Gift Card Holder

This year for Christmas most of my gifts were gift cards. I love getting gift cards...so I give them a lot. (wink)

But I like to "wrap" them up, too.

Amuse Studio has a great 5-inch stocking die. Which is the perfect size for this. They also have a mitten that makes a great gift card holder too.

Out of two 6x6 sheets of paper (I use double-sided paper so the inside is pretty too). Cut 2 full stockings and 1 toe/heel.

For the cuff, fold a coordinating paper in half and lay the fold just under the die edge.

I lay the card in the center of the "back" of the stocky and place red tape all around it.

Place the toe/heel over the red line tape. You now have a pocket for the card.

On the cuff, place red line tape at the bottom edge of both sides. Don't place it higher or the card won't open.

I place both stocking pieces together and then fold the cuff over each section. I punch a hole in the cuff and added a ribbon and hanger. Removable glue dots will keep the card closed until it's time. Put one behind the card too, so it doesn't move around.

If you'd like to order the stocking or mitten die, contact Chris.

Gift Tags

A few years ago I gave my family and friends a small tin filled with 10 Christmas tags. I said at the time, "return the empty tin and I'll refill it".

So last year the empty tins came back (all but one...Heather). But I didn't get around to filling it. I made a good start but just ran out of time.

So this year I put about 20 tags inside and returned them.

I didn't offer to fill them again. But we'll see how I feel next year.

(I used a wide variety of stamps, papers, and embellishments -- and I didn't keep track. So enjoy!)

COVER GIRL!!!

OMG! OMG!! OMG!!!

My card made the COVER of STAMPER'S SAMPLER!!!!

Remember in the last issue the same card was featured in the "coming attractions" ad in the back. I looked at some other issues and it didn't seem to match up that a card in the ad would be on the cover next time. So, I was pretty surprised!

And it's also in the magazine body.

Along with two other cards I sent in.

This one is also mine but attributed to somebody else. I've been given credit for other artist's work - and now I feel their pain!

All the stamps & papers are Amuse Studio! If you'd like to order them, my friend, Lara, can help you!

And on the "Coming Attractions" ad...for Valentine's Day...my Neon Valentine!

eep!

The Stamper's Sampler - Oct/Nov 2010

I got my issue of THE STAMPER'S SAMPLER today. Actually, I got two issues! You know what that means...I have something inside!!!! (I had only made one submission, so I was pretty sure what it was).

My entry was for the HOLIDAY HAPPENINGS challenge. In addition to the print version, you can see The Stamper's Sampler directions and all the close-up here!!! (I rated a webpage entry too)!!

I made a little gift card holder. I have to admit it was a shameless CASE of a gift card holder that Heather made for me last Christmas. In this photo it's closed.

And here's it is open...

And a close of of the Crystal snow flake detail. As a reminder - Tutorial #1 and Tutorial #2.

A Few More Christmas Cards

I have a few more Christmas cards from my talented friends to show you. They all arrived while I was out of town.

This is from Lori (artsylori) - Paper Sunshine. I saw it on her blog and commented about the background. It's a great winter scene!

I love the vintage-y feel of this one! Jessica - Jess' Obsession was probably my first friend on SCS. We've been swapping for 3-4 years now. Her coloring is always remarkable!

And this is from the daughter-side of Tackertwosome (Tina). It's on beautiful blue glimmer paper!

Oxford Impressions Christmas Card

Suzanne of Oxford Impressions had a contest on her blog before Christmas. I put a quick card together and sent it off. I was one of five winners!

I used my only Oxford Impressions "Christmas" set - WINTER SNOW. I collaged all the smaller stamps in the set as the background and used a Technique Junkies method called Burnished Backgrounds. The background color is a mix of Distressed inks. I stamped the boy on glossy white with Archival ink and heat set it. Then I tore a strip of white card stock and misted with Glimmer Mist. The Marshmallow spray gave the paper a real SPARKLE. But it also needed some Stickles along the edges (wink). Doesn't his expression say - "I just shoveled all this snow and here's another flake..." ??

Finally, I did a crystal snowflake at the embellishment.

Stamps: Oxford Impressions WINTER SNOW
Paper: white and glossy white
Ink: Distress Ink: FADED JEANS, BROKEN CHINA, WEATHERED WOOD; Archival Ink
Accessories: Clear embossing powder, Glimmer Mist: MARSHMALLOW, Stickles, and Crystal Snowflake.
Technique Junkies: Burnished Backgrounds

Christmas Cards - Day 5

The last card I'm going to share (for now - I expect there will be others when I get home), is from Lena. Lean and Tina are the mother/daughter pair that go by Tackertwosome on SCS. Lena's coloring and layers really talk to me.


But for Christmas she send this beautiful monochromatic CAS card!

Christmas Cards - Day 4

As you know, I've been posting for the KLSNS design team. But you may not know that Kelly (the K) is one of my oldest and dearest stamping buds! Kelly's blog Wishin' I was Stampin' is one I read regularly.

Not only did Kelly use my favorite BASIC GREY - she also made some crystal snowflakes!

Christmas Cards - Day 3

My SCS stamping friend, Jean (Minimouse). Jean lives in England but she swaps with us regularly. Instead of a card, she sent this adorable Christmas ornament.

And she used my favorite Martha branch punch...GRIN!

Christmas Cards - Day 2

Today's card is from my long time stamping/swapping buddy, Donelda aka WiggyDL. We started swaping House Mouse ATCs many years ago.

I love the clean and simple (CAS) look and Donelda does it so well!

Christmas Cards - Day 1

On Christmas Day, we flew to Milwaukee. My only niece will be getting married on January 2nd and we've arrived a week before to help with moving and pre-wedding arrangements and celebrations.

Last night we went to an incredible production of the Nutcracker by the Milwaukee Ballet Company. The costumes and sets were incredible!!

This week I'd like to share some of the wonderful cards I received from some of my stamping friends for Christmas. Today's card was sent to me by a new friend on SCS - Karen Murphy.

Karen's card has a fabulous fabric panel by Crafty Secrets. She also used some gold sticker material to highlight the card. I just love the extra bling!

Random Acts of CHRISTMAS Kindness

I don't pick-up my mail everyday. When I work from home, I don't generally go to the mailbox at the end of the street. Yesterday, I picked up several days of mail. I've been getting some really beautiful cards from stamping friends, but yesterday I got a gift that literally made my mouth drop open!

Tammi (she has a fabulous blog called TROPICAL DREAMS) and I have traded Hanglar & Stanglar images through the SCS Wish RAK group for a while now. Hanglar and Stanglar is a Swedish company that doesn't sell out side of Sweden or Norway, so the stamps are VERY HARD to come by on this side of the "pond". I have a Norwegian source, who will help me get these cuties. I'm not sure of Tammi's source. But we generally seem to have different stamps.

Tammi has posted this darling card on her blog a few days ago. This picture just doesn't do justice to the card. The coloring is just INCREDIBLE. I think she does watercolor pencils and Gamsol (mineral spirits). The Gamsol makes the colors very soft and subtle. And the vintage-y colors really are yummy.

In addition to the fabulous card was this mini accordion folder. Tammi had posted a similar one to her blog but again...this is just so detailed! The little Santa hat was an addition over the H&S image. And the whole card just sparkles with glitter! (Glitter is ALWAYS good!)

And if that wasn't enough, inside the folder were tucked stamped images of more Hanglar & Stanglar images for me to color. I'm in H&S heaven!

Tammi! Thank you so much - you really, really made my day!

Merry Kiss-Moose!

Happy Friday! Hope you're staying warm! This is the second week of card/gift ideas for the KLSNS blog! This week I did a nugget box.

There is a super tutorial on SCS for nugget boxes. Chris sat down and figured all the dimensions for any size box from 1x2 nuggets to 3x10 nuggets. You simply cut a square/rectangle of paper from designer paper, score/cut, and fold! I always use a double sided paper because you will see inside the box.

I have a Scor-Pal which I use on every card I make. But if you have one, you know that you have to do "higher math" to figure where to mark on non-traditional folds. The easiest way I've found around that is to draw pencil lines on the "fold" marks and then crease.

Do it on the inside of the box and the folded edges will hide the marks. The directions also give "lid" informations. I use acetate to make the lid so you can see the decorated candies inside the box.

I cut 1" x 3 1/4" strips of computer paper out. But you can also use mailing labels, designer paper, etc. Here I used my beloved Martha Stewart holly punch and some rhinestones to decorate.

The matching card uses this weeks SCS Sketch (SC258). Since the paper was two sided it seemed perfect to use the leftovers for the card. The High Hopes HOPEFUL MOOSE is hoping you give him a "kiss" (or nugget in this case)! Colored with Copics. Highlighted with my souffle pen (white dots on his scarf). Hope you have a Merry Kiss-Moose!

Stamps: High Hopes HOPEFUL MOOSE, Memory Box sentiment
Paper: white card stock, American Crafts, acetate
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black
Accessories: Copics, Martha Stewart holly punch, ribbon, rhinestones, and glitter pen.

Tim Holtz - Day 4 & A Crafty Secrets Card

Slowly catching up with Tim Holtz 12 Tags of Christmas. I didn't have all the parts for the gorgeous charm on Day 4's tag. So I changed the tag a bit!
Tim's background was very similar to a Technique Junkies technique called Burnished Backgrounds, so I used the TJ method. Which includes embossing the background images in clear before adding the color. After the color was dry I cut a window in the tag for the bubble window.

A close up of the window. I cut the oval in a scrap of paper first to get a good fit. Then drew it on the tag (after stamping and burnishing). I put tape on the back of the tag and then all round the edge to keep the glitter inside.

This is also my entry for the WINTER WONDERLAND Challenge on the Gingersnap Creations blog!

Stamps: Oxford Impressions WINTER SNOW, Memory Box
Paper: tag, Graphic 45 (snowman in window)
Ink: Distress Ink: FADED JEANS, BROKEN CHINA, WEATHERED WOOD, and BLACK SOOT
Accessories: German Scrap, clear embossing powder, bubble window, metal snowflake charm, glass glitter, clear snowflake buttons, and ribbon.
Technique Junkies: Burnished Backgrounds

I also worked on another challenge card using a Crafty Secrets image.
Every week on SCS, Crafty Secrets has a challenge (CSSC97). I've been taking part lately. The truth is I don't have many CS images, so sometimes it's a challenge. Last week's challenge was any CS image or stamp and 5 embellishments. I used Glossy Accents to apply the glitter around the edge. Last week when I used the tinsel glitter it didn't stick well. This worked like a charm!

Stamps: None
Paper: Bazzill cardstock, Cosmo Cricket
Ink: None
Accessories: Martha Stewart Holly border punch, primas, gold nailhead rhinestones, silk ribbon and glitter.

Red and Green SING!

Gosh, can you believe it's the last day of November? Me either...

I combined two Craft Secrets challenges from SCS with this card. The first challenge (two weeks ago) was to make a RED and GREEN card. The second challenge (last week) was to make a card with a music theme. I found this great image in a Heartwarming Vintage booklet. I paired with some yummy Bo Bunny paper. The glitter edge around the image is with some tinsel glitter by Martha Stewart. My friend, Heather, gave me a box of 12 tinsel glitter tubes for my birthday. It's like the stuff that went on our Christmas tree in the 60's, but in flake form. Let me tell you...it GOES EVERYWHERE and STICKS to EVERYTHING!!! It's a great look though!

Stamps: none
Image: Crafty Secrets HEARTWARMING VINTAGE
Paper: Bo Bunny
Ink: none
Accessories: Martha Stewart Tinsel Glitter, glue pen, Prima leaves, frosted beads, doily, Glimmer Mist: Candy Apple Red & marshmallow.

Skate Giftcard Holder

Still working on challenges! This is a combination of three challenges:
1) Play Date Cafe color challenge - Julie of A VINTAGE CHIC is the newest design team member. She selected grape, light blue, silver, and white as the color combo.
2) This week's SCS Try a New Technique #246- Christmas stocking giftcard holder. The template for the stocking is here.
3) The monthly Wish RAK (random acts of kindness) challenge #1 - to make a Christmas card!

I was not having much luck (last night or this morning) getting a good picture of this. I think it's the colors - they're just too light for a good picture. Winter light doesn't help either.

I selected the little skating couple (TAC Winter Wonderland) one of the very first Wish RAK images I ever got. Looking at them skating got my creative juices flowing. I decided to add a blade to the stocking. As I was cutting (free-hand) the blade out - I started to giggle. You know what that means! (grin)

The rest was simple construction. Leaving a pocket opening for a giftcard. And coloring the image with Copics and glitter.

The gift card is tucked inside under the flap. I might need to make a few more of these!

Stamps: The Angel Company (TAC) WINTER WONDERLAND
Paper: blue scrap, Basic Grey Wisteria
Ink: none
Accessories: glitter, silver cord, Copics, unraveled ribbon.

Tag Tuesday Challenge #26 - Red, Green and Golden Yellow Christmas

I've been working on some challenges! I have a ton I want to do because they all sounds so fun!
This is week 2 of the COLORS OF CHRISTMAS challenge on Tag Tuesday. This week is red, green and golden yellow. My first thought went to this holly paper. It's my new favorite because it's so gorgeous! I did use a manila tag as the base but cut cover paper. The Santa stamp is also one of my favorites! I wanted him to be a "vision", so I tucked him into the holly. "BELIEVE" was stamped in glue and then covered with red glitter. Distressed edges, photo corner, and silk holly to finish! (oh..and I didn't use my Martha holly punch this time, but only because the scale was wrong).

Stamps: Rubber Stampede SANTA COLLAGE, PaperTrey BELIEVE (sentiment)
Paper: tag, BoBunny ST.NICK HOLLY BERRY
Ink: Distress Ink: Fired Brick , glue pad
Accessories: glitter, Making Memories silk holly leaves, Ideaology metal photo corners, and ribbon.

Exploding Giftcard Box

You might remember that I had a class at my LSS (local stamping store) last Thursday night before all the Twilight madness.

I've done exploding boxes before but this was so cute I took the class just to do the project. I can't seem to find the original directions I used on SCS - this one is close. With the exception of cutting out the folded flaps the rest of the tutorial will get you there.

This box is a bit taller than the SCS version. I would guess it stands about 4 inches tall and 3 inches square.

When the box lid is removed the flaps fall open to revel the gift card holder. The three snowflakes, small "no peeking" and Santa all "float" around on little strips of acetate. I did the same thing on my FLUFFLES VAMPIRE card.

Gift card holder.

The box lid has a small card on top. I think the only thing this box really lacks is a way to keep it closed until Christmas. I think I'll be adding a ribbon or something.

The teacher, Dana Bincer, also has pictures of the class project on her web page Stamping with Princess. You can tell I didn't stray too far from the original (which is pretty rare for me). I think I just loved all the elements (the floating Santa) and the paper is great! She also had some examples of other boxes she did including a "wedding" album that was beyond yummy!

Now...to figure out who get this box at Christmas! :D

VSN #1 - The CASE of the 'bellies

Welcome to VSN night! Please join in the fun on SCS - the main thread can be found here! The hostess for this round didn't pre-post for the other hostess so I had to play along with everybody else!

The CASE of the 'bellies: The challenge was to select a card out of the SCS gallery, and CASE (copy and share everything) and embellish it. AND it must have a ruffle.

I selected this card by TACKERTWOSOME. I added the red frame, watercolored the image, put glitter on the muff, added the ruffle, and chipboard sentiment.

Stamps: Stampington & Company HOLIDAY SWING
Paper: SU! designer paper
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black
Accessories: Martha Steward corner and border punches, stickles, glitter, SU! reinkers, aqua pen, and K & Co chipboard sentiment.

Initial Technique

I found a new group on SCS. Craft Secrets has a weekly challenge. This week was to use your initials to select one or two techniques in the SCS Resources section and make a card. I selected D (distressed edges) and C (Cracked glass) for this card. The cracked glass techniques uses clear embossing powder, I used Crackle Accents. After the Crackle Accents dries, gentle bending the paper gives a vintage look. I sponged Vintage Photo over the cracks and over the distressed edges of the papers.

Stamps: none
Image: Crafty Secrets
Paper: Bo Bunny
Ink: Distress Ink: Vintage Photo
Accessories: Crackle Accents, Martha Stewart Holly punch, Stickles, and edge distresser.