Thursday 1 January 2015

Christmas Leftovers

Hello everyone and HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!
Can you believe it is 2015 already, the turn of the millennium seems only weeks ago. Oh dear, how time flies when you grow older.....

Anyway, today sees the start of a new challenge over at Our Creative Corner. It's a new year and also a brand new challenge host, the amazing Pamellia Johnson, who only recently joined the team as you may have seen.
This is what she had to say about the challenge:
With the holidays merely a shadow behind us, my guess is you still have bits of Christmas leftovers stashed everywhere, not to mention bags of Christmas bits meant for the recycle bin. I am a hoarder of all things I think I might get around to using one day, and Holiday bits are no exception! Every closet, drawer and cupboard is overflowing with the little things I collected throughout the holidays. Things I think I might use and things heading to the curb.
Christmas wrapping, gift bags, tinsel, ribbon, gift boxes, tissue paper, Christmas crackers, wine boxes, empty gift wrap rolls, Christmas cookie tins, even the images from the fronts of cards I received...you name, I hoard it!
Let's put those bits to good use this month!
With that in mind, for my introductory challenge theme, I have chosen........
CHRISTMAS LEFTOVERS

To be clear, your project does NOT have to have a Christmas theme, I only want you to recycle your Christmas scraps.

If it's not obvious what Christmas leftovers you used, make sure to tell us about it, somewhere in your post.


So here is what I created:
Any regular to my blog know that I am a paper hoarder, I also LOVE altering papers, and this project was made with the leftovers from some Prima pads of paper that I used for several of my Christmas cards.

I made another little paper wallet to keep memorabilia in, as I am away on a trip to Australia right now, and wanted something small enough to fit in a handbag, and yet have plenty of room for photos, tickets, journaling notes etc.
HERE is a link to a brilliant video tutorial that shows you how to make one, all it uses is 3 sheets of 12 by 12, plus other scraps of paper to line all the different sides.

I made my base out of 3 pieces of 12 x 12 Kraft card.
As the project has so many flaps and pockets, it is hard to photograph, but here you can see the inside:
Above is the inside of the wallet with all the panels open. As you can hopefully see, I covered each side and pocket with different, but matching bits of paper. Adding some texture with the help of stencils and some paste too here and there. Below are some more close ups:
Here you see the two sided flaps folded in, more bits of paper on the back of the flaps, these are meant as photo mats.
A close up of one of the pockets. As the whole little wallet needs to be quite flat in order to close, I did not want to add bulky embellishments to the inside, so decorated with fussy cut elements from the papers.
This is the central panel, I made a belly band to keep journal notes etc in place.
Here you can see the side flaps completely closed, again these panels are for photos. Below it is a bigger pocket for tickets and other bits, it can hold smaller photos too.
Here is the front:
I added a flower cluster here and as you can see there is also some stencilling with paste and high lighted with treasure gold.
As the wallet is specifically to hold my journey's keepsakes, I die cut the word journey from one of the papers stuck on some Kraft card for strength and altered it a bit with some gesso.
Here is a close up of the flowers still, as you can see, I tucked some cheese cloth underneath to soften it a bit.
Well, that's pretty much it. A quick and fun project to make and great to use up all those bits of paper that most of us will have plenty of after Christmas.

Please make sure to check out the projects of my amazing teamies new and old, I promise you, you will be stunned and inspired, all you need to do is click HERE. And of course we hope you will play in the challenge too!

Thank you for visiting like always and may 2015 be your best year ever!!!



53 comments:

Margaret Mifsud said...

Absolutely beautiful Astrid and to think you've just used leftover papers .. awesome!! The cover is stunning!! I love the added texture and your flower cluster is the perfect addition!! Gorgeous littlw wallet!! Love it!!! ox

Valerie-Jael said...

Happy New Year and love your new project, fantastic work! Valerie

Scrumplescrunch said...

Hello Astrid,
Hope you have a great time in Australia.
The wallet is stunning, I love how it all folds out and the design of each area is gorgeous, I especially like the texture you have created on the front.
Smiles:)
Sue

maria's knutselplezier said...

A very happy, very healthy, and a very creatif 2015!!dear Astrid!!! Your creation is again wonderful , I love it great start for again a super creatif year I hope!!!

Greetings
Maria

Ink Art Designs said...

What a great idea for your travels! You have done a beautiful job on this project Astrid - stunning

froebelsternchen said...

A wonderful project to start 2015 Astrid!
HAPPY and HEALTHY New Year to you!
xoxoxo
Susi

Almo said...

This is a fabulous project Astrid, I hope you are having a wonderful time in Oz with the family at the moment, this wallet will be the perfect memory of it when it is packed with your photos and journal notes when you return. Wishing you a very Happy New Year. Mo x

Anonymous said...

Fabulous project Astrid! Love the colour palette and the fussy cut flowers look gorgeous. Hope you're enjoying your trip. Sue C x

www.deeadamsart.blogspot.co.uk said...

Beautiful as always Astrid hope you are enjoying being with your family Happy New year to you and looking forward to see what you have for us in 2015. Dee x

Jennie Atkinson said...

Another stunning project Astrid - I love the colour palette and all the individual embellishments inside the book and on the cover. Wishing you and your family a Happy New Year in Australia x

Fliss said...

Really awesome creation Astrid and such beautiful use of those scraps.
Happy new Year and all the best for 2015.
Hoping to be a better visitor this year!
Fliss xx

chrissie said...

Happy 2015 Astrid and a big thank you for all the projects and wonderful techniques you have shared in 2014.

This is such a beautiful creation from things you have saved.

Love Chrissie x

Redanne said...

This is stunning Astrid and such a wonderful place to keep your memorabilia from your trip to Australia! Hope you are enjoying the heat... Happy New Year from cold and frosty England! Hugs, Anne xx

massofhair said...

Happy New Year Astrid, hope Australia is lots of fun and you are enjoying each moment...

Beautiful wallet, gorgeous colours and a fab place for your memorabelia :-) xxx

Suzanne C said...

Gorgeous leftovers! I love your wallet and all the cool compartments! Happy New Year!

Maryann Laursen said...

WAUW Astrid this is so gorgeous as usual hun, I absolutely love it.
Hope you´re enjoying the time over there and have had a wonderful Christmas and a really great New Year as well. Thanks sooo much for all your friendship and all your awesome inspiration in the old year, and I look sooo forward tro see everything you get out of your sleeves in this year too.
Hope this year will be a really wonderful year to everyone here and will brind nothing butr joy, happiness, fun and good health to all here. May it be the best year ever.

Corrie Herriman said...

Hope you are having a good time down under ! Happy New Year !
This project is fabulous and a great start to the new year ...
Corrie x

Pamellia said...

Holy cow Astrid, this is spectacular! It just keeps going and going and going, how wonderful! The paper leftovers have really been put to good use here, I just love all the vintage hues! I have just added another stencil to my wish list after seeing how gorgeous that design is!! LOVE every detail Astrid, as always! Happy New Years hugs from you new teamie :)

Lys said...

A charming wallet I love the designs and the colours of the papers. Very useful to keep your australian souvenirs... Happy new year Astrid!

Dagmar said...

Zuerst einmal wünshce ich dir ein gesundes, glückliches und erfolgreiches neues Jahr. Ich hoffe du hattest eine schöne Zeit mit deiner Familie.
Es ist grandios, was du da wieder tolles geschaffen hast - das Jahr fängt gut an. Und dann ist das ganze noch Recycling - traumhaft schön.
Ganz liebe Grüße, Dagmar.

Paper Creations by Shirley said...

Gorgeous wallet ! I hope you are having a wonderful time. Happy New Year, Shirleyxx

artwolf2009 said...

welcome to the hoarding community and as always you did a marvelous project

Maryanne said...

Fabulous journal keepsake, Astrid! I'm going to check out the link you provided because I have some uses for this type of wallet! Thank you. Happy New Year to you! I'm looking forward to seeing all the wonderful things you'll create this year!

Samra said...

Gorgeous creation and genius use of scraps! Happy New Year!

Alie Hoogenboezem-de Vries said...

Such a fab creation Astrid...very inventive and so cute!

Wish you and your loved ones all the best in 2015!

Kind regards, Alie :-)

Klaudia/Kszp said...

Beautiful work. Happy new year! :)

Tincan Crafter said...

There is so much in here - I am amazed at all the work and details and how everything comes together in a most astoundingly beautiful and imaginitive, old-school charming piece. I have never madea a wallet or a fold out book, but I certainly am inspired to try by your amazing creation.

Meggymay said...

Awesome way to use papers Astrid, its another inspirational creation.
Happy New Year wishes to you and your family.
Yvonne

Lynne Moncrieff said...

Astrid, when it is closed it looks like a beautiful clutch bag.
The papers are beautiful and in your hands, you always elevate papers to something extraordinary with your beautiful skill with colours and blending techniques.
Wishing you and yours all the very best for 2015. May it be kind to you.
Lynne x

Evelyn Walter said...

Happy New Year dear Astrid! I wish you and your family a happy and healthy 2015 fullfilled with love and laughter. Your journal keepsake is so versatile and as usual I love the way you used papers and colors. I´m looking forward to be inspired by your art again this year :)
xxx Evelyn

Deb said...

Beautiful Astrid! Wishing you a joyful New Year and have a wonderful holiday!

Julia S-W said...

A really stunning little wallet Astrid. I love how you've used elements from the papers to decorate inside. The gesso on the letters and the muslin underneath is a lovely focal point on the outside. I know you are having a wonderful time - it will be hard to leave those two little sweeties! Juliaxx

Ros Crawford said...

Happy New Year!! What a clever theme for a challenge and your creation is amazing!!

Jackie PN said...

Even your leftovers are gorgeous Astrid!! xo

Annie said...

Happy New Year Astrid and best wishes in 2015. This is a gorgeous make and what a wonderful challenge theme. I love the colours and stunning details you have incorporated here. TFS

Annie x

Anonymous said...

Wow Astrid! I've been away far too long. This wallet is STUNNING!!!!!!!!! I want to go now and have another peek at this gorgeous piece. Hope your enjoying the heat, if not stay in the air conditioning. Happy New Year to you!! Karen.x

Words and Pictures said...

What a gorgeous little wallet to keep all the mementoes and travel souvenirs of your trip down under. Wonderful use of those delicious paper scraps, and I love the interactivity of the structure with all the folds and flaps and pockets.
Alison xx

Paper Profusion said...

An exquisite make Astrid! I hope that you are having a brilliant time and enjoying the warmth (in small measures). Happy New Year! Nicola x

Ana K. said...

Awesome idea and gorgeous project Astrid!

Lidia R. said...

Hola Astrid !! Tus 2 proyectos son una belleza como siempre!! Felicidades por ser tan talentosa!! Feliz viaje !! Feliz año nuevo y que seas muy bendecida!! Abrazos desde Costa Rica.

Marjie Kemper said...

How beautiful! They may be leftovers but they sure add up to one stunning project. Happy New Year, Astrid! Wishing you every good thing in the coming year.

Terry said...

And no body alters paper better than you! Astrid I am so loving your gorgeous project and as always so many wonderful details and ideas! Have a wonderful New Year and enjoy your time with the adorable little ones! Hugs!

Silvia(Barnie) said...

Das Jahr könnte ja nicht besser starten, ein ganz tolles kreatives Werk - es gefällt mir sehr. Ich wünsche dir weiterhin so viele kreative Ideen und Zeit sie in die Tat umzusetzen.

Julia Aston said...

What a beautifully decorated paper wallet Astrid! love the 'cover' with the letters and lovely flowers!

Marisa Job said...

Hello Astrid! Happy New Year! Sorry I have not been around, I've been so busy getting ready for the CHA show. Your project is fabulous!!!

Asia King (aka Joanna K) said...

Happy New Year Astrid! I hope your trip to Australia went well. What a fantastic wallet you created. The papers are beautiful and the added texture and flowers really make it stand out! Hugs xx

Mrs.B said...

A fabulous make Astrid and such a lovely way to use up leftover papers. Love all the added details. Thanks for the link.
Avril xx

Felix the Crafty Cat said...

Hi Astrid, I just love this wallet, I saw the one you made before and had to give it a go. I used some Prima papers and it looked great when complete so thanks for the idea. The video tutorial was very helpful.
Happy Crafty New Year, Angela x

Bärbel said...

Traumhaft schöne Arbeiten, wunderbare Farben und eine zauberhaft schöne Gestaltung, liebe Astrid.
Alle guten Wünsche für ein gutes und kreativen Jahr 2015.
Bärbel

Ruth said...

A belated Happy New Year Astrid! I still seem to be catching up, this is another dream of a creation, love the wallet idea and will follow your link.The colours and construction is in your beautiful vintage style, which I ADORE! Love the stencilling...the January font is just perfect. Ruth xx

Karin said...

You created a beautiful wallet and only with some leftover papers!
A happy , healthy and creative 2015 and I hope you enjoy your stay in Australie!
Groetjes Karin

pearshapedcrafting said...

I don't know how I missed this-having fun with our grandchildren at the caravan I suspect! This is a fabulous project-I love the way you have used your leftover papers-all the lovely flaps and pockets! I bet you're looking forward to using it! Chrisx

sarascloset said...

Oh, I am SO late to the party! And what a party going on at Our Creative Corner! Astrid, this wallet is just amazing, made with your paper leftovers! Another bookmarked page to come and linger over!

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