A week in the life...and Merry Christmas from julie :)

Wishing you and your family a very Merry Christmas today! :)

I know you're probably hip deep in gifts and crumpled up wrapping paper.  Maybe your'e sacked out on the couch in the throes of a food coma...that's all good!

I want to quick share my A Week in the Life pages with you.  I did the week of Thanksgiving.

I used divided 8.5x11 page protectors.  The top part is about 4.5x8...and the bottom holds two 4x6's.

I just wrote about some things that happened each day (big or small)...like my ice cube maker working again...yay!  

Monday:

I used LOTS of different Teresa Collins lines in my week.  How many lines can you find? :)  (And duck tape...that's always good.)  

Tuesday:

Wednesday:

Thursday:

Thursday was Thanksgiving. :)  

Friday:

Black Friday!  (We opened up several Black Friday goodies this morning.)

Saturday:

There you have it.  My week. :)  I really enjoyed breaking down each day into three little sections.  

Have a wonderful Christmas Day!

my blog :)

A Week in the Life mini album with Rachel

       Happy Christmas Eve, everyone! Rachel here to show you my "Week in the Life" album.
 I LOVED the idea of  "A Week in the Life"....but... I had never put together a mini album before. I'm a terrible scrapbooker, something in my brain just does not compute arranging photos on paper and writing about them. So I was a little nervous about how it would turn out, then I decided there was no wrong or right way and to just go with the flow. It's more about the memories than how cute it turns out, right?

For the cover, I used a sheet of Blue Damask from the Now and Then Collection. The rest of the papers and embellishments are from the Christmas Cottage Collection. I tied seam binding, bakers twine and a little jingle bells to the rings of the binder.

I chose the week of  November 30th  through December 6th  because I knew we were going to have a fun and busy week ahead and wanted to be sure to document it. We started a few new traditions this year now that our almost 2 year old is starting to understand the concept of Christmas. It's so much fun to see this magical season through the eyes of a child. 

~Day 1~

~Decorating the Tree~

Thursday night we put up the Christmas tree and had such a fun time decorating it. Our little Averi loved putting on (and taking off) the decorations. We sipped hot chocolate, listened to the Gene Autry Holiday station on Pandora (seriously, the cutest station ever) and relaxed by the fireplace. 

~Day 2~

~Photos with Santa~

Averi met Santa Claus and had her photos taken with the jolly old elf.

 Ok, honestly that's really my husband dressed up as Santa. How genius is that idea? The studio has a parent dress up as Santa so the child isn't traumatized and you can get some great photos without having to wait in a huge line at the mall. I absolutely loved how they turned out and I know we'll cherish these pictures forever. 

~Day 3~

~Festival of Trees~

 I love this event because not only do we get to see over 700 beautifully decorated trees, enjoy fun entertainment and marvel at deliciously decorated gingerbread houses, every single penny this festival raises goes straight to children in need at the Primary Children's Medical Center. 

~Day 4~

~North Pole Breakfast~

Santa sent his scout elf  "Paprika" to our house early Saturday morning. She made us yummy cinnamon rolls and brought us reindeer food straight from the North Pole! She gave Averi  a special gift  of warm socks (because it's COLD at the North Pole!) and holiday books to read all through the month of December. We explained to Averi that Paprika was going to stay with us until Christmas Eve so she could report to Santa all the good things Miss Averi does every day. Averi then took the elf and put her in the garbage. "All gone. No more." she stated.

We spent the rest of Sunday being lazy and just hanging out in Averi's teepee, reading books and napping. 

~Day 5~

~Family Christmas Party~

I love seeing family that we don't get to see too often. We all gather together for a delicious dinner and visit with one another. Then in comes Santa, jingle bells and all with a sack of gifts over his shoulder for all the kids. Averi refused to sit on his lap, although she did give him a kiss on the nose after he handed her a candy cane.  It's tradition for Santa to bring pajamas, which I LOVE because it feels like Christmas morning with a HUGE family. Once the gifts are distributed and every child has had a chance to sit on Santa's lap, the presents are ripped open and the jammies are put on. It's adorable to see all the kids in their new Christmas PJs.

~Day 6~

~Hanging out on Main Street~

One of the great things about living in Park City is its historic main street. It's an adorable street lined with shops, restaurants and galleries. We love riding the trolley up and down main, then stopping at our favorite cozy little bookstore to visit the resident cats. As always, we go next door for a scoop of ice cream.  

~Day 7~

~Temple Square~

We spent the evening in downtown Salt Lake City for some window shopping and dinner. Then on to Temple Square, which during the Christmas season, turns into a wonderland of festive lights and nativity scenes.  Listening to local musicians perform is one of the highlights of visiting Temple Square and watching Averi dance and twirl to the music made it all the more magical.

I hope you enjoyed a peek into a "Week in the Life" of the McAffee clan!

Have a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Supplies used:

Papers and embellishments from-

 Christmas Cottage Collection

Now and Then

craft supplies- seam binding, felt, thread

Together layout by Amanda Jones using Now & Then

 Hi there! Cheri here for Amanda, she has recently moved and has no internet but was able to send us her photo's so today's post is going to be FUN!!

I don't know about you but I am a HUGE FAN of Amanda's work!! I love how she puts together her groupings and layering. Such a CLEAN layout but it has so much detail all at the same time!!

• I love how your eyes are drawn from the top left corner down to the bottom right. 
• I love how the grouping on the top left has that bit of orange in it which draws you to the "together" chipboard element under the photo.
• Did you notice how she inked around the flowers and very slightly rolled the edges, I love that look!
• Did you notice that the banners are turned sideways? One up by the photo and in the grouping on the bottom right? 

It's so fun to look at the other DT Girls work and learn from them, we are all so different in how we create our projects to share with you. Her style really inspires me!!

I hope you picked up some new tricks from Amanda today! I know she can read this from her phone so please leave her some comment love!! Thanks ~Cheri

Now and Then Mini by Yvonne Blair

 Hi everyone!  I hope each and every one of you had a very happy Thanksgiving!  It is so crazy to be in the full swing of the Holiday season again! It sure doesn't feel as though a whole year has passed, lol.  

Today I am sharing this fun mini featuring Now and Then!  This line is amazing. The colors are gorgeous.

I plan to use this book to highlight some everyday memories.  Things that we tend to overlook and take for granted.  You know what I'm talking about.  Those everyday moments like a stop in to Starbucks, an afternoon you snuck away for a girl's lunch, those little moments that kind of get lost in the shuffle of this very busy time of the year.  Just in case you want to make one to...I have directions for you.  

 Cover:  

Chipboard 5 ½ x 8 ½ cover with-

Now and Then Floral (a) 8 ½ x 12

Now and Then Wood Grain (b) 1 ½ x 8 ½ 

Now and Then Words (a) 2 x 8 

Embellish as seen in photo.

 Page 1:

Now and Then  Damask 6 ½  x 10

Fold in half to become a page 6 ½ x 5 pocket page.

Embellish

 Page 2:

Now and Then Collage (a) 8 x 12 

Score at 4 ¾, fold…there will be a piece left over, then fold that piece back as a flap.

Embellish as seen in picture.

Page 3:

Now and Then Floral (a) 7 x 8

Fold to become 3 ½ x 8, adhere on top and bottom…open edge will become pocket. 

Now and Then Words to 4 ¼ x 6 ½ will become insert for pocket.

 Page 4:

Now and Then Words 8 x 10, fold in half to become 8 x 5 which will become a pocket.

Embellish as seen in picture.

Page 5: 

Now and Then Wood Grain 5 x 12.  Score at 7” and fold up to create pocket, then fold down small amount to become flap.  Embellish as seen in picture 

 Page 6:

Now and Then Red Flower (a) 8 x 10, fold in half to create a pocket.

Now and Then Newsprint 4 x 5 to embellish front side.

Now and Then Floral (a) 3 ½ x 8.  Fold in half to create pocket on back side of page 6.

Page 7:

Now and Then Newsprint 7 x 12, score at 4 ½ and 9, fold to create pocket and flap. 

Page 8:

Now and Then Work 8 x 7 ½, score at 5” and fold over to create flap

Back Cover: 

Chipboard 5 ½ x 8 ½ Cover with Now and Then “Bee” on both sides.

To put the book together I used the Cinch.  Love this tool...so easy to use!  

I hope this will inspire you to create something to help you remember those everyday moments that seem to get lost in the shuffle at times.  Have a great week! Thanks for stopping by!

To visit my blog click here.

So thankful

As Thanksgiving approaches, I am feeling very blessed and grateful for all the good in my life....(ok technically since I live in Canada, I already celebrated Thanksgiving...but it doesn't hurt to keep being grateful!  And maybe, someone will cook me a turkey?  Anyone? hee hee)

I decided to pull out my Now and Then collection and make a "so thankful" card.  It is a super simple card to make that I might just have to replicate it many times and send it off to all the wonderful people in my life!

Here is how I made it:
1. Use a 4.25 x 5.5 white cardstock base.  Round the corners on the bottom.
2. Trim two pieces of patterned paper to 4 x 2.75.  Adhere them together (one side will be slightly wider than the other).  Wrap twine around and adhere to the back, attach brad, then adhere the whole piece to the cardstock.
3. Add paper flower diecut..curling the edges up a bit for dimension.  Adhere a button the the middle.
4. To finish off, add sentiment sticker (I used pop dots for extra dimension) and an enamel dot (love these!!).

I wanted to make a special card for my sweet husband so he knows how grateful I am to have him in my life!

Have a wonderful holiday!

Jamie Harder

Picture-a-Month mini book by Julie

Hi everyone!  Today I'd like to share a little mini book I did that was both super fun to make AND really, really hard for me.  First, the really fun part...the cover.

This is a 5.5" x 7" chipboard book.  You could use whatever size you have on hand...I just kept it a little smaller because the idea behind the book is to add one photo per month.

First, I painted the album...except for the front and inside covers...which I covered with paper.

I used Now & Then: Collage for the front, and Floral for the inside covers.

I used lots of Now & Then die cuts, stickers & chipboard pieces on the front.  I had found a pair of really cool vintage earrings at the thrift store...and I wanted to use one as my flower center.

I paint spattered my flower layers.  A handy way to do this is with an old toothbrush.  Just dip the bristles in a little bit of paint, and use your thumb to spatter the paint.  (This requires a teeny bit of practice.  Maybe the first time you try, don't use your actual project...and make sure your cats are nowhere close by.)

I have to tell you.  Mini book covers are my favorite thing to make.  The inner pages are harder sometimes.  And THESE inner pages were just awful!  AWFUL!

Wanna know why?

Because I had to leave them simple.

I want to add a photo for each month next year.  And if I embellished the heck out of the pages, there'd be no room left for the picture.  So I purposefully left them simple.

Oh my gosh.  Seriously.  I can't stand it.  Poor little big fat bird is just SCREAMING for some doo dads. 

This is killing me.

My only comfort is knowing that next January, as soon as the photo is down...it will be sparkly and dooded up. 

February and March.  I used the chipboard month pieces for each page, along with some stickers and die cut pieces.

See?  I couldn't help it.  I added a little more on these pages.

I chose a patterned paper from the Now & Then collection that went along with each month...and TRIED not to add too much.  :)

Can't wait to add pictures next year!

my blog :)

Good Times Now and Then Layout by Dedra Long

With the holiday season around the corner, hopefully we will be surrounded by more family and friends. With this in mind, I realized I had never done a layout talking about, documenting or sharing the story of my co.workers who have turned into my best friends. 

I see these girls more than I see my husband and children. They are a second family to me and just like a family we share life experiences and everything in between together. We have definitely shared some good times and we still have more of those to come. 

The great thing about Teresa is her collections are so timeless and versatile that you can use them years later. Just like this journaling tag, I love that it was extra long, so I could really tell my story. I had a lot of journaling about kelsey and jess, how we attend each others family events and how we have game nights with each other and our husbands, each others babies, children and how we have become so much more than co.workers....best friends that can count on each other.

I hope everyone has a wonderful Thanksgiving full of family, friends, photos (you can squeeze a couple in) and memories made.
Thanks for stopping by!