Living in a Gilded Cage

Don't forget! Today is the last day to take advantage of the Spectacular Sale and Free Shipping on orders of $150 or more!! Click HERE for more details!

   After all of the Christmas cards I have been making I decided to take a break for one day. 

   I stamped the birdcage with Versamark and then embossed it in gold. I thought it would look striking against a black background so I used my Big Shot and Elegant Lines embossing folder to create a textured background. 

  Then I had the dilemma of how to hang the birdcage. I used gold brads all in a (slightly crooked) row. I could not find my paper piercing pad so I "winged it". I didn't have time to redo it so pardon the one little  brad that doesn't line up. It's creative license. lol. 

Stamps: Aviary and Fabulous Phrases

Paper: Tempting Turquoise, Basic Black, Whisper White

Ink: Versamark, Basic Black

Accessories: Big Shot, Elegant Lines embossing folder, Gold Embossing Powder, Gold brads, oval punch, Black Satin Ribbon

Hope you have a wonderful, creative day.

Pink (for a change) Poinsettias

  I have to admit, I am a red poinsettia lover - not that I love poinsettias so much - I just love red alot! Red birds, red flowers, red coffee pots, red, red, red. But being the impartial person that I am, I made these poinsettias pink! 

  And this really is a card, not just a card front. It opens on the right which you don't see in the photo. 

Stamps: Bells and Boughs (Holiday Mini)

Paper: Almost Artichoke, Blushing Bride, Very Vanilla cardstock

Deck the Halls designer paper, Watercolor paper

Ink: Black Stazon, Stampin' Up! Markers, Almost Artichoke

Accessories: Corner Rounder Punch, Oval Punch, 1 3/4" Circle Punch, Vanilla Satin Ribbon

Thanks for stopping!

Elegant Scraps

   If you remember my card from yesterday, you know about my scraps - punched and otherwise! So in my continuous quest to use some of those scraps, I made another Christmas Card...elegant and vintage. At least that's the look I was aiming for :)

   Once again I stamped and colored an image from Bells and Boughs and then built my card around it using some scraps. I don't always work that way, by the way. That's how I get so many scraps. lol.

   I knew I wanted to use the large circle so I added my image to that and it all flowed from there. I don't know how I feel about the button but I let it stay cause I am also trying to use up my buttons. I have tons!

Stamps: Bells and Boughs (Holiday Mini)

Paper: Deck the Halls designer paper (Holiday Mini), Almost Artichoke cardstock, Watercolor paper

Ink: Black Stazon, Stampin' Up! Markers

Accessories: Big Shot, Clear Circle die, Scalloped Border Punch, Corner Rounder Punch, Oval Punch, Basic Pearls, Crochet Trim, Big Designer Button (Holiday Mini)

Stay tuned for more tomorrow. Have a blessed day!

What do I do with all those scraps?

   I have a container full of punched shapes. I seriously have no idea how I got so many or why? But I do, so I try to use them when I think of it, which is what I did with today's card.

   I started off by stamping and coloring the bell from Bells and Boughs stamp set. Then I cut it out and said, "Now what?"! I had this lovely colored image but it is so small I needed to build up around it. 

  I went to my Stampin' Success magazine (a Stampin' Up! publication for demonstrators) and found a card layout that would work. Then I just added some shapes and embellishments. Finally I used my Stamp-a-ma-jig and stamped a sentiment. 

  All of this is layered on Very Vanilla textured cardstock. LOVE that stuff! Again... I forget to use it!

Stamps: Bells and Boughs (Holiday Mini) and Come To Bethlehem

Paper: Very Vanilla Textured Cardstock, Watercolor Paper

Very Vanilla, Real Red, Almost Artichoke, Deck the Halls designer paper

Ink: Black Stazon, Almost Artichoke, SU Markers

Accessories: Big Shot, Petals-a-Plenty embossing folder, Oval Punch, 1 3/4" Circle Punch, Decorative Label Punch, Stamp-a-ma-jig, Basic Rhinestones

Have a wonderful weekend!

Happy Shopping Day!

  Hopefully you didn't camp out in front of a store last night! I didn't, that's for sure!! 

  I thought it would be fun to make a card for today, THE shopping day of the year! It is simple and straightforward with only a few details, namely the scalloped textured border at the bottom and the polka dot background behind the stamped image. 

  And speaking of shopping, don't forget the Stampin' Up! Spectacular Sale going on now through November 30th. 

   I used the Fabulous Phrases stamp set to personalize the focal point. I love that stamp set and bought it in clear mount which makes it so much more affordable. 

Stamps: Fabulous Phrases, Things I love, and Dot, Dot, Dot

Paper: Whisper White, Baja Breeze, Real Red, Candy Cane Christmas dsp

Ink: Baja Breeze, Garden Green, Real Red

Accessories: Big Designer Button, Big Shot, Perfect Polka Dots embossing folder, Scalloped Border Punch

If you are shopping today, have fun! If you're not - well - still have fun!

Happy Thanksgiving and a Tag

   Today is my favorite holiday of the year and I have so much to be thankful for! That is what Thanksgiving means to me - giving thanks. I'm a vegetarian so turkey holds no appeal whatsoever! lol. But I do like all of the vegetables and pumpkin pie :) I thought of listing some of the things I am thankful for but decided it is too personal.

  Instead I just want to wish you all a Happy Thanksgiving and thank you for following my blog!

  I have a simple tag to share with you today. I love the Day of Gratitude stamp set and decided to incorporate the "medallion" from that set into a Christmas Tag. Who says we can't use that stamp set past  Thanksgiving?!

  One of the nice thing about tags is they are a small surface area to cover so they are a great way to use up scraps!

Stamps: Perfect Punches and Day of Gratitude (Holiday Mini)

Paper: Wild Wasabi, Real Red, Whisper White

Ink: Garden Green, Real Red

Accessories: Big Shot, Two Tags die, Petals-a-Plenty embossing folder, Scallop Circle punch, 1 3/8" Circle punch, Scallop Trim Border Punch, Oval punch, Basic Pearls, Real Red grosgrain ribbon, Glimmer Brad, dimensionals

Have a wonderful day with family, friends, pets, or just yourself!

What a Dear

  As far as I know this is the last, the grand finale (not really), the caboose, the end - well you get the picture - of my seasonal Fancy Favor Boxes.

  I just couldn't resist making a Reindeer. I know this one has a red nose but I don't know if I want him to be Rudolph. I just happen to like reindeer, so for now, he is just a plain ole reindeer who happens to be wearing a red hat and has a very cold nose!

  Since he is a little different than the others, I thought I would give some details.

1. Make the Fancy Favor Box from Chocolate Chip cardstock. Assemble.

2. Punch a Wide Oval from Crumb Cake cardstock and sponge it with Chocolate Chip ink. 

3. Punch a Real Red circle with a 3/4" Circle Punch and adhere to the Crumb Cake Oval.

4. Draw a smile with a Basic Black Marker.

5. Attach the Crumb Cake Oval to the front of the box and add two Basic Black circles punched with 1/2" Circle Punch. Add white dots with Signo Gel Pen.

6. Make a scalloped trim from Whisper White Cardstock using the Big Shot and Tasteful Trim bigz die. Adhere to the edge of the box - all the way around. 

7. Make the hat which is a sandwich of ears and antlers between two Real Red circles.

• Punch two circles from Real Red cardstock using the 2 1/2" Circle Punch. Texturize these with the Big Shot and Petals-a-Plenty embossing folder.
• Punch two small ovals from Chocolate Chip cardstock for the ears. Adhere to one of the Real Red circles.
• Die cut two leaves from Crumb Cake cardstock with the Big Shot and Leaves #2 die. Sponge the edges. Adhere these behind the ears.
• Punch a circle from Whisper White cardstock with the 1" Circle Punch. Attach this to the Real Red Circle. 
• Adhere the other Real Red circle to make your "sandwich". By doing it this way, the back of the box will look finished.

  This Reindeer box is my favorite among Santa, the Snowman, the Gingerbread Man, and the Penguin. Do you have a favorite? If so, which one? 

I'll post tomorrow but in case you don't stop in, have a wonderful Thanksgiving! 

March of the Fancy Favor Box

   I kind of got side tracked from my parade of seasonal Fancy Favor Boxes, found Here, and Here, and Here, what with the Blog Tour and all. But I am back with another one to tickle your fancy. Ha Ha - no pun intended!

  Animal lover that I am, I had to make a Penguin Fancy Favor Box cause those little guys in their "tuxedos" are just too darn cute. I took the basic idea from my Penguin Candy Bar Cover and made it into a box.

  You can't tell easily from the picture, but the feet are a punched heart and the wings are punched ovals. Fill him with some candy, homemade goodies, an ornament, whatever you can think of! And you could stamp a sentiment on his tummy or make a tag and hang it off the side.

Stamps: none

Paper: Basic Black, Whisper White, Pumpkin Pie cardstock

Ink: none

Accessories: Big Shot, Fancy Favor Box Bigz die, Ovals die, Heart Punch, Heart to Heart Punch, Oval Punch, Black Brads, Real Red Grosgrain Ribbon, dimensionals

I have another seasonal box for you tomorrow. In the meantime, I hope you have a creative day and thanks for stopping by!

A Spectacular Sale and a Snowman Candy Bar Cover

 Spectacular News! Stampin' Up! is having a SALE on lots of items this week only. And FREE SHIPPING on orders of $150 or more (before s & h)!! Check it out.

Click here to see this Spectacular Sale!

Well I am back with another Candy Bar Cover for your enjoyment! I told you I was having fun! If you haven't seen the Penguins click HERE.

I made another one, only this is a Snowman - well hopefully you can tell that by the picture. lol.

He holds a chocolate candy bar, and is sure to warm someone's heart this winter!

The directions and dimensions are the same as the large Penguin - tutorial found by clicking HERE. The supplies are different of course. They are:

Stamps: none but you could stamp a sentiment at the bottom.

Paper: Whisper White, Real Red, Basic Black, Baja Breeze, Peach Parfait cardstock; Candy Cane specialty designer paper 

Ink: Basic Black and Peach Parfait markers, Blushing Bride ink

Accessories: Big Shot, Tasteful Trim Bigz die, Northern Frost Decorative Strip, Perfect Polka Dots Textured Impressions Embossing Folder, Oval Punch, 2 1/2" Circle Punch, 1/2" Circle Punch and 3/4" Circle Punch, Glimmer Brad, Signo White Gel Pen, Sticky Strip, 5-Petal Flower Punch, sponge

**This, and all of my creations, are posted for you to enjoy and be inspired. I do humbly ask though, that if you use my ideas, to please link back to my blog and/or give me credit. Thanks for understanding!

Hope you have a happy, stamping kind of day.

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Penguin Candy Bar Cover-tutorial

  I hope you enjoyed the Control Freaks Blog Tour! I know I did, and the Holiday Gift ideas were Amazing! If you haven't taken the tour, it's never too late - just click HERE.

  And as promised here are the directions for my Penguin Candy Bar Covers. First up is the larger Penguin which fits the standard size chocolate candy bar. 

Here are all the pieces you will need. 

1. Cut a 5 1/2" x 8 1/2" piece of Basic Black cardstock to measure 5 1/2" x 5 1/2". Score at 1/2" and apply Sticky Strip along the scored side. Save the remaining piece for the Smaller Penguin.

2. Punch two Real Red circles with the 2 1/2" Circle Punch. Trim both to 1 1/2". This is the hat.

3. Using the Big Shot and Tasteful Trim Bigz die, cut trim from Whisper White cardstock. Then trim it to measure 6 1/2" inches. Save the rest for the Smaller Penguin.

4. Again using the Big Shot and Ovals die, cut the largest oval from Whisper White cardstock. This is the tummy.

5. Using the Big Shot and Northern Frost Decorative Strip, cut snowflakes from Whisper White cardstock. 

6. Punch a heart from Whisper White cardstock with the Full Heart Punch. This will be the face. Add two Black Brads for eyes.

7. Punch hearts from Peach Parfait cardstock using the Heart to Heart Punch. Adhere the short, wide heart to the face. Save the smallest heart for the Smaller Penguin.

8. Punch a butterfly from Peach Parfait cardstock using the Butterfly Punch. Cut it straight across with scissors eliminating the bottom set of wings. 

9. Punch two ovals from Basic Black cardstock using the 1 3/4" x 7/8" Large Oval Punch. These are the wings.

Here is what everything looks like cut, trimmed and ready to go.

   10. Peel of the red layer from the Sticky Strip and firmly, wrap the Basic Black cardstock around the candy bar so the seam ends up in the middle of the back. You want the candy bar to be able to slide out when gently pulled. 

11. Add a Glimmer Brad to the center of your snowflake(s) and then add the snowflake to the top of one of the Real Red circles. I poked the brad through all of the layers.

12. With the seam of the candy bar cover in the back add the hat. To do this adhere the trimmed Real Red circles to the top of the candy bar wrapper, front and back. Then add the trim by beginning in the front. I used snail to hold it in place. Wrap it around so it ends up in the back. You may need to trim it.

Front of the Penguin.

13. Stamp your saying from the Got Treats stamp set in Real Red ink to the center of the large White Oval. 

14. I found it easiest to adhere the two Basic Black Ovals (wings) to the large White Oval before adhering that to the Penguin's body. Once you do that adhere the tummy and wings to the body.

15. Adhere the heart shaped face from step 6, and add the Peach Parfait feet from step 8.

Note: I kept the candy bar in it while I added the hat and body.

The smaller Penguin fits a snack size candy bar and is basically the same process, just different dimensions.

1. From the Basic Black cardstock that you saved from Step 1 of the large Penguin, cut it to measure 3" x 3 1/2". Score at 1/2"on the 3 1/2" side. Add Sticky Strip. 

2. Using the Whisper White cardstock trim from Step 3 of the large Penguin, cut it to measure 3 1/2".

3. Use the 1 1/4" Circle Punch and punch two circles from Real Red cardstock. Trim of 7/8" and keep the larger pieces. These will be the hat.

4. Punch two Ovals from Basic Black cardstock using the 1 3/8" x 5/8" Oval Punch. These are the wings.

5. Punch an oval from Whisper White cardstock using the 1 3/4" x 7/8" Oval Punch for the tummy.

6. Punch hearts from Whisper White cardstock with the Heart to Heart Punch. The long, thin one will be the face. Add two Black Brads and the tiny Peach Parfait heart from Step 7 of the large Penguin.

7. I forgot to photograph the snowflake but use one from Step 5 of the large Penguin.

Here are all of the pieces (minus the snowflake) all trimmed and ready to go.

8. Assemble the small Penguin the same way as the large. I didn't stamp a sentiment because I didn't think to do it!

I think I covered it all! 

**This, and all of my creations, are posted for you to enjoy and be inspired. I do humbly ask though, that if you use my ideas, to please link back to my blog and/or give me credit. Thanks for understanding!

 I will be posting another special treat for you tomorrow. I am just having too much fun! 

Control Freak Blog Tour - Holiday Gifts

Welcome to the November Control Freaks Blog Tour! 

This month's tour features a Holiday Gift and Snow Theme

and officially starts tomorrow, November 20th so be sure to check back. You won't want to miss any of the wonderful ideas and inspiration!

  If you arrived from the talented Patty Bennett's blog: Patty's Stamping Spot, you are in the right place. If you are just beginning the tour with my blog, that's ok because you can complete the Blog Tour by following the links at the end of each Control Freak's post. Enjoy!

   Do you ever need an inexpensive gift for a coworker or acquaintance, or a little something for a stocking? I know I do - every year as a matter of fact! These festive penguins hold a candy bar and are perfect for a generic holiday gift!

The larger penguin contains a large candy bar for those with a sweet tooth. The little penguin is perfect for the smaller appetite and holds a snack size candy bar.

The candy bar just slides out - easy peasy!

I will be posting the complete directions Sunday, Nov. 21, but just in case... 

here are the supplies.

ETA: The tutorial is now available and can be found by clicking HERE.

Stamps: Got Treats

Paper: Basic Black, Whisper White, Peach Parfait, Real Red

Ink: Real Red

Accessories: Big Shot, Tasteful Trim Die, Northern Frost Decorative Strip, Ovals Original die, Butterfly Punch, Full Heart Punch, Large Oval Punches, XL Circle Punch, Heart to Heart Punch, 1 1/4" Circle Punch, Black Brads, Basic Rhinestone, Silver Glimmer Brad

    Gift cards are so popular these days, and rightly so - they are an easy gift for the hard to buy for people on any list. To make my gift cards extra special, I like to make my own gift card holders. That way the gift is at least somewhat personal!

 The outside of this card looks like a regular Christmas Card, but with the addition of a simple pocket on the inside, it becomes a gift card holder.

   For my focal image I stamped the holly leaves from Bells and Boughs stamp set. Then I used my Stamp-a-ma-jig and stamped and embossed the Aviary bird cage. I added an extra little sprig of holly to the bird cage and hung it with some Black Flourish Designer Jewels.

  In keeping with the music theme I used the Music Notes Wheel and Early Espresso ink to add a layer of musical notes on Deck the Halls designer paper.

   The inside of the card contains a little pocket for the gift card, a sentiment and a place to write a personal message. Note: The gift card happens to have a stripe on it which makes it look like a package which is purely coincidental! Now I could have just slid the card into the pocket and been done with it but I wanted to make the gift card stand out. To do this, I attached the gift card with a Mini Glue Dot to a tag cut from the Two Tags die. The Glimmer Brad is purely decorative!

This is the back of the gift card which gives a better view of the tag.

Stamps: Aviary, Bells and Boughs (Holiday Mini), Music Notes Wheel

Paper: Cherry Cobbler, Brushed Gold, Very Vanilla cardstock, Deck the Halls dsp (Holiday Mini), and Watercolor Paper

Ink: Versamark, Black Stazon, Early Espresso, SU Markers

Accessories: Big Shot, Two Tags die, Mini Glue Dots, Glimmer Brad, Black Flourish Designer Jewels (Holiday Mini), Gold Embossing Powder, Stamp-a-ma-jig, Cherry Cobbler Seam Binding Ribbon

  My part of the Control Freak's Blog Tour is over and it is time to move on. Your next stop is Wendy Weixler's blog: Wickedly Wonderful Creations where you will be entertained and inspired!

To get there, just click on Wendy's blog's name, or on the Control Freak icon below. 

Have fun! 

Awww Isn't He Handsome?

Reminder: Control Freak's Blog Tour will officially begin tomorrow (Saturday), but I will be posting my Holiday Gifts later today. Hopefully you can check back today or tomorrow!

I do have something to show you now though.  

If you have been following my blog you may remember this post found HERE. My brother and his family faced the loss of their beloved dog and I would like to say thank you for the comments and emails I received regarding their loss. It is obvious that, like me, many of you are dog lovers! 

  Well 3 weeks ago my brother and his family gave this handsome fellow a new home! Meet Luca, a Greater Swiss Mountain Dog. He was 8 weeks old when they brought him home so he is 10 weeks in this picture - a big boy!!

  I haven't met him yet, but will when we stop there on our way to Ohio for Thanksgiving. I can't wait! I was not familiar with this breed but from what my brother tells me they make wonderful family dogs and Luca is proving that to be true. The children adore him and vice versa. I am so happy for them.

  See ya later - thanks for checking in.

Winter Scene in Sepia

Christmas is coming......and so is the Control Freak's Blog Tour on Saturday, November 20th. Need ideas for gifts? Love eye candy (the paper kind)? Then it's the tour for you and I sure hope you can join us.

 In the meantime - so you don't get impatient, I have a Christmas card to show you. Actually you can switch the sentiment and make it any kind of winter card.

 I am having fun with Soft Suede (my Sepia) because it gives a project a nice old fashioned tone. I thought it would be fun to try a Christmas card using only Soft Suede. So here is the result! I went for a soft look in the background which made the deer and pine trees stand out. 

  I did some simple masking to stamp the background, the pine tree, and to make the snowbanks. Once I did that I stamped the deer and the sentiment (with a stamp-a-ma-jig). 

  The stamped panel is mounted with dimensionals to a pure Whisper White card - no sponging on the base card even though the photo makes it seem like I did. 

And you know what? I liked this card so much I made another, more involved version, which I will be showing you at a later date. And I also have another seasonal Fancy Favor Box to show you, I'm just taking a break for now.

Stamps: Lovely as a Tree, Forest Friends, Cardinal Christmas (sentiment only)

Paper: Whisper White

Ink: Soft Suede

Accessories: dimensionals, sponge, Stamp-a-ma-jig

Once again, thanks for stopping by. 

A Ticket to the North Pole Please...

     Well I hope my Snowman doesn't leave for the North Pole - he still has work to do!

   And here is yet another seasonal Fancy Favor Box complete with button earmuffs, pink cheeks, sparkly eyes, and a bright Striped Ribbon scarf! If I haven't convinced you yet that you need the Fancy Favor Box bigz die, maybe Mr. Snowman will! He would be perfect filled with candy canes or packets of cocoa mix or maybe some soup mix!  

   Mr Snowman joins my parade of seasonal Fancy Favor Boxes. Click Here and Here for the others!

Here is how to make your own:

1. Make your Fancy Favor Box with Whisper White cardstock. Assemble.

2. Punch two 1/2" circles from Basic Black cardstock using the 1/2" Circle Punch. Add little white dots with a Uniball Signo Gel Pen. Attach to the front of the box.

3. Punch two 1" circles from Whisper White cardstock using the 1" Circle Punch. Sponge the edges with Pretty in Pink ink. Attach to the front of the box.

4. Draw a crocked mouth with a Basic Black Marker.

5. To make the nose: Use the 5-Petal Flower Punch and punch a flower from Peach Parfait cardstock. Cut one of the petals to be the nose. Use a Peach Parfait Marker to draw curved lines. Attach.

6. Tie a piece of Real Red Striped Grosgrain Ribbon around the bottom to represent a scarf.

7. Cut a strip of Real Red cardstock 1" x 7". Attach it to the outside of the box. Add a Real Red Big Designer Button to each end, representing ear muffs.

Hey stamper friends - the Control Freaks Blog Tour is coming fast! Saturday, November 20th to be exact. Need some Holiday gift ideas? Just askin'. 

Thanks for stopping.

Run, Run, As Fast As You Can....

   You can't catch me, I'm the Gingerbread Man! What can I say? I'm a children's Librarian - I love to quote books! 

   This is the second seasonal Fancy Favor Box I made. After yesterday's Santa Box, I had leftover White zigzag trim made the Tasteful Trim bigz die. It reminded me of trim on a Gingerbread Man so I made this yummy box. Speaking of yummy, I wish I had some gingerbread cookies to put in it! 

This box is super easy and is a perfect size for a cello bag filled with a few gingerbread men or other cookies. 

Here are the step by step directions:

1. Make a Fancy Favor Box with Crumb Cake cardstock and the Big Shot. Assemble then sponge the edges with Chocolate Chip Ink.

2. Trim the top and bottom with Whisper White zigzag trim made with the Tasteful Trim bigz die.

3. Punch a circle from Crumb Cake cardstock with the 2 1/2" Circle Punch. Sponge the edges with Chocolate Chip ink.

4. Add 2 White Brads for the eyes.

5. To make the smile - hopefully I can explain this: Use the 1 3/4" Circle Punch and slide a piece of Whisper White cardstock 1/3 of the way into the punch. Punch and discard that little piece you just punched. Now slide the piece of cardstock a little further into the punch and punch what will look like a smile!

6. Punch two Pretty in Pink 1/2" circles with the 1/2" Circle Punch and add these to the face.

7. To make the handle: Cut a strip of Crumb Cake cardstock 1" x 11" and attach it to the inside of the box. Sponge.

8. Tie a piece of Real Red Satin Ribbon around the handle.

Thanks for stopping in today. Stay tuned for more tomorrow.

Ho Ho Ho

I am having so much fun making seasonal boxes with my Big Shot and the Fancy Favor Box die. Today's project is a Santa Box that uses some punches and the Tasteful Trim die. So simple but oh so cute! Can't you just see this filled with treats or a special gift?

Here are the step by step directions for you:

1. Make the Fancy Favor Box from Real Red cardstock (cut and assemble). Set this aside for now.

2. Make the trim from Whisper White cardstock and the Tasteful Trim die. 

3. Make Santa's face but do not attach it to the box yet. First cut a piece of Very Vanilla cardstock

 2 1/4" x 3". Then center, and attach a piece of White scallop trim cut (from step 2) to the top of the Vanilla cardstock.

4. Add Black Glimmer brads for the eyes and a Red Glimmer brad for the nose.

5. Cut a 3" piece of the large zig zag trip (from step 2) but cut it so the "valley" is in the center. It will look like a beard. Lightly sponge with Crumb Cake. Put a small piece of Pretty in Pink cardstock behind it to form the mouth. Attach to the face.

6. Make the mustache from the other piece of trim (step 2). I used scissors to shape it. Lightly sponge with Crumb Cake. Attach it to the face.

7, Adhere the face to the front of the box. Then wrap and adhere the Scallop Trim around the top.

8. Punch a circle from Real Red cardstock with the 2 1/2" circle punch and add a snowflake and button to the top of it. Then add that to the front of the box to make Santa's hat.

9. Cut a strip of Real Red cardstock 1" x  11" and adhere to the inside of the box forming a handle. 

Note: The snowflake was made with the Big Shot and Northern Frost Decorative Strip.

I will posting the other boxes in the days to come. If you have time, stop back and thanks for peeking in on my today!

Gift Card Holder For The Bride

  I am going to a Bridal Shower today - after church of course. Why are most bridal showers on Sundays these days? That is something inquiring minds like mine would like to know. If you have the answer feel free to comment. Now back to the topic at hand. The bride's mother is a friend and the bride is a friend of my daughters' so I really must attend - and it should be fun.

  But sometimes I am a last minute Lucy (or Lisa) and as of 8:00 pm Friday night I didn't have a gift, or card, plus I had to work all day yesterday. So I stopped at the grocery store and got a gift card. I love that I can do that - get gift cards at our grocery store. 

  I remembered an adorable gift card holder that Vicki Burdick had made and posted on our Stampin' Up! demonstrator website. I can't show you that, but I can point you to her blog found HERE.

I followed her directions: 4 x 8 cardstock folded in half to equal 4 x 4 with a half circle punched in the top. The 2 sides are adhered with Sticky Strip. 

I layered a piece of Blushing Bride designer paper on the front with a piece of White Satin Ribbon sandwiched between.

The "top" of the package is 3 x4 folded in half to equal 1 1/2" x 4".  More Blushing Bride designer paper was cut to fit the front but before I layered that, I added a piece of White Satin Ribbon, a strip of Scallop Border Trim, and the "bow". All of these were sandwiched between the designer paper and the cardstock.

The "bow" was done with the Big Shot and the Lattice die. I trimmed off 2 pieces of White and 2 pieces of Blushing Bride so each of them had 4 points. 3 of the points are visible, one point was attached to the box. I held them all together with a Rhinestone Brad. 

  A simple sentiment stamped with the set Oval All was added to the front of the box using dimensionals.

 The inside looks like this. I stamped a sentiment from Curvy Verses and signed my name. You can see the gift card tucked inside. I added the word "pull" (I wish we had a stamp like that!!) so the bride won't think I am cheap and realizes there is a gift card in there!

  How to keep it closed? I didn't have any velcro so I dug around and found 2 little magnets and they worked perfectly!

Stamps: Curvy Verses and Oval All

Paper: Blushing Bride, White, and Blushing Bride designer paper (Hostess Pack)

Ink: Blushing Bride

Accessories: Big Shot, Lattice die, White Satin Ribbon, Rhinestone Brad, Basic Rhinestones, Circle punch, Oval punch, Scallop Oval punch, Scallop Trim Border Punch, Slit punch, magnets (non SU)

Have a blessed day!

Paper and Button Christmas Tree

   I hope I am not rushing the season for you by posting a Christmas tree already but I am always "in December" these days!

  As many of you know,  I work in our local Public Library and when we check out books to patrons the due date is always 3 weeks from the time of check out. So today, for example, the books will be due December 4th. As a result of this, I am constantly thinking in terms of 3 weeks ahead so my mind is in December which makes me think of Christmas which makes me think of Christmas decorations!

  I made this adorable Paper and Button tree in no time at all. It just takes a styrofoam base (I used green), some beautiful Deck The Halls designer paper, Big Designer Buttons and LOTS of Sticky Strip!

I anticipated lots of "how tos" so I typed out the following directions:

  Before I began I covered the styrofoam tree with Always Artichoke cardstock, cut to fit. You may not need this step because the paper strips cover it completely. 

 Next I cut strips of Deck the Halls designer paper in 12" x 1.5" lengths. Lay a strip of Sticky Strip across the top and before you remove the red protective layer, cut the designer paper into 3/4" sections. I did this by hand cause I was afraid it would gunk up my paper cutter. It is easier to clean scissors. 

  After they were cut, I rolled the strips around my paper piercer (any round object will do) to get the ends to flip up. And then I proceeded to stick them around the tree alternating the rows. 

  I added Big Designer Buttons here and there by applying Sticky Strip to the button. Then once the base of the tree was done I had to figure out what to do with the top! So I punched a circle from designer paper with my 2 1/2" circle punch. I made that into a cone to fit the top of the tree. There was some overlap on the edges of the cone so I just cut that off. 

  After I stepped back and looked at it I thought about Gold Glow Smooch Spritz and how awesome that would look! So I Spritzed my tree really well and it looks fabulous in real life. 

Note: Because the buttons don't absorb the Smooch Spritz, I had to wipe some of them off with a Q-Tip.  Therefore, I would recommend Smooching before you add the buttons if you can. You might want to smooch the paper before cutting it into strips even. 

  Last of all - for the top I added a Cherry Cobbler bow made from Seam Binding Ribbon.

I am sooo pleased with how this tree turned out. I am thinking of doing one using the Candy Cane specialty paper too! If I do, you can be sure I will post a picture!

Stamps: None

Paper: Always Artichoke cardstock, Deck the Halls designer paper (Holiday Mini)

Ink: none

Accessories: Cherry Cobbler Seam Binding Ribbon (Holiday Mini), Big Designer Buttons (Holiday Mini), Gold Glow Smooch Spritz, Styrofoam cone (craft store)

  

Hope you have a creative day.