It's All About The CANDY!!

I love making all sorts of projects throughout the year, but for the craft fairs at Christmas time it 's All About The CANDY! These are 3 of my favorites from this year, then tomorrow I promiss to show you something for the current season.
The first has been very popular with many stampers this year. Pretzel stick bags are perfect for holding a row of M&M's or Skittle Candy. I got some twist ties to put at the top of mine and attached a simple tag made with the "Tags for Christmas" Stamp Set from the Holiday Mini. I really hope they bring this one back in the main Idea Book & Catalog next year. It has so many uses and cute sayings. Each stamp in the set fits perfectly into one of the Stampin' Up! punches.

The second project is a long time favorite, the peppermint patty. Though the circle wrapped patties are harder to find each year, they are perfect for this quick project. The images are all from the Jingle Bits stamp set. It was featured in the Holiday Mini and SU! has already told us it will be arround next year. Jingle Bits has a companion stamp set, a bingo board. I didn't get the bingo board this year, but have found many uses for these little images. I put one scallop circle on each side of the peppermint patty. I found some cute bags online to perfectly fit three of them with a quick twist tie and simple tag.

The last project today is for a real chocolate lover. I found the tutorial for this project on SplitCoastStampers. It is called the Matchbox Holder. One piece of Ghirardelli Chocolate fits wonderfully inside. These did take a little more time than the first two projects today, but were a favorite of people needing the perfect co-worker secret santa daily gift.

Many of the other projects I made this year were similar to last year. You can click on Craft Fair in the side menu to view them all.

If you are interested in learning how to make any of these projects, contact me. We can plan a workshop for you and your friends. We will make treats themed for the upcoming season.

Behind on Christmas Postings

I have some new things to show you later this week. Before the season is completely forgotten, I wanted to show a few of the items I made for my Christmas Craft Fair last month. Thank you to all those who came by my booth. I had a great time meeting all of you. Classes and workshops are available. For those interested contact me or view my calendar at http://www.fastamper.stampinup.net/

The first project is a Magnetic Tear-Off Calendar. I got these calendars online from a printer. They tear off to reveal the next month for the entire year. I glued some Designer Papers from my retired stash to the front of several 4 inch coasters. I then sanded the edges and added some Satin Ribbon to the top before putting on the calendar. There is a strip of magnet on the back so it can be displayed on your refridgerator or other quick view place.

Products Used:

Stamps: None

Cardstock: Various Retired Designer Series Papers

Ink: None

Accessories: Anywhere Glue Stick, Satin Ribbon (Various Colors), Snail Adhesive, Sanding Block, Magnet Sheets

As many of you know, I am in love with my Big Shot Die Cutting Machine. The Candy Wrapper Die quickly became one of my favorites. It is so fast to make candy boxes. It cuts the shape and scores the fold lines all at one time. A couple pieces of sticky strip and you are done. I tied some 1/8" Taffeta Ribbon to the ends of mine and added a little tag from the Delightful Decorations Stamp Set. The box holds about 6-8 hershey kisses or other small candies. I put a few pieces of Candy Cane Designer Series Paper on the sides of the boxes. After the craft fair was over I changed out the tag for snowflakes and hearts to make quick treats for some friends at church.

The Candy Wrapper Die is still available for purchase. It is on the carryover list of items from the Holiday Mini Catalog. Ask me or your demonstrator for more details.

Products Used:

Stamps: Delightful Decorations (#116517)

Cardstock: Real Red, Pretty in Pink, Bashful Blue, Wild Wasabi, Candy Cane Designer Series Paper, Whisper White

Ink: Same as cardstock colors

Accessories: Ornament Punch, 1/8" Real Red Taffeta Ribbon(#119251), Sticky Strip, Big Shot Die Cutting Machine, Candy Wrapper Die (#120890), Silver Cord (retired)

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.

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)

Craft Fair Items

I am participating in a craft fair this week on the army post. I have been working hard the last couple weeks planning and making items. Here are a few of the things I have done. They are great for stocking stuffers, coworker gifts or just anyone you are thinking of this time of year.

The spare reindeer noses are red M&M's and the grinch pills are green M&M's. The elf pillows are little mints. I put them into little bags I got at the store. The topper is from the "Two Tags" Big Shot Die. The images are from "Holiday Lineup". The Grinch is a few simple punches. They are on the scallop circle punch.

Anyone in the Lawton area this weekend should come by Reinhart Gym and see my booth. I hope to show more of my items this week, but have been busy just getting them done.