So this...(+ more info)

Merry2005


totally should have gone into my Christmas Art Journal. But I got excited, started punching Christmas cards and adhering and all of a sudden I was done. And it makes me happy, regardless of size or album location. Simple and easy, kind of like last year, but still its own creation.


Once again, my square punch has worked it's magic.


Edited: Ok friends, let's see if I can address some of your comments and questions on this one.


The punch I used for this layout is from Marvy Uchida. It is either this one or this one. The body of the punch is red and the width of the square on the punch is just a bit larger than 1.5 inches. Too bad they don't put the product number right on the punch.


Since I am all about simplifying I came to the conclusion that I do not need to keep all the Christmas cards I received this year. I loved getting them. I celebrated each one that came through the mailbox. And now that Christmas is over I would still like to have a bit of a record of the cards from this Christmas, but I certainly don't need to hang on to them all.


IT IS OK.


How do I decide which part of the card to punch? I think what I have always loved about punching is that I am taking a bit of something and bringing it together with other somethings to create an entirely new something. When I was punching I tried not to think too hard. I laid my punch with the metal side up, slid the card in, and moved the card around using the window as a guide. When I saw something that looked just fine and I punched. Some of the photos were too large to get everyone in the square and that was totally OK. My vision was to bring together a bunch of bits of this year's cards - not preserve each one in its orginal state.


How did I keep it all straight? I actually debated a bit about not lining it all up this time. But in the end, the lines won out. I think the secret to keeping it straight is by starting with one of the top or bottom corner squares. If you want you could even measure to make sure the distances are the same from the edge of the square to the top edge and the side edge. I have gotten so I can eyeball it pretty good. I also laid all the squares out before I started adhering to get a general idea where the "big" square would be placed on the 12x12 cardstock.


Did I scan and reduce the cards? Nope, just punched them as is - big or small I found something to punch and then moved on to the next one.


Hope that helps a bit!

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92 thoughts

  1. ali says…
    12/30/2005

    How freakin' cool is that Ali! You are a creative godess! Sooooo cool! What a great idea, I love it! I save every card I receive EVERY year! And it is just plain crazy! You figured out the best solution yet!

    Reply 0 Replies
  2. Alissa says…
    12/30/2005

    um, not sure if you're still reading the comments (since there are SO MANY) but this is amazing and inspiring and beautiful... just like you

    Reply 0 Replies
  3. kristi says…
    12/30/2005

    You are so amazingly creative. It's really cool (and a little depressing) to be an outsider wanna-be looking in at your awesome creations.

    Reply 0 Replies
  4. Ileana says…
    12/30/2005

    This is such a cool idea! You inspired me so much I went and did the exact thing with my Christmas cards! And I love the result! Although my lines don't look as straight as yours. Thanks so much for the inspiration!

    Reply 0 Replies
  5. Susie says…
    12/30/2005

    Oooh! Ooohh! You are just oozin' out creative ideas. Thank you for sharing!!

    Reply 0 Replies
  6. Elsa says…
    12/30/2005

    I was totally inspired by this page. I actually took some time out yesterday to scraplift it.. Thank you for your inspiration.. You can see mines in my blog, take a look.

    Reply 0 Replies
  7. Jenrigg says…
    12/31/2005

    Oh wow! The only punch I have is a square... I will totally have to scraplift this (sorry!), as I was just about to throw all my cards in the recycling, but it hurts me to do that every year. Once again you are total inspiration. Happy New Year :)

    Reply 0 Replies
  8. Jenn says…
    12/31/2005

    This makes me so happy to see!!!!! Hope you're having a great New Year!

    Reply 0 Replies
  9. Sonia says…
    12/31/2005

    Thanks for the inspiration Ali! I hate throwing away the cards....so I lifted your idea, and made my own :) (can be seen on my blog and on 2peas). ThankS!!

    Reply 0 Replies
  10. Kim says…
    12/31/2005

    I'm going to have to steal this idea, Ali!

    Reply 0 Replies
  11. Daphne says…
    12/31/2005

    I cant wait to do this with my 2005 Christmas Cards!! I think I might do this with regular greeting cards, the kids birthday cards, etc. I LOVE saving cards; but, they do add up! :-) But, I made a goal to get 2005 scrapbooking caught up to December; then, watch out world .... I am going to borrow this idea and run with it!!! Have a wonderful New Year; keep that inspiration coming ... I am loving it. I worked yesterday and last night and I am caught up untill Sept. Three more months to go!!!

    Reply 0 Replies
  12. Tawnya says…
    12/31/2005

    FABULOUS!!!! I love it!

    Reply 0 Replies
  13. Sherril says…
    12/31/2005

    Ohhhh, I love this page. Lots of personality. Thanks for sharing.

    Reply 0 Replies
  14. Carrie Owens says…
    12/31/2005

    Love this, Ali...so cool to see my little ones on your blog! :)

    Reply 0 Replies
  15. Angela C-M says…
    12/31/2005

    Simply Beautiful!

    Reply 0 Replies
  16. Lisa Cole says…
    12/31/2005

    You have inspired so many of us Ali, go check out the gallery at 2peas! Love this idea - I always hate throwing the cards and pictures away each year.

    Reply 0 Replies
  17. Lisa VanderVeen says…
    12/31/2005

    Ali: You are a genius. This LO is the best idea. I always keep my cards and they take up way too much room. What a GREAT way to "keep" them, without actually keeping them. Pure genius! Happy New Year :)

    Reply 0 Replies
  18. Maria says…
    12/31/2005

    Incredible idea! I had to "scraplift" it of course! Only instead of punching photos I used the small little copies that come in the index cards from the photo service place. It didn't turn out as fabulous as yours, but it was a good "year in review" type of page which was inspired by your awesome layout! Thanks so much and keep up the great work in 2006!!! We all want to see more of your work and continue to be inspired! THANKS ALI and have a BLESSED 2006!

    Reply 0 Replies
  19. Melissa says…
    12/31/2005

    I am so doing something like this with all of our cards! Thanks, Ali!

    Reply 0 Replies
  20. Alana M says…
    12/31/2005

    Thanks again for the inspiration Ali. I did one and posted it on 2peas:
    http://twopeasinabucket.com/pg.asp?cmd=display&layout_id=730647

    Reply 0 Replies
  21. Joy U says…
    12/31/2005

    Ali, this is freaking cool.
    Happy New Year!!!

    Reply 0 Replies
  22. Evalyn Uddin says…
    12/31/2005

    Ali,
    This way such a great idea for all the Xmas cards! I never throw out the cards but then I never really look at/use them again. I'm thinking about doing this with the b'day cards I get too!
    Happy New Year!

    Reply 0 Replies
  23. Martha says…
    12/31/2005

    Ali
    Happy New Year...You are so inspiring:)

    Reply 0 Replies
  24. gwen says…
    12/31/2005

    ali~
    this is such a great and inspiring idea. i have just begun scrapbooking and i am certainly putting this in my ideas file for next year...happy 2006!!

    Reply 0 Replies
  25. Shannon Snyder says…
    12/31/2005

    Thanks for the inspiration. I used the same theme for my 2005 recap on my blog.

    Reply 0 Replies

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