12 Days of Christmas – Sure Scraps a Lot Style!

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12 Days of Christmas – Sure Scraps a Lot Style!

Day 7 – Tuesday, December 18, 2018

DIY Hot Chocolate Gift Packs

Well, we’ve made it half way and it’s all downhill from here! I can’t believe we are one week away from the celebration, but the calendar doesn’t lie 😉

I arrived in St. Albert, safe and sound, yesterday afternoon, so the rest of my posts will be from the Great North.

Tonight I’d like to talk to you about this adorable idea that I found on the Graphic 45 website. They call it Hot Cocoa Gift Packs. This is how the finished project looks.

Pretty cute idea, right? They have a short video tutorial available, as well.

I love that they’ve added a couple of extra “bonuses” in the pack. My only thought is buying coffee cup sleeves. If I was going to do this, I would make use of some of my scraps of Kraft paper, and pull my old Crimper!

If you love this idea, I found a couple more versions for you to check out.

This next one is called Snowman Soup Gift Recipe (love it!)

This is how the finished project looks

This is just adorable! I found it over on the Oh My! Creative website. She doesn’t have a video tutorial, but she has included instructions, as well as printables. You can check out this version of the project HERE.

The last one I found is called Holiday Hot Cocoa Kits with Homemade Stir Spoons. This is how the finished project looks

I don’t know about you, but I’d definitely be ready to dip my chocolate spoon in that hot cocoa!!! Again, no video tutorial, but this looks so simple to put together, I think you could just wing it! The site says there’s a free printable, but I couldn’t find it. Maybe you’ll have better luck. You can find this idea (and quite a few, more involved ideas) over on My Coffee Pot HERE. This project idea is about halfway down the page. I also thought, since I couldn’t find the step-by-step directions on this website, to find some instructions for the chocolate-covered spoons. Here is a very short (and sweet) video

Now for the fun! If you have made these before, have another idea to add to the list, or you have a terrific diy website that wasn’t included here, add it to the comments. Anyone that comments on this post will have their name entered into a draw for a package of the NEW, soon-to-be-released, Seasons Mix-In Paper Collection, which is pictured below.

The fine print:

You have to comment here by 8:00 pm on Wednesday, December 19, 2018. All bets are off after that!
The winner will be announced on December 29, 2018 at 8:00 pm during my Facebook Live, which will be on my Facebook Fan Page HERE.

Until next time

Valerie

12 Days of Christmas – Sure Scraps a Lot Style!

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12 Days of Christmas – Sure Scraps a Lot Style!

Day 6 – Monday, December 17, 2018

Snow Globe Christmas Tag/Ornament

Here’s another very cute and simple idea that I found!

I apologize for the weird angle of the photo. It was challenging to take a picture of the acetate window so you could see everything inside!

I ended up invading my stash for a lot of this project, but I think it’s kinda cool how nicely new and old work together. Don’t you? The project ends up being 3″ wide (the same size as one of our standard shaker windows) and 4 1/4″ tall.

Tools used:

Z4309 CTMH Thin Cuts – Shaker Window & Confetti
Cricut cuts – You Are Here (the deer) & Doodle Charms (the snow globe)
Sizzix – forest die cut
Punches – 1″ and 1/2″
Tape runner, pop dots (dimensionals) & glue dots

Materials used:

Z4310 Shaker Window Foam & Acetate
Z4304 – Loose Sequins Silver
Retired paper – Oh Deer
Retired paper – Wood Grain (I can’t remember the name of the collection it was in!)
Z4198 Gold Sequin Ribbon
X6028 White Daisy card stock

If you have the two Cricut cartridges that I mentioned above, you can access the cuts here:

https://design.cricut.com/#/design/121545212

As always, if you create one of these projects, please share it on my Facebook page. We’d love to see it!!

https://www.facebook.com/SureScraps/

Now for the fun part!

If you head over to my shopping website: HERE, and search for the word “shaker”, you will get a whole list of things that make use of shaker windows. If you order ANY of these items through me, I will give you a whopping 35% off the listed price!!!!

The fine print:

You have to order through me to get the extra special pricing.
Shipping, as always, is calculated on the full retail price.
You have to order by 8:00 pm on Tuesday, December 18, 2018. All bets are off after that!

Until next time

Valerie

12 Days of Christmas – Sure Scraps a Lot Style!

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12 Days of Christmas – Sure Scraps a Lot Style!

Day 5 – Sunday, December 16, 2018

Treat Holders

I came across a video tutorial for a very easy treat holder. It’s quick to put together, doesn’t require a lot of tools, and would be good for lots of different occasions: Christmas, Valentines, Birthdays, etc.

I made a few samples, which are pictured below.

Tools needed:

scoring board
paper trimmer
punches (tag topper, circle – 1 3/8″ and 1 1/4″ are best for this project, appropriate border type, scallop circle, tag type, etc.)
Adhesive: tape runner, white glue
fussy cut scissors

Materials needed:

any type of double-sided decorative paper cut to 4″ x 6″ (Make sure it’s not the heavy type of paper. I tried one and it doesn’t work that well. It cracked along all the score lines.
ribbon, twine, string (to attach the tag and tie the holder closed)
scraps of paper to make tags (or pre-made tags)

And here is the link to video:

I hope you enjoy putting these together! Make sure you post some of your finished product over on my Facebook Page here:

https://www.facebook.com/SureScraps/

Now for some fun! If you go to my shopping site: HERE and, in the search bar, type in the word “tags”. A list of products will come up. Some are retired and in the clearance bin (already reduced prices!), some are not. If you order anything on this list I will give you an ADDITIONAL 30% off the price listed on my site.

Fine print:

You have to order through me to get the extra special pricing.
Shipping, as always, is calculated on the full retail price.
You have to order by 8:00 pm on Monday, December 17, 2018. All bets are off after that!

12 Days of Christmas – Sure Scraps a Lot Style!

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12 Days of Christmas – Sure Scraps a Lot Style!

Day 4 – Saturday, December 15, 2018

Greetings this fine evening, and welcome back!

Tonight is all about story telling and Story by Stacy.

She has always been a very big fan of finding and telling and sharing stories. She explains that there are really two skill sets that go into scrapbooking. A scrapbooking skill set and a story telling skill set. When we start scrapbooking, we think we are going to do it all, but as time goes on we begin to focus more on the product and design of the actual scrapbook. We learn about design and colour and photography, putting things together in beautiful ways.

We can spend hours creating a scrapbook layout and then we tend to leave the little space for journaling – BLANK. You’re with me aren’t you? ‘Cause I know WE ALL do it. Do you ever wonder why it seems so difficult to fill that little tiny part of the page? Stacy knows why! We are actually using two different parts of our brain when we tell and share stories. One part helps us to design and build amazing layouts. A different part helps us retrieve and write stories, making them interesting and authentic.

We all have thousands and thousands of photos, stored on our phone or tablet, our computer, in the cloud, in boxes. You name it. But how often are we seeking out those photos to look at them and remember the story that goes along with them? Well Stacy’s Story Starter workbook helps you get started doing just that!

By now you’re probably wondering what this has to do with the 12 Days of Christmas! Well that’s the very cool part. I wanted to tell you what I’m doing for Christmas for my three great nephews. I have three different Story Starter Kits set aside. One for each of them.

The red one is going to be for Edward. It’s his favourite colour!

William’s going to get the striped book. It’s really bright and I think that fits his personality.

John is going to be getting the Black & White Polka Dots. Sorry John, it’s the only other choice left!

I’ve sorted through a lot of photos and decided to print out the ones from their visits here last summer. Mostly because they are fairly recent, and the boys should remember the events and places we visited.

Here’s the thing though – I’m not assembling the books ahead of time! That’s right. I am packaging everything up, as a kit. Because I want to make an experience out of the gift. And I want to encourage them to remember and start recording their own stories. And I want them to really feel like this story is their own. I know John is going to need someone to do it for him (he’s still pretty young), but he’s going to be there while it happens and be included every step of the way. So we will be sitting down together, and working through the photos and the mini book to make each one their own. I’m excited!

Now. Do you feel like this might be something you’d like to do with a family member or friend? If so, I have a deal for you! I have four kits left in stock: 2 red books and 2 polka dot books. They normally sell for $22.50 (including shipping & GST). This month CTMH has them on sale for $18.30 (including shipping & GST). I’m offering my in stock kits for $12.50! DO NOT DELAY cause when those four kits are gone, there’s no going back!!!

If you aren’t worried about getting a kit in time for Christmas, you can still take advantage of the sale that CTMH has going on right now, and save up to 30% on the entire Story Starter collection. This sale will last until December 31, 2018. You can check it out here: STORY STARTER SPECIAL.

If you have stayed with me to the end, then you are in for another treat. Leave me a comment here and tell me a topic that you’ve always wanted to scrapbook but haven’t yet. Everyone that leaves me a comment about this will receive a new Marvy Uchida LePen Journalling Pen, as a thank you from me for participating this evening.

Until next time

Valerie

Love of Color – CTMH Technique Blog Hop

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Welcome to our Technique Blog Hop!

“Love of Colour”

This blog hop is one big circle, so you can start wherever you want and continue through to see all the fabulous artwork. Just keep clicking the link in each post to go to the next page. The page just before me is Catherine Nowak so if you are coming from there, you are on the right track! From here you’ll visit Katy Taylor’s page. In case you get lost, you can get a complete list of participants at the bottom of this post.

This month 14 of us are showcasing projects who’s colour themes have been inspired by the Love of Colour guide, which Close To My Heart released last summer. I know everyone has their own process they go through when they are creating a new layout, but today I’d like to share with you, my thought process as I create. Hope you enjoy!

Love of Color – The Book

Here’s the cover:

In the words taken from the introduction:

“This guide is organized by color, starting with red tones and finishing with neutrals. Looking for a specific color? Check the index at the end, which lists all of our exclusive colors alphabetically… Use this book as the ultimate color companion and never second guess your color choices again!”

So. Not long ago I was sorting out some scraps to put them away. I set a piece of Glacier card stock on top of a piece of Peacock card stock and thought to myself “Hey! I like this colour combo!!” I set the two pieces aside to remind myself to use them in a project and here they are!

Now to head over to my Love of Color book to get some ideas! I headed to page 36 (the Peacock page) and look what I found:

Love love love this layout!! And to make it even better, if you look near the bottom left of the page, you’ll see that CTMH has even given you the pattern that they used. This just keeps getting better and better! If you check out the page below from Make It From Your Heart Vol. 1, you’ll see that this is actually a 2-page layout. Now I’m really excited! I’ll have a chance to include about 6 photos!

Next, I need to decide on my colours/patterns. First I go back to my Holiday Expressions Idea Book, to see which collections contain the main colours I’m going to use: Peacock & Glacier. Very easy to see that it’s going to be the Boutique Collection. I picked one Peacock-based pattern and one Glacier-based pattern.

I used the back piece, which is the Peacock words pattern.

I used the front, Glacier watercolour wash side.

Using a sticky note, with the two books side by side, I planned out the rest of my colours. The Peacock background piece (piece B) is considered to be paper #2, the Glacier embellishments are paper #1. I used the Love of Colour guide to add two more colours: Eggplant card stock is paper #3 and Sugarplum will be paper #4. That is how easy it is to use these guides!

After the planning is done, it’s very quick to get the pieces cut out and placed on the background card stock. The guide suggested Heather as a neutral colour, but I wanted something a bit more grey for the pictures I was using, so I went with the light side of Pewter instead.

Now for the pictures. This was a challenge because of the Peacock. Out of the photo collection that I wanted to use, there were only four that would work with this colour scheme and two of them were 5″ x 5″ and the other two were 4″ x 6″. Time for some adjustments!

I kept the main layout scheme for the left hand page and then mirrored it for the right page. I was able to trim the 4″ x 6″ photos to 4″ x 4″ square, which worked much better with the bigger square ones. I raided my stash of Boutique leftovers, moved a few pieces around, added some colour with a blender pen and the Peacock ink, and done.

Without further ado, here is my finished layout:

Notice there’s no Eggplant in there? I cut the pieces and they got buried under the pile of scraps and I forgot about them! Too late now. I pulled out my Sparkles, added some colour with a Shin Han marker and sprinkled them throughout the two pages. Done and done.

Here’s a closer look at the left page.

and the right page.

If the blue seems a bit bright on the rectangular sentiment, that’s because it is. I inked it with Glacier, however, I unknowingly picked up the Mint dauber (which is right below it in the case). This was the only one of these sentiments I had left, so it had to go as is.

Did you spot where I used the Decorative Borders Thin Cuts? Word of advice (and I’m speaking from experience here), make sure that your cardstock is at least 1/4″ wider than the Thin Cut before putting it through your machine. Otherwise you will end up digging out many, many tiny little slivers of paper.🤔

Thank you so much for stopping by! Before heading to the next page, I’d love to hear from you! You can leave a comment at the bottom of this post. After that, keep following the links in each post and check out what we have to share with you. I hope you enjoy your time with us, see some cool projects and get some terrific tips and ideas!

Now…go see what Katy Taylor has to share with you and happy crafting!

Close To My Heart products used for this project:

X7235B Boutique Paper Pack
X7235C Boutique Complements
Z4234 Boutique Puffy Stickers
X6015 Pewter card stock
X5989 Sugarplum card stock
Z3274 Clear Sparkles
Z4309 Thin Cuts – Shaker Window & Confetti
Z4241 Thin Cuts – Decorative Borders
C1748 Stitched Borders Stamp Set
Z2841 Glacier Exclusive Inks Stamp Pad
Z2849 Peacock Exclusive Inks Stamp Pad
Z2847 Eggplant Exclusive Inks Stamp Pad
9045 Love of Colour Guide
9035 Make It From Your Heart Vol. 1

LIST OF PARTICIPANTS:

12 Days of Christmas – Sure Scraps a Lot Style!

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12 Days of Christmas – Sure Scraps a Lot Style!

Day 3 – Friday, December 14, 2018

Tonight I want to show you two different ways to use the Silver Tinsel Embossing Powder for backgrounds. Make sure you read all the way to the bottom of the post. Just sayin’

Supplies you will need to follow along with these projects:

Z4248 Silver Tinsel Embossing Powder

C1745 Merry Trimmings Holiday Stamp Set

Z3236 Black Glitter Paper

Z3366 Silver Foil Paper

X254 White Cards & Envelopes Value Pack

X5989 Sugar Plum card stock

Z4190 Red Pearls

Z4306 Merry Christmas Thin Cuts (retired) or any other large Christmas sentiment

Cricut Design Space file https://design.cricut.com/#/design/121098801

First is a card inspired by a Danielle Wagner design. I changed it up just a bit, and here’s what I came up with. So cute!

Remember to do your Design Space cuts first. Then heat emboss your snowman with Silver Tinsel Embossing Powder. Attach him to your card base, add his hat (I used a pop dot) and scarf and finish him off with three red pearls.

Notice that all of the writing is upside down? I was so focused on the Versamark that I didn’t pay any attention which way the stamp was facing. Argh!!!!

I stamped the sentiment on the inside using the same technique.

So simple and easy, and so pretty!

Okay, the second card is quite different. Inspired by a Gail Gross design (with just a couple of minor changes), it is just as simple, and beautiful, as the first one.

Just a couple of tips for this one: First, cut your Sugarplum card stock at 4″ x 5 1/4″. Then do your heat embossing. After that, cut just a bit of the border off. You need a border when you’re embossing so you have something to hold onto and not get your fingers burned! Second, When you cut out the Merry Christmas, make one in silver foil, and TWO in plain white card stock. Glue one white card stock layer onto the back of the silver foil layer, offsetting just slightly. Then glue the second white card stock layer onto the back of the whole thing. You will be amazed what a difference it makes! Here is a look at the card from the front. You can see the white layers peeking out.

Now for the REALLY easy part! If you purchase ANY of the items used in tonight’s projects (except the retired Merry Christmas Thin Cut of course), you will receive a whopping 50% discount. Yes you read correctly 50%!!!!! Do I know how to celebrate Christmas or what???

The fine print: You must place your order directly through me, not on my shopping site.

You must order BEFORE 8:00 pm Saturday, December 15, 2018

Shipping is calculated on the full retail price of each item.

Happy card making until next time!

Valerie

12 Days of Christmas – Sure Scraps a Lot Style!

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12 Days of Christmas – Sure Scraps a Lot Style!

Day 2 – Thursday, December 13, 2018

Well here we are, already at Thursday, December 13th! Time seems to be speeding by at such a rate that sometimes it’s hard to keep up. I often wonder if our soldiers serving at home and abroad feel the same way. Or is it the total opposite, where every hour inches by. I recently came across a Facebook post by Pay It Forward Effect, Canada. The post said this:

When filling out your Christmas cards this year, take one card and send it to this address:

Any Canadian Forces Member
PO Box 5140 Stn Forces
Belleville ON K8N 5W6

If we pass this on and everyone sends one card, think of how many cards will be sent overseas to these wonderful, special people, who have sacrificed so much. Please copy and post on your wall.

Postage is required.

I know there isn’t a lot of time left, but if every person that reads this message sends just one card to this address, well, THAT’S A LOT OF CARDS!!!

If you agree with me, and are willing to send just one card to Belleville ON, leave me a comment here. Such a small thing we can do that will make such a big difference. The picture shows the card I’m going to put in the mail today! I made this one as a sample for the Fast & Easy Christmas Card Class. It’s not too girly or sappy. I’m going to write something inside to express my appreciation. Just haven’t decided what yet.

Until next time

Valerie

12 Days of Christmas – Sure Scraps a Lot Style!

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12 Days of Christmas – Sure Scraps a Lot Style!

Day 1 – Wednesday, December 12, 2018

Let’s start this event off with a Christmas Ornament!! In spite of what I said in the video, it REALLY takes about 20 minutes to put together.

If you create one yourself, or any ornament for that matter, make sure you snap a pic and post it to my Facebook Page HERE so we can share the love❤

Without further ado, here is our Christmas Ornament tutorial:

12 DAYS OF CHRISTMAS!!

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12 Days of Christmas – Sure Scraps a Lot Style!!

I’m here to tell you about a fun and exciting event that will be happening beginning tomorrow, Wednesday, December 12, 2018. My posts always go out at 8:00 pm, so each post’s activities, specials, instructions, etc., will last for 24 hours. Once you receive the next post, all bets are off for the previous post!

How It’s Going to Work:

Each post, sent out at 8:00 pm, beginning tomorrow night, will include a featured project, technique, product, etc. You may or may not have a chance to enter a contest or draw. You may or may not have a chance to buy discounted product. You may or may not have a chance to showcase your projects. You will not know until you read my post, exactly what is going on that day. So you need to tune in every day to make sure you are not missing out!! This event will be coordinated with my Facebook page: here So if you are not following me there, then GET WITH THE PROGRAM!!!

Last Minute Plug:

I have been playing a very fun game on my Sure Scraps a Lot Facebook page, called HO HO HOPE YOU WIN!! It involves this envelope:

Which, as you can see, has the numbers 1 to 30 written down the side. Inside the sealed envelope, is a slip of paper with a number written on it. THAT IS THE WINNING NUMBER! From now, until December 29th (or sooner if all of the numbers are taken), for every $25 you spend, you get to write your name down by one open number. If you check it out, you’ll notice that there are only 7 spots left!! You will totally never guess what the winner is going to get. Close To My Heart just revealed their newest addition to the Designer Travel Collection, and here it is, the brand new Designer Travel Shoulder Tote!

The details: Features a zippered main compartment, one small interior zipper pocket, and one large exterior zipper pocket; 18½” opening, 6″ × 13½” base, 14½” tall. Retails for $78.

With me so far??

Well if you are, then you’ll probably have guessed that this is what the lucky winner of the HO HO HOPE YOU WIN GAME will be receiving. Yup. If you want an even closer look at the bag, you can check out my Facebook live video here.

So. If you want in on the fun, and a chance to win this amazing new bag, check out my CTMH Shopping Site here where you can order direct, or email me here.

Stay tuned tomorrow night, Wednesday, December 12th. 8:00 pm when we begin our fun journey through the “12 Days of Christmas”

Until next time

Valerie

Shake Things Up! – CTMH Technique Blog Hop

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Welcome to our Technique Blog Hop!

“Shake Things Up”

Each month we share with you a different technique, featuring Close To My Heart products. This month 21 of us are showcasing “Shake Things Up” projects.

This month we’re all talking about how to incorporate Close To My Heart’s new Shaker Windows and coordinating products into your artwork. If you are wondering what on earth a Shaker Window is, well it’s a shape (usually a circle) with a window, and items – usually sequins, inside the window, that make you want to shake it! Shaker Windows are commonly found in cards, but can also be incorporated into other paper crafting projects, such as scrapbooking layouts.

For this hop, I’ve chosen to use a shaker window in a Christmas layout. This layout will also be the one that my customers and friends will be creating at our regular monthly paper crafting workshop! I started with this sketch, from Susan Stringfellow over at SketchSavvy.blogspot.com:

Since this is a Christmas layout, I wanted it to have lots of sparkle and shine!

Which can be hard to see from a distance, so I have some closer shots for you as well.

See the white glitter paper circle with stars, on the right page? That is actually the leftover from cutting the stars for the shaker window! And the tag that is sort of above it, is a tag for hidden journaling. The snowflake is blinged up” with a brushing of clear shimmer pen.

This is a close up of the Shaker Window! As you can see, I used red glitter paper for the background and gold foil paper for the top, stitched ring. You can also see the white, glittery stars inside that were cut out from the Thin Cuts. Another consultant had suggested gluing a few of the sequins right to the background paper so they aren’t all at the bottom. I did that, and then when I shook it, more got stuck there!

Now…go see what Katy Taylor has to share with you and happy crafting!

Close To My Heart products used for this project:

Z4194 White & Gold Skinny Ribbon
Z3237 White Glitter Paper
Z3241 Red Glitter Paper
Z3365 Gold Foil Paper
Z4309 Thin Cuts – Shaker Window & Confetti
Z4235 Loose Gold Sequins
Z4310 Shaker Window Foam & Acetate
Z4227 ‘Tis the Season Buttons
Z4226 ‘Tis the Season Snowflakes
X7239B ‘Tis the Season Paper Pack
Z1985 Gold Shimmer Trim
X7239D ‘Tis the Season Coordinating card stock
Z2831 Charcoal card stock
Z2850 Fern card stock
Z2835 New England Ivy card stock
X5992 Candy Apple card stock
D1801 ‘Tis the Season – Scrapbooking stamp set
Z3271 Archival Black Exclusive Inks stamp pad
Cricut – Season to Sparkle

LIST OF PARTICIPANTS:

Until next time

Valerie

at Sure Scraps a Lot