Project 12 – December 2011

Posted on January 3, 2012 by daydesigns

I know it’s only January 3rd and usually I procrastinate and wait until the very last day to post my Project 12 layout but … I knew which photos I was going to use a couple weeks ago so figured, why wait?

Here’s the sketch we were given:

And here’s my interpretation:

As you can see, I stuck really close to the sketch this month. If the shots of Marley and Paige had been portrait instead of landscape it would have been even closer! As soon as I saw the sketch I thought of these pictures and knew that December was NOT going to be about Christmas (that’s pretty well covered in my December Daily anyway), it was going to be about our first family pictures since Christine was born.
Here are close ups of each page and some of the embellishments. 

These were a lot of fun to make. I started with some plain grey card stock which I painted with Martha Stewart Glitter paint in Antique silver (I also painted it onto the purple border strip at the top of the layout.) I then inked the edges with Stampin’ Up! Concord Crush ink (the title letters were also lightly brushed with this purple ink). The white flowers are old acrylic ones from my stash (I think they might be American Crafts) and the patterned paper flowers were punched out using two Stampin’ Up! punches – 1 3/4″ Scalloped Circle and the new Blossom Punch (from the Occasions Mini which goes live tomorrow). I inked the edges of them and curled them a bit with my fingers before attaching everything with a brad from my stash (probably Basic Grey).

Well, that’s it. My Project 12 album for 2011 is done. Except for a title page which I hope to work on soon.
Scrapbook and Cards Today isn’t going to be running this challenge in 2012 exactly as I’ve gotten used to it, but they have put out teasers about it coming back in a different format so I’ll keep you posted on that. I for one really love making a month in review type page every month so I’ll be continuing my own Project 12 for 2012. Once I see what SCT does (they are announcing on Jan 12th) I’ll figure out what format I want to have. 
Until then, enjoy these pictures of my family one more time. I look forward to seeing your P12 layouts!

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Christmas Traditions Mini Album Class

Posted on December 29, 2011 by daydesigns

Edited July 28th – If you’ve come here from the Practical Scrappers Blog, Welcome! I’ve added a few more pictures to this post to show you guys more ways to accent the most simplest of titles – ones you print off yourself! If you find yourself needed a title but are short on alphabet stickers (is anyone ever short on alphabet stickers?) or alphabet stamp sets (as I was last Christmas), it’s really easy to find a font you like in your word processing software of choice and with a few clicks you’ve got totally unique titles for your pages. I chose to print all my title onto Whisper White card stock for continuity but you could easily print them onto patterned paper and cut out each letter for a more varied look.
For your convenience. all added content is in red italics.


Hey everyone!
I have been a busy little bee in my craft room this month. For the second year I completed a December Daily album (started by Ali Edwards, check out her blog for more details) which is posted on my personal blog. I have a pile of non-Stampin’ Up! product still to use up so this album is mostly made up of old products but I did use some SU inks, stamps, and punches.

It inspired me to create a mini album (which is a class I will be teaching on January 5th – go here to sign up) talking about our Christmas Traditions. Here are some sneaks, if you want to see all the content you will need to sign up for the class! 🙂

Here on the title page I used Cherry Cobbler Dazzling Details to fill in the letters and add sparkle.
On the title here I added the Cherry Cobbler Dazzling Details just along the bottom edges of the letters to create the look of depth or shadow. Below I used Dazzling Details in a similar way but on top of the letters this time to mimic the look of snow or ice sitting on top of the title.

The pages below don’t have any significant examples of my use of Stampin’ Up’s version of Stickles  but I added them for your enjoyment anyway. Looking back at this post I think I may use this year’s version of this Simply Scrappin’ Kit to make my 2012 December Daily! (BTW it’s called Merry Moments Simply Scrappin and will be available on August 1st.)

I am using the Christmas Lane Simply Scrappin’ Kit (plus various other things I have in my stash.) It is a beautiful kit and will be gone soon so you will want to snap yours up now!
The class is $42.00 which may seem like a lot but here is what you get:
– Complete templates for all my page designs
– Access to all my stamps, inks, punches, Big Shot and dies, ribbons, brads and other accessories.
– Customized titles (if mine don’t work for you!)
– My help and the company of other fun, creative scrappers who I know will take my designs to new heights!
If you would like to make one of these (or just get the products so you can make it later), go here to register for my class. Hurry though as registration MUST close on Dec 31st otherwise I cannot guarantee the product can be shipped on time. Also, these items will ONLY be available with Stampin’ Up! until January 3rd!!

Posted in Classes, mini album, Practical Scrappers | 1 Comment

Project 12 – November 2011

Posted on December 28, 2011 by daydesigns

After all the Christmas product I’ve been working with all month it was a little strange to print off pictures from November and play with Fall colours and leaves. Strange, but fun! I used my Stampin’ Up! Falling Leaves stamp set and this fun technique called rocking where you can blend ink colours onto your image just by how you rock the stamp around in the stamp pad. Anyway, onto my layout.

This was the sketch we were given,

I knew as soon as I saw this sketch that I was going to have fun with it. It sort of enables my addiction of piling on the photos, doesn’t it? 🙂
Here’s my take.

When I went back to look at my picture files from November I had PILES (pun intended) of the girls playing in the leaves, and not much else. There were a few taken from the girls’ Remembrance Day assembly, which didn’t seem to fit, and some of Paige’s ballet class (Parent Observation Day) and then some of Greg’s mustache. I’m thinking not much else happened!! Actually, I was trying to do lots of Stampin’ Up! stuff so a lot of other things fell through the cracks.
This is the left hand side.

All the stitching is faux – done with my journalling pen. I also added it to each patterned paper square and the tags. It helps anchor everything and give it that finishing touch.
And the right hand side.

This morning, as I was about to take pictures of this layout, I decided it still needed something. So I added the vanilla ink around the edge of the brown card stock. NOW it’s done!
Here are some close ups of the leaf and bling embellishments.

Okay, off to post it at Scrapbook and Cards today as well as Davinie’s site. Wish me luck!

Posted in challenges, layout, Project 12, Scrapbook | 1 Comment

December Daily – The Lost Day

Posted on December 27, 2011 by daydesigns

Well, it wasn’t really lost, just slow to come together as I had to wait until the photos came in. Of course I am talking about Day 15 and our family portraits. Here it is, all done and quite lovely if I do say so myself.

Day 15:

Aren’t they beautiful?
Here are the pictures – I scanned them on my printer and if you look really closely you can see the dust on the scanner glass. Oops! Oh well, it’s just for sharing online. The originals will be hung up soon.

Marley, aged 7 (and 5/6ths!)

Paige, aged 5 (and 2/3).

Christine, aged 2 (and 3/4 – who shocked us today by peeing in the potty twice un-prompted. Yay!)

We loved this one of the girls laughing so we got it in 4×6 (all the rest are 8×10).

And our session bundle included a freebie so we got this one of Christine twirling. Since this is the first time getting formal portraits of her done, we figured we owed her!
On another note, I got my November layout done for Project 12. It’s due tomorrow so I’ll photograph it in the morning and post it for you. I have heard that Scrapbook and Cards Today will not be running P12 next year which makes me quite sad but I am determined to keep it up on my own. I love that I have the last 2 years recorded! Anyone want to join me? We could run our own challenge … for bragging rights as I doubt anyone would sponsor me! 🙂
Anyway, that’s  it for me tonight. See you tomorrow!


Posted in challenges, December Daily | 1 Comment

Finishing December Daily – Days 22 – 25

Posted on December 27, 2011 by daydesigns

It’s done!!!

Okay, almost … I still have to scan in the professional pictures we had taken and add them to Day 15 … but other than that, it’s done!! Start the happy dance!!

Here are the last few days.

Day 22:
Another of those days where I took no pictures and there was no real “story to tell”. So I printed off some virtual snowflakes the girls and I had made  earlier in the week, added a little journalling about what actually happened on the 22nd and called it done.

Day 23:

We hosted Grandma and Grandpa Day and the Nielsen’s – Greg’s sister Christine, and her family. We used the timer on my camera to take a group shot which I used in the cover page which is a flip out page protector. To the smaller flap I added the word ‘family’ – letters that were originally white but I spritzed the heck out of!! Then, since I’d used some platinum coloured Liquid Pearls on the snowflakes (see below) I added some as an embellishment below the word.

Here is the flap opened up to reveal the whole picture.

The full layout of cover page and main page.

A close up of the word ‘family’.

And my playing with the Liquid Pearls!

On the back of the cover page I added some of the journalling strips I’d cut intending to put on the main page but once I’d added my bits of packaging, they didn’t work. So they will live here now.

Each girl got what her heart most desired (even if her heart didn’t know it!). Marley got a guitar (Heaven help us!!), Paige got a new Barbie car – a Fiat no less – and LC got the Dora doll she’s been drooling over for months. It’s got magic wings that unfurl and a magnetic wand that makes Dora talk and sing. Joy!

The back features a collage and some more journalling strips to complete the story of the night.
Day 24:

On Christmas Eve my brother Andrew and his family came over. We were not so organized and did not get  group pictures … oops!

On the back of the cover page I added the tag from the Magic Reindeer Food we sprinkled on the lawn after everyone had left. Marley made it one year in Preschool and ever since then it’s been a requirement around here!

Andrew plays a mean guitar so Marley was fairly beside herself waiting for him to arrive and show her some things on her new guitar. He was awesome! He tuned it (as best he could without a tuner) and then showed her a few fingerings. The guitar came with 3 fingering charts so he used those. She was thrilled!!

I think guitar lessons are in our future!!
Day 25:

I added some journalling strips to the brown tag on the cover that say:
“I want to remember: Marley’s reaction to the keyboard – “This is the best Christmas EVER!!””

Here is the back of the cover page and the main page together. I added some journalling to the tag on the back of the cover page.

For whatever reason, I took pictures of our food this year. It seemed like I spent all the the 23rd – 25th in the kitchen so maybe it was only appropriate! For this page I feature the 3 main Christmas traditional foods we have around here. Once stockings are opened (or in this years’ case because Paige and LC slept in, before) we have the Land of Nod Cinnamon Buns from the Best of Bridge cookbook. Then mid-morning we usually take a break in the present opening to have the Christmas Morning Wife Saver (also from the Best of Bridge). Then finally, the big event – the turkey. I use a recipe from Cooking Light magazine which calls for a garlic-herb mix to be rubbed under the skin. It’s really yummy and super moist!

And last but not least, a collage of the events of the day. 
From the top left and moving clockwise: Paige saw this Rudolph stuffy at Shoppers Drug Mart when we were shopping for Marley’s Christmas present and was reduced to tears when I forced her to leave it behind. So, even though the other two had already bought her a Christmas present, I went back and got it for her. She hasn’t let go of it since!! Santa brought Lego this year so we had some fun building the kits that were in Marley and Paige’s stockings. Grandma and Grandpa Day surprised us with an electronic key board. I think someone out there is trying to give us a hint! Maybe we need to branch out from our soccer-centric household!! Poppa Graham made his grandkids a Marbles game board each. Paige is addicted so it wasn’t long before it was broken in! The stuffed stockings in the morning. Our over loaded tree! And in the centre – a group shot of us around the dinner table – using my new gift – a tripod!! Yay!!!
Well, there you have it. Another December Daily done. Christmas has come and gone and all that’s left is a whole living room full of empty boxes and wrapping paper. The garbage and recycling men better bring extra vehicles this week!! 
I hope your Christmas was as joyous as ours. See you around!

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December Daily – Day 21

Posted on December 24, 2011 by daydesigns

Found some time this morning to whip this up.

Day 21:
The cover page is a cut down baseball card protector sheet so I added a few pictures from our day and some patterned paper.

We went to the Vancouver Christmas Market which is in it’s second year. It’s a German style festival with lots of crafts for sale, yummy German food, and a great kids area where they can make some crafts. This year it was candle decorating and chocolate lollipop decorating. Plus there was a Carousel to ride. I made a collage for the main page. 
Here are some close up shots of the back of the cover page and the main page. 

On the back I did my journalling and added a photo that Marley took of me and an old friend that we ran into. She and I were both named Alison Campbell at one time so we used to be known as Sr (that was me) and Jr. We had fun reminiscing about our Christmas spent at my Grandpa’s house in Glasgow, the Hogmanay (New Year’s Eve) in Edinburgh and the trip around Ireland. All well before we had kids!!

Well, presents are wrapped, turkey is in the garage … just need to bake some shortbread before my brother gets here tonight and we’ll be set!
I wish you all a very Merry Christmas! Hopefully you are somewhere warm and dry surrounded by family. If not, I please accept my virtual hug as a substitute!! 

Posted in challenges, December Daily | 1 Comment

December Daily – Day 20

Posted on December 23, 2011 by daydesigns

Getting caught up slowly but surely!
This page came together really quickly because I played with Ali Edwards’ digital overlays to create my main page. I love this and may go mostly digital next year (gasp!)

Day 20:
To the back of the divider page I added the ‘snapshots’ tag, the note from the girls’ advent calendar and the SC (for Santa Claus). I wasn’t sure where else to put the note from their calendar but I quite like it here.

If you were following my DD last year you may remember that it was the first time in about 3 or 4 years that we’ve been able to get a decent picture of all the girls with Santa. Paige has been terrified of all people in costumes since a very young age. This year she showed excitement at the idea of going to see Santa so I was hopeful. But she blew me away! Not only did she sit on Santa’s lap with Marley, she had several very lengthy conversations with him!! Way to go Paige!!

As you can see, LC is again on the rocking horse. She was feeling sleepy while we were waiting in line (past her usual nap time) so came over all shy when it was finally our turn. The rocking horse was brought out for her and then she was all smiles and giggles.

Here is a great picture of Paige and Santa deep in conversation and then the group hug at the end of the visit.  Paige looks a bit stiff but she did actively participate in the hug which is huge for her.
Okay, off to shower, get last minute shopping done and prepare for Grandpa and Grandma’s arrival this afternoon. Whoot! Whoot! Bring on the parties!!

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