Pretty Presents Wreath

The Pretty Present Designer Bows kit in the Holiday Catalog has punch out pieces to create quick bows for decorating.   I used the bow pieces to make this quick-to-do Christmas wreath.

The classic Santa image and the polka dots give this a retro feel.   (And we are big on retro at my house!)  The boxed ornament makes a simple gift either on its own or with the wreath.  

Complete instructions for this can be found by joining the Wrapping Up the Holidays session of UStamp!

  

Octagonal Candy Box and MDS Candy Wrappers

Two of my design projects for Wrapping Up the Holidays are sweet treat related.

The first is a candy box made from three Decorative Window Gift Boxes.  

This is really sturdy and makes a pretty centerpiece or hostess gift.  The outer section holds ALOT of candy and the inner window box is for a special homemade treat.  The see-through pocket card is made from the  leftover window boxtops.

The second project is created entirely with My Digital Studio and the Snowy Soiree Ensemble download.

I designed the custom candy wrappers to fit Ferrero Rocher candies. The wrappers are made by stretching one of the punches that is included with the download.  By overlapping punches and varying the number, the wrappers can be made for two, three or four candies.

Both tutorials are available by joining the Wrapping Up the Holidays 2013 session.  

 

Neighborhood Christmas Party

Super quick Christmas party invitations using My Digital Studio.

I knew I wanted to use the classic car embellishment from the Days of Christmas kit but wanted a more retro looking background than those that came with that download.  The Designer Series Paper from the Snowy Soiree Ensemble fit the bill.

Once I had the text on I grouped everything together, copied and pasted it four to a page and printed them out.  Then I simply mounted them each on a cardstock base.   How quick is that?   Now to do some baking for the party....

Down the Chimney Box and Gift Card

Ho Ho Ho!  Santa's on his way-- down the chimney with lots of toys!  

I really enjoyed creating this set which kicked off the Wrapping Up the Holidays session.   Not only is the santa a cute decoration, it is a gift box perfect for small treats.  The package-shaped card is a gift card holder.  If hand delivered the bow can be left 3D as shown here or if slightly flattened it fits in an envelope for mailing.

We have 40 projects focusing on packaging and gift ideas to help you Wrap Up the Holidays!  The blinkie below is linked to info.

 

I'm So Grateful

One stamp + one pack of Designer Series Paper = three different styles.  I challenged myself to make three cards that used the same products but were each unique.   I love that Stampin' Up's DSP paper is themed yet has such a great variety of patterns that they can be used beyond the season.

The first card has pretty typical fall colors but I paired it with Island Indigo to make it pop:

The second has a fun contrast of Costal Cabana with the tans and browns of the DSP and a geometric layout.

And for the third I focused on the delicately designed Soft Sky pattern to make a more vintage feminine card.

Stamp set: Chalk Talk

Designer Series Paper: Sweater Weather

Blossom Punch Christmas Tree

I have always loved tiny things.  I remember watching as my grandpa built my wooden doll house.  I spent hours decorating it with bits of paper, fabric and yarn.  I had a box for a bed with a scrap of pretty fabric for the bedspread.   My mom helped my sew a tiny pillow with a pillowcase.   I cut pictures from magazines to hang on the walls, crocheted little rugs for the floor and even rolled a miniature roll of toilet paper for the bathroom.

This miniature Christmas scene (my design project for the Knock Out Punches session of UStamp) would have fit the living room perfectly.

I was looking for a pretty color combo to use for this and settled on Crisp Cantaloupe, Raspberry Ripple and Gumball Green found in the Birthday Basics Designer Series Paper.   The tree is covered with Blossom punches and topped with a Raspberry Ripple bow.  The door with a festive wreath could also be used as a card front.  I especially like the tiny wallhanging and presents (one is a gift bag!)  Guess I haven't really grown up!

The coordinating card has a Santa owl peeking out of a wreath.

A full tutorial for this project is available by joining UStamp with Dawn and Friends Knock Out Punches. 

  

Washi Tape Halloween Card

One last Halloween project for the season.  This one is amazingly quick thanks to the Witches Brew Washi Tape.  The super cool thing about Washi Tape is it is repositionable.  You can put it down, peel it up and re-stick it.

To make this, I stamped the Halloween image from the That's the Ticket stamp set in the center of a 3-3/4" X 5" piece of Whisper White cardstock then layered four varying lengths of Washi Tape in an overlapping pattern around it.  (This is where the repositionable part came in handy!)

Next I tore three small pieces of black patterned paper from the Neutrals Designer Series Paper Stack and tucked them in the corners.

All this is layered on a Tangerine Tango cardbase with a little strip of dotted DSP peeking out at the edge.

Nothing scary here!

Snow Day Pumpkins

Here is a surprise use of the Snow Day stamp set.  By turning the snowman stamp sideways you can make a triplet of pumpkins!

The facial features are also made with Snow Day images.  I individually inked up the eyes and stamped them then just the mouth so I could get different placements and expressions.  For the middle pumpkin, I used the snowman's button stamp for her mouth and then drew a line with a marker to connect them.  I also drew eyebrows, eyelashes and added googlie eyes.

The hat and sentiment are from the Best of Halloween stamp set.  (I totally agree these are the BEST Halloween stamps-- I have loved using them!)  A bit of Witches Brew Washi Tape and threaded buttons complete the card.

Measurements for the cardstock layers are:
Card Base:  5-1/2" x 11", scored at 4-1/4"
Plaid layer:  4" x 5-1/4"
Tangerine Tango:  3-1/2" x 4-3/4"
Very Vanilla: 3-1/2" x 4-1/4"

Leah has been baking and cooking some wonderful fall goodies.  She made some fabulous pumpkin caramels.  We were photographing them for a cookbook we are planning and I thought it would be cute to have it appear as though the pumpkins on the card were eyeing the pumpkin candy.

These caramels really are amazing!  They are made with pumpkin puree and poured over toasted pumpkin seeds.  They took a long time to make but they were totally worth it!!

Supplies: Stamp Sets- Snow Day, Best of Halloween Cardstock- Always Artichoke, Very Vanilla  DSP- Sweater Weather  Markers- Always Artichoke, Cajun Craze  Ink- Tangerine Tango, Chocolate Chip, Always Artichoke  Accessories- Witches Brew Washi Tape, Regals Buttons, Linen Thread Big Shot-  Bitty Banners Framelits

Holly Jolly Greeting Purse Tutorial

Today I have the tutorial for the card-holder purse and details of card set that I created for the Stampin' Addicts Winter Blog Hop.   All of my projects featured alternatives ideas for the Holly Jolly Greetings Simply Sent Kit.   Click back through the last few days of my blog posts to see the details of those project too!

This purse is made by cutting apart one of the fold-up cards in the kit.  The extra heavy cards are the perfect weight to make this sturdy and able to hold at least six cards and envelopes.  I was going to decorate this more but decided I really liked the simple, classic look of just the Frosted Finishes Embellishment and the Merry Christmas label.  I did add a bow diecut with Gift Bow Bigz die on the handle.

I decided to make a series of one layer cards to complement the classic look of the purse using the happy images from the Snow Day stamp set.

The first card is pretty straight-forward.

All the snowmen in the card set are stamped with Smoky Slate ink. To achieve the correct color, stamp off once on scrap paper then on the card front.  His hat, scarf and the words are stamped with Real Red ink and his face, arms and buttons with Stazon-On Jet Black.

For the second card, I inked just a portion of the words and stamped them to the side.  The small images are stamped with Soft Sky, Real Red and So Saffron, punched out and popped up with Stampin' Dimensionals.

The next card has a snowman peeking out of a window that is diecut with the Peekaboo Frames Big Shot die.

I cut the pieces out and used Stampin' Dimensionals behind his head and the words.

I think the last card is my favorite.

It has such a happy feel.  I purposely have some of the hats not touching the snowmens heads to add a feeling of movement and energy.

The back of the purse has a place to write To/From.

The purse can be used for occasions other than Christmas by covering the back with another piece of cardstock.  I have a couple of these I would like to make with other themes.  (We will see if I have time to actually do them.... so many ideas and not enough time!)  Now for the tutorial...

Purse Tutorial:
1.  Cut a card from the Holly Greetings Simply Sent Kit apart on the fold line.

2.  Use an Exacto knife to cut two 3/4" slits on the crease of the card flap.  Insert a length of Smoky Slate Chevron Ribbon and tie knots at each end.  (See picture in Step 6.)
3.  For the base, cut a 6-1/2" X 6-1/2" piece of Smoky Slate cardstock.   Score 2-1/2" from two opposite sides.

4. For the sides,  cut two 2-1/2" X 3" pieces of Smoky Slate cardstock.  Score at 1/2" on three sides.  Cut out the small squares at the corners.

5.  Adhere the short tabs of the side pieces to the base as shown.

6.  Fold on all score lines and adhere the side tabs inside to form a box.
7.  Adhere the box to the purse back.  Pinch the top of the box together, indent the side pieces and crease.  This "trains" the sides to be indented when the purse is closed.

8.  Adhere the remaining card piece to front of the box.  Add circle magnets to close.  Decorate front with Frosted Finishes Embellishment and sticker from the kit.

Inside view with four cards and envelopes (still room for more!):

Note:  If you happen to have the retired Scalloped Bag Big Shot die it will work perfectly for the side pieces.  Cut each side piece down to 2-1/2" and use a 6-5/8" X 6-5/8" square in Step 3 for the base.

I do appreciate every comment left!  Happy stamping!!

Holly Jolly Greeting Decor Panel

Of the three Holly Jolly Greetings projects from last weekend's blog hop,  this photo display panel is quickest to make.  

It is simply two cards bumped end-to-end and adhered to a 6-1/2" X 7" piece of Smoky Slate cardstock.

The bows are quick too.  They are called Pretty Presents Designer Bows and come as sheets of double-sided punch-outs with instructions for putting them together.  The flip sides are different patterns so you could make another panel with an entirely different look.

For the center bow, I did not adhered the "petals" exactly in half but moved the back flap further to the outer edge to give a fuller bow.

The words are made with the Expressions Thinlit dies.  The dies come with the words "Thankful, Merry and Love".    Brian King on Stampin' Connection had the idea of splicing the "ve" from love with the "ry" from merry to create the word "very".  Unless you look closely you would not even notice the splice.   Pretty nifty!

Holly Jolly Greetings Pop up Card

Growing up I I looked forward to watching Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer each year.   This card has a retro look that reminds me of that. 

I can almost imagine the snowman singing "Have a Holly Jolly Christmas.  It's the best time of the year.  I don't know if there'll be snow but have a cup of cheer."  (Gotta love Burl Ives!)

The snowman is embossed with Iridescent Ice embossing powder on acetate and then cut out.  His accessories and nose are stamped on Whisper White cardstock, cut out and glued on with Tombo adhesive.  I put a small pop up mechanism behind it so it will fold up inside the card.

I created with window frame with the two smallest square framelits and the tree is covered with Cherry Cobbler Dazzling Details dots and topped with a silver Glimmer Paper star.

The door is 1-1/2" X 2-3/4" with 1/2" wide panels cut at 3/4" and 1-1/2".  A Real Red Candy Dot was perfect for the doorknob.

Icicles line the edge of the roof and are made with Chrystal Effects and Dazzling Diamonds glitter.  I drew the icicles with the tip of the Chrystal Effects bottle.   The wreath has dots of Cherry Cobbler Dazzling Details for holly berries and the "Merry Christmas" is one of the stickers that comes with the Holly Jolly Greetings Simply Sent Kit.

For the greeting I die cut the Holly Jolly image from the kit with a Deco Labels framelit and inked up just a portion of one the stamps from the Yippee Skippee stamp set for the "Have A" image.  The red scalloped edge is created by placing two 7/8" scalloped circles behind the small oval.

This card is part of a set of projects featuring the Holly Jolly Greetings Simply Sent kit designed for the Stampin' Addicts Winter Holiday Blog Hop.  You can still hop through all the super projects!

Holly Jolly Greeting House Card:
Supplies: Stamp Sets: Snow Day, Evergreen  Cardstock: Smoky Slate, Real Red, Garden Green, So Saffron, Whisper White  Ink" Garden Green, Real Red, Pumpkin Pie Punches: 2-3/8" Scalloped Circle, 1-3/8" Circle, Small Oval, 7/8" Scallop Circle, Merry Minis Punch Pack, Owl Builder (for eyes).  Accessories: Holly Jolly Greetings Simply Sent Kit, 1/8" Real Red Taffeta Ribbon, Silver Glimmer Paper, Cherry Cobbler Dazzling Details,  Brights Candy Dots,  Window Sheets, Irredescent Ice Embossing Powder, Versa Mark Ink Big Shot: Squares Collection Framelits, Deco Labels Framelits

Cadbury Scream Egg Mummies in Peekaboo Box Tutorial

Ok, I know I am supposed to be posting the details of the projects from the weekend blog hop but I had so much fun making these little mummies yesterday that I really want to post them!

The mummies started out as Cadbury's Halloween Scream Eggs.

I wrapped them with strips of gauze and added googlie eyes.  It's funny how they ended up with different expressions.

The box is designed with an insert that has holes to hold the mummies in place and has a window sheet peekaboo front so the little guys can peek out.  

The box lid has DSP panels and is stamped with images from the Best of Halloween set.  

MUMMY BOX TUTORIAL:

Box Bottom: 

1.  Cut a 5" X 6-1/2" piece of black cardstock.  Score at 1-1/2 on all sides.

2.  On the side that will be the box front, measure 1/2" from the score lines and cut that section away. 

3.  Cut on score lines to form tabs and trim as shown.

4.  Cut a piece of acetate window sheet slightly smaller than 1-1/2" X 3-1/2".  Attach to inside of box front with Mini Glue Dots.

5.  Assemble the box using Sticky Strip.

Box Insert: 

1.  Cut a 3" X 4-1/2" piece of black cardstock.  Score at 1/2" on all sides.

2.  Using the 1-1/4" Circle Punch, punch to circles from a Post-it Note so you have a bit of the sticky on it.  Position these circles in the center section of the box.  

3.  Flip the 1-1/4" Circle Punch over, center the Post-it Notes and punch again.

4.  Cut on score lines to form tabs.

5.  Assemble with Sticky Strip.

6.  Place the insert in the bottom of the box.

Box Top:

1.  Cut a piece of black cardstock slightly smaller than 7-1/8" X 8-5/8".  Score at 2-1/2" on all sides.

(I cut my cardstock about 1/16" smaller than the given measurements so the box top fits without being too sloppy.)

2.  Cut on score lines to form tabs.

3.  Assemble box top with Sticky Strip.

Box Decorations:  

1.  For the box front cut a piece of Sweater Weather DSP 2-1/4" X 3-1/4".  Stamp the image with Black Stazon-on Ink.

2.  For the box sides cut two pieces of DSP 2" X 2-1/4".

3.  Wrap a Candy Dot Brad around a looped piece of Black Chevron Ribbon.  Add a small button from the Regals Designer Buttons with a Mini Glue dot.

4.  Stamp the Trick or Treat image on DSP with Black Staz-on Ink.  Die cut with the Bitty Banners Framelit.  Bend into shape and adhere with Stampin' Dimensionals.

Tips for the Mummies:

I cut a strip of gauze in half lengthwise so it would fray slightly.  I used transparent tape in a few inconspicuous places to hold the gauze in place. 

These are so cute!!! Give 'em a try!  I would love to hear if you like this tutorial.  I will be back soon with the Holly Jolly Greetings Kit details.