Winter holiday scrapbooking -- freeze that frame!

by Melissa Jaramillo

Everyday life with kids is packed with opportunities to grab and transform into priceless memories, especially around the holidays.

The winter season presents endless unique moments -- that first cup of frothy hot chocolate "mustache;" standing in a shower of winter snowflakes; wonder in a child's eyes as they head downhill on a sled.

Freeze that frame! Gather up your favorite photos and your scrapbooking supplies. Capture and save those winter memories.

Tips to spark winter holiday scrapbooking

Select your photos, including those you haven't taken yet. As you reflect on your child, what do you want to remember? From the big "events" to the little things, each begs to be scrapbooked. Let these ideas to get those creative juices flowing.

Activities to scrap

All about "Dear Santa:" Here's material for the perfect mini-book! Capture writing the list and mailing the letter; a visit with Santa; eagerly leaving out milk and cookies; and Christmas morning with the gifts!

A special holiday activity: The look in your daughter's eyes as she watches the Nutcracker and the Mouse King do battle; or when your toddler is lulled to sleep during a symphony concert; or that wide-eyed awe at the colorful, synchronized lights as you walk or drive by.

Holiday family gatherings: Bringing together the "old and new." Grandma recanting stories of Christmases gone by; everyone working to decorate together; lighting the candles are all treasure troves.

Snow party: Take advantage of fresh snowfall and get photos of snow angels, snow balls in flight and on target. Capture the snowmen, during and after their creation.

Crafting: The table's filled with crafting supplies and your child's diligently at work. Remember the way he scrunches his nose and sticks out his tongue just so in order to get the right angle on that project.

In the kitchen: Take time to photograph those flour-covered clothes and huge proud smiles of a job well done. Granted, a wee bit of cookie dough may have been sampled -- just testing of course.

"Feelings": Winter can be an emotional roller coaster, ranging from laughter and delight to sad and dejected stares out the window at yet another dreary day. There are also sweet moments of sharing and caring between siblings you want to capture for posterity!

Layouts, embellishments and techniques

Now is time for the real fun! Choosing just the right materials help convey your story.

Create a 3D "scrap" tree! Use a craft knife to slice green card stock until you create the look of a tree branch. It looks real, but no needle mess to clean up.

Winter scenes: Start with blue upper background. Add crystal dots to represent stars and add sparkle. Within lower background, create swirls for snow. You can add a variety of winter images such as sleds, snowmen and horse-drawn sleigh. Text may be added on layered snowflakes.

From mama's kitchen: Use wood or cardboard cookie cutter shapes. Make a "baker's hat" from a small scrap of white material shaped around thin paper and glue in place. Tack on a "rolling pin" by rolling a small strip of light brown paper tightly, pinching the ends. Add your image and a printed border of gingerbread men to showcase it all.

Christmas or holiday lights: For holiday pictures, a border featuring a string of lights or candy canes looks appropriately festive Make an ornament shape and cut out the middle to frame your picture.

Add depth: You can add dimension by pasting a tab or small square of cardboard on the back of various items on your page. Check that each is firmly secured before moving.

Do you have a missed moment that you wish you had been able to capture? We'd love to see your creations! Paste or share your ideas below!

Photo courtesy of iStockphoto.