Going all white with the Pretty Pines Thinlits Dies

"I'm dreaming of a white christmas...", who isn't hey? But changes of getting that are very small in western Europe! Luckily us crafters can create our own white christmas using the most basic of crafty supplies: white cardstock. I found the inspiration for this with another demonstrator: Charlet Mallett from the US, and I loved it so much I just had to try it.

I used the Pretty Pines Thinlits Dies, a die set with matching stamp set that is sooo versatile. You can use it to decorate and embellish so many of your projects:

To make this card you need to die cut a whole lot of the pine cones. There are 3 different versions, I cut  about 8 of each. Then you need to get yourself of sharp pair of scissors and some (mini) Stampin' Dimensionals. Use the scissors to cut the dimensionals into very tiny bits when still on the backing paper. Then attach them to the back of the pine cones in such a way that you cannot see them. You then start placing them on your card base in a random order making sure that some of them stick out over the sides, carefully trim those.

Add a sentiment and some coloured embellishments and you are done.

Thanks for visiting and let me know how you get on, I'd love to hear from you.

Sonja

The Bag-A-Lope - Swap Edition

When this post goes LIVE I will be in Birmingham for OnStage, our twice yearly demonstrator event. It's a fun filled day with lots of other demonstrators where we get to see new catalogues, new products and crafty inspiration. One of my favourite things about OnStage is "swapping", this usually happens at the beginning of the day and it's a great way to meet new people and collect lots of new ideas for your Stampin' Up! supplies. So the idea is simple: You make a batch of a "small" crafty project and you swap one of your items for that of another demonstrator.

You usually make a card front but if you feel ambitious (or just a little bit crazy:-) you make something a bit bigger. Like I did. I made something called a Bag-A-Lope, it's  a bag made from an envelope and I think it's just the coolest thing.

I used the Cookie Cutter Christmas stamp set to stamp on the envelope but you could use any set you like and it doesn't always have to be Christmas themed either.

I have made a pdf with the instructions (incl. pictures and scoring diagram) on how to make these. Feel free to send me an e-mail (sgortzak@yahoo.co.uk and I will be happy to send it to you (no spam;-) but here are the steps if you just want to get going:

Step 1: Seal up the envelope and stamp the Gingerbread Man all over the front and back in Crumb Cake ink.

Step 2: Using your paper trimmer with the scoring blade score the envelope on three sides at 2,2 cm (7/8”) from the edges. Fold them in both directions, using a bone folder to make sharp creases.

Step 3: Trim off the top (at ~ 4 mm or ¼”) so that the envelope is open at the top. Putting one hand inside to fold open the envelope. Make sure you push in the sides so you can fold the top together and the bottom is a rectangle with a flat bottom. There should be 2 triangles sticking out at the bottom that need to be folded underneath and adhered with some Tear ‘n Tape.

Step 4: Put your filling into the bag and put to the side.

Step 5: Using the Scalloped Tag topper Punch give both short edges of the 9 x 7 cm piece of of DSP a decorative edge. As the paper is wider than the punch you will need to mark the center on the short edge of the the DSP and turn the punch upside down to center the paper. After the punching you need to add another scallop on each edge with a pair of scissors.

Step 6: Cut ~ 12 cm (5“) of the Striped Burlap Ribbon and fold in half, then fold the scalloped piece of DSP in half as well. Put the DSP over the top of the bag and staple shut with the Burlap in between.

Step 7: Stamp the Merry Christmas label in Cherry Cobbler onto some Very Vanilla cardstock. Punch out with the Everyday Label punch.

Step 8: Die cut 2 pine sprigs. Adhere to the back of the label using some Tombow wet glue. Adhere some dimensionals to the back of the label and place it all on top of the Striped Burlap Trim.

So tell me, what will you fill your Bag-A-Lope's with?