Christmas Gift Card holders, #1

Each year, I give my brother's kids gift cards for Christmas ... as they get older it's hard to know what they particularly want, so I figure they're better off choosing their own gifts at their own pace. So every year I have to think up a new way of presenting the cards. Luckily there are a ton of ideas out there on the net to be inspired by!

You can see past years' gift card holders here and here.

Here's the first of the three holders I made last week. This one is based entirely on this one I made earlier this year. Because it was for my nephew, I had to restrain myself and not cover it with flower stamps and "pretty" things - lucky the owl fits nicely into this category! In retrospect, I should have put a little Christmas hat on him; sadly I didn't think of that until much later.

Here's a closeup of the owl (click to get a better look). You can also see that I spritzed the background with my Champagne Mist shimmer spray (lovin' this stuff!) (click here for a little more detail about the product, about halfway through the post). You can also see a little of the texture of the cardstock - this is the textured type, available as part of the 12x12 packs of single colour cardstock.

And here's the inside ... you can use Velcro to hold the gift card holder closed, but I prefer self adhesive magnets (you can buy this stuff by the sheet from craft stores).

Supplies used:
Stamp/s: Teeny Tiny SentimentsInk: Early Espresso
Cardstock: Pumpkin Pie Textured, Early Espresso, So Saffron, Old Olive, Very Vanilla, Pumpkin Pie
Other: Top Note Die, Two Step Owl Punch, Two Step Bird Punch, 2" x 1-3/8" Oval Punch, Word Window Punch

More bright and happy :-)

I'm still catching up on posting stamping done in early December ... here we have a card made as a thank you for my daughter's Grade Six teacher, who was tremendously supportive throughout the school year.

I used the card made for Liz as a template, and just changed things around a little to suit the things I had on hand (ie. those things I grabbed first).

So instead of a panel up the side, I used a piece of Certainly Celery across the bottom, embossed with the Elegant Lines embossing folder. And I didn't have any "thanks" stamps nearby so did without. Hopefully the message inside made up for that *g*.

Supplies used:
Stamp/s: Printed Petals
Ink: Daffodil Delight, Melon Mambo, Certainly Celery
Cardstock: Daffodil Delight, Melon Mambo, Certainly Celery, Whisper White
Other: Elegant Lines Embossing Folder, Certainly Celery 1/4" Grosgrain Ribbon, 1" Circle Punch, 3/4" Circle Punch, Basic Rhinestones

Bright and happy

Happy Christmas Eve, everyone. My present to you is this - something pretty to look at *g*.

This is a card made for my friend Liz's birthday last month (although I only caught up with her the other night - better late than never).

I wish I could take credit for it, but I totally CASEd the card from the extraordinarily talented Kim at this link, and just added a few touches of my own.

I used theSquare Lattice embossing folder (from the current Summer Mini Catalogue) on a strip of Daffodil Delight cardstock and attached that to the left hand side of the card.

Here's a closeup of the texture on the Square Lattice folder ... I love this one! Perfect for all sorts of looks, including the ever-elusive "masculine" card.

The greeting is from the Level One hostess set Afterthoughts. Those of you who have this set or have seen it in the catalogue will know that there is a little phrase that normally goes under the word "birthday", however when I mounted this set I chose to trim that part of the stamp off and attach it to the side of the block. This way I can get two stamps for the price of one (well, the hostess sets are free, but you know what I mean), and if I want to add the little phrase, it's a piece of cake using my stamp positioner.

The Certainly Celery "bow" is attached using a Mini Glue Dot - these little things are incredibly handy for situations like this, where you have to add a little ribbon or something. The dots come on a roll, and are abour 4.8mm across, perfect for all sorts of uses.

And another rhinestone, just like last time. These things are just so darned cute!

Supplies used:
Stamp/s: Printed Petals, Afterthoughts (Level 1 Hostess Set)
Ink: Daffodil Delight, Melon Mambo, Certainly Celery
Cardstock: Daffodil Delight, Melon Mambo, Whisper White
Other: Square Lattice Embossing Folder, Certainly Celery 1/4" Grosgrain Ribbon, Daffodil Delight 1/4" Grosgrain Ribbon, 1-3/4" Circle Punch, 1-1/4" Circle Punch, 1" Circle Punch, 2" x 1-3/4" Oval Punch, Basic Rhinestones

Mmm, roses...

Long time no see! Still too busy to sit down and stamp, although I do need to make some gift card holders for my brother's kids by Christmas day - ah, there's plenty of time, there's still two days to go *g*.

In the meantime, here's a card I made last month and completely forgot to post. My dear friend Pauline was turning *ahem*, so of course I had to use one of her favourite stamp sets to celebrate.

I have also used the Manhattan Flower embossing folder, as it coordinates perfectly with the big rose from Fifth Avenue Floral.

To emphasise the embossed background just a little, I sponged it lightly with some Crumb Cake ink, and also sponged around the edges of the punched-out greeting.

If you look closely, you can see the subtle glitter of Champagne Mist Shimmer Paint spritzed lightly across the central rose.

And as a final touch, I added a self adhesive rhinestone to dot the "I". The rhinestones, along with sticky-backed pearls, are new to the catalogue this year (page 140) - for only $9.50, you get 150 rhinestones or pearls in three sizes (2mm, 3mm and 5mm).

Supplies used:
Stamp/s: Fifth Avenue Floral, Upsy Daisy
Ink: Early Espresso, Versamark, Crumb Cake
Cardstock: Cherry Cobbler, Early Espresso, Very Vanilla
Other: Manhattan Flower Embossing Folder, Clear Stampin' Emboss Powder, Basic Rhinestones, Champagne Mist Shimmer Paint

I'm pretty sure December is the shortest month of the year

... at least that's what it seems like. Wasn't it just the start of December? Now it's suddenly the 13th! Yikes!

Still no stamping here, far too busy with end of year school type things, and all the usual pre-Christmas hype (ie. leaving shopping till the last minute, trying to work out what you're doing on the day, you know how it is), which is a shame because I just took delivery of some new stuff courtesy of the December Frenzy currently running. No time to play until my annual break between Christmas and the new year *sigh*.

Don't forget, until December 29 there are some great bargains to be had, however this is only while the specially priced stocks last. Already three of the markers (Night of Navy, Pumpkin Pie and Bravo Burgundy) have run out and are now only available at their regular price, and some of the other markers are nearing their limit as well.

If you were planning on placing an order for a Christmas present and want to ensure delivery before the 25th, please note that Stampin' Up! have recommended orders be placed prior to the 15th to arrive in time. If you're not in any hurry, no big deal, just contact me any time to place your order!

December Frenzy!

How exciting does this sound? A frenzy of specials, available from December 1st through to the 29th. Download the flyer at my website here (or have a look at the list below) and check out the great bargains to be had!

Last minute Christmas shopping? Deserve a little something special for yourself? Some products are 50% off!

I personally am planning on making a purchase or two - there is a stamp set on that list that I have been meaning to buy for some time, and it's only half price.

Just a warning, if you are planning on shopping with me for a Stampin' Up! Christmas, I would recommend getting your orders in early - I would imagine that the week before Christmas would be pretty busy and deliveries may be delayed.

Item	Page	Description	Retail Price	Sale Price
119181	39	A Little Treat Wood-Mount Stamp Set	$21.95	$10.98
120018	39	A Little Treat Clear-Mount Stamp Set	$15.95	$7.98
119189	40	Tote-Ally Tess Wood-Mount Stamp Set	$37.95	$26.57
111255	43	Daisy Dash Jumbo Stampin' Around Wheel	$15.95	$9.57
121482	56	Baby Bundle Wood-Mount Stamp Set	$49.95	$34.97
119161	72	Autumn Days Wood-Mount Stamp Set	$38.95	$19.48
120012	77	Pendant Park Clear-Mount Stamp Set	$27.95	$13.98
113031	88	Tart & Tangy Wood-Mount Stamp Set	$21.95	$15.37
115806	91	Fresh Cuts Wood-Mount Stamp Set	$38.95	$27.27
115946	102	Wonderful Favorites Wood-Mount Stamp Set	$39.95	$23.97
119167	104	Heard from the Heart Wood-Mount Stamp Set	$38.95	$23.37
119185	105	Teeny Tiny Sentiments Wood-Mount Stamp Set	$62.95	$31.48
105115	118	Pumpkin Pie Stampin' Write Marker	$5.75	$4.03
105106	119	Certainly Celery Stampin' Write Marker	$5.75	$3.45
100045	119	Pretty in Pink Stampin' Write Marker	$5.75	$3.45
105114	119	So Saffron Stampin' Write Marker	$5.75	$3.45
105111	119	Bashful Blue Stampin' Write Marker	$5.75	$3.45
105108	119	Regal Rose Stampin' Write Marker	$5.75	$3.45
105109	120	Bravo Burgundy Stampin' Write Marker	$5.75	$3.45
100069	120	Night of Navy Stampin' Write Marker	$5.75	$4.03
100082	121	Basic Black Stampin' Write Marker	$5.75	$3.45
103104	122	Small Cello Bags	$7.50	$4.50
111325	140	Styled Silver Hodgepodge Hardware	$57.95	$28.98
112530	140	Circle Scissor Plus	$54.95	$32.97
116681	161	Kind Heart Wood-Mount Stamp Set	$11.95	$5.98

Page numbers refer to the 2010-2011 Idea Book & Catalogue

Summer has arrived ...

... and Stampin' Up! have released their new Australian Summer Mini Catalogue, full of stampy goodness *g*. Items in this catalogue are available from December 1, 2010 through to March 31, 2011.

Click the link above to go straight to the online catalogue, then contact me to order your new goodies!

If you are planning on holding a workshop during this period, don't forget to check out the two new Hostess sets on pages 4 and 5 (a Level 1 set and a Level 2 set) - again, available only until March 31 next year.

There are also an assortment of the a la Carte stamps - single stamps, which come in their own little box (woodmounted only) and are an inexpensive item, great for gifts.

Another new product this time around are the Builder Wheel products, show on pages 14-15. These are narrow wheels which can be combined on a Jumbo handle to create your own customised look.

There's a whole bunch of other stuff - too much to go into here. You'll have to check it out for yourself.

If you want a hard copy of the Summer Mini, please drop me an email and I'll get one out to you.