Christmas Wishes for our School Teachers

The Christmas run up is always a busy time for a Crafter, and for me, this year was by no means any exception. With so many surprises in store, I've been unable to share many of those creations, until now. 

I felt honoured to have once again received a commission request from 14 fabulous school children (age 5/6), to come up with a special card and voucher holder for their Teachers.

They wanted something that they could put their own mark on, as opposed to simply saying it was from the children of class 1P ... so I set to thinking and also pulled in some suggestions from a few crafting friends ... and this is what I came up with. 

My most favourite Stamp Set and heavily used set of this season, has to have been Stitched with Cheer - the banner sentiments have been SO useful. I have also loved the embellishment of the Pine leaves so very simply embellished this gift bag and concertina card.

The card was designed to be opened, with an opening sentiment, followed by each child's personal comment ... and ending with closing wishes for the New Year. 

The children had clubbed together to purchase a gift card that I slipped into a Kraft Bag and again simply embellished, covering the bottom half with an embossed piece of cardstock. The Ribbon closure was designed to NOT be unfastened, but to simply be pulled out, which gently pulls out the Gift Card. 

With no less than 14 names, I thought it probably easier and more space saving to have this card hang vertically from the ribbon closure, rather than take up an entire mantelpiece. 

Although a real responsibility, I thoroughly enjoyed pulling this project together and I hope that the Teachers felt suitably treated and special when opening them. 

Since there were many products used to create these, I have chosen not to list them below as I usually would, but please feel free to contact me if you need any product names and prices. 

Receive a FREE copy of the Tutorial Bundles with ANY purchase during the month of December, by way as a gift from me. Click the image above to take a look at what it's all about.

Use this Club Code at check out on all online orders to receive a gift from me the following month. 

Hang Your Stocking and fill it with Discounted Stampin' Up! Products

It will soon be time to hang our stockings in preparation for Father Christmas paying us a visit ... but what would you like to find in your stocking? ...

... perhaps this Hang your Stocking Bundle ? ... some Designer Series Paper? ... an Owl Punch, a Bigshot or a set of Marker Pens?

Well, why not consider a fully customisable Starter Kit that will go on giving and fill that stocking to overflowing. 

Right now you could fill your stocking with a wonderful array of new Spring/Summer 2017 products that don't launch until 4th January, when our annual Sale-a-Bration Promotion also starts.

If you'd like to find out more or come and meet me and some of my team at our next Team Gathering at the beginning of January in Cambridgeshire, then be sure to get in contact. 

Fill that stocking and many more to come, with quality crafting products that come with a 20% discount (minimum) to you ... plus have it over flowing with friendships.

Please note that some of these items are now discounted. Corrected Prices will show once you follow the link. 

Christmas Pines for Elegant embellishment

Christmas Pines is by far my most favourite embellishing Bundle that could have been sold in this year's Autumn/Winter Seasonal Catalogue. 

It may be delicate and need a gentle hand to produce them, but aren't all cards and projects lovingly made anyway?

I just love how a simple sentiment, can be embellished with a few springs of pine for that ultimate lift. I shall be sad to see this bundle leave us. 

If you still haven't purchased this bundle, but would like to, then don't delay. You won't be disappointed with your purchase and if you use this month's Club Code at check out (see the Christmas parcel below), you'll receive a little Thank you gift from me, along with a copy of the the Tutorial Bundles. 

It most certainly is the Season to be Jolly ... 

Holly Berry Happiness Wreath

Holly ... I so love to see the dark green leaves and the rich red berries of Holly at Christmas time and the Holly Berry Happiness Stamp Set offers just this. 

This was another card that we created at my annual Christmas Stamp-a-Stack event, where the ladies create no less than 24 Christmas cards ahead of time. 

Such a gorgeous stamp set for sentiments and the beautiful Holly arc that helps you to create this beautiful wreath. So simple and yet so effective. 

If you'd like to attend an event like this, but with a Spring like feel to it, then be sure to check out my Events for the end of January, beginning of February, when I shall be hosting my next. There are just a couple of spaces left ... and it would make for a great Gift idea if your partner is stuck for ideas for you. Tell them to get in contact and I'll happily arrange a voucher for your attendance. More classes to be added shortly.

Christmas Special: 

Don't forget my gift to you this Christmas, of not only a Club Code gift if used at checkout, but a free copy of a Tutorial Bundle with any order placed during December. To find out more, click on the image above. 

Oh, What Fun we have with Jolly Friends

I have just sooooo loved the Jolly Friends Stamp Set and in particular the Moose. The images literally make me smile every time I see them. 

The set doesn't come with any sentiments, but being that it is such a fun set, I couldn't not couple the fun imagery up with this sentiment from the Stamp set of the same name. 

I adore the little Jingle Bell embellishments that come in silver and red that I've used. The red ones look great on the little Elf's hat.

Oh, What Fun is a fabulous set and has some wonderful festive sentiments that are so usable for Tags, Cards and more ... A brilliant one to have in your collection. 

Orders placed this month using my Club Code at checkout will receive not only a gift from me, but a copy of one of the Tutorial Bundles ... click on the image below to have a sneak peek of what's on offer and who the amazing design team are.

Candy Cane Lane Designer Series Paper Card

Looking for a card that uses nominal supplies, but offers a real punch? ... Then look no further. 

This pattern within the Candy Cane Lane Designer Series Paper pack just lends itself to be cut and used, just as it is ... which is exactly what I chose to do. 

Using a Red and White matting layer, that I had overhang a base Z fold card base, I had it line up beautifully with a line of washi tape, that looks like a little scallop edge. 

Such a simple addition to this card, but such an effective little addition. 

You probably can't see it here, but I've added a Wink of Stella to the roof tops.

This was another card that we made at this year's Christmas Stamp-a-Stack event, that's my most popular All Day Event of the year. 

I'm currently preparing for my next that takes place at the end of January, beginning of February, depending upon the venue, so if you need to give your partner an idea of what to buy you for Christmas, then why not consider a Gift Voucher for attendance at my next event. 

Send a link to this blog post to your partner and get them to make contact with me to arrange for your special gift to be prepared. You'll be given the gift of not just a full day of crafting fun, but the gift of a hobby that goes on giving. 

Hoping you'll consider joining us. 

Free copy of the Tutorial Bundle with every online order placed during December, as a little Christmas Gift from me. Use my Club Code at check out and you'll also receive another little gift too. It's the month of gift giving. 

Simple Candy Cane Christmas Card Idea

The Candy Cane Lane suite showed a big appearance at this year's Christmas Stamp-a-Stack of mine. I always like to offer the ladies with at least two stations with simple cards to create and this was just one of them.

Making use of the Candy Cane Christmas Stamp Set, this card really was quick and simple to create and now this set has been reduced, which makes it even more appealing if you're wanting a 'Go to' Christmas Stamp set for Cards, Tags and sentiments for handmade treats that you may give as gifts. 

I'm not sure that you can see the addition of the Wink of Stella to the stars here. It's subtle, but I love it. 

Is this your favoured Christmas Colour combination or do you opt for something a little different? 

Receive a copy of the Tutorial Bundles with any online order placed with me during the month of December as a little Christmas Gift from me. Use this month's Club Code below and receive yet more. 

Creation Station Blog Hop - Wrap it Up for Christmas

It's Gift Giving Season and the time when we often spend more time and thought on our Gift Wrapping, so this month, the Creation Station Design Team are focusing on just that, with Wrap it Up for Christmas. 

If you've hopped on over from the very talented Dena Rekow at the Creativity Cave, then you'll have already seen some fabulous inspiration, well I hope you'll enjoy what I now have to share with you. 

NOTE: Sadly right now, there appears to be something wrong with the posting of Dena's blog post, so you may want to hop back to see Denita Wright's creation instead, to keep the hop going. Hopefully Dena will manage to get this sorted in due course.

Sometimes wrapping difficult presents can be an issue and although this particular project requires a relatively small present, the concept is the same if you were to use wrapping paper or, as I have here, a 12" x 12" piece of Designer Series Paper. 

I love this particular pattern and believe it looks quite striking coupled with the Real Red Ribbon, which has now been reduced in price. 

Instructions to make a Gift Bag from a sheet of patterned paper

1. To make this simple gift bag, take a full size sheet of DSP and adhere it into a tube, before flattening it down (ensuring the join is to the middle) and creating a bottom flap, which will be the depth of the bag. 

2. You then need to open up the base flap, flattening down one side at a time, to create a triangle to the side.

3. Repeat step 2 to the other side, before folding up the bottom flap and placing some double sided tape on it (here I have used Red Sticky Strip so that you can see it). Now fold down the opposite side to create the base. 

4. Open the bag and give it some volume before filling it. 

5. Fold over the top edge and now create two punched holes. To help line these up, you might like this little tip. 

TIP: Take a long scrap of cardstock. Place it along the top edge of the bag and punch your first pole through the bag and cardstock scrap. Remembering which is the side and top, flip it over to the opposite side, pairing up the side and top again, before punching the second hole, through that of the last one in the cardstock. You should now have holes with equal distance from the sides and top for you to thread your ribbon through.

I then made these cute Candy Cane Gift Tags to attach to the front of my present. I had seen something similar last year on Pintrest and had to create something similar.

I love how you can add not only a gift tag, but a stick of candy to the gift at the same time.

I hope you have enjoyed what I have shared with you today and you'll find some inspiration from it for your Christmas gift giving this year. You'll find many of the items that I have used in the End of Year Sale, so 

Hop on over to see what the lovely Sara Levin has in store for you and enjoy the rest of the hop. 

    

Back to Dena Rekow      Forwards to Sara Levin

With temporary issues with Dena's blog post going live, you may want to hop back to see Denita Wright's post to help keep the hop going. 

Thanks for hoping by