Just a little bit extra

In the December kit, Scrapbook Takeout sent everyone a gift of this cute planner.
It's just perfect especially since I am trying to be more organised in 2008, and I thought I'd use some of the kit contents and paper from the add-on to pump it up a notch.



On the inside front cover I added a library pocket and tucked in some of the sticky notes that came in the kit. That way I can add notes to myself (or others!) quite easily.


I'm hoping that having such a nice book will help to keep me on track!

I can create again!

Over the last few days I have slowly cleaned and tidied my little scrap cave. After over a month of creative frenzy it sorely needed it, and so did I, since I had no desire to make anything because of all the clutter.
Now it's so clean I don't want to create for fear of messing it up! But that feeling isn't likely to last long since I have new goodies waiting for me on my desk. From now on I plan to try very hard to clean up after every project. Okay, after every two or three projects, so that it never gets this bad again. Now there's a resolution for 2008!

Handmade Gifts I

Now that they have been received I can post some of the gifts I made this year. For my father-inlaw I made this canvas, featuring a photo of him and hubby skiing sometime back in the 90's (neither of them are sure of the year).



I used a black 12x12 canvas. The textured edges were done by pressing a rubber stamp (which was carved by dh) into a thick layer of black acrylic paint. Other supplies: BasicGrey papers, Fancy Pants chipboard, Club Scrap stamp and flea market stuff from my stash.

For my mother-in-law I made this mini album with photos from Christmas last year. I used my latest toy, the Bind-it-all to make the book after doing the cover and all the pages. The papers are from three different BasicGrey Christmas lines: Dasher, Fuitcake and Figgy Pudding. I used Hambky rub-ons and transparency on the cover. Flowers are by Prima, and the ribbons are all from my stash.

They both loved the gifts, which was a relief, since I'm never sure how people will react to handmade items. My mother-in-law kept saying how she had completely forgotten what Christmas was like last year, so the album was a great reminder. She must have looked through it three or four times during Christmas Eve dinner!

Merry Christmas!!

From my studio to yours....

Holiday House

I'm totally in love with this project! I bought this plain wooden "house" at the 2€ store a couple months ago, and as Christmas approached I realised it would be a perfect little project for the mantel. I used different BasicGrey papers from the Dasher, Fruitcake and Figgy Pudding lines, some AC Holiday house embellies, BG chipboard (happy holidays), Prima flowers and glitter star, Crafty Secrets Vintage Christmas stickers, other random bits and pieces from my stash and loads of glitter! The snow on the roof is batting, and the smoke from the chimney is a chipboard swirl. You can see more views of the house in my Two Peas Gallery


And here is a not so Christmasy tree!
When I saw I didn't have enough buttons to finish the tree, I added the tulle trim at the bottom; and after topping it with the tulle bow, I realised it looks more suitable as a centrepiece for a wedding! This tree is based on the ones made by Tia Bennet which was posted a year ago in the Creating Garden on Two Peas.

Alcohol Ink ornament

I forgot to post this one before! I poured in some glitter, followed by a few drops of alcohol ink and blending solution (both by Ranger) and swirled the mix around until the entire inside was covered. Simple and lovely!

Holiday Craft Carnival

The Craft Critique blog has been having a Holiday Carnival for the last three days. Lots of links to dozens and dozens of inspiring holiday projects and ideas. So if you're looking for a bit of last minute motivation go check them out!

Flat ornament

This one is made using one of the ornament stickers from the BasicGrey Figgy Pudding line. I peeled the sticker of the backing sheet and placed it sticky side down in a tray full with glitter. Once the back was completely covered I used liquid glue to outline the edges and designs on the front. (I used the re-inker for my glue stamp pad but I think any liquid glue that dries clear will work). Then I added the glitter star (from Prima) and sealed front and back with a fixative spray.

Journaling Christmas

I did this last year, and I decided to do it again this year. I cut up a bunch of paper into 6x6 pieces for the pages, and made the cover from a Hambly transparency.

Right now I am trying to get caught up to today's date! Are you journaling your Holidays? Link me up!

And we have a winner for the ornament giveaway,

Mika said...

Hai, I'm to late but you can check out my blog for some ideas for your tree. I made some cards for in the tree, hope to see you at
http://www.mikascrap.typepad.com/
Have a great day Mika

Well Mika you weren't too late! Send me your address to scraphappyfran "at" yahoo.com so I can get your goodie in the mail!

Glittery reindeer

More fun with felt and glitter.



I'm extending the deadline for the giveaway till tonight!

Ornament Giveaway

Our tree is up and it's pretty, but I think it needs more stuff! So I'm looking for some ideas to make over the next few days. Link me up in the comments to projects you have done, or are thinking of doing, and I will choose someone to send a little RAK of one of my handmade ornaments. You have till Saturday night midnight!

All that glitters

This week's Chit Chat Challenge calls for seven bling elements. Just perfect since I had all my sparkly supplies out for making Christmas projects.



Get more details and join in here.

Check back later for a holiday giveaway!

More feathered ornaments

On these three I added some silver and gold tiny die cuts inside the ball, and then applied rub-ons to the glass. When I bought these I planned to take the feathers off, but I really like how they look, so they stayed on! The photos aren't the best because of reflections from the lights. Sorry!

I challenge you

A couple challenges if you're looking for inspiration!

The latest Chit Chat Challenge. Hurry, it's due tonight!


Global Perspectives December challenge: How do you celebrate?

Be back later with some more Christmas projects!

So much inspiration

Last Thursday night we were walking through Lyon enjoying the lights for the annual light festival, and I came upon the store of my dreams! I guess it is some kind of home decor store, but the entire place looked like a Christmas dream! I didn't even go in (Lucas wasn't in agreement, I wonder why?) but I was enthralled. Take a peek.

Of course I plan to make a visit there this week to get a closer look!

Another thing that is inspiring me lately? The latest issue of Marie Claire Idees. So many wonderful projects I want to try! So little time to get them done!

Christmas Crafting III

Just a couple more cards for the moment. I was away all weekend with no chance to create anything sadly. I did these cards last week. I saw an idea from Martha Stewart, using leaf stamps to create a paper poinsettia, and just had to try it because poinsettias really mean Christmas to me. Back home everyone grows them in their gardens and when they start turning red you know Christmas is in the air.
On this one I stamped the leaf seven times and embossed with gold embossing powder, then cut them out and formed the flower. I punched a 1&1/2" circle and used that as a base to stick the "petals" on. I used a chip topper sticker from Bazzill for the center.

On the second card I used a smaller leaf and stamped with a glue pad, then dusted on red glitter, and cut out the shapes. I then layered a Prima flower and rhinestone brad in the center.

Since the Christmas tree was in the stand but not yet decorated I figured it would make the perfect backdrop for photographing the cards!

Easy ornament

I bought several of these glass balls to alter additionally: I'm planning to open them up and put glitter and/or beads on the inside, or colour them with alcohol inks etc., but at the same store I came across a sheet of electrostatic "stickers" that are meant for windows and thought "aha!". So my first project was to simply stick this glitter star on, add the ribbon and hang. Mine came with the feather attached, you can easily get feathers at the craft store and add them with a hot glue gun or other strong glue.

Christmas Crafting I

It's full steam ahead now! I plan to post one type of Christmas related craft or another leading up to the 25th. I'll also be doing a couple giveaways between now and the 15th (to ensure that goodies arrive in time) so stick around, it's gonna be fun! For today here is my latest batch of cards using collage sheets from Alpha Stamps and BasicGrey papers.

Catching Up

I've been under the weather for the last week or so, as well as working on a couple projects that I can't post online (due to the magazines' "never-before-seen" submission rules) hence my lack of posting. But today I can share the last two layouts I did for the Chit Chat Challenge blog. This one was for last week's challenge about family moments.

This is a photo of my sister Vernell and I and two of our cousins, taken back in 1985 (I think).

The second one is for the current challenge which was posted today.

Hope you'll join in this week! If my day goes as planned I will be back with another project to share later.