Happy Wednesday. I hope this post finds you well. I have been busy this week, trying to complete a few more items for this week's Arts & Craft Fair @ Presbyterian Hospital, in Albuquerque, New Mexico. While I was surfing the internet for some inspiration, I stumbled upon two different websites that are hosting vintage holiday challenges. And so, I just HAD to create something for the challenges. I needed a break, and to recharge my mojo, so here we go!
Sugar Creek Hollow, has a #39 vintage Christmas challenge currently running. They ask, 'We want you to make vintage or shabby chic Christmas cards or other paper-crafted projects that feature vintage Christmas images.'
Ok, I can do that. I used a vintage tag that I purchased as a download.
Tuesday Alchemy, has a #42 anything goes challenge currently running. They ask, 'Christmas will be arriving here very soon. Since the season is a busy one, we are keeping it simply for you. It's Anything Goes! You decided the challenge. Create ANY handmade, new project you'd like and share it with us.'
Ok, I can do that. I need to make a gift box for an upcoming holiday event.
here is what I created:
Here is what I used:
I made the box with Cherry Cobbler card stock from Stampin' Up! Its the same box I made for my daughter's baby reveal baby shower, earlier this year (here) I also made this box for a Valentine's Day gift (here). I purchased the pdf for the directions and pattern for this box from My Time Made Easy.
I wanted to decorate the top of the box, so I used some pattern papers I already had on hand. The Christmas pattern paper is Festive from Authentique. The text paper is Twas the Night from Amuse Studio. For my vintage image, I used a vintage tag that I had purchased earlier this month, I reduced their size before printing to 70%. I purchased the holiday cheer tags from Iralamija Shop @ Etsy. She does some very pretty, vintage-style, digital collage paper crafts. I did stamp on the tag. I wanted to put something in the open space, so I stamped, 'Merry & Bright' in basic black classic ink. The stamp is from a set, Signature Christmas, from Paper Trey Ink.
I also added two snowflake buttons at opposite corners of the box front. I wrapped some crinkled seam binding I had purchased from Prairie Bird Boutique @ Etsy. This pretty green is in the Old Fashioned Christmas bundle. You will receive 15 yards.
You know me, I HAD to add a button. And so I did. On top of the bow. The button is from Paper Trey Ink. The tiny tag that is tied to the button, is actually part of a stamp. Pretty clever, huh? The stamp set is Winter Post from Stampin' Up!. But hold on, this stamp set is retired. Sorry. I kept it because I just love the images and the sentiments. The 'date' is actually from the post mark stamp in this set. I punched the date out with the jewelry tag punch from Stampin' Up!.
I filled the box with some holiday peppermint pretzels. What a cute little 'thank you' gift for our holiday party.
I hope you have been inspired to continue creating your hand made Christmas items, or inspired to start. Either way, I hope you have enjoyed the photos. Let me know what you would put inside these little boxes. Their dimensions are kind of small: 3 1/2" x 1 1/2" x 1 1/4". Actually a gift card fits nicely in the bottom, and I could always add a chocolate truffle or two {smile}.
Happy Crafting! hugs, Sharon W.

