Dixon's Corners - It's a wonder we've been invited back!

This past weekend, I went with my divas to Dixon's Corners to participate in an all-day crop. The event was a fundraiser and all the money raised goes to help build a school in Zambia. It's nice that the event was for a good cause but really, like I needed that as an excuse to have a scrapbooking day!
You might have guessed that the fundraiser was organized by a church group and was actually held in the church (well, in the room adjoined to the church). I have nothing against churches. They are usually nice places. But it's a small wonder that: 1) I don't get struck down by lighting when I walk in, and 2) The divas are invited back. A bunch of us had attended the Dixon's Corners crop in November...we were our normal selves and were still invited back...this time...not sure we'll be invited back a third time!

Evidence of our (mis)behaviour:



Devil horns in a church...

*shaking my head*

We did eventually get down to the business of scrapbooking. I managed to finished three double-page layouts, all Christmas themed (that's all I brought with me...I have dozens of Christmas layouts to do!).

Gifts from Diane
My first layout of the day was of pictures taken when my friend Diane and I exchange Christmas gifts. This layout is a bit out of my comfort zone. It's quite distressed for my liking. Honestly, this layout took way more time than I wanted it too! Here is the first page:

I started off by using an edge distresser to distress 3 sides of the my base cardstock. It's white core cardstock so it really shows when the edges are distressed. I found the green polka-dot paper, the orange stripped paper, the tag and the journalling tag in my personal stash. I used a border punch on the orange stripped paper.

I used a product that I had never used before on this layout: Tim Holtz Idea-ology Christmas collection. I inked it with Distress Ink.

Finally, I decided to try a technique that I saw my friend Nathalie (from The Creative Cellar) attempt: basically rip your paper and sew it back together. With the help of my friend Natalie (from My Two Left Hands) I selected a button to glue at the end of the stitching.

Here is the second page:



I used the same products and technique on the second page. I added the green ribbon, the brad and the small frame (which I inked with Distress Ink).

Here is the final product:

On to the next layout!

Out to Lunch
My second layout was of pictures taken during my work Christmas lunch. I wanted to use leftovers I had from the Bo Bunny Winter Frost collection I had bought last year. Here is my first page:

 It was challenging to put so many pictures on one page. I like the simplicity of the page. I added just a touch of bling with a Pearl Pen.



I put so many pictures on the first page because I knew that I want to do a single photo layout on the adjoining page. Here it is:



Again I used leftover from the Winter Frost collection. As Natalie says, I embrace white space. Yes I do and I'm proud of it! Here is the final product:

Tree/Family
My third and final layout of the day was of pictures taken when my family decorated the Christmas tree. Here is the first page:

Again, I really wanted to use leftovers I had from and Echo Park Christmas collection that I had in my stash - and I did. I even use brads from the Winter Frost collection I already mentioned. Other products used: Bazzill chipboard with Hula Hoop Glimmer Mist and Sew Easy.

Lastly, I decided to add some dimension to the page using pop up tap on the title.

Here is the second page:

As is my style, I repeated most of the same techniques and products from the first layout. I really like the Tim Holtz paper!

Here is the complete layout:

I had so much fun creating these layouts! Most of all though, I enjoyed the day with my friends. Thanks to the ladies who organized the crop. See you next time...if we're invited!