is Christmas over?

Howdy.  Whew, I don't know about you, but this holiday season came up fast and went by in the same speed. {frown}  I had so many plans, wants, desires, and items I wanted to craft.  Well, I didn't get the time to do all of those things/crafts.  One of the most disappointing crafts I didn't get to, was my paper ornaments for the grandkids.  I had everything purchased and on hand, but didn't get the time to die cut shapes, and stamp items.  {frown}  It kinda breaks my heart.  I haven't totally let go of the idea, so who knows I just might make them anyways.  Let's see what kind of time the new year brings.

I did finish a gift card holder very (and I do mean VERY) last minute, and I wanted to share with you.  {smile}  But, I want to enter a few crafting challenges:

Crafting by Designs : Here Comes the Holidays

a Gem of a Challenge : Christmas & Anything Goes

My Time to Craft Challenge : Last minute Christmas Makes

Just Add Ink : Gift Card Holder

here is my Christmas gift card holder:

(due to the constant snow fall, and lack of natural light,
my photography skills were really challenged)

'drawer' is pushed open

Ok, my little gift card holder, is actually a match box with a decorative top and matching bottom.  How super cute is that?  The thing I love about these little boxes, is that you can embellish and decorate the whole box, and you don't have to untie the bow to open it! {smile}

here are a few different views:

Recipe:  I cut the top and bottom panels out of real red card stock by Stampin' Up!.  I just love the depth and richness of this red.  The 'sleeve' that holds the box was cut with a scrap piece of holiday pattern print card stock.  It is a vanilla color with charcoal santas.  

The top piece is actually a printed 'tag'.  It looks like a Poinsettia stamped tag layered on black and white polka dot paper.  How super cute, and easy to work with.  

I added a few stands of decorative trim to the real red ribbon through the tag hole.

I added a strip of silver sequins, red pom pom trim and olive green striped think twine.   I tied them together with silver cord, and added a plastic tiny candy cane.   To help with the silver accent, I also added a rhinestone brad to the tag hole.  And then added a trio of loose silver sequins.  I also tied a mini plastic peppermint patty to the big black striped bow on the side of the box, with another length of silver cord.

For the sentiment piece, I stamped the greeting in basic black classic ink, by Stampin' Up! onto white card stock, and used my scissors to fussy cut around the words.  I did add some sponging to the edges of the sentiment piece.  I did that to cut down on the stark whiteness.  I added foam adhesive to the back of the sentiment piece to elevate it off the front of the box.  I didn't want it to look too flat.

Thank you so much for stopping by.  I hope I have inspired you to think of a different way to present a gift card.  {smile}  I am having an End of Year Sale in my Etsy shop, HERE.  So, please check it out.  I need to make room for some new crafts.  {smile}  Also, if you are going to be in Albuquerque, NM around the end of next month, stop by my Trash to Treasure Trunk Show!  Come see my crafts in person!

Teeny Tiny Gingerbread House

Howdy!  I wanted to share a quick little treasure with you.  {smile}  I made several jar toppers again this year, for the holiday craft fairs.  I have some churches, schools, sweet shoppes, Santa's workshops, and gingerbread houses.  These little treasures sit inside a clear plastic dome on top of a mason jar.  It's an easy way to dress up a 'gift in a jar'.  {smile}
I wanted to share the gingerbread house with you.  Here is the one I made for a dear, sweet friend, who collects gingerbread houses and uses that theme to decorate her home for the holidays.  {smile}

These are truly teeny tiny.  They measure 1 1/2 inches across, one inch deep, and 1 1/2 inches tall.  Yes, teeny tiny!  But oh so sweet!  The house is hand-stamped, along with the peppermint patties, and  candy canes at the front door.  The windows are die cut twice to dress them up.  {smile}

  

the left side

the right side

The chimney is hand stamped and popped out to give the little house some dimension.  {smile}.  The back of the house looks very similar to the front, minus the door.  I used classic kraft ink to stamp the house panels.  I used timber brown staz-on to stamp the chimney, and real red classic ink to stamp the 'candy' pieces.  I used scor tape (1/8") and liquid adhesive to hold the tiny house together.

Thank you for looking {smile}.  I will try to remember to photograph some finished jar toppers and share them with you.  I'm finishing up a few more craft items for this weekends arts and craft fair.  Fingers crossed, everything goes well today! {smile}