The Magic Of Christmas...

Hi everyone and welcome to a brand new challenge over on the Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge Blog! This week, our theme is Christmas Gifts and the DT are showcasing Simon Says Stamp Products to create ideas for you to use ready for the big day...

For my project, I decided to use a beautiful stamp set to create some quick but beautiful gift ideas including a gift card holder, a gift tag for a floral display and a candy jar full of chocolates! As always, I hope you love what I've created and enjoy how I made these projects...

 

To begin with I created my gift card holder and started this by making a pocket that would hold the card. I began by cut a piece of kraft card measuring 11 x 7.5cm and a second piece to measure 13 x 8.5cm. Take the larger panel and measure and score at 1cm around three sides of the card panel. Fold along the scorelines and then attach the panel over the top of the smaller panel to form a pocket with the opening at the top. Mount the holder onto a piece of copper kraft core cardstock, leaving a border around the outside.

For the decorative panel, I used a piece of watercolour card and using jet black Archival Ink, I stamped the image of the Christmas tree from the So Very Merry Stamp Set onto the right hand side. I then water coloured the image using Distress Marker Pens and added a touch of shimmery magic with the Wink Of Stella clear glitter pen.

To add even more sparkle, I then added Tonic Nuvo Glitter Drops to each of the baubles which creates a lovely raised effect.

I inked the edges of the card with Old Paper Distress Ink, drew a border using a black fine line pen and then added some pearls and sequins around the tree.

For an added festive flourish, I then used the Mini Holiday Greens die from Tim Holtz to create the embellishment in the corner, adding some floristry fibres for added texture. I added Tonic Nuvo Drops in Ruby Slipper to the berries, frosted the leaves with some Rock Candy Glitter and then sprinkled some Art Stones over the entire spray, using Collage Medium to attach them.

To complete the arrangement, I used a really thin cinnamon stick which I snapped into two and then tied together with some Christmas Twine before sticking it over the top of my Holiday Greens.

For the floral arrangement tag, I picked up a cheap glass votive holder from the pound store and filled it with a decorative festive spray that I had in my stash. I then used the smallest of the Tim Holtz Sizzix Stitched Rectangle dies to die cut a piece of watercolour card and stamped one of the messages onto the centre of the card, highlighting some of the letters with a Distress Marker Pen.

I die cut some holly leaves from green kraft core card and added to the corner and used the Tonic Nuvo Glitter drops to create the berries. Matt the message tag onto a panel of kraft card and then attach to a memo pin. As the final touch, I added a star altered with Red Pepper Alcohol Ink and then dabbed with a small amount of gesso.

For the candy jar, I used an old jar I already had and filled it with some gorgeous chocolates. I then cut a piece of burlap and attached it over the top of the lid. To secure the burlap into place, I used some crinkle ribbon dyed with Candied Apple Distress Spray Stain and tied it around the neck of the jar. To complete the jar, I added a button from the Minty Fresh 28 Lilac Lane embellishment bottle, some floristry fibres and some gorgeous Pinecone adornments from Tim Holtz which I just hung from the bow.

So, I hope this gives you some gift ideas and 

As always if you do need any further inspiration, then you need look no further than our blog to see all the wonderful creations from all the very talented Design Team members and every week, one lucky random participant has the chance to win a $50 gift voucher from Simon Says Stamp. You have until Monday 8am Ohio time. 1pm UK time, 2 pm CET to join in and good luck....

Recipe for project:

Simon Says Stamp Stamps and products: So Very Merry, Moonshine Sequins

Tim Holtz Dies: Mini Holiday Greens, Stitched Rectangles

Distress Ink: Old Paper
Distress Marker Pen Set

Idea-ology: Pinecone Adornments, Crinkle Ribbon, Christmas Jute, Mirrored Star, Memo Pin

Surfaces: Watercolour Card, Metallic Kraft Core, Nostalgic Kraft Core, Ranger Kraft Card

Mediums: Gesso, Collage Medium, Rock Candy Distress Glitter, Jet Black Archival Ink, Red Pepper Alcohol Ink

Prima Flowers Art Stones
Tonic Nuvo Drops: Ruby Slippers, White Blizzard
28 Lilac Lane Minty Fresh Embellishment Bottle
Wink Of Stella Clear Glitter Pen

Ranger Craft Sheet

Heat Gun
Fude Ball Black Fine Line pen
Jar, burlap, decorative sprays and pearls from my own stash