There has to be a time when moving forward is the ideal decision in order to create change in one's environment. I've decided to push ahead the wreath project as I'm desperately wanting to work on other kinds of projects. I think the overall presentation of the wreath went really well and served as a great means for bringing forth ideas for creating your own.
If the wreath wasn't your cup of tea, I imagine you still took interest in other aspects of the development of the project, especially the eye candy it provided the last four weeks. As you very well know about me already, I'm privy towards color - it's one of my sole passions in life! Today's note will be the very last one! More than likely, I'll return to the wreath next December..or I'll simply continue working on new notes over the next dozen or so months. I'd like to have it finished for displaying next year!
How often do you take snapshots of your home?
I mean the outside of your home...it's a simple enough task to accomplish in the Summer, but Winter requires a little more effort in that we bundle in our jackets, boots, mittens and scarf before grabbing hold our camera and heading outdoors to photograph the house. My house turns into a literal igloo this time of year. I consider the snow to be the most ideal of insulators. Rumor has it that it helps retain heat inside the house almost to the same affect as standard, traditional insulation. I'm all for keeping it there then..laugh.
Because I've a porch on the front of our home, the house looks particularly beautiful in the Wintertime. The surrounding trees are usually covered in snow as well - it almost makes you want to take our the sun chair to sit and look at it all day, though the zero degree weather is enough to put me off from staying outside for more than fifteen minutes. Even though I live in Minnesota, I still fear the frigid weather that finds us here in the Midwest every year. It's pretty close to unbearable most of the time. Laugh.
So, there's not a "tutorial" per say to share with you today in connection with the holiday note, though I've lined up a picture-perfect display of images for you to admire to make up for the lack of instructions. I'll of course hint at a technique or two still as there are a couple worth noting. Feel free to follow along...
A "title on a curve" is one of my favorite means of displaying a title. Combine it with a cursive style font and wouldn't you know it, the title takes on an even more "playful" feel that is easily likable and uniquely cute. I rode the title around a layered "Amy Butler" snowflake/ornament that is used as the note's primary focal point. By placing the title in this spot, it can't be missed by the viewer!
Houses, houses, houses! They're everywhere!! These little ones are from Bella Blvd. - I hand trimmed them out and circulated them across the note (including on top my photo!) with both regular adhesive and pop dots.
So this if my very first time experimenting with embossing folders using the big shot machine. I'd been eyeing this polk-a-dot embossing folder for a longgg time, even before owning the machine!! It was one of my first initial purchases after buying the thing. I finally had the chance to try out the folder and I'm very happy with it. You'll probably be seeing a lot more embossing from me later on!! Ohhh, I love polk-a-dots!!
It seems that vellum and transparency are gaining momentum again in the scrapbooking world!! Have you noticed this or am I just imagining things?! Laugh. It's as though we're reaching for alternative materials to bring our scrapbooking habit to the next level..always insisting on something new!! I also think we're highly attune to being extra-crafty! With DYI projects being all the rage these days, it's no wonder we're eyeing and experimenting with new materials on our scrapbook pages right now!
I'm definitely interested in experimenting with transparencies more after seeing Kaori (a seriously talented scrapbooker from Japan) work her magic with them. I'm considering printing my own transparency designs to see what I can come up with in using them...for this note, I took a martha stewart border punch to Hambly's "bird cage" transparency. It took a bit of extra effort to punch through the transparency, but it worked! I recommend giving it a try!
Note that it's not easily recognizable, but it's still of some interest. I'm going to attempt to figure out what works best behind punched transparency designs.
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Moving on.....
Last month, I'd been informed of an illustrator's blog that I'd not known existed prior to my having been told about it. The illustrator's name is Geninne D. Zlatkis. She's a keen interest in drawing birds, foliage and other nature friendly creatures. I took a liking to them immediately and went on a hunt for some of her products. I asked my father if he'd willing to gift them to me for Christmas and sure enough, he did!! Thank you Dad!! Here's what greeted me Christmas afternoon in a small lil' box:
Lil' pocket for storing friendly reminders and other various writings of importance.
Another something...
The planner and cards are available here if interesting in peeking at them for yourself. I couldn't not have them..laugh.
It's time for me to run to the salon for a much needed update as my hair is starting to take on the shape of a helmet! Another day with this long hair and I swear I'll lose it...thank you for being a wonderful audience today - safe and happy new years if I don't update before then!
Wait, one more note - anyone know of a really good blog designer? This place could use some sprucing up...thanks! And almost forgot Mr.Peanut! Here he is...
