Using "Busy" Paper

Atlanta has had a strange winter this year!  Ice storm after ice storm.  Very cold and unusual, but I was thankful for those few snow days.

I took many, many snow day photos, and I’ve actually made a few other layouts already – gasp!  But this photo looking out of our back window one morning really stood out to me.  It’s not a lot of snow and it’s definitely not the best photo I’ve ever taken, but it has a nice “calmness” about it that’s really pretty.  So, I wanted to feature it on a layout.

I decided to use a sheet of patterned paper with lots of detailed design.  What I call “busy” paper.  I love it because when you use it, the layout almost completes itself.  The most difficult part of this was finding a spot for my photo where I didn’t cover up too much of the paper’s design.  

Here, all I did was add a title and used some foam adhesive dots to elevate a few card stock cutouts.  My one nod to “extra-ness” is the quadruple-matted photo!  It’s so simple, but makes me so happy. 

Snowed In by Moanica Caston.  Cardstock: Bazzill Basics; Patterned Paper and Cutouts: Fancy Pants;  Alphas: American Crafts Thickers.

Don’t be intimidated by that “busy” paper.  Find a good spot to put down a photo or two and let the paper do the work for you!

Moanica

Time to Trim the Tree

Embellishments make the prettiest ornaments.  I'm really on this 'Stop Hoarding' kick.  Making the use of my scrapbooking supplies is my goal.  I went to my Christmas stash and after organizing everything I wanted to see what project(s) I could make to use it up.  I've got to make room for next year right?  lol  My tree is up and I want to start a tradition of making homemade ornaments, especially for my niece and nephew.  I have two to share of which were made with coasters, sticks, fiber and embellishments. 


Recipe: 
Deasy Designs digital images
Bic Mark it markers
Stickles
Flower Soft Polar White Diamond Range
Little Yellow Bicycle die cut
Archivers die cut
 

 This is what I pulled from my stash.

    

I painted the coasters front and back.

The fiber was tied to both ends of the stick.  My X-Acto gripster was used to cut in the stick to better hold the fiber.  It was attached to the coaster that was fully embellished.  Of course this is the blue/white theme.  It's covered with white felt and I piled on the love.


 

I am crazy about this one!  I love the snow....well I love the snow on the ornament or looking at it, but not driving in it.  As long as it doesn't stay on the streets and ice up I'm okay. 


Close UP  Can you see the Flower Soft Diamond Range and Stickles and on the top for snow?

This is the second one using a Snow theme.  I've had these embellishments over 10 years.  Each year they go back in the Christmas storage tub, but this year I used them up and I love how they came out.

The 3D brad is by Recollection, which is about five years old.  I like the wood on white.

Close Up

 I'm working on my red and white collection now.  Hope I've inspired you to use up those cute embellies into ornaments that you can view year after year after year.    Yes my tree is up!  Merry Christmas and a Happy Holiday to all!

 

Happy, Creative 2013!

Welcome to 2013!  Another year to write your story! To share your memories!  To tell your tale in pictures and in words, in cards and crafts.  Another year to create and share and color the world with crafitgoodness!

As usual we've got it going on at Scraps of Color!  We are beginning the year wrapping up our annual, Secret Sistah Swap, where we get to spoil one of our SOC sistahs or brothas over a month an half with gifts and sweet surprises.  I created this card to reveal myself to my pal in her BIG package, mailing soon.  I hope she likes it, for it will be filled with cool stamps, pretty papers, fun embellies and a sweet treat...just for her!

We are going to keep the fun going with a great new swap and a fun new scrappy challenge to encourage getting more pages done in 2013!  Details will be posted soon and I cannot wait.

I also look forward to the fun we'll have craftin' and cookin', reading with our SOC Book Club, chatting it up on Friday nights, blogging it up with the SOC Bloggers' Challenge, and being inspired by all the beautiful creations posted in the SOC gallery.  With such wonderful, warm, talented people this is sure to be another fabulous year of family, friendship and fun at SOC!

Happy New Year!  May you be blessed with much love, joy, laughter, health and prosperity today and everyday throughout 2013!

Classygirl!