Christmas Layout Tutorial (with Swirlydoos and Helmar)

ANATOMY OF A LAYOUT

Today I am sharing how I made my "Joy to the world" layout (using my Swirlydoos December "Believe" kit) featuring the Kaisercraft "Turtle Dove" collection. I wanted my layout to look like an elegant Christmas ball and used tons of Helmar goodness to stick it together!

STEP 1 - BACKGROUND PAPER

Select a background paper and cut out a portion of the centre. I like to either cut a square or circle to be used for another project. Make sure to leave at least a 2-inch border around the edges though.

STEP 2 - ADD A PAPER LAYER

Select a top layer paper and roughly cut a wavy border around the edge - removing only 1/4 inch or so around and then ink all of the edges with brown Clearsnap chalk ink. Glue it to your background using Helmar Premium craft glue, placing the glue only around the cut-out edge.

STEP 3 - ADD THE TRIM AND PHOTO

Cut your photo into a circle shape and glue it down the Helmar's adhesive runner. Next, add the zipper with Helmar 450 quick dry along the metal and trim off excess. Lastly, glue some trim around the edge of the photo starting at the top. Don't worry the flowers will hide the gap if you are short a little trim.

STEP 4 - ADD A FLOWER CLUSTER AND LEAVES

Use 5 flowers (2 large and 3 small - I used a Petaloo pack) for the cluster and add a berry centre. Add the Petaloo leaves around the cluster but save 1 for later. Cut off and save the 2 leaves around the berries for later.

STEP 5 - ADD THE TEARS

Tear the paper in several spots and ink the revealed white core of the paper with brown Clearsnap chalk ink.

STEP 6 - ADD FLOWERS TO THE CORNERS

Polish the layout off by adding the last 3 Petaloo flowers to the corners. In the bottom corner, place the 2 saved leaves from the berry spring under them. In the top corner,  place a Petaloo leaf under the flower.

That's it! The paper comes with a beautiful "Joy to the world" title already scripted on it.

Meg's Garden Christmas Projects (using Helmar adhesives)

HO, HO, HO - Merry Christmas! I hope everyone is enjoying their holiday season so far! Well, Meg's Garden "A Musical Christmas" is for sure one of the best holiday paper lines released this year. I adore the richness to these colors.

Up first is a card I made using the german glitter glass (on the 2Crafty chipboard) and the the plum gardenia flowers Meg sent me from her shop to compliment the paper. I am not a huge card maker, but I like this non-traditional Christmas one!

Next up is an oversized gift tag "layout" using the same paper line, plus doilies and flowers from Meg's shop. I added a Dusty Attic piece as a focal point.

Here is a close-up of the chipboard that I simply glazed with Silks "ice" paint because I liked the natural look of the chippie. It is semi-translucent glaze so it just added a nice shimmer instead of leaving the chipboard plain.

NOTE: I used a lot of Helmar goodness to stick all of my projects together. I used the premium craft glue on the paper layers, the 450 quick dry on the flowers and leaves, Zapdots to raise the title and chipboard on my card and the acid-free glue for the tree chipboard. Thanks goodness for good glue!