The Morning Scrapper

Good Morning,

I can’t believe how fast the holidays are coming this year.  While I love this time of year, I also struggle to get everything I want to do finished. Those of us here in the U.S. have Thanksgiving coming up next week. For me that means doing all the cooking, then we start our Christmas prep but at the same time plan for my son’s and my husband’s birthday within the first two weeks of December then jump back into Christmas prep.   Every year I have big plans to stay organized, do more fun events, etc., etc.  The past few years with the addition of the little one, I just can’t seem to stay on top of things. I sometimes feel like I am the only Mom who can’t get it together.

This year after admitting the problem I came up with what I hope will be a solution. I thought if I create something that colorful and fun by the door then perhaps I will have a fighting chance. Doodlebug’s countdown paper from the ” Here Comes Santa Claus” collection inspired me to create a box with 24 file folders so each tradition and event can be planned ahead. I will know what is happening for that day and if I need to prep ahead of time instead of the usual mad dash.

Here is my crafty solution:

I used white card stock cut to  6 1/2 by 9 then did an offset fold. I used the rest of the collection papers, stickers, and Doodlebug’s new Silhouette cut files to decorate them.

For me, color and fun design make me happy which means I am more likely to stay on track. I tried to do each file a little different to keep the interest up.  I used the border scrapbook paper on all the files then decorated the front with  4×4 and 4×6 cut-a-part sheets, 12×12 stickers and the icons stickers.

Some of the folders depict actual events that are part of our family traditions such as writing a letter to Santa, getting the tree, looking at lights and of course baking. Please understand I am not any way shape or form professing to be good at baking. It is more about spending time with my boys in the kitchen. I am happy they still like to help out with the cookies.  For the set above I used their cute mail truck border along with the letters to Santa stickers.  Given my new love of interactive elements, I had to make a belly band and a pocket out of the heart paper both with removable tags.

This set and the one below shows some of the silhouette cut files. I love the milk and cookies, it was so easy to piece together. The gifts on the gingham paper are also part of the cut file. Of course, I had to use the Tim Holtz “dripping” die to give that snowy feel with a little bling.

Speaking of bling, I found these clear stars in my stash that worked well for the ornament string.

To hold all of these cards I made a chipboard box. I thought at first, I could do it on the silhouette, but the chipboard was too thick for the machine.  After sitting there staring at my machine willing it to take the chipboard, I finally accepted I would have to do it by hand.  I struggle enough with getting things straight with my trimmer; now I am adding super thick chipboard. UUGHH! A couple of different tries and a now dull blade later, I came up was this chipboard box covered with a white card stock base for extra support. I  finished it with the red snowflake and the hearts scrapbook paper from the collection.

I wanted to give the look of the snow dripping from the eves of a house. I pulled out my trusty Tim Holtz “dripping” die to create the snowy border then used my new Wink of Stella Pen in silver to add some subtle sparkle. I then worked on decorating each side with some gems, the large sticker sheet, and Icon sheet from the collection.

While I figure there is probably a better method for constructing the box, I have to say I feel pretty good for my first time out. All I have to do now is plan out this month’s events and then it is just a matter of each day going through the box.  I think I can..I think I can..

I am interested to hear how all of you stay organized during this busy holiday season, please share in comments your best practice. How do you fit everything into your schedule? Or maybe you are more like me which I would be thrilled to know, perhaps we can develop a support group. (FYI-“Support group” is code for sharing chocolate or about finding good chocolate)  🙂

Thank you for stopping in and I look forward to hearing from you.

Until next time….