Merry Christmas (paper tree #1) - Layout #20 of the 365 scrapbook challenge and what lessons I learned with this layout

Hey Newbies,

I'm here working on number 20 of my 365 Page Layout Challenge 2019 (and the lessons I learned).  I will try to list everything I used below and try to link up to where you can purchase them if you happen to like any of them.

I'm here working on something I "lifted" (ha! that's a term we scrapbookers use for using someone else' layouts).  This particular layout I found on YouTube by Vicki Parker (click here to watch it).

She used a Hip Kit Club December Kit (to find out more about these awesome kits click here.  I loved the way she made the tree out of various papers cut in 1" strips.  So I decided to myself, self, this seems to be pretty easy and looks fabulous so why not try it!  

So I began with the white card stock like she did.  I then picked out all of the papers I wanted to use (I am not a member of the Hip Kit Club (yet) because I have a TON of paper in my stash and want to use some of it up before joining).  That being said, I didn't use any of the papers she did.  

I began to lay them out like she did, and it looked pretty good.  I was envious of her papers but mine weren't so bad.  I added the BEST WISHES as the trunk and the tree was complete!

Now, here comes LESSON 1 for this layout...how to hide things you put on a layout that just doesn't look good.  In her video, Vicki added splatters.  Now, if you have never used splatters before there is a bit of a technique to it.  I mean you would think it would be so simple, THEY ARE SPLATTERS for crying out loud!  But they can get away from you and in this case it looked more like a bloody crime scene than a Merry Christmas scene😱

After I splattered the green and red it really looked like a bloody mess and once it's down, it's down.  So, LESSON 1, how I covered them up!  I started by stamping snowflakes all over the place and that didn't quite do it, so then I started adding stickers everywhere.  I mean, snowflake stickers, mitten stickers, stocking stickers and finally...the bloody mess was gone!  So...if you make a mistake and you've gone too far to turn back now...cover that sh*t up!

After I finished cleaning up "the scene", I added the photo by backing it in red and gold foil paper and then added the MERRY CHRISTMAS, which wasn't meant for scrapbooking but I used it anyway and it looked pretty good (so, we will call that LESSON #2 for this layout).  They are actually window jelly clings that you use to decorate your windows with during the holiday.  Here may be LESSON #3 for this layout...you might now want to use something this red and green on a white background...this material tends to run so some of the wording is now a bit more colorful around the actual letters🤦🏻‍♀️.  Maybe on a colored background or maybe not at all...just saying...

Well, there you have it...number 20 of my 365 layout challenge for 2019.  Thanks for following along on my journey of 365 scrapbook page challenge that I am doing, and reading about the lessons I'm learning along the way!

Please leave a comment below and let me know if you are trying Vicki's layout.  If you liked this blog, please subscribe and come follow me on my 3-6-5 journey to see if I am able to complete it!

Come join our FB page for more challenges and to share your layouts with the group or come follow me on IG!  

Happy Scrapping🤗

Kimberly

#6 of my 365 Layout Challenge 2019, and the lessons I've learned - FAMILY IS EVERYTHING

Hey guys, As you know I have challenged myself to 365 pages of layouts for 2019 (being 12x12, 6x6, cards, what ever project gets me going is what I am counting).

We did a TITLE challenge over on our FB page were I gave a Title and the layout was up to you to match the Title.  Since it was still the Christmas season (everyone scrapping their Christmas photos from December), I chose to do this one for number 6 of my 365 Challenge for 2019.

I have really been loving the non-traditional Christmas colors that everyone is doing this year!  I can't get enough of them!  So I found some awesome papers from Lawn Fawn over at A Cherry On Top (love them)!  Every paper in this pad is amazing!  I used 3 sheets, cutting the Christmas trees out of one and using scrap for a tearing technique.  The black tree that I journaled on was also cut from my Big Shot using the stencil I bought from Hobby Lobby.  I love these trees!  I also fussy cut the tree ornaments from one of the sheets from this pad.  I used red twine and used glass beads the same shade of blue as the paper for some added sparkle.

For the "snow" effect I used some white holographic gems from Ink Road Stamps (click here and shop for a 15% discount!).

Now for the first and only lesson on this layout, the fussy cut Santa.  That actually came from a pad of paper I had laying around the house that I fussy cut and made into a stamp with my X-yron stamp maker!  So, Lesson #1, just because you didn't buy it from the store in the Scrapbook Isle doesn't mean it won't work!  Use what you got and save some money!

I also used an old Christmas brad I from my stash and finally, the Title.  I love this font and believe I found it at Hobby Lobby as well.

This layout out was fun to make!  It was a very old photo that brought back some really awesome memories and I got to use it with my new favorite Christmas colors!

Well there you have it, #6 of my 365 day layout challenge that I'm doing in 2019.  I hope you liked it and thanks for following me on this challenge.  I will always try to link up to the items I've used so that if you like something you can find it (and if I can get a discount for you I will link that up too)!

Please come join us on our FB page so you can share all of your layouts and projects, we would love to see them,  We are Scrapbooking For Newbies but we have some experts on our page as well to give us pointers and show some new techniques off!  We keep it a closed group so if you are working on a special album for someone they won't be able to see your work until you are ready to give it to them!  Or come follow me on IG, there are always challenges, giveaways and fun techniques to discover!

As always, Happy Scrapping🤗

Kimberly

What spending freeze???

Ok, so I know I said I was on a spending freeze for this year.  That was my New Year's Resolution and like most New Year's Resolutions (think joining the gym and working out every day)...it lasted for 3 weeks.  Yeap, Three l-o-n-g weeks!   

I went to PetSmart today to pick up some cat food and of course right next door is Joanne's.  I said to myself, self, just go in and browse, you don't need to buy anything, just browse I said.  So in I went and out I came with a new stash of AWESOMENESS for...wait for it...UNDER $20.00 and NO coupon!

They had all of their Christmas stuff 90% off.  Why is that a big deal for a scrapbooking person you ask.  Well, my mind sees stuff and even if it's not specifically in the scrapbook isle or designated for scrapbooking (think, thread, small wooden words, ribbon...you get the idea).  I'm always saying to myself, self, would this work for a layout?  All of the stuff of course would!

Here is my haul from Joann's.  If you have a Joann's I suggest you run there tomorrow before it is all gone! (apparently there is some technical difficulty with uploading the entire video so if you want to see the rest click here to head over to my FB page).

I hope you enjoyed this little haul video and I hope you are able to find a crazy deal like this in one of your go to stores!  Remember, just because it doesn't say "scrapbooking" doesn't mean you can't use it for a layout.  Let your mind go crazy!  If it doesn't work out, start over and what did you waste? Thirty-nine cents and a little time...but how fun if it does work!  You just scored!

Thanks for following me on my journey down this fun world of scrapbooking!  Follow us on IG or Facebook to join in some of our challenges or to share your stuff and give some tips!  We are open to everyone (Newbies or experts...we love when you experts join us and give us a little more knowledge on how to do some awesome techniques)!

Happy Scrappin🤗

Kimberly