Michelle's Crafty Corner

Christmas Tree Pop Up Card

Here is a card using the Sizzix Pop-up Christmas Tree die for the Big Shot.  It looks hard but it is really pretty simple and it comes with excellent directions.  I did attach the bottom a little differently - I cut slits in the "skirt" and inserted the base through the skirt and then adhered the tree to the base.  The card front uses the Delightful Decorations stamp set and Ornament Punch plus a Fire Rhinestone for some bling on the Christmas Cocoa foil DSP.  The tree was cut from Whisper White and then embossed using the Petals a Plenty folder and then dusted with Dazzling Diamonds glitter for fun.  The tree star is punched using the small star punch.  The tree skirt is cut from Christmas Cocoa flocked DSP using the Circle Scallop die for the Big Shot.  Many of the supplies for this GOJUS card are in the Holiday Mini and only available until January 4!!  The hardest part is deciding who will get this extra special card!  You can click on the images if you would like to see a larger picture.  TTFN.

EASY Gift Card Holder just in time for Christmas!

Some folks are just hard to buy for so what are you gonna do?  Buy'em a GIFT CARD but how to personalize a gift card????  Make a handmade gift card holder, silly!  This gift card holder is so easy and takes like 5 minutes to make - the most basic design only requires something to cut with and something to score with plus an adhesive (tape will work if that is all you have!).  I will show the directions using my fab Stampin'Up! goodies but you can substitute with materials on hand for what you don't have.  Here we go...

1. First, cut your paper (I used Merry Moments DSP) to 5 1/4" X 6".

2. Score the 5 ¼” side at ¾” on both sides.  Score the 6” side at 1 ¼” and 3 ¾”.

3. Cut out the ¾” width corners and then cut the flap at a slight angle – here is a picture at this point.

4. Using a corner rounder punch, round the corners of the the top and bottom flap.  You will have to fold in the sides to punch the short flap corners.

5. Using a 1” circle punch, cut a semi-circle thumb slot in the short flap.  See picture below.

 

6. Fold at the score lines to form your holder.

 

7. Make a belly band to hold the holder closed.  For the vertical band, you will need a 6” by 1” strip.  For a horizontal band, you will need a 9” X 1” strip.  Fold the band around the holder (not super tight, it should slide on and off!) and adhere at the ends.  You can add a stamped and punched tag (or not).  Here are 3 samples – two using the Christmas Punch hostess set with the matching punches and one using no stamps or punches at all!!  You decide how you would like to make it.

 

I hope this is helpful to you at this busy, busy time of year.  TTFN!  Michelle

Hatpin Christmas Ornament from DSP

This little baby is SWEET!  It uses a hatpin and beads from the Pretties kit and then 1/2" strips of DSP - I used a very small piece of one of the sheets from the Christmas Cocoa pack (Holiday Mini)- just alternated the sides.  All you do is punch holes at the ends, slide it onto the hatpin and the fan them out.  I tied a nice satin ribbon at the top.  The final touch is the hanger from the elastic cord from the Holiday Mini (only a couple more weeks to get your Holiday Mini goodies before it is gone FOREVER!).  Enjoy!!

Make your own stencils if you need'em!

Well, I just ran out of time to order the Christmas stencils from the Decor Elements so I had to make one of my own for fun.  I used the Ornament punch to punch a stencil and then I used a sponge dauber to color it in on my CS.  The greeting is a Level 1 Hostess Set (ask me how to get it for FREE) that I colored with Always Artichoke and Real Red Stampin'Write markers and then I punched out my creation.  I added a background of Real Red embossed with Big Shot and the Petals a Plenty embossing folder.  I finished with an Old Olive ribbon and bow on an Old Olive base.  Not too shabby if I do say so myself!  I love this color combination and the stenciled look.  TTFN!

I think my photography needs some help - I did not realize how crooked this photo was!  Oh well, I have always been just a little off center - haha!  TTFN, Michelle
 

Dasher is Golden!

How about another Dasher card?  Seems appropriate since he will be heading our way in less than a week!  I love that SU now has so many single stamps and this one is one of my favorites.  For this card, I stamped Dasher in gold Encore ink.  I used my 1/16" punch to punch some holes around his antlers so the Read Red background would show through.  The base layers are a piece of Christmas Cocoa DSP that I cut and flipped over the end to have the coordinating pattern on the other side of my Real Red grosgrain ribbon/bow and it is all on a Real Red base.  I love how the DSP is 2 sided with a coordinating print/color - makes it so easy and one less decision when things are so hectic.  Dasher is just dashing in gold - don't you think?

TTFN and don't forget you can shop 24/7 at http://michellestamps.stampinup.net 

Spectacular Reinker Ornaments and BLOG CANDY!

I have seen reinker ornaments before for years but only just now tried it.  They look so fab and sparkly and are sooooo easy (a tiny bit messy, though).   Kids will love this!!  Directions are below the picture... 

All you do is take a clear glass ornament that you can get anywhere - it can be any shape - I just used round.  Remove the top and add about 20 drops of CLASSIC reinker (Craft ink does not work) in the color of your choice and about 10 drops of water.  Turn the ornament until the inside is coated with ink and then let the excess drain out but don't let it sit too long as the ink will dry and you can't do the next step.  Next, add a small amount of Dazzling Diamonds, Cosmo or Fine Galaxy glitter and while covering the opening, shake the ornament to distribute the glitter.  I used Dazzling Diamonds for all of mine.  Keep adding glitter, a little at a time, and shaking until the inside of the ornament is coated with glitter and then let dry (it doesn't take long) and embellish as you like.  I just added bows and elastic cord for hangers.  The one has a rub-on or you could even use Decor Elements or stencil with craft ink - the possibilities are endless!  My ornaments are Real Red, Brilliant Blue and I thought Bravo Burgundy but I may have grabbed Elegant Eggplant by mistake because it looks more purple than maroon - who knows?  Anyhoo, try it out and send me a pic of your ornament and I will post it on my blog and send you some blog candy!!  TTFN...Michelle

Ornament Punch Angels!!

In my continual quest to find new and different ways to use my Ornament punch, here are two cards featuring Angel Ornaments using the Ornament punch.  The cards are designed so the angels can be removed and hung on your Christmas Tree.  These were so fun to make and are really, really cute!  I am going to send one to one of my nieces who lives out of town that we may not see this holiday.  Hmmmm...which one should I send?  You know how hard it is for me to part with my cards!  Details are below the pictures. 

Both angels use the leftover embossed vellum (from the Blush Blossom butterfly card) punched with the Ornament punch for the wings. I used the 1" circle punch for the hair and cut a small slit with my craft knife to insert the 3/4" circle punched head.  The halos are the 1 1/4" circle punched with the 1 3/8" circle.  For the face, I just used Stampin'Write markers and a Q-tip with a little bit of Pretty in Pink ink for the rosy cheeks.  The golden angel has a Finial Press embossed Whisper White dress (put the CS at the edge of the folder) and the wings and dress have been highlighted with Shimmer paint - Champagne Mist on the wings and Frost White on the dress.  The rim is cut from Brushed Gold CS. 

The red angel's dress is embossed with the Petals a Plenty folder and then I daubed on Champagne Mist Shimmer Paint to give it some pop.  The card base is embossed with the Finial Press folder with the card turned so that only the middle section is embossed and then I defined the edge using my bone folder to score.  I added an edge of Old Olive CS and grosgrain ribbon to make it really stand out.

The Ornament punch is in the Holiday Mini and is only available until January 4 so hurry!!

Michelle

Christmas Scrapbook pages

I love these pages and can't wait to put our 2009 pictures on them.  I started out with the Christmas tree idea from Kimberly Van Diepen (another SU star!) and then did some creative copying to fit what I had and then added a second page for a full layout.  I love how these turned out and we did these as one of our club projects (ask me how to join the club!).  Details are below the pictures (remember, you can click on the pictures to see a larger image).

   

The trees are simply folded in half rectangles of DSP that are cut corner to corner to form the tree.  I adhered the with the fold up slightly to add dimension.  The "envelopes" on the right are formed using folded CS adhered with Sticky Strip.  The title was cut on the Big Shot using the Timeless Type Sizzlets (on sale NOW!!).  The color scheme is Real Red, Kraft, Old Olive and Very Vanilla.  I hope you like it - leave me a comment if you do!  TTFN!

Michelle
   

  

Patterned Pines #4

Yes, I love this stamp set!!!  I hope it makes it into the next big catty so I can keep on using it again and again!  This is a super simple card - Patterned Pined in Real Red ink layered on Soft Suede CS.  The embellishment is just a stip of Christmas Cocoa DSP and a strip of Whisper White CS punched with the scallop punch.  The card does have a little flaw...it was pretty late when I made this and I think I must have been a little cross-eyed because my embellishment strips are off!!!  So, for some of you who think all my projects come out perfect - here is LIVING PROOF that they don't!  My perfectionist side is chanting now - get the trimmer, get the trimmer, get the trimmer - fix it, fix it, FIX IT!!!!!!  Therefore, the card has been "off" long enough and here I go to FIX IT!!!!!

Don't forget the AWESOME 12 Days of Christmas sale and my BIg Shot special (there is still time to drop a hint for Christmas!)  - email me today!  TTFN!

Michelle 

12 Days of Holidays Sale Starts Today + BIG SHOT on Sale!

(this post will remain at the top until 12/22, scroll down for new posts)

Woo hoo!!  Stampin' Up! has kicked off a merry promotion on Big Shot dies and select Big Shot supplies:

• Save 15 to 25% on the Big Shot items listed here  
• No quantity limits
• Order by Dec. 15 for arrival in time for Christmas
• Décor Elements Vinyl Sheets allow you to die-cut vinyl cling home décor.  Learn more about Stampin' Up! Décor Elements.
• Watch Big Shot Die-Cut Machine Video

PLUS - Get the BIG SHOT die cutting machine for $79.95 if you order directly from me via email or phone!!

On-Line Sale ends Tuesday, Dec. 22 at 11:50 P.M. MT!

Woo hoo!!  Stampin' Up! has kicked off a merry promotion on Big Shot dies and select Big Shot supplies:

PLUS - Get the BIG SHOT die cutting machine for $79.95 if you order directly from me via email or phone!!