Treats!

How about some treats to start off your busy day?  Here are some ideas for treats --- all with our gorgeous cherry cobbler!  

Whether a bag, a box or a jar, there's no better way to make someone's day than to share a treat with them --- especially when it's hand made.

Be creative in what you put into your treat container, too.  Here, I've used chocolate, peppermint kisses and tags.  So, it doesn't always have to be food or candy.

For more ideas, check out these Fancy Favor Boxes for gift containers.  You can also go to the search box and type in gifts, gift boxes, gift card holders, etc., to find lots more ideas here on my blog.

Come back soon for even more gift giving ideas.  Have a great day and a great week.

Joy ... Framed

Reminders:
Today's the last day for our Online Extravaganza, so check out the bargains.

Be sure you've marked your calendars for Dec. 11, 2:00-5:00.
It's my Christmas Open House/Customer Appreciation Event and all my customers are invited.  There will be games, prizes, displays to inspire you, goodies, my Christmas Boutique (I have LOTS of gift items this year!!!) and a FREE Make and Take project for those who give me an RSVP.  Come and join in on the fun.

Now, for today's project:
I love making framed projects.  This one is quite 3-dimensional, so I attached it on TOP of the glass.  I didn't even have to open the frame.  I wanted it to be in a grid of squares, so I used my Simply Scored tool to help make the job easy.  I took my 12 X 12" piece of textured white CS to my Simply Scored and scored it every 3 inches.  I turned the CS and did the same process, which gave it score lines horizontally and vertically creating 16 boxes -- each being 3" square.
From there, it was a matter of adding lots of layers, texture and embellishments.  I stamped, embossed, die cut, punched and embellished to my heart's desire.  Here's the final result:

Here are some close-ups:

You'll notice that I used more of the glimmer paper, both red and silver.
Tip:
I found a great frame at my local craft store that is perfect for 12 X 12" projects.  It's a frame designed for record album collectors.  Wait for the store to have frames on sale and stock up for future projects.

1 more tip:
I used Liquid Tombow glue to attach a lot of the pieces in my project (also dimensionals).  It works great and has a strong hold.  You don't want your project to fall apart:)

Framed projects make great gifts, so try creating some for your friends and family.  They can use theirs to decorate their homes for the holidays for years to come.

While you're online, don't forget to check out the Online Extravaganza.  Today's the last day!!!
Now go get busy on those Christmas projects.

Holiday Gifts from my Everything Christmas Class

We had so much fun at my Everything Christmas class.  I had candles going, Christmas music playing and there was a lot of laughing, chatting and creating going on all during the day!  Here are some of the projects we made.

...a decorated clothespin (note card or recipe card holder)  (Frostwood Lodge DSP / Winter Wishes felt pieces / buttons from Holly Berry Bouquet product suite)

...Kraft gift box with quilt square decorating the top  (Frostwood Lodge DSP / antique brad)

...shaker fridge magnet (difficult to get a good photo because of the shiny top)

...snowman ornament (could hold a little treat or surprise gift) --- made from an empty button or brads container --- Start saving yours!  (Winter Wishes felt pieces)

...decorated stamp case with a coordinating notepad inside  (Frostwood Lodge DSP / Winter Wishes felt pieces)

...note pad holder (Holly Berry Bouquet DSP / Winter Wishes felt pieces)

 ...tin with tags inside (Winter Wishes felt pieces)

...10 tags inside tin  (Frostwood Lodge DSP)

...snowman made from our decor blocks (Winter Wishes felt pieces / Frostwood Lodge DSP)

I hope these inspire you to create some cute little gifts of your own.  Happy Stamping!

Don't forget to check out the Online Extravaganza this week!!!

More Gift Card Holder Ideas!

Before we get started, here's a reminder:  I have a few spaces and/or kits available for my Everything Christmas class and the Christmas Countdown class.  Contact me today if you're interested.

Today, I want to give you a couple of gift card holder ideas that are super simple, super fast to make, super cute and super fun.  How cool is that?
Here we go!
This first one is super simple.

Here's the inside, along with my faux gift card.

Remember the 8 1/2 X 11" piece of CS that we cut off a piece that was 5 1/2 X 11" for our Top Note gift card holder?  It left you with a piece of 3 X 11" CS.  I told you to save that piece for another project.  This is it!  I love it when you can make multiple projects that leave absolutely no waste at all!  It makes for easy clean-up, too:)

Score @ 3 3/4, 5 1/2, and 7 1/4" using our Simply Scored tool.  Fold in 1/2 and then fold the outer two pieces the opposite direction from the center fold.  It creates a 'w' fold.  If you think it looks familiar, you're right.  It's the same fold we did with our 5 1/2 X 11" CS that we cut into the Top Note gift card holder.

Use the Word Window punch (just like we did with the Top Note gift card holder) to create an opening to hold your gift card.  Center it and nip off the edge of the center of the fold first and then nip a little off each side until it's wide enough to hold your gift card.

Turn it over and attach Sticky Strip or Liquid Tombow glue (I used the Tombow), placing it ONLY where I've drawn the squiggly line.  This will hold the center of your gift card holder together.

See how nicely it holds your gift card.  Who wouldn't want that to pop up when they opened the card!

Now, you're ready to decorate the outside.  My DSP is from our Holly Berry Bouquet product suite.  The DSP  is 2 3/4 X 3 1/2."  I used a snowflake from our Winter Wishes felt pieces and topped it with a coordinating button.  I intentionally kept the 'decorating' of the outside of the gift card holder quick and simple to make because --- my intention here is to show you quick but cute holiday projects.  Remember, out goal this year is to actually FINISH our projects:)

Now, grab some CS and get started!!!  Enjoy!

But wait, you're thinking: "She said there was another one today, too."  Yes, there is!  It is beyond super simple.  Crank up your Big Shot and here we go!

This gift card holder is made with the Two Tags die and the Big Shot.

Start with a piece of 3" X 11" CS.  Score it in the middle (5 1/2") and fold it with a bone folder.

Place the fold on top of your die just UNDER where it would normally cut the bottom of the tag.  I've laid my cut tag on top of the die and you can see how it doesn't cover the entire shape because I wanted the bottom of the tag to be a fold.

Here's why this is such a super simple project.  After you fold the CS and cut the tag, decorate the front with a piece of 2 1/2 X 3 1/4" DSP, insert your gift card, and add a little ribbon to hold it closed.  Done!

I've used the Holly Berry Bouquet DSP on mine, along with another Winter Wishes felt piece --- quick, fun and simple.  The little slit is automatically cut when you run the die through the Big Shot.  This is what holds your gift card.

Here's an added bonus.  This tag/gift card holder + the first one I showed today could be placed into our open ended envelopes (made for 3 X 6" cards) in case you want your gift card to be more secure.

So here you have it --- two gift card holders that are super quick, simple and fun.  Ok, now you can go grab that CS.
Contact me if you need any supplies to make your projects.  Happy stamping!


PS
Be sure you check my blog tomorrow because I have exciting news that you won't want to miss.  Here's a hint:

Let's Talk Giving...Gift Card Holders

Let's face it.  There are many times when giving a gift card works out better than a larger package.  Also, there are some people in your life for whom you never know what to give them - so a gift card works great.  You KNOW they'll choose something they like.  The problem with a gift card is that it seems so tiny under the Christmas tree compared to all those beautifully wrapped packages.  OR... sometimes you do actually need to mail a gift card, but you still want it to look nice.

So today, and over the next several posts, let's talk giving -- gift cards, that is -- and doing it up right!  It's all in the packaging.

This cute little gift card holder --- yes, it holds a gift card --- is made with the Top Note die.
See...here's the inside with a 'faux gift card.'

Here's how you do it.
Take an 8 1/2 X 11" piece of CS.  Cut it to 5 1/2 X 11" and save the 3 X 11" piece that you remove.  We'll use it for another gift card holder in my next post.

Take your 5 1/2 X 11" piece and score it at 3 3/4", 5 1/2", and 7 1/4" using the Simply Scored tool.  If you plan on making several of these gift card holders, use your place markers on the Simply Scored tool and you will be able to score several gift card holders in record time.

Fold on the center fold, to fold it in half.  Fold the outer two score lines in the opposite direction.  You get a 'valley' - 'mountain' - 'valley' fold going on here, so it creates a sort of 'w' shape.

Close your CS, folded.  (You'll have the 2 outer folds -- left, in above photo -- on the edge and the middle fold encased inside.)

Place the outer folds onto the Top Note die, as shown below.   
The folds will be just below the lower curves in the die.  I've placed a vanilla Top Note shape under our project, so you can see where the lines on the die would be.  Run this through the Big Shot.  It will be bulky, but it will go.  One side may get stuck a bit down in the die, so just carefully pull it out.

Here's the shape you will have made once you run it through the Big Shot.

Turn your piece over.  Now, you need adhesive.  You can use our Sticky Strip or Liquid Tombow for a strong hold.  (I used the Liquid Tombow.)  Place the adhesive ONLY where I have shown with the squiggly lines.   

Once you've secured the middle section with your adhesive, you need to create an opening to slip in your gift card.  I drew around a gift card to use as a template.  I cut my opening with the word window punch, starting in the center and then punching a tiny bit more on each side.  Keep stopping to 'fit' your gift card template into the opening so you'll know when it's the right size.
Tip:  You only punch a tiny bit off the fold.  It does NOT need to go very far down into the center.

Now you're ready to decorate, as desired.  I cut a piece of Frostwood Lodge DSP with the Top Note die, cut along the dotted lines and attached it to the front of my gift card holder.  Then I trimmed off the straight side.  I stamped and embossed the greeting with the Word Play stamp set and punched it out with our ornament punch.  I attached it with dimensionals and added a knotted bow of cherry cobbler ribbon.

Note:
Be sure to remove your gift card template and add a real gift card before giving:)

Trust me, this tutorial was much more complicated to write than it was to actually make this cute little holder.  Give it a try.
By the way, my tutorials are intended to give you ideas as well as a reference to details for a project.  For more guidance and information, please sign up for a class or book a workshop.  When you come to a class or workshop, you get all the help you need + everything is already prepared for your projects.  I figure out how much to order, what sizes to make, what designs to use, what projects to do, etc., etc.....  You just sit down, create and enjoy!
  
UPCOMING CLASSES AND EVENTS:

Nov. 19 / Pay to register by Nov. 17.

1:00-3:00  EVERYTHING CHRISTMAS CLASS / $25. 
(5 cards that sparkle + 5 projects - OR 2 ea. of 5 cards -  OR 10 projects!!!)

OR

3:00-6:00  CHRISTMAS COUNTDOWN CLASS / $35.
Make project similar to p. 36 in Holiday Mini.

TAKE BOTH CLASSES FOR $45.!!!

DECEMBER EVENTS

Dec. 5

Deadline to order Stamp Set of the Month:  CHRISTMAS LODGE.

Take SSOTM Class for ½ price!

ORDER STAMP SET + FROSTWOOD LODGE DSP (FROM HOLIDAY MINI) AND TAKE SSOTM CLASS FOR FREE!

Dec. 5

Hostess Scrapbook Club.

Dec. 11

Customer Appreciation Event and Bingo Party!!! / 2:00-5:00 / ‘No Fee’ Event.

I’ll have refreshments, a Christmas Boutique, free kits for a project (for those who RSVP) Christmas displays to enjoy and we’ll play Bingo!  Here’s hoping you win a prize!

I’ll have your Bingo Cards ready for you to stamp and will tell you how many points you’ve earned (squares to stamp) and you’ll stamp your cards when you get here.*

Dec. 12

Scraps & Prayers / 6:00-8:00 / Pay ($10.) to register by Dec. 10.

Dec. 15

Stamp Set of the Month Class:  CHRISTMAS LODGE.

6:00-8:30 / Pay ($16.) to register by Dec. 13.

½ price for those who ordered SSOTM by Dec. 5.

FREE for those who ordered SSOTM + Frostwood Lodge DSP by Dec. 5.

*REMINDER about how you earn Bingo points:

ONE POINT:

For every $25.00 you spend with me  …

(any order, including online from my website).

THREE POINTS:

When you join Hostess Scrapbook Club.

ONE POINT:

For each class you take with me.

FIVE POINTS:

For EACH workshop you host (and earns hostess benefits).

The Fancy Favor Box

The Fancy Favor die is one I use all the time.  I love it.  Here are some ideas you can do with it to add some great fun to your holidays.  The sky is the limit when it comes to ideas of what to put inside your cute little gift box.  Get out your dies and punches and have some fun!

Here's the entire gang of cute little critters.

 Use real red CS for the Santa.

Use chocolate chip for the reindeer.  (The antlers are from the leaf die!)

Use crumb cake for the gingerbread man, with lots of sponging for texture.

Use whisper white for the snowman.

Use basic black for the penguin.  (The feet are the large heart punch!)

When you've finished all your cute little critters, try some votives.   These cherry cobbler votive holders have little battery operated 'candles' inside them.  After punching out the snowflake, cover the opening with vellum and the soft light will filter through the opening.

And don't forget this one, using 2 Fancy Favor boxes.

Now go try some of your own and let me know how they turn out.  Maybe you can come up with some new ideas for the Fancy Favor box to share with us.  Happy stamping!