Wednesday, December 12, 2012

Christmas with Carta Bella

Our monthly staff challenge and December kit at The Urban Scrapbook features wonderful papers from Carta Bella's "Merry and Bright" collection.
I love the non-traditional colour palette that has pink and pale turquoise!  So cute!

Here is Lynette's sketch and my layout...

"Made with Love"
There is a story behind these photos of BoyGenius at Age 2, his second Christmas.

While I was pregnant, I knit that sweater for my baby's first Christmas.  Well, it turned out a little on the BIG side, so it ended up fitting him for his second Christmas.

I was SO excited about my baby boy wearing something that I had knit.  I'm actually not much of a knitter, and when I look at these photos, I think, "Huh?  How the heck did I ever knit that?" 

Christmas day arrived and I gave BoyGenius his precious sweater, with camera in hand.  Of course, there was NO WAY he was going to wear it.  He refused to put it on.  [To say that BG is a strong-willed spirited child is an understatement]  

Did I mention I was 9 months pregnant with his sister at the time...and she was due on Christmas Day?  I gave up trying to convince him and left the room in tears.

Moments later, Daddy and BG came to find me and he was wearing the sweater!  Ok, so it was only for 15 minutes, and a few snapshots later he pulled it off, never to be worn again.  It wasn't the Hallmark moment I was imagining, but at least I have a scrapbook page now. ha ha!

Now back to the page design and this kit...

These raw chipboard letters were cut with a  Sizzix alphabet die.  I painted them red and covered them with Glossy Accents.

I used the Prima Metal Trinket Typo Bulb as a template and traced more bulbs for my banner on American Crafts glitter paper.  The silver tops of the bulbs are cut from silver glitter ribbon.


There were 2 large flowers in the kit. I cut the petals off my green flower to make my Christmas tree.  I simply adhered the petals to a triangular piece of green card stock.

I used the petals from my red flower to make the 3 hearts.  The border is a Martha Stewart edge/corner punch set.
I tucked a journaling tag under the photo, with the story of this Christmas Sweater


This sweater pretty much ended my knitting career, and I haven't knit anything since.  

But I have it carefully stored away, and when BoyGenius has his first child, you can bet Grandma is going to be wrapping up a very special sweater for Christmas! 

To see what the rest of the Urban Design Team has created with this kit, please click HERE.

12 comments:

  1. I love the story behind this layout. Very touching and the layout is stunning!!!!

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  2. You always have the best stories to go with your layouts. I love all the details and your take on the sketch Kelly..way too cute!! I bought my little great nephew a sweater for his birthday last month and had to do some sneaky convincing for him to put it on for a photo too!

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  3. So glad to read that the story had a happy ending! It certainly made for a lovely layout too.

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  4. Such an adorable layout! I think your sweater looks great. I wouldn't give up on your knitting career. You could always teach me :) Very touching story.

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  5. Touching story! I hope your journaling saves it for ages! Very interesting.
    Smart idea with the use of petals! I'd never think to make a tree or a heart out of a cut flower! Wow!
    Love this lo, it's very you :-)

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  6. I always love your stories too :) this is awesome!

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  7. awwww...such a sweet story Kelly. Don't ya hate it when you imagine these big "Hallmark moments' [to quote you] nly to have the reality of it fizzle. lol Glad you at least got your moment in the spotlight with the sweater... I'm sure your grandchild will appreciate it. LOVE the string of Christmas lights on this and brilliant idea to cut up the flowers to make the tree and hearts! Your creativity never fails to amaze me , my friend. I guess I won't hold my breath for a hand knit gift from you this Christmas , will I?

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  8. Well I'm glad you got photos of BG wearing your sweater in the end! That is a great story too...your embellies here rock..the bulbs, the tree, the hearts...so creative! Well done festive page Kelly!

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  9. Cute story and I'm glad you got a photo to remember it with! I love your layout! Very fun and the lightbulb banner is adorable!

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  10. Oh, that sweater! LOL. I'm thinking it would probably still fit him on his 3rd Christmas. :) Just love this story. Precious! It's such a wonderful memory and funny now to reflect upon. Great layout. You are the embellie master. Flower petals as trees and hearts? Genius! Love the Christmas lights across the top too. Beautifully done.

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  11. Hi Kelly! I love your page so much. You have such a wonderful way with art and words. The story behind it made me laugh and brought a tear to my eye, too. Thanks so much for sharing a little bid of you with us, my sweet friend! I want to wish you a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you and your amazing family!

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  12. gorgeous design love the three

    wish you merry christmas

    hug's
    Carla

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