A Glimmer Christmas

Susan and I held our Downline Christmas Party on Sunday. We had a few things planned.  Susan and I provided the sandwich tray and our downlines were asked to bring an appetizer.  There was plenty to eat and it was good.  We also hosted a cookie exchange.  More about that is later post.  

Since everyone is so crafty, we thought everyone could create a Christmas gift and then we would have an exchange.  I have seen more and more Demos creating Home Decor items.  So I decided I would try to come up with one.  Of course the idea I start with is never what I finish with.  I wanted it to be light, cheerful and silvery.  Well I ended up with it be cheery and RED!  Here are some pics of what I ended up with.

I started with the center piece which was created using the Festive Flurry Framelits and coordinating Stamp Set.  Then I looked at the stamp sets that I owned and tried to find ones that would fit in a small space.  My project did not use the 12 x 12 format but instead an 8 x 8 format.  3" x 3" squares are used if you make you project 12 x 12.  But Since I used the 8 x 8 framed shadowbox, I decided to reduce the shares to 1-3/4".  I really wanted to see the 8 x 8 Red Glimmer Paper that I used for the background so the squares had to be a bit smaller.  I also used a lot of rhinestones to give it some sparkle.  After all it needed to be festive.  

The stamp sets that I used for this project were:

STAMP SETS: Best of 25 Years…Christmas, Warmth and Wonder (Hostess Set), Ornament Keepsakes, Festive Flurry, For the Birds, Embellished Events, Wishing You
PAPER:  Red Glimmer Paper, Silver Glimmer Paper Whisper WHite, Silver Foil Paper, Real Red, Basic Black, Real Red Patterned DSP
INK:  Real Red, Cherry Cobbler, Old Olive, Baked Brown Sugar, Black Stazon


It took me a week to do this one.  Not because it was time intensive but because it took me that long to switch different pieces around until I was happy with how it looked.  One of Susan's downlines received my card and I am told that she really liked it.

IT is snowing here today and so we have the 2 grandkids that attend daycare on a Tuesday because because of the weather.  So I anticipate another busy day.  Enjoy the day!

Joyful Christmas Gift Card Holder

Here is another gift card that was offered at the "Let's Wrap it UP" stamping event.  Who can't use gift card holder?  My customers are always looking for new ways to make a gift card holder.  This holder is so quick and easy.  

The supplies that I used for this project were:

STAMP SET: Joyful Christmas
PAPER:  Old Olive , Whisper White, Cherry Cobbler, Seasons of Style DSP, Red Glimmer Paper
INK:  Cherry Cobbler, Old Olive
ACCESSORIES:  Dazzling Details, Scalloped Trim Edge Punch, 1" Circle Punch, Sticky Strip

Where do you place the gift card, you ask?  It is hidden inside the flap on the left.  Here are the dimensions for this project.

1.  Cut a piece of card stock 4-1/4" x 11"
2.  Score at 5-1/2" and 8-1/2"

When you fold at the 8-1/2" mark, fold inward.  You will punch a half circle at that end of the card stock.  Place sticky strip on the side edges and close.  This will create a pocket for the gift card to slide into.  The design of the card was CASE'd but I turned the design into a gift card holder.

Another crazy week.  Yesterday was my day off from babysitting and I had a lot to do.  But life always happens and changes your plans.  This weekend is a crazy week with Eli's birthday party with his friends and then he comes back to our house for a family dinner and party.  Sunday is my Christmas Downline Party.  I will be posting again on Monday after my crazy weekend.  Enjoy the day!

Santa Gift Card Holder

Here is another project that was offered at the "Let's Wrap it Up" stamp camp.  The gift card template was borrowed from Dawn Oshefske's blog and can be found HERE.  This was such a quick and easy gift card holder that this one was made more than any other item I had prepared for the event.

I love this Santa face and was so happy when SU brought it back in the Best of 25 years...Christmas.  I have tried to use this image on a lot of my projects this year because I think the Santa is such a nice vintage looking image.  One thing I tried differently with the coloring of this image was to use Crisp Cantaloupe for the skin tone.  One of my customers accidentally used the color for a skin color when she was making a punch art project.  I really liked it as a skin tone when I saw it and tried it on this project.  I think it looks good.  All the coloring on this project was done by using Blender Pens.  I also used some Dazzling Details on the fur on his hat.  A little glitz only adds to a project is my motto.

The supplies that I used for this project were:

STAMP SET: Best of 25 Years...Christmas
PAPER:  Cherry Cobbler, Old Olive, Whisper White, Silver Glimmer Paper, Styles of the Season DSP
INK:  Black Staz-On, Crisp Cantaloupe, Real Red, Garden Green
ACCESSORIES:  1-3/4" Circle Punch, Festive Flurry Framelits. Big Shot, Old Olive 1/4" Taffeta Ribbon, Sticky Strip, Blender Pens, Dazzling Diamonds, 2 Way Glue, Dimensionals

This is a very simple gift card holder which has a removable Belly Band that keeps the gift card holder from opening until you need it to.  I made a couple of extra pieces so today I am going to try to finish them.  I also want to try to bake some Christmas Cookies.  Hopefully I can achieve my goal for today.  Enjoy your day!


 

A Merry Christmas

I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving Holiday.  Mine was a crazy fast paced weekend.  We had the kids over for Thanksgiving and then we went Black Friday Shopping and when we got home from that, we headed out to cut down our Christmas tree.  Then a marathon weekend of decorating winding down to Sunday when I hosted the "Let's Wrap it Up" stamp camp.  Whew!

But now I am starting my week with a new post.  This is one of the cards that was offered at the "Let's Wrap It Up" event.  My customers absolutely loved it.  This was one of my favorites, I have to admit.  At convention I saw a card using these 2 stamps from non holiday stamp sets and I was so impressed how it looked so Christmasy.  I did not get a picture of it but just remembered the birds and the pine trees.  So I came up with my own design but using that idea of the birds sitting on a branch with the pine trees stamped to look like they are in the background.  The supplies that I used for this card were:

STAMP SETS:  Serene Silhouettes, Evergreen, Petite Pairs
PAPER:  Very Vanilla, Cherry Cobbler, Always Artichoke
INK:  Always Artichoke, 
ACCESSOIRES:  Fancy Fan Embossing Folder, Ovals Framelits, Circle Card Thinlet (banner framelit from that set), Dimensionals, Early Espresso and Cherry Cobbler Markers.

I like using oval framelits to silhouette an image.  I think it gives a more vintage feel.  And the embossing folder Fancy Fan also adds to that feel.   The more I looked at this card, I which I had made this card horizontal rather that vertical.  By having the card horizontal, you would be able to use a longer or larger sentiment.  A few of my customers tried that layout today and it really looked nice.

Well I am off to the eye Dr. this morning so it is going to be another busy day.  We only have 1 grandson to watch today so it should not be too crazy I hope.  Enjoy the day!

A Day Away

Today I decided I would not post a project but pictures from my outing with my daughter yesterday.  It is a tradition for us to go to Peddler's Village.  It is a quaint shopping village in Bucks County and has very unique stores.  My oldest daughter and I have made it a tradition to go there every year before Christmas when they have it decorated for the holidays and they have their Gingerbread House Contest.  I am amazed at the wonderful entries that they have.

We had a wonderful time although the weather was very yucky.  It starting snowing turned into sleet and then to rain.  But we took Carter along and when the weather got worse, we went to the children's area and left him play there.  He had a wonderful time.

I am posting pictures of some of the entries for the Gingerbread House contest and of course one of my youngest grandson playing.

I hope you enjoy the pics.  Be sure to Enjoy the day!

Yes this is an entry in the Gingerbread House competition and is cake

Aren't they beautiful?  I hope you enjoyed!  And I saved the cutest picture for last!  What a great day!

A Cute Little Box

Another one of the gift packaging projects that we will be making is this cute little box.   This year I decided that I had to include different types of packaging in my Christmas Event because there are so many neat items this year's main catalog.  

This was made by using the Tag A Bag Gift Boxes.  It was so easy to make.  You get the box and the acetate sleeve and all you have to do is create gift tags and embellishments to enhance the packaging.  This box can hold a small bottle of wine or Dipping Oil.  It can also be used to package candles.  Do you need a way to gift K Cups?  Well this is a perfect package  to do that.  There are so many items that can fit in this box.  the ideas are endless.

So if you would like to make this cute little box, you can join us at my place on Dec.1 @ 1 PM.  Just contact me.

Well if the weather holds out today, my daughter and grandson will be going to Peddler's Village for the day to do a little Christmas shopping.  It is a tradition for us.  I cant wait, it is always a nice day.  So you go out enjoy your day!

"Let's Wrap it Up" Class is Coming

It is time to "Let's Wrap it Up" on your Holiday crafting needs.  At this time of the year I like to wrap up all my gift and card making.  It does not always work but I try to get all the kind of stuff finished so I can relax and enjoy the Holiday season.  So I am offering a chance for you to wrap up your stamping needs. This event will held like a card buffet.  You will be able to choose which items you would like to make and how many of each.  

I am offering 9 different projects.  There will be 3 Gift Card Holders, 3 Cards, and 3 Different Ways to Package your small gifts.  This project is one of the projects that you can choose from.  This cute MUSLIN GIFT BAG is a cute way to package all those small gifts that you plan to give.  It can be used to hold jewelry, candy, or any small item.  To create this cute Gift Bag, you start with the Muslin Bags which can be found in the Holiday Mini.  The rest of the supplies used for this bag are:

STAMP SET: Wonderful Wreath
INK:  Garden Green
ACCESSORIES:  Muslin Bag, 3/4" Cherry Cobbler Chevron Ribbon, Crystal Effects, Rhinestone Jewels, Red Sharpie

Just a few tips...
1.  Before stamping an image on your Muslin Bag, remember to put card stock inside the pouch.  This will keep the ink from going through to the other side and it also is a sturdier surface to stamp on. 

2.  Use Crystal Effects to adhere the Rhinestone Jewels to the bag.

3.  You can also place a piece of waxed paper on between the card stock and bag.  The waxed paper will prevent the crystals effects to stick to the card stock in case it goes through the muslin.

I really like this project!  I stepped it up by adding the Rhinestone Jewels and replacing the cord with the Chevron Ribbon.  I plan to make a few of these to fill with candy for Eli and Emmett to give to their Daycare teachers. They like when I make things for them.  

I wrapped the kids Christmas gifts last night and I plan to start mixing my Christmas cookie dough this afternoon.  Enjoy your day!