Inspired by Pinterest: Holiday Mailbox by Shellye

This week we challenged our Design Team to check the Doodlebug Pinterest Boards and find a project that inspires them to create their version. Today Shellye selected a project you may remember from earlier in the year that Amanda created...we love that she made a holiday version!!

Like a lot of you, I love perusing Pinterest boards for fun, inspirational ideas.  I always try to take an idea that I see and put my own special spin on things :)  For today's "Pinterest-Inspired Project" I have chosen a mailbox created by Amanda Coleman using Doodlebug's "Lovebirds Collection"

(Photo: Amanda Coleman)

I purchased this paper mache mailbox at Hobby Lobby; they come in a variety of sizes and mine measures approximately 9.25"L X 5.5"H X 4.75"W.  I love that it's roomy enough to store all of my Christmas cards/gift tags in or I could pack it with colorful cookies and give to a co-worker!

To begin, I covered the side of the mailbox with patterned paper.  The paper didn't quite reach the bottom sides of the box, so I punched two scalloped border strips (one for each side) from Lily White cardstock and glittered them with Lily White Sugar Coating.

For the rim of the box, I wanted two different patterns between the actual rim and the sides.  I knew that cutting the paper only to the actual size of the rim would create a gap where the two papers joined.  So, I added a little extra to my measurement and then made a score line so that it would fold around the edge.  I cut small slits into the hangover paper and then glued in place (see below):

Next, I traced the side of the box onto patterned paper and then attached.  For an extra decorative touch, I glued on red/green/white twine from the Christmas themed pack...just use a fine point glue pen...it works like a charm!

Last came the decoration.  I covered the 'flag' with a red patterned paper and then glittered with Ladybug Sugar Coating.  I layered the Santa sticker onto a scalloped die cut and then adhered to the front of the flag.  One of the cute paper bows was added, along with the "Merry Christmas" sentiment sticker.

Inspired by Pinterest: Monique's Thankful Layout

I think this was one of my favorite Doodlebug assignments to date: "Search through the Doodlebug Pinterest pages for ideas. Create something that is inspired by a PIN you found on the DB boards."

This was so much fun! There were so many fabulous Doodlebug projects to look at. I took me forever to even start looking for one to use for this assignment. I just kept looking at all the fantastic projects. 

In the end I decided to narrow down my search to projects of only one person. I chose a design team member who has a completely different scrap style than I have: Sherri Cartwright. I have always loved the backgrounds of her layouts and wished I could do that too (but was afraid to try). 

So that's what I did and this is the end result: An "I am thankful for family and friends" layout with a mixed media background.

and some close-ups:

The background was created using a TCW template (chicken wire it's called) and lots of gesso. When the paper was dry again, I sprayed on three different mists and used a tissue to whipe off the excess. As I had some problems getting my paper "straight" again I trimmed half an inch of all sides of my cardstock and machine stitched it to a patterned paper. This way my layout is not so "wavy" any more. 

And now you probably want to know which PIN I was inspired by? Here it is:

Except for the painted background, I also incorporated the twine and the little bits and pieces that are "randomly" spread over the page in my layout. I really like how this turned out and will definitely try this technique again. Hope you like it too! 

If you ever feel like using one of the Doodlebug projects for one of yours don't forget to show us, for example on Doodlebug's facebook page! We would love to see it! 

Thanks for visiting Doodlebug's blog! Happy scrapping!

Monique

Get in the Holiday Mood with Home for the Holidays Collection

Now that Halloween is finished, let's crank up the holiday music and get busy planning for the Christmas holiday. Did you know there are about 53 days until Christmas? (Countdown link here.) So three of our design team girls rocked around the assignment and came up with some fun ideas to add some holiday cheer today here on the blog!!

Polar Express Layout
by Sherry Cartwright

That motivates me to get some things done for the upcoming holidays --- mostly scrapbooking holidays past.  I don't scrapbook chronologically, but rather on a whim and when the mood strikes.  Well, the mood has struck!

The home for the holidays collection from doodlebug design is just darling! 

The collection is filled with the traditional red and green, with the addition of grey and silver.  Lots of sparkles!

I attached the sugar-coated ornament sticker with the Christmas doodle twine so it appears to be hanging.   I added a grey title to pull in the silvery glitter and the snowflake paper behind the photo. 

I don't normally gravitate to the traditional colors of Christmastime, but this year I am embracing [and loving!] the red and green combination.  I used a decorative brad from a past collection to pull in some lighter shades of color --- notice the light pink and green? 

The doodlebug design cardstock stickers and fancy frills are so much fun to add to layouts.  Here, I've clustered some stickers behind my photo.  The red stitched banner sticker quickly became a tab by hiding the notched bottom under the photo.

The ticket border stickers are just the cutest thing, but I tend to collect them rather than use them.  I tore only one off and used it in the cluster by the photo to mimic the golden ticket and add some whimsy.

To finish off the layout, I added sparkly snowflakes and rhinestones.

What is your favorite holiday color scheme?

Layered Framed Holiday Art
by Amanda Coleman

The Home for the Holidays street paper is so stinkin' cute it could be a piece of decor all on its own.  I paired the street print with some house stickers to make a custom piece of 12"x12" home decor.  Wanna know a secret?  I adhered the paper to the frame with washi tape so I could easily swap out this scene for another holiday scene.

I created the centerpiece by layering house stickers and Christmas tree Doodle Pops on a 6"x6" background.  I matted the scene with alternating layers of red and white cardstock.

The glittery rooftops and snowflakes are so fun and festive.  This happy piece of Christmas decor will grace my house for years to come.

Supplies: Home for the Holidays collection, wooden frame (Sierra Pacific)

Stitched Holiday Layout
by Shellye McDaniel

The inspiration for this layout started with two of the Simply Put cards.  I layered the two onto a piece of "O Christmas Tree" paper that I cut down to 8" wide.  Next, I centered and layered that piece onto a sheet of the "Deer Heart" paper that was cut to 9" wide and then used the "White Christmas Sugar" paper as the base paper.

After machine-stitching around all of the layers, I placed my photo and began embellishing.  With a snowflake die from my stash, I used it to cut three snowflakes from "Lily White Sugar Coated" Cardstock.

I attached the snowflakes to the layout with foam adhesive and then added a 1.5" circle punched from the "Deer Heart" paper to the center of each.  I then embellished with snowflake brads and cardstock stickers.

I placed a journal sticker at the bottom of my photo and then tied on a double bow from the Christmas baker's twine.