holiday countdown cards...AND a giveaway!

12.10.2013
I am SO excited to share my project for today!


OK...first off...let me preface this post by saying that I am just over the moon to have been recently named to the WeR Memory Keepers/Lifestyle Crafts Scrapbook Studio Team! We R recently purchased Lifestyle Crafts, and, in doing so, added to its already impressive lineup of tools for scrapbookers, card-makers, organizers & artists.

As a part of the Scrapbook Studio Team I will be bringing you projects/tutorials and (I hope!) inspiration using some of my favorite products from both WeR and Lifestyle Crafts! I can hardly wait!

So, have you heard of pocket-page scrapbooking? The idea is really simple...instead of scrapping an entire 8.5"x11" or 12"x12" layout, you simply add photos and decorative cards to pockets in a page protector. You can make your pages as simple or intricate as you like...it's truly fantastic and so flexible...and is a wonderful way to document your memories.

Pocket-page scrapbooking is most often done in these sizes...3x4 and 4x6. And, wouldn't you know it? Lifestyle Crafts offers cutting dies so that you can instantly cut your photos and patterned paper to the right pocket sizes...without needing a trimmer or ruler or corner-rounder...anything that saves a little time, right?

For my very first project I used these Pocket Scrap Starter Dies...in both 3x4 and 4x6 sizes...with both rounded and right-angled corners.


But I used these dies just a little differently...instead of using them to cut cards and photos for my scrapbook, I used the cuts to make fun little Holiday Countdown Cards. Now, I know what you're thinking...ummmm...December started 10 days ago. Yeah, I know. Believe me, my kids remind me every.single.day.

BUT, I was a little slow on the uptake this season...and an advent calendar never got made. Or bought. Sooo, instead I thought it would be fun to count down the final 10 days before Christmas with these little cards. I'm hoping to add a small gift or two to each tag (maybe a gift card or a little note), but I'm not going to knock myself out. The kids seem to be excited enough to just remove a card from the hooks each day.


I layered up a few of the different sized cards...using a variety of patterned papers in similar colors give great texture and interest to the cards...


I turned this card on it's side and made turned it into a tag by notching the bottom...wouldn't this be great for a gift, too? Hmmm...ideas..


Don't be afraid to use your sewing machine on paper...I use plain old white cotton thread and a heavier-duty needle. Set your machine for a wide stitch and have fun!


The cutting dies work perfectly on thick clear vellum or acetate, too. I love the transparent silver foil star vellum above...I think it looks like the stars are floating around the smaller cards...


I added a little pocket to this card by cutting out two 3x4 cards and sewing them together on 3 sides...pretty awesome, huh? And it's the perfect place to tuck a gift card or note into...

AND! BONUS! Because the cards are 4x6...yep, you guessed it! They will fit right into my December/Christmas memory book each day! woo hoo! 2 jobs...1 project.

One more thing. Because my cards carried a little extra weight after I added the embellishments, and because I am hanging them...and because my kids can't always exactly be called "gentle" when they are excited...I added an eyelet to each card...just for extra durability. Plus, I think it makes them look better...

This little tool...the Crop-A-Dile makes adding those eyelets as easy as punching a hole.

No...really. The tool has a hole-punch (2 actually, in two different sizes) AND an eyelet setter (and can be used on paper, plastic, thin tin, bookboard...AND can also set snaps and washer combos). And it's surprisingly easy to use. Just a quick squeeze of the handles and you're done.


I love love love my little cards...and I'm so excited to start counting down the days! I'll get some photos once they're in my album so you can see just how awesome they look...

NOW...how about something fun just for you? Whether you're into pocket-page memory keeping, card-making, traditional scrapbooking, or you just like pretty paper, then you will want to make sure to enter this giveaway...


We R has the coolest product...Albums Made Easy! It's a little box filled with 4x6 and 3x4 cards...all coordinated and ready to fit into an album...just add your photos, write down your memories on the journaling cards and you're done! Each box contains 200 - 3x4 cards and 75 - 4x6 cards, so you really can get an entire album done with just one box!

And I have this one..."MEMO"...just for you! Plus a few other paper goodies that may find their way into your package...

GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED...and the winner is...#3!



All you have to do is leave on comment on this post to be entered to win. I will pick a winner this Friday, December 13! woo hoo! Please leave your email address in your comment so that I can get a hold of you if you win.

Be sure to "LIKE" We R Memory Keepers and Lifestyle Crafts on Facebook to keep up with new products, design inspiration and giveaways!

And, it's certainly not required to win, but I would love for you to follow me and my crafting adventures! Just click on the social media icons below this post or at the top of my blog...

And you can save 20% every day on every item at We R Memory Keepers! Don't forget...all your favorite Lifestyle Crafts dies and accessories are here now, too! Plus some wonderful BRAND NEW items! Just use the promo code "MIDWESTERN" when you check out to get your savings...

 photo MIDWESTERN2_zpsfe9ec406.jpg
So what fun things have you been doing to help count down the days until the 25th? I'd love to hear! And if you are ever inspired by anything you see here, I'd love to see!!! Post your projects on Instagram and tag me @maggie_massey_ with #mginspo
DISCLOSURE: As a member of the Lifestyle Crafts Studio Teams I am compensated with products both of my choosing and those sent to me for test purposes. All opinions expressed in my post are honest and objective and are completely my own.

On My Instagram