Some handmade Christmas gifts

Ok, so now that Christmas is over, I can finally share some of my Christmas crafting projects that I gave as gifts this year. They were for my mom and sisters, and I am not sure how often they check my blog, so I didn't want to chance it and ruin the surprise :)

First is one of my very favorite projects this year is a ribbon wreath that I made for my mom. I first saw the idea in the Papercrafts magazine holiday edition, made by Alli Miles. When Alli featured hers on her blog, I knew I had to make one. You can see Alli's here:

http://allistamps.blogspot.com/2010/09/crafty-goodness-la-holiday-cards-and.html

And here is mine, done in colors to match Mom's dining room :)



Up next is a project that I had been wanting to make, also for my Mom, since Nichole Heady featured it on her blog, back in June of 2010. She made silhouettes of their children for her husband for Father's Day and I love how they turned out. You can see Nichole's post here:

http://nicholeheady.typepad.com/capture_the_moment/2010/05/senior-design-team-challenge-dearest-dad.html

Here are the silhouettes that I did of my boys, using the same technique. I chose to put them in the same frame since my mom doesn't have a lot of wall space, and chose a black frame since my mom has silhouettes of my sisters and I from ages ago, and those are in black frames, so I wanted them to match.



And finally is a 2011 planner that I altered for my sister. I bought a plain black planner that came with the three colored inserts inside. Then I bought a 2011 calendar, recovered it, and added it to the planner. Dressed her up a bit, and here is the end result (she cried when she opened it):

My top 10 of 2010

Since I became a more serious stamper in the last half of 2010, I don't have too many cards posted on my blog. So, my top 10 of 2010 will include some other projects too :)

Here they are, my favorites (in no particular order)... Can't believe this year is already over. I look forward to having more time to create in the new year, and hope to post to my blog more frequently :)

PTI December Blog Hop

So hard to believe that Christmas is over, and 2010 is coming to a close! Today marks the final PTI blog hop for this year as well! This month, our challenge was:

Holiday Leftovers

It's that time again for our annual holiday leftovers challenge! Use scraps of wrapping paper, parts of
holiday cards, recycle gift tags or bits of ribbon on a paper crafting project. We all have plenty of it
laying around after all the holiday excitement and this is your chance to incorporate some of those pretty
little things into an amazing piece of art!

I used a cute little penguin Christmas card to make a gift tag! He was too cute to throw in the trash! I also used my new PTI Seeing Stars dies to make a 3D star. I am addicted. They are so cute, and SO easy.

Edit: Since so many asked how to make the star 3D, I will share with you how I did it. It is really simple. You just take your star cut out (any size will work), and simply score the star by making a vertical score line from each point of the star straigh down until you can't go any further. Make sure that each score line intersects the others in the center of the star. Then crease the score lines and that will give you the 3D effect. I hope I explained it clearly. It sounds more complicated than it is. Let me know if you have any other questions :)



Supplies (all PTI unless noted:)
Stamps: Tiny Treats Christmas
Ink: Momento Tuxedo Black, Pure Poppy
Paper: Kraft, Pure Poppy, Stampers Select White, Distressed Dots, misc. blue dot
Other: Tag Sale #1 die, Seeing Stars small star die, Pure Poppy Bakers Twine, Christmas card front

Baby Rag Blanket

So we just found out earlier this week that my sister, who is due in May, is having a little boy! For Christmas, little baby Malakai will have his own stack of presents, and one of them will be this handmade rag blanket from his Auntie. Now, I must say that this blanket is FAR from perfect. In fact, it was my very first sewing project. I had taken my machine out a few other times to practice threading the needle, but never actually make anything. I figured that since this was pretty much sewing straight lines, it was a good project to start with. It is a small lap blanket, about 20"x20". I used the Stampin' Up Scallop Square die to cut the squares, sewed them together in a patchwork design, snipped the edges, and washed it twice to start the ragging process. My sister's nickname is Bubbles, so as soon as I saw the fabric, I knew it was the perfect choice for Baby Bubbles, now known as Malakai :)

Holiday Tags

Cute little tags can make all of the difference :) Here are a few tags that I made today. The first one uses PTI Tiny Treats: Christmas, and Holiday Jar Fillers:



This second little jar of Turtles Candies is for my mom. She LOVES Turtles, and only gets them at Christmas time. It's a tradition. With the color of the wrappers, I had to incorporate blue into my project... more winter-y than Christmas-y, but I am ok with that :)



Supplies (all PTI unless noted):
Stamps: Tiny Treats Christmas, Friendship Jar, Friendship Jar Holiday Fillers
Ink: Momento Tuxedo Black, Pure Poppy, New Leaf
Paper: Stampers Select White, Pure Poppy,
Dies: Frienship Jar, Jar Toppers, Limitless Layers
Other: Copic markers, Stardust pen, Pure Poppy Satin Dot Ribbon, Pure Poppy Bakers Twine

Homemade Gift Card Holders

If you have purchased gift cards as gifts for the holidays this year, you may have noticed that the little gift cards holders that are often sold near the gift card displays can be expensive... sometimes $2-$3 each! After seeing some of the holders made by a few of the girls on the PTI forums (thank you Sue Ann & Stephanie!), I had to try some for myself! You can see their gift card holders here:

http://hallingerwire.blogspot.com/2010/12/christmas-card-and-gift-card-holder.html

and here:

http://stephaniemino.blogspot.com/2010/12/gift-card-holders-yippee.html

Here are the two that I have made for my best friend and her fiance. They are avid Starbucks drinkers, so they will be getting Starbucks gift cards for Christmas! This project was the perfect opportunity to use my new Warm Happiness and Warm Happiness Too stamp sets from Papertrey Ink. (I still have to pick up the giftcards, so I stuck another one in there so you can get the idea):












Supplies (all PTI unless noted):
Stamps: Warm Happiness, Warm Happiness Too, Fillable Frames #10, Friendship Jar, Friendship Jar Holiday Fillers
Dies: Mat Stack 4, Warm Happiness, Fillable Frames #10, Jar Label
Ink: Momento Tuxedo Black, Dark Chocolate, Pure Poppy, Fresh Snow
Paper: Pure Poppy CS, Pine Feather CS, Aqua Mist CS, Kraft CS, Distressed Dots PP, Christmas Prints PP
Other: Pure Poppy Bakers Twine, Pop Dots, Paper Doily (Hobby Lobby)

Papertrey Ink November Blog Hop

It's time again for the Papertrey Ink Blog Hop! This month, we were challenged to make gift tags for the holiday season! :) I made a tag to match a little gift basket that I am giving my sister for Christmas filled with all kinds of goodies! I can't show you what's in it (because she might read my blog), but you can see the cute little container peeking out from behind the tag...



Supplies (All PTI unless noted):
Stamps: Tiny Treats Christmas, Fillable Frames #9
Ink: Momento Tuxedo Black, Raspberry Fizz
Cardstock: Raspberry Fizz, Plum Pudding
Other: Copic Markers: V06, RV17, Limitless Layes dies, Tag Sale #1 die, clear rhinestones

Cute packaging makes all the difference! :)

So, halloween is over, and I am breaking out all of the Christmas goodies to craft with. I think cute packaging can make all the difference when gift giving, and it doesn't have to be fancy, expensive or time consuming. I made these quick tags today using new goodies from Papertrey Ink.







Supplies (all PTI unless noted):
Stamps: Tiny Treats Christmas, Fillable frames #9
Ink: Momento Tuxedo Black, Vintage Tea Dye Duo
Paper: Kraft CS, Christmas Prints Patterned Paper, Gingham Paper (from the Dollar Tree)
Other: Copic Markers, 1.75" circle punch, Limitless Layers Dies, Tag Sale #1 die, Rustic Twine, Stardust glitter pen, White gel pen

Gobble Gobble

Sat down to make some Thanksgiving cards today and wanted to recreate a card similar to one that PTI design team member Lisa Johnson made using the Gobble Gobble set. I just love this little turkey!!



Supplies (all PTI unless noted):
Stamps: Gobble Gobble
Paper: Kraft CS, Fine Linen CS, PP by Daisy D's
Ink: Tea Dye Duo, Dark Chocolate
Other: YR12, YR15, YR18, R24, R59 Copic Markers, Mat Stack 3 die, Rustic Twine

More fun with Wreath for All Seasons

I love that the Tiny Treats sets from Papertrey Ink are the perfect scale to fit inside the twig wreath from their Wreath for All Seasons set! This cute little owl is from the Tiny Treats Valentine set. This is a 3x3 card.



Supplies (all PTI unless noted):
Stamps: Wreath for all Seasons, Tiny Treats Valentine, Sign Language (tiny hearts)
Ink: Momento Tuxedo Black, Dark Chocolate, Sweet Blush, Berry Sorbet, Raspberry Fizz, Tea Dye Duo
Paper: Stampers Select White, Hibiscus Burst
Other: Copics: RV14, E55, E57, YR12

A Tiny Halloween Greeting

I made this tiny little 3x3 card using Papertrey Ink's new Wreath for All Seasons and Tiny Treats Halloween stamp sets. I am really loving the versatility in both sets :)



Supplies (all PTI unless noted):
Stamps: Wreath for All Seasons, Tiny Treats Halloween
Ink: Momento Tuxedo Black, Plum Pudding, Orange Zest, Palette Chartreuse
Paper: Stampers Select White, New Leaf
Other: Copic Markers - YR12, YR15, YR18, YG17, T6

Country Christmas

I was so excited when I saw the sneak peeks of September's Papertrey Ink release. The one set that I knew I had to have was Wreath for All Seasons. I am a lover of primitive country, and the twig and berry wreath in the set was a dream come true for me. I added tiny little rusty stars to my wreath, in true primitive style :)



Supplies (all PTI unless noted):
Stamps: Wreath for All Seasons, Distressed Stripes, Sign Language
Ink: Dark Chocolate, Scarlet Jewel, Tea Dye Duo, Tim Holtz Tea Dye Distress Ink
Cardstock: Scarlet Jewel, Fine Linen
Other: Rustic Twine, Scarlet Jewel buttons, Mat Stack 3 Die

September Papertrey Ink Blog Hop

It's that time again! :) Time for the monthly Papertrey Ink Blog Hop Challenge! The September challenge was this:

"One of the most fun things about this hobby is the people you meet, whether in person or online, and the things you learn from them. Now is your chance to show off any skills you might have learned from a fellow stamper, and perhaps even give them a little shout out to thank them for the inspiration they have provided. Create a project using one of your favorite learned skills and perhaps after a little blog hopping, we will ALL learn some new tips and tricks and continue to pass on the love of this hobby!"

I can't believe Christmas is just around the corner! I decided there was no better time to start working on my homemade gift than now. Hopefully I will be able to relax before the holidays this year! I have decided to use the PTI All Booked Up set to make bookplates and bookmarks for alot of people on my list. I will include a book with each set, and will choose a special book just for each person :) I had been looking for a way to package the bookplates, and remembered bookmarking a post by PTI design team member, Lisa Johnson. She had made a score box to package one of her handmade soaps, and of course, like everything Lisa does, it was adorable. You can see the post here:

http://poppypaperie.typepad.com/poppy_paperie/2010/05/just-for-you-day-3.html

I changed the measurements slightly to fit my needs, but I can see using this technique alot in the future. The boxes are quick and easy, and so simple to personalize. I cut apart the clear boxes that PTI stamps come in and used those as the "lid" for my box and tied each with some pretty matching PTI ribbon.

For the bookmarks, I used 3 layers. The top layer is a clear sheet (diecut from the sheets that PTI stamps arrive on). The second is a piece of cardstock which I decorated, and the back layer is coordinating PTI felt. I wanted these bookmarks to be sturdy, and that they are :)

Here are a few sets that I have done so far... please excuse my sewing... I am getting used to my machine, and so, it is not perfect. That's ok with me though, cause they are homemade and that adds to the charm. :)

Set #1 - Aqua Mist Butterfly





Supplies (all PTI unless noted):
Stamps: Flutterby Friend, All Booked Up, Polkadot Basics
Cardstock/Paper: Aqua Mist CS, Stampers Select White, Green Boutique Patterned Paper, White Adhesive Sheets
Ink: Aqua Mist, Hawaiian Shores, Momento Tuxedo Black
Other: BG11, BG13, BG15, BG18 Copic Markers, Hawaiian Shores felt, Hawaiian Shores Satin and Satin Dot Ribbon

Set #2 - Red Kite



Supplies (all PTI unless noted):
Stamps: Up Up and Away, All Booked Up, Polkadot Basics
Cardstock: Pure Poppy, Stampers Select White, White Adhesive Sheets
Ink: Pure Poppy, Spring Rain, Fresh Snow, Momento Tuxedo Black
Other: Pure Poppy Felt, Pure Poppy Satin Dot Ribbon

Set #3 - Violets





Supplies (all PTI unless noted):
Stamps: Year of Flowers: Violets, All Booked Up, Polka Dot Basics
Cardstock: Plum Pudding, Harvest Gold, White Adhesive Sheets
Ink: Plum Pudding, Momento Tuxedo Black
Other: V91 Copic Marker, Prismcolor colored Pencils, Plum Pudding and Harvest Gold Satin Ribbon

A girly Happy Birthday!

I made this card especially for my sister-in-law for her birthday :)



Supplies (all PTI unless noted:
Stamps: Polka Dot Basics, Star Prints, Outline Alphabet, Beautiful Blooms
Cardstock: Stampers Select White, Hawaiian Shores, Raspberry Fizz
Ink: Momento Tuxedo Black, Aqua Mist, Hibiscus Burst, Raspberry Fizz, Scarlet Jewel
Ribbon: Hawaiian Shores Satin
Copics: BG11, BG13, BG15, BG18, RV13, RV17, T1
Other: 1/8" score tape, Prisma Glitter, Pop Dots

Creepy Crawly!

I have really been enjoying my August release goodies from PTI in case you can't tell... LOL! Today, I have a halloween card using the Friendship Jar sets... LOVE those :)



Supplies (all PTI unless noted):
Stamps: Friendship Jar, Friendship Fall Fillers, Been Boo'd
Ink: Momento Tuxedo Black, True Black
Paper: Orange Zest CS, New Leaf CS, Plum Pudding CS, Creative Imaginations PP
Other: T1 copic marker, New Leaf Button, Rustic Twine, Plum Pudding Satin Ribbon, unknown gingham ribbon, Friendship Jar dies

Thank you Nichole!

Some of the girls on the Papertrey Ink message boards thought up a great idea! A "Thank You Nichole" Blog Hop! For those of you who don't know, Nichole Heady is one of three owners of PTI. She wears many hats - owner, designer, wife, mother, magician... the list goes on. All too often, she doesn't get the thanks and recognition that she deserves, and so, as a tribute, we are making thank you notes for her and posting them for all to see. :)

Nichole, this is my personal thank you to you. I truly appreciate all that you do for your PTI customers. Thank you for all of your time, hard work, dedication and inspiration. Though I have never met you, I consider you a friend and am thankful for all that PTI brings into my life. Because of your company, I am able to sit back and relax and create with beautiful products, I can go and get in some giggles on the message boards, and I can practice my stalking techniques while I wait for the mailman in the days following release day. In all seriousness though, all that you do does NOT go unnoticed or appreciated. From the bottom of my heart, thank you!!

Here is my card created especially for Nichole, using all PTI products:



And a closeup of the center:



Supplies (All PTI unless noted):
Stamps: Flutterby Friend, Embellishments
Ink: Momento Tuxedo Black, Aqua Mist, Hawaiian Shores
Cardstock: Stampers Select White, Aqua Mist
Ribbon: Hawaiian Shores Satin
Copics: BG11, BG13, BG18, BG49, YG93, YG95, YG97
Other: Prisma Glitter, 2-way glue pen, Mat Stack 4 die, 1.75" circle punch

Getting ready for Halloween!

Getting ready for Halloween is going to be so much fun this year! I have lots of new halloween goodies to play with thanks to Papertrey Ink! I am in LOVE, LOVE, LOVE with their Tiny Treats stamp sets. Yesterday, I sat down in my craft room set out to make halloween tags for the boys for their classmates, and I just kept making them, and making them, and making them. LOL! So, about 60 tags later (I made a bunch extra), I am done (for now!) I used the frame image from Tiny Treats: Valentine, and of course, the images and sentiments from Tiny Treats Halloween. Aren't they cute?



Supplies (all PTI unless noted):
Stamps: Tiny Treats: Valentine, Tiny Treats Halloween
Ink: Momento Tuxedo Black, Orange Zest, Plum Pudding, New Leaf
Cardstock: Stampers Select White
Other: Copic Markers, unknown orange satin ribbon, large circle punch

Thank you to my BFF!

My 30th birthday was back in July, and with it being summer vacation and having the boys home, we had to take a raincheck on my birthday present from my BFF. This past Tuesday, Brandi surprised me with a trip to a beautiful local spa, and I got to enjoy my very first Swedish massage. It was 50 minutes of pure heaven. Then after the spa, we went to lunch at my favorite Mexican restaurant, and then to the local scrapbook store. It was a perfect day :) To thank her for her thoughtfulness, I make her this card...





Supplies (all PTI unless noted):
Stamps: Embellishments, Gobble Gobble, Polkadot Basics, Tiny Treats Valentine
Cardstock: Sweet Blush, Stampers Select White, Hibiscus Burst
Ink: Hibiscus Burst
Other: Uniball Signo white gel pen, Quikutz Heart Die, PTI Embellishment die