Saturday, November 17, 2012

Creating handmade for the holiday!

Welcome to day two of our 2nd Annual Handmade Holiday Blog Hop!

Calling all crafters! We’ve gathered designers from some of our favorite manufacturers to show you ways to create something from the heart this holiday season. This 3-day Hop includes over 60 stops with inspiration brimming from every corner. Explore all of the thoughtful and frugal handmade gifts you could create for the holidays, all in one place, during our second annual Handmade Holidays Blog Hop!
To sweeten the Hop, we’re offering a gift for you! For every comment you leave on the blogs in the Hop, you’ll be entered to win a prize pack from one of the participating manufacturer sponsors!
Use the Rafflecopter widget on the Clearsnap blog to gain extra entries each day: http://clearsnap.blogspot.com

Earn extra entries: Follow our blog - by email or become a Follower. Like our Facebook Pageand share the Hop info with all your Facebook Friends. Leave a comment to let us know how you're enjoying this 2nd Annual Handmade Holidays Blog Hop.

Now, on with the projects!

One of my favorite gifts to make are note cards and all-occasion cards. Just about anyone will have an occasion arise where they need to drop a note of thanks, sympathy or hello and these little blank cards can fit the bill. I always tuck the cards into a little gift bag that is very easy to make. This packet includes four cards and envelopes in a coordinating gift bag.


The gift bag is made from a 6-inch by 12-inch sheet of cardstock, cut and scored as follows. It is decorated with coordinating pattern papers cut 1/4-inch smaller than the gift bag dimensions. The paper here is from the Authentique Festive line. I loved working with it; it has a nice weight and the collection coordinates so well!


I always test-fold my gift bag to make sure I get the adhesive on the correct edges. Just fold it all together to see which edges should overlap and then apply adhesive to those edges. I braided three colors of twine from the Twinery for the handle and set two eyelets on either side, inserted the braid and tied a knot in the end.

After adding the decorative border strip, punched with Fiskars Interchangeable Border Punch with the Lacy Doubles, I placed a Festive Merry and Bright sticker in the center, set a tiny eyelet and tied some more The Twinery twine into a cute little bow. The rustic tree is a Globecraft & Piccolo piece that I added lots of dots with the G&P Metallic Silver 3D Enamel Gel. I think it all coordinates quite well.

Cards can be made from all your pretty little scraps of pattern papers and I made these from remnants of the Authentique Festive collection and added the Festive stickers, Piccolo accents and twine. It's just a matter of cut-and-paste and coordinating your colors.


Once your cards are laid out then the fun begins by adding embellishments. These cards are adorned with a mixture of Piccolo Accents from Globecraft & Piccolo, stickers from the Festive line from Authentique, stamped images from Hampton Arts, and twine from The Twinery. I edge all the papers with Tombow marker N57 to cover all the white. It's just a little detail the defines the edges.
The two ornaments on the "Let your Heart" card were punched with the Fiskars Squeeze punch then coated with Glastique Gloss Finishing Glaze to add a bit of dimension and shine. I added a touch of Metallic Silver 3D Enamel Gel to the top - just like a real ornament! I like to coat the book-board Piccolo pieces with Glastique Gloss Finishing Glaze to really pop the natural color and seal it.

Here's a close-up of some of the details.

If you enjoyed this little gift idea, you'll absolutely love the other projects you'll see on this Hop! Be sure to tell your friends!

Visit the list of blogs below and leave a comment on each by Nov. 27, 2012 at 11:59 PM PST. Each day we will be sharing a brand new list of blogs with brand new projects for you to explore, be inspired by, and create from!

Saturday, Nov. 17 
Donna Salazar Designs – http://donnasalazar.typepad.com/
Eileen Hull for Sizzix http://eileenhull.blogspot.com/
Diana Gonzalez – Clearsnap – http:// www.arteypoemas.com
Monika Wright – The Twinery - http://www.iloveitallwithmonikawright.com/
Gretchen McElveen - Hampton Art - http://gretchenmac.blogspot.com/
Megan Aaron – Clearsnap-  http://thoughtsoftraveling.blogspot.com/
Gloria Stengel – Graphic 45 - http://www.gloriascraps.blogspot.com/
Suzanne Austin – Clearsnap - http://whatsinalousyananut.blogspot.com/
Shellye McDaniel – Authentique Paper - http://paperedcottage.blogspot.com/
Natasha Naranjo Aguirre – Donna Salazar Designs -  http://www.moments-of-tranquility.com
Jen Carter – The Twinery - http://jensinkspot.blogspot.com/
Laura Denison – Graphic 45 - www.lauradenisondesigns.com
Candy Spiegel – Globecraft Memories - http://candyspiegel.wordpress.com/

Cheers to creating gifts from the heart this holiday season!

Happy Hopping! 
Click and place your G&P order below. 
FREE shipping during 
the Handmade Holiday Blog Hop Nov. 16, 17 & 18. 
Enter special code 'free' to get your free shipping!

 

95 comments:

Bea said...

great gift idea - love the papaers you have used - christmassy and elegant.

Katina said...

This is actually MY first Annual Handmade Holidays Blog Hop. I didn't know about the one last year but now have to go back and search through posts for the info so I can see what you guys came up with last year! Love your project today, can't ever have too many gift cards and everyone I know loves little thoughtful presents like this!

Sue Lui said...

Love the cards. Thanks for the inspiration.

TracyM #6773 said...

What a lovely gift idea - pretty and so handy for the recipient!!!
Thank you for sharing your gift bag tutorial - I always appreciate having the dimensions and handy tips, it makes it so much easier when I try to make a new project :)

Tracey said...

Loving your set of cards! Gorgeous!

Sarah Biswabic said...

What a wonderful and beautiful gift!

Lisa Torres said...

What a lovely gift bag, thanks for the dimensions.

Wendy said...

Beautiful gift bag! And the small details are so cool! I love the peppermint twist design on your card!

Gisy Angel said...

Very elegant and beautiful. Thank for you for sharing with us!

Sandy said...

Another day of great projects. Love em

Barbara F said...

Great idea and beautiful cards!!

Mandy said...

Gorgeous project! This blog hop is such fun - so many inspiring ideas!

Mare said...

Love your note cards!

Jessica Strider said...

Beautiful cards. I love all the little accents you used. :)

Tammy Wilson said...

Love the cards and all of the accents!!

mitz said...

...simply luvin' this card idea/project.. this would make great gifts! !

LMKENNEDY said...

Love the choice of papers used on this bag. Thanks for offering the dimensions for the bag. This will make a lovely gift.

WandaH said...

I really like the small pop of brown. Nice gift idea.

PamSpradlin said...

I love to give sets of cards away but I usually just tie them together with ribbon or twine. So now I can try to make your container for the next set that I give away. Thanks for the dimensions and directions. It will helpful when I do make one.

Teresa said...

love the cards!

Betsy Gray said...

I love note card sets too. Thanks for the gift bag idea, I definitely will be making this! Happy Holidays :)

Kathy W said...

What a great gift idea. Thanks for sharing.

Laura Bouquet said...

I love the bags and cards, what a wonderful gift idea. Thanks for sharing!

Joan Shanks said...

cute bags and cards.
Joan shanks

Globecraft Memories said...

How adorable!

jenscreationstation said...

Great Project! Thanks for sharing!

Divinity said...

fabulous! love the variety of cards :)

Sue D said...

Lovely cards and I like the tote bag too!

Sue D said...

I follow your blog.

Ella said...

Your cards are very pretty...I love the colors!

{Jennie} said...

Very pretty project!

JPScraps said...

The cards are lovely. A gift of cards is always useful!

Camille Short said...

Love Piccolo Decor...but have not seen the poinsettia! Gonna have to get me some!

Stephanie Earls said...

Boy, looking at your projects makes me realize that I have been out of crafting for too long! You have so many products used here that I was unaware of. I can't wait to spend more time in my craft room!

Regina Hamilton said...

I like the gift cards. I'm really enjoy the hop. So much inspiration...

Romy said...

I really love your cards! This is such a wonderful blog hop and I'm glad I found your awesome blog along the way:)

Phyllis M. said...

Wonderful gift cards and the cards are lovely too. thanks for sharing.

Mulberry Mindy said...

I love your all occasion cards and gift bag for them. Cards are my favorites to make, and with your tutorial will be even easier. I can't wait to follow your blog and "Like" on FB. Have fun "hopping"!

Sheila Clark said...

Love your tutorials!

Dee said...

This project is just gorgeous! And I'm learning about a lot of new Brands today. I'd not heard of Globecraft&Piccolo prior to this hop and I'm already planning to place an order - this is awesome!

Judith said...

What a great project. Thanks for sharing!!!

Icekat said...

The prize pack is to die for! And the cards are really great!

mlpop124 said...

what a fantastic project!! thanks so much for the detailed instructions!!!!

Amy Jones #8546 said...

Wow this is really pretty..I love all the details.

Beth Hillier said...

Your cards are beautiful!!

Leslie said...

Love the gift bag idea! I've never thought to do that before!! Cute cards too!

My Studio Voice said...

Some of my best work has been done with scraps. It is very freeing to use bits and pieces, somehow it seems to work even faster.

Beatrice Lawson said...

I loved seeing the card with the quote from 'Twas the Night before Christmas. Amazing and so really speaking to me for the holidays.

ginnieg said...

Thanks for the awesome projects, I surely will try my hand at these. I hope earning extra points will help me out.

Veronica said...

Very stylish

Katie R. said...

Love the ideas.

Barbara Pitts said...

Wonderful coordinating items using one of my all time favourite paper collections. Thanks for the inspiration!

Lisa's Creative Niche said...

Beautiful work! Thank you for sharing so many new ideas!

Kim H said...

wonderful ideas, thank you for the tutorial on the box. beautiful papers combined with wonderful embellishments, thank you for sharing them.

CathyinMN said...

Very nice card gift sets! They really will make a very nice gift.

JLJ Designs said...

Gorgeous project!

Jen

Linda R. said...

Great idea for the bag and cards. What a lovely gift!

Jean Bullock said...

I enjoyed my visit and your great projects. I especially liked the candystriped card!

Fiskateer Jean#8889

Kent Mullens said...

great cards... very good.

Camerageek said...

love how you decorated the tree.

Pam said...

Gorgeous cards !

CathyinMN said...

I shared on FB about this Blog Hop.

artjunkie2 said...

Fantastic cards! Thanks for the dimensions and directions for the gift bag!

BethW said...

These are all gorgeous.Been following you on FB and now I'm following your blog.(I've had it bookmarked for quite some time and check in several times a week.)I fell in love with your products during the Halloween season-you guys rocked it.

Tona said...

What a fabulous project!!!

Pam said...

This is a fantastic project! Great cards & bag.

shanjamorjor said...

awesome!!!

Diana said...

Beautiful! TFS

butterfly said...

Gorgeous gift bag and cards - wow!
Alison x

Holly said...

This is such a cute idea! I might just have to make one of these for my daughter. We are military, and stationed far away from family. So, she loves to write letters and cards to send to our loved ones out of state. Thanks for the great idea!

Dawn Cox said...

such a cute bag! love the idea!! thanks for the chance to win as well as all of the inspiration!

Asmah Zainal Abidin said...

I've seen it and I will find a time to make one :) TFS your creativity Linda :)
Hugs,
Asmah xx

Christina Edmondson said...

LOVE your work!!!!

Suzi said...

Wonderful card set! TFS!

Katie Marie said...

wow those are some impressive, really gorgeous cards! the hop has been great so far, thanks for the inspiration!

contadinak said...

gorgeous cards!

Carol said...

Beautiful projects! Thanks for the inspiring ideas!

Carol B
ciaoitalia2007(at)gmail(dot)com

Debc06 said...

Great projects!!!!

Nikki said...

These are so inspiring :)

Crafty Aunt Dee said...

Beautiful cards and a great tutorial, thanks for sharing the directions for the gift bag as well.

Jenn Zeeb said...

Everything has been so beautiful!!

Margie said...

What a lovely gift idea!

Julie S. said...

What a great gift idea .

Becky Dunham said...

Love this idea! These cards are gorgeous and what a great way to use up scraps - we all have them! Thanks for the inspiration!

Miriam Prantner said...

Sweet little gift set! Great details and love how they are all different!

Megan Aaron said...

love this project!

artjunkie2 said...

Fantastic cards and thanks for the tutorial!!

acpriess said...

I love making card sets with boxes or bags to hold them. May need to CASE these. They are lovely.

HelenM said...

very nice cards

Ruth said...

Nice gift to give. Hallmark cannot compare to anything like this.

Michele from MS said...

This is certainly a gift anyone would love to have! I especially love the box and that each card is unique! Thanks for the great instructions!

Debbie said...

always nice to know how to make a gift bag thanks, loved the cards so elegant looking
upnurse at aol dot com

lynda said...

Each piece is so pretty! My fave is the reindeer on the patterned paper. I assume you stamped it. I love the combination!

Villa Erikson said...

very lovely project, sweet & elegant

linda-neff.com said...

Boy, thank you all for the overwhelming response to the blog hop! It's so much fun to read all your comments - wish there was a 'like' button at the end of each one I could click! Thank you for taking the time to visit and become a follower and for sharing us on Facebook. It's been an inspiring Hop and hope it has inspired you to get creative and start your holiday crafting!