Yeah! It is that time again…time to see what the fabulous Control Freaks are doing on their Tour de Freaks! You've probably just arrived from Melanie Schulenberg's blog! We have 12 blogs for you to visit this time. I'm sure you will love all the awesome projects you see as you tour. This month's theme is Christmas Gifts – small items, altered items, stocking stuffers, gift collections, and ornaments. I know I can't wait to see!
My first project brings back my favorite Stampin' Up! Simple Seasonal Thanks Snowman! This time he is standing behind a little candle votive. I stamped him in Basic Black on Whisper White and cut him out. I colored the shadows on his sides with the Bashful Blue Stampin' Write Marker and used the AquaPainter and Old Olive and Real Red Stampin' Write Markers for his hat and scarf. I colored his checks with the Blush Blossom and his nose with Pumpkin Pie. I added 3 Basic Black "buttons" on his from punched from the large hole of the Crop A Dile. I added a little Crystal Effects on his sides and Dazzling Diamonds glitter for a sparkly look!
Can you guess what the base holding the votive is? Yes! The Sizzix Bigz XL Bitty Box! It is secured to the snowman along the back edge. I punched a 1 3/4 circle in the top to hold the votive and stamped Bashful Blue snowflakes from the Serene Snowflakes stamp set. The glass votive has silver Icicles Rub-ons decorating the rim. Now…this is for decorative purposes only. I wouldn't light a candle this close to paper. Wouldn't this be a fun little gift for a co-worker or friend?
My next Christmas Gift is a large decorated candle. I found these nice two-tone vanilla/cranberry ones that smell SO good! They are about 3 inches in diameter. I wrapped some Merry Moments Designer Paper around the area where the two colors meet, then added a Old Olive Wide 1 1/4 Striped Ribbon. Hanging from the ribbon is the Make Merry tag from Stampin' Up!'s Grateful Greetings stamp set. It is stamped in Real Red on Very Vanilla card stock and punched with the small tag punch, then layered on a large Old Olive tag punch. Now…what snowflake punch did I use? The Merry Details Snowflake Die in Chocolate Chip card stock! I cut off the extra long "legs" of the snowflake to make it smaller and fit on my tag! The center is a Green Rhinestone Brad and it is tied to the bow with Silver Cord.
The next project is a Dove Chocolate Box Sleeve made from Bravo Burgundy card stock. Now…who wouldn't want a giant bar of chocolate as a gift! For the top layer, I ran the Handsome Hunter cardstock thru the Petals A Plenty Impressions Folder, then highlighted the centers with the White Gel Pen. I placed the Handsome Hunter Piece on the Dove Movers & Shapers die to cut it out, then backed it with Whisper White and wrapped it with Bravo Burgundy 5/8 Grosgrain Ribbon before putting it on the Dove box. I used the Eyelet Border punch across the top of the box, then cut a piece of Whisper White for the bottom, stamped Peace on Earth from Four the Holidays, and used the Eyelet Border punch again.
The 3×6 card fits in the Box sleeve with the Dove Chocolate perfectly. I used the extra Handsome Hunter die cut dove that was already embossed on the front, layered it on Bravo Burgundy and placed on the Whisper White card stock. The Bravo Burgundy Ribbon is wrapped around the entire front of the card. Peace on Earth from Four the Holidays is stamped with Bravo Burgundy Classic Ink. Thanks to my downline, Annette, for the inspiration on this project!
Whew…hope you enjoyed my projects! Come back later next week and I'll post the directions on making the Dove Chocolate Box Sleeve!
Next stop is the fabulous Mary Brown! I know you'll enjoy her projects!
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OK…now here is my creative card for today! My Technique Class did this technique called Bingo Blast a few months ago! It is from Technique Junkies Newsletter and a very fun technique! You use actual empty Bingo Daubers and ink refills to create it! Isn't it fun? I thought the bright colors of Crushed Curry, Melon Mambo and Rich Razzleberry complement the giraffe from Stampin' Up!'s Animal Stories really well and made a cute baby card in non-traditional colors! The Hello Baby stamp is from Teeny Tiny Wishes (of course!). I also like the Scallop Square Punch placed behind the corners for an added detail!.jpg)
This one I made for my girlfriend's birthday (hi Annette!) a couple months ago. I was saving it thinking that I'd do it in a punch class, but with the Stampin' Up! Ornament Punch going away at the end of December, I know I won't have another Punch Class before then. (Hopefully the ornament punch will be in the new catalog next year, but you never know!).jpg)
Sorry I'm so late getting my post up today! I got involved with doing some paperwork and the morning rushed by…and half the afternoon!
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Today is Mary Jo's Lunchtime Sketch Challenge, TSSC96. I like to do her challenges because it seems to get my creativity going for the week! And, today's sketch WAS a little challenging…I wanted to make sure I got my greeting from Christmas Punch on there, too. This also fits my Late Night Stampers Design Team challenge of "My Favorite Holiday".
I added the little pole with the gift in his hand by stamping it with Craft Chocolate Chip Ink. Then I stamped the gift again on Whisper White with Real Red and cut it out to adhere over the Chocolate Chip gift on the card. I stamped the bowler hat in Real Red on Whisper White and cut it out to adhere to his head..jpg)
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I love saying Happy Fall Y'all! Today's Bloggers Challenge is to create a fall card! I used the acorn designed by Ellen Kemper from Stampin' Up!'s Ornament Punch, but came up with a new card design to use it on for my Punch Class last month! I've now shown my punch class members two ways to use that Ornament Punch other than with the Delightful Decorations ornament stamp set…if they haven't bought it by now…they'd better get it soon! lol! I have a cute Valentine/Anniversary idea that I'm SURE they would love!.jpg)
Finally, I used a little Crystal Effect on the snow in the bush and along the steps and ground and added Dazzling Diamonds Glitter for some extra BLING! Too bad you can't see the sparkle on the card!.jpg)
