A Matchbook Treat Holder
There is a challenge at Late Night Stampers this week to use Blue, White and Silver on your creation. I decided to use a tutorial which I have from Class in a Flash to make a little treat holder for my grandchildren to go under the tree. Just a little bit of fun.
I used Night of Navy card stock to create the basic matchbook. The photo doesn’t really show it well, but there is a Round Treat Cup in the centre of the embossed cardstock which is where I will be adding my treat. I used a combination of Whisper White and Silver Glimmer Paper to decorate the box. I also used a variety of punches – Full Heart, 1 1/4″ Circle, 1″ Circle, 1 3/4″ Circle, Scallop Trim Border Punch as well as the Circle Scissors to create my 3″ circle. I also used the Perfect Polka Dots embossing folder to add a little texture. The greeting comes from the Perfect Punches stamp set and I used Night of Navy ink to stamp it. I just need to find something to add to the Treat cup. I am thinking Red Smarties or M&M’s would look fantastic. The little matchbook opens and the treat holder swings out so that the treat can be eaten without destroying the holder.
I can’t wait for Christmas morning to see my grandchildren’s faces and hear their excitement about what Santa brought them.
Bye for now, Kris.
Clean and Simple Flower
Today I decided to play along with the Clean and Simple Challenge. It is a very simple sketch but one that has lots of potential.
I kept my card pretty simple, because as you know it is a very busy time of year. I have a base card of Wisteria Wonder to which I added a piece of Very Vanilla card stock which I have stamped on the top half using the floral filigree image from the Creative Elements stamp set using Lucky Limeade ink.
I ran a piece of Very Vanilla card stock through the Big Shot using the Petals-A-Plenty Embossing Folder and added a strip of Lucky Limeade card stock which has been punched on one long edge using the Pinking Hearts Border Punch and then attached it to the card front.
I stamped the flower image from the Creative Elements stampset onto Very Vanilla card stock 4 times using Calypso Coral ink and cut out one complete flower and then sections of the flower – gradually decreasing in size. I stacked the flowers together using dimensionals and then added it to the card front using Mini Glue Dots.
What do you think? I think it is simple and elegant.
Bye for now, Kris.
Santa’s Treat Box
I thought I would share this adorable little box which is made using the Petal Cone Die. The tutorial was written by Vimar Serrano as part of the Christmas Edition 2011 of Inkspiration 4U. I think it is just gorgeous and a great way to use our new Red and Silver Glitter paper. The top part lifts off and you have a cute little box. This is going to sit on my table at Christmas and hide a few little treats.
This fits the current challenge at Sunny Challenges and Creations – anything Christmas. You still have a few days left to add your creations to Mr. Linky. We’d love to see what you have been making for the Christmas season.
Bye for now, Kris.
Christmas Bauble Wreath
Here is somthing I wanted to share with you just for fun. I have seen these wreaths made from Christmas Baubles and a wire coat hanger and thought I would give it a try. All you do is open the hanger and shape it into a circle. Slide the baubles onto the wire (make sure your hangers will not come away from the bauble) and use different sizes so that the wreath doesn’t have any gaps in it. I used 3 different sizes and love the way it turned out. We celebrate Christmas on the back verandah so the grandchildren have quick access to the pool and this wreath will be the focal decoration. I did use something from Stampin’ Up! – Basic Black 1 1/4″ grosgrain ribbon.
I’d love to hear what you think.
Bye for now, Kris.
A Pleated Tree
Robin Messenheimer shared a great photo of some Christmas Trees that were displayed in the White House and then she shared a tutorial in her newsletter on how to make them.
I made mine following Robin’s instructions using Old Olive card stock. I added a little glitter in the form of circles I punched from scrap Silver Glitter Paper using the largest eye on the Owl Punch. I think this tree turned out so cute and will look great sitting on the Christmas table this year.
While making this tree I started thinking about how I could decorate a polystyrene cone shape that I have left over from some other projects. 
I cut strips of Very Vanilla card stock and punched one long edge using the Eyelet Border Punch. I sponged Old Olive ink onto the punched edges. I ran each piece through the crimper several times until the card stock was nice and pliable. I started at the bottom of the cone and used dressmaker pins to attach the card stock to the polystyrene cone. I made sure that the bottom of each piece fitted around the cone and then attached the top in 4 places and then just kind of squished the paper to the cone and added pins to keep it in place. How to cover the top had me a bit stumped at first but then I decided to punch a 2 3/8″ Scallop Circle from Very Vanilla card stock and score through the scallops. I also sponged the edges with Old Olive ink. I cut through one of the score lines until I reached the centre of the circle and then cut one scallop away. I concertina folded the score lines and then used Tombow Multipurpose glue to join the scallop together again. I attached this to the tree using Tombow Multipurpose Glue. I punched 2 stars from Silver Glimmer paper using my Star punch (retired) and joined them together back to back with a toothpick between the layers. I then pushed the toothpick into the top of the cone through the Scallop Circle and there you have it – my version of the paper Christmas Tree.
Ok guys, I have been showing you things that I am making for Christmas, how about you share some of your gorgeous creations by adding them to Mr. Linky at Sunny Challenges and Creations. You still have plenty of time and I know that you are all making fabulous things for Christmas.
Bye for now, Kris.
Happy Birthday Abigail
Today is my granddaughter Abigail’s seventh birthday. She is growing into a lovely young lady of whom I am very proud. Her birthday present is a ticket to see Taylor Swift in March next year but it wouldn’t be a birthday without a present so I made a little gift to give to her today.
I used the largest of the Beveled Windowpanes to create a necklace for her. I cut Whisper White card to fit the frame and stamped the “word” image from the Charming stampset (released in the Mini on 1st December) using Certainly Celery ink. I inked the “flower stem” image using Certainly Celery and Regal Rose Stampin’ Write Markers and stamped over the top of the “words”. I attached the image panel to the back of the Beveled Windowpane using Mini Glue Dots. I attached a loop of Certainly Celery 1/4″ grosgrain ribbon to the top of the Beveled Windowpane behind the image panel. 
I cut slits in the image panel matching the slits in the Beveled Windowpane and again wrapped Certainly Celery 1/4″ grosgrain ribbon making sure that the ends were attached to the back. I attached another piece of Whisper White card to the back of the piece to cover all the ends of the ribbon. I cut the “legs” off a Designer Flower brad and used Crystal Effects to attach it to the front of the Bevelled Windowpane. Once the Crystal Effects was dry – I let it sit overnight – I threaded Certainly Celery 1/4″ grosgrain ribbon through the loop at the top of the Beveled Windowpane and attached jewellery rings and a lobster closing to the ends of the ribbon so that she can wear it as a necklace. 
Of course I needed a way to present the necklace, so I created a little matchbox to house the gift. I used Certainly Celery card stock to create the box and ran the cover through the Big Shot using the Perfect Polka Dot embossing folder to add a little texture. I punched a window in the front of the cover using the Full Heart Punch and attached a piece of window sheet behind it using Mini Glue Dots. I created a little flower using the largest flower on the Boho Blossom Punch, added a small Clear Rhinestone to the centre and attached it to the front of the box using a Mini Glue Dot.
Lastly I made a little carry bag to put the necklace and card into. Selene Kempton shared a tutorial at Stamping 411 and it is just perfect to hold my gift. I used Certainly Celery card stock to construct the box. I punched the length of Certainly Celery card stock using the Lace Ribbon Border to create handles. I used a piece of Regal Rose Designer Paper from the Brights Patterns Designer Series Paper Stack to decorate the front. I punched a strip of Whisper White card stock using the Lace Ribbon Border and cut it in half to add to each long side of the designer paper. I added Whisper White card stock punched using the Round Tab Punch to the front and back of the bag and attached the handles using Large Clear Rhinestone Brads. Lastly I cut Whisper White card stock using the Scalloped Heart of Hearts embosslit. I punched Certainly Celery card stock using the Full Heart punch and placed it in the Scalloped Heart of Hearts embosslit to add the small polka dot pattern and attached it to the Certainly Celery scalloped heart. I added a flower made in the same manner as for the front of the matchbox.
I think the necklace is really cute and will be a fun accessory for her. I love the presentation bag and know that Abi will too. I’d love to hear what you think.
Bye for now, Kris.
Christmas Cards for the Boys
Here are the cards I made for my grandsons. There are many variations on this style of card out there in blog land, so thanks to everyone for the inspiration.
I started with a base care of Whisper White and added a layer of Real Red. (Look no embossing). I punched the long edges of a piece of Whisper White card using the Scallop Trim Border punch and then embossed the centre panel using the Perfect Polka Dots Embossing folder. I added a strip of Basic Black card and then using a piece of Silver Glimmer paper punched a 1″ square. 
I used the 1 1/4″ square and punched around the 1″ square making sure to centre it. I added this piece to the Basic Black strip to make the “buckle”. I kept the inside of this card plain as well but did add “Ho Ho Ho” to the inside. I cut the letters from Real Red cardstock using the Timeless Type Junior Alphabet.
These are simple cards but I think my grandsons will love them.
Bye for now, Kris.
A New Page
Some of you may have noticed that I have added new Page to my blog. I have decided to sell some of my tutorials. I am really excited about this and hope that you will be too. My tutorials may not be unique but I have presented the instructions in my own unique way.
My first tutorial is a Gift Card Holder of which I am especially proud. Each of my tutorials will have step by step instructions and photos so that you can easily reproduce the project at home. Especially at this time of year we are all in need of some way of presenting a Gift Card in a special way. Check out the new page and see for yourself.
Bye for now, Kris.
More Punch Art
I shared with you a card I made recently with a punch art Santa which I got from Dawn Olchefske. Well I made three more cards using this same punch art Santa so I have one each for my four granddaughters.
I used three different layouts and I think they all turned out fantastic.
This one starts with a base of Whisper White card stock. I added a layer of Whisper White card stock which has been embossed using the Perfect Polka Dots Embossing Folder to Real Red card stock and then to the card front. I added a strip of Whisper White card stock which has been embossed using the Vintage Wallpaper Embossing Folder to Real Red card stock which has been punched along one long edge using the Scallop Trim Border punch. I stamped “Merry Christmas” from the Petite Pairs stampset onto Whisper White card stock, punched it out with the Word Window Punch and added it to a Real Red Modern Label. I trimmed one edge straight and attached it to the bottom right hand side of the card front. I embossed Crumb Cake card stock using the Square Lattice Embossing Folder attached it to Real Red card stock. The Stanta is attached to the top and then the whole piece added to the card front using dimensionals.
This one has a Real Red card stock base. I embossed Whisper White card stock using the Perfect Polka Dots Embossing Folder and attached it to the card front. I embossed another piece of Whisper White card stock using the Petals-A-Plenty Embossing Folder, attached it to Real Red card stock which has been punched along one edge using the Scallop Trim Border punch and then to the card front. I stamped the greeting onto Whisper White card stock using Real Red ink, punched it out using the Word Window Punch and then attached it to a Real Red Modern Label. The greeting is attached to the card front using dimensionals. The Santa panel is done exactly the same as in the previous card and then attached to the card front using dimensionals.
The last card has a Whisper White card stock base. I embossed Whisper White card stock using the Perfect Polka Dots Embossing Folder, attached it to Real Red card stock and then to the card front. I embossed Whisper White card stock using the Vintage Wallpaper Embossing Folder, attached it to a piece of Real Red card stock with one long edge punched using the Scallop Trim border punch and then to the card front. The greeting is attached using dimensionals as is the Santa panel. I am really happy with the way these cards have turned out. Four cards with the same Santa and not one is exactly the same. I hope my granddaughters love them.
Bye for now, Kris.
A Sunny Challenge Christmas
As Christmas is approaching and life is becoming more hectic, we have decided that the challenge at Sunny Challenges and Creations will run for 2 weeks. The theme is Christmas…. so you can share anything Christmas at all, cards, scrapbooking gifts, 3D, anything that has a Christmas purpose to it.
Sooo… the first thing I am going to share with you for this challenge is an ornament. Lynn Pratt shared a honeycomb ornament she had made following the tutorial at Splitcoast Stampers and I thought it was beautiful. She even shared a free template. Then Lisa Lange shared one she had made using circles and it looked stunning as well, so here is my version of the honeycomb ornament. I used two sheets of Designer Series paper from the Brights Patterns Designer Series Paper Stack. My ornament is made from 18 3-1/2″ circles. Basically I followed the information Lynn shared to create my ornament. 
I used Whisper White 5/8″ Organza Ribbon to hang my ornament but I would probably use narrower ribbon next time and add some beads to the bottom of the ribbon, just to give it some weight. You need to have lots of Mini Glue Dots on hand to make these fantastic ornaments. Lynn also shared a great tutorial to make these using the Ornament Punch. You need a lot less designer series paper but they also look fantastic. I haven’t made any of the smaller ornaments yet but I am going to give it a try.
This next ornament is made following some instructions I found in the Christmas edition of the Better Homes and Gardens Magazine. I cut 3 strips of 12 x 12 ” designer paper 60cm wide using Old Olive Designer Paper from the Brights Patterns Designer Series Paper Stack 6cm wide. These strips were scored every 1/2″ and folded concertina fashion and joined end to end and then together to make a ring. I cut 2 strips of 12 x 12″ Chocolate Chip Designer Series Paper from the Neutrals Patterns Designers Series Paper Stack 4cm wide. These strips were scored every 1/4″ and joined end to end and then together to make a ring. 
I made 2 Chocolate Chip medallions. I used Tombow Multi Purpose Glue to join all the strips together. Firstly I squished the Old Olive pieces together to form a ring and added a 1-1/4″ circle of Old Olive card stock to the centre to hold it together. I used Tombow Multi Purpose Glue and put a punch on top to hold it together. I did the same thing with the Chocolate Chip pieces and held them together with a 1 1/4″ circle of Real Red card stock. Once the glue had set I added the Chocolate Chip medallions to both sides of the Old Olive medallion, sandwiching some gold thread to hang it from. I punched Silver Glimmer Paper using the Doily Triple Layer punch using the last setting and added them to the centre of the Real Red circles. These ornaments look the same from the front and the back which makes them ideal for hanging on the tree. I think they turned out really prett, don’t you?
Ok so now go visit Gwen and Vicky and see what they have to show you for inspiration this week. Once you have your creation ready, visit Sunny Challenges and Creations and add it to Mr. Linky. Remember this challenge runs until Christmas Day. I cannot wait to see what fantastic things you have been making this Christmas.
Bye for now, Kris.
