it's another week and time for a new sketch over at scrapbook challenges. i loved working with this one since it has a lot of the elements that i love in scrapbooking - like repetition and shapes. i kinda just grab a quick glance at the sketch and then did my own thing as far as the placement goes. i liked how it turned out since i was able to use loads of different patterned papers together. so why not hop on over to scrapbook challenges to see some more wonderful inspiration from the design team. but for now here's the sketch - and remember there's a single page version too...

and my layout. the photos were taken one Christmas of my niece opening some presents. we don't do the whole commercial Xmas thing but when Etlone' came along we got a new tree and put it up for her. the decorations were simple - only cream little teddy bears and some lights - elegant and child proof -  a winning combination.

i added some tied knots using embroidery thread along some of the edges of the shapes. love the texture and simple detail it ads to a layout.

and some distressed embossing added onto chipboard honeycomb. the red was just perfect to embrace the red found in the photos on the Persian carpet. my advice - embrace the not so perfect rather than trying to make it go away!

here's wishing everyone a wonderful and creative week ahead. i am working on some exiting projects this week - details to be revealed later this week. thanks for stopping by - and if you don't know it yet - your visits are appreciated!