Christmastime is here... (Noel Mignon-style)

Tom and the boys gave me the Noel Mignon "Bedford Falls" (Christmas) kit for my birthday. But, then I went to NYC. And came home to return to work and prepare for Christmas. There wasn't any time left to scrap. Finally, the week before Christmas, I took some time to scrap. I finished 7 layouts using the kit in one night. I have since finished a total of twelve layouts and still have a TON of product left to work with. (These kits are a GREAT value!)

My first layout using the kit - "new PJs" - documents an annual tradition we have. Last year Kevin received University of Louisville pjs while Blake's were the Indianapolis Colts. Since this was the first layout with the kit, I challenged myself to use up the MM frame embellishment that came with the gold foilage since it wasn't my favorite. I backed it with one of the Pink Paislee Santas (another item I really didn't like much) and ended up being very happy with how it turned out.

After I finished my next layout, I realized it didn't have a title. (!!!) ALL of my layouts have titles. But, I was really happy with the look of this one, so I didn't add anything to it.

I added a few items to the NM kit for this one. I used some of the American Crafts rose trim in white, but I changed the color by misting it with Mr. Huey in Green Apple. I used a scrap piece I cut off behind the "home is..." MME die cut that I also added. These photos from last Christmas just make me happy.

My next layout was completed for Noel's challenge blog challenge for "Outdoor Decor." I scrapped the outside of my house and also an "outside" tradition of leaving out "reindeer food."

In addition to using the kit items, I also added a couple tags from Shabby Chic Crafts and a layered "home" sticker from MME. To finish off the layout, I traced "santa" with Glossy Affects.

While scrapping, I realized we have a lot of traditions for Christmas. :) Another one is the boys each by one gift for the other. I had already made a 5x7 photo collage of last years exchange, so this year's layout was easy to scrap. I was inspired by a layout in the December '10 issue of Scrapbooks, Etc. by Lisa Truesdell.

I sprayed my kraft background with Green Apple Mr. Huey and then added a couple Shabby Chic Crafts tags and some baker's twine to the layout.

Forgive me for the awful photo of this next 2-page layout. I rushed to get photos of them before the holidays and now that I am looking at them, the pages are already in an album. This layout was inspired by a Vicki Boutin layout in the December '10 issue of Scrapbooks, Etc. I adjusted it to fit the sizes of photos I already had and mixed up the embellishments and title placement.

I added a Shabby Chic Crafts tag and green star stickers/alphas by Jenni Bowlin to the kit I was using. I even worked in some rub-ons on this page. I RARELY ever use rub-ons anymore, but I love how they look against the kraft paper.

"Christmas Morning" is a continuation of the last layout. No cropping was involved on these photos since I had printed two 6-up 5x7x and a 2-up 4x6.

Again, I used rub-ons. Can you believe it? This was a super simple & FAST page to complete. I just added the "Christmas Morning" tag from Shabby Chic Crafts over the top of a MM embellishment to make my title.

Here's another super simple page. I went with my "go-to" design. I slightly cropped my photos and positioned them across the center of my page. Then I added strips of paper to give the look of crossing the entire spread. My title starts on page one with the FP "All I want for Christmas is..." sticker and is completed with the Jillibean Soup corrugated alphas "gifts!" I added the alphas, a Shabby Chic Crafts tag, and some baker's twine to the kit.

I used all of the We R Memory Keepers papers from the kit on this layout with photos from last year. I had a story to tell, so the ruled die cut paper was perfect. I added some Shabby Chic Crafts tags and more Glossy Affects (on the holly berries).

Last year was the first year the boys really wanted to help put the tree up (instead of just decorating it when it was ready). They were a big help. "O Christmas Tree" uses more of the WRMK papers. Again, I added some tags from Shabby Chic Crafts and Jillibean Soup corrugated alphas. And there Glossy Affects add dimension to the tree on the round tag.

I printed these photos of Blake from last Christmas at my parents' house as two 6-up 5x7 prints, but then cut them apart. I spaced them out in a 4x4 grid and filled in the empty squares with embellishments.

I just added more Shabby Chic Crafts tags and the green star/alpha stickers by Jenni Bowlin to complete this page. Next up, I did a 2-pager using more photos from Christmas Eve '09 at Mom & Dad's.

Of course, I added more tags from Shabby Chic crafts and accented the heart on on of them.

I finished the layout by tying some baker's twine through a couple ribbons. My final layout (so far...) gave me a change to try out my new Martha Stewart around-the-page border punches. I added a layered sticker (quote) from MME and some AC pompom trim.

And, you knew I was going to use more tags from Shabby Chic Crafts, didn't you? I just love them! If you haven't already checked out Shabby Chic Crafts, do so now. They have a great variety of tags, but more importantly, they offer great customer service.

I have a few assignments coming due, so it was time to put the Noel Mignon kit away. I hope to have more things to share with you soon.

Enjoy the rest of 2010!

"Wintertime" with Crop Chocolate...

This quarter I completed my Chocolatier projects for Crop Chocolate using the new Echo Park "Wintertime" paper line. This wonderful paper pack comes with 12 DOUBLE-sided 12x12 patterned papers, a 12x12 sheet of elements stickers, and a 12x12 sheet of alphabet stickers that includes THREE different alphas!

My first layout - "Wintertime Help" - showcases Blake's driveway-clearing skills. I added some red Foil Thickers to mix up my title a bit, a button, and soem baker's twine. This page uses two different sheets of patterned paper, the element stickers, and the alphabet stickers (date). I adhered some of my elements with pop dots to add some dimension to the page.

For further dimension, I added glossy accents to the circles on the border sticker strip. Glossy accents is becoming my new "go-to" scrap item!My next layout - "Snow Cream" - is also for Blake's album. It's rare that we get a big enough snow to make this treat, so I had to document the historical moment in a layout. I used four different patterned papers, the elements stickers, and the alphabet sheet. I added some Jillibean Soup corrugated alphas and pop dots. The journaling card was cut from a 12x12 sheet of paper from the kit.

I backed my "snow" sticker with patterned paper and cut around it before adhering with pop dots. I am really liking the look of titles with "mats."

And, once again, I got out my Glossy Accents.Be sure to check out what Crop Chocolate has to offer daily!

More Scrapdango projects...

Last night as I was getting ready to put away the scraps from my Scrapdango December "Sugar" kit, I decided to keep on scrapping with them. I ended up finishing off all of the patterned paper and most of the embellishments, too. Here are my final projects:

By layering scraps (4 different patterned papers), I created the base for this layout. I then cropped my photos down to eliminate blank space in the photos. I selected the one of Kevin showing off the sparkling cider to highlight by double matting it. Then I arranged my photos. I tucked the remaining pieces of the Maya Road transparency doilies out from behind the photos in three spots (forming a visual triangle). Then I layered my mixed title (October Afternoon stickers, Maya Road "Merry", and Jillibean Soup corrugated alphas) over a couple of the photos.

To complete my page, I cut up one of the windowpane chipboard pieces to make photo corner for the outside edges of a few of my photos. And I used a striped piece of patterned paper to make journaling strips. My friend Mel is the greatest card maker I know. I channeled her while making this card. OK...maybe that's not the right thing to say...I was "inspired" by her use of a tree on one of her recent layouts (here).

I used the kraft paper from the kit for both the base of my card and also for the tree. I used green mist on the paper I cut for the tree. It slightly curled the paper, so I simply added my adhesive to the top of each portion of the tree, so the scalloped edges seem to fan out a bit. Kept the card simple. Simple is good. :)

I also pulled out an extra mini comp notebook I had on hand. Covered it with scrap paper and added a "Joy" chipboard title. The word came on a keychain, so to cover the hole in the "j" I tied on a piece of baker's twine.

Here's the backside of the notebook. I used a Martha Stewart border punch on the polka dot paper. It's almost too late to use this notebook this year, but it will find it's way into my purse next Christmas. I always seem to have a mini notebook in my purse. It's a great way to keep up with wishlists and budgets over the holidays!

My kit is now gone. But, once I have photos of the boys printed, I'll have a couple ornaments I started to share, too.

Have a great weekend!!!

Something SWEET from Scrapdango...

This month I am guest designer for Scrapdango Monthly Scrapbook Kit Club. Scrapdango offers two different kits each month - a "Sugar" kit (more feminine) and a "Spice" kit (more masculine). I received the Sugar kit for December and loved using the Girls Paperie "tinsel & Twig" Christmas line of papers.

For my first layout, I created a 2-pager. I was thrilled to see that there were two sheets of the same patterned paper. That allowed me to use the green dot paper for my background. In addition to the Girls Paperie papers, there was also a die cut sheet from Little Yellow Bicycle. I chose to split the die cut between my two background pages. I pulled out family Christmas photos from 2008 for this layout and "smooshed" them all together. I had an area of blank space in the upper left corner, so I added the three Girls' Paperie flowers from the kit. I popped the buttons off the flowers so I could add some baker's twine through them. I finished that off with a bow. Then I added strips of patterned paper below them. To finish off my strips, I cut the Maya Road transparency doilies from the kit in half and lined them up for a fancy scalloped border.

Instead of using the Bo Bunny alphas from the kit, I mixed up my title with mini October Afternoon alpha stickers and a Maya Road chipboard "Christmas" (from the December Spice kit) that I misted green. Since the words come on a key chain, there was a hole in the "C." I tied baker's twine through the hole and attached one of the keys from the kit to it. I also added some chipboard photo corners that I made by cutting down one of the chipboard window frames.

For my December 4th layout, I REALLY, REALLY liked both sides of the snowflake/ledger paper. So, my solution was to cut a 1/2" frame from the outside of the paper. Then I cut another 1/2" off every edge to give me a 10" square. I adhered my outside 1/2" frame and my 10" square to green cardstock. I roughed up the inside square with an edge distresser.

I had printed my photos as 4x6 collages so I'd have smaller photos to work with. I grouped them together on the ledger paper and added portion of a 12" Bo Bunny border sticker between my rows of photos. I added a cool Girls' Paperie button over one of the peppermint circles. I also took the outside portion of one of the Maya Road chipboard window pieces to make a frame around one of my smaller photos. (I misted the chipboard green.)For some finishing touches, I added my title using the "December" tag from We R Memory Keepers and a Jillibean Soup red corrugated number. Since the kit didn't include any ribbon, I decided to adhere one of the Bazill Basics Nostalgic Clear Vintage Buttons from the kit over the hole in the tag. I also added some random "x" stitches around the page. The ledger paper was perfect for journaling.

The window chipboard shapes in the kit reminded me of how much I enjoy peeking inside windows (from my car!) during the holidays. So, I selected a couple shots of Blake's tree in his room from last Christmas. So I'd have plenty of room for my window to stand out, I separated my page into two sections. I misted the window shape and a valance with red mist and backed the window with a piece of patterned paper to make it stand out a bit. I added some paint to the top of the valance to resemble snow and added baker's twine to attach a key from the kit. I really liked the bracket shape on the Bo Bunny sticker sheet from the kit, but wanted to use a Girls' Paperie pattern. To get the bracket shape, I cut the bracket out of the sticker sheet, and pulled the negative shape off the sticker sheet. I adhered it to the patterned paper I wanted to use and cut around the bracket shape. My title is another mix of Jillibean Soup and October Afternoon. I trimmed my photos really narrow and topped one with a chipboard valance and button. The other has a chipboard photo corner that I made by cutting down a chipboard frame.

In addition to the layouts, I made three cards with the kit.

The window shapes made me think of "home" so I made a "from our house...(to yours)" card to give a neighbor.

Adding a chipboard "Peace", I created another Christmas card using a mix of my favorite patterns from the kit. It's hard to tell in this photo, but the music note paper is punched with a border punch. Finally, I created a non-holiday card by using the rose patterned backside of one of the patterned papers. I kept this one simple iwth just a strip of patterned paper and one of the Making Memories metal accents from the kit.

I'd like to thank Heather at Scrapdango for the opportunity to be guest designer this month. It was fun!

Pre-Thanksgiving scrap...

Since I know my December is going to be crazy-busy, I tried to get a jump start on my design team commitments for Scrappin' {Sports} Stuff. I used the We R Memory Keepers "Show & Tell" line to scrap Kevin's diorama project from earlier in the year. I was soooooo proud of Kevin for all the work he did himself on his project. He was the only student to draw his animals, too. The layout was pretty simple and focused on the photos, but I added stitching with a white pen to the die cut paper and also to all of the alphas. Then I switched years and scrapped photos with papers I was dying to use together. For the first time ever, we went to an orchard and picked our own apples. The "Apple Cider" line from Imaginisce was perfect for these photos.

Again, I went with a simple layout and focused on my photos. One photo wouldn't fit in my "grid" so I cropped it in to a cirlce. Then I got a bit creative and cut two leaves out of kraft paper, wadded them up, and painted them green.

I also used the green paint on my kraft corrugated alphas. I cut several strips of patterned paper and used a border punch on some of them. Both layouts just make me happy.

Have a great week!