Happy new year!

Happy new year, scrapping and card making friends all over the world!

 

I want to thank you all for visiting my blog over the past year - it really means a lot to me that you pop in! Thanks again!

Papers: Lemon Owl (white w/print), LYB (grey/teal). Chipboard: Memory Maze. Stars: Freckled Fawn

One of my friends wasn't home for the holiday season, so I found it better to send her, and her family a Happy New Year card (Hi, Petra, this card is on the way to your house by snail mail :-) ).

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I found isnpiration to this card when I saw this fun challenge at CAS-ual Fridays:

For this special challenge CAS-ual Fridays has teamed up with 10 Minute Craft Dash, and I challenged myself to make a card in less than ten minutes. And I made it :-)

 

The stars were my starting point, and I knew I had perfect papers in my pile of stash, so I spent less than ten minutes, including collecting my supplies:

 

*Gathering supplies etc: 2 min 35 sec

*Inking chipboard: 30 sec

*Cutting, folding & gluing papers & silver tape: 2 min 10 sec

*Mounting chipboards & stars: 2 min 50 sec

*Drawing frame: 25 sec

 

Total: 8 min 30 sec. Not bad!

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Again - I wish you all a Happy New Year!

Are you as excited as I am about seeing what the new one will bring?

How to make Christmas cards all year round

Some times I have too much scraps, and I find them perfect for making cards. For the past year I have had Christmas cards in mind while going through my pile of patterned papers - some of them make wonderful seasonal cards, even if they not are in traditional colors and patterns.

I have showed some of my non traditional reindeer cards earlier, today I'll give you ornament cards (all size 4"x8"):

 

Background paper: Basic Grey. Bulb paper: unknown.
Laces: Prima. Doilie: SEI. Bow: Freckled Fawn
Ribbon & Pearl: unknown

At the YouDo blog they are running  Crazy Christmas challenges. One of them is to use non traditional colors on Christmas cards. Here is a few other cards without green and red:




Background paper: unknown. Bulbe paper: Sassafras Lass
Lace: Prima & Websters Pages. Bow: Freckled Fawn
Ribbon & bling: unknown



Black/Brown background paper: Echo Park. B/W striped paper:
 Heidi Swapp. Bow: Freckled Fawn. Trim: Prima
Overlay: unknown



Background paper: October Afternoon. Bulbe paper: MME
Bow: Freckled Fawn. Trim, bling & twine: unknown

Background corrugated paper: Fancy Pants. Bulbe paper, burlap
& patterned paper: unkown. Alpha: Studio Calico

I have used a ornament die (Lifestyle Crafts) for all the bulbs, but you could use a circle cutter for the same purpose. I also use smaller dies if I want multiple ornaments on my card - they give me more flexibility when it comes to the design. As you see, I have pretty much repeated myself design vise on the cards above.

What do you think: is it a good idea to use non seasonal papers for Christmas cards?

I iz a priznt (TSC December challenge)

What is it with cats and boxes/baskets? Mercedes can spot an empty one as soon as it's in the house!

This particular day I was wrapping gifts in some baskets:

All materials from The Paper Bakery December kit except metal arrows (Freckled Fawn) and large alpha (AC)

This weeks challenge at The Studio Challenges:For our last challenge of 2013, we challenge you to create a Christmas layout with a tag on it. It could be one of the tags you made for your presents or a tag you received on a gift, up to you!
My tag:

This month’s sponsor at The Studio Challenges is FabScraps 

FabScraps began in 2005 when Brigitte and Janine created one of the first truly local ranges of paper and matching accessories ever produced in South Africa. FabScraps products are associated with artistic, approachable and fun designs which have a wide appeal to scrapbookers who love all styles from retro to shabby chic!

 

The winner of December will receive some scrappy goodies from the Burlesque collection ♥

So go check FabScraps out! These are the links:

http://lovefromfabscraps.blogspot.com/

http://www.fabscrapsusa.com/

 

Do we see you at The Studio Challenges? You have until January 5th to play!

DYI Christmas decoration (CSI #103)

DS11 have made this super cute table decoration - a tree.

Background paper: Echo park. Tags: Chic Tags, Echo Park. Wood veeners: Freckled Fawn. Stat pins: Making Memories
Washi: Panduro. Trim & "joy": unknown

Love my fern puch (Making Memories)!

I admit I'm a love traditional colors when it comes to seasonal layouts, so this week's Challenge at CSI was just up my alley :-)

How I solved the case:
*All colors used
*Evidence: stars, wood, greenery
*Testimony: Christmas promt #52

Have you any homemade decorations at home?

Traditional deer Christmas cards

Two weeks ago I had this blog post where I showed Christmas deer cards made with non seasonal materials. Today I'll give you some made with seasonal papers and embellies:

The materials are a mix of  old stuff from MME, Echo park, Cosmo Cricket and probably a few more :-)

Thank you for stopping by!

Stars! The Studio Challenges December 8th challenge

The newest challenge at The Studio Challenges (TSC) is all about Stars! As its the festive season and it's my favourite shape, how many stars can you get in your layout?

 See how the design team did on at the TSC blog!

Here is my take:

My oldest son is working hard to get an A in this "Home Economics" subject at school (sorry, I couldn't find the proper, English word for the subject): a subject where they learn to cook easy meals, bake a little, learn about nutrition etc etc. This photo shows him practising at home with yeast dough, a must for a Norwegian!

Bacgound paper & overlay: unknown. . Chipboarrd: Amy Tangerine/AC. Envelope: Webster's pages. Flair & Yum! stamp: The Paper Bakery. Tag: Chic Tags. Wood stars: unknow. Epoxy stars & washi: Freckled Fawn. Metal stars: Basic Grey

I decided to go all out with the star theme, and had plenty of papers and embellies to work with. Since the photos don't have much color, I figured a busy background could work out. The cut off Pocket in the right bottom corner holds my journaling

Chipboards in different colors add depth to the layout.

This month’s sponsor at The Studio Challenges is FabScraps 

FabScraps began in 2005 when Brigitte and Janine created one of the first truly local ranges of paper and matching accessories ever produced in South Africa. FabScraps products are associated with artistic, approachable and fun designs which have a wide appeal to scrapbookers who love all styles from retro to shabby chic!

The winner of December will receive some scrappy goodies from the Burlesque collection ♥

So go check FabScraps out! These are the links:

http://lovefromfabscraps.blogspot.com/

http://www.fabscrapsusa.com/

Do you want to play with us at The Studio Challenges this month?

Got Snow - CSI file #101

 Today we got the first snow for the season - I just love how much lighter it gets with the snow, and how much cleaner!

This photo of my kids jumping on the trampoline was taken in February, though:

 

Background paper: Echo Park. Other papers: LYB, Studio Calico, unknown. Chipboards: MME.
Epoxy accents: Freckled Fawn. Flair: Marens Landhandleri. Alpha: AC. Snowflake charms: unknown

 Journaling says:  "Who says the trampoline can be used in the summer only? If you want to practise new tricks for the ski jumps, you're totally independent on doing it on snow!"

Details

This week's CSI file to be solved:

How I solved the case:
*All colors used
*Evidence: Silver accents, something dangeling, circles, holiday accents, something transparent (greenish square)
*Testimony: Cursive handwriting


Do YOU like snow?

Born On Christmas Eve - CSI special Case File

We at CSI are excited to reveal our third special Case File created for our collaboration with Scrap365, UK's biggest scrapbooking magazine.

This special Case File will be open for investigation for the entire month of December. CSI will have a new Scrap365 Case File every other month, with the publication of a new issue of the magazine. After this Case File closes, we will be selecting our five favorite layouts to feature, and those people will be invited as CSI Deputies (guest designers) for February.

We hope you will play with us this month. One lucky winner will win the latest copy of Scrap365.


Here are the colors and requirements for this special file:

And this is my take on it, featuring my dog, Scoobie, born on December 24th 2004:

Yellow paper: Basic Grey. Other papers: SEI. Yellow trim: Glitz Designs. Fabric tag: Websters Pages

Not my usual style, but when it comes to anything with pink I totally forget about "Less is more" *lol*

 Details/Close ups:

Large flowers: Petaloo. Small paper flowers: Prima. Resin flowers: Freckled Fawn
Pink trims: unknown

Large snowflake: Indiska. Snowflake brads: unknown.
Pink metal frame & pearls: unknown

Alpha: American Crafts/Amy Tangerine

 How I solved the case:
*All colors used
*Evidence: Flowers, pearls, silver accents, ribbon, snowflakes
*Testimony: Write four random things about your subject:

-Kenel/breed name: Timanka's Christmas Wonder
-Nickname: Scoobie
-Born: December 24th 2004
 -Color: Originally black & white, nowadays more grey & white

Left photo is taken last week, right photo taken in 2008 when she was true b&w.


Now, please head over to the CSI site to see the rest of the DT member's and the GDT member's lovely take on this challenge

Christmas cards made with non seasonal materials - Deers!

For a few years I have challenged myself to make Christmas cards with non seasonal papers: It's a great way to use up scraps and left over embellies.

I have some favorite dies which are perfect for the purpose - one of them is a deer dies from LifeStyleCrafts (Quickutz). As you will see all the cards below are based on the same design, but I still didn't feel mass producing as they are all with different colors and patterns.

"God jul" means "Merry Christmas" in Norwegian :-)

Paper on deer: MME. Bow: Freckled Fawn. The rest: unknown

Paper on deer: MME.. The rest: unknown

Alpha: Webster's Pages. The rest: unknown

Backround paper: LYB. Paper on deer: MME. Bow: Freckled Fawn. The rest: unknown

As I said, all of these cards were made from paper scraps, and I'm sorry I can't recall all manufactorers.

I'll be back next week with  more Christmas cards, both deer cards made with traditional papers, but also with more cards non seasonal style,made with my other favourite dies, a bulbe.

My Favorite Month (OUAS December challenge)

Look at this great sketch created by Nadia Canizzo for Once Upon A... Sketch:

Journalling Theme: "My favorite month"

 

You are free to interpret our theme any way you like but please make sure your layout is based on the sketch above and includes some journalling (hidden journalling is fine)

Even if I love December with advent, Christmas and all the family time, I admit I love July even more:

Papers: Simple Stories. Colored stickers: October Afternoon.Word stickers & tab: Bazill.
Flair: Marens Landhandleri. Buttons: Angels Craft. Alpha: I don't recall :-)

This is the very last layout I'll make as a DT member at OUAS, at least for a while. Originally the DT term was for one year, but due to Nadia having a baby etc, the term became half a year longer. It has been a lovely journey to be a part of, but now it's time to close that door and open new ones :-)

Please head over to the OUAS blog to see the current team's wonderful examples and to play along!

Movember (For The Studio Challenges November Sketch)

November is Movember, you knew that, didn't you?
My husband is trendy, and of course he lets his moustache grow the entire month:

Background paper: Club Scrap. Other patterned papers, tags &banner: Pretty Little Studio.
Ribbons & buttons: unknown
 

 Details:

Flags, metal Clip & washi: Freckled Fawn 

Alpha: October Afternoon. Moustache flair: ScrapButtons

Flair: Freckled Fawn

This layout is my example for this great grid sketch over at The Studio Challenges:

You will recognize the over all design with the squares etc from the sketch, but I added a tag with the main photo, a banner an replaces the circles with tags.
Do you want to be our guest designer? Head over to The Studio Challenges blog to see more, and of course to see the rest of the DTs very creative takes on this sketch.

Enjoy every moment - CSI #99

A new, lovely challenge is up at CSI:

And here is my take on it:

A true mix of findings from my pile of stash: no one mentioned - no one forgotten this time, but I spot The Paper Bakery, Studio Calico, LYB, Basic Grey, and probably some more :-)

Journaling: "DS10 is still enjoy the small things in life - like hunting for treasures in the garden with the metal detector. May 2013"

How I solved the case:
*Colors: The DT members get the file cases quite far in advance and the first description said pale grey instead of pale green. So my layout has grey instead of green :-) But the other colors are used.
*Evidence: Butterfly, Wood, silver metal,fabric (puffy and pleated, too), six of something (triangels, groups of six stars, six other wood embellies)
*Testimony:six word memoir

Do we see you this week at CSI?

Do cats dream? (CSI file #98)

Do cats dream?

Green paper: MME. Envelopes: Studio Calico. Labels & flair: American Craft. Ribbon: May Arts. Alpha: Lily Bee (small), Websters pages (larger). Tiles: Harmonie. Sequins, papers with stripes & frame: unknown.

Journaling:
"If they do, what do they dream about? Are they working on New hunting tecbiques, the Perfect ones which will ncrease the pile of mice under the front door stairs? Do they plan on how to get more from their humans? Do they dream about the day the neighbour cat is gone so they don't have to fight any more? I don't know, but they do."

I found inspiration to this layout in this week's CSI file:

How I solved the case:
*All colors used.
*Evidence: Polka dots, ribbon,frame, spiral note punch, labels
*Testimony: Document a dream, inspiration words.


Do you think pets dream?