Tuesday, December 8, 2009

Bows & Baubles

Since most of my family live in other states, gift cards have become the gift of choice.  They are easy to mail and the recipient can get exactly what they want with it (or, at least, apply it to what they want).  I still want them to be able to have something to “open” though.  So, I am always on the lookout for special gift card holders.  Small decorated boxes and pretty handmade cards have been the normal…until I came across Carolina’s blog post, Seasonal Saturdays: Ornament Money Holder.  Well, I took her basic idea and enlarged it to accommodate a gift card instead of money.

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Isn’t this the cutest darn gift card holder you’ve ever seen?!  I LOVE how this project turned out!  100_9258It really is quite simple and Carolina has a fabulous video tutorial on how to make the money holder.  The gift card holder is the same concept only larger.  My finished package (Holiday Treasure DSP ret.) size is 5-1/2” x 5-1/2” which will accommodate the large Sizzix Scallop Circle (Riding Hood Red).  I used the Circle Scissor Plus to cut out two Very Vanilla circles that are 4-1/8” in diameter.  One of them I cut in half and adhered over the other using TomBow Multi Liquid Glue (just along the outside edge).  I placed my pocket along the side so that the printed pretties showed nicely on the gift card itself.  100_9279The baubles are picked up from the gift card.  I used various sized circle punches and the scallop circle punch in Soft Suede, Old Olive and Riding Hood Red.  The sentiments are from a retired set, Fancy Flexible Phrases (an all time favorite of mine).   The tab punch and Gold Elastic Cording (found in the Holiday Mini) was used for the ornament top. 

The bow on the front of the “package” is my favorite!  Yes, it is a ‘cheater’ bow!  You don’t think that I could actually 100_9257make a real  bow look so nice, do you now?  Here’s how I did it…I took about 18” of the striped wide ribbon and folded it into thirds accordion style.  I then took the large button, threaded it with gold cord and tied it tightly around the middle of the folded ribbon.  I then pulled at the ribbon ends to get a nice look.  Looks great!  One of my best yet!  And anyone who knows me knows how bow challenged I am.  I my opinion though, seriously, I think it’s the little sprig of holly and berries that make this bow.  Without it, it would be a nice bow but the holly adds the “WOW” factor to it!  Yes, I’m pleased with this bow and overjoyed with this project.  I wish I could be there to see his face when he opens it!  But (sigh) I can’t.  I trust that he’ll love it!  I know I would! (smile)   

Thanks for stopping by today.  I hope you’ve been inspired.  Inspiration can come from anywhere.  I found mine at Carolina’s Creative Pad.

Come back soon!

Hugs

~Leslee~

Most items can be purchased from my website by clicking HERE!

4 comments:

  1. Congratulations! I just wanted you to know that your project will appear on the Yahoo Group Late Night Stamper’s blog finds of the day for December 10. Want to receive your own copy of the blog finds of the day? Join us at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/stampinuplnstampers/

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  2. Leslee, thank you so much for the info on how to make this larger for a gift card. I loved Carolina's tutorial and was going to do this, you saved me a ton of time.

    Happy Holidays!!
    Linda

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  3. Love your version Leslee! Enlarging to fit a gift card is just brilliant love the dp you used...it all came together so beautifully! Thanks so much for the heads up!

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  4. Is there a template or any suggestions on how to make the ornament topper? Thanks for posting your dimensions to fit the gift card! I was going to modify Carolina's but now I don't have to do the math :)

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