January Scrapology Layout

Welcome to the New Year, and the start of the 2012 Scrapology challenges.  It was a push for me this month - (well, every month is now, to be honest!) but I managed to do a Christmas layout for this scraplift challenge, using seven photos on a double layout. 

I have used eight - and could have used eight more, frankly! but it gives me a good excuse to pull the Christmas stash out again, when I can find some time. 

This month, we scraplifted this layout by Stacey Hansen that appeared in Creating Keepsakes September 2011. 

The challenge was to also incorporate texture, in order to make the layout more dimensional.  This is my take on this layout.  

I am much more of a linear scrapper, and prefer straight lines.  I also prefer less pattern on a page, so decided to only use one piece of patterned paper - which in this case, of course, is Basic Grey "Jingle Bells" from the Blitzen collection.  I only had about half a piece left, but it was perfect for this double layout.  Shame I don't have more for other Christmas pages, but that's the way it goes. 

I have gazillions of Bazzill "Just the Edge" strips left in many colours, and that was just the contrast I needed at the bottom to prevent the harsh appearance of too many straight lines.  I also had some Christmas tree chipboard in drab colours that didn't match, so used them as a template for the shapes of the Christmas trees here.  Several years ago, Two Peas in a Bucket was selling off some 12 x 12 glitter cardstock by Creative Expressions, I think .. I used this card for the red background to the title, and the Christmas trees.  I then used mint Icicles (the thicker version of Stickles) around the red rainbow for some extra texture and bling.  I struggled with this sketch for a long time, but am really happy with the result - especially as it commemorates such a special event! 

This month, Jill from Cardinal Colours is offering a really special prize - every colour from the Bazzill Two Scoops collection.  You have to be in it to win it!  Thanks also to my friend Carin McDonough who was the guest designer for this month.  She always produces the most brilliant layouts!  See more of her beautiful work here.