On the Eve

The Christmas season means that I take a long break from creating. Parties, shopping, hosting family and getting on the floor and just playing with the kids fills my holiday season. As much as I love it, it is so nice to get back here and create something. I can't stay away from this place too long.

Speaking of the holidays, here's a snapshot of Christmas at Casa Damiano. There are so few good pictures because I'm usually too busy hosting (and talking and playing). Next year someone is getting the title of official photographer, I just have to remember to assign it.

This was my last 2013 video for the Two Peas series, Scrap Your Stash. The focus this time was on wood frames, which i love and own way too many of. One of the reasons I loved doing this series so much was that I got to combine my love for products + stories.

I chose these photos from a recent vacation and Nico's love of guava juice. I added the wood frames, hand stitching and a soft, tropical palette to complete the story. You can watch the process here, if you'd like to see how it came together: Scrap Your Stash with Nancy Damiano: Wood Frames

Looking forward to big changes, new opportunities and creating pretty things in 2014. See you in the New Year!

Merry Christmas to all...

December Daily, Not So Daily

I’ve been struggling with my blog posts lately. Partly due to time (lack of it) and trying to find my way in this age of social media. The steady stream of self-promotion which is becoming so much a part of scrapbooking, is so not my style.  And yet, I love to share the things I make and love. So to strike a balance between selling all the time and sharing is what I’m striving toward. Bear with me while I try to figure this out. The slower days of winter should help too. I plan to be around here a lot more in 2014.

In the meantime, I have a version of December Daily that I made for Two Peas in a Bucket. I used Santa's List by Teresa Collins - my favorite Christmas line this season. I chose to do a Christmas past, present and future theme because I still have a December Daily from years ago that I never finished. The daily deadline type of projects don't work for me. But this - a book about many Christmases and how the holiday has changed for us, that I can do.

I chose this mini album by Studio Calico. Love the small size and bright print. Adding the flair was a quick way to decorate the front and be done!

 Touches of gold add a little sparkle to the title page.

 Layers of patterned paper, stamping, enamel dots and more gold.

 Journaling cards from Chic Tags and an enamel dots, give us a little touch of reindeer.

 These small gold letters from Chic Tags were perfect for small journaling tags.

Pockets for my pockets. These will be journaling spots and frames for small photos.

For more pictures and a walk through of the entire project, see my gallery at Two Peas. Sitting down with just one collection (Santa's List) and few odds and ends from Chic Tags, meant this project was finished in an afternoon. I love when that happens, makes me merry.

Be back soon. Have to go wrap + wrap + wrap some more.