Last Minute Christmas Gift Packaging Ideas

Can you believe we've almost finished the first week in December?

Time is just flying by...and I'm so glad that you've taken the time to squeeze in a visit with me today!

Have you started your holiday shopping already?  Are you almost finished...or maybe you are completely done!  Well, I wanted to quickly stop by with a quick post about some packaging ideas for those smaller items like treats and gift cards, and to let you know that there is still some time to take advantage of online shopping with Scrapbooks by Design!

I came across some adorable holiday themed box svg cutting files at My ScrapChick that I knew I wanted to create. So, I got the Cameo humming and set to work!

Here's how they turned out...

Aren't they the cutest!

They would even make a festive display for home decor!

Here's a close up peek at each...

...a gingerbread man perfect to hold a homemade goodie...

...Jolly Old St Nicholas is just waiting to have his belly filled with sweet candy treats...

...and a frosty snowman all bundled up and ready to keep a gift card safe and cozy...

There's still some time to shop for supplies for your packaging...but don't wait too long.  Scrapbooks by Design can help you out with the card stock you need, a Silhouette Electronic Die Cutting Machine, Silhouette accessories or Silhouette gift cards!

I hope I've been able to help you get into the festive mood as well as inspire you to dress up your packaging this holiday season!

Until next time...

These cuties have been shared in the following challenges...
Crafty Catz..."Snowmen"
Fussy and Fancy..."Happy Holidays"
C.R.A.F.T...."Christmas"
Crafting by Designs...."Christmas"
Crafting for all Seasons..."Tis the Season"
Decorate to Celebrate..."Anything Goes"
Divas by Design..."Feeling Festive"

Let's Get Into Shape...

Hello!
Thanks for taking the time to stop by!
Don't worry, I'm not here with a fitness or exercise plan as my post title might lead you to believe!

I'm back today with the new challenge over at the Unstampabelles....where your challenge is to create a paper craft that does not involve any stamps!  And, of course we always have a twist.  This months twist is to include at least 3 geometric shapes in your creation.  Don't worry, once you get down to it it's really not as hard as it seems.

We have a wonderful sponsor this month...


http://www.annabellestamps.com/
...who is offering one lucky prize winner a $15 discount coupon!

I came across a cute cutting file for my Silhouette Cameo over at My ScrapChick which I just knew I had to own!  I had this challenge sitting in the far back of my mind, just wondering what I could create....so the first thing I did was to start counting shapes!  LOL

Here's the creation...we'll run through the various shapes in just a minute...

Isn't that just the cutest easel card!  I had so much fun working with it...thinking about spring and wishing it was coming a little faster.

Now, as you can see we have a variety of circles and scalloped circles on this project.  Then there's all the rectangles in the fence, and let's not overlook the elongated oval which acts as the card stop and the tiny triangles for the birdies beak!  See...not so hard when you start looking for the shapes.
I must admit that I started looking through my stamp collection when I suddenly remembered that I couldn't use any stamps!  LOL.  I rummaged through my tiny stack of rub ons and came up empty handed there as well...so my own handwriting and sentiment it was!  I do believe this is the first time I have even handwritten a sentiment on one of my cards...I always think it just doesn't look as put together as when I stamp or use a digi sentiment.  But, I have to admit that the handwriting sorta suits this card! 

So, now it's your turn.  You have one month to play along!
I can hardly wait to see how your card "shapes" up!

Until next time...

This card has been shared in the following challenges...
Crafty Girls..."Anything Goes" 
Cute Card Thursday..."Springtime"
Little Miss Muffet Challenges..."Anything Goes"
Challenges and Candies..."Spring is Around the Corner"
Sister Act Card Challenges..."Anything Goes"
Allsorts Challenge Blog..."Spring is Coming"

Let's Make a Mess!

It's been a little quiet around here lately!  I've been busy in the craft room, but have had little time to post lately!  Thanks for sticking by me and coming for a visit today!

Today marks the beginning of a new monthly challenge over at the Unstampabelles.  Our challenge is "Dare to Get Dirty"...and our twist was to document the mess along the way with pictures.

We have a wonderful sponsor for this challenge...

http://www.stickerstore.com.au/

Be sure to check out the Unstampabelles blog for the prize being awarded!

I will confess that I struggled with this one and wasn't sure which direction to go in.  It had been on my mind that my son needed Valentine's for his class party, and the store was not stocking anything that I felt was worthy of giving.  So, to get some inspiration I read over the "Ideas for Creations" which you can find on the tabs on the Unstampabelles challenge blog.  Well, the word "box" just jumped out at me.  I had a cutting file for my Silhouette from My Scrap Chick that I had been wanting to use which was a box treat card all in one! Now cutting with that machine can sure get messy with all the tiny pieces, and all the pieces need to be inked, glued, etc...but my version of "dirty" may be a little cleaner than others...I hope this works for you! 

Let me walk you through this "messy/dirty" process with a few pics...

As you can see, it all starts out in little pieces in a somewhat organized mess...

The next step is to ink each piece individually...my fingers never stay clean in this process...

...and neither does my Splat Mat...

...and the glue...what can I say about this glue other than I despise it!  This glue is so sticky, my fingers are a complete mess by the time I'm done.  As you can see the glue bottle itself is is a complete mess...just from me handling it with the crazy stuff on my fingers.  And, it's almost impossible to wash off your hands when you're done...it sorta rubs off a while later.  But, I bought it...so I must use it!  LOL

We're getting closer to the finished creation...the shape is taking place...





Just let me get my fingers unstuck...I'll add some features and the remaining parts to this little guy....and...

 ...here's the finished project!

I'm happy to report our son loved this and is excited to be handing these one of a kind Valentine cards out in school at his party!  I guess I better get working because I have 16 more to make!

So, dig out those inks, paints, whatever you think you can make a creative mess with and get creating.  Don't forget to link up with us at the Unstampabelles so we can see your mess.  Remember our only rules are that your project needs to be a paper craft and you are not allowed to use any stamps on your creation.  Don't worry, it's not as hard as it sounds!

Until next time...

This creation has been shared in the following challenges...
Ladybug Crafts..."Be Mine"
Seemacrafts..."Valentine/Love"
A Gem of A Challenge..."All You Need is Love"
My Sheri Crafts..."Valentine - Use a Heart"
Open Minded Crafting Fun Challenges..."Show Some Love"
Delightful Challenges..."Anything but a Card...Love Theme"
Decorate to Celebrate..."Valentine Treat Bag"
Little Red Wagon..."Child's Play"
Challenges 4 Everybody..."Anything Goes"
Robyn's Fetish Challenge Blog..."Valentine Cards"