A Dabble into Scrapbooking!

Hello, sweet friends! I am posting on the My Craft Spot blog today. It's a first for me... a double layout for scrapbooking! :o) This took quite a bit of time, especially since slowed with my arm injury, but I am just thankful to be able to do some crafting at a snail's pace. I miss my Copics, but hope to return soon.

I've had it on my sappy heart to squeeze in some time for preserving special memories. It was hard for me (the challenge of NEW), but I had such a blast and it was fun incorporating Kimberly's goodies into such a large design.

Note: I promise my layouts are both 12x12 and even! I did not realize I had the camera angled. Lesson learned! :o)

My first scrapbooking project is for the memories my sweetheart and I will make this upcoming holiday season, so I was guided by my whimsical side.

This album starts with a wintry backdrop, with touches of Christmas cheer sprinkled throughout. (Decorated trees, red and green lollipops, festive sentiment, etc.)

My little village scene, comprised of the cafe, two cutie pies, and title, are cut files from Treasure Box Designs. This Cocoa Cafe cut file came with a blank regular sign, which to me means tiny doily fun instead! :o) The "Friendship Warms the Heart" sentiment is from Stamping All Around Christmas. I cut it out and layered with the coordinating Tiny Doilies and Tiny Doilies 2 metal dies. The snow and whipped cream are embossed, but sadly is washed out in the pictures. (We agreed we want to live in this sweet cafe!)

I forgot to take one particular picture! I adhered these photo mats as pockets, with two journaling tags nestled behind them. The 'pulls' for my tags were created with the Ornate Labels metal dies. The stamped border and sentiments are from Ornate Labels-Christmas, as is the heat-embossed scrolling snowflake border.

Doesn't she just melt your heart? I love that she has a cookie wafer in her hot cocoa... it's one of the sweetest accents in this entire cut file! I love all of their appearances. For personality, I used my favorite set of Peachy Keen face stamps: In the Garden.

The other side has a larger mat for an extra special photograph. To pair with the sweetness of the Cocoa Cafe, I fussy-cut lollipops and used one of my favorite of Kimberly's products: the Jar Basics metal dies!

I made a mason jar filled with holiday treats. :o) My sentiment is from Tiny Tags 3, which is cut out with the coordinating Tiny Tags metal dies. I used the same beautiful traditional twine throughout my double layout.

The sweet reindeer is also from Treasure Box Designs. (Bobble Buddies- Reindeer.) He's so precious!

Lastly, the sappy title and adorable photo mat border. :o) Tons of dimension and embossing throughout the entire layout, which angled pictures would have shown, but I was rushed. My papers are from Recollections' The Ballet, which I've already stated is a favorite. I bought two stacks two years ago because I love so much of it and am down to one sheet of my beloved purple snowflakes! The hanging snowflakes are Memory Box Precious Snowflakes, while all of the individual snowflakes are from Cheery Lynn Designs. :o)

Thank you for fluttering on by! I wish you a blessed day! :o)

Challenges entered:

 *613 Avenue Create~ Anything Goes (Optional: Party)

 *Craft Your Passion~ Christmas in July

 *Craftin Desert Divas~ Christmas in July

 *Crafting for all Seasons~ Christmas in July

 *Crafting From the Heart~ Anything Goes

 *Die Cuttin' Divas~ Christmas in July

 *DL.Art Thankful Thursday~ July Linky Party (Anything Goes)

 *Papertake Weekly~ It's a Jolly Holiday

 *Pause, Dream, Enjoy~ 3 or More Patterned Papers

 *Simon Says Stamp~ Emboss It (all of the snow, whipped cream, and snowflake flourishes are embossed. So sorry I didn't take angular shots to better show most of them!)

 *Through the Craft Room Door~ Anything Goes

 *Word Art Wednesday~ Encouraging/Uplifting Sentiment