Winter is fun. We can have a snowball fight, build a snowman, make snow angels, and go ice skating, sledding, skiing and snowshoeing. Winter storms bring us picture-perfect landscapes and offer us time to cozy up by the fire, drinking tea and reading a good book.
For scrapbookers, winter creates the opportunity to use decorative papers and embellishments featuring polar bears, penguins, snowmen, deer, foxes and cardinals. We can add die-cut snowflakes and mittens, along with crystals and glitter. And, we get to work in shades of blues and purples.
Here are a dozen layouts featuring the best of winter. Scroll through them and then pull out your winter photos (or camera) and record those wonderful memories.
Accent with Crystals
"Sledding" by Paije Potter - Pattern #197
Snow is actually made up of beautiful crystals. On this layout, Paije Potter brought those to the forefront with the Crystal Die.
Create a Design
When you only have a few photos, show them off with a beautiful, custom design on the background of your layout.
Here, Paije used the North Pole Die Set to create angled stripes above and below the photos.
"Snow Day 2004" by Paije Potter
Record Non-Snow Days
"Virginia Beach 2006" by Paije Potter - Pattern #s 451 & 349
If you live in a place where snow isn't common, or you have had an unseasonably mild winter, you can still take some pictures and record the outdoor fun.
Here, Paije used letter and number dies to record the location and date of these winter photos.
Make a Tree
"Winter" by Candy Spiegel - Pattern #442
Page Pattern No. 442 is fun because it resembles an evergreen tree.
Candy Spiegel used it show off some of the creatures who enjoy being fed during those cold, winter months.
Photograph the Action
Time outside during the winter is rarely passive. Showcase some of that movement by getting action photos.
Here, Tami Potter shows the sled coming down the hill, running to pull the sled and the making of snow angels.
You might even try for snowballs mid-throw, a skater spinning, or a skier coming down the mountain. Set your camera to the sports setting and you will be amazed at what you capture.
"Snow Day" by Tami Potter - Pattern # 272
Include the Journaling
"Snowman" by Tami Potter - Pattern #278
Record the details of the day, including the weather, the length of time, the funny sayings, mishaps and feelings of the day in a journaling box.
Use Word or a similar program to type up the details, like Tami did here. After printing, cut them with the dies (or by hand) and adhere them to your layout.
Try a Decorative Die
Use a decorative frame die to add a bit of whimsy to your layout.
Here, Paije used close-ups of Cole in the center of each of the frames. She then used a photo of snow on an evergreen to accent the photos, and filled the rest in with patterned paper.
We love how this technique showcases Cole's emotions so well.
"Snow Day for Cole" by Paije Potter - Pattern #102
Make Them Fit
"Liberty Ice Pavilion" by Jodi Benson
When you have more photos than will fit on a layout, use Corner Cut-Out Dies to make more photos fit.
These dies have the corners cut out, so you can fit additional photos on the layout without losing anything important in the photo. And, since they come with layering dies, you can use contrasting mats to make the photos really pop.
Add Hidden Journaling
Sometimes you may want to hide your journaling from the average person looking at your layout. Whatever the reason, hiding it away is easy.
Here, Candy used the dies to cut her woodland paper twice as tall as she needed. Then, she folded it in half and adhered it to her layout.
The little "lift" tag alerts others there is something more to the page and makes it easy to open outside of the page protector. Candy used the tab from the Nested Pocket Die Set to create the tag.
"Winter Wonderland" by Candy Spiegel - Pattern #423
Create the Wow Factor
"Snow 2009" by Paije Potter - Pattern #344
Turning your photos into beautiful works of art is easy with the Mosaic Moments™ system.
Here, Paije used the X-Factor Dies to showcase both the fun and beauty of winter.
This treatment is a little more time consuming than some other layouts, but it really does offer the wow factor!
Make a Border
Another way to add a bit of the wow factor to a layout is by creating a border down the side of the page.
Here, Paije used the Jumbo Corner Tiles to make a zig-zag design with additional photos on her layout.
Yes, it takes a little thinking to get the photos cut correctly. However, you can cut four corners from patterned paper at once with this die set, so it isn't as time-consuming as you may think. And, it really brings out the Wow!
"Peaceful" by Paije Potter - Pattern #417
Build a Snowflake
"Snow Sadie" by Paije Potter
The Prism Die Collection allows you to turn photos and patterned paper into a close-up view of a snowflake. Talk about wow!