Year In Review Challenge by Virginia Wong

As 2010 draws to a close and 2011 is emerging, I like taking the time to reminisce about our year. Sporadically throughout the year, I created Month in Review pages and doing a Year in Review page seemed to be the perfet conclusion to Project 365 for me.

Here is a look at my Year in Review.

As you can see, we celebrated birthdays, the first day of school, a kindergarten graduation, family, love, going to the Happiest Place on Earth and many many other events but these pictures seemed to represent our year. Sure there were some challenges but this another layout! On the whole, these pictures celebrated us, our family and that is how I will remember 2010 as we welcome in 2011!

Happy New Year everyone!

Not your standard size/shape Card Challenge by Cari Locken

Hi there!

Cari here with another post for this wonderful card challenge - creating cards that are not a standard shape or size. First of all, I trust that you've all had a wonderful Christmas with your families. We had a great time here.

I love making cards! I admit, though, that I tend to stick to the same sizes when I make them. Probably because I like to get the most out of my paper. ;)

However, I can share one that I created in the shape of a party hat.

Supplies used: American Crafts paper, ribbons & rub-ons, Kaiser Craft rhinestone flowers, Fiskars border punch

And here's another one that measures 3" x 7". Not a typical size but it's a fun one.

Supplies used: Cosmo Cricket papers, chipboard, and "for you" die-cut, Prima (Flowers), ribbon, buttons, twine, Bazzill Basics Cardstock.

This card measure 4" x 5". Another non-traditional shape but it works.

Supplies used: Bazzill Basics cardstock, MME papers, Fiskars border punch, flowers (Prima and Kasier Craft), ribbon (May Arts), rub-ons (Pebbles)

I really should start making more with a unique shape because they are really fun.

This is an older one that I made with a card set. It's actually a pocket with a tag tucked inside. (sorry for the not-so-great photo).

Supplies used: Bazzill Basics cardstock, SEI papers, Melissa Frances rub-ons, decorative scissors, ribbon (May Arts)

I hope that we've challenged you to try some new shapes, designs and sizes when you create your cards. I'm definitely going to start using my Cricut for some of these as well because the possibilities are endless.

Have a great week!!

Not Your Standard Size/Shape Card Challenge by Erica Perkins

I'm truly not much of a card maker, so when I started out making cards, they were the usual 4 1/4 x 5 1/2" card. Then I started to feel more comfortable and was inspired by other envelope sizes and things I saw around me. Now I have a bit more fun with my cards and have created ones like:

This fun octagon shaped card inspired by the shapes on a rummoli board.

Then there are those long A2 envelopes that had me making cards like these. What I kind of love about these is they really stand out among someone's cards, so everyone notices them.

My favourite sizes to make right now though are 5x5 and 3x3 cards. The envelopes for these are pretty available (I got mine from Stampin' Up, but I know there are lots of options). If you are like me and scrap 12x12 layouts for the most part, these are just a smaller version of that perfect square. I find them easier to do then the standard size.

And the trick to these circle cards is to not quite cut a perfect circle. You want to keep the fold edge flat and slice the smallest bit of the bottom so it'll stand up for you.

Now it's your turn to create some unique cards ... we challenge you to step out of the box!

Not your standard size/shape card challenge - Jo West

Happy Day after boxing day!  Now that the mad rush to the mall is over ... well almost over, some of those deals go on for a week, it's time to grab a warm beverage and get inspired to make some cards!  This week we are challenging you to make cards that are not your standard 5 1/2 by 4 1/4 inch sized cards ...

The long and short of it ...  I love making cards from scraps, and most times my scraps don't work with the standard card size ... so instead, i make cards according to the envelope sizes i have on hand ... in this case, i had some business envelopes hanging around the house, perfect for a tall skinny card and some very tiny square 3 1/2" envelopes ... great for gift cards ... the banners on the tall card were hand cut triangles again from scraps of paper.  i cut them on the fold and glue dotted them to "hang" on the baker's twine.

The not so square of it ... and every once in a while, just for fun, i might make cards that have a different shape ... I don't have access to a lot of "shapes" so i tend to download templates from Stampington & Company when i want to make a shaped card.  Both of the cards below are templates from there.  For those of you with cricuts or other die cutting systems, you have access to probably hundreds of shapes from which to make a shaped card.  I usually use shaped cards for special occasions and invitations.

This teacup was super easy to do ... I just traced the tea template, and cut every thing out except the top which i used as the fold ... the sentiment is stamped onto the tag which hangs in a "tea bag" on the outside of the card.

This little shoe card is cute when attached to a gift bag or wrapped present.  You can stamp your sentiment write into the "sole" of the card, or you can write a little message, roll it into a scroll, tie with ribbon and slip it inside the shoe ... if the shoe fits!

We would love to see what  you do with this challenge, please link up to us so we can visit your page or blog, happy shopping and have a wonderful New Year!

Traditions by Sonja McLean

Hello Fellow Scrappers! Merry Christmas Eve...hope you are all enjoying your day! For today's challenge I decided to do a 12x12 layout celebrating one of my favourite holiday traditions: baking cookies and snacks with my family. This year my kids and I baked over 400 cookies and other snacks to give as gifts for teachers, friends and family. It's a gift that comes from our hearts, is made by our hands, and packaged with lots of love and appreciation.


Happy Holidays from my home to yours! Love, Sonja.

Supplies: patterned paper by Deja Views, die-cut paper by Jenni Bowlin, stamps by Technique Tuesday, chipboard letters by American Crafts, stickers and rub-ons by Adornit, American Crafts, Jenni Bowlin and 7Gypsies, ribbon by Maya Road, embellishments by Making Memories.

Traditions - by Virginia Wong

Our family has adopted traditions from both my husband and my families over the years but as the girls have grown older, we have created our own traditions. I love these traditions and look forward to them every year.

Here is a mini album that celebrates our traditions. The album is titled "Joy" because these traditions bring all of us joy!

Supplies (for album):  Clear Scraps (acrylic album); ribbon (source unknown); My Minds Eye (pattern paper); tags (source unknown); Basic Grey (red poinsetta pattern paper, chipboard alphas); Making Memories (mini alphas); Spellbinders (star dies); American Crafts (pen for stitching)

We start the Christmas season with our various advent calendars - ummm over the years I have collected a few! Each year it is a surprise to see what delicious morsel lies in the drawers of the calendar. My youngest daughter loves putting all the puzzle pieces together to create the wintery scene.

Next is the giddy anticipation of opening the boxes of Christmas decorations. Each girl has their own "special" ornaments that they lovingly place on the tree.

We often receive cards and special meaningful gifts from relatives abroad. No matter the item, my girls have these spontaneous joyful faces! And yes, sometimes during the days leading up to Christmas the excitement is too much - yes, we ask them to read about the Christmas story. Even though it is the holiday season, homework must still be completed.

No matter how many times we decorate the tree, each girl is excited and almost overwhelmed to put their first ornament on the tree. Daddy often is standing within arms' reach. (Mommy would too but who would take the photo?)

I also cannot forget our tradition of reading the Christmas Story advent calendar. Each day we read a mini book telling us the story of baby Jesus and the reason why we celebrate this wonderful season.

I always take a fun "head shoot" of the girls sometime during the Christmas season. Even though they have their "moments" they do really love each other. Our head shot poses vary from year to year and it is something they come up with.

How can I forget pictures with Santa? This is the first year that my youngest has not been scared by Santa!

Each girl makes a quick Christmas craft to share with close friends. Last year we made reindeer candy canes. We also always paint one ornament for the tree.

Each year we try to come up with new ways to dress our table. Last year we made placecards using upbeat non-traditional colours.

As well, no wintery day is complete without the "haute chocolate latte" devised by Moi! This is a family favorite for sure and is rarely available any time other than the holiday season.

Our last tradition is making sugar cookies. My recipe is tried and true. Each girl invites 2-3 friends who come and decorate cookies. It is a great time for all and one that is filled with many Kodak moments!

I thank you all for letting me share my family's traditions and I wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

-Virginia

Traditions - by Cari Locken

I'm sure that many of us have certain traditions that we like to keep going every year throughout the holidays. Right?

We have a few. One of them is cutting down our Christmas tree. Since moving to the west coast it has been easier for us to find tree farms and the kids just love it!

Here's a couple of layouts that I've created capturing those fun times.

Supplies used: Core'dinations cardstock, Imaginisce (papers, rub-ons, flowers), Cuttlebug (trees diecut and embossing template), Basic Grey chipboard alpha

Supplies used: Imaginisce (papers, stickers, flowers, i-top brads, ribbon) EK Success border punch, Making Memories alpha stickers, American Crafts Thickers

Supplies used: Bazzill Basics cardstock, Cuttlebug (tree diecut & embossing folder),Fiskars border punch, Fancy Pants (papers), Making Memories alpha stickers

Supplies used: Core'dinations cardstock, Jenni Bowlin papers & circle stickers, Jillibean Soup ribbon, American Crafts brads, Queen & Co. felt

Another tradition that happens in our family is me trying to take a photo of the kids on Christmas Eve. Sometimes this task is easy and other times not so much!

Supplies used: Fancy Pants (papers) Making Memories alpha stickers, Cuttlebug embossing folders & diecuts, Fiskars border punch

Supplies used: Core'dinations cardstock, Imaginisce (papers, stickers, stamp, ribbon, flowers, i-top brad & tool, glam rocks (white) adhered with i-rock tool), American Crafts Thickers, Veramark

My mom also likes to make new pj's for the grandchildren each year. Last year she also made the girls some beautiful dresses.

Supplies used: Melissa Frances die-cut stickers, Quick Quotes papers, Kaiser Craft rhinestones, Piggy Tales ribbon, American Crafts brads, Pink Paislee chipboard alpha

Supplies used: Core'dinations cardstock, Basic Grey chipboard alpha, Fiskars border punch, Making Memories alpha stickers

I'd love to hear what your christmas traditions are. Have a blessed holiday!

Santa Photos - Challenge

So what do you do with all of the photos of the kids on the lap of the mall Santa?  I have a friend who puts then all out on her mantle... each and every year is on display, which works really well if you have a large mantle or area and you want to track the kids through the years.

Another option is to scrap them ...  I don't know about you all but i have a hard time scrapping them ... so i choose one that was just a bit different ... and yes i remember it well ... at about the age of three my darling daughter learned to pout ... and she practiced a lot ... even with Santa ... This is the only year that i don't have a smiling child on Santa's lap, but it was a whole lot of fun to scrap ... So if you are having problems starting ... maybe try one where your child's expressions were something different  ... or something funny or unusual happened... then tackle the rest of the stack of photos ... your kids will appreciate it so much when they are older!

now that i have one under my belt i am raring to get going at the rest of them ... and it is fun to scrap a yearly progression of Santa's and your kids!

Winter Fun and Frolic Challenge by Susan Tutt

When I moved to Canada from California, 17 years ago, I really had no idea what winter was all about! I have to admit I wasn't impressed with -20 degree weather, but over the years I have learned to tollerate the winter. Since having kids I have experienced the fun side of winter, sledding, ice hockey, snowball fights and building snowmen, but drinking hot chocolate is still the best part of winter for me! This weeks challenge is winter fun and frolic. I have created two layouts that capture our winter fun.
Last winter we discovered a frozen pond in our neighborhood that was cleared for skating and hockey! My kids were thrilled, especially my hockey crazed son.

One of our winter traditions is to go sledding. I love capturing the exhilarated faces of my kids as they come down the snow hill.

It snowed again last night in Calgary, so we will be off sledding this weekend. Yay for hot chocolate!! Have a great weekend and remember to submit your challenge layout I would love to see your winter fun!

Sketch Challenge ~ Jo West

Sorry to bring you this Friday's challenge so late in the week ... here it is Sunday afternoon, and I am just now able to post it ... I had a friend come over to look at my computer as it would not recognize my camera to download the pics ... turns out it was (and still is) a corrupted camera card ... who would a thought ...

Anyways, back to the main story ... We have this wonderful multi picture sketch  to work with this week ...

and here is my interpretation of the sketch ...

The interesting thing about sketches is that they can be used as a jumping off point ... you never have to follow them verbatim ... I made several changes ... I overlapped the pictures and didn't leave the "whitespace" with the flower on it as shown in the sketch ... I added numerous embellishments, placed my title where the journalling was supposed to go and I cut down the size of the patterned paper that covered the left 1/2 of the layout.

I actually found this sketch quite fun to play with and i would used it again ... and I am usually a one photo on page type scrapper ... so go ahead, do give this one a try!