Hello! Iris here sharing another layout I made using the wonderful Merry & Bright collection. This time I was going for a clean, modern look, on-trend with the farmhouse style. 

To do that, I started off with a white cardstock background. This one is a Swiss Dot texture from Bazzill.  (You can get this on Amazon or at Joann's) Then I downloaded three separate Simple Stories word cut files from the Silhouette Store.  (Peace: Design ID 67976; Love: Design ID 80540; Joy: Design ID 67980) I welded them together to make my title.  I have been obsessed with buffalo plaid and it’s all over the place in Christmas decore, so I first cut my title from the B-side of the 4x4 Elements paper.  Then I used the offset function in the Silhouette software to create an outline that I cut out of plain white cardstock and I adhered it on top of the buffalo plaid words.  

I printed my photo as a 3.5”x5” in black and white because it was dark and reddish-brown toned.  The black and white elevates it, and lets you focus more on the subject than all the color.  Behind the photo, I layered a tiny bit of tissue paper, a sliver of the green plaid paper from the 6x8 paper pad peeking out on two sides, a doily, and a brown paper bag with a torn top edge.  Then I added a cluster of stickers, chipboard, and puffy stickers at the bottom left corner.  I concentrated on icons that felt like the farmhouse style -  the tree which echoes the plaid from the right, the galvanized vase of foliage, a couple word stickers (love the mix of fonts), a puffy star, and the banner of lights to go with the lights you see in the photo.  For interest, I tucked some thread under the layers.

Having the buffalo plaid in two spots, I completed a visual triangle by adding the last bit of the scalloped border sticker from the Combo Sticker sheet.  I could use that on every layout and be happy! I’ve never been one for poinsettias, so I was thrilled to see this collection also has a lovely red flower that looks more like a peony, and I used that motif throughout my design. Another word sticker and puffy star complete a cluster at the bottom.  And the “love” in that sticker repeats the “love” of the title, which ties things in even further.

The large cut title is a prominent focal point, so I kept things simple around it by adding just another flower, word sticker, puffy star cluster at the top where it intersects the photo, and another flower on the last letter.  The flower sits atop a loop of thread.  This decorates the area where the journaling is nestled in, and is complimented with a couple more puffy stars. I turned to one of my favorite journaling looks - typed on vellum - to keep this page looking clean, light, and airy.

I welcome you to check out my Youtube channel for the process video, which includes the steps I did to make the cut file title.  There is a wonderful selection of words in the Simple Stories designs at the Silhouette Store that you can play with to match and compliment all the SS collections!

I can’t get enough of the Merry & Bright collection.  You can make a layout with a classic feel, or one that looks completely fresh and modern.  It’s such a versatile collection that will help you scrap tons of Christmas holiday memories!