This easy (and small) gift bag is actually two quarter sheets of Real Red cardstock cut with the Sizzix die ‘Top Note’ attached to both sides of a tiny brown paper bag (that was cut down to 3 inches high).

The oval ‘handle’s is the large Oval punch and a simple knot of wide grosgrain ribbon (red) holds it shut.  The designer paper front is from the Merry Moments pack (one of my holiday favorites this year).  The vanilla stripe across the middle is a narrow strip of vanilla cardstock.  The greeting is a new stamp set called “Sweet Season” on page 29 of Stampin’ Up!’s 2009-2010 Idea Book & Catalog.

These are perfect for holding a gift card or small item–no wrapping required!

116471 Sweet Season (set of 4), $18.95
113463 Sizzix ‘Stampin’ Up! exclusive’ Top Note die, $21.95
115672 Merry Moments Designer Series Paper, $9.95 (12 two-sided sheets)
102482 Real Red cardstock (each sheet makes two bags), $7.95 (24 sheets)

‘Sweet Season’ stamp set below (click photo for actual size):

This is a very simple ‘pocketbook’ style stationery holder that looks more involved because of how it is decorated.

You can click to download the step-by-step instructions as well as diagrams and recipe on how to make this easy but very functional card holder.

If you are in the Philadelphia area this weekend, I will be at the Sheridan, King of Prussia, PA as a vendor at the ScrappingGetaways.com and this will be one of my ‘classes on demand’ (basically you can walk up and do a class with me).  For more information about the ScrappingGetaway.com event, click here or email me personally.

Anyway, good thing I have a photo and it was super easy to make anyway!

The body of the box is the ‘Bag With Scallops’ (#114519) Sizzix XL Die without the sides attached and decorated with the Halloween designer paper ‘Cast a Spell’ (#115677).  It takes very little designer paper to dress this up and our Scalloped circle punch (#109043) fits nicely on top of the fold over scalloped flap.

The ghosts are from the Holiday Mini Catalog set ‘Twick or Tweet’ (#116497) and just outlined in Sahara Sand marker.

The Scalloped Oval punch (#114889)  fits nicely into the Wide Oval punch (#112082), don’t you think?  So well that three of my six projects last week for my Stamp a Stack used those two punches requiring me to order another pair of them.  Although everyone shared nicely I am happy to report!

I am making the festival project step-by-step directions available as my online buying gift this month.  If you were one of my customers at the festival (or you spend $100) I have a different (or I mean an additional)  fall projects PDF for you!

Materials & Supply List for these projects:

• Stamps:  Autumn Days (#115452).  Other sets used: Grateful Greetings (#116511 – Holiday Mini), Autumn Splendor (#116503 – Holiday Mini), Itty Bitty Backgrounds, Extreme Elements (#115181) used for splatter effects
• Ink:  Basic Brown, Really Rust, More Mustard, Not Quite Navy, Soft Suede, Chocolate Chip (you can also use Basic Brown instead), Pumpkin Pie (you can use Really Rust as well)
• Paper: Autumn Meadows Designer Series Paper, Really Rust 12×12, More Mustard, Chocolate Chip, Soft Suede, Very Vanilla
• Accessories: Sticky Strip (#104294), 3/4 inch punch, Snail adhesive, (lots of) Stampin’ Dimensionals, Sponge Daubers, mini glue dots, paper snips, Stampin’ Mist, Bone Folder, Paper Cutter with scoring blade, Sizzix ‘Big Shot’ & Multi-purpose platform used the following Sizzix Dies: Scallop Circle #2, Clear Circle, Circles #2, Ovals, Leaves #2, Sizzix Texturz Plates ‘Kit #4? (which requires the ‘Impressions Pad’ and ‘Silicone Rubber’

This unique card holder will be one of the projects we will be making–and it conveniently fits all the 3D cards we will be making!

I am so excited about it and hope you can join us!

CLICK HERE for more information and to register.

Four Awesome Hands-On Projects
Live Product Demonstrations
‘Recycled Rubber’ Table*
Refreshments  – Sample Displays – Fellowship

*Recycled Rubber table is cash only.  Doors open at 8:15 am… so get there and get your table and get first dibs on the rubber stamps.  You stay seated and the projects rotate to you!

Remember to bring your camera for the displays, your monoadhesive and scissors and any other regular implements you usually stamp with (bone folder, etc.).

Check back to my blog after the festival is over for instructions and more information on how to make this card holder.

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Supplies used in the project:

• 115326   Good Cheer stamp set (set of 3)  $22.95
• 115672   Merry Moments Designer Paper   $9.95
• 101650  Very Vanilla Cardstock  (40 sheets)  $7.50
• 102514  Creamy Caramel Cardstock (24 sheets)  $7.95
• 106696  Earth Elements Watercolor Wonder Crayons  (12 colors) $19.95
• 103954  Aquapainters (set of 2)  $16.95
• 112533  Jumbo Brads 5/8 in. Neutrals  (8 ea. of 4) colors, $6.95
• 109053  Bravo Burgundy 5/8 in grosgrain ribbon (15 yds)  $7.95
• 111343  Chunky Sprinkles glitter (iridescent) set of 4 colors  $15.95

ENJOY!

Well I am seeing some awesome ideas and will be sharing the pictures with you soon. But here’s a photo of a few of us walking across stage.

Carol Nordquist, Susy Miller, Amanda Coughlin & Me--walking across stage as cruise achiever

So, this Sizzix XL Die ‘Box #2′ has to be the absolutely *easiest* stinkin’ box to make!

This quick box is just Taken With Teal cardstock (6 x 11 inches) and a strip of the Designer Series paper ‘Holiday Lounge’ (#115676).  In fact it is one 1 1/2 inch strip of trees that I added some *bling* to.  The 5/8 inch white satin ribbon (#114616) is extremely elegant as a finishing touch that is secured onto the box top, so it opens without having to untie it.  SECRET: there is a strip of ribbon across the top secured underneath and the box is actually glued to the strip of satin (it uses less ribbon).

I have also made a purse with this box.  Below is the box decorated with (retired) Raspberry Tart designer series paper and a false foldover made from the Sizzix Bigz Die Scallop Circle #2.

Instead of tucking in, I have it velcro coin closure and embellished it Stampin’ Up’s new designer hardware… a silver ‘Jumbo Grommet’ (p. 179 in 2009-10 IBC).

NOTE:  Click on any image for a larger image and scrolling ’slideshow’.

Below: An adorable ‘purse’ from a piece of 12 x 12 Designer Series Paper ‘Merry Moments’… check back after the tour for a step-by-step video on how this was made!

Below: This covered ‘brown bag’ gift bag was decorated in 3D AND embellished with the ‘Merry Moments’ DSP… check back for more information about how this was made (after the tour!).

Don’t forget to check back on Wednesday for a video on this cool Special FX background!

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Below: Don’t forget to check back for how this amazing ‘Special FX’ background was made!  I have a cool video that will show you how to recreate it 1, 2, 3!

Check back on July 29th for the announcement of the winner of my ‘Blog Candy’ gift to a random person who left feedback during the tour (demonstrators included!).

My ‘Blog Candy’ gift is the ‘Good Cheer’ set & ‘Merry Moments’ Designer Series paper… sent directly to you.

RULES: The only rule is that you must leave a comment on this post.  The winner will be chosen randomly, however you can kiss up to me anyway, LOL!!!

Now… on to the next!

I’m having fun with the Bigz XL Die ‘Pop Up Look Here’ die for the Sizzix Big Shot… so much so that I wanted to share a short video clip on putting it together (for those of us who won’t read the directions that came with it!).  It is very difficult for me to publish a video.  Besides from the obvious (being a video challenged individual), I am terribly ‘Type A’ person (READ: it must be perfect) before I will publish it.  I need to let go of that (I’m working on it!).

Check out my ‘Video Channel’ AmyTV for all my videos!  Be kind in your feedback!

The card was made with Melon Mambo (pink) and Crushed Curry (yellow) and the Razzleberry Lemonade designer series papers.  The sets are the new ‘On a Pedestal’ set (#113814, set of 7) and the (dormant) Big Birthday Candle.

Immediately below are two small shots of the cards and under that a cool slideshow of the card at several angles (click here if you can’t see the slideshow).

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I hope you enjoy this… I had a LOT of fun.  I am designing a Christmas pop up card for a ‘Christmas In July’ workshop I am doing on Saturday evening for one of my FAVORITE customers.  Okay, don’t you need a ‘Christmas’ themed in-home workshop?  Contact me if you are in the So. Chester Co. PA/northeast MD/DE area!

So… how did you like it?!

I got the Bigz XL die ‘Box #2′ (order #114518) several months ago and wasn’t sure what to do with it.  The end result box wasn’t very large (approx. 4 in. wide, 2 inches high and 1 inch deep).

In fact, this Kiwi Kiss rectangular box sat on my desk for a few months until I realized that the Scalloped Circle 2 die made a nice fold over wrap and gee, it could be a pocketbook!

Another accessory that I haven’t used at all until now was the large grommet (I used a silver one).  The grommet is just pressed into the paper (you need a sponge pad–not your fingers behind it, LOL!).  Then just bang down the little (razer sharp) points to hold it in place.  A 1/2 inch punch of coordinating paper will finish the look of a button or fastener for the pocketbook.

The coordinating designer series paper that I used here is Raspberry Tart (which is retiring today), but there are simply GORGEOUS new papers coming in the new catalog!!!

And on that note, I have 5 cases of catalogs looking for loving homes… come to my New Catalog Open House for fun and free stuff on Thursday, July 23rd at 7:00 pm.  CLICK HERE to RSVP (this event will fill, so don’t delay).