Now that my December stamping events are officially done, I've finally had some time to do some "fun" stamping for me! There are SO many holiday projects that I still want to try, and SO many holiday products that I still want to use before the Holiday Mini expires on January 4th.
Both of today's cards use a trio of presents made out of the Candy Cane Christmas Designer Paper. Even though it is no longer available because the inventories have been depleted, you could always use some of the coordinating Candy Cane Christmas Designer Fabric.
Wrapping The Presents
I toyed with the idea of using square punches to create my gift packages, but I really wanted a little more dimension, and some thickness to wrap the ribbon around. And, I wanted to be able to do custom sizes of the packages. So, I cut a variety of sizes of paper, like 2-1/2" square, or 2-1/2 x 1-1/2", scored them at 1/2" on each side, trimmed off the corners, then folded the sides in and adhered them. Nothing fancy.
The package bow is made from small ribbon pieces adhered with SNAIL or Mini Glue Dots. The wrap-around piece is adhered with SNAIL. Each loop of the bow is a separate piece, adhered on both ends with Glue Dots…kind of tedius to put together, but I liked the results.
SNAIL Trivia: I was just reminded what SNAIL actually stands for…it's in the description at the online store: Simple, Neat, Affordable, In-Line Adhesive!
Folded Christmas Tree
I've seen these cute folded trees on several cards. They are semi-circles of Designer Paper folded back and forth from a point about 1/4 of the way down the straight edge. This one was my first attempt, and since it ended up kind of leaning, I decided to use it on the side of my card, like it was a larger tree and we can only see the bottom portion. I used the Garden Green paper from the Regals Designer Serier Patterns Paper Stack.
My starting circle was 5-1/4" in diameter and I used a template that I found on Connie Babbert's Inkspired Treasures blog: Folded Christmas Tree. Scroll down on her post and she has a pattern to use a a guide for your folds.
That's her tree in this thumbnail…see how it's actually straight? She used Jolly Holiday DSP and finished it off with a Glimmer Brad on top! Love it!
I'm still wondering if there isn't some easy formula to use on the folds that I'm not getting (please let me know in the comments below if you know!).
One of my downline was trying to explain how I could use a protractor to duplicate the angles from Connie's pattern onto larger semi-circles, but that was seeming like way too much math for me *waves to Carie!* 🙂
Here's another card I was looking at that I loved! It's created by Diana Gibbs and is featured on her Stampin' With Di blog: Folded Christmas Tree. I love this one, too!
Her card uses the Deck The Halls DSP and appears a little skinnier than Connie's. It's all the way you fold it! I recommend playing around with a few pieces on some scrap paper first to get the hang of it.
Supplies Used Card #1: Candy Cane Christmas DSP, Baja Breeze, Riding Hood Red, and Whisper White card stock, Real Red 1/4" Grosgrain Ribbon, Basic Rhinestones, Petals-A-Plenty Impressions Folder, Charming set (for pattern on the background), retired Christmas Punch stamp, 2" (wide) Oval Punch, Baja Breeze Classic Ink, Real Red and Garden Green Markers.
Supplies Used Card #2: Candy Cane Christmas DSP, Baja Breeze, Riding Hood Red, and Whisper White card stock, Real Red 1/4" Grosgrain Ribbon, Basic Rhinestones, Petals-A-Plenty Impressions Folder, Eyelet Border Punch, Owl Punch (for heart), Heard From The Heart sentiment.
Too Cool Holiday Bonus Winner!
Thank you to everyone who participated in the Too Cool Holiday Bonus Promotion! Everyone who ordered during that week was automatically entered for the drawing to win a Peaceful Season Hostess set. Those who ordered more than $50 were eligible for additional entries! The entries were numbered as the orders were placed, and winner was selected using Random.org. So without further ado…(drum roll)
The winner is Pat Phenicie! Woohoo! Congratulations, Pat! You will be receiving your new Peaceful Season stamp set with your order!
Show Me Your Christmas Card Contest!
I want to see YOUR holiday cards, so in order to encourage (bribe) you to send them to me, I'm offering up a little contest! The randomly selected winner will receive a FREE Favorite Thoughts clear-mount, stamp set (retired)! (click to enlarge)
All you have to do to participate is create a hand-made Christmas Card, primarily using Stampin' Up! stamps and accessories, and send it to me via:
1) Mail—Mail it the old-fashion way! If you don't have my address, please email me to receive it. You will get 3 contest entries for every unique card you mail!
2) Email—Send a photo attachment or link to your Christmas Card to me via email! One entry!
3) Comments Section—Leave a link address to your card in the Comments section of THIS POST ONLY! One entry!
Deadline December 31, 2010—Cards must be received by mail, email, or in the comments section by 11:59 pm, December 31 (so, procrastinators like me are welcome!).
Fine Print: Open to US residents only. You may send up to five unique holiday cards per person. Cards must feature Stampin' Up! stamps and accessories, but may also include other stamps and accessories. By entering, you are giving me permission to post your entry and name on the Too Cool Stamping Blog. Mailed entries will not be returned. Entries will be assigned a number, and the winner will be randomly selected by Random.org. I reserve the right to add something to this disclaimer paragraph if I forget something important. Winner may be forced to dance around in a tutu singing Auld Lang Syne—are you really reading this! Haha! 🙂
Can't wait to see what holiday cards you have to share!
Angie
Very cute cards. I thought it was called Snail because it left tracks like a snail… wow, learned something new..heehehe
WOW…the circle tree is BRILLIANT! Can’t wait to try it! Have a Merry Christmas!