Presents Money Holder

These are some fun gift cards that resemble a wrapped gift.  The cut file is from the Silhouette on line store.  The file only cost .99 cents so it is a really bargain (in fact, all their files are 99 cents.) I used some retired SU Holiday paper I had on hand (am trying so hard to use what I have.....I think we all call it our own inventory).  Red solid paper is from Joanne's and edges are sponged with brown ink.

 Open the card to reveal a place to write a note and a gift card holder. (OR folded money!!!!) I used a rub on for the holiday message.

 In the back: a special stamped bar code image:

I believe this is the last of the Christmas projects to be posted. Just in the nick of time for 2013..............it's New Year Eve so I just made it!!!!  It was a great 2012!!! See you all in 2013!!!! Thank you for checking in on my blog.



Toy Soldier & Snowman Treats

Am doing more blog posting catch up.......Here are some fun Snowmen and Toy Soldiers made during the holidays.  They are filled with treats as previously posted here with details.  They are just absolutely adoreable.  The Snowman is a SVG cut file from my favorite on line store SVGcuts.com.  The collection is called Christmas Open House and can be found here. Embossing folder used is from Hero Arts/Sizzix called Dot Swirl.

Aren't they soooo cute?  They got sent off to surprise everyone.  So here are the Toy Soldiers.  They are a FREE SVG cut file also from SVGcuts.com found here. These little guys are also really cute, too. Original size is 5-1/2" tall. I made some smaller ones, too which are 4" tall.............so cute...............I could have used a bowling ball........

These were simply so fun to make and for others to enjoy................................... 

Reindeer Candy canes

These cute batch of little reindeer peppermint cane holders are a FREE SVG cut file from my favorite on line store: SVGcuts.com - the cut file can be found here and downloaded if you have the SCAL (Sure Cuts a Lot computer software which you can also purchase through SVGcuts.com, too.  You would also need a cutter: Silhouette is my choice of cutter to make these.  The finished size is 3-1/2" w x 3-1/4". There are two slits in the back to hold the basic candy cane.

Paper used: Recollections Kraft, white and red, with some chocolate color card stock. Those eyes are punched using a 1/8" hand punch (or a pen can be used as recommended by Mary at SVGcuts.com). SU Close to Cocoa ink is also used to sponge the Kraft edges.

 Here's the back

Here you can see how the cane is slipped through the back slits (do this before attaching the "face".) The tied ribbon is made then attached with a mini glue dot.

These were fun gifts to give out or attach to presents.

Nutcracker: Snowflakes

This is the Fifth (excluding the original Nutcracker)and last of the Nutcrackers made this year. This Nutcracker was made for my Sister-in-Law who has a modern flare. The paper used is retired Stampin Up - the silver-grayish color tint with a snowflake print is perfect for her style. Again, the Nutcracker is an SVG cut file (using SCAL computer program and my Silhouette to cut) from my favorite on line store: SVGcuts.com. The cut file is called Clara's Christmas Eve SVG Kit which can be found here. My very first nutcracker was posted here using Graphic 45 Nutcracker designer paper.  On the right hand, he has a hanging snowflake.

 Back view:

Side view:

Hat details: a White feather with a metal snowflake and some adhesive rhinestones around the hat on top of the silver paper crown.

Flat back plastic snowflake along with a metal snowflake (from my stash - I think it was from Crate & Barrel Store about 6 years ago.  They were used for table sprinkles, on clearance!)

Medium size adhesive rhinestones for buttons and dot embossing folder used for the beard. 

 Adhesive rhinestones on the sleeve cuff:

See the snowflake hanging........it's hanging using a silver elastic cord sandwiched in between 2 plastic flat back snowflakes (found at your local craft store ONLY at Christmas time!). A metal snowflake is added on top  using a mini glue dot. Elastic cord is also used around each boot top.

 Details of the base: Darice Snowflake embossing folder used on silver paper.

I hope you have enjoyed this series of Nutcrackers made this year. They were fun to customize and I thank Mary & Leo from SVGcuts.com for creating this fabulous cut file to make my life so much easier. 

Nutcracker: Sewing

This is the fourth Nutcracker. This Sewing Nutcracker was made for a special friend who is a Pattern maker by profession. She has since received for Christmas so I can now post it. The Nutcracker is an SVG cut file (using SCAL computer program and my Silhouette to cut) from my favorite on line store: SVGcuts.com. The cut file is called Clara's Christmas Eve SVG Kit which can be found here. My very first nutcracker was posted here using Graphic 45 Nutcracker designer paper. This one is using Kraft paper (from Recollections) for the body and "pattern" stamped images throughout on the Kraft paper as well as on the Red card stock.

 Back view:

 Side View:

Hat is American Crafts Black textured paper. 4 Hole Pearl Buttons decorate around the hat. two hat pins with some holly replace what is normally a "feather".

 The front of the body has medium size snaps attached using mini glue dots. His beard is a dot embossing folder. Notice his waist is a stamped measuring tape.

For his apron: spools of thread, a thimble, paper hangers, scissors , more snaps, buttons and a dress form.  Most items are from "Dress it Up" buttons.  The paper hangers are a SVG cut file: totally size down to fit on to the apron.  Yup, real safety pin and more buttons. On the cuffs are hooks & eyes.

 On the right side, hung  using twine are sewing charms: a sewing machine (from Maya Road) and a charm that saids " I heart 2 sew".........that small heart saids: Made with Love and has a red adhesive rhinestone. Notice the top of the boot cuffs are stamped with stitches and zig zag images.

 At the back: a bow made from the stamped tape measure, topped off with a button

 Boots also have real hook & eyes:

 The base is using Pattern paper from my stash.

 And, of course my autograph in the back underside:

 Wonder how these varieties of nutcrackers are made - here's my sketch

 Stamps used in this project:

 Oh yes, to make the base not "cave in", strips of corrugated cardboard provides lots of support to the structure.

 The corrugated cardboard is also added to the shoe:

This Nutcracker turned out better than I even expected. I know my friend will love it.
Stay tuned for one more nutcracker......................

Nutcracker: Traveler

This is the third of many new ones. This Traveler nutcracker was made for a special friend who has made many trips abroad this year. The Nutcracker is an SVG cut file (using SCAL computer program and my Silhouette to cut) from my favorite on line store: SVGcuts.com. The cut file is called Clara's Christmas Eve SVG Kit which can be found here. My very first nutcracker was posted here using Graphic 45 Nutcracker designer paper. This one is using some travel paper (from my stash) for the body and of course, he has a suitcase hanging from his right arm.

Back view:

Side View:

Feather is cut in gold card stock: a metal gold star with a gold adhesive rhinestone finishes this feather:



 A gold metal star is added to the top of the epaulets:

 Smaller gold adhesive rhinestones (from Recollections) are added to the cuffs

 Boot details: small metal bells with gold cord around the boot.

The base is embossed using Darice travel Icon Embossing Folder. It was perfect for this Nutcracker.





Suitcase details: hanging on the right side is a suitcase measuring 3" x 1-3/4" x 5/8.  Original SVG Cut file was a gift card holder from Cre8tive Cutz (found here).

Additional photos: Suitcase front used Recollections Kraft card stock paper, sponged all the edges with SU Close to Cocoa ink.  Sticker used (a gold pen changed the airplane from Silver color). Use a gold cord to hang the luggage tag.

Suitcase back: I added a round tab to open the suitcase from the back

 Open the suitcase to reveal a passport on top:

And, here are the various places that were travelled this year: can you guess the locations?

 To hang the suitcase, black wire was used to make a type of hanger instead of using ribbon to tie and un tie - yuck!

 This was a fun Nutcracker to make.....stay tuned for another Nutcracker tom.....