How To Tuesday

First things first, I have a winner to announce from last week's "Guest Designer" giveaway. Thank you all so much for your comments. And the lucky winner is ...

Congratulations! Please email your full name and mailing information (including your phone number for shipping purposes) to pebblesincdt(at)gmail(dot)com and put "Guest Designer Winner" in the subject line. 

Did you know that there are only 87 more days til Christmas?  While that may seem like a long time it's never too early to get started on those holiday preparations.  Design team member Gretchen McElveen shares a fun way to scrapbook your Christmas cards and keep them for years to come.  Here's what Gretchen had to say ... "As soon as the weather starts getting cooler, I start looking forward to Christmas.  I love it!  Last week I finally took down the 2010 Christmas cards on the side of my refrigerator in anticipation of new ones coming this year!  I hate taking them down. They are so fun to look at through the year!  And I surely could never throw them away!  For the longest time I just kept all the Christmas cards I had collected over the years somewhat organized in a couple of shoeboxes. Then a couple of years ago I discovered a way to scrapbook them.  And today I am going to show you how to do it!"

What you will need:
Cardstock
Patterned Paper
Strong Adhesive
Embellishments

OK let’s get started!  Use a piece of cardstock as the base of your layout. Don't "waste" a piece of patterned paper when you are going to end up covering it up anyway! For the first and top pocket on the layout, cut a piece of patterned paper or cardstock 12 inches wide x 4 inches tall. You may not want to use your favorite piece of patterned paper as a lot of this paper will end up being covered by Christmas cards too.

Adhere this piece of paper across the cardstock about 3 inches down from the top of the layout.

Remember that we are making a pocket, so only apply your adhesive along the bottom and sides of the piece of paper. No adhesive should go across the top! And make sure to use strong adhesive!

This will let your slip your Christmas cards inside the "pocket" you have created.

For the second and middle pocket on the layout, cut another piece of patterned paper or cardstock 12 inches wide x 4 inches tall. Once again, don't use your favorite piece of patterned paper as a lot of this paper will end up being covered by your cards. Adhere this piece of paper across the layout about 6 inches down from the top of the layout so you are creating another pocket under the first one.

Remember: adhesive only along the bottom and sides of the piece of paper. No adhesive across the top so you create a pocket! Tip: If you use cardstock for this pocket, embellish it a bit by using a border sticker!

Now do use a pretty piece of patterned paper for the bottom pocket on your layout. This piece will actually be seen! Cut this piece of patterned paper so that it also measures also 12 inches wide x 3 inches tall.  Adhere this piece of paper across the bottom of the layout.

Remember: adhesive only along the bottom and sides of the piece of paper. No adhesive across the top!

Now embellish the bottom pocket! I used another border sticker here, a fun dimensional sticker, and cute toothpick flags on my layout. Don’t forget to add a date to your layout so you can remember when you got all these cards (I almost forgot!).

 

Tuck your Christmas cards into the pockets and you are done! You could always turn this into a 2-page layout if you have more cards than you can fit into a single-page layout.

I hope this gives you an idea for what to do with all those Christmas cards you can’t bear to throw away! And hey, a layout like this would work for birthday cards, Mother’s Day cards, or any cards you get for that matter!!

Happy scrapping! And Merry (early) Christmas!

Pebbles supplies used:
Welcome Christmas Merry Christmas (751175)
Welcome Christmas Santa’s Workshop (751176)
Welcome Christmas Dimensional Phrase & Icon Stickers (732071)
Welcome Christmas 12” Border Stickers (732072)
Welcome Christmas Toothpick Flags (747146)

Other supplies used:
Cardstock (American Crafts)
Thickers (American Crafts)