Deck the Palms – Australasian papercrafting blog hop

Hi and welcome to our Deck the Palms Australasian blog hop. If you arrived here from Arty Maz you’re in the right spot. If you just happened upon me, even better, because you’re now part way through a great little blog hop of inspiration, using the Deck the Palms suite of products from CTMH.

It’s hard for some in the Northern Hemisphere to comprehend, but Christmas downunder is hot! Here in Auckland, it’s warm and muggy, and very tropical. So both iterations of Deck the Palms are perfect for us. Why? Because one side is Christmas themed, and the other has a Tropical theme. So it works whether we are documenting Christmas photos, or summer snaps. But, if you’re not down under, but have photos from Hawaii, Florida, or Tahiti, then you’ll find this range perfectly perfect for you too.

I think on of the most fabulous things about this range, is that it’s HUGE. There’s a massive array of options for you, including scrapbooking and cardmaking workshop bundles, with instructions. Here’s the full bundle.

Deck the Palms product bundle from Close to my Heart

At the top you’ll see co-ordinating coloured cardstock, that actually has a glossy UV coated design. These are so gorgeous in person.

Next are the printed papers, with two sides of gorgeousness in every pack.

There are lots of options to embellish, with two sticker sheets available. The large one is an option with the paper pack, and is tropical themed. The smaller one is an optional extra on its own, and is Christmas themed.

You’ll see there are two beautiful stamp sets, perfect for accenting Christmas or getaways.

Then there’s two stunning thin cuts. These can be layered on a card front, but I have a super cool idea for these on a layout, of a NZ bush walk. Stay tuned on that one!

Lastly, the red and white accents are acrylic shapes, in both Christmas or a Tropical theme.

I told you it was a huge range – everything you could possibly want is covered.

I was trying to resist it, but once I started playing with the papers and stickers yesterday, I knew I really wanted more.

Here’s a layout I’ve created using the paper and sticker sheet. It’s not quite finished, as my plan is to put a shaker element on the page. I’m going to use the Square Windows Slimline Thin Cut on the left page, with three photos, and create a shaker element out of it. The shaker will have a mix of the Iridescent Flower Confetti and the Lagoon Loose Gems. I hope you can picture it, I’ll pop a page up when it’s done. (Just waiting on supplies – poor couriers are overrun at the moment).

A fabulous scrapbook layout using Deck the Palms

Bright and gorgeous right?!! I’m heading away to the beach for a few days soon, so this is all prepped ready for that.

I also wanted to highlight something on this layout, that makes a subtle but lovely difference. On the sticker title VIBES I’ve used my white gel pen to just add some highlights on the letters. It takes all of a second or two, but really helps the title pop. The gel pens are a newish addition to the CTMH range, and I think are often overlooked.

Can you see the difference? Do you agree that it really enhances the title?

Now, I couldn’t just make a layout, I had to also make a card, because once I started playing with this paper, I wanted to continue. This is a slimline card, and along with paper from Deck the Palms, I’ve also used the Layered Flowers Thin Cuts, and the For All Occasions stamp set for the Thank Your sentiment.

I think right now, there’s an awful lot of people in retail and hospitality, that could do with a ‘surprise’ thank you card. They are really getting slammed at the moment – wouldn’t this just brighten someone’s day?! Let’s start a mini movement of kindness to those in industries hit the hardest at the moment.

If you’re a kiwi, and don’t already have a consultant, you can purchase everything you’ve seen here, on my website, but many items only available until the end of December, so don’t dilly dally, order them NOW. 😊

If you liked my layout, or anything you saw, leave a comment below, before you head away for more inspiration with Doris Taylor Creative Inspirations.