December Take 5 Tuesday Challenge!

It's Mary Ann here with the new December Take 5 Tuesday Challenge, and a FREE cut file for you! We've got a new inspiration and idea list too, with a little nod to winter. There's blue, white, and even some snowflakes as ideas to use on your projects. If you've never played along with our Take 5 Challenge, be sure to read all the way to the bottom for the details, you could WIN a gift card to the Paper Issues store!!

Alright, here's what you've been waiting for:

For my last Take 5 project of 2016, I went with something completely different than my usual 12x12 layout. This month it's a Countdown to Christmas Calendar, using the Merry & Bright collection by Fancy Pants Designs and I still fit in 5 items from the challenge list too!  I started with the frame, added in the colors white and green, wood grain paper and those little triangles on the banner for my 5! What a fun way to count down the days! You could also use this idea to count down to a birthday, wedding date or any holiday, just by changing the "shape" of your numbers.

To start my calendar, I cut the tree shaped numbers using my Silhouette Cameo and this FREE cut file from the Paper Issues store, then backed them with the green and wood grain papers. Next I made the cute little gift box and added re-positionable adhesive to the back of the box so I am able to move it as I count down the days.

I finished it off by adding the triangle banner, and more bits and pieces from the Merry & Bright ephemera pack, then added it to my 12x12 frame. I love how it looks displayed in our home!


Lisa joined in on the fun too with this pretty little card!  I really like the flair button added to the tag, it gives it such dimension! She used the color white, a snowflake, wood grain, ink and stickers, all from the Fancy Pants Wish Season collection.

Next up is Rachel with this darling layout of her cute boys using the Cool Kid collection from Crate Paper. She uses a mix of white and green, wood veneer, stickers and alpha letters. There is a total of 8 different patterned papers on this one, how cool is that!!

How about this fantastic layout from Stacie using the new Carta Bella Space Academy! Her 5 items are, the colors blue and white, mist/paint, stickers and alpha stickers. I love how she used the center of  the cut file to make a heart, so clever!

Orange Gearle wowed us with this layout of her new grandbaby, using Crate Paper's Gather collection. She fussy cut the rectangles and added in the colors blue and white, mist, stickers and alpha letters. This is such a heartwarming layout, you can feel the happiness!

Here's a sweet card from Melanie using the Make a Wish collection by Cocoa Vanilla Studio. Her inspiration items were the colors blue, white and green, mist, a frame and sticker.  Just remember my birthday is next month, Melanie ;)    

Crate Paper's Cute Girl collection was perfect for this layout by Elodie, notice all the bright and girly colors on this one? I love that she used the color white from the inspiration list, then made it her own! She also added in scallops, ink, stickers and those amazing triangles.

Heather shared her Holiday Magic layout where she uses white and green, wood veneer, stickers and fussy cutting. I love the layers and layers of pretty embellishments on this one!

The Golden Days collection shines in this beautiful layout from Amanda, I always love her layouts with black and white photos! Her 5 items are the color green, woodgrain, alphas, stickers and triangles.

Alex used Crate Paper's Snow and Cocoa line for this beauty along with 4 photos, 4 patterned papers, snowflakes, mist and the color blue. I love all the layered snowflakes!

:)
And last but not least, is this cute layout from Carolyn using scallops, stickers, frame, fussy cut and woodgrain.

Wow, is that some inspiration or what!?!?!?!
I know many of you have already joined in on the Take 5 Challenges, but in case you haven't, here's how it works: I give you a list of items to use as your inspiration and starting point for your project. From that list, pick 5 items to use on your project. You can use more than 5, and combine your own ideas too, but to play along you must use at least 5 items from the list. Also, Take 5 is open to everyone, and is for scrapbookers, card makers, pocket pagers and off the page project makers too! If you are a paper crafter, the challenge is for you!!  You have until midnight January 6th EST to add your project to the Take 5 Challenge album over in our Paper Issues {friends & fans} Facebook group. You could win a gift certificate to the Paper Issues store!!

***Remember to use code: Mary Ann in the Paper Issues store for 20% off your entire order! 
AND free Domestic shipping when you reach $60. Awesome!