All Things Alicia

One More Last Minute Little Gifty

Would you believe these are made out of the two tags die and the big shot machine?!  I love it!  This idea is from a demonstrator named Marci Baldwin. The little gift box is made with one of the two dies, then a little strip of DSP and a circle scallop punch make a great background for the stamped images.  It's folded in thirds with a ribbon through the top and a cello bag is the holder for whatever treat you stick inside. 

This is the perfect size for little candies or chocolate, little gift tags for the recipient to use, jewelry, a trial size beauty item, etc...

A Great Way to Package Your Homemade Gifts

I love Stampin' Up!'s treat boxes in this year's catalog.  They're already nice enough to leave "as is" if you need a really quick wrap, and they're the perfect size for so many home made treats and small gifts. (Folded up they measure 4 5/8" x 6 1/8" x 2 3/8").  They're also economical as you get 5 for $3.95  Better yet, they're part of this year's Holiday Gift Giving Guide, so they count towards a purchase that can earn you FREE decor elements!  A few days ago I showed you a sample from the Holiday Gift Giving Guide, but I wanted to give you another idea I came across a few months ago.

 A simple ribbon tied around with a tag makes all the more great of a statement (you know you love the blue and brown), yet takes minimal time and supplies.  The tag is made with the Sweet Season stamp set.  Notice the house is stamped on a scrap piece and cut out, then popped up over the tag with a dimensional.   A tiny detail, easy, a big impact.  Then it's hanging on the large ribbon with embroidery thread and the look of one of those "Home Sweet Home" signs.  Too cute!

This project uses the following supplies:

Sweet Season Stamp Set

Bashful Blue textured cardstock

Whisper White textured cardstock

treat boxes

Bashful Blue ink

Chocolate Chip ink

Bashful Blue 1" double stitched grosgrain ribbon (I LOVE this stuff!)

Stampin' dimensionals

Wide oval punch

corner rounder punch

embroidery thread (you could also use linen thread nicely here)

If you need any of these supplies, be sure to shop online at my webiste.

Autumn Splendor Card and Cone for Thanksgiving

Need a Thanksgiving card?  This card, made with the fall papers in the mini catalog and the Autumn Splendor stamp set, would make a great invitation to dinner at your house or mini menu as well as a fall "thank you" card. 

The matching cone would be a great keepsake or even placecard.  Just attach a person's name to it and make all the inserts something you are thankful for about them.  Better yet, make blank slips to go inside and let everyone write one out their own sentiments and tuck in each person's cone.  Dang, I'm good!

 

Now I'm running with this.  While I didn't make up this idea, (it's one of the many idea Stampin' Up! supplies to it's demonstrators to use) I am hoping to use it with my own twist.  I'm using this idea as a starter for my table place settings.

On the cone, there's a mini library clip that has a banner attached to it, with just a hand-written "Thankful for..." .  I'm thinking I'll make them say "Thankful for...Alicia" and everyone else's name who'll be at the table. These will be place cards and everyone can spend part of their waiting around time picking up these little deorated strips and writing one out for each person and tucking it into that person's cone.  It's a placecard, seasonally appropriate and meaningful activity, and party favor all in one!  

The slips are so simple.  They're blank cardstock (great way to use scraps) with a stamped leaf or button embellishment on the end.  For even faster work, use the Sizzix Big Shot and the Little Leaves Sizzlet.

But wait! There's more!  I'll be using that great ribbon from the Orchard Ribbon Originals with more stamped and cut leaves in various colors as napkins rings.  Just tie the ribbon around the napkin and trim ends.  Then place about 3 stamped leaves tucked into the knot.  (Sorry, no eye candy on that one yet)

I'll be making the card to send to invite family and friends over.  Then, for the menu, I'll use the same layout.  I'll leave off the "thanks" and turn the card sideways.  Then I can print out the menu on some cardstock and layer it inside that center panel.  That way I can get the card invites and menu's done at the same time.  Here's another shot of just the card:

 Notce the little twigs tied into the knot.  I love little details!

If you need any of the supplies to make this, contact me (stampified@sbcglobal.net) or shop online at my website.
 

Have a happy Thanksgiving and a great fall season (my favorite season).

The 2009 Holiday Gift Giving Guide

Need gift suggestions?  Need to bling up the gifts you already know you're getting?  This year's gift giving guide has fabulous ideas and special deals.  When you order $50 or more from the guide, you get a discounted decor elements selection!  There are gift ideas for teens and younger kids as well as for paper crafters.  It's the one stop shop for Christmas this year!

You can see more projects and details on my website, under current promotions.  For now, here's a teaser:

 

	Merry treat box
	Stamps Berry Christmas stamp set Paper Treat boxes Ink Old Olive Stampin' Write marker Real Red Stampin' Write marker Accessories Real Red 5/8" grosgrain ribbon Linen thread Stampin' Dimensionals 1/16" Circle punch

You can also download the Adobe pdf file Download Holiday_Extravaganza_GGG_US_1009

 

Pumpkin Candle - Just a Little Gift

***I really haven't been trying to avoid my blog lately.  There's been a pluthora of problems around here from sickness to computer issues.  I've been having troubles with Typepad freezing my computer since it switched to the new version.  Today it's finally working so maybe (fingers crossed) there will be more to come.

My son is in preschool this year and his teacher (one of two) had a birthday this week.  Luckily, I recently found out that his teacher is also the mother of one of my mom's group firends.  So I was able to get the inside scoop on what she likes to make her a little something.  She like both pumpkins and candles so I combined the two and got her a pumpkin candle.  It's actually a 3 layer soy candle and each layer is a different type of pumpkin smell.  It was divine!  I just made a little wrap and topper for the candle.  Nothing fancy, just dressed it up a little.

I used the stamp set Autumn Harvest and decided I wanted Kraft and Really Rust to coordinate with the candle.  I wrapped the area where the cardstock overlapped with twine to hide it and add some interest.  I shredded the ends of the twine to give more texture to it and I really like that effect.  I think I'll play with that some more in future cards.

Update On Christmas in July Kit and Newsletter Info

Happy Sunday Stampers!

I realize yesterday I left a few things out.  I was in a rush to get ready for a date night with the hubby and didn't think all my thoughts through.  Sorry! :(

I've added a picture of the inside of the card and a picture of the envelope that matches on yesterday's post.

I also forgot to mention that one of the buying options is to just buy the directions.  The instructive tutorial is a step by step guide with photos that will be e-mailed to you once I've received your payment confirmation from Paypal.  If you buy any of the actual kit, you get the tutorial free and pay only for the supplies.

About my newsletter...

I have had many e-mail questions on various topics pertaining to the newsletter.  I use my Stampin' Up! website list to send a monthly newsletter at the beginning of the month, and often one mid-month short e-card.  These newsletters contain the current specials from both myself and Stampin' Up!, tips and techniques, information about upcoming classes, events, and workshops, and project ideas. 

If you would like to receive my newsletter, go to my Stampin' Up! website and click "request my newsletter" in the top right corner below my name and contact info.  I don't sell your info to anyone, or give it out.  There is a place in the request form to be specific about what type of info you get from me (ie...newsletter, call about hostessing, etc..) so you don't need to worry about me hounding you after you sign up for the newsletter.  :) 

It comes out about the 1st of the month, so if you register for the newsletter, check your junk mail inbox around that time if it's not in your regular e-mail box. 

Christmas in July Card Kit

PLEASE SEE THE POST FOR SUNDAY, JULY 26TH FOR UPDATED INFO ABOUT THIS KIT!

Hey Ya'll!

Starting this month I'll be offering at least one kit a month.  I am hoping to offer two, but we'll see what I can get around to.  I would like to offer something Christmasy each month, and something else.  Why Christmas?  I am one of those people who does not want to see Christmas stuff up in the stores until after Thanksgiving; but, when I face facts, I need to get started a lot earlier on my stamping projects (especially cards) if I want to have hand-made items.  So I am trying to space out some projects here.  I will still have a Christmas Stamp-A-Stack in early December, but I don't want to have to count on that for ALL my cards.  So here's my first offer:

This kit ( referred to in the shopping area as the standard kit) makes 6 cards ( 4 1/4" x 5 1/2") and comes with all the consumable supplies you need to make them.  That means you get the cardstock (all 3 colors), the rhinestone brads (in the flower center), and dimensionals to pop up your embellishment.  Envelopes are also included, as well as detailed instructions for assembly.

The cardstock is cut and scored for you, so all you do is stamp, layer, and adhere.  You'll end up spending very little time on fabulous looking cards!  Hey, I'm a busy lady, who knows what it means to need to be efficient with my time, but not necessarily wanting to look like I'm efficient with my time.

Here's a peek at the inside and the envelope that matches:

This card uses the Season of Joy stamp set for the flower and swirls, and uses Many Merry Messages for the sentiment.  You could use these sets if you have them, or substitute sets you have with a similar style.  You could also add any of the longer sentiments from Many Merry Messages to the inside.  I left this one blank after stamping the inside for hand written notes.

 

Here's a closer view of that popped up embellishment with rhinestone brad center.  It's so easy and fast to make, but gives the card that "wow" factor that makes it really stand out.

 

If you're wondering what to do with this kit because you don't have these stamp sets or suitable substitutions, you can add other items on.  The price you see below includes tax and shipping.  You should receive your kit contents and instructions in right around two weeks.  US orders only please.

 

All prices below include shipping and tax!  I will be using this Season of Joy stamp set in at least one other project in the next few months.

 

 

Kit Options

Option 1 - instructions only $3.50Option 2 - instructions and consumable supplies $6.00Option 3 - Real Red Ink Pad add on $7.12Old Olive ink pad add on $7.12Season of Joy Stamp Set add on $32.24Many Merry Messages stamp set $41.81

Another Patriotic Card and Shameless Casing

So this is other card I cased from Michelle Zindorf.  I didn't even use any stamps.  Just ink pads direct to paper, and versamark/emboss resist techniques.

 I hand wrote "freedom" along the side with a Stampin' Write marker.  I used Bravo Burgundy, Night of Navy, and glossy white.  I got the star brads from my styled silver hodgepodge hardware kit.

This card was easy and fast.  If you need to mass produce something for 4th of July, this would be a good choice.

Patriotic Card

I've been playing with my brayer lately.  It's been a while and I'm needing to get back in touch with my ability in this area.  This card is a shameless casing from Michelle Zindorf.  I love her tutorials.  She is a true artist.  This is a retired set, but there is one in the current catalog that works even better for this.  I was copying her with what I had on hand.  Always go to what you have on hand first.  That's called "shopping your stash."

This card goes to my mom and dad (retired Army).  Tomorrow's card will go to my uncle who is retired Airforce.

Fourth of July Treat Box

Remember that tall box template I made a while ago?  Well it's made a reappearance here.  This uses the template and the same starry wheel I used yesterday on those lifesaver firecrackers.  I wheeled over the box while it was flat.  I cut and scored, then cut out a window and put a window sheet over it.  After assembling the box I filled it with these salt water taffies that inspired the whole thing in my head. Then I put the top together and tied on some great red fiber that has some sparkle in it. 

I used the star punch to put a star on the bottom corner.  I almost forgot that detail.

Sorry about the top view, but it's really hard to get a straight on view without that window sheet reflecting too much light.

Tomorrow I have a distressing tutorial to share.  See ya then!