Ghirardelli Box

I personally am not one for Ghirardelli chocolates, but I know many people who are. There is a tutorial on SCS to make these boxes. The tutorial fits 4 Ghirardelli chocolates. For the craft fair, I altered the size of the box to fit 3 chocolates. 1) to make the bag stretch and get more projects. 2) because 3 pieces is one serving size.

My cardstock was 3-3/4" wide scored at 3/4" & 3" by 7-1/2" tall scored at 2", 2-3/4", 4-3/4", 5-1/2". I cut of the excess cardstock next to the top and front flap. It is held together with a little bit of sticky strip on the sides. I wrapped a band 3/4" wide around the box to hold the front flap down. The front flap slips out from behind the band.

The stamped label is attached to the band. It is stamped from the Level 1 Hostess Set "Holiday Best". I inked the image in Chocolate Chip. Then using a que-tip, took off the chocolate ink where I wanted it to be red. Using a Stampin' Write Marker I colored in the red portion. I "huffed" on the stamp to wet the ink and then stamped it onto Very Vanilla. It is punched out with the large oval punch. I attached a strip of Wide Grosgrain Ribbon to the sides inside the box.

Snowman Soup

Snowman Soup is always a favorite of mine do make as small gifts for people. It is perfect for co-workers, neighbors, or your child's teacher. The basic idea is to give someone all the makings of the perfect cup of cocoa. You need the cocoa packet, some mini marshmallows, a couple hershey kisses and a candy cane to stir it all with.

Some people put it all in a mug as a cute little present. In my experience everyone has more holiday mugs than they will ever need. So I wanted to do something a little different. I saw a few pictures on SCS where people made little boxes to hold their items. This could work for me. I got out my Box #2 Big Shot Die and tried it out. Worked like a charm. To help the cocoa packet fit a little better I cut a small portion of the left tab off. I also punched a hole in the tab to stand the candy cane into. I made 18 of these for the craft fair last weekend and they were gone within a few hours.

TIP WHEN USING THE BIG SHOT: It will cut through thick layers and this will allow you to multiple sheets of cardstock into the machine at once. However, when cutting with a die that has fold lines, DO NOT put too many sheets of cardstock in. The part of the die that puts in the fold lines will cut through your layers of cardstock if there are too many. Hard lesson learned.

The image on the front is from the Hostess Level 3 Stamp Set "The More The Merrier". I colored it in with some Stampin' Write Markers. The tag I printed on my computer onto Whisper White Cardstock. The whole package is tied up with some Real Red Grosgrain Ribbon.

There are several variations for the poem. The one I used is...

When it’s so cold that,
You holler and whoop.
It’s time to bring out,
The Snowman Soup!

Pour the packet in a mug,
Add the snowballs too.
Throw in the kisses
From the snowman to you.

Now add some hot water,
Stir with the peppermint stick.
If you want to warm up,
This will do the trick.

Build-A-Bear Desk Set

I made a few of these for the craft fair. I started with an 8x10 acrylic photo frame. It stands up and are cheep at most big box stores. The bear, mat for the post-its, and designer paper are all behind the acrylic. The cork, calendar w/mat and post-its themselves are on the top of the frame.

The Big Shot is capable of cutting many things. In this case, I cut the cork with the scallop circle Big Shot Die. Of course the Build-A-Bear is made with the Big Shot also. The bear is dressed in Pawsitively DSP. I attached the pen with a little bit of velcro.

Christmas Matchbox

Yet another project I did for the craft fair. This time I used the Matchbox Die for the Big Shot. It is super simple. You just run the cardstock through the die, fold on the marks and the box is ready to go. You don't even have to tape it down. 4 Hershey nugget pieces fit into it perfectly. I put clear acetate around the box so the nuggets slide in and out. I then wrapped the box with some Gold Elastic cord. The tag is from the Christmas Punch Hostess Set. Then puched out with the Curly Label Punch. These were quick and simple to make and who doesn't love chocolate gifts.

Peppermint Patty Tins

Here is another item I had at the craft fair this past weekend. I had these tins left over from my baby shower a year ago. They fit 12 of these peppermints in them. I chose to only put in 6 and lift them up with a little tissue paper.

I stamped the image on both the colored cardstock (Gable galore and Tempting turquoise) and then in a color onto Whisper White. I punched out the white one and layered it onto the colored one. I put one on each side of the peppermint patty. Tied a length of grosgrain ribbon around the tin. The tag is from the "Two Tags" Big Shot Die. I stamped the To: / From: on the inside of the tag.

Stamp set: Sweet Season

Ink/Cardstock: Tempting Turquoise, Gable Galore

Accessories: Scallop Circle Punch, 1-3/8" Circle Punch, Two Tags Die

December 2009 Card Kit

CARD KIT OF THE MONTH- December 2009
Featured Set: “A Happy Heart” and Featured Accessory: Basic Small Grommets

In this kit, you'll receive the supplies to create SIX of EACH design shown above - so you will receive all of the consumable supplies that you need to create 12 cards total.

You will also receive 2 additional full color samples of "alternative" cards that you can make with the combined contents of the kit, as well as step by step instructions on how to complete each of the 4 designs.

Card Kit Price is just $15--that's 12 cards, plus envelopes for just $15!

Each month, the card kit also features both a Stamp Set of the Month and an Accessory of the Month. If you purchase the card kit, you may also purchase these items at 15% off!

December Featured Products:

A Happy Heart Stamp Set ($22.95) $19.51 with the purchase of the Card Kit
Basic Small Grommets ($6.95) $5.91 with the purchase of the Card Kit

What else will you need? See the list below for items that were used to create the cards in this kit. If you already have everything--just buy the card kit and you are ready to create!

If you don't have everything--place a product order with your kit (don't forget about the discount on the "featured products!")

Or--you can use the card kit to create your own designs using other stamps and inks that you already have--the choice is yours!

Orders for the Card Kits must be received by December 10th. You will receive your kits by the end of the month.

Call or email me today to order:
Kathleen Brill-Myrice
Fa_stamper@sbcglobal.net

Please Note: I am glad to ship kits directly to you! If the kit needs to be shipped, there will be an extra $3 shipping charge.

Products you will need to complete cards as shown:

Basic Black Classic Ink Pad ($5.95)
Real Red Classic Ink Pad ($5.95)
Real Red Stampin’ Write Marker ($5.95)
In Color Stampin’ Write Markers ($17.95)
Neutral Stampin’ Write Markers ($10.95)
Mat Pack ($9.95)
Paper Piercing Tool ($3.50)
A Happy Heart Stamp Set ($22.95) $19.51 with the purchase of the Card Kit
Basic Small Grommets ($6.95) $5.91 with the purchase of the Card Kit
Stampin’ Dimensionals ($3.95)
SNAIL Adhesive ($6.95)
Bone Folder ($6.95)
Paper Snips ($9.95)

Dormant Stamps Retiring

Dormant Stamp Sets Discontinuing on January 4, 2010
For those who may not know. Stampin' Up! has promissed that any stamp set in the main Idea Book & Catalog will be available for at least one year. There were many stamp sets that were in the 2009 Spring/Summer Catalog and then placed on the dormant list when the 2009-2010 IB&C came out. It is now time to say goodbye. The following stamp sets will be discontinued on January 4, 2010.
You can view the images for these stamp sets by typing in the item number in the online store or contacting me. I will email you a file with the entire dormant list.

You can order these stamps online 24/7 at My Stampin' Up! Website. www.fastamper.stampinup.net
While you are there check out the Clearance Rack. Several new items have been recently added.

Item Number Stamp Set
113407 Back Woods
114492 Beautiful Baby
114486 Birthday Wish
113200 Branch Out
114496 Celebrations
113732 Central Park
113206 Classic Sketches
113226 Classy & Fabulous
114498 Flowers in Silhouette
113405 Font of You
113216 For the Bride
114494 Forever
109425 Friend by Definition
114488 Fun Flowers
113716 Garden Greetings
114490 Glad Friends
111580 Grand Soiree
113242 Hit the Road
113710 Lexicon of Leaves
113236 Man's Best Friend
114423 Ocean Commotion
113728 Playful Petals
109276 Polka Dot
111544 Putt Putt
113240 Quilt Quips
113754 Really Retro
113403 Sip by Sip
113726 Sweet Stems
113250 That's Funny
113688 Wonderful Watercolors
114028 Para la novia
114032 Acuarelas Maravillosas

Kids items for the craft fair

Here are a couple of things I made for kid gifts. I original thought of the pencil pouch to give to the kids in my daughters Kindergarden class. When I decided to do the craft fair I figured I would try and sell them. Who knows? Maybe I will catch the eye of a teacher or room mother.

I worked out the dimentions so I could get 4 pouches out of one sheet of cardstock. I had to cut the bottom portion so it folded over instead of up. They are 8-1/2" tall. I used a bit of sticky strip and the crimper at the bottom. The DSP is retired (great chance to use up some scraps). The red band in the middle wraps all the way around to help hold the thing shut. The pencils fit tight and put a lot of stress on the side that it taped shut. The tag is from the hostess level 2 stamp set.

The other project for the craft fair is a little Build-A-Bear Coloring Set. There are 8 sheets of primary color cardstock with the plain images on them. I also included a small box of 4 crayons. The tag was made with the Two Tags Big Shot Die. I put the small embossed paw print on the tag and left the rest blank for people to write what they want to on there.

I have been working almost non-stop on things for this event. I am exhausted already. It runs for two days. Saturday from 10-6 and Sunday from noon-5. If you are in the Lawton area you should stop by. I am in the back corner by the food. (Where the band normally sets up for ceremonies)