Stamp festival is done and I will be sharing the projects for the next week or so (depending upon my luck in getting the time!

This adorable box was made using one sheet of 8 1/2 x 11 cardstock.  I have the photo step-by-step instruction (left) and it also includes a detailed diagram of the box to follow.  The biggest challenge was making the window where you couldn’t fit in any punches… so the Framelits dies ‘Labels Collection’ came to the rescue!  See how tricky it was anyway to get that frame in there (see PDF).

Enjoy!  I know that I did!  In the comments, link to one of your own if you make one!

Set(s): Bordering on Romance (w: 125480, c: 125482)
Accessories:  7 ¾ x 10 7/8th in. Pool Party cardstock (122924)
*Scored on 7 ¾ in. side at: ½, 1 ¾, 6 & 7 ¼
*Scored on 10 7/8 in. side at: ½, 1 ¾, 3, 4 ¼, 5 3/8, 8
(*see PDF for template)
2 ¼ x 3 ½ Whisper White cardstock
3×3 ‘Everyday Enchantment’ designer paper – SAB benefit #126154
3×3 Peach Parfait cardstock #119794
2×2 Lucky Limeade cardstock #122926
3 ½ x 2 ¼ Whisper white cardstock (for the tag)
2 ½ x 2 DSP for flap back
2 x 1 DSP ‘Everyday Enchantment’ strip
2 in square (or scrap) Peach Parfait cardstock for punching, White Satin ribbon
1 inch punch, Boho Blossom punch #119858, Blossom Punch #125603,
5 Petal Flower punch #119880, Basic XL pearls #125577
Other: flexible acetate (such as clear report cover); small piece candy
—–Sizzix—-
Framelits ‘Labels’ Collection #125598
Sizzix Big Shot, Multi-purpose platform, standard Cutting pads
(comes as a set #113439)

This is a very easy gift card holder made with Pennant Parade set and coordinating ‘Pennant Builder punch’ #122361) and the ‘Cupcake Builder punch’ (#121807).

The card holder itself is 5  x 8 1/2 and scored on the 8 1/2 side at 3 3/4 and 7 1/2.

The set and coordinating punch make an easy and festive ‘dimensional’ money holder!

Set(s):
Pennant Parade (#122740 W, #122742 C)
Create a Cupcake (#121915 W, #121982 C)

Accessories:
5  x 8 ½  Delightful Daffodil cardstock (scored at 3 ¾ and 7 ½)
4 ½ x 3 ¼  Lucky Limeade c/s & 4 x 2 ½ Whisper White c/s (for the front)
2 ½ x 3 ½ Delightful Daffodil c/s ; 2 ½ x 3 ½ Lucky Limeade c/s ; 2 ½ x 3 ½ Pool Party c/s
5/8 x 3 in. Whisper White strip (for stamping the greeting)
1 inch strips of Soft Suede & Pink Pirouette (for punching the cupcake pieces)
Petite Pennant Builder punch #122361 & Cupcake Builder punch #121807
Soft Suede Classic Ink, 1/16th inch hole punch, White Bakers Twine #124262
——Sizzix————
Perfect Polka Dots textured embossing folder #117335
Sizzix Die Cutting Machine with Multi-purpose platform

This gift card holder is so easy to make and so much fun to look at–it almost makes me hungry!

The ‘card’ part of it is actually only 5×7 to allow the giant cupcake to peek over the edge.  I used the ‘Perfect Polka Dots’ embossing folder on the Real Red background.

I stamped the giant cupcake stamp twice, once on Regal Rose and once on Chocolate Chip, and cut the top out of one–and the bottom out of the other.  I dusted off my paper corrugator and ‘waffled’ the bottom of the cupcake for a more realistic feel.  I stamped the cherry in scraps of red left over and used Dimensionals to hold it to the cupcake top and the top to the bottom.

Finally, for the best part–the inside gift card holder–it is one long strip of white cardstock, 10 inches by 4 inches, scored along the 10 inch side at 3, 5 & 7 inches).  Fold it into a ‘W’ and adhere one side to the inside top of the red card and the other side to the inside bottom.  DO NOT put tape or adhesive in the middle, it will stay together by ‘force’ of the top and bottom being adhered down. Besides, the gift card won’t fit in if you glue it shut!

For the slit down the middle, I used the Word Window Punch, punching along the seam to make an opening and then to make it fancy, I punched the Designer Label punch HALFWAY in for a ‘finger’ grab area (otherwise it is hard to pull out the gift card).

Set(s) from the 2010 Idea Book & Catalog: Simple Birthday Thanks #111546  (Pg. 142); Perfect Punches #117022  (Pg. 131 ); Heard from the Heart #111644 (Pg. 156)
Accessories:
5 x 7 Real Red cardstock
10 x 4 White cardstock (scored at 3, 5 & 7 inches)
3 ½ x 4 Chocolate Chip cardstock
3 x 4 ¼ Regal Rose cardstock
2 ½ x 2 ½ Regal Rose (for scalloped circle)
2 ½ x 2 White c/s (for greeting)
2 x 2 ½ Real Red c/s (for cherry)
Black StazOn™
Satin Ribbon, Pink beads, Glue dots
Dimensionals™, Crimper
PUNCHES: Word Window, Designer Label (for inside)
Large Oval (for greeting)
Perfect Polka Dots embossing folder
Sizzix Big Shot, Multi-purpose platform, clear cutting pads

I can’t believe that the end of Sale-A-Bration is here… kind’ve sneaked up on me–how about you?

This adorable (and easy) money holder birthday card was made with the FREE Sale-A-Bration set called ‘Happy Moments’ #118664 wood, #119125 clear mount.

I stamped the ‘outline’ image of the gifts on the Razzleberry Lemonade designer series paper twice… once on front and once on the back and cut out two gifts to make them look ‘wrapped’ in our designer paper.

If you missed the memo these last three months, you get one SAB set or accessory with each $50 in catalog purchases.

Details of this card:
4 x 11 inch Melon Mambo cardstock (scored at 3 ¼ x 8 inches)
2 x 3 ½ White cardstock
2 ½ x 3 ¾ Crushed Curry cardstock
Razzleberry Lemonade Designer Series Paper
– 3 ¾ x 2 ½ striped designer paper
– 3 x 2 ½ tiny yellow/orange floral design
Silver brads, 1 1/16th inch circle punch
Eyelet border punch
1 3/8 inch Jumbo circle punch
Crushed Curry polka-dotted grosgrain ribbon
Melon Mambo marker

You can view the Sale-A-Bration mini catalog HERE… and remember to either place your order online or contact me!

I have so much of the ‘Cottage Wall’ designer paper left over from my Stamp Festival so I thought to put it to good use!

At my team meeting last week, we made this adorable ‘tag’ holder (which was an idea that I flagrantly stole from the very talented Becky Roberts who made me one for a private ‘Take 3′ swap at Leadership).  What a nice gift this makes!

And as a funny coincidence, Amanda Coughlin this morning posted her CASE of a Becky Roberts project tutorial she purchased for our swap in January!

The body of the booklet is a 3 1/4  x 10 1/2 inch piece of Razzleberry Red cardstock, scored at 5 & 5 1/2.  The ‘pockets’ inside are 3×5 flat cello bags (#103104) lined in white cardstock (so the tags really show up).  The other coordinating color is Old Olive.

If you made this to hold the 4×6 flat cello pockets, this would make a nice photo holder, don’t you think?

While I used a different designer paper/color combination, I loved her designs of the tags (and hers were WAY more detailed than mine) so I copied three of them with what I had on hand.

The middle mini-pocketbook is fully functional in that it opens!  The pocketbook is a piece of designer paper folded in half and punched with the large oval leaving out the bottom seam so it opens.  The purse ‘clasp’ is the very small oval punch decorated with the Trio Flower (#109183) punch and a crystal brad held shut with a glue dot and the handle is the medium oval punched out and then the scalloped oval punched out above that!

The tag on the right is a flowerpot made from the ornament punch upside down, the leaves is the Sizzlit Die – Stampin’ Up! ‘Little Leaves’(#114511) and again the flowers are the Trio Flower punch.

Accessories Used:

Scallop Trim **ONLY AVAILABLE TWO MORE DAYS** #118402
Two-Step Bird, #117191
Trio Flower, #109183
Small Oval #107304
Large Oval #107305
Wide Oval #112082
Scallop Oval #114889
Scallop Circle #109043
Ornament #116794
Designer Label #107590
Stampin’ Up! exclusive Sizzlit die ‘Little Leaves’ for Sizzix
#115613 Rich Razzleberry ribbon
Rich Razzleberry cardstock and ink, Old Olive cardstock & ink
Cottage Wall Designer Series Paper #115671
Sponge daubers

Ah, those three beautiful words every woman wants to hear… ‘chocolate Easter bunny’!

The fabulous ‘single’ stamp ‘Chocolate Bunny’ (#116980, $7.95) is available for a limited time while the Occasions Mini Catalog is available… don’t miss it!

I made a simple ‘treat sleeve’ with a 2 1/2 x 10 inch piece of Mellow Moss cardstock and folded it back up on itself to form a pocket.

The best part is the ‘chocolate’ on the bunny! I stamped the bunny in Chocolate Chip (how appropriate!) Crafter’s Ink (#101816) and heat set with Crystal Clear embossing powder (#109130, $4.75) on Creamy Caramel cardstock.

The floral stamp in Blush Blossom on Blush Blossom paper is from ‘Razzle Dazzle’ (#116714, $18.95) set.  The pocket is held together with Moss brads from the Soft Subtles brads assortment.

One important thing to remember about the ‘handle’, punch out the jumbo circle and THEN punch out the flower… it is close to impossible the other way around, LOL!

Materials & Dimensions:

2 ½ x 10 inch Mellow Moss cardstock
(scored at 6 ½  inches)
2 ¼ x 3 Blush Blossom cardstock (for front panel)
2 ¼ x 3 Creamy Caramel (for the bunny)
2 ½ x 2 ¾ Close to Cocoa (for the flower punch)
2 ½ x 2 ¾ Blush Blossom (for the scallop circle punch)
Blush Blossom dye ink
Chocolate Chip Crafters Ink
Crystal Clear embossing powder & Heat Tool
1 ¼ inch jumbo circle punch
Scallop Circle Punch
Extra Large Fancy Flower punch (118073)
Earth Elements brads (Olive)
1 1/16th inch circle punch
Dimensionals™, Chocolate Chip narrow grosgrain ribbon

I DO believe in Santa!!! And what better way to show it but with a set sampler with the *new* Stampin’ Up! Christmas set “Good Cheer“ (set of three lovely stamps!).   Enjoy the samples below and be sure to 1) Leave feedback and take a chance at winning my ‘Blog Candy’ (this offer is over… sorry) AND   2) Return to watch the video of how these projects were made!

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’… click here 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 click here 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!

If you still a graduation this weekend, here is an easy money holder  was made with the retiring ‘Great Grads’ set.   Yes, my loyal readers will know that I recycled this idea from last year!

<— I have included the directions sheet for creating this ‘money holder’… just click on the thumbnail.

This is a totally simple card that holds shut with just the slit punch.  There is nothing fancy inside (no pocket or anything) because, face it–they are just going to shake the money out and probably not even read your note!

This is a money/gift card holder that I’ve done in the past but with an adorable ‘old fashioned soda shoppe’ type exterior!

I have seen the Candy Lane Designer Series Paper (#113980, $9.95) used as a window overhang like this and decided that it would be the perfect cover for a birthday money gift.

I had a lot of feedback about my post the other day (See: Rose Accordion Bookmark Card) and the dimensions for it.  I have updated that post to include more details, click here to view it again.

Where have I been?  Well, up to my elbows in chocolate… which is a family tradition for the Celona family.

For about 20 years now, I have made candy as gifts to friends and neighbors (that live near enough to deliver by hand).  I have included not only the photo, but an ‘extreme’ closeup (when you click on it).

I say that I make it, but it is truly a family affair and there are no shortage of teenage girls these days to help with chocolates to be made. 

My daughter Katherine who was ’tiling’ the roof with non-pareils, the walls were molded by my daughter Sarah & her friend Brittany.   And you can see below also the ‘before & after’ shots of the houses in construction.

UPDATE:  I found the exact mold I use for the house.  CLICK HERE to view it.  I took candy making classes at the Chocolate Duck 20 years ago and am excited they are still in business.  They also sell the Merkens chocolate melts.   And I use a (secret) mixture of milk & dark chocolate (if I tell you, I’d have to kill you).  And of course go over the top in decorating.

Other candy that I make is homemade butter crunch, almond bark, milk chocolate covered caramels and dark chocolate covered coconut chews.

This year I have been especially thinking of those loved ones not with us anymore.  I had a favorite uncle who loved my chocolates and getting a house… he introduced me to my love of "Special Dark" chocolate at age 8!    I’m sure he’s in heaven and getting a big Special Dark chocolate bar for Christmas.   

I miss my grandmother, Katherine (my daughter photo’d above was named for her).  I wish my kids had gotten to meet her.  She was an amazing woman and mentor and I know I’ll miss her forever.  And my parents made me *crazy*,  but it is funny that some of the stuff that gets you crazy suddenly isn’t so important after they are gone (almost immediately actually… crazy how that works).

A Merry Christmas to all of you, my customers, downline, my blog readers (a few stalkers…LOL!)   I wish all of you love and peace and happiness. 

Kids grow too fast and life flies by at too fast … so my advice is to just slow down (and eat your chocolate sitting).  And if you are waiting for a Christmas card from me… I’m *almost* done…