Happy New Year everyone!!

So I hope everyone had a great night and if you made any resolutions that they are ones that you can keep!!

So how about a couple of challenges ...

No 1 ... a layout with no patterned paper!!

I posted this one a few days ago on my blog ...

So use your imagination a little and definitely no patterned paper!

I scanned the dockets from the bakery and printed them onto plain paper.

No 2 ... Photo Challenge ... "this says Summer to me" ...

I think we had this last Summer but post a favourite photo of something you have loved doing this Summer ... no rush ... you have the whole month!!

No 3 ... Representation through elements ...

Ooohh that sounds good doesn't it!! ;-)

I have done this a few times lately so though it might be good to explain with this example ...

1. the yellow paper ... the stubble
2. the stitching ... header traveling through the paddock, round and round
3. the clock ... time waiting at the silos
4. blue pearls ... rain
5. yellow and green brad ... colour of the header
6. twine ... harvest wrapping up
7. brads ... a truck looking element ;-)
8. chipboard star ... start of harvest

So if you do this challenge when you send your layout in add an explanation of your elements and what they represent!

January 2010 challenges ...

I know that most people are away for at least some of January but I thought I might post a couple of challenges on January 1st for those who are home!

Stay tuned!

New year's resolution ... LOL

Sandra wrote to say ...

Hi Meredith!
I saw on your blog that you are thinking of doing a Christmas project every month getting ready for next Christmas!
I was thinking of doing the same thing...but I think you have more commitment than I have lol

I found this in my travels ... see below!

I thought of you as soon as I saw all those ideas. It is a free download I hope you like it.might be a good share for the blog??

Cheers for now, Sandra
Have a Happy New Year!!

http://scrapbooking.about.com:80/gi/dynamic/offsite.htm?zi=1/XJ/Ya&sdn=scrapbooking&cdn=homegarden&tm=18&gps=342_277_1020_597&f=00&tt=14&bt=0&bts=0&zu=http%3A//www.shabbyprincess.com/downloads.asp

Thanks Sandra ... as I said on my blog ... I'm not being held to my idea!! ;-)

But I think a collection of recipes suitable for Christmas is a great idea as each year I go looking for those special ones that I have found through out the year and waste a lot of time looking!!

Cute Xmas decorations

Whilst putting off going to bed and laying in a sweaty, hot room (bugger at another day of the heat tomorrow!) i stumbled on a couple of other cute litle chrissy decorations.

This is a super cute garland! Isn't it adorable with those little buttons on the string??!! The instructions can be found here on the Fancy Pants website but i think you could use any paper at all with those sorts of ornament designs on them. Basic Grey had some a couple of years ago and also i have seen Kaiser paper with similar designs.

And i also found this gorgous little tag. The clever creator has made one for each member of her family and popped them on her tree as decorations! What genius!

Another gift card idea ...

Janice sent this link in ...

"Hi Meredith,

Have found this “groovy packing for gift vouchers” and thought it looked like a good idea.

http://kayewinieckidesigns.com/blog/?p=495


You may like to put it on the e2c blog.
Thanks for all the other links.
I have made the Christmas card/ Gift idea from Making Memories, really easy to make.
The candles you have made look beautiful.

Wishing everyone a Merry Christmas.

Cheers
Janice"

Thank you so much Janice ... they look wonderful and easy!

I am glad you have been able to use some of the ideas ... makes it all worth while for us!!

I think next year we will have to do one post with all the links we found this year as a reminder for us all of what we thought we would do "next Christmas"!!

Maybe we could start a bit earlier next year!! Like July!!

Table decoration, next to the candles ;-)

Picture from here ...

http://madeitdotcomdotau.blogspot.com/2009/12/table-decorations-paper-christmas-trees.html

Originally made in fabric the printable template is here ...

http://thesmallobject.com/stenopad/wordpress/?p=822

Candle creations ...

So today a little candle decorating happened ...

It was a little bit of trial and error ...

Extra tips ...

• Heidi Swapp said to stick the tissue paper to card stock ... we found a sheet of A4 paper was better
• Use a wooden rubon stick to smooth out the image as you go
• do a test run on a sheet of A4 paper to check that the image will fit onto your chosen candle
• you can trim around the image rather than having the tissue paper wrapped right around
• if you are careful you shouldn't need adhesive to stick the tissue paper onto the candle while it is being heated
• re positional adhesive is the way to go with tissue paper adhering to the A4 paper
• leave a 1 inch gap at the top of the A4 paper (so that the tissue paper is NOT right at the edge of the A4 paper) to give your printer something to "grab onto"

• Please note: this is a heat tool not a hairdryer

Images from House of 3 ...

If you don't want to pay for images ...

• google images, better if they have a white background

• use Word Art and various fonts and colours as this image shows ...
  

Let us know if you give it a try and send any more tips and photos in!

You could also use just patterned tissue paper ... there are lots around at News agencies and Supermarkets

Crossing over to patchwork ...

This card was made by Ingrid Kennerley, using a pattern by Nancy Halvorsen.

The original pattern was not for making a card but I thought it was so good that it was worth a blog post so I asked Ingrid for an example!! And my suggestion of using Pritt to stick the fabric down worked!!

Christmas tree decoration ...

http://crafttutorials.wordpress.com/2007/12/05/paper-globe-ornaments/

These ones are beautiful too ...

http://livelifecreateart.blogspot.com/

- using either a plain circle punch or a scalloped circle punch and some Bazzill dots cardstock looks good too.

I can imagine using Cuttlebug embossed cardstock in several colours too!

Sweet gift idea with a message ...

Saw this idea today ...

Put some M & M's into a little plastic bag and tie it with ribbon, print this verse out on some cardstock, decorate it if you want and attach it to the bag ...

As you hold these candies in your hand
And turn them,
you will see The 'M' becomes a 'W',
An 'E', and then a '3'.
They tell the Christmas Story-- I'm sure it's one you know.
It took place in a stable A long, long time ago.
The 'E' is for the East, Where the star shone so bright.
The 'M' is for the Manger, where the Baby Jesus slept at night.
The '3' is for the Wisemen, Bearing gifts, with which they came.
'W' is for Worship, Hallelujah!
Praise His Name!
So as you eat these candies Or share them with a friend,
Remember the meaning of Christmas: It's a love that never ends.

Written by Pam Ridenour

Here is another version ...

More Than Colors

These special little candies,
Come in colors bright and fun.
There’s more than color to be found;
A story of God’s Son.
The M’s turn into W’s,
If you turn them upside down.
A few more turns and E and 3’s
Are waiting to be found.
M is for the manger,
Where Mary laid her precious boy.
Little did the world know,
This baby would bring great joy.
The W is for the Wise men, Who followed a bright star.
The star revealed a king was born,They came but, oh, so far.
In Bethlehem they found Him,
Just as they had been told.
3 is for the gifts they brought;Frankincense, myrrh and gold
W is also for their worship,
As they bowed before their King, Salvation is the promise given,
There’s nothing we can bring.
Faith alone is how we come
He died to set us free.
E is for eternity,God’s gift to you and me.

Barbara Hooks' Version

While Googling to find this verse I can across a kids craft site for Christmas stuff ...

http://www.daniellesplace.com/HTML/christmas_page2.html

It also lists the poem above.

i am totally going to try this!!

blog hopping

In my extensive research for this blog ;-) i have been looking at other blogs around the traps.

I have found a couple that make me laugh:

• lollychops
• Cathy Zielske

and check out these cool downloadable Christmas tags from CZ's blog

tags here.

There are also some beautiful downloadables here at the House of 3 (these will cost but OMG they are STUNNING!)

and another thing i found on my travels is this CUTE countdown book from Heidi Swapp.

Christmas Quotes

Have you ever heard a quote about Christmas that really speaks to you? Maybe it is a passage from the bible - about the true meaning of Christmas?

The one that i just adore is from the Grinch by Dr Seuss. This really brings home that the real meaning, and feeling of Christmas and how it gets lost in amongst all that comercialism, that feeling of 'having to buy something for someone just for the sake of buying'. I know i personally am feeling that way at the moment about myself. Greg is asking me what i would like for Xmas and i have no idea! I have all i want at the moment and anything extra would just be unnecessary money spent!

so here is my fav. quote.

And the Grinch, with his Grinch-feet ice cold in the snow, stood puzzling and puzzling, how could it be so? It came without ribbons. It came without tags. It came without packages, boxes or bags. And he puzzled and puzzled 'till his puzzler was sore. Then the Grinch thought of something he hadn't before. What if Christmas, he thought, doesn't come from a store. What if Christmas, perhaps, means a little bit more. ~Dr. Seuss


I would love to see your comments below about a quote that really talks to you.

Gift card enclosure ...

Image from Hambly Screen Prints blog

http://hamblyscreenprints.typepad.com/screen_prints_blog/2009/12/holiday-dt-tutorial-dina.html

12 tags of Christmas ...

Head over for a look ...

http://timholtz.typepad.com/

Even if the tags are over whelmingly beautiful you may pick up a technique or two!

They are certainly beautiful and I think he has done them for a few years now so check the side bar for more details ... 2007 and 2008.

Christmas card / gift idea

Image from Making Memories blog

http://blog.makingmemories.com/2009/12/leahs-christmas-card.html

This is a great idea!

Kylie - Christmas photo challenge

"Hi Amanda,

Here's a couple of snaps for the 'December Photo Challenge' ...

'Our ChristmasTree' which we excitedly decorated a couple of weekends ago when my parents were visiting. I put the lights on first, then let the kids 'go for it', decorating it with Nana and Pa. There's no pattern or uniformity to it but I don't mind it that way at all, it has the 'kids touch' to it !

and the kids special little 'name baubles'. The boys also have a little ceramic angel each with their names printed on them (a bit hard to see in the bright 'flash') ... they got them from their Aunty Stacey a few years back but she wasn't able to find a 'Bree-Ann' one, not such a common name I guess ! They're very sweet and I make sure they are packaged away carefully with the baubles each year !

Thanks Amanda,

Kylie "



Great shots Kylie! Just for interest sake i noticed a special bauble box in Kmart the other day and thought of all these specially packed keepsakes!

I think we can all relate to the tree and all the bits from kindy and school adorning it!

Wonderful!

Free Christmas gift tags ...

Here is a link to three different free / downloadable gift tags ... I like the first two!!

The birds are lovely.

http://livelifecreateart.blogspot.com/2009/12/free-holiday-tag-downloads.html

Janice - hard and soft challenge

"Hi Amanda,

This is my page for the something soft, something hard challenge.
For soft I used felt and a piece of ribbon.
and for hard I used brads, staples, pearls and the arrow.

Love this photo of Matthew it was taken late afternoon on one
of those hot November days at Point Drummond and it was
absolutely beautiful out there..

Cheers
Janice"

Ooooh i am loving this new size on you Janice! Fabulous idea using felt and oh wowsers at those chip birds = perfect.

Thanks for taking the plunge with this challenge.

***EDITED 7.1.10*****

Massive congrats to you Janice - first acceptance!! What a fabulous page - we all knew it was a winner!

Tiff - christmas tree photo

Tiff has sent in a photo of a special little ornament - isn't she cute!

"My sister in law makes each family member an angel each year. They are all unique to each person and for each year. Last year she made me this pasta angel that now proudly adorns my Christmas tree. There are about 20 family members, so as you can imagine, there's a bit of thought process involved.

cheers
tiff"

Chrissie Cards- Sue

Lucky for me having holidays last week i was able to get my cards made. Inspired by some ideas in the ScrapTrends card magazine... I loved using the cuttlebug embossing folders for a quick easy effect!

First one:



And another one:


Now just to write them out and pop them in the post!!

More Christmas ideas ...

Isn't this beautiful?

Images from Write.Click.Scrapbook

http://www.writeclickscrapbook.com/write_click_scrapbook/2009/12/its-write-click-scrapbook-for-the-holidays.html





And these are a very simple Christmas tree decoration ...




http://www.writeclickscrapbook.com/write_click_scrapbook/2009/12/fun-weekend-craft-add-something-new-to-your-tree.html

Sandra - busy creating!

Sandra sent in some pictures of some works that she has completed lately.

The first is a very cute gift! The instructions can be found here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZuKkRqH3Dk0&feature=player_embedded

Isn't it adorable and very clever.

Next up is a card featuring some very snazzy quilling. This looks really amazing Sandra. Lots of time has gone into these gifts - what lucky recipients.

Thanks for sharing Sandra. Lots of creative juices flowing for you atm!

Advent calender ... for next year ;-)

Photo from Making Memories blog

http://blog.makingmemories.com/2009/11/advent-calendar.html

I have seen these around before ... people use a baking tray as the base so that if you use magnets they "stick on".

Decorate the tree ...

Photo from Hambly Screen Prints blog.

http://hamblyscreenprints.typepad.com/screen_prints_blog/2009/12/overlay-garland-gift-wrapping.html

Christmas gift idea ...

Just found this link over at Facebook, posted by Ange.

http://magic-boxes.blogspot.com/2009/05/origami-box-with-wrap-lid-tutorial.html

The basis of the idea is the boxes that a lot of people made last Christmas!!

If you have seen a great free project that would be a quick gift idea leave a link in the comments section of this post to share with us all.

December Sketch Challenge

Howdy everyone,

With the hussle and bustle of this time of the year i have kept the sketch for December quite simple so you can do a page quickly with minimal fuss. When i saw this page i thought it was ideal for a quick and easy page, which i then turned into our sketch. (i am into quick, easy and simple lately)....so you can add as much as you like to it or leave it simple & sweet!

Have fun with it and i can't wait to see all your pages!!

Here is my example:

I have loved this photo of Evan with Mace, and has been sitting amongst my 'to be scrapped pile' since April.......it was one that just needed adding to my memory collection!

Hope everyone has fun preparing for Christmas, take a step back and just enjoy the moment...for tommorrow this moment is a memory!

xx Sue

Hellooooooooo December

eeek - hasn't the last few months come around quickly?!


Sorry for the delay in getting this next month's challenges up and running, but here they are! We hope you continue to be inspired by what we post : challenging yourself and your scrapping.

Sue, Meredith and I would like to thank everyone for your encouragement this year. You have been very supportive of us, the retreat and this blog.

Sue's Sketch

Stay tuned - i know Sue has a beauty in store for us.


Amanda


Something soft, something hard.


Incorperate something soft AND something hard onto your page. Soft may include fabric, feathers, blossoms, ribbons. Something hard may include metal book plates, staples, brads. Mix it up a bit, think of something new and show us what you come up with.



I would love to see both elements on one page.



Photo Challenge

Show us your Xmas tree!

This also extends to cards, home made decorations or websites you have found for Xmas inspiration (see post below!)

These are some i have found - click to access!
Martha Stewart
The Crafty Minx

when i think of Xmas, scrapbooking and craft one of the first things to come to my mind is this amazing album i saw in a For Keeps magazine a few years ago from Suz Doyle.

Here it is for you to have another look at. Lovely stuff.


oops forgot this one who i always refer to as 'super mum'

Mel Goodsell

Please share your Christmas inspiration with us. Take photos of your tree - creative ones or just snaps with the kids infront. Share your crafty Xmas cards with us.

We all love to look and comment!



Meredith's Challenge

Stay tuned to be tested to your creative BEST.

Xmas Quiz

Ok time to brush off those cobwebby comment fingers : In the comments section below please tell us your favourite Christmas carol and why.

(to save time i will write that mine is Oh Holy Night - i just love the part where they sing ' Ohhhhhhhh niiiiiiiiiiiiight diviiiiiiiiiiiiiiiine, oh holy night.... ' - shiver down spine stuff for me!)

***

We hope everyone tries to take a little time out for themselves during this busy, silly season. It can be so hectic and draining. Look after yourselves by taking some time, doing what you love, remembering what this season is all about and enjoying this lead up to Xmas.



On behalf of Sue, Meredith and myself = Happy December!

Christmas project ... check this out ...

Image taken from the Kenner Road blog.

Wow check this out ...

http://blog.kennerroad.com/2009/12/tannenbaum/

There are instruction of how to make this and I am sure that it could easily be adapted without the kit.

It looks amazing!

Retreat update ...

Hello to everyone who has registered for the retreat and signed up to the classes.

The class registrations have been overwhelming ... for 3 classes we have 131 registrations!!

So if I have not got back to you I apologise!! It has been a little hectic.

I think I have been in touch with nearly everyone (sorry Maryanne!!)

There are a few people who have only paid the deposit for the retreat so if you could make arrangements to pay the rest that would be great.

Also if you have signed up for classes that payment is due too (unless you have made contact with me!!).

I will keep checking the internet banking to see whose money has come in!!

Brigette S - banner

WOWEE. This is amazing. I just love love LOVE the look of this hanging over the fireplace!

Brigette says:

Hi Amanda

I have attached photos of a Christmas Banner I made over the weekend using the Basic Grey Wassail Collection (one of my favs), although it doesn't fit the banner challenge I thought I would share anyway. On each triangle I have placed a word that means something to our family at Christmas time.

Have a great day. Brigette :)

Stunning, gorgeous, beautiful. This is incredible Brigette! Thanks for sharing this great idea!

Janice - Sue's sketch

Hi Amanda,

This is my page for Sues sketch changed slightly.
An overlay was added to the photo before it was printed.

Thanks
Janice



Thanks Janice - we love seeing your work! This is lovely - that colour combo is delicious! The overlay looks really interesting and delicate - something that would be even more stunning irl i imagine!

Amanda - Sue's sketch

Banner layout - Meredith

Colour challenge - Sue

Here is my page for the colour challenge....you know i don't actually have much pink paper in my supplies (ohhhh, surprise surprise). These papers were from a kit i bought from Shabby Chic shop at Lock last year sometime....pink, black, white and kraft is such a yummy combo!

Latest project - Meredith

I have been struggling to find time to scrap lately (I have been doing some sewing though ... ssshhhh!!).

But I have been inspired to do a "25 days until Christmas" album this year. I nearly completed the one I started in 2007 so thought I would give it a go again this year.

This original idea is from Ali Edwards. Check out more details here and here.

Here is my cover ...

And a stack of pages, I'm up to day 13!!

My cover was inspired by Janelle Wind's album from this year and last year.