Scrapping Off-Season: How to Use Seasonal Products Year-Round

Laurie Winiarski
Laurie Winiarski

Turning Holiday Supplies into Winter Magic

In this layout, I repurposed a Christmas themed collection to capture a snowy, non-Christmas day. The patterned paper with snowy trees, cozy cabins and snowflakes set the scene for winter photos. I focused on the wintry elements of the products, such as snow-themed die cuts, tags, and the “Let It Snow” embellishment. I was able to emphasize a frosty atmosphere with products that were meant for Christmas.

Lindsy's Shaped Cards - Re-Imagining Holiday Collections

Using seasonal products (in this case Christmas & New Year’s) for crafting projects outside their intended time can spark unique ideas. It’s definitely something I see as a challenge, and I love to mix things up to see what I can create. By thinking outside the box, I can transform holiday-themed papers or embellishments into entirely different designs. This approach encourages versatility and helps me see my supplies in fresh, unconventional ways. It also helps me stretch the use of my products, allowing me to use up the “extras” from my stash (before I buy new stuff next year)!
 
For this project I specifically used leftovers from Christmas, New Year’s, and Winter collections. I chose base papers that were less seasonal-specific, setting aside items with telling details (such as holly, countdown clocks, or snowflakes) and instead paying more attention to general colours or simple patterns. In this way, I “disguised” the original use of the papers so I could design birthday and thank you cards.
 
To add a whimsical design element, I used shaped dies as templates for my card bases. Selecting the banner & scalloped circle further masked the use of the seasonal products, in my opinion. I even added a few embellies on the inside of the cards, as a fun surprise for the recipient.
 
I am truly a fan of mash-ups (in fact, I kind of consider it one of my stylistic specialities), so I hope I’ve inspired you to think about Christmasy stuff in a whole new light. I can’t wait to see what you might create!
 
If anyone is interested in any of these 2023 collections they are still available from Simply Stated Design:
* “Country Christmas” https://simplystateddesign.ca/collections/country-christmas
* “New Year’s With My Gnomies” https://simplystateddesign.ca/collections/new-years-with-my-gnomies
* “Winter Frost” https://simplystateddesign.ca/collections/winter-frost-1

Embracing Creativity Beyond the Seasons

Using seasonal products outside their intended purpose is a great way to stretch your supplies and spark your creativity. This approach demonstrates the versatility of seasonal supplies, making them suitable for documenting a variety of themes beyond their intended focus. The possibilities are endless when you embrace the challenge of re-imagining your stash!

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