Christmas Scrapbooking and Crafting Ideas using Digital Cut Files | Suzanna Lee 17turtles Guest Designer

Hey there 17turtles fans! This is Suzanna Lee dropping in today to share some festive projects with you using Juliana's amazing cut files! I have long been a fan of Juliana's work and in particular, her cut files! How could I not visit her 17turtles Etsy Shop with so many creative digital cut files to choose from?

Merry Christmas Scrapbook Page by Suzanna Lee Guest Designer for 17turtles Digital Cut Files

This layout was created using two files:


Peppermint Parade Digital Cut File by 17turtles

Merry Merry Digital Cut File by 17turtles

The trees cut file is so diverse in that you get three pieces with the one file; the outline, the "innard" of the outline and, if you remove the inner shape of the outlined tree, a background for the outline tree.

Merry Christmas Scrapbook Page by Suzanna Lee Guest Designer for 17turtles Digital Cut Files

The Peppermint Parade background cuts so clean and makes a fantastic holiday background! I actually pondered using the "left overs" on my Silhouette mat for another layout. The peppermint candy triangles leave a fun firework effect that I thought would be appropriate for New Years Eve or 4th of July.

Merry Christmas Scrapbook Page by Suzanna Lee Guest Designer for 17turtles Digital Cut Files

One of the many things that is fantastic about Juliana's files is the value for money! You get so many great files for the price! I only used a fraction of what came in the Merry Merry set.

My next project is my favorite!! Back when Juliana was first getting her Etsy store up and running she asked what files people would like to see. Those of you who know me, know I was a swimmer and now have two budding swimmers following suit. Prior to Juliana's there just weren't cut files that I liked. She created just the thing! Better yet, she has boy and girl swimmers!

Girl Swimmer Christmas Ornament by Suzanna Lee Guest Designer for 17turtles Digital Cut Files

I used the Swimming Strokes Girl cut file to create this custom Christmas ornament for my daughter. It was dead easy to do with Juliana's file, a transparency and adhesive backed glitter paper. Instructions on how you too can create one of these is available over on my blog, Life's Trivialities. I plan on making a matching ornament for son using the boy backstroke swimmer thanks to Juliana's cut files!

Thank you so much for having me here today Juliana!

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Thanks so much Suzanna! I love how you used the Merry Merry and Peppermint Parade cut files to create such a fun and festive Christmas scrapbook page. And your use of one of my cut files to create a Christmas ornament just blew me away! Make sure you all visit Suzanna's blog, Life's Trivialities, for instructions on how to create your own custom Christmas ornament and for more inspiring paper crafting and scrapbook projects!

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Christmas Angel | BoBunny Christmas Collage

So, have you started decorating for Christmas? I started my decorating this past weekend. This is one of my favorite times of the year! I love to decorate for Christmas and I especially love to make some of my decorations. One of my new favorite Christmas decorations this year is a Christmas Angel that I recently created using the new BoBunny Christmas Collage collection and a Darice Paper Mache Angel Kit. Read on below for detailed instructions on how she came to life!

Christmas Angel by Juliana Michaels using BoBunny Christmas Collage and Darice Paper Mache Angel Kit

DETAILS | CHRISTMAS ANGEL

I purchased the paper mache angel kit at Michael's. It comes with 7 pieces to create the angel. I didn't use the base, the halo or the hair that came with the kit. I'm not sure what will become of those pieces, but I'm thinking they would be perfect for creating some Christmas ornaments. 

Darice Paper Mache Angel Kit

Darice Paper Mache Angel Kit

I knew that I wanted to give my Christmas Angel a glowing halo and gilded wings. To achieve this look, I began by coloring the wings with a Krylon Gold Leafing Pen. This gave the wings a nice gold colored base. However, that wasn't enough sparkle for me, so I pulled out the new BoBunny Glitter Paste in Gold. I applied two coats of the Glitter Paste and allowed it to dry completely between each coat. To create the halo, I cut a piece of scrap chipboard into a 3" circle and used the same process that I used on the wings.

Darice Paper Mache Angel Kit Wings, BoBunny Glitter Paste, Krylon Gold Leafing Pen

I painted the face with acrylic paint and added the eyes, nose and mouth with a fine tip black marker. The hair is doll hair that I bought at the local craft store and I attached it using a hot glue gun.

Christmas Angel by Juliana Michaels using BoBunny Christmas Collage and Darice Paper Mache Angel Kit

To cover the base and arms of the angel, I began by creating a template using a piece of copy paper. I wrapped it around the cone shaped pieces and then trimmed it to fit. I then traced the template onto a piece of patterned paper, cut it out, wrapped it around the base and then glued it in place. I repeated this same process for the arms.

Christmas Angel by Juliana Michaels using BoBunny Christmas Collage and Darice Paper Mache Angel Kit

To create the ruffled strips, I cut 1/2" strips of patterned paper and inked the edges. I then misted them lightly with water and the proceeded to wrinkle, crinkle, and fold the paper to create the ruffles. I used a heat gun to speed up the drying. This also adds a little bit of stiffness to the paper. I then hot glued the strips to the edges.

Christmas Angel by Juliana Michaels using BoBunny Christmas Collage and Darice Paper Mache Angel Kit


To decorate the Angel, I used a variety of the embellishments that are part of the Christmas Collage collection including the chipboard, die cuts, brads, flowers, and stickers. I lightly sprayed the flowers with the BoBunny Gold Glimmer Mist for an extra bit of shine.

Christmas Angel by Juliana Michaels using BoBunny Christmas Collage and Darice Paper Mache Angel Kit

The back of the Angel is quite plain, but you could easily dress up this side if you have one that will be seen from all sides.

Christmas Angel by Juliana Michaels using BoBunny Christmas Collage and Darice Paper Mache Angel Kit

I have enough kits to make two more of these angels, and I'm really hoping that I'll have time to make them. I keep picturing the trio of them sitting pretty on one of Christmas tabletop displays. Thanks so much for stopping by and I hope you have fun creating some of your own Christmas decorations this year!

Creative Scrappers & 17turtles | Creative December

17turtles and Creative Scrappers Creative December
17turtles is pleased to announce that we are sponsoring Creative Scrappers during the month of December! For your chance to win a $20 gift certificate to the 17turtles Etsy Shop all you have to do is create a layout using Sketch 283 and/or 284 and enter them using the inlinkz widget on the Creative Scrappers blog. The deadline to submit your layouts is December 31st at Midnight EST. Sketch 283 is live now and ready for you to play along!

And for your shopping enjoyment, you can use coupon code CS17TURTLES25 to save 25% off any order from the 17turtles Shop! I can't wait to see what you all create and share!

Christmas Card Ideas | Elle's Studio Good Cheer Collection

I totally enjoy creating handmade Christmas cards and every year I do my best to make enough of them to send or give to my family and close friends. The set of Christmas cards that I'm sharing today were created using Elle's Studio Good Cheer collection.

Christmas Card Ideas using Elle's Studio Good Cheer Collection by Juliana Michaels

I used the B side of the North Pole paper to create three of the card bases.
To create this Ho Ho Ho Christmas card, I embellished it with a 3x4 card from the November Exclusive Kit and a die cut from the Good Cheer Bits and Pieces set. The stars are from the Good Cheer Wood Veneer set. I added a mini clothespin, jute bow and red jewels for added texture and interest. You could certainly leave off the clothespin to make this easier to send in the mail.

Christmas Card Ideas using Elle's Studio Good Cheer Collection by Juliana Michaels

Christmas Card Ideas using Elle's Studio Good Cheer Collection by Juliana Michaels

This Joy Christmas card uses a die cut from the November Exclusive Kit. The Joy wood veneer from the Christmas Ephemera set fit perfectly in the center of the die cut banner.

Christmas Card Ideas using Elle's Studio Good Cheer Collection by Juliana Michaels

Christmas Card Ideas using Elle's Studio Good Cheer Collection by Juliana Michaels

On Season's Greetings Christmas card, I used a 3x4 card from the November Exclusive Kit. The sentiment is from the Merry and Bright Exclusive Stamp Set and the Christmas Tree wood veneer is from the Christmas Ephemera Kit. The bit of green and white twine provides some added texture and color to the bottom of the card.

Christmas Card Ideas using Elle's Studio Good Cheer Collection by Juliana Michaels

Christmas Card Ideas using Elle's Studio Good Cheer Collection by Juliana Michaels

For this Tis the Season Christmas card, I used a 3x4 card from the Christmas Ephemera Kit and some scraps of patterned paper. I didn't use the North Pole paper on this one. A simple jute bow and red jewels add a nice festive touch.

Christmas Card Ideas using Elle's Studio Good Cheer Collection by Juliana Michaels

Christmas Card Ideas using Elle's Studio Good Cheer Collection by Juliana Michaels

So, have you already started on your Christmas cards? Or do you still need to make them? I still have a few more to make, but have a good start on them.  Thanks for stopping by!

Christmas Countdown Calendar | BoBunny Candy Cane Lane

So who will be joining me in decorating for Christmas this coming weekend? I can't wait to have the house all decorated for one of my favorite holidays! And I'm sure it's going to be interesting to see how Lincoln handles the tree. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that everyone and everything will survive!

The weekend after Thanksgiving brings back fond memories of spending time making Christmas craft projects with my nieces. I really miss spending time together with them! These happy memories inspired me to create and share a Christmas Countdown Calendar that I created using the new BoBunny Candy Cane Lane collection. It is a fun and easy craft project that would perfect to work on together with your family this post-Thanksgiving weekend.

Christmas Countdown Calendar by Juliana Michaels featuring BoBunny Candy Cane Lane Collection

SUPPLIES

  • Cork Bulletin Board
  • Standard Push Pins
  • BoBunny Candy Cane Lane Countdown paper
  • BoBunny Candy Cane Lane 6x6 Paper Pad
  • BoBunny Candy Cane Lane Brads
  • BoBunny Candy Cane Lane Buttons
  • BoBunny Candy Cane Lane Stickers
  • Ranger Distress Ink Pad in Vintage Photo
  • Ranger Glitter Glue in Star Dust
  • Hot Glue Gun
  • Twine
  • Mini Clothespins

BoBunny Candy Cane Lane Countdown Paper

CHRISTMAS COUNTDOWN CALENDAR

  1. Begin with a plain cork bulletin board. I painted the frame black but this is certainly optional.
  2. Cut out the countdown squares from the BoBunny Candy Cane Lane Countdown paper. 
  3. Cut squares measured at 2 5/8" from various patterns in the 6x6 Candy Cane Lane Paper Pad.
  4. Ink the edges of all of the squares. You can certainly skip this step. 
  5. Adhere the number squares to the other squares.
  6. Embellish some of the squares with stickers and buttons.
  7. Apply Star Dust Glitter Glue to some of the images for a touch of sparkle and shine.
  8. Create custom push pins (see below for instructions)
  9. Push the pins into the cork board and tie a length of twine to each end. Trim off the excess twine.
  10. Use mini clothespins to attach the countdown numbers to the twine.

Christmas Countdown Calendar by Juliana Michaels featuring BoBunny Candy Cane Lane Collection

Christmas Countdown Calendar by Juliana Michaels featuring BoBunny Candy Cane Lane Collection

Christmas Countdown Calendar by Juliana Michaels featuring BoBunny Candy Cane Lane Collection

CREATING CUSTOM PUSH PINS

To attach the numbers to the board, I created my own custom push pins using standard push pins and BoBunny Brads.

  1. Begin by selecting some brads from the Candy Cane Lane Brads.
  2. Remove the prongs from the brad using wire cutters. Fold any excess metal toward the underside of the brad using the wire cutters.
  3. Attach the brad to the top of push pin using a hot glue gun. I recommend using either a high heat glue gun or an adhesive that is made for attaching metal and plastic together. I had good luck with Glue Dots, however you have to be more cautious when removing the push pins from the cork board as this is not a permanent way to adhere the brad to the push pin.
Christmas Countdown Calendar by Juliana Michaels featuring BoBunny Candy Cane Lane Collection

Christmas Countdown Calendar by Juliana Michaels featuring BoBunny Candy Cane Lane Collection

I hope this project inspires you to do some family Christmas crafting projects this year. They are a great way to bring the family together and they can provide years of wonderful memories!
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