Celebrating 2012 with Colette

I don't know about YOU- but I am always thrilled to start a NEW year!  Not sure if it's the RESOLUTIONS, or a fresh page on the calendar- or maybe cleaning up the clutter from the busy holidays, BUT I love a brand new YEAR!  It always energizes me!!

The Teresa Collins  "Sophisticated" cartridge has gotten  alot of use at my house, along with the "Black and White" cartridge I use on my Cricut Imagine!  I have had this CLOCK spotted on the cartridge and knew I would be using it in Honor of the NEW Year.   I had fun making my daughter Jensen a New Years Eve party hat with the 2 cartidges.

I first used the Teresa Collins "Black and White" cart to print out the awesome clocks on the Blue Bazzill cardstock.  I made a cone- shaped party hat and glued it together in the back with Hot glue.  Next I used
"Sophisticated" to cut out the BIG clock with Silver Glitter paper in the Teresa Collins "Haunted Hallows" line.  This clock measures 5 inches tall.  The numbers  were cut from black cardstock and this cartridge makes this super easy to make.

I added some ribbon to the top of the clock and also a strip of Donna's Gems at the bottom edge. (Saved one gem for the middle of the clock.).  I added some tinsel trim and it is a darling hat!
Here's the layout I made with Jensen wearing the Hat on New Year's eve. I was happy to get this photo to a pretty good black and white- since the party had very dim lighting-- but it shows how cute it turned out.

This layout was made with more "Haunted Hallows" glitter paper and black cardstock for the clock.
The blue clocks were leftovers from making my hat so I used them to add dimension and color to the layout.

MY paper base for the layout is Teresa Collins "Carolina Breeze" Gentry paper.  The sticker "making memories" came from this line also.

I also loved using the glitter paper to cut the numbers.  Another wonderful thing included in the cartridge-- numbers and an alphabet so there are lots of variety of components to use.

I wish everyone a fantastic and FRESH new year-- and many blessings in 2012!!

Colette's Blog

String canvas decor by Amanda Jones

Hi everyone :) I am making a big effort to create as much of my own Chrstmas decor as possible this year. I recently had a big sort out in my scrap area and came across this set of 3 small canvases and decided they would be perfect for this project.

So, today I thought I would share with you how I created these string canvases.

First I decided on the shapes I wanted to have as string designs on the front of the canvas. Hint: PICK SOMETHING SIMPLE! I tried holly first. Ha! I chose to do 2 stars and a Christmas tree, so I flipped the canvas over and sketched the design on the back. Make sure you keep the design within the frame otherwise you'll not be able to stitch it later ;)

I selected an assortment of papers from the Christmas Home 6x6 pad. They were the perfect size as my canvas was just under 6"x6".

Then, I tore them into narrow strips. This was fun ;)

Using Mod Podge I then adhered random strips over the canvases.

Once I'd trimmed off anything overlapping the edges I was left with 3 of these.

This next step was the trickiest. I selected the biggest needle I could find in my sewing basket and thread it with thick, jute twine. Then, working from the reverse using the sketched designs I carefully stitched round each star and tree, ending up with something like this.

As the final step, I took some watered down white acrylic paint and washed over the entire surface of each canvas and string.

They are now sitting above my fireplace waiting for Santa :)

Have a wonderful December!

Amanda's Blog

MY TREE, project by Colette Nederhoff

With the holiday fastly approaching, I wanted a new Christmas decoration for my Mantle!  I am loving the look of Doilies - they seem to be a big trend, so they were the inspiration for my Creation.  I purchased a Paper Mache tree at Hobby Lobby, that measures 16 inches tall.  Here is what that Plain old Mache tree looks like NOW~

Supplies:
16 " paper mache tree : Hobby Lobby
4" white Paper Doilies: Wilton -Hobby Lobby
Sparkle Mod Podge
Teresa Collins Christmas Home Papers: Labels, and Snowflakes
Teresa Collins Christmas Home trims
Teresa Collins Christmas Home 6x6 minipad
Blingage:  Ali's pins, Carols Clocks, Miranda's Jewels, Stephanies Gems, and Ty's stars
Adhesives:  Hot Glue and Glossy Accents
Martha Stewart Scoring tool
Foam Brush

To cover the tree -- I used the Sparkle Mod Podge as my glue and applied it directly to the tree with a brush.  Then I coated the doily with the Mod Podge to seal it on top.  Just layer the doilies to your liking and I even left a few edges loose and curling up to create a  lacy look.
The Papers work wonderful to make "lollies" and stack them for a cute focal point on the tree.  I always love Blingage - so the gems and jewels make the PERFECT ornaments.  These are placed in random spots with Glossy accents.

I love the sparkle and simplicity of this tree and it will look amazing on the mantle!!
Have a Festive Holiday!!

Ornaments, anyone? by:Julie Jacob

I love making personalized items...and these little ornaments are great for the family tree, teacher gifts, grandparent gifts, gift tags...there's so many things you can do with them!

Supplies Used:

CH2702 Christmas Home – Christmas Calendar (back)

CH2706 Christmas Home – Christmas Décor (front)CH2707 Christmas Home – Christmas Notes (back)CH2709 Christmas Home – Christmas Words (front)CH2719 Christmas Home 6x6 Designer Paper PadCH2715 Christmas Home Red Glitter PaperCH2716 Christmas Home TrimsTeresa Collins Stampmaker - PhotocentricBL1905 Blingage – Taylor’s ClipsBL1907 Blingage – Morgan’s Tear Drop (round part)BL Blingage – Gentry’s GlitterFrames & Glass – Inkssentials Memory Frames & GlassBeads – Bead Landing, Deco ChicHeart punch – RecollectionsRibbonBall Chain

You can find the Inkssentials Memory frames & glass at your craft store. I got mine at Michaels (with a coupon, yay!)

The frames open up and you can slide whatever you want inside, between two layers of glass.

I cut different Christmas Home papers for inside my frames. You can also add a photo.
I made custom stamps with my TC Stampmaker (peace, love & joy)...and stamped them on paper. Next, cut them to fit in the frames...just use a piece of glass as your template.
You could do pictures on one side, and names or monograms on the other.
Add some pretty beads & ribbon and you're all set!

These are also great for gift tags:

and the back:

You could also stamp them to say "from the _______ family"...whatever you like.
Have fun creating...the possibilities are endless...and these little things are addicting! :)

Julie's Blog

Christmas Home ~ December planner by Amanda Jones

It's certainly beginning to feel 'Christmassy' around here with all these yummy Christmas Home projects! Today I thought I would share how I created this December planner, designed to keep me on track during the festive season!

Firstly, I took a Christmas Home chipboard album cover and cut it in half to create the covers for my planner. I needed the book to be small enough to slip into my bag and carry with me. I then trimmed some vintage notebook paper to fit inside the book - one page for each day of the month.

I bound the book with my Bind-it-All and then stamped the Christmas Home 'Day' stamp on each page, so that I can fill in the dates as I go along.

I then decorated the front cover- not too heavily as I intend to carry it around and use it a lot. I didn't want all my embellishments dropping off!

Now I have a fun planner that looks cute and will help me be super organised when the festivities are in full swing!

Christmas HOME Gift Card Snowman

I've been Makin' a List, and Checkin' it twice== and I am thinking there are alot  of people on my list this year who will LOVE picking out their own gifts using a GIFT CARD!  Sometimes, I feel like it's a cop-out-- but this project was a way to give them something I made them, but also get their gift card.  I hope you enjoy seeing this little goodie!

This gift card holder is made by  Creative Imaginations and Is a part of their Bare Elements line.   The front cover measures 5 1/2" X 5 1/2" .  It opens like a book and includes a plastic cover over the place it holds the gift card, so you could easily replace it with a photo after the card has been spent!!  

This little gift card holder will last long after the holidays to enjoy your photos.

The Supply List:

Creative Imaginations Bare Elements Gift card holder

Teresa Collins Christmas Home 6X6 minipad 

Cricut Expressions and Gypsy

Cricut Cartridge:  Teresa Collins Sophisticated and Gypsy Wanderings

Teresa Collins Christmas Home Stamps

Black Stazon INK

Blingage:  Donna's gems & Zac's bookplates

Teresa Collins Christmas Home Trims

Teresa Collins Die Cut clocks

White Doilie:  Wilton

Scallop Scissors

1 1/2" circle punch

Red Clothespin:  Canvas Corp

Adhesives:  Zip Dry, Pop up Dots: Close to my Heart, Glossy Accents 

Black and Orange Markers: Tombow

White metal rim tag: Office Max

Diamond Stickles

Here is the inside of the "book".  I loved the little doillie with the Stamp on it, but you could also handwrite your message or journal on he doillie.

In this next photo, you see I added a photo of my own with the cute little clothespin.

Here is my decorated Back!

The 6X6 mini pad papers where awesome for this project.  There are so many coordinating choices and it was fun to put them together. 

The snowman is very simple to make with a clock at the bottom, a 1 1/2" circle punched for the center, and the metal rim tag as the top.   I used a marker to color the eyes, and also the carrot nose.  The stickles adds the perfect "Sparkle" to the nose! 

I hope you will try making some of these for the People on your Gift Card List-- they will enjoy getting a beautiful and EASY creation with their card.

Wishing you lots of Christmas Crafting.......

Don't forget to take advantage of the great opportunity to purchase the LIMITED Edition Silhouette Advent Calendar, click HERE for information and promotional code.

Round up those Christmas card photos!

We're going to put them all together in one place. :)

Now I did mine with OUR Christmas card photos from through the years...but you could totally do a book with the cards you receive from friends and family.
The first thing you have to do is dig up all your photos...mine went back to 1991, the year we got married. I'm actually a little surprised I found that one. I am missing a few years, and I'd be lying if I said that didn't bug me. It's not so bad that I stay up at night wondering where they are or anything...that would be weird. The nice thing about this book is that if I ever DO find the missing pictures, I can just add them in. Same thing with this years picture...I'll just add it in.

Easy peasy.

So...do some gathering...

Put them in chronological order. Laugh at your hairstyles.

Cover the backs with some Christmas Home paper & add the year. Feel free to doo-dad them up too.

For the cover, I trimmed a little bit off the right side:

Shhh. Don't tell. I think my cover is technically upside down. BUT. Along with the missing Christmas card years...I'm going to be ok with that and just roll with it.
I punched one hole in the upper left corner of the cover and the cards.

I decorated the front and inside cover of my book:

I love dictionary paper. It's fun if you use the pages with 'Christmas' and 'holiday' on them.

I feel like I should take this opportunity to once again mention laughing at the hair.
Specifically, my bangs. I had killer bangs.

Then just assemble your pages, and you're done!

Ah, the Scooby card year. This was our Halloween picture. I liked it so much I used it for our Christmas cards too.

Have fun putting your books together! :)

Photo tray FUN!!

We've all seen the beautiful photo trays from various companies like Tim Holtz, 7 Gyspies and more.  Well, I've had one sitting around for awhile and I finally decided to give it a go and make one!

I used Teresa's beautiful Christmas Home line for this project and I LOVE how it turned out!  I decided to focus it on our three daughters and print out black and white pictures so that they would compliment the colors in this line.

At first I got out all my "Christmas Home" papers and embellishments and decided on what papers looked best together.  I always try to repeat patterns to give it a cohesive design, so you will notice I repeated the red and green papers by putting them "catty-corner" to each other.  I also found a GREAT quote online that I wanted to incorporate into my photo tray that applies to my daughters' lives and I think that's always a good idea to have a theme or statement intertwined into your design.

Next I gathered all my embellishments and played around with the design layout of each section until I liked how it looked.  I wanted my photos to "pop" out of the tray so I decided to have them overlay the sections of the tray and create a visual "triangle" in the middle of the whole project.  The triangle is pleasing to our eyes and gives our eyes an easy way to "move" through the design.  So I matted each photo and adheres some pop dots to the back of each photo to raise them up to the level of the wood sections in the photo tray.

Then it was just a matter of playing with the ribbons, flowers and trims until I told myself to stop! lol... I have a hard time knowing when to stop "fussing" with a design!  A good tip with that is to take a photo with your phone or camera and take a look at it.  Sometimes I see my design much more clearly if I see it through the "lens"...  

I made the green flower down at the bottom of the photo tray with some "bloomers" from Webster's Pages that I simply gathered into a circle and placed a vintage pearl brooch in the middle of.  Then I trimmed some red ribbon, glued that to the bottom of the tray and added the flower on top!

Adding some finishing touches to the top of the tray and the trim around the edge of the tray make the look complete and ready to display in my home!

I don't know if you can notice, but I decided to make this project "generic" enough to display all year long!  Because I have the red & green elements from the Noel line it definitely has the Christmas feel to it, but I made a point of not adding any "obvious" Christmas embellishments so that if I wanted to display this year round, I could!  

And here it is in my home right now:

This was a GREAT project to design and something I think anyone would have FUN making!  These are also great gifts for the Holidays to make for family and friends and an easy way to use some of that "stash" of miscellaneous scrappiness we've been hoarding for a while!  :)

I hope you enjoyed this project and come back to see all the wonderful CREATIONS by the lovely DT ladies this month!

Have a GREAT week,

http://akissonthechic.typepad.com/laura_mccollough_scrapboo/