Christmas Cards From Friends & Family | more 2011

Even though the temperature is 103 degrees this July day, I thought it would be fun to dream of cooler temperatures and celebrate the holidays by creating a little "Christmas in July" layout featuring die cut designs from Kerri Bradford Studio. I keep an album of all the Christmas or Holiday/New Year's photo cards we receive during the holiday season and I still had a few photos that needed a home. Typically I add the names of who's who in each photo (and I will this time too) but I ran into a bit of a printer malfunction (aka I ran out of ink and had to order more...boo!). Once I print the names on kraft cardstock, I'll cut them into strips and lay them over the bottom of each coordinating photo. Nothing fancy, just a nice way to remember and celebrate friends and family every year! 

p.s. updated with journaling strips! I'll update this photo as soon as I get printer ink. ;)

I adore creating die cut "scenes" by mixing and matching shapes from several different kits. I used 8 designs from 5 of Kerri's kits. I used the photo frame from the This & That Family kit as the "base" of my "scene" by resizing it big. Then I cut the pieces from lots of different Christmas colored papers and added a black die cut "shadow" to each for depth and dimension. Shadowing is my "go-to" technique for giving die cuts that little something extra that really makes them the star of the design.

FYI: When figuring out how to cut down and group my photos, I look for photo cards of approximately the same size and group them together in piles. Then I measure them to make sure I can cut them down without losing an entire person from the photo, etc. I fill in with those tiny tiny photos from multi-photo cards where needed to complete the design. ;) I've found over time that I like grouping these types of photos together. They make a bigger impact and most importantly I can fit a lot of my page! 

Kits Used:

• This & That Winter (ice skates, sled)
• This & That Family (frame, sign post)
• This & That Christmas Past (long ornament)
• Here Comes Santa Claus ("Santa Parking" sign)
• Christmas Countdown (ornament, holly)

White Studio Calico Mister Huey mist on the sign gives it a "snow" look perfect for a winter-themed layout.

To give the ice skates a more realistic look I threaded string through the die cut holes and "laced them up". Small touches like this really take your die cuts up a notch.

SUPPLIES (click on photos for links):

InLinkz.com

Other Product Used (items that are old, discontinued or just from my stash):

• Echo Park Wintertime Holly Berry Red/Snowflake Grey Paper
• The Girls' Paperie Tinsel & Twig Paper
• Crate Paper Neighborhood Block Party Paper
• Making Memories Mistletoe Happy Holidays Paper
• Jillibean Soup Christmas Eve Chowder Stickers
• Doodlebug Glitter Paper (white)
• Making Memories Glitter Paper (gold dot)
• Making Memories Silver Metallic Paper

Christmas/Holiday Cards from Friends & Family Links (these are the links to all the pages in my album):

• Title Page
• 1998 Layout
• 1999 Layout
• 2000 Layout
• 2001 Layout
• 2002 Layout
• 2003 Layout
• more 2003 Layout
• 2004 Layout
• 2005 Layout
• more 2005 Layout
• 2006 Layout
• more 2006 Layout
• 2007 Layouts
• 2008 Layout
• another 2008 Layout
• 2008 Pocket Page
• 2009 Layout
• another 2009 Layout
• 2010 Layout
• another 2010 Layout
• December 2010 Pocket Page
• 2011 Layout

Now that we're all in the holiday spirit, check out these Christmas & Holiday themed die cut kits from Kerri:

InLinkz.com

Comments

[Michele]

love the layout!

[Nancy James]

Nichol I love your "go-to" technique. I have been meaning to ask you about it. Do you cut the shadows the same size as the tops and the just offset them together? I really like the effect it gives the die cuts. It's so good to see more of your LO's. I have missed seeing them.
Nancy

Oh, I love all your sewing projects too. Love the fabrics you used.

[Jeannie L]

lovely layout... I really like the details you added like the lace on the ice skates etc. It really does make a diff. Thanks for sharing.

[Nichol Spohr LLC]

I cut them the exact same size. :)

[Nancy James]

Thanks Nichol. I will definitely be doing this. :)

[Joann]

This is such a beautiful layout... I'm already so ready for christmas to get here!

Hugs,
Jo

[Janet]

Another beautiful layout created by the awesome Nichol. Love, love your eye for detail. I look at every detail so I know the amound of time and planning you do for your work. Just wonderful. Right into my FAV folder to print- when my ink arrives too. I loather purchasing ink- I could be buying paper or stamps with that money...LOL Thanks for sharing once again!

[Sam]

What a wonderful layout ! I love what you do: you have the gift to detail exactly where you need it ! (sorry if my English is not correct !)