Thursday, November 21, 2013

Keepin' it simple, Christmas style

I'm doing a couple Christmas cards with my club for November and December, since my busy schedule isn't going to allow me to hold a Christmas card buffet this year. (So sad...) I told them I'd have at least one simple Christmas card, and lucky for them I had time to make two. I thought I would share how they turned out.

This first one is my very first attempt at the thinlits flip cards. I find myself stumped as to how to decorate this, so I left it pretty simple. I'm open to suggestions for what I could add, though! I'm submitting this to SUO Challenges since I used the Festive Flurry stamp set.

 
 
 For this next one I took the photo at the Curtain Call Inspiration Challenge as my starting point.


 
I used the extrafine gold glitter to add some sparkle to my tree and then embossed the gold foil paper to go behind it. This beautiful tree is featured in the set Special Season.

I'm going to keep the chatter simple as well and get on with my preparations for tomorrow night. I hope you enjoyed these CAS Christmas cards!

Wednesday, November 20, 2013

Places, please

Hello! I know it's been a while since I posted a project. I can't seem to find much time for stamping these days. But this week my club is meeting so I have a good reason to make the time. For my 3D project I wanted to create a place card treat holder for Thanksgiving. I looked around online and didn't find instructions for a project I liked, so I created my own design. I'm entering this in the Paper Players challenge (clean and simple with leaves).

 
You can't really tell from the photo but when it's closed it's shaped like a triangle, then you open it to reveal the little treat bag on the inside. Granted, it won't hold a HUGE treat, but it's Thanksgiving so do you really need that much more to eat? ;) 


I took some photos as I made this project so you can see how I did it. You need a piece of designer paper 3" x 12". I recommend that the inside be a light color so you can see the score lines more easily. First, score it on the long side at 1", 4 1/2", 5 1/2", 6 1/2", 10", and 11". Rotate 90 degrees to the right and score on the short side at 1". Fold on all score lines and snip for flaps at the 1", 4 1/2", 6 1/2", and 10" score lines.

 

Turn the paper over and put sticky tape on the flaps as shown. NOTE: on the side flap, where I put a single strip of tape, you will want to add another strip next to the score line. Otherwise the side won't stay closed.

 

Peel off the backing from the tape and begin to assemble your bag. Start with the side that's on the left in the above photo.

 

The other side is a bit trickier. First fold in the 1" x 2" flap, then fold the last flap over top and seal all the edges. It will help to reach inside with a bone folder and go over all the tape.

 
Next you need a piece of card stock 3 1/2" x 6 1/2". You will score this at 2", 4", and 6 1/8". Fold on score lines and trim the corners off the flap. The opposite end of the card stock will attach to the bottom of your bag, so put sticky tape on three sides as shown. The flap will tuck under the bottom of the box to keep it closed, so you don't want any sticky tape on that side.

 


Line up the tape with the bottom of your designer paper bag. The score lines on the sides of the bag will fold in to make gussets when you close the box.
 
 
Tuck the flap under the bottom to close. Note that the more you tuck and untuck the flap, the less tightly it will close, so you may not want to handle it any more than necessary.
 

Now you can decorate the front! I used Sweater Weather designer paper and the Wonderfall stamp set. I put my daughter's name on this one and now she wants to take it away from me - I guess it gets her "stamp" of approval, LOL! I hope you'll try out this project and show me what you come up with!
 

Monday, November 11, 2013

November Paper Crafters Sampler


It's that time again - a new issue of Paper Crafters Sampler is available! The theme is Christmas and you will want to make all of the fabulous projects it includes. Here's a sneak peek of mine:


Have fun getting ready for the holiday season!