Keeping it Simple

I do love to create layers and layers on my projects, but sometimes it really is a case of using a more simple design to get your point across.

When we bumped into one of Lauren's school friends at the park, the girls took the opportunity to play together (they don't normally at school). The best thing was, that her friend liked to pose for the camera!

The Cottage Garden collection by Crate Paper are a wonderful mix of colours and patterns. Of course all the papers are double-sided so double the value! By sticking to a simple design, I could go mad with my flower embellishments. Flowers are one of my staple go-to embellishments when I need something pretty.

I love to add a little sugar-coating to my flowers using a Snow Writer and ultra-fine gltter. I just adore the way they sparkle. Don't forget to add some leaves to your cluster of flowers as this really helps to bring them altogether.

Why not pop into the Ally Scraps store - I spied the lovely Very Merry collection from October Afternoon *Swoon* and fabulous vintage embellishments from Melissa Frances (I need one of these Christmas Trees). There are more vintage findings from Graphic 45, Craft Secrets and gorgeous Christmas papers from Websters Pages. I hope that Santa leaves some in my stocking!

I hope you have a wonderful weekend.

Morag x

Cookies gift book

My daughter Skylar loves to bake, and cookies are one of her favorites, so I created this little 'Cookies' booklet for her to record her favorite Christmas cookie recipes. I used the American Crafts Merriment Collection papers and stamp set and finished with some American Crafts Thickers which I sugar coated with a bit of clear embossing powder and clear glitter. It's double-sided so I added ties to both sides to hold it closed when not in use. She loves it and she can always add more pages as her collection grows.

here is the main inside:

here is the back "inside:"

Thanks for stopping by! We at Ally Scraps wish you a very Happy Thanksgiving!

Take care,

Rae

Blog HOP winner!

Hey everyone! Thanks so much for checking out our blog in the past few weeks. It's been so much fun making some Christmas projects to share. I'm a few days overdue, announcing our Adornit Blog Hop winner, so here it is, the big announcement. We had 51 comments, thanks so much for joining in!

The winner of the AllyScraps Christmas prize pack is BethieJ. Woohoo, and big congrats. Bethie, please send me an email to allyscraps@gmail.com with your contact information, and we will get something Christmasy right out to you!

Hope to see you on the blog again soon, more fun projects coming up this week.

~ Dana

Brrr It's Cold Outside

The nights are drawing in and Christmas is only 32 days away! Can you believe it? I haven't even begun to think about Christmas shopping yet.


Oh well. I have been in a crafty Christmas mood though. I have had my eye on Eskimo Kisses from Basic Grey since I saw them on the CHA sneaky peaks. They are even more adorable in real life.

I've had this project in my head for the last 3 months, so I've been dying to get my papers and get started. The plain wooden sleigh was painted with Gesso before being covered in patterned paper. It is obviously quite tricky trying to cut out the fret work so I created a little template first.

The snowman is is polystyrene craft balls covered in Gesso and glittered. You know I have a little soft spot for snowmen!

I really wanted to include two little dickie birds on a branch - these have been created with Fimo. I'm afraid I'm not very artistic, so my shapes have to be simple.

The adorable stocking hangs at the back of the sleigh complete with tiny pom-poms.

This project was surprisingly simple to put together - the papers all co-ordinate beautifully and such a dream to use. I do have some left over and I have my eye on another project for Christmas - so watch this space!

Remember all the latest products are available at the Ally Scraps store. I have my eye on some very pretty goodies for Christmas!

Thanks for dropping by.

Morag x

Christmas banner

I have been on a banner kick lately. They are pretty easy to make and are a great handmade touch to your holiday decor. For this banner I used the beautiful Eskimo Kisses line from Basic Grey.

I wanted to give it a bit of a vintagey look so I kept it simple and added some silver accents, lace, beads and simple ribbon.

The possibilites with banners are endless. Why don't you give one a try today. Everything you need to make on can be found in the wonderful Ally Scraps store. :)

Take care,

Rae