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New arrivals at Pages include:  Doodlebug - Sweet Cakes, We R - Love Struck, and Authentique - Miracle, Boy & Girl Kits.


On the Friday before Christmas Pages gives to you:  50% off all paper pads!!

A Great Gift Package Idea from Becky!

Hello!

Today we're sharing a project from Becky that is a great way to wrap a gift!  Let's take a look and see what Becky has to say!

Cookie/Treat Canisters


Supply List


Pringles can
Canvas Corp Christmas paper
Starform stickers
Authentique Noteables Wonder
Green and red cardstock
Epiphany Crafts Round 25 epoxy and charm setting


My husband and I were eating some Pringles one day when suddenly I thought, "I can make this my gift wrap project!" Turns out other people have had this same idea because when I Googled it, some images came up. The most popular use for a recycled Pringles can was as a cookie holder but I think it would do for any baked treat.

I started by cleaning the cans out with a little bit of soap and water. The cardboard is sturdy enough that you can actually swirl the water around inside of it. I let them air dry overnight with the lids off just to be sure they were ready for paper. I covered them with my paper from the Canvas Corp. Christmas line. Then I embellished using the Starform stickers in red, Authentique Noteables from the Wonder collection, and of course, some Baker's Twine.

A funny story about the cans: I looked for a few days at several different stores to find the small, single serving Pringles can which I thought would be the perfect size for a cookie holder. I couldn't find one anywhere! Then when my husband and I went to Costa Rica, we found them in a small country mart so naturally, I brought one home with me (oh, what TSA must have thought while scanning my luggage). A week after we got home, I went into a 7-11 and there they were. Go figure! If you go into Pages From the Heart and lift the can up, you'll see the Costa Rican sticker on the bottom.

Thank you so much, Becky!  It's always great when you can reuse something!

We hope you enjoyed the projects from our team this month!  Remember to check back in January for lots of Page inspiration... hopefully 1 of your New Years Resolution will be to make layouts, cards... and to enjoy yourself with all of your papercrafting supplies!
Andi

Debbie's Sweet Treat Holders!

Good Morning!

We're back today with 2 great gift or treat containers from Debbie!  Debbie really concentrated on giving you ideas for your Christmas packaging, I think you'll be super excited about her "sour cream" treat holders - I'm going to try some today!  Let's hear from Debbie!

Party Favors

These cute little party favors are often called "sour cream containers" because they resemble the packaging Wendy's uses for sour cream.

I used a 12x12 sheet of Webster's paper and cut it into 4"x6" pieces so I got 6 containers from a single sheet. Run one end through a crimper, fill with candy - each container holds about 7 Hershey kisses. Then tape and crimp the other side folding in the opposite direction. I cut out a star, scored, folded and inked to give it dimension....then added a tiny shiny dot of bling for sparkle. Punch a hole and tie your star on with a coordinating piece of twine. Add an embellishment to a basket or wood box, display on your desk at work to hand out to co-workers or sit the box on your entrance way table at home to give out as take-home gifts to guests.

Here is a great tutorial using an 8 1/2" x 11" piece of paper:
http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/resources/tutorials/sour_cream_container/


And Debbie also made this great gift bag using Webster's Christmas line...

Thanks so much, Debbie!
I hope that the team has been inspiring you with all of your Christmas crafting activies!  We'll be back tomorrow with a project from Becky!
Andi

Let's Learn a thing or two with Lauren!

Hello!

Being so close to Christmas, I wanted to share Lauren's tutorial today!  If you've ever been in a bind trying to find a box to fit a present, then this tutorial is perfect for you!  Just grab {2} 12"x12" double sided printed papers and and follow along!

Gift Box with Bow and Ornament Tag

A great way to add to a thoughtful gift with extra thoughtfulness is to package it in a handmade box! I added a little ribbon & a paper bow to top it off. You can also attach an tag that can double as an ornament. Fun, right?

To create the box, you will need two pieces of square paper. One of the papers should be 1/4” smaller on all sides. For this box, I used 12 x 12” and 11.75 x 11.75” papers.

Starting with the 11.75 x 11.75” paper, fold all four corners into the center. To help, make small marks at the halfway point on the edges to make the folds even.

Next, fold one edge so it aligns with the center. Repeat with all of the sides.

Unfold one corner and its adjacent corner. You will make cuts along the fold as marked in the photo. Make this cut on each side of the corner and on the adjacent corner. Do not cut the other two corners.

Fold up the corners that were not cut and create two sides of the box. I used strips of tape to help hold them in place.

Fold the trimmed corners over. Use double sided tape to stick them in place and hold the box together.

Repeat with the 12 x 12” paper for the lid of the box. If you’re using designer paper, make sure the design you want is face down when you start folding.

Here are the two pieces completed! And what they look like put together.

Thanks, Lauren!  What a great tutorial!  These boxes are just as much of a present at the gift inside!

We'll see you back here tomorrow!
Andrea



Michelle "Lights" the way!

Good Morning!

This morning I'm sharing a great stamping tutorial from Michelle!  Michelle actually created this as her December Challenge project but asked if she could include it in a tutorial form for a December project - after seeing it, I agreed immediately!  I know that you'll all be running to the $1 Store or Ikea to grab some inexpensive candles and then stopping at Page's to pick up plenty of stamps and ink to create this fabulous project over and over again!

Title: Stamped Candle

Featured Collection: Imaginise's Snag'em Stamps
DT Member: Michelle McClure
Dedicated to: Gift Givers

Supply List for Candle:
Stamps: Ornaments - Imaginisce's Snag'em Stamps (Snowy Jo Collection),
Merry Christmas - We R Memory Keepers (Peppermint Twist Collection)
Glitter Pen: Gelly Roll
Ink: Delta (dye based ink)
Other: white or cream candle, white tissue paper, wax paper, heat embossing tool

1. Choose which stamps you'd like on your candle. You can use designs, sentiments or names. Stamp the images on a piece of tissue paper. I just dug a piece out from my gift wrapping box. You can use any color ink. I used green and red for Christmas. You can use black ink and then color in the images with markers or watercolor color pencils. I colored in my images with a silver glitter pen since it was just a small area. Tissue paper is very delicate so work carefully and stamp and color more than you need so you can choose the best image. The ink tends to bleed on the paper which is very absorbent.

2. Cut out the images that are to your liking and place them on the candle. I used a tiny bit of adhesive to place the pieces on the candle to make sure the spacing was even. Again, be careful as the tissue can easily rip when you move it around the candle.

3. Now comes the fun or painful part if not done correctly. Cover your images with a piece of wax paper. It is best if you cover the entire candle with wax paper and then hold the paper tightly in place from the opposite end on the excess wax paper. Use your heat embossing tool to heat the stamped images that are covered by the wax paper. You will see the white tissue paper disappear. That is when you know you are done. It only takes a few seconds per heated spot. The wax from the paper melts and covers up your image therefore, embedding it in wax. It gets really hot and can easily burn your fingers so that is why it is important to hold the paper 180 degrees from where you are heating it. Don't hold the paper in place with your fingers close to your image to save paper.

4. When you remove the wax paper, the image is coated in wax and looks and feels like part of the candle and is safe to burn. It is like you stamped onto the candle.

5. To make it more personalized, you can use alphabet stamps and put on the recipient's name.

6. To decorate the finished candle, I folded some origami puffy stars symbolic of friendship and granting wishes, and placed it in a ring around the candle. I also threaded two stars along with some glass beads on embroidery floss to tie around the packaging.

7. Here is the finished product gift wrapped. I made a tag copying the shape of one of the ornament stamps to tie everything together. You can see it in person at Pages.

This is a relatively easy and inexpensive gift. One year my sister and I made it for all our coworkers for Christmas and stamped on "The _____ Family" with their last names.

Thanks so much, Michelle!  What a great tutorial, and there's even enough time before Christmas for all of you to try this and give as gifts to friends and family!

We'll see you back here tomorrow!
Have a great day!
Andi

Michelle's Secret Box!

Hello!

We hope you had a great weekend!  We're back today with a great project from Michelle... Let's  hear from Michelle and take a look at her fun and secretive project!

Supply List for Secret Box


Featured Collection: Santa’s Workshop from Doodlebug Design Inc.
Cardstock: Bazzill Basics
Patterned Papers: Doodlebug Design Inc.
Stickers: Doodlebug Design
Alphabet Stickers: Making Memories
Ink: ColorBox Chalk
Glitter Glue: Stickles by Ranger
Punches: EK Success
Other: Buttons, Card Envelope

Tutorial: http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/resources/tutorials/secretbox/

Here is the secret box in the foreground along with the envelope gift bags in the background.

You can open the box to reveal three trays that can house candies and other fun little gifts for the recipient.

The box opens up 180 degrees with both sections remaining attached to each other.

I decorated the four sides around the box with scalloped circle punches, stickers and patterned papers. I made a paper bow for the top.

There is a written tutorial and a video tutorial in the link under my supply list for Splitcoaststampers' site. I did find the construction of this to be a bit complex and time consuming in order to be precise so everything lines up and folds evenly. If you want something quick and easy, I'd suggest the mini gift bags. If you have more time and want something with more of a wow factor, then choose this project.

Thanks, Michelle!  This is a great project, what a fun way to give a gift!  The box is as much of a gift as what would be inside - I know my little boy would love keeping his toys in this box all year long!

We'll see you back here tomorrow for a great stamping tutorial from Michelle!
Andi

Becky has it in the bag! And a Tutorial!

Hello!

Today is Becky's turn to share a great way to turn an ordinary gift bag into something super fun, cute and special!  Let's take a look!

Supply List:

Gift bag
Canvas Corp Christmas paper
Red and green twine
Red and green cardstock
Red ribbon
Authentique Noteables Wonder

Gift Bag


The first thought that came to mind when I learned of our gift wrap assignment for this month was to do a gift bag. I found a plain kraft colored bag because I thought it would work well with the Canvas Corp Christmas line. I covered the front of the bag and embellished with Authentique Notables from the Wonder collection, some very blingy red ribbon, and my twine peppermints. I turned the peppermints into ornaments by stitching a line on the paper (my first time sewing on paper! Yay!). The top flap is red cardstock cut into a 4 x 5 1/4 inches piece and folded in half. I used a craft knife to cut a slit big enough to go over the handles. The whole top part comes off by sliding it over the small bow and handles.

Tutorial


I was trying to think of something different to do with Baker's Twine and began thinking how much the red twine resembles peppermints. Looking through some of my old magazines, I saw a project with this idea and decided to run with it! I turned mine into ornaments because it worked with my project.

1. Punch a 1 1/2 inch circle. If you want something smaller, you can always cut the circle down once you have started twirling the twine. You want one side of the circle to be covered with adhesive. I ran mine through my Xyron but I'm sure double-sided tape would work nicely too.

2. Beginning in the center of the circle, start circling the twine around, making sure it is adhering to the circle. Keep going until it is the size you want and simply trim off the edges.

Thanks, Becky!  I love the peppermint candy's!  If you wanted to do a spin on these... you could also wrap them in cellophane, leaving a small amount of overhang on 2 sides and wrap with ribbon for a cute candy embellishment on a card or layout!
 
See everyone back here tomorrow!
Andi

Let's get "carried" away with Debra!

Here's an adorable project from DT Member, Debra!  I love the button swag, super cute!  Let's see what she had to say about her project!

Supplies:

Webster's Pages "Waiting for Santa"

Bazzill smooth green, chili red, and black

red satin ribbon, red and white baker's twine, buttons, gold Viva Pearl Pen, gold spray paint



Directions:

Save a cardboard drink holder from your next trip to Sonic. Spray with gold paint.

Cut four black panels 4" x 8". Trim if necessary so that a thin gold edge shows all around. Layer red and plaid panels on top, cutting each 1/4" shorter and narrower.

Cut a scalloped circle approximately 4" in diameter. Cut a green circle slightly smaller. Embellish with gold Viva pen and set aside to dry.

Cut six holly leaves - I hand cut these but use a punch if you have one.

String buttons on the twine. Tie ends in bows and use pop dots to attach at top of container. Add holly leaves.

Attach the folded paper wreath with pop dots. Tie the twine through a red button and attach with a pop dot. Add holly leaves.

Thanks, Debra!  This little holder is super fun and what a great way to use something that you can get for free!  We all love that!
 
We'll be back tomorrow with another DT Member's project!
Andi

Lauren's banner was hung by the...

Chimney with care with hopes that St. Nicholas sound would be there!

Today we'll be sharing a very cute banner that Lauren made... take a look and let's hear from Lauren!

Merry Banner

One of my favorite gifts to give is a personalized holiday banner. I made this small banner to fit perfect in a small area to decorate, like an office (or if you're like me, a cubical) or small apartment. Add chipboard letters to create a word, like MERRY, and then put it all together with some baker's twine to hang. Now you have a cute lil' banner.

 Using die cut chipboard pieces, I traced the shape on to various patterns of paper (don't forget enough for the back), distressed the edges (as well as the edges of the chipboard pieces) and glued into place. Don't forget to punch the holes before gluing both sides down! What I do is: (1) punch the holes I need into the chipboard pieces; (2) glue one paper piece and punch the holes using the holes in the chipboard piece as a guide; and (3) glue the other paper piece and punch the holes using the other chipboard side as a guide.

I added embellishments - glitter, stitch marks, pearls, cut outs of cute designs and my baker's twine hollies! These are so simple! I made the holly leaves from an origami pattern, then using a glue dot, wrap baker's twine into a circle. I used some Stickles to help keep the twine together as well as add some bling.

Add chipboard letters to create a word, like MERRY, and then put it all together with some baker's twine to hang. Now you have a cute lil' banner.

Thanks, Lauren!  Such a cute banner and a great way to use your patterned paper, coasters and Bakers Twine!!!! 

See you back here tomorrow!
Andi