I've got a different kind of blog, today. Like many of you, I'm also a huge fan of Scrapbook.com. I've had my gallery there for many years now and way before I started designing myself. You can shop, get inspiration, tutorials and super ideas for your crafty projects. Don't forget about gift ideas. Whether you plan on making your gifts or giving a gift card or goody for your scrappy friends and family.
I chose just a few projects that I thought were fairly simple to replicate, lift or aspire to craft or scrap. Personally, I'm a bit of a tight budget scrapper. I rarely spend more than a few hours on a project as well. I'm always on the hunt for simple, inexpensive and quicker projects.
I've taken each one of these projects, enlarged the image and I'll quickly walk ya through each one, giving ideas, alternatives and of course, links to help you even further.
How absolutely fabulous is this light, bright page?! It may have felt lost if that tree weren't backed up on this simple, design paper and where the journaling is, it is plain. Otherwise, the journaling wouldn't pop like it does now. Consider washi, word strips, paper strips and keep building up to your desired look. Picture placement is pretty versatile with this kind of base. Move a bit left, right up or down and it will still look great. Consider a mat under your pic if you think it looks too busy or your photo is not popping enough.
I love making my own cards. I've got several blogs dedicating to making cards from older cards. I'll share those link with you later in the blog.
Look at the simplicity here. A large, design background, a plain mat and more design on top of that. Check out your washi stash or use up scraps from your favourite Christmas paper. Tiny patterns or plain will give you the best results.
Wow! Wow! I dig the not so traditional colour palette with this next one. Think of all of the scraps you might be able to use up and unlike the first page, you can go a bit more crazy with your strips, word strips, washi...It doesn't have to be as calculated too, so you can save time in that department. I'd highly recommend matting your photos so they stand out on what might be a busy background.
Inspired yet? I sure am! I really do love traditional scrap pages and this one epitomises one. Don'cha just love using large photos? Especially, when they are this nice. Even the dog got in the shot. Awe!
This is really a super example of how to use those papers with a large design on them. I'm not so great at finding the right layout with them. This page is a great example on how to use large design paper. Staring with the largest for the base and then layering up with smaller design paper for a contrast. The border usage is great, too. Simple clusters at opposing corners and you're scrapped.
More fabulousness? I'll say! I've got a few blogs dedicated to top hats. Tutorials and free templates so you can make your own. Think of any occasion, not just Christmas.
Here are a few of the hats I designed. You don't need a lot of supplies at all and you can totally let your creativity run wild.
This ornament would be a great gift idea. You could use it as a tag as well. Consider using a photo in the center for an alternative idea. Just a bit of your scrap paper and few small embellishments and you'll have crafted up something super.
The basic concept is great. Think of other shapes that would look good. How about a tree or gift box?
This page is so super versatile. You could place your precious pics in anyone of those spots. Use design paper with a smaller print for the prettiest results. Just a couple of small embellishments and really love the pocket idea. Consider using journaling in place of one of the squares?
This card is the perfect example of how just the right embellishments and going large can make scrapping look totally awesome and not take up too much of your craft time. A couple of layers and really fab embellishments, and your card is nearly ready. The scalloping and stitching is the cherry on top.
I'm leaving you with two of my own Christmasy creations. This is my invitation this year. I will make a confession as well as give you an idea. This started off as a quick page, where you simply place a photo in the spot. In place of the photo, I've layered up a few papers and added my important information. In another Christmas blog post, I re-scrapped a few pages for a nifty up cycled gift idea. You can click here to see it. Consider scrapping your invitations either digitally, traditionally or hybrid. It will certainly save you time if time is an issue.
Design your own cards, save money and use up those lovely scraps. Click here to see another blog from The Cherry and use those scraps to make something gorgeous this Christmas.
I'll leave you with a few great products that will make your craft time even more enjoyable.
There are holiday deals, gift guides and FREEBIES at Scrapbook.com, too! If you want to check out the gallery, click here.
Have you got someone on your list that could use a planner? This one from Create 365 is really awesome AND it's in the clearance section.
If you're like me and love bang for your buck, THIS is it! An entire collection from Bella Boulevard and it's on sale for just 14,99. It was nearly 50! There are several collections at this super price. Find the one you like best.
BoBunny is definitely a favourite of mine. They've got these nifty wood shapes for under $5. Paint them to match, spray, glitter or bling them up. I've got a lot of these wood shapes and they are light and small so you can use them in most projects. Did you see how I used them in my top hat from Graphic 45?
I sure hope we've given you ideas and inspired you to get crafty.
Thanks for checking out The Cherry.