Holiday Inspiration From ScrapRoom Members

If you aren't a member of the Message Board, you are really missing out.  Just sayin'.  There are lots of great ladies that are part of the ScrapRoom community:  they are funny, helpful, supportive, kind, awesome, loving people.  All the time.  And... they rock the layouts, cards, and tags like nobody's business.  So whether you are looking for inspiration or a conversation with a bunch of ladies who "get it"... stop by the board and say hello and look through the gallery.  And when you do, here's a little bit of what you'll see:

"Christmas Elf" by Deanna13

"Let it Snow" tag by TerryB

"Believe Joy" card by jojojorenee

"Tradition" by rgeile

"Joy" tag by scrappy_granny

Christmas cards by jasper

"I Sent Cards" by laura75

- Theresa/Savi

Sketchy Cards by Melanie

I made two extra Christmas cards inspired by this month's sketch from The ScrapRoom. Plus I even used scraps from the Crate Paper: Sleigh Ride kit...I love it when I finish a kit off :)

For the first card: I cut different sizes of squares out and "randomly" placed them on the card front. Attached Merry Christmas greeting with staples. Added twine to a button...then I was done!

For the second card: I cut rectangles out (all the same size) and placed them in line orderly. Stamped Thank You to my greeting tag. Attached it with twine and staples. Then put a little bling on the tree...all done!

Use this month's sketch to inspire some cards too...it's not just for layouts!
 
- Melanie

Photo Assignment: Favorite Decoration

It's the holiday season... and so many of us have treasures big and small that we display for our loved ones to enjoy.  Regardless of the actual cost of these decorations, we know they are actually priceless.  Sometimes, the "cheaper" they are, the more dear they become... and it's because of the story behind them.

Go ahead.  Try to talk to someone about your favorite decorations or traditions this time of year... and not explain why, or give more details, or share how it came to be.  Just try it.  Bet you can't!  It's because we're shameless storytellers, and that's just fine.  In fact, it's awesome.  So take a look around.  And take a picture of your favorite and record the story behind it like we did!

Aphra says:  "This is one I made with my Cricut and the Ribbons and Rosettes cartridge."

Theresa says:  "My dad carved and painted this nativity... I leave it up year round."

Melanie says:  "My favorite ornament is the one that my son (and I) made last year in Sunday School...okay he did have A LOT of help since a glue gun was involved!"

Jenny says:  "I don't really have a favorite ornament because they all have a special meaning to me, but as I walked past my Christmas tree today, this one kept standing out to me. Like most Americans, my heart is heavy and saddened due to recent events in Connecticut. This ornament stopped me in my tracks and reminded me to pray PEACE over the victims and their families."

Beth says:  "It was a very difficult choice but I'd have to say this is my favorite ornament because it reminds me of my childhood."

Brenda says:  "This is an old ornament that was from my husband's childhood. I just think it is so cute!"

These types of photos are a great addition to your Project Life, Month-in-Review, or calendar pages.  You may even be inspired to take more than one photo and make a layout about your family's treasures.  Feel free to share your photos, too - we all love ideas! 

- Theresa/"Savi"

Got Scraps? Then You Might Have a Gift, Too...

It's time to turn your scraps into layouts... and maybe a gift or two while you're at it!  In case there's a little bit of busy going on in your life right now, this particular Got Scraps Challenge is designed to be combined with other challenges (oh, like maybe the sketch challenge, with a little planning) or to be a kick-start to some gift giving.  And just like always, this challenge is designed to get you scrapping quickly and with a minimum of fuss.  You can do as much or as little as you like, in whatever style suits you.

Ready?  We're going to shake things up a bit and go a little out of order from the usual formula... which will actually make it easier to make a gift out of that special photo. 

Step 1:  Find that special photo... and maybe a frame while you're at it.

This 5x7 photo is from our last little mini trip to heaven.  I mean, the North Shore.  The 8x10 frame?  Pulled that out of the closet.

Step 2:  Find an almost-dead kit to match your photo.  No kit?  No worries - go dig through your scrap pile and find some coordinating patterned paper scraps.

Crate Paper Random was perfect for me... a touch of pink and orange to match our clothes with blue and grey to match the sky, water, and rocks.  The patterns didn't matter so much as I knew I would be using small pieces of it.

Step 3:  Cut some squares... any size, using any tool you prefer.

I used 1x1 squares.  I was going after colors more than patterns, so the smaller size worked for that.

Step 4:  Shop your stash for the extra bits, like alphas, journaling blocks, cardstock, and coordinating embellies. 

I got an awesome care package in the mail literally 15 minutes before I started this project.  The ribbon, brad, flowers, and phrase stickers are from that package.  I love you, my happy-mail friend!  THANKS!

Step 5:  Finish.  Make this layout your own.  Do your thing! 

And there it is!  My style is thick and lumpy, so I left the glass out of the frame.

I used glue dots and a squirt of Glossy Accents to hold the buttons and flower in place... just some extra insurance!

Check it out!  I made a gift for my husband for his desk at work.  I used some scraps.  AND... I used some stuff out of my stash AND the mailbox.  All with the power of squares. *love*

Now it's your turn!  I challenge you to turn squares into layouts... or gifts... this month.  You have until December 31st to link up your layout here for a chance to win a $10 gift certificate to the TSR Store.  Oh, and if you do happen to kill a kit - or four - stop by the Message Board and record it in our Kit Killer thread.  We're on our way to a goal of 225 dead kits by the end of the year - come help us out!

- Theresa/Savi