Merry Christmas 2012: A Family Photo Christmas Card Idea

 

Make a Large Christmas Card

I was so excited when I found the perfect envelopes for our client who prefers to send out big Christmas cards.  What I mean by "big" is that he prefers the cards to be 5-1/2" x 8-1/2" instead of the usual 5-1/2" x 4-1/4".  I came up with this card, which is based on a card that is featured on page 20 of Stampin' Up's 2012 Holiday Catalog.
He was thrilled!

Purple Flip-Up Card

I'm so tired of making the typical 5-1/2" x 4-1/4" card!  So here is my shot at a flip-up card:

Beautiful Color Combos

Aren't they beautiful?  Every year, Stampin' Up! comes out with five new colors that are only available for a limited time.  I am totally in love with this year's combinations.  Here's a look at the old stand-by Early Espresso combined with three of the new colors:  Lucky Limeade, Calypso Coral,  and Wisteria Wonder.  I'm in love, love, love!

Use Your Scraps

Remember this post, where I showed you how to make paper rosettes?  I mentioned that after you die-cut the scallop circles, you would have little parts of the smaller scallop circle left over. 

Make Paper Rosettes the Easy Way: Tutorial

Paper rosettes are all the rage right now.  I'm going to show you an easy way to make your own. 

Here is a list of the supplies you'll need:

Sizzix Big Shot, Scallop Circle #2 Sizzix Die, Simply Scored Scoring Tool, Designer Series Paper, Sticky Strip, Stampin' Dimensionals, and any embellishment you would like to use.

Baby Shower Invitation

I just completed a job for a client who requested "fun" and "different" invitations for a baby shower.  She didn't want the printed ones that you can order online.  (Woo hoo!)

I emailed her a couple of choices.  The first sample started out just being a "onesie" card, but I thought it needed to be more than that.  I cut the onesie into two pieces.  That way I was able to get two cards from one "onesie" (are you confused yet?!) and there would be more room inside the invitation for the wording.



I also sent her this old stand-by as another choice:



She suggested onesies and a clothesline, so I came up with this, and it was the winner!



So fun to make! 

Dazzling Details

Have you ever discovered something new and then asked yourself, "How in the world did I live this long without this?"  Well, once you add Dazzling Details glitter glue to your projects, you will definitely know what I mean. 

Make a Deluxe Candy Wrapper Box: Template & Tutorial

I've been wanting to make a huge candy wrapper box for a long time!  It has always been a challenge for me to figure out how to make the ends of the boxes do that cute fold-and-pop thing that makes the box looks so cute.  Alas, I decided to just buy a box of Ghirardelli peppermint stick chocolates, take the box apart, and copy it.

You're in luck, because I made a template of the box for you, too!  Download it HERE.

The box is large enough to fit about a dozen chocolates.  (I'm sure you could hide a diamond ring inside there, too.)  It makes a great Valentine's Day gift.  You can put a gift card inside, too.  Teachers would love to find one on their desk for Valentine's Day, don't you think?







Do you like the cool "Wonderful You" roses embellishment that I added to the box?



*****

This is what you should end up with when you trace the template onto your cardstock:



Here are some tips to help when you assemble the box:

Make a Large Christmas Card with a LOT of Bling

Most handmade cards are made by using 1/2 sheet of 8-1/2" x 11" cardstock.  This makes the card end up measuring 4-1/4" x 5-1/2".  (Like the size of an invitation.)

One of my clients requested bigger cards this year.  Hmmmm....that is a challenge!  I'm just so used to making standard-sized cards that it is difficult for me to "think bigger."

What I decided to do was to use a smaller card and just add some additional background elements to make the card bigger. 



I used an entire sheet of cardstock for the card, so the final card measures 5-1/2" x 8-1/2".  Yes, it is a lot of paper, but I like the results!

For the bling, I used glittery cardstock, which meant no messing around with glue and glitter.



A nice little touch of bling at the top of the card to pull it all together and balance the colors:



Coming up on Tuesday:  supply list.  There are tons of supplies for this card, but don't let that scare you!  Promise?

Change of Address Christmas Card: Tutorial (Part III)

Here is one final version of the change of address cards.  This one is my favorite.  It's also the easiest to make because for the accent pieces, all you have to do is use scraps of coordinating decorative paper.  No matter what version you decide to use, I'm sure your family and friends will love receiving these cards.  They are meant to give the illusion of a front door.  When they open the card, it's like you are opening your door and welcoming them into your life.





Join me all next week when I show you how to make a 5-1/2" x 8-1/2" card from start to finish, including decorating the envelope.  In the meantime, have a fun and safe weekend while you are out-and-about!  See you Monday.

Make a Mini Paper Lunch Bag Thanksgiving Party Favor

Here is yet another fabulous Thanksgiving idea made by my bff Nancy.
You can use a paper lunch bag to make Thanksgiving party favors.  Fill the bag with a pack of hot apple cider and some cookies, and be sure to finish it off by tying on a cinnamon stick.

This particular treat bag uses a mini paper lunch bag.    







My favorite part of this treat is the tag.  I like how Nancy added ink to the edges.  The ink gives depth to the tag and brings an over-all richness to the project.  You can apply the ink by using a sponge, or by applying the ink directly from the ink pad onto the paper.

Thanksgiving Card: Tutorial

Remember this cute little goose?  It is a stamp that is part of the "Cherish Friendship" stamp set.  This cute little bowl of cherries is also a part of the set.  Can I just tell you that I was up until 1 am making a bunch of these?  Trust me, it's a fun card to make!  Too bad our Thanksgiving plans won't be very exciting this year.  I would have loved to have given them to my aunt as a thank-you for hosting us.  :(

I've listed the supplies and cardstock measurements below. 





Supplies:

 

 

  

 

 

Cherish Friendship stamp set

Blender Pens

Watercolor Pencils

Well-Worn Designer Series Paper

Linen Thread

Watercolor Paper

River Rock card stock

Cajun Craze card stock

Stazon Ink

Stazon Cleaner

Measurements:

Start with a piece of 4-1/4" x 11" cardstock, scored at 5-1/2"

Mini Take-Out Box: Template & Tutorial

You can  make a bunch of these fun mini take-out boxes for your kids to bring to their friends in school on Halloween!  They will definitely win "most popular kid" for the day!

Click HERE for the template.  You can print it directly onto an 8 1/2" x 11" piece of decorative paper.  It will be so much easier!

In addition to decorative paper, you will also need a Crop-a-Dial to punch the holes, and some wire and ribbon for the handle.













You can add a "Happy Thanksgiving" tag and place a box at each guest's seat as a fun gift for your Thanksgiving feast.

Dorm Room Decoration: Make a Fun Banner

I'm taking a few days off from blogging because I want to spend every second playing with my girls!  I'll definitely post photos next week of move-in-day and the dorm decorating fun!

In the meantime, here is the finished project that I blogged about yesterday. 

When you make your banner, choose lots of coordinating colors and then have-at-it when you decorate!  I used pearls, rhinestones, ribbons, and stamp sets that coordinated with the patterns in the comforter.



This was my inspiration:







 

 

I also added a little tiny note for her to glance at every now and then.  :)

(If I get a chance, I will post the supplies and tutorial over the weekend.  If not, I will be sure to post as soon as I return from dropping her off; that is if my tears don't get in the way.)