Christmas Pocket Letters

I am sneaking a little bit of time to post pictures of the Pocket Letters that I made for my co-workers last week!  They aren't real Pocket Letters in the sense that they are used to swap between crafters.  I used them to put gift cards in!  They worked perfectly! 

Here is a picture of the back of the Pocket Letter.  I loved decorating each pocket with something different. 

Here are a couple of pictures of the other Pocket Letters I made. 

I also made Pocket Letter boxes!  I folded the letters into thirds and they fit perfectly!  The pictures show the boxes before I decorated them.

And here they are after I decorated them!  I used Graphic 45 paper on the covers ( my favorite paper)

and added a Navy satin ribbon.  The directions for the boxes can be found on Pinterest if you search for Pocket letter boxes tutorial.  I tried to add the link but for some reason it would not work. 

I love making Pocket Letters!  I am sure I will be making them again!  Have a Merry, Merry Christmas!! 

PS....

I had to share the cutest  Pocket Letter that my sister, Rochelle, gave to me for my birthday!!  I think it really shows that these letters can be used for any occasion.

Snow Globe Jars

This year I made Snow Globe jars as a gift for some co-workers.  I made about a dozen of them - I started them this past summer.  The Globes sit on the smallest of Mason Jars.  I used Crystal Effects to adhere them to the jar.  They do take a little bit of time to put together.  The tiny houses are from Papertrey Ink. 

I added faux snow - Boy, that stuff is fun!  We used it in our dome Christmas cards this year, too.

(You can seem them in a previous post)

It's hard to get a good picture of these guys since the reflection is tough to avoid.  I loved making these gifts!  We filled them with candy kisses!

I will be on vacation the week before Christmas!  The kids are coming to stay with us before Christmas this year!  I am excited about having a full house!  Not sure I will have time to post much so I wanted to wish everyone a VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS! 

Reindeer Christmas Cards

We have mailed out our Christmas cards for 2016!  I do love this type of Z fold card.  I can see all kinds of possibilities for future cards!  I was happy to use some Sizzix dies that I have had in my stash for a long time. 

I made 30 of these cards!  A little more work than I anticipated but fun all the same!  I believe the trees are from Marianne Design.

To me- it looks like the deer are standing in the snow.  I am not sure you can tell but there are 4 deer in the card!   The sentiment is on the back- I think I forgot to take a picture of that....

It has snowed several time here and that has put me in a Christmas frame of mind.  We are just about finished with our Christmas shopping too!  All in all- I think it is going to be a great Christmas!

Snow Globes

My office always makes Christmas Cards to send to our co-workers.  This year, we decided to send Snow Globes as our Christmas Card!  We really had fun putting these snow globes together!

We made about 30 of these globes.  They can also be used as a Christmas ornament!  The Santa and reindeer are from Papertrey's stamps.  I believe the trees are from Marianne Design.    Can you see the faux snow in each of them.  The snow was fun to work with- if you sneezed- it would be everywhere!

I loved the navy ribbon that we used!  We made envelopes on the Envelope Punch board to ensure a safe delivery.  They weren't sent thru the mail but thru our interoffice system.   It snowed today so we are really in a Christmas frame of mind!   Tomorrow we are mailing the Christmas cards I made for friends and family!  I will share pictures of those too on my next post!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Just a quick post to wish everyone a very Happy Thanksgiving!  We are going to my sister, Rochelle's house for our feast today.  It is always fun to get together with family and friends!  I made the pie in the picture above.  The last time I made a pie was last Thanksgiving!  I like to buy pies.  But this one was a recipe on Pinterest.  Looks wise- I think it came out better than I thought it would.  I will have to let you know about the taste.  It actually wasn't that hard to make- I did buy the crust though.... I still count it as homemade.  I love those pre-made crusts!


Of course, I have to share the card I made for my niece's virtual shower.  My sister, Phillis was up here from Georgia a few weeks ago- she is going to be a Grammy for the first time!  Her daughter, Danielle,  could not be here so my sisters and I decided to have a shower anyway!  We had Danielle on Skype and her Mom opened her gifts for her.  It was sooo much fun! 

I have made this type of card before but wanted to show you that I have been working in my craft room.  I have even finished all my Christmas cards!  Usually, I am working on them last minute.  Not his year!

This card does collapse so that you can mail it!  It is made from Tim Holtz's birdcage die.  I do have a tutorial on You tube that shows you how to make it. 

I do have so much to be thankful for this year- too numerous to list!  I am hoping that you all have a Fabulous Thanksgiving and eat lots of turkey!

Happy Halloween!

I have fallen in love with Papertrey Ink's Tiny Town Houses! This  die is  called the Spookville die I made these as party favors for the fun crafting day we had yesterday!  I put some Hershey's kisses that are wrapped in Halloween paper inside these houses.  That is what I like about these houses- you can use them to put goodies inside or just use them for display with a little tea light inside. 

Here is a side view of the houses.  I tried several different colors of card stock for the house.  You do have to buy the base of the house and then add to your collection for different looks to the house.  I love the different little dies that come with the Halloween house- ghosts, pumpkins and even spider webs!

On some of the houses- I used the back to stamp a Happy Halloween wish.  They are really fun to put together!

I couldn't resist buying the Gingerbread die!  I love the little peppermint candies!  I have to use a tweezer to put them together!  The larger roof is made with a Sizzix die that I have- the roof that Papertrey Ink sells is always out of stock.  I think I like this just as well!  I do need a little practice on the smaller roof.  That one was a challenge but I love how it came out!

This one I made for our friend, Cindy!  She loves everything pink!  It is called the Sweet Shoppe Die.   I love the roof as an awing - so cute!  The designer of these adorable houses is Betsy Veldman. 

You can check out all the dies at-

papertreyink.com

Have a Happy Halloween!

Halloween is coming!

This year I made Halloween treat holders for my staff!  I wanted to find round test tubes for my project but couldn't find a one anywhere.  I ended up using 8 inch square test tubes but they worked well since they held more candy.  Of course, now I see the round ones everywhere.

I loved using some of my Halloween paper stash!  I was inspired by some of the tutorials on Pinterest to make these holders.  I searched Halloween favors and a whole bunch of tutorials came up.  I had to adjust mine since the test tubes are so tall.

On Sunday, we are headed to my sister, Andrea's house to make snow globes!  I think this will put me in a Christmas mood.  I have started making my Christmas cards - so that should help!  I am early this year since usually I am running around last minute just trying to come up with an idea for Christmas cards.  Not this year!!

Can't wait for Halloween!  We don't get tons of Trick or Treaters but it is fun to see the kids in costumes.  We have decorated the front porch with a Skeleton and a Witch and some bats.  I will try and send pictures - Hubby found this cool scary plastic cover for our front door- we might have a lot of Halloween candy left over if it is too scary.    Hope everyone has a safe and scary Halloween!

Christmas Snow Globes!

 

I have been playing around making Snow Globes!  I love using the Faux Snow in order to create a warm winter scene!  I found the tutorial on You Tube and have since shared it on Pinterest.  Check it out here-

 

 

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p59UPbXDU-0

 

 

I used several small scenery dies and added lots of glitter.  I think making these Snow Globes are a lot of fun!  Here is a close up of the Silver globe.

 

 

 

I like this one too- it has a little more color!

 

 

I could decorate the back more but love it to include the sentiment!  It is hard to believe we

are working on ideas for Christmas already!  I am sure I say it every year but boy, did the Summer go fast or what?

 

 

 

 

 

Farmyard Birthday!

 

I saw Dawn's tutorial for the Double Z card on Pinterest!  I can think of many uses for this card.  Since I love Karen Burniston's farmyard animals- I wanted to incorporate them into this card.  Here is Dawn's tutorial -

 

 

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/48835977189319704/

 

 

 

I put the sentiment on the side but I think I would put it on the back of the card next time.  I love the fact that the card closes for easy mailing too!  The card is closed in the photo below-

 

 

Today is the first day of Fall!  I will miss Summer but I am ready for Fall and all the fun things we can do without fear of dying of the heat!  I just wish Winter wasn't so close behind it.  Enjoy your day!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pocket Letters

Happy September!  I still can't believe it's already September!  Today is noticeably cooler!  Of course, I love fall weather.  Bring it on!

I have been busy making Pocket Letters!  I saw them on Pinterest and fell in love.  It is a good place to use any scraps of paper and embellishments!  I found the pockets in the section of Target that has baseball cards.   The hanger is from Tim Holtz.

My niece had baby Rosalie recently and I wanted to send them something.  In the middle section of the Letter are 2 pockets- on either side of the bling pocket.   The picture below shows one opened.    I did use magnets for the closure.  You can click on any of the pictures to  make them easier to see.

I couldn't make one for new baby, Rosalie, and not make one for her big sister, Amelia!  Amelia loves the movie Frozen.  So I thought I would make that the central idea for her Pocket Letter.

 

I did use Julie Nuttings paper doll stamp!  I love these stamps and don't use them enough!  This worked perfectly since it kinda reminds me of Amelia.  I only made one pocket that opens on this Pocket Letter.

 

The back was something I printed off the computer.  I can see making more of these Pocket Letters.  I have been bunches of them on Pinterest.  If you want more ideas- you should go over there and see the many different ones for all occasions that people have made.  I am headed back into my Craft Room- more cards to make for more birthdays that are coming.  I will share those soon!

Mermaid Birthday

 

I made this Mermaid card to give to my sister, Rochelle, for her birthday!  I am still in love with shaker cards!  My friend, Bonnie, out in MO.  made this adorable Mermaid!  I would crown  her the Queen of Punch Art! She hand cut most of this gorgeous Mermaid.  I really was speechless when I opened the envelope and saw the pieces that she sent.  Her hair is my favorite !!  Thank you, Bonnie! 

 

I added the shine to her and of course, her pearls!  I think all Mermaids must love pearls!  I added a little bit of Graphic 45 By the Sea shells to my card too.  Love Graphic 45!  The inside of the card is below. 

 

 

Here are  several pictures from our vacation at Lake Madawaska in Northern Maine.  We spent a week there the first part of July. Hard to believe it is already mid August!   It is truly beautiful up there!  Summer is speeding by so fast.  Be sure to stop and enjoy the weather- Winter is just around the corner!