I always keep a collection of gift boxes on hand, purchasing them when I find them on sale and stashing them away for when I need one.  In looking through what I had to use for Christmas gifts, I found these great kraft paper boxes with clear acetate circular windows that I thought would be perfect for holiday candies.  That sent me off looking through Memory Box dies for round ones that could frame that window.

These are the dies I selected.

• POINSETTIA CIRCLE FRAME 94081 
  
• WRAPPED HOLLY CIRCLE FRAME 94040  
• HUTTON WREATH 94008

Let's look at the Poinsettia Circle Frame box first.

• The box is 4" square on the top and bottom and the sides are 1 1/2" X 4".  
• I cut pieces of decorative paper 1/16" smaller than those dimensions--one large square for the top and four rectangles for the sides.  
• In order to figure out how to cut the center circle to expose the acetate, I tried sitting several dies ( cutting side up) from the WRAPPED CIRCLES die set 30114 on the acetate until I found one just a bit smaller than the acetate circle.  I added two pieces of washi tape under the die, placed that sticky side up on top of the acetate circle and put my paper face down and stuck the die to the paper square where I wanted it to cut.
  
• This size turned out to be perfect for the center of the three circle dies I chose for the boxes!
• I used Scor-Tape to adhere the papers to the top and sides of the box.
• I then used a glue pen to add the Poinsettia Circle Frame around the exposed acetate circle and the small poinsettia in the center of the acetate circle.
• There's a small U-shaped cut-out in the front panel to make it easier to open the box.  I found a tiny circle punch and used that to make the half-circle U.
• I then took some narrow Scor-Tape and ran it around the center of the side panels of the box and added a red ribbon over that which I tied in a bow at the front.  

• To finish the box I added some tiny white pearls in the centers of the poinsettias.

For the second box I chose the Wrapped Holly Circle Frame.

• I assembled this box in the same manner as the first one.
• I used a wired red ribbon and red pearls in two sizes on the holly wreath and added the small holly curvy branch to the acetate circle.

For the third box I used the Hutton Wreath die with some small white pearls and a green-dotted red ribbon.  This die was actually from the 2018 Summer Collection but it works perfectly as a holiday wreath when cut from green cardstock.

Three pretty boxes to fill with sweet treats for friends!

I've found some kraft coffee bags with acetate windows that I can decorate in the same way.  And I have other boxes and bags that I can die cut circles into and add my own acetate windows before decorating them.  I love the sneak peek of the contents that the little acetate window provides!

Happy Crafting!

 

It's getting close to Christmas and time to make cards is disappearing. Today I have some tips to help when you need a card fast.

My first tip is to have die cuts on hand and ready to go. All of the items I used on the card today are left over pieces that either didn't work on another project or were extra items that I cut out just in case. It's so nice when you don't have a lot of time but want to make a card to have some items already cut. I used the Gingerbread Cookie cut and decorated it with enamel accents in red and green. The snowflake is from the Crystal Snowflakes set.

My second tip is to go back to another card you have made to pick up a technique. I have been loving using the Typewriter Holiday Elements stamp set this season. I decided to partially stamp the text background on my card just like I have on a few others. I finished the card off by stamping Merry Christmas from the same set and then added some teal enamel dots.

I hope these tips help you the next time you create something!

 

Supplies

 

94090 Gingerbread Cookie craft die

30114 Wrapped Circles craft die

CL5234 Typewriter Holiday Elements clear stamp set

94033 Crystal Snowflakes craft die

Greetings friends.  Today I want to talk about using dies to frame your images rather than using them to cut paper.  It is nice to get more as much use out of your dies as possible.

My first step was to stamp my bunny with black Memento ink and then colored him with Prismacolor pencils:

Next, I taped my rectangle die around the bunny using repositionable tape.  The important next step is to place a rubber mat underneath your paper so that the die cuts into the rubber mat instead of the plastic plate of your die cutting machine.  The rubber mat allows the die to dent the paper rather than cut it.  I don't think the mat I have is sold anymore, but I know that Provo Crafts ans Sizzix both math rubber embossing mats.  I have heard about some people using mouse pads, but you need to find a mouse pad that is the correct thickness.  Some are to big to fit in your die cutting machine.  NEVER force something through your machine.

I have a Sizzix Big Shot, and this is the "sandwich" I used to run my paper through the machine:

Multipurpose Plate on the bottom of the stack opened to Tab 1 (The embossing folder tab)

Big shot plastic plate

Rubber embossing mat

Cardstock piece with my bunny facing up

Rectangle die taped with repositionable tape around the bunny

Second Big Shot plastic plate

When you run it through the machine, you get an imprinted frame around your image:

To finish the card, I added some white chalk under the bunny and glued a few sequins to the card.

Have a great weekend!

 

Supplies

 

CL5226 Be Jolly clear stamp set

Hello everyone!

Can you believe how fast Christmas is approaching?  I hope my card today inspires you to get your Christmas cards done, if you haven't done so already.

To create this card I took a white card base and spattered it with gold ink.  

On another piece of white cardstock, I stamped the Christmas words background using gold ink and glued this to the card front.

Next I die cut the Winter Frame from white and gold cardstock.  I covered the back of the white die cut with foam tape to keep all the pieces in place and glued the gold frame and snowflakes to the white die cut.

I adhered a piece of washi tape to the card front and glued the winter frame die cut on top of it. 

Using white cardstock I die cut the Pine Wreath and used 3 of the branches to embellish the card front.  

To finish the card, I added gold pearls to the pine branches and stamped the word wishes on white cardstock and glued that to the card.

Thanks for taking time out of your busy day to stop by!  Have a great weekend!

 

 

Supplies

 

94093 Winter Journal Frame craft die

CL5234 Typewriter Holiday Elements clear stamp set

94029 Pine Wreath craft die

CL5225 Typewrite Holiday Sentiments clear stamp set

Combine That's Acute Triangles with pink glitter, Rose Gold ink and the Hutton Gates for a pastel holiday card that sparkles and shines.  Hi friends, Jean Okimoto here with a contemporary Christmas design for the special gals on your list.

Cut Hutton Gates from white cardstock.  I have the Left and Right gates so I've used both of them to save time.  Cut white cardstock to about 4-½" x 5-½" and cover it with Scor-Tape.  Save the tape liner.  Press the Hutton Gate diecuts onto the adhesive.  Use the tape liners as a presscloth to burnish the diecuts firmly onto the adhesive.  

Brush the remaining exposed adhesive with pink glitter.  A lot of pink glitter!  Use the tape liner to firmly press the glitter onto the adhesive.

Cut the largest That's Acute Triangle  from the glittered Hutton Gate -  cover the die and the cardstock with printer paper to keep any loose glitter from transferring to the machine's plates.     (I used the smaller dies to cut extra triangles for other projects.)

Cut a rectangle of white cardstock with the 3-½" x 4-¾" Rectangle Basics die.  Stamp the solid and patterned triangles from the That's Acute Clear Stamps Set with Rose Gold Delicata.  Heat-set the ink.

Stamp the greeting - from the Bold Christmas Greetings set - on white cardstock with Lightning Black Brilliance.  Dry the ink and cut it with the matching dies from the Bold Greetings set.  Cut another set of the (unstamped) words and attach them to the stamped diecuts for dimension.

Attach everything to a top-folded A-2 card of textured white cardstock.  Add pale pink gem stickers.

Hope you like this beyond-the-box use of the Hutton Gate dies!  Discover ways to use the intricate patterns and versatile outlines of your Memory Box dies to create unique design elements for all of your projects.  

If you're in the area - join us for my last class of the year at Impress on December 15.  It's STASH CARDS - MANY THANKS.  We'll make 6 thank you cards using the great tools and supplies from my stash.  You'll also some "extras" from my stash to make a few more class cards at home.  

We'll end the year with a Thank You class to express my appreciation to everyone.  Thank you, my loyal students and friends - and Dave and Monica Brethauer for the amazing designs of Memory Box, Poppystamps and Birch Press Design.  Thanks too, Ann, Cindi, Lara, Shari and everyone at Impress!

 

 

Supplies

 

32232 That's Acute Triangle die set

CL5232 That's Acute Triangle clear stamp set

99978 Left Hutton Gate craft die

99980 Right Hutton Gate craft die

30086 Rectangle Basics Set

32233 Bold Christmas Greetings die set

CL5233 Bold Christmas Greetings clear stamp set

The beautiful and versatile new Winter Greenery Clear Stamps Set recently joined the 2018 Holiday Happenings release - and it's quickly becoming a favorite among stampers!  Add it to your collection and you'll love mixing, matching and layering the great designs.

If your cards are already done - Winter Greenery is perfect for tags, gift boxes and wrapping paper too.  Hello, Jean Okimoto here with a quick holiday card for you.

Stamp the branches on white cardstock with VersaFine Verdant and Shady Lane.  Stamp the little stars with Tulip Red.  Dry the inks and diecut the design with the outer circle from the Wrapped Holly Circle Frame Set.

Stamp "joy" - from the Bold Greetings Clear Stamps Set - with Tulip Red.  Dry the ink, then cut it with the coordinating die from the Bold Greetings Dies.  

Attach the diecuts to a top-folded 5-¼" square card of textured white cardstock - use foam dots for the greeting.  Add clear gem stickers.

Winter Greenery's designs aren't just for the holidays.  Many of them would be great throughout the year.  The delicate pine branch works for Asian-themed projects too.  Imagine it silhouetted against a full moon - or as a backdrop for a crane or dragonfly.

Thanks for visiting - see you again tomorrow!

 

 

Supplies

 

94040 Wrapped Holly Circle Frame craft die

32233 Bold Christmas Greetings die set

CL5233 Bold Christmas Greetings clear stamp set

 

Supplies

 

CL5235 Winter Greenery clear stamp set

Hello and Welcome!  It's Isha and today, I have an alcohol ink background on yupo paper with a touch of foiling, which gives a perfect base for the pretty snowflake dies :)

Did you check our current challenge yet? It's all about Holiday Sparkle and Shine and that is exactly, I am going to share too.

I started by cutting a white mat layer from Yupo paper and applied some alcohol inks to it. I then added a bit of WOW! gold foil.

Now, I die-cut the stitched Piccolo Snowflake using white cardstock and Piccolo Snowflakes using peach cardstock. I applied a bit of clear sparkle pen to it. I then stacked the peach snowflake onto the white ones and adhered it to the alcohol ink panel. I stamped the sentiment and then adhered the mat layer to the cardbase.

Here is a close up to check on all the shine.

Hope you got inspired by this card. Have a wonderful crafty day!

 

Supplies

 

99836 Stitched Piccolo Snowflakes

99850 Piccolo Snowflakes

CL5233 Bold Christmas Greetings clear stamp set

Fifty bookmarks, all the same--thankfully I have a small Misti and it worked perfectly with Memory Box clear stamp sets!  Each year at my parents' church there are stockings hung for each family and everyone is encouraged to write a note or put a holiday card in each one.  I chose to make bookmarks this year--decorative on the front and room to write a note on the back.

I chose "joy" and "peace" from the BOLD CHRISTMAS GREETINGS SET CL5233.

To create the little scene at the bottom, I used elements from the SNOWGLOBE WISHES SET CL5180 from the 2016 Holiday Collection.  I just love that little sleeping deer!

• Each bookmark is 2" X 6", cut from off-white cardstock.  They tucked perfectly into the Misti up against the ruler on the right side.  
• I started by stamping "joy" at the top of the bookmark and the little deer at the bottom, using VersaClair Pinecone ink.
• I added the two little trees with VersaClair Rainforest ink.
• I used Hero Arts Cornflower ink to stamp the small snowflake between the trees on each bookmark.  I stamped them all again, moving the snowflake to the left of the little tree.
• I then stamped "peace" using theVersaClair Pinecone ink.
• I felt I needed one more snowflake which I tucked up under the "p" on each bookmark.
• What to do with the empty space between the two sentiment words?  I looked through all of my Memory Box clear stamp sets and found an ampersand in the discontinued Love and Laughter set that looked right and stamped it in the Pinecone ink.

I colored a couple of the bookmarks using Prismacolor pencils but I'm not sure if I'll color the others or not.

What do you think?  Color them or not?  Maybe with more shading?  Multiple greens and browns?  Markers rather than pencils?  I've got plenty of time to experiment with my knee elevated and iced.

I tend to resist making more than one of the exact same thing, but this was fun using the Misti stamping platform with the Memory Box clear stamp sets! 

Happy Crafting!

 

 

Hello, hello.....Penny here today with a super simple easel card. Use as is, or tuck a small votive candle inside for a nice touch. This would make a great Christmas card that you actually deliver to a friend. The holiday is almost here...are you ready?

 

I have used White cardstock and Metallic Red cardstock keeping it pretty simple.

 

Cut your easel base 4.25 x 11 inches. Score at 3/8" and 6"

Take Red Metallic cardstock and trim to 4.25 x 5.50 inches. Die cut a Basic Circle near the top. Cover the opening with clear acrylic on the backside. Wrap this panel with a pretty sheer ribbon.

Adhere the back of the card front to the small scored section of the easel base.

 

Die cut Hanging Lantern Frame from White cardstock. Adhere to front of card. (I use spray adhesive when attaching to acrylic)

Die cut Believe Jotted Script from White cardstock (for the shadow) and Red Metallic cardstock for the sentiment. Stack and adhere together, then attach to card front as shown with foam adhesive.

 

Make a pretty bow and adhere to card front.

 

Happy Holiday card making,

 

 

Supplies

 

94071 Believe Jotted Script craft die

94078 Hanging Lantern Frame craft die

30087 Circle Basics Set

Create a sparkly winter scene with the That's Acute Triangle Die Set and add a glossy Happy Penguin for an extra dash of holiday cheer.  Hi everyone, Jean Okimoto here with a very glittery holiday card - and some inspiration for December's Sparkle and Shine Challenge.

Here's an easy way to stamp with a large clear stamp - and you don't even need to remove it from the sheet it's attached to.  Leave the stamp on the sheet and place it on a craft mat.  Attach a small piece of doublestick tape to an acrylic block.  Use the tape to attach green cardstock to the block.

Ink the Typewriter Holiday Elements text stamp with a dark, intense color like Nocturne VersaFineClair.  Press the cardstock firmly and evenly onto the inked stamp.  The tape keeps the cardstock from shifting and makes it easy to pull the stamped cardstock away from the stamp.  Dry the ink.

Attach doublestick tape to the stamped text and brush the adhesive with clear iridescent glitter.  Cut the glittered text with the largest triangle die.

Cut additional triangles from different shades of green glittered cardstock.  Use half of the diamond-shaped die to cut the triangle behind the penguin.

Cut the 3-¾" Wrapped Circle from white cardstock.

Attach black duct tape to a scrap of cardstock to create a glossy little Happy Penguin.  Cut the white section from watercolor paper.  Cut an extra piece of the body section from black cardstock to add dimension and define the outline along the bottom edge.

Cut a piece of orange cardstock to fit behind his face and mark the position of his eyes.  Color the eyes with a black marker.  Cut a portion of Curled Ribbons from red glittered craft foam for a bright scarf.

Attach the diecuts to a side-folded red A-2 card.  Add clear gem stickers.

I usually like the less-is-more style - but the holidays call for extra sparkle and shine.  Add glitter, glossy duct tape, glittered craft foam and gem stickers to your holiday designs - and be sure to enter our December Challenge!

Big thanks to everyone from last weekend's GIFT TAG PORTFOLIO class at Impress!  Special thanks to Jan for her snowflake treat boxes filled with rich chocolates!  And more thanks to Erin and Lynne for helping everyone fill their shopping baskets with holiday supplies.  

Thanks too - Donna - for our fourth annual chatty catch-up lunch, and for your special goodies!  It was a great day that included a quick stop to visit Roxanne at Stamps and Memories too.  How time flies!

Hope your holiday to-do list is getting shorter - if not,  our Design Team has many more projects to share with you in the coming weeks.  Join us again tomorrow for Penny's cool project!

Thanks for visiting - see you again next week...

Supplies

 

32232 That's Acute Triangle die set

99919 Happy Penguin craft die

CL5234 Typewriter Holiday Elements clear stamp set

30114 Wrapped Circles craft die

98936 Curled Ribbons

Good morning everyone!

Today I have another Christmas card that is fairly easy to mass produce.

To create this card I lightly sponged white cardstock with Vintage Photo ink and misted it with plain water.  Once the background was dry, I inked the Christmas words with Fired Brick distress ink and randomly stamped the background paper.  I did not mount my stamp on a block and instead used my fingers and pressed the stamp onto the background to get that random look.

I die cut the deer circle from white cardstock and saved the background pieces to use later.  I inked the deer die cut with Versa Mark ink and heat embossed it with Stampendous Antique Gold embossing powder.  

I die cut a slightly smaller circle from double sided tape and adhered that to the back of the deer die cut.  That way I could glue the background pieces back in place.  Before I mounted this this to the card front I put some string behind the circle and then glued it to the card.

I stamped the word believe on a strip of red cardstock and heat embossed it with white embossing powder.  Using foam tape I glued this to the card.

To finish the card I adhered the card front to a red cardstock layer and glued this to a white notecard.

Thanks for stopping by today and have a great weekend!

 

 

Supplies

 

CL5234 Typewriter Holiday Elements clear stamp set

94091 Fancy Deer Circle craft die