It's a Cozy Christmas

Howdy!  Welcome.  I know, it has been a while (eek! 11 days) since I posted last.  My apologies.  But, I'm sure that you all can relate.  It's that crazy, busy time of year.  We all have obligations, commitments, and festivities to attend.  And todays share is just that.  {smile}  I am a Stampin' Up! demonstrator, and my team gets together periodically to share creative ideas, and to socialize.  It's always way too much fun!  Anyways, we always get together during the holidays to do a gift and card exchange.  So, I am sharing with you the gift I made for the exchange.  I am also entering my project into a few challenges {smile}.

My first challenge entry is @ {Cupcake Inspirations}: CIC388.  They have this beautiful cupcake inspiration photo.  The required colors: red, gold, and cream.  How beautiful together!

What a gorgeous cupcake, right? and how inspirational!  And if this photo isn't enough, check out what this wonderfully talented group of ladies have created!  Amazing!

My next challenge entry is @ Word Art Wednesday #260-#261.  Their challenge is typically Anything Goes.  Which allows you to get creative and just make something.  This is a family-friendly site.  This wonderfully talented group of ladies provide you with a scripture (not required).  But the write-up will be spiritual.  So, it's always a good idea, to grab a cup of coffee, and read their beautiful words. {smile}

and here is what I made:

cupcake inspiration entry #22 & word art wednesday entry #237

Yes, it is another one of my holiday totes.  I just love these!  The decorated front has two coffee cups, because the inside in coffee themed.  Pretty sweet, right?

Recipe:  I used all Stampin' Up! supplies to create this, except the die to cut the tote and the clear box to hold my goodies.

The card stock to make the panels, Cherry Cobbler card stock (#119685).  I just love the depth of this red, and the heavy weight of the paper.  {smile}  The pattern paper for the tote and coffee cuffs is a new holiday paper Warmth & Cheer designer series paper stack (#141991).  This paper 'stack' comes in a 6" x 6" pad.  So the patterns are a smaller scale for cards and other projects.  The main panel is white card stock that was run through an embossing folder to give it the appearance of a sweater.  I thought it was a perfect pair! The embossing folder is Cable Knit (#143537).  This new embossing folder is 6" x 6", which I just love.  I machine stitched the embossed panel to the main pattern paper.  Then I wrapped a scrap piece of another pattern paper from the same pack: Warmth & Cheer.  

I used Delightful Dijon 5/8" mini Striped ribbon (#141430) to tie a simple bow to the tote.

The coffee cups from the Perfect Blend stamp set (#130745) were stamped on white card stock and then again on more pattern paper from the Warmth & Cheer collection.  I used foam tape to 'lift' one of the coffee cups off the front of the tote.  I didn't want it to look too flat.  I tied some kraft twine through a wooden button (retired) and adhered it to the cuff with a glue dot.

I made my sentiment with the same pattern paper as the belly band.  I stamped my sentiment in black classic ink, because that is what I used to stamp the coffee cups and cuffs.  I used a retired holiday stamp set Cozy Christmas (#139779) for the sentiment.

The tote contains: homemade Peppermint Bark, Vanilla Bean Marshmallows, and Cinnamon Nuts (almonds and pecans) packaged in clear (food safe) cello bags, along with a Starbucks coffee cup Christmas ornament, and a Starbucks gift card.  

Thank you for looking.  I hope you have been inspired to play along with these challenges.  I am off to cut card stock to make my Christmas cards.  Yeah, I am over a week late at this task.  But, they will be in tomorrows snail mail.  {smile}  I also need to get a few more totes made to go into the mail.

Have a wonderful day, and enjoy whats left of your weekend!

Traditional Holiday Card

Howdy!  I know that it feels like  f o r e v e r  since I last posted my crafting.   And I apologize for not getting photos uploaded earlier.  But, I am still not completely happy with my upgraded photo editing software.  Maybe I'll get use to it soon, and quite all this belly aching.  {smile}

I am creating some beautiful {to me} holiday paper crafts.  And I actually look some photos.  {smile}.  So, please have patience, and stay tuned.

I created some cards that I want to enter in a Christmas Card Challenge, over @ Merry Monday Christmas Challenge - Dig out your Plaid.  What a fun theme, right!

*at the time of this post, the challenge has already closed.

I used some new pattern paper Christmas Delivery by Carta Bella.  It uses traditional red and green, with some black accents thrown in.  Black?  Black.  They managed to made it very chic and stylish!

here is what I made:

Recipe:  I used Cherry Cobbler card stock by Stampin' Up! to create the card base.  I also used this card stock to matt the journaling piece.  

The pattern paper with presents and white polka dots on green, and the journalling piece are all from this collection.  I found it to be traditional with a bit of uptown style with the black accents.  Very chic and very stylish - I think.  The plaid ribbon is left over from last years holiday crafting.  I purchased it at one of those big box craft stores (M).  

I sponged crumb cake classic ink on all the edges, to help give each piece of softer line.  I don't really like how abrupt and stark card stock looks once its cut.  

I did make an 'adjustment' to my pattern papers.  The journalling cards are 3" x 4".  And that is just too large for my A2 size card.  So, I copied them @ 75% onto white linen card stock.  This reduced their size to 2 1/4" x 3".  Much more 'workable' for tis size of card (4 1/4" x 5 1/2").

here are a few more:

I ended up making a total of 8 cards, with the four sheets of 12" x 12" pattern paper of Christmas Delivery by Carta Bella.  I wanted to make several different cards.  I was very observant as to how I cut my pattern papers, because I won't have another opportunity to purchase more.  And I have enough paper left to create a few gift bags and a few gift card holders.  I'll post a photo of them soon.

Thank you for stopping by.  I will be posting some photos of some crafts I have been working on, soon.  Please stay tuned.  I will be sharing my photos with you here, on InstaGram, and on Facebook. But please be aware, these won't be going into my Etsy shop, as I am working on increasing my inventory for holiday craft fairs.

Holiday Happiness: Card

Sorry, it's another holiday card.  And I imagine that I will be posting more and more holiday paper crafts here.  I will be making a few non-holiday items, and yeah, I'll post some images here, too.  {smile}.

I had ordered some Scandinavian pattern papers from Italy, and they arrived yesterday!  and yeah, I just had to play with them.  

To give me some focus, I stopped by a favorite sketch challenge site:  Mojo Monday.  The sketch challenge is not only a sketch, it has a specific card shape, too:  Tall & Skinny.  Their suggestion is 3 1/2" x 5 1/2".  I am not too fond of tall and skinny.  It's very hard for me to work with.  So, I gave my card a little leeway: 4 1/4" x 6".  It's tall, but not too skinny.  {frown}

here is the sketch:

But just look at this sketch!  WOW! wonderful!  I love the layers, the trio of embellishments and the ribbon piece.  I got this!

here is what I made:

The photos aren't that great, sorry.  I actually finished the card this morning before work.  So the sun hadn't even rose yet.  (It was completed before 6a.)  I took photographs of it once I got home, after work around 6p.  The sun was going down, so I went outside to get the most light.  Please bear with me.

I used my new Tilda pattern paper: Sweetheart.  I fell in love with this pattern paper as soon as I saw it.  The large scale polka dots, the sweet animal silhouettes, the floral images, the mixture of blue and red with pink thrown in the mix.  Just beautiful!

My first layer is the red large scale polka dots.  Then I added the blue animal silhouette pattern paper. I wanted to show as much of this pattern paper as possible.  And then finally, the sweet, small scale floral bouquet pattern papers.

I matted each of these pattern papers with kraft card stock, and then machine stitched them.  I did a double border of a simple stitch line, purposefully sloppy.  {smile}

I added two ribbons/trims instead of the one.  I added a white pleated glitter tulle, and then machine stitched a light blue gingham pattern ribbon to the card front.  I tied the ribbon into a simple bow, and tied on a silver snowflake charm.  

For the round element on the small square, in the sketch, I added a flair button.   Santa is wearing a pink coat.  {smile}.

I replaced the trio of embellishments, on the sketch, with a scrap piece of crochet trim, that had scallops. I thought it added a bit of softness and elevated the home-made feel.

I used a retired Stampin' Up! card stock for the card base: bordering blue.  It matched the blue in this pattern paper perfectly.

I hand-stamped the envelope flap with my branding, and the inside sentiment, in cherry cobbler classic ink.  I also stamped the front of the envelope in bordering blue classic ink.  I added a banner made from the pattern papers I used on the outside of the card, and machine stitched them to the very vanilla card stock.

Thank you for looking!  I am planning on making two desk top calendars, and a few gift card holders, with this pattern paper collection.  I think they are just lovely {smile}.  Please check back later.

Jumbo Gift Card Holder

Howdy! and welcome to my little slice of blog-land.  I'm so happy that you could visit.  Sit a spell, have a look around, and hopefully I have inspired you {smile}!

Yesterday, I confessed that I have already started thinking about next years holiday arts and crafts fairs, and a few new items I would like to sell.  Well, today I have a little sneak peak.  {smile}

If you are like me, you do give gift cards to those who either love them, or you aren't quite sure what they would like from their favorite place.  And if you are like me, sometimes these gift cards are purchased from grocery/drug stores.  And yeah, they have this big cardboard piece that advertises who they are, and they have that 'gorgeous' hanger hole at the top.  Sound familiar?  Well, the gift card holders I sell at my booth, only have space for the card.  Crazy, right?  Well, sometimes, you just don't want/can't tear that thing apart to get to the card.  So, I have made a 'Jumbo Gift Card Holder' for just that situation!
Well, to get some direction, I stopped by the Divas by Design challenge blog.  And well, they have a great challenge this week!  Seeing Red!  So they ask that you use lots of red!  And I think I have!

Ok, lets get started.  This is my version of the jumbo gift card holder.  {smile}  It measures 5" x 5 1/2".  In this view, the measurements look 'wrong', but they aren't.  Promise.  Anyways, I'm pretty happy with how it turned out.  I am thinking of possibly making a belly band, to help hold the flap closed, but haven't 'married' that idea yet.  I'm also thinking the belly band could potentially give me another pattern paper, to help give this large piece some more pattern.  I could attach the 3" x 4" 'tag' to it, also.  Hmmm, options, options, options.

Anyways, back to this one.  I used kraft card stock by Recollections for the base.  I used this new 'vintage'-y pattern holiday paper 'Snow Village' by Pink Paisley.  I just love the soft pretty colors and hip patterns.  {smile}

I cut a medium snowflake with the fancy snowflake die by Paper Trey Ink.  I used the gold glitter paper by Stampin' Up!.  Love the glitter/sparkle and shine!  I wrapped some of the new holiday Cherry Cobbler Sheer Linen Ribbon, by Stampin' Up! through the center of the snowflake and tied a simple bow.  I stamped the sentiment onto a tiny tag in Cherry Cobbler classic ink, by Stampin' Up! The tiny tag was made with the Tiny Tag die, by Paper Trey Ink.  The sentiment came from the Holiday Friendship Jar stamp set, by Paper Trey Ink.

I altered a jingle bell, and tied both the bell and the tag to the large bow with some thin silver cord, and made a simple bow with the silver cord.

Just like my other gift card holders, the inside flap of these will be embossed with a holiday message.  

This sentiment card came in the paper pack.  I did stamp the 'Love & Laughter welcome here at Christmas and all year', in cherry cobbler classic ink.  I felt the tag piece needed a little something more.  I hope my friend likes it! {smile}

Thank you for stopping by.  Now, I am off to cut card stock.  I have finished my 'sample' for our holiday Christmas card, and I need to get those made.

If you placed a special order, I will be working on those tomorrow and Tuesday.  Don't fret, I will have those done and ready to wrap by their guaranteed delivery date.  So, until we meet again, happy crafting!  hugs, Sharon W.

Coffee, Chocolate, & Friends

Whew!  I apologize for being absent lately.  But, yeah, I've been crafting {smile}.  My last craft fair for this holiday season is Friday.  And well, between working full-time, taking care of my DH, attending 3 holiday dinners, and one doctor visit (that left me unable to walk for a day and a half) I haven't had a lot of time to post.  But, I have been taking pictures, so soon, my life will slow down a bit. {smile}  Pipe dream?  I hope not!

The wonderful ladies over @ Craft Hoaders Anonymous Challenge have a great challenge this week.  They want to see your holiday craft hoard used.  I don't know about you, but I have tons of holiday crafting supplies: pattern paper, embellishments, stamps, sentiments, trinkets, ribbon, buttons, and oh so much more!  I actually have so much holiday hoard supplies, that it is boxed up after each holiday season, because I don't have room in my craft room for all of it.  How incredibably crazy is that?  (between you and me, my husband doesn't use the word 'crazy' when the subject is brought up.  Lets just say that.)

Ok, so for this first project, you are probably thinking that I am not really showcasing my hoard collection, but this is a super cute gift.  

I attended a holiday dinner with a gift exchange for the lovely ladies that I stamp with.  For the gift exchange, there was a price limit of $10.  Ok, do you know how stinking hard it is to make a gift for $10?  If you craft, I'm sure you know what I am talking about.  If you don't, lets just say, it's difficult.

Anyways, these ladies are all Stampin' Up! demonstrators, so I felt the need to use current SU! products.  Hmm.  Maybe this doesn't qualify as a 'hoard'.  But, I have a lot of stuff!

I used the new holiday DSP (Nordic Noel).  I just love the houses.  The bright cheery colors is always a plus!  So, I positioned my DSP, so that the cut would be a row of full houses and not chopping them off. (It's the OCD in me.)

I matted this pattern paper onto coral card stock.  I added a strip of pool party cotton ribbon.  And yeah, I had to sew it on.  I made a simple bow.  But it still needed something, so why not add another bow.  Right?  So, I added another bow with the new gold shiny ribbon.  It help pull the baked brown sugar colored house out.  I also added one of the new snowflake charms to the gold bow.   To keep the sewing stitches from showing on the underside, I matted this whole piece onto a piece of cherry cobbler card stock.  I used a corner rounder punch to all the corners.  You know, since the corners are rounded on the tin.  (OCD shining through)

I used one of the new coffee collection stamp sets.  I stamped the coffee cup twice on shimmer white card stock in chocolate chip classic ink.  I stamp the coffee cuff onto  the back side of the house pattern paper, that how I got the stripes.  I fussy cut the cuff out and adhered it to the top coffee cup.  I put foam tape between the two coffee cups and adhered them to the front of the tin.  To jazz up the coffee cup, I added a tiny pool party button tied with white bakers twine.  I thought it gave the coffee cuff that 'home-made' feel.

For the inside of the tin, I wrapped some chocolates with the same DSP, and added a Starbucks gift card.  I actually found a Starbucks gift card, that had the same colors in it!  Yahoo! (another OCD affliction)  It's the one with the holiday Christmas tree that is decorated with ornaments.

And yeah, I added a piece of the coral card stock to the bottom of the tin.  (another OCD problem.)  I like things to look 'finished'. Not just 'done'.  I hope someone out there knows what I mean.  And now I realize that when I took this picture, I forgot to add my gift card addition.  Ugh!  

Anyways!  the lovely ladies over @ Craft Hoarders Anonymous Challenge want to see you use a portion of your hoard collection, and make something!  Oh, and don't forget to share!

Have a great day!  And who knows I may end up adding another project!

Holiday Banners

I am having a great weekend.  I got to see some wonderful girl friends and I got a lot of crafting done!  Yahoo!

And so, I want to share with you what I made.  I created some banners (ok, 2) out of thick chipboard, and some wonderful holiday pattern paper: Christmas by Fancy Pants.  Here is what they look like:

I used a variety of the pattern papers.  I just love the mix of blue and red and green.  Just gorgeous and festive and playful.  Love it.  

I cut a large scallop trim piece from one pattern paper and matted it onto cherry cobbler card stock.  I machine stitched it, to give it a home-made and nostalgic look.  I also used cherry cobbler card stock to create the scallop circles under the rosettes.

I created the rosettes by hand.  I scored a 1" x 12" strip of pattern paper every 1/4".  I stamped and heat embossed the letters in early espresso embossing powder onto shimmer white card stock.  I matted the letters onto cherry cobbler card stock, and then ocean tides card stock.  

I used ocean tides ribbon from Paper trey ink.  I tied red vintage buttons on to each bow.   I have both banners for sale in my Etsy shop HERE.  Don't forget, my easy shop will be closed the day before, the day of, and the day after each craft fair.

Thank you for looking.  I'll be posting more soon!

Anything Vintage Christmas Box

Happy Wednesday.  I hope this post finds you well.  I have been busy this week, trying to complete a few more items for this week's Arts & Craft Fair @ Presbyterian Hospital, in Albuquerque, New Mexico.  While I was surfing the internet for some inspiration, I stumbled upon two different websites that are hosting vintage holiday challenges.  And so, I just HAD to create something for the challenges. I needed a break, and to recharge my mojo, so here we go!

Sugar Creek Hollow, has a #39 vintage Christmas challenge currently running.  They ask, 'We want you to make vintage or shabby chic Christmas cards or other paper-crafted projects that feature vintage Christmas images.'

Ok, I can do that.  I used a vintage tag that I purchased as a download.

Tuesday Alchemy, has a #42 anything goes challenge currently running.  They ask, 'Christmas will be arriving here very soon.  Since the season is a busy one, we are keeping it simply for you.  It's Anything Goes! You decided the challenge.  Create ANY handmade, new project you'd like and share it with us.'

Ok, I can do that.  I need to make a gift box for an upcoming holiday event.

here is what I created:

Here is what I used:

I made the box with Cherry Cobbler card stock from Stampin' Up!  Its the same box I made for my daughter's baby reveal baby shower, earlier this year (here)  I also made this box for a Valentine's Day gift (here).  I purchased the pdf for the directions and pattern for this box from My Time Made Easy.

I wanted to decorate the top of the box, so I used some pattern papers I already had on hand.  The Christmas pattern paper is Festive from Authentique.  The text paper is Twas the Night from Amuse Studio.    For my vintage image, I used a vintage tag that I had purchased earlier this month, I reduced their size before printing to 70%.  I purchased the holiday cheer tags from Iralamija Shop @ Etsy.  She does some very pretty, vintage-style, digital collage paper crafts.   I did stamp on the tag.  I wanted to put something in the open space, so I stamped, 'Merry & Bright' in basic black classic ink.  The stamp is from a set, Signature Christmas, from Paper Trey Ink.  

I also added two snowflake buttons at opposite corners of the box front.  I wrapped some crinkled seam binding I had purchased from Prairie Bird Boutique @ Etsy.  This pretty green is in the Old Fashioned Christmas bundle.  You will receive 15 yards.

You know me, I HAD to add a button.  And so I did.  On top of the bow.  The button is from Paper Trey Ink.  The tiny tag that is tied to the button, is actually part of a stamp. Pretty clever, huh?  The stamp set is Winter Post  from Stampin' Up!.  But hold on, this stamp set is retired.  Sorry.  I kept it because I just love the images and the sentiments.  The 'date' is actually from the post mark stamp in this set.  I punched the date out with the jewelry tag punch from Stampin' Up!.

I filled the box with some holiday peppermint pretzels.  What a cute little 'thank you' gift for our holiday party. 

I hope you have been inspired to continue creating your hand made Christmas items, or inspired to start.  Either way, I hope you have enjoyed the photos.  Let me know what you would put inside these little boxes.  Their dimensions are kind of small:  3 1/2" x 1 1/2" x 1 1/4".  Actually a gift card fits nicely in the bottom, and I could always add a chocolate truffle or two {smile}.

Happy Crafting! hugs, Sharon W.