Using Holiday Photo Cards as Gifts

I received a very nice christmas photo card greeting from my nephew last week. I thought I would bless them by doing this with it:

I took the photo card and cut out the photos and arranged them  into a scrapbook page layout for them as a gift. I'll give it to them when I go visit them tomorrow!  They can then insert it into an 8x8 picture frame and keep it as one of their holiday memories!

Here's how it all happened:

I cut out "winter fun" die shape from Cricut Winter Wonderland cartridge and the snowflake from Joys of Season cartridge. 

I layered one of the pictures on a square scalloped-shaped frame.

I also cut the "2010 Merry Christmas" sentiment and layered it on green paper cutting the top edges at an angle to make it look like a tag.  Hole punched it and threaded bakers twine to it. 

I stamped & colored a heart & snowman.  I then slipped the picture under the snowman's twig. As you can see I adhered pop dots  to the back of the snowman to give it dimension. 

Hope they enjoy it! Thanks for dropping by and may you have a most wonderful time with your families tomorrow!!

Quick Background Coloring

Welcome papercrafters!

Here's a quick way to add color to your paper background (we're talking about the yellow-colored portion here):

I usually outline my stamped image with a pastel-colored marker (I like to use Copic light blues B00 and/or BG01, especially on snowmen and/or a light grey C2) after I finish coloring it in to give them more dimension.  Here I did the same thing only I extended out the marker strokes by making them broader and keeping them horizontal all the way through. I used Y11 pale yellow copic marker for the background on this tag. Just a quick tip for you! 

You can find this tag here.  Enjoy every moment of TODAY!

Tis the Season Treasury

Hello all!  I'm trying something new.  Apologies if it's not lining up correctly and if it is, enjoy this Etsy (All Things Handmade)Treasury that included my Snowman Tag/Bag Set:

'Tis the Season...' by dewdropdaisies

Deck the Halls and all that Jazz!

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TheMidgetCrick... $27.99	CountrysideSay... $29.95	themommyshop $20.00	paperblessings $3.95
1kybele $	AprilHilerDesi... $24.00	maryjohn07 $30.00	mamapainter $15.00
NHWoodscreatio... $19.00	VintageDye $4.50	hannahmariah $21.99	livin4prim $
bebeandalice $19.00	$	Coins4Sale $11.99	LuxeBotanica $44.00

Generated using Treasury HTML code generator by Whale Shark Websites.

Winter with the CAST Team

I'm trying something new.  Apologies in advance if it's not lined up correctly.  If it is, enjoy this Etsy treasury:

'Winter with the CAST Team' by blbeans

A unique collection of all things Christmas from the blessed artisans of CAST.

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PEACE ON EARTH SNOW... goodtidingscre... $20.00	Traditional Christm... gigglesapu $4.00	ADULT or TEEN Victo... butterflykissc... $25.00	TIS THE SEASON Vint... paperblessings $4.50
Vintage Style Cast ... 32NorthSupplie... $12.95	Christmas Tree Mug sheaclay $20.00	Angels Among Us Ear... JewleryDesignb... $15.00	Aceo Christmas Tree... backroomtreasu... $3.00
Mini Christmas Stoc... missyandme $9.00	Snowmen ornaments TheTabbyCat $12.00	SALE Fleece Elf Hal... halfpintboling $8.00	Christmas ACEO Orig... LindaLMartinAr... $
Sparkle Christmas S... SnuggleBugsAnd... $	Snowman with Top Ha... blbeans $16.50	Santa Penguins Ster... jeridiehard $6.00	Sale on READY TO SH... BrookeFRECKLES $15.00

Generated using Treasury HTML code generator by Whale Shark Websites.

Tutorial: Snowman Soup

Greetings!

I'm sure you've all seen these "SNOWMAN SOUP" cocoa mix gift sets during the holidays, right?   Well, I finally decided to make some and here's what mine look like:

I got the saying from my friend Cathy but you can find this and other versions on the internet.  I assembled mine differently too.  Here's what I did and what you can make for yourself to give out as quick & cute gifts:

Snowman Soup Gift Holder:
-cut piece of patterned cardstock at 5x12"
-score the 12" side at  5-1/2 and 6-1/2" & crease foldlines
-insert cello bag with cocoa mix goodies (see below)
  and staple to inside of cardstock.
-punch a 1/4" hole at top, thread ribbon, then thread snowman soup "poem" to it.

Cocoa Mix Ingredients:
-packet of instant cocoa mix
-4 hershey's chocolate kisses
-baggie of marshmallows
-pepper stick or candy cane

Snowman Soup POEM:
-type poem below
-cut out poem and adhere to red cardstock that is 1/4" bigger
-punch 1/4" hole to center top
-thread thru ribbon and then snowman soup holder

Snowman Soup version #1:
So you have been good this year,

Always glad to hear it.
With freezing weather drawing near,
you’ll need to warm the spirit. 
Now here’s a little “Snowman Soup”
complete with stirring stick.
Add hot water and sip it slow,
it’s sure to do the trick!
 
Snowman Soup version #2 found on internet:
When the weather outside if frightful,
hot chocolate can be so delightful.
May it warm your spirit and your soul.
Let it snow. Let it snow.  Let it snow!

When you feel a chill or brrrr,
use the candy cane to stir.
Add hot water and sip it slow.
Let it snow. Let it snow. Let it snow!

So there you have SNOWMAN SOUP!!  Enjoy making these easy gifts from the heart!

Thanks for your time!

Etsy Treasury - Snowman Bag/Tag Set

Hello papercrafters!  Just wanted to share with you that my Snowmen Bag/Tag set listed in my Paper Blessings Etsy Shop was included in this Etsy Treasury:

http://www.etsy.com/treasury/4cf0811ff7e28eef3fd6a5de/tis-the-season?index=1

If you have a minute, visit these artisians and bless them with a hello!  Thanks much for visiting my blog!

RED Greeting CARDS Giveaway!

Hey, I'm so excited to give you this heads up on our giveaway! 

I belong to Etsy Greetings Team and we have a HUGE giveaway for you.  The theme is RED handmade greeting cards and you could win 25 of them!  For newbies, ETSY is an online store for ALL THINGS  handmade....you must visit it when you get a minute.  You'll really get blessed!

As for our giveaway, please visit our Etsy Greetings blog and sign up.  All the details are there.   You could win my card below  which can be found at my "Paper Blessings" Etsy shop......plus 24 more greeting cards!!  Whadaya waiting for??

Thanks for visiting and enjoy every moment of your life today!!

Quick Tutorial: Monkey Tag

Good day! 

Want to put a smile on someone's face?  Here's a quick and fun tag to make and have around to put on your gift bags or inside your greeting cards:

Cut brown card stock (cs) at 3" x 5".

Cut top corners at an angle to form a tag.

Cut decorative paper (dp) at 2-1/2" x 4" and layer onto brown cs.

Cut monkey shape at 3" on your Cricut. Adhere this to dp.

Stamp "hi" or your favorite greeting on white cs.

Use 1" circle punch to punch this out and layer "Hi" to top right of tag.

Punch a hole at top of tag; thread baker's twine thru hole and tahda!!  You're done!

This was made with scraps I had on my table, so don' throw those scraps out...there's always a home for them. hehe!

You can substitute any die cut shape instead of the monkey but make something similar and have them on hand to give out.  They are sure to BLESS some one's day!

Thanks for time!