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.

Janice - colour challenge

Janice has sent in her page for the colour challenge. It is the first time she has scrapped in the 8.5 x 11 size and i think she might be hooked!

"Tried something new for me and scrapped a 8.5x12 page.
Not much to this layout but I was happy with the way it turned out.
Loved this size and can see myself doing more of them. - Janice"

This is really WOW Janice. I love that Ali Edwards text box, overlay thingo - it is fantastic! Also totally LOVE those white rubons at the top. They are so delicate it almost looks like lace!

Beautiful - and beautiful subject too!

Marika - banner

Marika has sent in this stunning xmas page with a clever banner twist. The little xmas trees look just like a triangular banner stretching down the page.

This is lovely Marika. I suppose we will start seeing a lot of green and red layouts soon!

Banner Challenge- Sue

My banner layout that i completed at the 'cottage' friday night.

Maryanne - colour challenge

Maryanne has sent in a great layout which fits our current colour challenge. It is digi and I absolutely LOVE it.

Those lines on the kraft, the cool 'vintage' photo, the big 09 and that eyecatching splash of pink.

WOWOWOW. totally wow.

Sandra - a flower tutorial

Sandra has found and sent in a lovely little tutorial on flower making. She made this awesome bloom by following the instructions!

you can find the link to look at the instructions here!

Thanks for sharing this Sandra!

Don't forget...

there is only a few days left to register for our retreat classes.

Yes it seems a long way away still and tricky to get your head around decision making now for something being done in March 2010 but we really need to get our orders in so the kits are ready in time!

We have had a great response so far - thanks to those that have been quick off the mark!

Believe me - these projects are all amazing! You are going to kick yourself if you miss out.

Sunday is the deadline!

Tiff- light photo challenge

great silhouette Tiff. Lovely light.