So technically, we've not reached the 25th yet and good thing, because I've not even begun my Christmas shopping! I've intentionally been putting it off because of school. I seriously can't focus on both things at the same time. As soon as I finish the last final though, I plan to get in my car and drive straight way to the mall! Actually, I'm one of those diehard boutique shoppers, especially around the holidays. I can't fathom buying a present that isn't radically unique in some small way. Whether it's a gift for my mom or the next store neighbor, there just has to be something special about it. Presently, I'm knitting a hand-dyed scarf for my sibling (won't say who!), though it's taken to the back burner temporarily 'til school is over. It's super chunky and fun! I'll post a pic when it's done! Anyway, enough about gift buying - let's chat about today's note or as some have started referring to them as, "Mini Layouts". This particular note is pretty simple, though it entails a couple of details you'll probably opt to take with you when you leave here. Let me talk about'em...
First and foremost, I want to pass along credit to the idea that will be coinciding with today's note - I'm sure most of you are already well familiar with her work, but if not, then now would be the perfect opportunity to add her blog to your blog feed. Her name is Kaori and her work is far more detailed than mine and is beautiful beyond words. I absolutely love everything this girl does! Just recently, she developed a new technique that quickly caught my fancy - transparency windows! Above is a sample of one of these windows from this latest project (photo credit: Kaori Watanabe). Well, I had to try this idea out for myself, but because I'm without chipboard frames, I used these instead:
And wouldn't you know it, they were 25% off at Archivers last week! Found'em in the clearance section! Also available based on this same design concept were circles, though I left those at the store. It turns out, the die-cuts are a perfect substitute for the chipboard square frames I'm without and because I finally invested in the big shot, I had to have them!!
Now I'll openly admit, Kaori's transparency window is much cooler than mine! Laugh. Mine feels sort of plain, but it should give you a general idea of what's involved in creating these types of windows. If you're without both the chipboard frames and referring die-cut set, you should still be able to pull off this technique. Simple hand-trim the frame from cardstock using either a scissors or multi-size square punches.
I thought it a genius idea to go along with Kaori's cream/white color frame as any color transparency design matches well with either cream & white! Find a transparency (or create one using transparency and rub-ons) design to sit beneath your frame. Trace the outline of the frame onto the transparency and trim the traced area accordingly. Adhere the frame and transparency together using liquid adhesive.
My photographs today aren't all that fabulous - I apologize for this! The lighting here has been miserable thanks to a record breaking blizzard that's been hanging over us the last twenty-four hours. I worked on the note this afternoon while housebound..joy.
As you can tell from the picture above, I went ahead and backed my framed transparency with vanilla cardstock. I did it because the card that I used for the background of the note (Elle's Studio) is still fairly dark in color. My preference was that the transparency "stand-out" and be noticed! Adding the vanilla backing to the transparency helped to create this effect..feel free to do the same if you think it'll benefit your design as well!
Select both a background journaling card and a location for your framed transparency. Mark the location with a pencil and then adhere the frame as marked. Carefully trim off all excess frame from the card's edge.
It's time to focus on building the Christmas tree and gift scene. Find an appropriate size Christmas tree (Echo Park - Everybody Loves Christmas stickers) and pre-made gift collection (K & Company - Brenda Walton Peppermint Twist icon grand adhesions) similar to mine for embellishing the left side of the note. Spot it's location to move forward in creating a "star topper" for the tree!
Here comes another one of my circle concoctions!! Laugh. Is it really feasible for me to put together a tutorial without including at least one circle something-or-other?! Um, not really. So, gather a bunch of corresponding circles and adhere them on top of each other in the appropriate order. My last two smaller circles + brad were adhered after the application of the tree and with pop dots.
{Star Topper Recipe :: Elle's Studio Vanilla/Black journal circle, Jillibean Green journaling sprout, 1" Fuchsia/Red punched circle, .75" Dark Brown hand-trimmed circle & Sassafras Razzle Dazzle paper whimsies circle}
Again, don't add the final layers of the star topper 'til after the tree & gifts have found a home. Once they're all cozy and finalized, then go ahead and finish the topper. Feel free to apply a few small snowflake rub-ons near and around the tree for added "winter impact"!
Trim the note nearly in-half. Mark the trim line with a ruler/pencil first before making the cut! Finally, layer the right edge of the note with a strip of dark brown cardstock and lime green pattern paper (Jillibean - Grandmas Christmas Soup). Round the top and bottom corner of the note using a medium size corner rounder punch. Place the numbers 2 & 5 (American Crafts - Dear Lizzy)as shown...
Before I sneak away beneath layers of warm blankets and to rest my head for the night, I have a prize to award to one of you! There's a mini kit seeking a new home and after following the link to Debra's comment, I found a couple stationary items for the ol' Chris gift list! Thanks Debra! Check out her link...
Although her blog isn't scrapbook related, I love the art on here, and it totally inspires me to scrapbook. Her colors and art can be translated into scrapbooking easily I think. Love her birdhouse with the book roof! What a great idea...http://blogdelanine.blogspot.com/
How about sending me your info Debra so that I may ship you your prize..email it to retrospection30@gmail.com - thank you for sharing the link! And thanks to all that mentioned their most current fave projects!
Have a lovely weekend y'all! Be back with another card around mid-week and then beginning the following week, expect regular updates from me 'til mid-January (School break is almost in session!!). Six more days and counting....
