a little bundle of happy mail to one of my blog readers!

Meghann Andrew Summer reading on Papaw’s hammock. It doesn’t get much better than that! @meghannandrew Jot Magazine 134

Raquel Bowman

@raquelp

In November we celebrated 14 years together. What better way to reflect than to create a home decor piece we can look at and enjoy all year round.

Loredana Bucaria One of my favorite photos is this! It means everything! Means love, family, grow oh yes grow because to be a mom is a growing every single second of my life! @loredanabucaria

STORY TELLING

THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS Our STORY TELLING gallery isn’t just about pretty photos and embellishments -- our focus is on the story.

It doesn’t have to be a long story. Just use a few sentences or even a few words if that’s all it takes to tell your story. This issue our theme is -- The Night Before Christmas..

Jot Magazine 135

Jot Magazine 136

Sharmaine and her family spend the night before Christmas playing secret santa in their neighbourhood!

SHH...

Sharmaine Kruijver - The Jot Team The night before Christmas we spend in the car. We play secret santa, delivering gifts to our friends while trying not to be seen. You have to walk to each door, in stealth mode of course, place the gift on the doorstep, knock loudly then sprint as fast as you can back to the car.

SUPPLIES | Patterned paper: Webster’s Pages, Lawn Fawn. Embellishments: Pink Paislee, Stampin’ Up, Webster’s Pages, Simple Stories, Lily Bee. Other: Body Shop packaging, machine stitching, typewriter, ink, buttons, pencil.

We spend 4 or so hours, covering 100+kms, as we call into at least a dozen homes. It’s a fun time of giving that we have been doing for many years.

WE LOVE THIS IDEA SHARMAINE!!!!! What awesome neighbours you guys are!!!

Jot Magazine 137

CHEER Sheree Forcier - The Jot Team Christmas Eve is always so exciting for the kids! After a long car trip and lots of counting down we were finally in Mallacoota and they were ready for Christmas Day to finally come.

Jot Magazine 138

SUPPLIES |Patterned Paper & Die Cuts: KaiserCraft. Stamps: Elle’s Studio, date stamp. Ink: Ranger. Other: vellum, ribbon, staples, sewing machine, thread, sequin stars, ampersand, watercolor paint.

NOT ALL WAS CALM Leanne Allinson - The Jot Team

All is NEVER calm in our household on Christmas Eve! And this gallery call is the perfect opportunity to start documenting the chaos behind all the pretty stuff of Christmas Day.

SUPPLIES |Cardstock: American Crafts.

Patterned Paper: Bella BLVD Christmas.

Alphabet: Bella BLVD. Embellishments: Bella BLVD paper pieces, tabbies, enamel hearts.

Other: machine stitching, paint, black & white pens.

Jot Magazine 139

SUPPLIES | Teresa Collins Designs and Project Life

Jot Magazine 140

24

Lauren Hender - The Jot Team

I love the night before Christmas. Seeing the magic in the children’s eyes, settling them to sleep over and over again and then sitting up by the Christmas tree lights with a glass of bubbles. In this layout I’ve used the one paper range to create a blended and coordinated effect.

The colours are beautiful which don’t take away from the photo of Daniel and myself. I hope these layouts inspire you to document and delight in the night before Christmas.

Jot Magazine 141

Jot Magazine 142

ALL TIME FAVORITE Amanda Hall - The Jot Team

I was inspired by Louise Nelson’s use of wire and thought it added a magical feel with the stars adhered to the various strands and nestled behind the photo.

SUPPLIES | Cardstock : American Crafts, glitter cardstock Kmart. Embellishments: Kikki K, Heidi Swapp, Simple Stories.

Other - wire, ribbon, minc.

Jot Magazine 143

CHRISTMAS EVE

Yvette Adams - The Jot Team

I didn’t have a photo from this Christmas Eve, or even this Christmas, so I used a photo of our unfinished house which we moved into Christmas Eve 1986.

Jot Magazine 144

SUPPLIES |Scenic Route, typo. Alphabet - Me and My Big Ideas. Embellishments - Kikki K. Other ephemera.

NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS Loredana Bucaria - The Jot Team

I think December is the most wonderful time of the year and I love to remember every single day of it! The night before Christmas is the best night of the year. I feel excited, happy and thrilled and hope to transfer everything to my boy!

SUPPLIES |Cardstock: Bazzill; Envelope: Studio Calico; Embellishments: Studio Calico, Pebbles, Ali Edwards; Stamps: Ali Edwards and Kellie Stamps; other: start punch, sewing machine and vellum.

Jot Magazine 145

321

Suse Fish - The Jot Team Freshly bathed, snuggled in her pink fluffy dressing gown and just brimming with joy: I remember this as one of the first Christmases where Kitty got truly excited. Small people are such a treat in the way they bring back the magic and sparkle of your own childhood experiences of the season... It’s a total gift to see

SUPPLIES | Papers and tags - Felicity Jane; wood chip embellishments: Crate Paper; hearts, flair, trim, stamp and resin stars: Felicity Jane; honeycomb ball: Ikea.

Jot Magazine 146

DEC 24

Anna Allan - The Jot Team There is something magical and exciting about the night before Christmas - definitely a favourite of mine to document. It was a tad hard finding a photo that wasn’t too dark and dodgy quality as the photos are taken AT NIGHT where the lighting isn’t the greatest. But it’s the STORY we are focusing on here - and its so fun to see how the memories and stories of each year still hold our traditions but grow as we grow, especially the kids. It’s a beautiful time of year!

SUPPLIES |Simple Stories / Freckled Fawn / Studio Calico / Ali Edwards/ Bella Blvd / Sassafras / Project Life / Flutterby Designs / washi tape / doily / gesso / ink mist / thread

Jot Magazine 147

‘twas the night before...

Jot Magazine 148

‘TWAS THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS Jamie Pate - The Jot Team

The night before Christmas found us eating gingerbread cause that’s all the girls wanted to do the day before Christmas. These little moments mean the world to me.

SUPPLIES | Patterned paper: Me&My Big Ideas. Stickers: Maggie Holmes, Heidi Swapp,Tim Holtz. Die cuts: Wilna Furstenburg, Kerri Bradford. Journaling: WeRMemory Keepers Typecast.

Jot Magazine 149

STACKED Meghann Andrew - The Jot Team With my daughter as the only grandchild in the house, my parents tend to go a bit overboard at Christmas. I treated my elements on this layout just like the presents under the tree and stacked layer upon layer, using a black and white photo for contrast.

Jot Magazine 150

SUPPLIES | Patterned paper: October Afternoon, Cosmo Cricket; Journaling & embellishment tags: Elle’s Studio; Die-cuts: My Mind’s Eye, Heidi Swapp; Stickers: October Afternoon; Fabric star: Pink Paislee; Stick pin: Little Yellow Bicycle; Other: Enamel dots, date stamp.

THE NIGHT BEFORE..

Kim Jeffress - The Jot Team One of our favourite Christmas Eve traditions is to sprinkle magic reindeer food on our front lawn. I so don’t want the magic of Christmas to end any time soon.

I just love this time of year.

SUPPLIES | Bazzill cardstock, Bella Blvd paper, Heidi Swapp stamps, stamp pad, Colorshine, glitter stickers, Bella Blvd stickers.

Jot Magazine 151

SUPPLIES | Watercolour paper. Hip Kit Club exclusive, Pink Fresh Studio. Embellishments: Pink Fresh Studio, Hip Kit Club, Heidi Swapp mist.

Jot Magazine 152

TOGETHER

Mardi Winen - The Jot Team Its sometimes the little things that turn out to be the most fun. I love this story about the night Meg tracked Santa and his sleigh using an App on her phone. Throughout the evening the kids requested an update on his progress... It was very exciting.

Jot Magazine 153

CHRISTMAS EVE BAKES Katherine Sutton - UK

After everything has been prepared for Christmas, it has become a family tradition to decorate a gingerbread house ready for the big day ahead. It is packed with as many chocolate and jellies as we can possibly fit on it, ready to be eaten on Christmas Day! As the gingerbread roof is made up of chocolate buttons I took the idea of circles to use in my layout as well as cutting out some little candied houses from the papers too.

KATHERINE’S BLOG

SUPPLIES | BoBunny Merry and Bright papers, gems and pearls, Sizzix circle dies and Cuttlebug embossing folders, sequins and gauze.

Jot Magazine 154

DREAMS

READER GALLERY

Kirsty Smith - London, UK

The journalling is hidden on a tag and tells the story of borrowing a lovely lens to shoot some magical Christmas pictures.

KIRSTY’S BLOG

SUPPLIES |Papermania, American Crafts, Paperchase, Shimelle for American Crafts, Studio Calico Jot Magazine 155

BEAUTIFUL NATIVITY

READER GALLERY

Andrea Richardson-Blaine - Washington, USA

I’ve wanted to tell this story for a while about my little girl, but I’ve found that sometimes if I let myself think too much about how to decorate my stories, I end up stopping before I start. So I decided to dive in, because I’d rather have my stories in my album than just in my head.

SUPPLIES | Bazzill cardstock, Felicity Jane, Lawn Fawn, and Doodlebug. Transparency by Bella Blvd, stencil by Echo Park, baby Jesus and star stamps by Illustrated Faith, Heidi Swapp gold color shine. Other: gold glitter, gel medium, doilies

Jot Magazine 156

JOLLY HOLLY

READER GALLERY

Enza Gudor - Seattle, USA. Christmas is our most favorite holiday. I’m so happy I was able to capture all the wonder and the magic of the season in these pictures.

ENZA’S BLOG SUPPLIES | Pink Fresh Studio Christmas Wishes.

Jot Magazine 157

JOURNALING CARDS DAILY DECEMBER ALBUM Jot Girl Petra Corcoran shares with us a fun step by step using silk screens to create simply gorgeous filler cards.

Jot Magazine 158

SILK SCREEN CARDS

Petra Corcoran - The Jot Team

I’ve used the Ali Edwards silk screens to create a set of journaling cards to use in my December Daily album.

WHAT IS A SILK SCREEN? It’s like a cross between a sticker and a stencil and it’s a fun and easy tool that allows you to add paint/printed designs to a project.

The screens are like a sticky piece of mesh with a design on them that allows you to push paint through the screen and create a printed design on your chosen material paper, cardstock etc.

I’ve used cardstock and tags for my project.

YOU WILL NEED // • Ali Edwards December Daily Silk Screens • Ali Edwards Premium Acrylic Paints • Card Stock /Tags/Gold card stock by Jen Hadfield • Scraping Tool (credit card works fine) • Other Materials used for filler Cards - Heidi Swapp Reactive Screen Ink, Heidi Swapp Minc and foils Jot Magazine 159

HOW TO | Choose a tag or card and place your screen over the top. Add a few dabs of paint, less is best. Use your scraping tool to drag the paint across the surface of the silk screen. Carefully peel back your screen to reveal your image printed onto your tag, cardstock or paper.

MY TOP TIPS WHEN LEARNING TO USE SILK SCREENS 1. Silk screens are very sticky when new, so eliminate

some of the stickiness of your screen a little before use by patting onto your clothing or wash them which also helps to avoid tearing the screen.

2. Less ink is more. Better to add ink than to have too much ink to move around. Having less ink also minimises bleeding when printing.

3. Gently scrape. No pressure necessary to spread the ink. A credit card is a great scraping tool alternative.

4. Wash screen straight away with water and do not use again until completely dry.

Jot Magazine 160

EXPERIMENT WITH DIFFERENT PAINT COLOURS, DESIGNS AND SURFACES. Gold foil card looks brilliant with a red silk screened word printed on it. And try out different designs, words and phrases.

I’VE CREATED A SELECTION OF 3X4” AND 4X6” CARDS AS WELL AS A FEW TAGS. These cards are so simple to make and really add a lovely touch to my December Daily album.

Jot Magazine 161

Jot Magazine 162

P O C K E T

SCRAPBOOKING

JOURNALING CARDS Leanne Allinson + Sheree Forcier share with us some fun journaling and filler cards for your pocket pages.

PROJECTS & PHOTOGRAPHY: Leanne Allinson + Sheree Forcier

Jot Magazine 163

Jot Magazine 164

LEANNE ALLINSON

Leanne Allinson Project Life filler cards and chipboard are always a good pairing! I love how chipboard can be either transformed or simply added to a card to create extra oomph!

If you have a cohesive colour theme, raw, embossed, printed or chipboard frame pieces, coordinating with your theme can pull your spread together without adding extra clutter!

Here’s a few ideas for using chipboard in your journaling card projects>>

Jot Magazine 165

Jot Magazine 166

LEANNE ALLINSON

ALPHABET CARD (<<Pictured opposite)

To create this 3x4” filler card, gather black and white patterned paper, bright printed chipboard alphabets and a gold holiday label sticker.

TITLE CARD (^ Pictured Above)

Chipboard frames are a fun addition to any filler card! Here I have imitated the Jolly Fat Man’s belt buckle but alternatively I can always add journaling or a photo into the framed space as I complete my holiday spread.

Step 1. Trim your paper to size.

Step 2. Arrange your chipboard alphas to create a word, ie. “December”. Replace one of the alphas with a contrasting colour.

Step 3. Layer a gold Christmas label directly over the top of the chipboard alphas.

Step 1. Trim patterned paper to size, 4x6”.

Step 2. Add a banner strip of paper along the lower third of the card (1.5” x 5.75”) Step 3. Add adhesive to three sides of the chipboard frame. This will allow a photo or journaling to be added beneath the frame at a later date.

Step 4. Embellish the rest of the filler card with red, white, gold or black items.

SUPPLIES | Patterned paper - American Crafts.

Alphabet - Bella BLVD Amorie Alpha chipboard.

Sticker Label - Stampin’ Up .

SUPPLIES | Patterned paper - Bella BLVD. Chipboard - Crate Paper. Alphabet - Pink Paislee. Other - Flair: Greatest View; Heidi Swapp paperclip banner.

Jot Magazine 167

CHIPBOARD SHAPES Altering raw chipboard is another easy way to add interest to an otherwise plain filler card. To create this 3x4â&#x20AC;? pocket card, gather your chosen chipboard piece, VersaMark Ink, embossing powder (gold) and a heat tool.

Step 1. Trim patterned paper to size.

Step 2. Ink the raw chipboard with a watermark stamp pad.

Step 3. Place chipboard piece onto a scrap piece of paper and cover generously with embossing powder. The scrap piece of paper will help contain the excess embossing glitter and allow you to replace it inside its container.

Step 4. Shake off excess embossing powder gently and apply heat with the heat gun.

Step 5. To complete the filler card, add a small label sticker at the bottom of the patterned paper and machine stitch across the top. Add a sticker banner flag to the top left corner of the 3x4 card.

Step 6. Adhere the embossed chipboard piece layering the label sticker.

SUPPLIES | Patterned paper - Bella BLVD. Chipboard - Scrapmatts. Other - Jillibean Soup Stickers. Tools - Zing Embossing powder, VersaMark Ink, sewing machine.

Jot Magazine 168

SHEREE FORCIER

Sheree Forcier We are heading into the warmer months here in Australia and Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve made a trio of cards celebrating sunny days and summer fun.

These cards are simple to create and make great filler cards for your summer themed pocket pages.

SUPPLIES| Journaling Cards, patterned paper, die cuts, stickers: Elleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Studio. Other: sewing machine, thread.

Jot Magazine 169

ICE BLOCKS Step 1 - Stitch three lines across your card.

Step 2 - Arrange a messy pile of thread in the middle of the stitched lines.

Step 3 - Add die cut on top of the messy thread with 3D dots.

Jot Magazine 170

SHEREE FORCIER

THESE DAYS 1. Cut patterned paper to size and adhere to blank white card.

2. Stitch across the join of the papers with sewing machine.

3. Add stickers and die cut label.

4. Print out ‘so fun’ using computer and adhere under die cut.

SWIM. SPLASH 1. Using a computer, print out the words ‘swim’ ‘splash’ ‘play’ ‘all day’ and cut them to size.

2. Adhere circle die cut to the centre of the card, then add the ‘&’ die cut on top with a 3D dot.

3. Position the printed words down the centre of the card and stitch into place with sewing machine.

SUPPLIES| Journaling Cards, Patterned Paper, Die Cuts, Stickers: Elle’s Studio.

Other: sewing machine, thread.

Jot Magazine 171

hey mum,

are you busy?

Frazzled?

Need to offload?

Me too!

Grab a cuppa and join me. teenagesurvivalcoach.com.au

Jot Magazine 172

P O C K E T

SCRAPBOOKING G A L L E R Y

We love pocket scrapbooking here at Jot mag and we have another awesome gallery to share with you showcasing some innovative and gorgeous pocket pages.

Jot Magazine 173

Leanne Allinson The Jot Team - Australia

Documenting Project Life doesn’t have to include every single detail for every day of the week! For this spread, I’ve focused on our one day theme park adventure from the school holidays.

It is very photo heavy, but I’ve also tried to record extra information layered on labels with them attached directly to the photos.

Jot Magazine 174

SUPPLIES | Patterned Paper: Fancy Pants, Bella Blvd, Crate Paper. Pocket Pages: Becky Higgins. Embellishments: Elle’s Studio Labels, Maggie Holmes stickers, Bella BLVD paper pieces, Heidi Swapp transparency word. Alphabet: Elle’s Studio, Basic Grey. Other: clear stamps, machine stitching, typewriter.

Leanne’s Blog

Jot Magazine 175

Lauren Hender The Jot Team - NSW

On this layout the original photos of my little ballerina were printed in colour. There were so many competing colours that it took away from her as the feature. By changing the photos to black and white I was able to ensure she was the focus and add the splashes of colour with the scrapbooking products Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve used.

Laurenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s blog

SUPPLIES: Crate Paper, American Crafts, Tim Holtz and Prima Marketing.

Jot Magazine 176

Lauren changed her photos to black and white in her pocket page spread to ensure the photos took centre stage amidst the bright pops of colour in her pocket cards and embellishments.

Jot Magazine 177

Natalie Elphinstone The Jot Team - Melbourne, Australia

I canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t help but always add the whole rainbow of colours on my Project Life spreads, but recently Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m also really loving the addition of some black and white cards too. It gives such a great contrast!

SUPPLIES | Project Life cards: Amy Tangerine for Becky Higgins Project Life, Studio Calico. Embellishments: Studio Calico chipboard, stickers and cork. Jenni Bowlin Studio rubons

Jot Magazine 178

Natalieâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s blog

Jot Magazine 179

Emma P New Zealand

I love watching this cute girl of mine play. She has such an amazing imagination for such a young age. And quite the personality to go with it! As soon as I got my hands on some goodies from Crate Papers ‘cute girl’ collection, I couldn’t stop playing. It’s an amazing collection and a perfect fit for my little cute girl!

Emma’s Blog

Jot Magazine 180

Ulrike Dold Germany

I documented those first magical days with our newborn baby on these pages back in June. I used the gorgeous Crate Paper Cute Girl collection.

Ulrikeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Blog

Jot Magazine 181

Kelsey McEvoy USA

After three years of working only with Design A 12x12 pages, I’ve recently begun working with 9x12 pages. I love, love, LOVE this project and have no intention of stopping a regular memory keeping routine, but after three years of it I started to become bored.

I knew I didn’t want to switch things up too much, so instead of reinventing the wheel and doing something totally drastic I simply switched to 9x12 – and I love the result!

Kelsey’s blog

Jot Magazine 182

SUPPLIES | Studio Calico documenter kits. Ali Edwards’ “Up” Story Kit™, Ali Edwards’ “Adventure” journaling card pack (July 2016 release) and small embellishments from various past Studio Calico documenter kits, the Ali Edwards Week in the Life™ mini kit and a local craft supplies shop.

Before committing to 9x12 for weekly documentation I played around with a few themed 9x12 layouts, like the fitness-y single page layout and the staycation spread.

The full weekly layout you see here, which documents mid-October, is the first one I made using 9x12, and I actually combined two weeks into a single spread (something else totally new for me). Since this first weekly 9x12 layout, I havenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t looked back. 9x12 is totally my new groove.

Jot Magazine 183

BY SHARI BREWER

DEAR DIARY. NO. NO. NO. JUST NO. I am firmly in denial that this year has flown past already and it’s Christmas time. Already?! What the actual!

Supposedly it’s the season to be jolly… but wait!!! I still have so many unfinished tasks, plans and goals to get stuck into before there’s any time for merriment and mirth! Truth is, the calendar – plus red, green and silver decorations everywhere I look - tells me Jot Magazine 184

Naughty or nice? Who made which list this year in Shari’s house?

Plus Shari is firmly in denial that it’s Christmas time already. Again.

Christmas is close enough to smell and I’m going to have to get my bum into gear. Pronto!

This of course leads to Christmas shopping and the naughty or nice list that I’ll need to be drawing up very shortly. Like, almost immediately.

I love giving gifts on Christmas Day but I loathe the time and thinking-power that needs to be spent arranging the magic.

If Santa wanted to be more helpful, then maybe he could send a few of his elves to my place for a bit and they could stay up in the shed, organize my unwieldy to-do and to-buy-for lists, and then scoot back to the North Pole in plenty of time for their regular gig.

Bit too much of a Christmas Miracle to hope for I’m thinking… and so first steps must be taken before it really is too late.

Gina’s year, making her primary school debut in Year One, has been quite a good one. She can go on the nice list, I feel at this stage.

Although she’d probably love a kit of eye shadows, lipsticks and mascara… she is only 7 and will most likely get some crafty bits and bobs, a jigsaw and a little girl’s wristwatch.

Maybe I can also get her a journal to record the journey towards reality TV stardom as she debates whether to appear on The Voice or The Block. Let’s hope it’s just a passing phase and she pursues something more traditional when the time comes.

Scott has had a cracker this year and never even looked at risk of slipping to the naughty list.

It’s been 12 months jam-packed with music lessons and performances and that’s exactly what he wants under the tree. Sheet music is his

request, and that it shall be. Easy to wrap, low fuss and everyone will be happy. Almost too easy, this middle lad of mine, bless him and his clarinet.

Now I hit a snag, Liam is the tricky one. He’s firmly on the nice side of the ledger again this year and he’s continued to work hard at uni and both of his part time jobs, I’m so proud of him. He needs for nothing, wants for crazily expensive computer parts I’ve never heard of and is posing a real challenge for my shopping list.

If I was any good at cooking, a made-with-love supply of mum-meals could be the go, but hey Diary you know me and my lack of kitchen skills well and would agree that only a kid on the naughty list could deserve to suffer that. I’m open to any and all ideas of suitable pressies for an awesome almost 20 year old.

Of course if the list finished there it wouldn’t be so daunting. A quick count on fingers and toes reminds me there are at least another 18 family members’ names to be added and none of them have been helpful enough to have had a naughty year. The Farmer, parents, brothers and family keep the list growing and my brain whirring. Almost enough to push me towards plan B which would be throw my hands in the air and hide under the couch until mid January.

Thank you for being here with me again this year my faithful Diary friend and I promise I’ll make it my new year’s resolution to visit and chat with you more, until then ho, ho, ho and season’s blessings.

Shari x

Shari Brewer lives on the Sunshine Coast in Queensland with her family and these diary entries may or may not be a truthful account of her day-to-day experiences. She’s never been shy of a story, so it’s best you decide what’s fact or fiction.

A mother of three (two teens and a seven year old) Shari’s a part time high school teacher who keeps herself busy running a household as well as the parenting website Teenage Survival Coach. In her spare time she clatters on the keyboard and pimps her writing services as a freelancer.

Teenage Survival Coach Website Jot Magazine 185

thank you WE HOPE YOU ENJOYED ISSUE 16 OF JOT MAGAZINE. OUR NEXT ISSUE WILL HIT THE DIGITAL NEWS STANDS IN MARCH 2017.

IN THE MEANTIME, VISIT US ON THE JOT BLOG AND KEEP AN EYE OUT FOR WORKSHOPS, EBOOKS, MOOD BOARD CHALLENGES AND ALL SORTS OF FUN JOT THINGS! www.jotmagazine.com

Jot Magazine 186