Tag along with me - Day Ten

Phew, nearly forgot today's tag as I was busy making Christmas cards for my overseas family and friends.  Got them all in the mail too, so really pleased about that.

 

So the tag for day ten came about when I found the concertina already made up.  It seemed the perfect spot for a couple of little gold embossed ornaments to hang from.

 

 

Cheers,

Mary

Tag along with me - Day 9

It's time to deck the halls with tinsel and glittering balls ...

 

.... another simple one for day nine.
Mary

Tag along with me - Day Eight

Today's tag is clean and simple and ready for any type of package.  The reindeer looks quite lovely embossed in Copper.  A layer of copper foil was added under the white to give a touch of elegance.

Yes, Santa, I believe!!
Mary

Tag along with me - Day Seven

Not seven swans a-swimming but seven red and white tags ready to adorn some Christmas goodies.

Will it be biscuits or will it be chocolates?? Whatever the choice it's sure to be yummy.

Indulge a little.
Mary

Tag along with me - Day six

This little elf has been sitting on the shelf far too long.  He is from a digital image I have had for ages.  I had printed a couple out and thought he was just perfect for Christmas. 

I think he is very cute. 
I hope you like him too.

Mary

Tag along with me - Day Five

Today's tag is part of a set which includes card, tag and little milk carton type box. 

The beautiful black and white paper is from SU Merry Music pack and as the name suggests has lots of music sheets and notes etc. 

 

A very simple tag to make in bulk if you end up making them at the last minute, but the sentiment makes it work.

Mary

Tag along iwth me - Day Four(ish)

OK, it's only the fourth day and I am behind again, but not giving up just yet.

 

The idea for this tag has been in my brain since the Cookie Cutter set came out last year.  Following on from viewing the Shrek movie, every time I see a gingerbread man in any form, I immediately think "not the buttons" and I am sure this one will be for my Son.

 

Obviously not for everyone!
Cheers,
Mary

Tag along with me - on the third day ..

These vintage tags came about by accident.  I wanted to try out a pinwheel card and it required 8 X 8 double sided paper, so I pulled out a very old pad of papers to test it.  Included in the pack were some collage sheets of vintage images just perfect for tags.

Here is the card with it's matching tag:

and the card open ( to reveal that it is missing an insert )

and here are the three tags for today's post:

how sweet are those images - I love the centre one.
Mary

 

Tag along with me - day one and two

Whilst Christmas cards are always at the top of my list at this time of year, I tend to forget to make tags until the very last minute.  So I am hoping to rectify that with a Tag a Day post challenge to myself.  No guarantee as to how long I can keep this up, especially as it was supposed to start on the 1st December !! but hey ho, I am going to give it a shot, and to this end I am going to post the first two now.

 

Day one just had to be this cute little llama - loved him last year when he first came out and he is still a favourite.

Couldn't decide on Day two so have posted both.  Both Santa and the reindeer are from the Cookie Cutter Christmas set - such an easy make with the punch to cut them out.

Three very simple tags but at least I am on the way.
Cheers,
Mary

AWH Blog Hop: It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!

Today some of the Art with Heart Stampin’ Up! team girls have created some amazing Christmas projects to inspire you with the theme,

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!
 

We have tags, gift bags, teacher gift ideas, decorations and many more fun projects to create this holiday season.

I have been with Stampin' Up! for many years, mainly as a hobby demo, but this year I began holding classes which have become very popular and very enjoyable.  This is the first time I have ever taken part in a blog hop, and as I was rather chuffed to have been invited to join in, I may have overdone it just a little, but hope you will enjoy my Christmas offerings.

It IS beginning to look a lot like Christmas, and as usual, SU have a great range of papers to suit every taste - traditional or modern.   I fell in love with the new Copper Foil and have used it as my main feature, teaming it up with Dapper Denim, Sky Blue and Whisper White.  

So ....... it's time to Deck the Halls ....and how better than with a special banner. 

 


I do love banners!
 

Look how beautifully that copper foil glints.

Banner Details: Cookie Cutter Christmas stamp set; Cookie Cutter Punch;
Candy Cane Lane DSP; Candy Cane Christmas stamp set;
Copper Foil; Dazzling Diamonds Glimmer Paper.

With the halls decked it's time to make the Christmas cards!!!!   I started earlier than usual this year as I held a class in October, and instead of making the same card for everyone, this year there will be lots of different ones to choose from.  I made two each of four different cards to complement my Christmas display.



Bird Card Details:  Whisper White card ; Soft Sky card;

Woodland Embossing folder;

Best Birds stamp set; Birds and Blooms thinlets;
Tin of Tags stamp set; Copper embossing powder;

Embellished Ornaments stamp set.  



 Lovely as a Tree Card Details:

Whisper White card; Dapper Denim card; Pretty Paisleys embossing folder;

Lovely as a Tree stamp set; Gorgeous Grunge stamp set;

Embellished Ornaments stamp set; Copper embossing powder.

I couldn't pass on making a card featuring the reindeer, although, unfortunately the tone on tone  stamping doesn't show up very well.  I based this card on one I saw by Jerim Dickins at Willowpiggy blog.

 

Reindeer Card Details: Dapper Denim card; Whisper White card;

Cookie-Cutter Christmas stamp set; Oh, What Fun stamp set.

 

"Lovely as a Tree" stars again in this shaker card.  The Confetti Stars Border Punch was used to cut the little copper stars.  Just love this card, because if you look closely you will see my reflection in the window.

While we may not be in the habit of roasting chestnuts in Australia, we most certainly have many traditional Christmas foods and many of us will be giving gifts of our own traditional home baked cakes and goodies or chocolates or chocolates and ... well, you get the idea, so it's time to get those gift boxes made ......



Front of Baker's Box

 

 

 









  





Back of the box showing the handles.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

...... this one is die cut from Whisper White Thick card with Dapper Denim and Copper trimmings and is made with the Baker's Box Thinlets.  It's a great size for medium sized cupcakes, chocolates or any other gift.

This next lovely box is from a tutorial by Helen Griffin in the UK .  It is really gorgeous and was fun to make.  Filled with Ferrero Rocher chocolates it will make a sweet gift.

Box Details: Dapper Denim card; Floral Boutique dsp; Thoughtful Banners stamp set; Duet Banner Punch.

Sometimes you just need a teeny tiny treat that can be quickly whipped up for all the members of groups you belong to or for your children's classmates and there are many clever novelties to be made.

These tiny little mugs only hold one Ferrero Rocher chocolate, but they are super cute.

I saw these online - made by Brigette Keiling from Stempel-fantasie, who made them as her On Stage gifts.

The idea for these clever little trees comes from Brenda Quintana (Qbees Quest), and hold nine Hershey's Kisses.  

So with all our gifts made, we are going to need some tags, and there's sure to be someone who would love their own box of gift tags as an early present.  So many of my friends gift their own baking at Christmas, so they will be receiving a box of these food themed tags. So many yummy stamp sets to help us create, because "It's the most decadent time of the year"!  This simple little box holds 15 tags including embellishments and layers.
 

Gift Tag Details: Whisper White card: Dapper Denim card; Soft Sky card;

Scalloped Tag Topper Punch; Yummy Little Christmas stamp set;

Candy Cane Christmas stamp set; Oh, What Fun stamp set; Tin of Tags stamp set.

We probably need to make some gift card holders for those difficult delightful people for whom you just cannot get it right.
 

This one is only small so it could fit inside a Christmas card, but it is elegant enough with it's belly band and copper embellishment, to give on it's own with your choice of gift card tucked inside.  It's also economical as you can get 3 from an A4 piece of card.

Gift Card Holder details:
Dapper Denim card;
Cable embossing folder;
Delicate Ornament Thinlets;
Copper Foil; Candy Cane Lane dsp.






So that only leaves the presents to be wrapped.  For many of us that is a job tackled on Christmas Eve right after the shops have finally shut!!  ... and if you've forgotten to buy the wrapping paper, then you can quickly make your own by stamping on the brown paper that SU use as a filler in their delivery boxes ...
 

 ...... or not ??? 

My photography skills are limited, so my Darling Daughter came to the rescue and conducted an amazing photo shoot.  She brought with her some great props and we had loads of fun while she snapped away.  I am delighted with the results and hope you enjoyed her photos too.

If you're still with me, then you deserve a great Christmas with beautifully crafted gifts under your tree.

May your Christmas be filled with family, friends, food and fun, and may the year ahead be a healthy and happy one with time to enjoy the things you love.

Mary

It's time to hop across to Monika O'Neill's blog. 

If you find a broken link or have come to this blog hop from a different entry point, you can view the participants below:

1. Rebecca Jacovou
2. Ros Davidson
3. Kathryn Ruddick
4. Kate Morgan
5. Rachel Palmieri
6. Claire Daly
7. Mary Kelly
8. Monika O'Neill
9. Tina Gillespie
10. Kathryn Mangelsdorf
11. Catherine Proctor
12. Judy May

Merry Christmouse for JAI

Just Add Ink have a colour challenge for us this week.  Not the colours I would normally reach for, and certainly not your usual Christmas colours, but as the Merry Mice set was right in front of me that is the one I went with.  I have tried something a little different. 

I knew what I wanted to do - strip of dsp down one side; partial cutout of the mouse; and very clean and simple!!  Right!  - after an hour of searching I finally found some stripes in the Floral Boutique pack and went with that. 

I found this one harder to photograph than usual.  I seem to have shadows everywhere today. 

Cheers,

Clearly not my style

Ok folks, I was too late with the last challenge at Just Add Ink so was eagerly anticipating this one, but, shock ! horror! it is clear block stamping, and clearly this is not my style.  Why am I posting?  Well I have spent most of the day trying to come up with something.  I had Strawberry Slush fingers for the early part of the morning till I washed that idea away and then I moved into the twilight zone with the silver ink pad.  I must put a warning onto the Encore Stamp Pad to remind me that it takes FOREVER to dry!   I keep reminding myself that not everyone is good at everything - so here it is.

 

Honestly, the layers are straight! - its just the photographer, or I should say, the person  who takes snaps!!  - me!!   Not everyone is good at everything...... not everyone is good at everything........not everyone is good at everything........

 

Now remember girls, if you can't say anything nice .......

Mary

 

PS:  I should have left the stars off !!

... and a Partridge ...

Hello, I'm back!  Two posts in one day!! Woo hoo !!

 

Having spent the best part of this glorious day inside making cards, my brain was obviously still on the Just Add Ink colour challenge. 

Not being happy with the previous card I tried something different, and this one makes me smile.  Not sure if a second entry is allowed but here it is: 

The stamp set I have used is SU Partridge in a Pear Tree, and although it was my first choice from the occasions catalogue, this is the first time it has seen ink and it didn't disappoint me.

I have no idea what a partridge looks like, but pretty sure it isn't blue and purple any more than pears are pink and purple or leaves are pink and brown, but it sure was fun colouring it in.  Although I started with Whisper White card, I decided to use the aqua brush to keep the colours a little more muted.  So happy with the Blackberry Bliss stripes from the Moonlight Paper Stack, but it took a while to decide on the matting which is Glossy Black and Whisper White.

Not a ribbon or gem in sight, just layers!

Hope you like it!
Mary

NB:  Just realised that this is my 100th post- so there's another "woo hoo" for the day!

Kris Kringle 2013

I joined in a group Kris Kringle last year and this is the gift I made to send.   All I knew was that the lady liked purple, so I went with Elegant Eggplant.  I think the box design is called "secret drawer".

The box opens on the diagonal to reveal the three drawers.

which I filled with embellishments from SU -  lovely pearls, rhinestones, buttons and scalloped tulle ribbon.

and of course, a matching card. 

Mary

A little more Christmas

It is always a pleasure to make something special for good friends and the following little parcel was for a friend who went on holidays just prior to Christmas.  Her favourite colour is purple so I am sure she would have liked it.

I did have plans to decorate the Lindt chocolates but ran out of time.  Although on this occasion I have used cards and papers from my stash, the Bon bon is made with the recently introduced SU Envelope Punch Board.  I have had a lot of fun making many different boxes and envelopes with it in the last month or so.

Since I joined SU, I have had lots of new toys to play with and plenty of beautiful products to use as well.  Certainly keeps me out of trouble.

This next card was for a special friend who is a lover of pink and glitter, but I don't think even this was quite enough sparkle for her.

 

So proud of myself here as I actually used one of the beautiful Frosted Finishes Embellishments on this card.  I loved them so much I bought a second pack even though I still had lots left.  I did make two sets of ear-rings from them and they were much admired.

 

I needed to make a gift card for some vouchers which turned out to be quite large and it took me a little while to work out, but I think they looked really great when finished.  Of course being larger than our normal cards, I needed to make special envelopes for them - Envelope Punch Board to the rescue!!

 

 

 

 

I mentioned above that I had made some boxes with my latest toy so thought I would pop in this photo of them.  I cannot claim the credit for their design though, as I saw them on the blog of Sam Donald from Pootles - an amazing box maker.

 

 

Aren't they cute?  most of them only take a six inch square of dsp.

 

Bit of an overload of photos I know, but thanks for staying with me,

Mary

 

 

Christmas in review

Whilst cleaning out files on the computer and ipad I realised that I had been somewhat slack in posting updates onto either of my blogs, and I have a glut of photos that never saw the light of day - indeed, not only had I forgotten them, but I had great trouble remembering to whom the cards were given or why I made said cards, so I thought I would try and remedy the problem now, and instead of starting at the beginning I am going to work backwards.

So this was Christmas:

 

The cards were made in batches of two,
 

some were cherry and some were blue:
Many thanks for the design must go to Monica Gale's gorgeous card.
 

  

 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The banner was flying for all to see,

but I didn't get around to erecting the tree:

 - see previous post for a photo of the banner!

The stockings were hung for the grandchildren three (and Mum and Dad as well, see!):

For more photos of the stockings click onto my stitching blog at the right.

 

The presents were wrapped (before Christmas Eve !!!!!) - so early for me:

 

and that's about it - there's no more from me.

 

Cheers,

Mary