A Few Christmas Projects!

Hello!  Today I am sharing a few Christmas projects I worked on this week - once the middle of November has arrived it is definitely time to get serious about the Christmas projects!

Just a quick note about the standard tools and supplies I used to complete the projects this week:

• Paper Trimmer (item 152392) - for trimming paper and cardstock - can also be used for scoring;
• stylus and scoreboard (Simply Scored Scoring Tool - item 122334) - for scoring fold lines and decorative raised lines (handles) - for crisp folds I also burnished all folded scored lines using my Bone Folder (item 102300);
• Stampin' Cut & Emboss Machine (item 149653) - for all die cutting and embossing;
• Paper Snips Scissors (item 103579) - theses nice sharp scissors were perfect for fussy cutting the truck images;
• Take Your Pick Tool (item 144107) - the paper piercer, mini spatula, and tacky putty tips are a great help for picking up and placing small embellishments and die cuts; and
• for the main adhesive, Multipurpose Liquid Glue (item 110755).

To stamp all images and sentiments I used Stazon Jet Black Ink (item 101406).  The coloured stamped images were stamped on watercolour paper and coloured using ink from Classic Stampin' Pads applied using paint brushes and a little water.  By pressing against the lid and bottom of the closed ink pad I am able to transfer ink to the inside of the pad's lid, which then serves as the ink palette (an alternative method would be to press ink from the pad - or squeeze a drop or two from an ink refill - onto a clean acrylic stamp block or other clean and smooth plastic surface).  

For all card bases I used Basic White Thick cardstock (item 159229) - all cards are top-fold and, with the exception of the gift card that measures 2 1/2" x 4", are 4" square.

On with the projects!

Suitcase Card/Gift Holders

I had so much fun making my suitcase card/gift holder last week that I made three more this week!  All three were constructed in the same manner as I used last week (https://archiesatelier.blogspot.com/2023/11/next-destination-to.html) - hinged lids, handle, magnetic closure, small luggage tag etc.  The two smaller holders are the same dimensions as last week's holder:  3 1/4" tall (box portion) x 4 1/4" wide x 1" deep - and will hold four 4" square cards or two hot chocolate mix packages and one Dollar Tree plastic silver spoon!  The only dimension that I changed on the larger holder was to add 1" to the height of the box portion.  I thought a few Christmas cards in a festive holder might make a nice November gift for a non-crafting friend who might appreciate a few additional cards to help out with their Christmas preparations - and who knows you might be the recipient of one of the cards!  And of course a festive holder with some hot chocolate mixes would make a nice little treat for a co-worker or friend - or anyone who would enjoy some hot chocolate on a cold day!

For the box portion of the smaller holders I used an 11" x 4 3/4" piece of cardstock, scored on the 11" side at 1", 5 1/4", 6 1/4", and 10 1/2" (1/2" tab is the glue tab); and scored on the 4 3/4" side at 1" and 4 1/4" (1" tab are the bottom flaps and 1/2" tab are the fold over flaps for the top edge).  For the box portion of the larger holder I used an 11" x 5 3/4" piece of cardstock, scored as for the smaller holder on the 11" side, and at 1" and 5 1/4" on the 5 3/4" side.  For the lids of all holders I used a 7 1/4" x 4" piece of cardstock, scored at 1/2" and 1 1/2" on all four sides.  For the handles of the second of the smaller holders and the larger holder I used a 6" x 1/2" piece of cardstock - scored at 3/4" from each end on the 6" side, and then scored three times down the length at 1/8" intervals between the two end score lines.  For the base of the handle on the first of the smaller holders I used a 6" x 3/4" piece of cardstock to which I added a 6" x 5/8" cardstock matting strip and a 6" x 1/2" Designer Series Paper panel.  This handle was also scored at 3/4" from each end on the 6" side.  

For the magnetic closure on each of the holders I used two small Basic Grey magnetic discs, which I purchased at my local scrapbooking shop.

The small luggage tags added to the handles of the two smaller holders were also constructed in the same manner as I used last week - using the smallest of the rounded corner rectangle dies from the Nested Essentials dies (item 161597), the small tag die from the Mini Pocket Envelope dies (item 159167), the small narrow banner die from the Stylish Shapes dies (item 159183), and small pieces of thrift store HP Transparency Film.  I substituted small pieces of Designer Series Paper for the stamped image I used in last week's tag.  The ball chains used to attach the luggage tags to the handles were also purchased at my local scrapbooking shop. 

Nested Essentials dies - 161597

Mini Pocket Envelope dies - 159167 (Online Exclusive)

Stylish Shapes dies - 159183

Additional supplies used to complete this holder:

• Cherry Cobbler cardstock (item 119685) for the box, lid, handle base, small luggage tag and loop, bow, front fastener and three die cut circles on fastener, hinges, and circle die cuts on handle ends;
• Mini Pocket Envelope dies to cut bow;
• tombstone die from Bag of Bones dies (item 162218) for fastener - two cut and glued wrong sides together (this was a step I overlooked on the other two holders😒);

Bag of Bones dies - 162218

• circle dies from Paper Florist dies (item 161284) to cut all circles - including the 4 Basic Black cardstock (item 121045) circles on the hinges;

Paper Florist dies - 161284

• Pebbled Path cardstock (item 161722) for box, lid, and fastener matting panels - the box and lid panels cut 1/8" smaller than the corresponding Cherry Cobbler cardstock panels, and the fastener panel is 1 7/8" x 7/8";
• Basic Black cardstock for box, lid, handle, and fastener matting panels - the box, lid and fastener panels cut a scant 1/16" larger than the corresponding DSP panels (which for the box and lid are cut 1/4" smaller than the corresponding Cherry Cobbler cardstock panels);
• Traditions of St. Nick 12" x 12" Designer Series Paper (item 162355 - Online Exclusive) for the box, lid, handle, and fastener DSP panels, and luggage tag insert - the fastener panel is 1 1/2" x 3/4";
• 2nd smallest flag die from Nested Essentials dies to cut the two Cherry Cobbler cardstock hinges - hinges scored 5/8" from straight edge and when gluing the hinges to the lid this fold line is lined up with the bottom edge of the lid; 
• Wink of Stella Clear Glitter Brush (item 141897) - to "paint" the Cherry Cobbler cardstock bow; and
• bronze dots from Brushed Metallic Dots (item 156506) - small dots added to luggage tag and die cut circles on hinges, and large dots used to embellish center of bow, and the die cut circles on fastener and handle ends. 

Additional supplies used to complete this holder:

• Garden Green cardstock (item 102584) for the box, lid, handle, hinges, fastener, die cut circle on fastener, and 3/4" x 3" embossed side panels;
• Distressed Tile 3D Embossing Folder (item 162189) to emboss the Garden Green cardstock side panels;
• 2nd largest and 2nd smallest flag dies from Nested Essentials dies (item 161597) to cut fastener and DSP flag on fastener respectively;
• label die from Cheerful Daisies dies (item 161296) to cut hinges - hinges scored at 7/8" from one end and when gluing hinges to back of lid this fold line is lined up with the bottom edge of the lid;

Cheerful Daisies dies - 161296

• Basic White Thick cardstock (item 159229) for the lid and box matting panels - each panel cut 1/8" smaller than the corresponding Garden Green cardstock panels;
• circle dies from Paper Florist dies (item 161284) to cut Garden Green cardstock circle on fastener, and Real Red cardstock (item 102482) circles on handle ends, hinges, and fastener;
• Joy of Christmas 12" x 12" Designer Series Paper (item 161958) for the DSP panels on lid and box (cut 1/4" smaller than corresponding Garden Green cardstock panels), flag on fastener, and luggage tag insert; and
• gold dots from Brushed Metallic Dots (item 156506) - small dots added to luggage tag and die cut circles on hinges, and large dots added to circles on fastener and handle ends.

Additional supplies to complete this holder:

• Basic Black cardstock (item 121045) for the box, lid, handle, flag and circle on fastener, circles on hinges, two circle flower stamens, and embossed panels on box and lid - these panels were cut 1/4" smaller than the base Basic Black cardstock panels and embossed using the Painted Texture 3D Embossing Folder (item 154317);
• 2nd smallest flag die from Nested Essentials dies (item 161597) to cut Basic Black cardstock flag;
• Basic White Thick cardstock (item 159229) for the box and lid matting panels - cut 1/8" smaller than corresponding Basic Black cardstock base panels;
• Basic Gray cardstock (item 121044) for hinges (cut using the label die from Cheerful Daisies dies - item 161296 - and each scored at 7/8" from one end), fastener (cut using the tombstone die from Bag of Bones dies - item 162218 - although I did cut an additional fastener from Basic Black cardstock and glued it to the back of the Basic Gray cardstock fastener I did not do it with wrong sides together so I do not have a finished edge on the underside😒), circles on end of handles and large circle on fastener;
• Paper Florist dies (item 161284) to cut small flower (added to center of large-petalled flower) and 14 petals from Real Red cardstock (item 102482), 2 circle stamens and circles for hinges and fastener from Basic Black cardstock, leafy stem from Mossy Meadow cardstock (item 133676), large and small Basic Gray cardstock circles, and fringe flower center from Crushed Curry cardstock (item 131199);
• Grove dies (item 157844) to cut five-leafed stem from Mossy Meadow cardstock;

Grove dies - 157844

• Joy of Noel dies (item 161965) to cut 2 evergreen boughs from Garden Green cardstock (item 102584); and

Joy of Noel dies - 161965

• Basic Black Stampin' Write Marker (item 162481) and Wink of Stella Clear Glitter Brush (item 141897) to add splatters to flower/foliage cluster - the foliage was glued to the assembled flower and then completed cluster glued to box front after splattering.

A Few Cards

Additional supplies to complete this card:

• Pebbled Path cardstock (item 161722) and Basic Black cardstock (item 121045) for the 3 7/8" square and 3 3/4" square matting panels respectively;
• Pebbled Path music patterned paper from Joy of Christmas 12" x 12" Designer Series Paper (item 161958) for 3 5/8" square front panel, and 15/16" x 3 7/8" inside strip;
• Garden Green cardstock (item 102584) for wreath base - a circle frame cut using the 2 1/2" and 2 1/8" diameter circle dies from Stylish Shapes dies (item 159183) - 8 evergreen boughs cut using the Joy of Noel dies (item 161965), and 7 seven-berry/two-leafed stems cut using the Tree Rings dies (item 159888).  The evergreen boughs and berry stems were glued (overlapping/tucked in) to the circle frame;

Tree Rings dies (includes Hybrid Embossing Folder) - 159888

• small double-circle die from Joy of Noel dies to cut from Real Red cardstock (item 102482) 49 berries for the berry/leaf stems (the berries were glued to the stems before the stems were glued to the wreath base);
• Trucking Along stamp set (item 162299 - Online Exclusive) for the sentiment - stamped on Basic White Thick cardstock (item 159229) - the panel was trimmed and edges scraped with the blade of my craft knife.  For a little extra stability for the panel before I glued it to the wreath I attached a small strip of cereal box cardboard to the back of the panel using double-sided tape (Tear & Tape Adhesive - item 154031);

• a trimmed Santa image from the Traditions of St. Nick 12" x 12" Designer Series Paper (item 162355 - Online Exclusive) glued to the back of wreath frame before frame glued to card front; and
• for the bow, Real Red ribbon from Real Red & Garden Green 3/8" Ribbon Combo Pack (item 159577).

Additional supplies to complete this card:

• Basic Black cardstock (item 121045) for the 3 7/8" square and 3 1/8" square matting panels;
• Very Vanilla Thick cardstock (item 144237) for the 3 3/4" square embossed panel - embossed using the Timber 3D Embossing Folder (item 156406).  Before embossing I dragged my Early Espresso ink pad (item 147114) across the raised design on one of the inside panels of the embossing folder - after embossing I sponged additional Early Espresso ink over the embossed cardstock panel (https://archiesatelier.blogspot.com/2023/11/playing-with-paper-florist-dies-part-1.html);
• Grove dies (item 157844) to cut the two deer from Pecan Pie cardstock (item 161717) that had been embossed using the Timber 3D Embossing Folder and Early Espresso ink as per technique used on the Very Vanilla Thick cardstock - again additional Early Espresso ink was sponged over the embossed cardstock;
• Linen Thread (item 104199) for the bow tied around the large deer's neck (done before die cut glued to card front);
• Pebbled Path/Crumb Cake tree patterned paper from One Horse Open Sleigh 6" x 6" Designer Series Paper (item 162118 - Online Exclusive) for 3" square front panel, and two 3/4" x 3 7/8" inside strips;
• Basic White Thick cardstock (item 159229) for the 5 snowflakes - cut using the Chic dies (item 158815);

Chic dies - 158815

• strips cut from Foam Adhesive Sheets (item 152815) used to attach matted DSP panel to card front;
• Beary Cute stamp set (item 162016) for sentiment - sentiment stamped on watercolour paper and circle cut using the Stylish Shapes dies (item 159183).  I sponged Crumb Cake ink (item 147116) over the circle, misted with water (Stampin' Spritzers - item 126185) and blotted dry with paper towel; and

• Very Vanilla dots from Classic Matte Dots (item 158146) added to center of the three card front snowflakes.

Additional supplies used to complete this card:

• Basic Black cardstock (item 121045) for the 3 7/8" square and two 2 3/4" square matting panels;
• Basic White Thick cardstock (item 159229) for the two 2 5/8" square matting panels;
• Real Red cardstock (item 102482) for the "NOEL" letters - cut using the Joy of Noel dies (item 161965) - and sentiment circle (cut using the Stylish Shapes dies - item 159183);
• Shaded Spruce patterned papers from Joy of Christmas 12" x 12" Designer Series Paper (item 161958) for the 3 3/4" square and two 2 1/2" square panels;
• Basic Black Stampin' Write Marker (item 162481) to add splatters to the matted "NOEL" panel by flicking the brush tip against the marker lid (splatters added before the panel was glued to card front); 
• Beary Cute stamp set (item 162016) for sentiment; and
• for the bow, Real Red ribbon from Real Red & Garden Green 3/8" Ribbon Combo Pack (item 159577).

For my last two cards and gift card I used images from the Trucking Along stamp set (item 162299), stamped on watercolour paper and coloured using Real Red ink (item 147084), Basic Gray ink (item 149165), Pool Party ink (item 147107), Shaded Spruce ink (item 147088), Misty Moonlight ink (item 153118), Pecan Pie ink (item 161665), and Granny Apple Green ink (item 147095).  For the two cards I used Shaded Spruce patterned paper from Joy of Christmas 12" x 12" Designer Series Paper (item 161958):  a 3 5/8" square panel on the first card, and a 3 7/8" x 2 3/8" panel on the second card - also adding a 3/4" x 3 7/8" strip along the bottom of both inside panels; sentiment from the Brightest Glow stamp set (item 159542); Stylish Shapes dies (item 159183) to cut the image circle and Basic Black cardstock (item 121045) banner (first card), and sentiment banner (second card).  I used the second smallest flag die from Nested Essentials dies (item 161597) to cut the sentiment panel on the first card. 

Additional supplies used to complete first card:

• Basic Black cardstock for 3 3/4" square matting panel;
• Crumb Cake ink (item 147116) sponged on sentiment panel - misted with water (Stampin' Spritzers - item 126185) and blotted dry with paper towel; and
• Linen Thread (item 104199) for the bow - ends secured with tiny dabs of Multipurpose Liquid Glue.

To embellish the front of the second card I added four of the Pretty Peacock gems from the Tinsel Gems Four-Pack (item 161623).

And finally . . .

Additional supplies used to complete this 4" x 2 1/2" gift card:

• Pebbled Path cardstock (item 161722) for the 3 7/8" x 2 3/8" matting panel;
• Basic White Thick cardstock (item 159229) for the four snowflakes (one used on inside panel) - cut using the Chic dies (item 158815);
• Pool Party patterned paper from One Horse Open Sleigh 6" x 6" Designer Series Paper (item 162118) for the front 3 3/4" x 2 1/4" panel, and inside 1" x 2 3/8" strip; and
• for the centers of the three snowflakes on the front panel, Coastal Cabana shaded dots from Ombre Matte Decorative Dots (item 161448).

Thank you for visiting my blog!  I had a lot of fun getting into the festive spirit working on these projects!

If you are interested in purchasing any of the available Stampin' Up! products I have used in my projects, and you live in Canada and do not have a Stampin' Up! demonstrator, please do not hesitate to visit my online store found on my website https://archiesatelier.stampinup.net/ at your convenience, or simply click under the "Shop With Me" tab on the right sidebar of my blog, which will take you directly to my website and online store.  I very much appreciate your business, and if you need any assistance please do not hesitate to contact me (lmccoyarchie@gmail.com)! The digital versions of both the May 2023-April 2024 Annual Catalogue and the September-December 2023 Mini Catalogue can be accessed at your convenience on my website!  When visiting my online store don't forget to check out the great deals on the Clearance Rack as well as the selection of products now available as Online Exclusives - several new products were introduced on November 7, 2023 - including the Garden Meadow Bundle (item 162741) and the very pretty Meandering Meadows 6" x 6" Designer Series Paper (item 162735).

The Last Chance Promotion featuring the retiring products from the September-December 2023 Mini Catalogue starts on November 21, 2023, and runs until January 3, 2024.  Many of the retiring products will be offered at substantial discounts but products will only be available while supplies last - a great opportunity to stock up on some favourites - maybe for some last minute festive projects - and maybe do a little Christmas shopping!  A few of the discounts include:

• Stars At Night Hybrid Embossing Folder (item 162006) - 30% off;
• Handcrafted Elements dies (item 162330) - 10% off;
• Sending Cheer stamp set (item 162050) and Sending Cheers dies (item 162052) - each at 40% off;
• Fruitful Blessing dies (item 162209) - 30% off;
• Bag of Bones dies (item 162218) - 10% off
• Cheery Patterns Embossing Folders (item 162287) - 10% off;
• Year To Celebrate stamp set (item 162279) - 40% off;
• Classic Gift Card Envelopes (item 162116) - 30% off; 
• Cheers To The Season stamp set (item 162309) - 30% off; and
• Precious Pinecones stamp set (item 162175) - 60% off!

Have fun creating!

Laurel

*It has come to my attention that quite often email correspondence from me is delivered to the recipient's spam or junk mail folder - if you have corresponded with me I have replied so be sure to check your spam or junk mail folder!  Thank you!! 

Caught in the act!  No escaping the paparazzi!