Hey there!  It’s Cathy (Scrappycath) here with the October Getting Hybrid. This month we are going to continue what we started in the September ScrapMatters Newsletter…. getting organized! {Need to sign up to receive the newsletter?  Click HERE}  In particular, getting organized for the holidays!  You can feel the change in the weather coming, and before you know it, the holidays will be here. It’s never too early to get started on all that you want to accomplish for the holiday season.

So our Getting Hybrid project this month will be a Holiday Organizer.  Now you’re probably wondering, what is a Holiday Organizer?  Well, really it is anything that helps you to keep yourself organized and on track for this busy time of year.  Maybe you want to make use of the Jr. Legal Pad Wrap Template by Krisi’s Kreations to make a stylish pad for keeping a gift list or menu.  Maybe you’d like to follow the tutorial in the Newsletter by Cristina to create a pocketed organizer like she did using a file folder.  Anything that helps you stay sane (or close to it) through the hustle and bustle of the holiday season.

Cristina’s Holiday Organizer using Cotton Candy Christmas by Stolen Moments:

For me I thought a 3 ring binder with pockets would work best.  I had one of those binders with a clear pocket on the front left over from recent school supply shopping.  There are some great organizing tips and guides available at The Organized Christmas. Instead of re-inventing the wheel, I’m making use of some of the print-outs available in the sections of my organizer.

I used One More Sleep by Graham Like the Cracker and Stolen Moments for the cover.

I created tabs using a journal spot in the  One More Sleep kit.  I used a pack of pocket dividers that I dressed up with papers from the kit for each of my sections.

I’ve got sections for Calendars, Cards and Gifts.  I used elements from various kits to make up the calendars including 2010 Calendar Grid Overlays by Geeky Diva Designs, With Thankful Hearts by Chelle’s Creations, A Spooktacular Evening by Wimpychompers, and more items from the One More Sleep Bundle.  You can see the rest of my calendars in my gallery.

Here’s an organizer that LuAnn (Wildblueyez) made that will serve a dual purpose, she can keep track of her scrappy tools and easily provide a wish-list to people looking to get her special gifts at the holidays.  I just love this idea as I never know what to say when ask “what do you want for Christmas?”  The Design Team Collab Queen of Scrap kit and the EZ Date Edgers by Erica Zane made EZ work of it for her!  Hmmm… I think I’ve got some items for my wish-list now!

Ami (steami) made an organizer for an upcoming holiday trip.  She is going to Disney at the holidays (I am so jealous!) and created this awesome take along that will keep her organized on the trip and make easy work of recording her memories when she returns! She used the My Magical Place kit by Haynay Designs

Are you ready to have a more relaxed holiday season? Then let’s get it started with a little organizer to keep you focused on enjoying the season!  Some other ideas that you could create an organizer for are:

• A holiday card list
• A holiday menu list
• a journal that organizes your holiday memories
• A gift ideas/purchase list
• Birthday list organizer
• This can be for any holiday

Here are the ScrapMatters challenge guidelines:
- Entries must be posted in the Getting Hybrid challenge gallery, and linked to the challenge thread
- You will have until the end of the month (October) to complete your project
- You’ll get 1 point for designing, printing and putting together your project, and then posting the photo of it in the gallery. If you want some pointers about photographing your hybrid projects, see this thread here. You will get a bonus point if you used a new release within one week of it’s release to complete your project.  Just remember to let me know if you used something new when you post it in the forum thread. Plus, I’ll select one entry at random for a bonus challenge point.

Don’t forget – you get double points during October as we celebrate our 2nd anniversary!!! So that’s 2 points for your project, 4 points if you use a new release!

OK, let’s get organized!  I can’t wait to see your creations!