wednesday . . .

Welcome to the first ever Samantha Walker Blog Hop!!!! If you came here from Jennifer's blog then you are right on track :) If not, head over to Samantha's blog to begin this fun & exciting journey!!! The Creative Team and I will be showcasing all sorts of fun projects on our blogs to get you inspired & creating :) Today I'd like to share with you an altered printer's artist tray I created using the Traditions paper line by Samantha Walker for Creative Imaginations. Full of rich maroons, deep greens, and a splash of gold - it is the perfect color palette for some classic christmas home decor. When I saw "The Real Meaning of Christmas" sticker within the Traditions collection, I was instantly connected to a quote from the story "The Grinch Who Stole Christmas":

"It came without ribbons. It came without tags. It came without packages, boxes, or bags . . .

What if Christmas, he thought, doesn't come from a store. What is Christmas, perhaps, means a little bit more."

We had just spent the weekend with our closest friends and their children - Ryan LOVES being with them & when we get together it is like one big happy family :) Ryan is always beaming from ear to ear :) Although we did exchange gifts with the children - I knew what Ryan was most excited about was just spending time with them. I loved the opportunity to use this project to showcase the moments of joy & happiness in simply spending time with these special friends of ours :)

To create this project I began by cutting 12 rectangles measuring 3 3/4" by 2 3/4". I quickly added a little pen outlining to each & then glued them all down in the empty boxes of the tray. Next I placed the decorative frames from the Samantha Walker's Traditions cardstock stickers down on kraft paper. I cut them in half & then trimmed off all excess kraft paper. I adhered these on the corner boxes of the tray & added additional decorative cardstock stickers from the line as well. Just some fun, easy touches to add a little extra something to the corners of this display :)

Next I created the paper ribbon accents. I cut 2 strips of Creative Imaginations Cardstock Foundations paper in Toast measuring 8 1/2" by 7/8". I cut one end on each to resemble a ribbon & then outlined the entire strip. The first strip was adhered under a cardstock title sticker from the Traditions line.

For the second strip, I layered up 3 of the gorgeous cardstock sticker trees from the Traditons line using some pop-dots and tucked the paper ribbon under them.

TIP: The decorative paper ribbon strip was a bit flimsy to adhere well to the tray - to strengthen this add a strip of heavy cardstock or chipboard that runs the entire length of the element. Works great!!!!

My final step was to adhere 4 pictures along the center of the tray. I printed these as 2" x 3" photos which fit perfectly within the space.

This is a quick & easy decor project that you can make for yourself or as a gift - thanks so much for stopping by!!!!

Make sure to leave a comment below to be entered in the drawing for some fabulous prizes . . . but don't stop here!!!! Head on over to Nancy's blog by clicking below to check out her inspiring projects & leave a comment there as well. (All comments need to be posted by December 12th & winners will be announced on the 13th!!!) Thanks so much for stopping by!!!

ttyl!! - julie :)