Silent Night - Two Page Winter Sunset Scrapbook Layout

I saw a beautiful sunset last night. There is something about a winter sunset. Maybe it's because we can see more of the skyline when the trees are bare, but for some reason the colors seem brighter and more spectacular. It reminded me of this gorgeous sunset on Christmas Day a few years back. I don't always take pictures of the sunset...well maybe I do. 😀

Yes, this is a Christmas layout, technically...but I chose not to use the crazy Christmas patterns with this. I liked this natural graphic background to let the pictures stand out more. I did add a few mixed plaid patterned strips in the middle. I loved this silhouette scene of the barren trees and the deer. I found it in Design Space and then broke it up and spread it out on the layout to frame the pictures.

I'm so thankful for our beautiful home!! It has been such a place of solace for us lately. No we don't really see deer in our yard, but that's okay. Maybe some day. Speaking of "some day", the back of our porch is not done yet in this photo. Now we have sloping white square pillars on a field-stone base in the outside corners and a pretty Craftsman detail in the peak of the roof, and the ugly temporary peak support is gone!  However, finishing this off is a process and it's still not done-done yet. The underside of the roof still looks just like this! I'm not a very patient woman, but I'm working on that. I'm trying to focus on the progress!

The branchy looking title was perfect for the layout. I like the way it turned out....my non-Christmassy Christmas Day layout. Hope you are staying warm and enjoying some solace of your own. Don't forget to look for the beautiful signs of God's creation each morning and evening. He is in control and the rhythms of each day are a comforting reminder of that.

Have a blessed weekend!

Walkway of Lights - Two Page Christmas Scrapbook Layout

Are you enjoying your family traditions this Christmas season? Our Christmas has been quite a bit different this year, but we are trying to continue on with the traditions. I'm not sure if and when we can make this one happen this year.

Many cities have this, but we love the Walkway of Lights in Marion, Indiana. It's a bit of a drive, but we sing Christmas carols with the kiddos on the way, and usually stop for Happy Meals. 

Want to know a secret? I do not enjoy scrapping our Christmas photos! I'm sorry, but it is so true. I don't mind scrapping the traditions so much, but the actual family gatherings opening photos....Ugh! but I do it anyway!! I do tend to take a simpler approach to my Christmas related layouts. This one is definitely simple, but I love the colors, and I'm happy with it and it makes me smile! That's all that matters here.

I love the non-traditional aqua paper and always try to use my scraps like I did for the strip along the bottom. I typically matt each photo, because I love that look and in my mind it kicks the layout up a notch. The title was done by mixing some pieces of titles in Design Space together. That's my favorite thing to do. I cut a few snowflakes and placed them around the page, both on, off, and overlapping the pics. The fancy ribbon on the journaling tag adds a bit of sparkle to draw the attention to the story behind the photos. I could have added some bling to the snowflakes, but really like the simplicity of this as it is.

Hope you are enjoying the countdown to our celebration of Christ's birth!