December Challenge By Christy

Design Team Member Christy submitted this layout for the December Birthday Challenge.  She said, "Holidays and birthdays are often about the giving and receiving of gifts. For me, the best gift of all (and the true meaning of each celebration) is the warm, happy feeling I get from giving the gift. My son's birthday is no exception to that.

This is actually the title page for the layout I did recently in the Pagerize challenge. I used the rest of the My Mind's eye complete boy patterned paper sheet here as well as more of the Making Memories Just Chillin' Boys die cuts and trims. I used My Tim Holtz embossing folder, but instead of the whole sheet, I cut a star and a crown from it. They make nice accents at the top. I hand stitched around the star to make it pop out a bit more. I cut the K and Co. border into strips, using 3-d adhesive on sections of it for more dimension. You may be wondering about the little frame on the photo. Well, I just had to highlight my husband sitting there smiling.

You see, he also enjoys giving gifts to our son. You'll have to pardon the photo. One of my New year's resolutions is to learn to be a better photographer and to improve my photo editing. When I originally shot these photos, I was focusing on my son and not what was going on in the background. When I later saw my husband sitting there smiling, I knew this was one of those instances in which the background was really important to the story. I edited the photo as best I could, but as you can see, the lighting still hides my husband a bit. I chose the frame to draw more attention to him.


I hope you'll share your birthday celebration layouts with us here at Scrap Our Stash. I know I can certainly use some heartwarming cheer during these cold days of December!

To see how you can submit your Birthday project for the December Birthday Challenge click on December Challenge (link).

Don't miss your chance to Share anything in our Show N' Tell Sunday .  Just send a picture of whatever you would like to share to scrappinpsycho@live.com. It will post on Sunday! Looking forward to seeing what you have to share!

Pagerize This #4 - Winner

Pagerizer Dawn chose Guest Design Team Member Sarah's layout as the Pagerize This Challenge winner. Stay tune for Sarah's Pagerize This Challenge #5.

December Challenge by Stacy H-W

Design Team Member Stacy submitted this layout for the December Birthday Challenge.  She said, "This was a special, fun challenge for me.

My layout is of my dd on her first birthday. It was extra special to us because we adopted her from Taiwan and this is the exact day we were able to go there and get her. It was her 1st birthday and her "Gotcha Day".

We were so lucky that another family was there and took these great pictures of our family and shared them with us.

The nannies at St. Lucy Center had gotten a cake for her and the other kids that had birthday's that month. They put out boiled eggs and tomatoes too.

It was a wonderful day for my husband and I and an overwhelming one for my daughter. She is now 8 and really happy with this layout!

Now it's your turn to submit your Birthday project for the December Birthday Challenge.  See all the details in the December Challenge (link).

Design Team Reveal

I was very pleased to have so many talented ladies submit their application for the Design Team here at Scrap Our Stash.  It was a very hard decision and I couldn't stop at 4

So here in no particular order are the Stash projects of our FINALISTS:

Karen Williams



Sara Laurent 2





Sara Laurent 1




Staci W.

Joan Liddle



Christine Emberson



Missy Melhourn

Sarah Cooper

Tamara Reed

Tammy Cunningham



Mary Pat Siehl

Tracy Ross

 Congratulations Ladies!  I'm looking forward to a lot of inspiration from these talented ladies in the future.  Be sure to come back to Scrap Our Stash daily, there is always something new here. 

December Challenge by Wendy

Design Team Member Wendy submitted this layout for the December Birthday Challenge. 

Layout with flaps closed (=Christmas theme).

The green papers are in the side flip flaps:

Layout with flap on each side open (=Birthday layout):


For this layout I knew what I wanted to do but it involved a lot of thinking and planning to actually get it done. Since our party was a combination of Christmas and birthday, I used that idea to create this layout. With these new Flip Flaps from Close to My Heart I was able to expand my layout and add many more photos than a normal 2-page spread. First, I chose papers that I could use as both a Christmas and Birthday themed page. Next I laid out the pages and protectors I planned to use. This allowed me to arrange the photos on my spread. This was the hardest part. I didn't do much for paper layering because of the planning involved so the rest of the assembly was just pictures and embellishments. On the birthday section, I cut out one of the stars from the pattern paper so it would overlap my photo and become an embellishment for my page, then added star gems to the centers.

You can visit My Scrapbooking Blog for more details.

Now it's your turn to submit your Birthday project for the December Birthday Challenge.  See all the details in the December Challenge (link).

Show N' Tell Sunday by Kathy

We were able to go to "Main Street Bethlehem" tonight. The line was long - but well worth it. Niko is just the right age for this - and took it all in like a sponge. He gave money to the begger, and attempted to pay bail for those that were in jail.  He was quite sad when the jailer refused his coins - not recognizing them. 

It was a great experience and really helped remind us that "Jesus is the Reason for the Season".

Show 'N Tell Sunday by Missy

This project was for my blog's 25 Days of {homemade} Christmas gifts. I saw a similar set of wooden blocks at a store for about $15. I made these for free since I was able to raid my hubbys scrap wood stash! I made the word JOY since I had three blocks, but you could do anything, Welcome, a last name, or a baby's name for their room!
For this project I used;

wood blocks
scrapbook paper and trimmer
Modge Podge
Cricut letters
Martha Stewart branch punch
acrylic craft paint and brush
sandpaper

Start by making sure your blocks are smooth. Use your sandpaper to round off the edges. When you are done, paint your blocks. I didn't paint where my paper is going to be just to save time and paint.



Cut your scrapbook paper to fit your blocks. You can always just paint the entire block instead of using paper. I used a corner punch to round off the edges. Use Modge Podge to glue your paper to the blocks.




Decorate your blocks. I used my Cricut Storybook cartridge to cut out these letters. I also added some branches punched out using the Martha Stewart branch punch.



You don't have to make all the blocks the same. You can alter between two or three designs. Or make them all different! Just make it your own way!

Pagerize Dawn by Christy

 Design Team Member Christy submitted this layout for the Pagerize This Challenge.  She said, "Since this month's theme at Scrap our Stash is all about birthdays, I decided that now would be a great opportunity to finish off my son's tenth birthday photos. I also used my new birthday present, a sizzix texture boutique, to make an embellishment for the page. While gifts are a great thing about birthday's, the best gift for me, as a parent, is giving them to my son. His joy sparks mine and inspired the journaling for this page.

In my take of the pagerize challenge, I chose to use wallet size photos and to place them into groups. I pagerized the placement of my pictures like those of Dawn's. although I did omit one.

Rather than regular birthday theme papers, I chose paper from My Mind's Eye's complete boy collection and embellisments and trim from Making memories Just' Chillin' Boy collection. The bingo card was made on coredinations cardstock with a Tim Holtz folder.Small star brads finally found a way out of my stash and onto the paper to add to the star motif. I hand stitched around a star on the lower right corner to add some color and texture. I actually fussy cut that star from the above patterned paper strip. The bingo card hides the hole perfectly.

Another stash saver I utilized here was the method in which I matted the photos. It also saved me time. I simply chose to leave a small border of white photo paper around each photo when I cropped it from the main sheet.


If you want the recipe for a fast, fun page than pagerizing is a great way to go. The inspiration is right there for you to take and make your own. We'd love to see your version of the challenge...so don't forget to send it in!"

The Pagerize This Challenge ends at midnight December 12th, so hurry!  See all the details HERE.

December Challenge by Sue

Reader Sue submitted this layout for the December Birthday Challenge.  She said, "Hello!  This is my first submission, but I've been following your site for awhile now.

Here is my layout about my 50th birthday this past July. I actually
celebrate a birthmonth, which means using the entire month to party, dine out and just generally pamper myself. So my actual birthday can be pretty quiet, which is fine with me.

The journaling reads:

Phone calls from family...flowers from Phil...lunch in Depot Town...an evening at Comerica Park...a perfect 50th birthday.

Thanks for considering my layout in your monthly challenge!

Suehttp://suealthouse.blogspot.com/
Thanks Sue - now it's your turn to submit your Birthday project for the December Birthday Challenge.  See all the details in the December Challenge (link).  And don't miss both our Pagerize This Challenge (click on link) and our Design Team Call (see link or the sidebar).  Both end in just a few days. 

Don't miss your chance to Share anything tomorrow for Show N' Tell Sunday (link).  Just send a picture of whatever you would like to share to scrappinpsycho@live.com.  It will post on Sunday!  Looking forward to seeing what you have to share!

Pagerize Dawn by Kathy

I really wanted to go with the whole doodling and strip journaling ideas in order to Pagerize Dawn, but instead just went with the Song Title Theme.  I also did the 3 pictures - but that's about as far as the pagerizing goes.  I also made mine a 2 page layout. 

Thanks for the inspiration Dawn.  I'm going to do some doodling yet!

It's not too late to get your Pagerize This Challenge complete.  See all the details in Pagerize This #4 below.  You could become our next Pagerizer!

$$Frugal Friday Tip$$

Design Team Member Missy submitted this Frugal Friday Tip.  She said, "Sometimes when I cut out stuff on my Cricut, I don't use it. Whether it's because of the size, color, or I don't like the font, I will save all of the mis-cuts. Then when I want to use that "ransom letter" look for my title I go through all my letters and use what ever I have already cut out.   This saves me some time and paper!  I used this tip in the title of my layout blastoff.

We would love to see a project that you have completed using this or one of our other Scrap Our Stash Frugal Friday Tips.  Just send a picture and a description telling us what tip you used to:  scrappinpsycho@live.com.  Your project will be shared here on the blog.  Do you have a frugal tip to share - submit your tip along with a picture to scrappinpsycho@live.com.  You could be featured in an upcoming Frugal Friday Tip.

December Challenge by Mary Pat

Reader Mary Pat submitted this layout for the December Birthday Challenge.  She said, "here is my first entry "It's Party Time"

This is my son's 5th Birthday party. We had a small little party with a couple of firends and family. The theme was Transformers. The kids had so much fun with the Transformer Piñata.

In the pictures I have Jack opening his presents and the boys pulling the strings of the piñata. I used the the Imaginisce Birthday Bash line. I love this line with the the bright colors mixing with the brown tones. I also love the embellishments which all match the paper.


I may submit another layout for this month's challenge because both my boys have fall birthdays and I am trying to get them all done before the holidays!"

Now it's your turn to take the challenge.  See all the details in December Challenge below.  And don't miss our Pagerize This Challenge - details below.

Pagerize Dawn by Sarah

Guest Design Team Member Sarah submitted this layout for the Pagerize This Challenge.  She said, "Our Bunny Hope goes ga-ga over the pumpkins so in the evening, after all the trick-or-treating was done, we let her 'have at' one of the pumpkins.  HAPPY BUNNY - this is her Lay-Out.

I tried to stay very close to the sketch, though I flipped it over.
Same 3 lines of writing, same # of pictures and same placement of embellies.

Base page is Fancy Pants, unsure of the middle paper or cardstock (stash sh-tuff).


The embellies are from all over:
Trick or Treat circle: Cloud 9
All Pumpkin sticker: $ store
Metal Pumpkin Button: K&Company
Pumpkin Brad and orange letters: Little Yellow Bicycle
Pumpkin & candy word stickers: Sandy Lion
Yellow word stickers: Pebbles inc.

Journalling:
Trick or Treat
you're so neat, Give me
Something
Good
to EAT.
Pumpkins
are candy
for a little black bunny!


The week leading up to Halloween we had to keep her away from the pumpkins.  Now she can happily sit picking pumpkins.

Now it's your turn to take the Pagerize This Challenge.  See all the details below in Pagerize This Challenge #4.  You could become our next Pagerizer!

December Challenge by Amy

Design Team Member Amy submitted this layout for the December Birthday Challenge. She said, this challenge really kicked me into high gear. My son will be three in about 9 weeks and i have not scrapbooked his 2nd birthday yet! yikes! So, here's the start of many more pages....

For his second birthday we had a "pirate" theme. I ended up getting these pirates masks for super cheap, and it was so fun to see everyone wearing their masks. Even my son's great-grandma wore one! This layout was super easy and quick. I already had my pictures sized to 2x2 (i did it in photoshop and then had them printed onto two 4x6 prints). Next, i matted my photos and distressed the edges with ink. My embellishments were part of the party decorations. I used Thickers for my title and for each person's name.

Now it's your turn to take the Challenge - see all the details in the December Challenge post below. And how about taking the Pagerize This Challenge too (details below).

And don't miss your chance to apply for our Design Team Call - details in the sidebar.

Pagerize This #4

Play My Music by Dawn is our 4th Page to be "pagerized" in our "Pagerizie This" Challenge.  
Each month on the 15th we will post a new layout for you to "pagerize" (plagerize, copy, lift, steal) whatever term you want to use. The idea will be - to use the posted layout as your inspiration to create your own layout. You can "pagerize" as much or as little of the original layout as you choose. You may want to make a layout just like the one posted - or you may just want to use something about the layout as your inspiration. It's totally up to you.As winner of the Pagerize This Challenge #3 - Dawn is our new Pagerizer!

Dawn Said:
"I am so honored and excited! This was so much fun and I loved seeing everyone's take on the challenge." While I love the look of one image LOs, reality is that most of the things that I scrap need to have more than one picture on the LO. So, I have chosen a LO that incorporates 3 pictures, as well as some other things that I love adding to my LOs: chipboard, rub-ons, doodling and music lyrics.

We are a big musical family; my DH has been drumming in rock bands since high school; our DD is a music junkie and takes voice lessons; our DS is following in Daddy's footsteps and already has his own drum kit. I took piano when I was a kid, but am the photographer and groupie for the rest of them now. Our tween DD is a huge Jonas Bros fan, so the lyrics to "Play My Music" were perfect for a LO that shows something that ties them all together. The background doodle paper is from DCWV Rock Star stack. Chipboard shapes are Tim Holtz grungeboard painted with acrylic white; chipboard letters are Thickers; rub on letters are Making Memories.

I hope you can find some inspiration in this LO, whether it be the idea of using lyrics on a LO; using multiple pictures on a LO to show a common family bond, doodling ... have fun with it!

Once you've completed your layout - email a picture and brief description to scrappinpsycho@live.com  All entries will be posted here at Scrap Our Stash. The challenge runs through midnight central time on December 12th. The "Pagerizer" (in this case Dawn), will then choose a winner from all the entries. The winner will be announced on December 14th. Then the winner will be asked to submit a layout for us to "Pagerize" starting on the 15th of December. Then on the 12th of January - the winner will be chosen by the winner of the "Pagerize This Challenge #4" and on and on it goes.


So your challenge - if you choose to accept it - is to use Dawn's layout as your inspiration.

December Challenge by Libeeti

Design Team Member Libeeti submitted the following layout for the December Birthday Challenge.  She said, "These photos are from my youngest boy's 2nd  Birthday Party at the daycare. I used DCWV cs, dp for the basis (I don't know the manufacturer, I got it as gift), K&Co. dp for the matting, and some stickers from my stash.

The English letters are rub-ons and the Hebrew letters are an Israeli product bought at Mastikim.

Now it's your turn to take the challenge.  See all the details in December Challenge below.  Also, don't miss the Pagerize This Challenge (details below) or the Design Team Call on the sidebar.  

Show N' Tell Sunday by Wendy

A Christmas tree in Disney fashion! Putting up our tree (and taking it down!) is a lot of work each year but so much fun and so enjoyable. Now that the kids are older, they get to help put the ornaments on the tree. It's like opening presents each year as we remember which ones have moving parts, which ones make noise, and which ones light up. This tree is reserved for Disney ornaments only and we have another one that we put up with all of our other ornaments on it.

Show N' Tell Sunday

And to think I cleaned the kitchen up today for THIS!
Our annual cookie baking! The fact that all three of the kids are a year older made quite a difference this year. They all three stayed on task until the very end! Maddie would still be rolling the play dogh - or frosting and re-frosting her cookies.  The only way we could get her to stop was for her to eat the cookies! 

It was a lot of fun - but what a mess!  I love traditions and this time of year!