wednesday . . .

12.08.2010

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 :)

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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 :)

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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!!!


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ttyl!! - julie :)

75 comments:

  1. Call me silly...but I wear my heart on my sleeve...your project made me tear up. Seriously. I love it! Especially how it evokes the feelings of Christmas. I want to make one for my family now!

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  2. This is GORGEOUS!!! Love the colors and the elegance but yet almost vintag"y" look of it!! AMAZING!!!!

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  3. This project is BEAUTIFUL! You make your art look so easy to create-- come to my house and do this for me too! :)

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  4. this project is beautiful!
    m stunned
    m shocked
    its too gud
    hugs
    mallika

    http://missnotsogoodwithwords.blogspot.com/

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  5. This project is truly stunning. So meaningful, creative and simply outstanding.

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  6. Love your tray Julie! Most of all, I love the sentiment on here and the series of photos. Awesome work!!!

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  7. What a fabulous project Julie!!! I love it. :)
    - April W

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  8. Julie, this is stunning! Absolutely gorgeous!

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  9. Oh Julie!! This is amazing! I love it. You make me want to make one of my own!

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  10. This is just gorgeous Julie!!! You make me want to make one of these too!!!

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  11. I have fallen in love with your blog...you are a very amazing artist!!! Thanks for the chance to win.

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  12. Super amazing piece! Love how you incorporated the pictures too, definitely a piece to cherish forever! :)

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  13. Your printer's tray turned out fabulous! I love the rich colors mixed with the b/w photos! What a great way to remember such a wonderful time. TFS!

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  14. What a cool idea! I love all the papers you used and the fabulous way you displayed your pictures. Very creative!

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  15. Your printer's tray is so elegant and beautiful. So many I have seen are too busy for my taste. Love how you place your photos straight across the center. Samantha's Traditions line is perfect for something as tastefully done as your project.

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  16. Amazing, is all I can say! Absolutely amazing!

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  17. wow.. LOVE this and the sentiment is wonderful.. I love your project.. very inspiring!!

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  18. I love your project, what great colours, so elegant, thank you for sharing http://pjbear-determinedscrapper.blogspot.com/

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  19. This is just BEAUTIFUL! I am so amazed by all the talent on the blog hop! Very inspiring!

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  20. I love all the extra little touches that add up to so much! The colors are fab and you used them to full advantage.

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  21. BEAUTIFUL!!!!!! love love the printers tray what a keepsake this would be for a grandparent !!! Thanks for sharing

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  22. Julie, this is top of GORGEOUS!!!!! I have been so wanting to make one of these trays, and here you are showing it off in such a beautiful and elegant way!!!! LOVE IT!!!

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  23. Love it! Seriously, this is fab! Thanks so much for sharing it with us.

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  24. Wow amazingly gorgeous! This is really something!

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  25. Julie, this is SO gorgeous! I love the Grinch quote (so touching) and the box is really beautiful with the b/w photos. You should definitely send this to a magazine!

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  26. So so inspiring me to wanna make one of these Julie. You've really captured the Christmas spirit in this stunning project!

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  27. What an awesome home decor project. Love it!!

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  28. Just beautiful Julie, how amazing!!!!!!

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  29. Love it Julie...some of these look great junked up and I personally prefer your clean and simple approach!

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  30. *picks jaw up off floor*

    Now that is one classy project. I absolutely adore your style.

    Heaps of inspiration on your blog as well - thank you so much for sharing x

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  31. Wonderful project...the colors are awesome!!!

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  32. loved your shadow box. The paper is perfect!!!

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  33. This is gorgeous. It's really inspiring, especially because I try really hard to teach my kids this exact thing. The real meaning of Christmas, the gift we get from being with family and creating memories are the important thing. I have to make this, it's perfect for my house! Thanks so much for sharing!

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  34. This just amazing and so beautifully done!!

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  35. Gorgeous project showing wonderful memories!!!

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  36. Simply beautiful =) I love it =)

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  37. I love the projects that you have created and what a nice blog. I feel fortunate that I can see what everyone creates & get new friends at the same time. I hope you all have a great holiday season.

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  38. That is such a gorgeous piece. Wow to have that in your home...I need to make things FOR MY HOME!! That is just a wonderful way to share your talent with your family!!

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  39. Oh Julie THANKS! This is just a perfect idea for my in-laws. I was already making them an ATC tray but I just love all the photos clustered in the middle!!! WONderful idea and execution.

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  40. Julie that is an amazing idea, you did a great job.

    Thanks for sharing.

    perfectlyunperfectcards at gmail dot com

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  41. Your photo tray is amazing!! I love the colors and just the whole theme of it. I agree just being with loved one's and surrounded by their love is a gift that comes without all of the fluff n stuff. Best gift to give and receive. Thanks for sharing. Hopping along...

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  42. This is just one priceless and inspiring projects. Love the colors and all the embellishments. Thanks for this inspiring eye candy along this hop.

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  43. Lovely dimension--very professional!

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  44. You have done it again! Simply marvelous my dear- :)

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  45. I love this project...it's beautiful!!!!

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  46. I have one of these trays in my craft stash and I was just waiting for some inspiration to make a gift with mine - you've really taken this project over the top - love how you filled your boxes - so very beautiful!

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  47. Wow Julie! I just love this project! I love that saying from the Grinch - my daughter was Cindy Lou Who in her schools performance of Seussical and said that line so I have a special place in my heart for that. your project is just beautiful and it made me grin from ear to ear! Thanks so much for sharing!

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  48. simply beautiful! just beautiful. that is my all time favorite christmas quote too!!!!

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  49. Gorgeous. Love the colors. Thanks for sharing.

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  50. absolutely loved what you did with this 7 gypsies tray.

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  51. julie.....everything about your creation is AMAZING...the simplicity....the photos....the memories!!

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  52. Wow! Wow! Wow! That is all I can say! Wow!

    lisa a.

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  53. The real meaning of Christmas.....something we all forget sometimes! Great job!

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  54. Beautiful! This is a really stunning tray!!! I love that you only put photos in the center...it really is amazing! TFS
    Hugs,
    joni
    arcocha@yahoo.com

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  55. Awww...that's so wonderful! I love how you used the quote.

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  56. Wow just awesome!!! Love it.
    annadowdy at gmail dot com

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  57. Adorable and I love the quote. How perfect! Thanks for sharing!

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  58. I love EVERYTHING about this project!

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  59. Your project is super nice, looks elegant, and is such a great idea!

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  60. Love this tray! So very beautiful! Love the sentiment you used too, is it the one from the grinch? It's just perfect!

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  61. What a gorgeous tray!! I love all the details - there's so much to take in!! Thanks also for all the how-to's.

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  62. Fabulous Tray!! Just stunning!!

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  63. Very pretty shadow box! I love it :)

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  64. your projects are always amazing - just love your style!! we can never be reminded too often of the real meaning of Christmas. :)

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