'Noel' for AB Studios

 Merry Christmas to all my sweet crafty friends!

I hope everyone has had some great family time and shared the warmth of this

holiday season with those closest to you.

The 'Holly Jolly Christmas' paper set by AB Studios is full of wonderful Christmas colours 

and patterns. I especially loved the page 'December'; it has a warm vintage feel to it,

and it really inspired me to create these mixed media journal pages.

The magic of Christmas is best seen through the eyes of a child, and I always

find myself feeling nostalgic around this time of year. My girlhood memories of longing

for the excitement of Christmas day, ripping through the presents, the special family 

dinner, all the wonderful times I have spent with my parents and sisters, come

flooding back to me. All the memories I make with my child, I hope he holds dear too.

We get our portrait taken together every Christmas - he's growing up so fast -

but still counts down the days through December. 

We sang some beautiful hymns, listened to the story of Jesus, full of rebirth and 

hope for peace on earth, and prayed for a better year coming.

I used so many pretty AB Studios products here, stamps, stencils and the wonderful 

Christmas papers. I fussy cut some wreaths, and added some watercolors.

You can find AB Studios shop here: https://shop.agabaraniak.com/en/

Here are a few close ups:

I've been creating handmade journals and really enjoying recycling all kinds of papers

including plain brown paper bags - I like to messily coat them with gesso and add stamps and 

some die cut shapes - here I cut some out of the paper 'A Holly Jolly'.

THE people that walked in darkness have seen a great light. They that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined. For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given, and the government shall be upon his shoulder. And his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, the mighty God, the everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgement and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this. 

                                                 Isaiah 9: 2, 6–7 

All best wishes for a healthy happy New Year to all my friends,

Love, Lisa xoxoxox

'thankful' a new layout for AB Studios

Hello crafty friends! I hope everyone is doing well!

I am back to share a new layout I created the week of Thanksgiving with the wonderful 

AB Studios paper collection called 'Rustical Journey'.

'thankful'

 To me there aren't any scrapbooking papers around that can touch the vintage beauty of AB Studios. This collection 'Rustical Journey' has beautiful images of doilies and flowers, very pretty and so unique. I started with the sheet called 'Start your Journey', and then layered on some tags, watercolors, a few charms and ribbons, and some Prima flowers.

I also used an AB Studios stencil and  two AB Studios stamps.

The link to the AB Studios shop is here: https://shop.agabaraniak.com/en/

Here are a few details:

I found this vintage photograph in my stash and I sat staring at this old house thinking about how important our homes are to each of us; it's where we live, grow, and make memories that last a lifetime. We just moved from our town we lived in for 14 years and the change was hard for me. But on the bright side we now live in Florida, very close to the ocean which I am still pinching myself over! The landscape is so beautiful - the tallest trees I've ever seen, swaying with Spanish moss, and the huge wondrous sky lights up in pinks and oranges most nights. I can't wait to explore my new surroundings...this is a dream come true! I found the words 'I am thankful' on one of the papers from this collection and it is exactly what I'm feeling these days. Hoping that everyone has family and friends to share the holidays with and can feel grateful for all of our blessings, even through these difficult times.

Thank you for looking, see you soon,

Lisa xoxoxox