A Chocolate Hug & Kiss

Howdy, I hope this post finds you well, organized, and in the holiday spirit!  I wanted to share with you a little project I did, for several sweet folks in my life.  

I wanted to 'package' some chocolates in a fun and festive way.  But, something a little different, and sweet.  So, I headed to Pinterest.  (who doesn't these days)  And I stumbled (happily) across these tiny little chocolate packages.  When I say 'tiny' that is exactly what I mean.  T I N Y !!!  But super cute!  Ok, let's just admit somethings are just more adorable when you shrink them.  These little packages are no exception to that rule.  So, I set out to my craft room, and whipped up 13 of them.

here they are:

the whole lot

Now, when I photographed them, I forgot to add something to the photo to show scale.  So, I will just describe the tininess.  Each little teeny tiny package holds one Hershey Kiss and one Hershey Hug.  And you have to put them in point to point, or you won't be able to close the little 'box'.  That's how teeny tiny they are.  But, the adorable-ness is off the charts!

I found a tutorial on-line, so I quickly made one 'sample', and then some whipped them up.  Super fast, and easy.  And they used scraps to complete.  So more bonus points. {smile}  

The original designer is Dani Dziama.  She is a Stampin' Up! demonstrator and on their official design team for 2017.  So, just a quick pointer if you make these: random pattern paper works best.  But if you use directional pattern paper, cut your pattern 4 1/4" wide, and pay close attention as to which end you put the closure.

a close-up

I wrapped the tops with various Stampin' Up! ribbon I had on hand.  These narrow ribbons work best.  Also, I added a dimensional adhesive (aka foam tape) to the back of each small oval sentiment.  Just to elevate it off the package.  I think these turned out super sweet!  And who knows they just may make an appearance at next years holiday craft fair!  {smile}

Well, thank you for stopping by.  I hope you have been inspired to create something unique and sweet for the folks in your life.  I am off to baking cupcakes.  A super sweet friend has placed an order of milk chocolate cake, sweet whipped filling, and green vanilla buttercream icing with tiny red hearts.  So, let's get this baking party started!  {smile}  They are for a Grinch-themed holiday party.  How fun is that?

For the Love of Coffee and You

Howdy, well, I had a little free time this morning to craft, before I had to run.  Literally.  I ran my first race of the year, this morning.  10K.  I'm not a fast runner.  11 minute miles.  But, I also don't think that I'm slow.  Anyway, the group of folks who ran today's race, run faster than me.  But, I am happy with my time.   And it was a beautiful day, to hit the pavement.  {smile}

I made a sweet pink heart card yesterday, and wanted to make another.  But this time a little less shabby, but still all girl!  So, I am playing along with a few of my favorite challenges.

The wonderful folks over @ Verve Stamps, have a free digital stamp set they are giving away.  And, it is perfect for all you coffee lovers.  So, that's me {smile}!  So the challenge on their blog, is to use the free digital stamp set.  No other requirements.  Well, except to have fun!  Check.

I also stopped by the Really Reasonable Ribbon Blog to see what their current challenge is - Hearts and as always, use ribbon, trim, lace, or twine on your project.   Check.

I always love stopping by the wonderful Word Art Wednesday challenge blog.  These ladies are sure to inspire you!  Their current challenge is (as always): Anything Goes & Family Friendly.  Check.

And finally, a challenge site I visit often for inspiration: The Paper Players.  This group of super talented ladies, will certainly inspire you!  Their current challenge is: will you be my Valentine?  

and here is what I created:

I am pretty happy with how my card turned out.  {smile}  I was having coffee with a few girl friends on Saturday morning, and yes, we were at a Starbucks.  They had these pink heart gift cards, along with red heart gift cards.  I just couldn't pass these beauties by!  So, I picked up the pink one, and knew I wanted to make a Valentine's Day card with it on the front.  

Recipe:  The card measures the traditional A2 size: 4 1/4" x 5 1/2".  I used kraft card stock for the base.  The matt is Lavender Moon card stock by Paper Trey Ink.  The pattern paper is from 10 yrs ago, and I only had a 6" x 10" piece left, before I started.  I am not sure of the manufacturer or the name of the pattern.  The pattern paper has large, medium, and small blossoms, in various shades of pinks and purples, with a few orange blossoms.  The leaves and stems are all this beautiful deep, rich brown.  There are also some cream colored swirls and blossoms.  Just beautiful, and I hope you understand why I kept my scraps.  {smile}

I printed my digital stamp set, from Verve Stamps, onto white linen card stock, by Paper Trey Ink.  I just love printing on textured card stock.  It gives my projects a beautiful and rich touch.  I matted my sentiment rectangle onto a scrap piece of Lavender Moon and Kraft card stocks.  Those adorable coffee cups are included in the digital stamp set.  I used my markers to color the coffee cups.  I used Pumpkin Pie classic ink, and Regal Rose classic ink, by Stampin' Up! to give the hearts on the cups a coordinating color wash.  I used my Pink Pirouette classic ink marker to color the coffee cups.  For the coffee cuff, I used scrap pieces of the main panel.  This darker pink and orange circle pattern paper is actually the reverse side of the floral main panel.  I used foam squares to 'pop' the coffee cups off the card front.  

My beautiful pink heart, is actually a new gift card from Starbucks.  I just love how creative and inventive these folks are.  There was already a hole in the heart, so I simply tied some Chocolate Brown twill ribbon, by Paper Trey Ink into a simple bow.  I used a few foam squares to help 'pop' the heart gift card off the card front.

Now, I will need to swing by Starbucks tomorrow morning, on my way to work, and pick up a red one, to add to the front of a Valentine's Day card, too!

Thank you for looking.  I hope that you have been inspired to play along with any/all of these challenges.  

French Holiday Set

~ photo heavy post ~

Howdy.  Welcome.  Before you asked, I haven't quite finished my trophy cups.  But, I promise, I will.  As they will be for sale at my next Craft Fair - this Friday!  I was able to work on a few other holiday projects.  For those of you who don't know, I love taking non-holiday pattern paper, and creating holiday projects.  {smile}  I do love typical holiday pattern papers, but sometimes, its fun to set out side of the box.  Exercise your creative mojo, so to speak!

A month ago, I saw quite a few wonderfully creative projects using Gilded Lily pattern paper by G45 (Graphics 45).  And let's just say that I fell in love with both the paper and the projects.  So much so that I went out and purchased a few sheets of the pattern paper.  Then, it just sat there.  (I'm sure this sounds familiar to a lot of you - smile)  This pattern paper has royal images of Marie Antoinette, crowns, lilies, script, dots, and flourishes.

I set out to start working on holiday projects to have for sale, at my next holiday craft fair.  And then, I grabbed that beautiful Gilded Lily pattern paper.  I also stopped by Mojo Monday challenge site to get a layout.  This is this week's sketch:

and here is what I did with the sketch:

Let's look at each piece separately!

First, the bag:

As you can tell, I rotate the sketch.  I also used a 'tag' for the circle piece.  The tag is heat embossed with pink embossing powder.  I used cream velvet ribbon for the top of the tag.  But I didn't want a lot of bulk with a traditional tag 'loop', so I tied the velvet ribbon with kraft twine, and added a jingle bell.  {jingle bells are fun!}  I switched out the floral accent piece with a holiday shabby chic piece.  {smile}

and a close-up:

I wanted the bulb and snowflake to move, so they are tied onto a Tim Holtz safety pin, that is secured to the front of the bag with a rhinestone floral brad.  I also added some fabulous trim in a make-shift 'junk bow': tulle, pom pom trim, crochet trim and thin ribbon.  I used kraft twine to hold everything together.

The gift card holder:

I wrapped some white cotton trim and seam binding around the top flap of the gift card holder.  I  layered a silver glitter snowflake on top of the trims.  And then added that sweet bow, with a snowflake charm tied to it.  {smile}

And the inside of the gift card holder.  Simply tuck the gift card into the bottom flap.  The sentiment is heat embossed with silver embossing powder :  Greetings of the Season.  Elegantly simple.

and now the stocking stuffer - chocolate!

I used some of the scraps of the pattern papers, and wrapped some chocolate candies.  I added a cream crochet knot, tied on a simple tag stamped with 'Noel', and tied the gold cord into a simple bow.  {smile}  Something elegantly simple.  Perfect {smile}

Well, thank you for looking.  I hope you have found some inspiration and get an opportunity to craft something fabulous, too!