Document Your December and Black Friday at The Lilypad

November 24, 2012 | cristina

Yesterday was Black Friday in the U.S., the day for crazy sales and holiday shopping. Last year (for the first time) we braved the crowds and went shopping at ~6am, but this year I decided not to. We’re too busy, and didn’t really have much to buy. Instead, I did some very rewarding online shopping, followed by a quick dash to the mall at 10 AM – we visited 3 stores and didn’t have to fight the crowds. 😉 But hands down, online shopping rocks. And the sale that is going on at The Lilypad on all Christmas and winter products is perfect to gear up for December Daily!

I successfully completed a December Daily album in the past two years, so I know what works and what doesn’t work for me. This year I decided to combine the December Daily album with Project Life (I wouldn’t have enough material and motivation to keep up with two albums at the same time!), so I’ll be using the Project Life concept (document the little things, use photo pocket pages) but in a mini album format. I am using an 8.5″x5.5″ binder by Martha Stewart from Staples. I chose this size because it’s perfect for hybrid, and I’m all for saving paper when I print. 🙂 In 2010 I made all my foundation pages of the album ahead of time, because I was traveling in December. In 2011 I didn’t, because I was home and wanted to have the freedom to choose the design based on the photos I had for each day. This year, I will also go with the freedom approach :), but since the holiday products that have already been put in the store are so tempting, I have done a few pockets already. 🙂 Here’s what I used.

Last year I started the tradition of our Elf on the Shelf, and I am excited to bring him out again this year. The tree went up yesterday, so I have a feeling he’ll make an apparition soon. 😉 Here are a few other goodies I’ve used so far.

It’s no mystery that I love deer and reindeer (and glitter too! LOL), so these cards by Paislee Press had to go straight in my album. 🙂 Here’s a peek at the pockets I’ve made so far.

Credits:
A Christmas Tradition by Jenn Barrette and Valorie Wibbens

Christmas Journal Cards and Ephemera: Trimming the Tree by Sahlin Studio

Peace and Love word arts by Little Butterfly Wings

Pocket Stuffers no. 2 by Valorie Wibbens

Press cards no. 18 by Paislee Press

The Serif’s Sister font by Heather Hess

Reindeer paper from Kitschy Christmas by Jenn Barrette and Sahlin Studio

I will be rearranging my pockets around once I start actually working on the album, but I think I’m off to a great start! 🙂

Thankful

November 23, 2012 | cristina

So much to be thankful for this year, and this season especially..

Credits:

Hello Gorgeous papers and Hello Gorgeous elements by Mari Koegelenberg

We Were Here elements by Paislee Press

Good Harvest by CD Muckosky

Thirty Days of Gratitude by Little Butterfly Wings

Font: Strangelove

I hope you are all having a lovely time too!

Fall Favorites

November 10, 2012 | cristina

I couldn’t be happier that Mari Koegelenberg is guesting at The Lilypad this month. 🙂 She released two new products yesterday, and they’re both very versatile!

Here they are, paired with some goodies from the Nov. BYOC.

Credits:

Hello Gorgeous papers, Hello Gorgeous elements, Map It Out alpha and Vellum Pockets Set 1 by Mari Koegelenberg

Good Harvest and Free Spirit Alpha by CD Muckosky

Sprinkles v9 by Valorie Wibbens

Heart tag from We Were Here elements by Paislee Press

The Hammer Head font by Heather Hess

I have become addicted to instagram, and I love documenting my favorite things of this season through these little shots. 🙂 I only wish I had a better camera phone, since these pictures are less than 2.5 inches, way smaller than I’d like to use on a 12×12 page, and for my Project Life album.. It doesn’t stop me from using them anyway, though! 🙂

Happy DSD!

November 3, 2012 | cristina

It’s DSD at The Lilypad, the November BYOC is in the store, and two of my designers are guest designing there, so I have been busy this week! 😉 First off, here’s what I did with Mari Koegelenberg’s bits,
mixed in with a couple of other BYOC products.

Credits:

Templates: Shaped Up v4 – Banners and Needed More Stitching Bundle by Amy Martin

Hello Gorgeous papers, Hello Gorgeous elements and Block it out alpha by Mari Koegelenberg

Messy Marvin vol. 3 by Amy Wolff

The Hammer Head font by Heather Hess

I made this page for one of the DSD challenges in the forum – check them out (this is challenge #2)! Next up is a card I made with Sahlin Studio goodies and some gorgeous word art by Paislee Press.

Credits:

Autumn Frost papers and Autumn Frost elements by Sahlin Studio

We Were Here elements by Paislee Press

I love the bright colors in Jenn Barrette’s contribution to the BYOC!

Credits:

Take Stock: Wild Child, Wild Child: The Papers and Wild Child: Mixed Bag by Jenn Barrette

OK… finally the weekend is here! I most definitely need some time off and some crafty time. 🙂 Happy DSD everyone!

Finally Friday

October 19, 2012 | cristina

I am SO excited to share the news that Paislee Press has moved shop to The Lilypad! I love her style and I am just thrilled to have her here! Here’s her latest, brand new kit:

It has a bit more color than her usual style, and it was perfect for me, since I love color! 🙂 Here’s what I made with it:

Credits:

Simple Scrap Templates no. 17 by Emily Merritt

Is It Friday Yet? kit and Is It Friday Yet? journaling cards by Paislee Press

The Dry Ribbon font by Heather Hess

I am SO happy it’s finally Friday 🙂 and I can’t wait for the week to be over! 😉 Stay tuned, because I have some good news (and some pages!) to share soon! 🙂

Fairest One of All

October 19, 2012 | cristina

Sahlin Studio has an adorable new kit in the store today (20% off through the weekend) – and it has an adorable little deer in it!

Seriously, could it be any cuter? I used it to make an inspirational card:

Credits:

Fairest One of All and Stamped Sentiments by Sahlin Studio

Canvas journaling spots by Sugarplum Paperie

Confidence Boost

October 17, 2012 | cristina

I made this page using many of the 50% off products in the Something Old, Something New sale at The Lilypad.

Credits:

Owl’ll Always Love You papers by Emily Merritt

Journal Junkie Too and Fingerpaint Frenzy alpha by CD Muckosky

Journal Cards no. 1 and Pretty Pockets no. 1 by Pink Reptile Designs

Date Cutouts by Amy Wolff

1st Place Element Pack and Spatterific 5 paint clusters by Karah Fredricks

The CD Writer font by Heather Hess

I definitely needed a confidence boost, and this page was good therapy. 🙂

Mid-Week Check In!

October 10, 2012 | cristina

I am having a busy week with no scrapping time, but I did want to stop by to point out that the weekly Something Old, Something New sale is going on at The Lilypad, and a lot of great products are for sale at 50% off! I used a few to make this page.

Credits:

Rocket Pops papers, Sprinkles v6 andA Bit Worn by Valorie Wibbens

Rock On! by CD Muckosky

Glue and Scraps element pack by Karah Fredricks

The Hammer Head font by Heather Hess

Yes, you guessed it, this was also turned into a calendar page (for April). 🙂 Yeah, an October picture for April. 😉 In the past years I always made sure each month had a picture of us taken in that same month, but this year I simply didn’t have enough pictures to work with. Plus it’s not worth it to stress out for such details. I know my family will love the calendar, no matter what. 🙂

2013 Wall Calendar

October 6, 2012 | cristina

Five years I made a wall calendar for our parents and my grandmother for Christmas. They loved it so much, that I’ve been making one each year, ever since. This time of the year, I’m always busy finishing up the calendar, and concinving DH that we need to take a few more pictures (that’s what happens when you have a husband who refuses to take pictures regularly throughout the year.. sigh…). I usually manage to recycle some of my favorite LOs of the year into calendar toppers (just remove journaling and title, and add month), but I always have to make a few new pages too. Which is why you’ve been seeing so many LOs of DH and me lately. 🙂 Anyway, I am now DONE with the calendars; the order is placed. Phew!

If you’re pressed for time, you should check out these great quick pages:

I made a few of the ones in there. 🙂 Like this one, for example:

This year, I went with a different look for the cover! I was inspired by all the painty goodies in the October BYOC. Totally not my usual style, but I love how it turned out!

Credits:

Pieces of Autumn Papers and Pieces of Autumn by Kaye Winiecki

Hint of Autumn Stamps by Michelle Godin

Jelly Bean Toes Alphas by CD Muckosky

And here is my absolute favorite lately:

Credits:

You And Me Baby 2 by Lauren Grier and Shawna Clingerman

Spatterific 5 paint clusters by Karah Fredricks

Smudge Alpha by Gina Miller

The Dry Ribbon font by Heather Hess

Love the picture, love the colors! i turned it into our May page.

October BYOC

October 5, 2012 | cristina

I am so excited to share my page with the October BYOC at The Lilypad!! I have had a crazy week and only had time to make one page so far.. but I love it so much! It’s incredible how much inspiration I get each month scrapping with the BYOC. My BYOC pages always end up being my favorites! I love mixing and matching all the different products, since they all go together so well. Here’s a few of the things I used: