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Now that Halloween is over, I need to start thinking about Christmas goodies for my kids’ classmates.  Which got me thinking about what I did last year.  So here are the little boxes I made last year . . .

I made the box with my handy dandy Big Shot (113-439) (my favorite tool, in case you didn’t know already) and Real Red card stock (102482).  Whenever making multiple boxes, the Big Shot is a must!  This box is made from the Box #2 die (114518).  I just cut each sheet of card stock in half and ran each one separately through the Big Shot.  While you CAN cut up to 5 sheets of card stock at a time when using the Big Shot, I don’t recommend cutting more than one sheet when the die involves scored lines like this one for a box.  So after cutting out the box, just fold on the scored lines (they’re all there for you) and put your box together.  So quick and easy.  There’s NO way I’d be able to make that many boxes if I didn’t have my Big Shot.  Measuring, scoring and cutting each line?  Crazy!

I tied around each box with some twine purchased at a local grocery store and added the reindeer tag.  Isn’t he cute?  I’m sorry I don’t remember where I found him so I can’t give proper credit, but rest assured I didn’t design this little cutie myself- I copied him.  He’s made using the Extra Large Oval punch (119859) and Crumb Cake card stock (121043) for his head.  The antlers were made from a die that was available last year, but no longer.  I think it was called the tulip die.  But you could make antlers from a swirly punch? And I think they’re made using Soft Suede card stock (115318).  It’s been a while so I don’t remember and I gave them all away so I can’t check, but I think the nose was punched from the 1/2″ Circle (119869) from Real Red card stock.  And the eyes are Basic Black (121045), punched from the Owl Builder punch (118074).  Highlights were added to the eyes and nose with the White Gel Pen (105021).  His little tuft of hair is Soft Suede card stock punched from the largest flower in the Boho Blossoms punch (119858).

I don’t know what I’ll do if they retire that punch!  Those little flowers make such great punch art parts!!!  I have another flower trio punch that I like to use, but since it’s been long retired, I try not to show what I make with it.  So my best advice is, if you see something you like – get it when you see it!  That goes for Stampin’ Up! items or anywhere else you shop!  Costco comes to mind there – I’ve learned that I need to stock up on items from there because I’ve really missed a few things when they were no longer available.  But as far as Stampin’  Up! items go, EVERY year they retire tons of products to make room for terrific new things.  So there’s always the possibility that something will no longer be available to order.  You might find it later on Ebay, but why pay such prices!?!  Order when it’s available at a reasonable price!

So, what to do this year for Christmas goodies?  I may use this same die, but change it up a bit.  First, I’ll scour the internet for some ideas.  Be sure to come back to see what I decide to make!

Stampin’ Up! has extended their Big Shot Promotion until November 11!

The flyer may say thru October 31 – but they just announced this extension!  So don’t put it off any longer.  Go to my online store here, click on “join the fun” and follow the links to sign up – it’s that easy!  There are other links available to answer any questions you may have.  If you still have questions, please just ask me – I’m here to help.  But join by November 11 to get this amazing offer!  Already have the Big Shot?  No problem – you can get up to $100 worth of free product instead!  So that’s $445 worth of product and business supplies for just $175!!!!!  Incredible!  And if you decide you do not wish to continue being an active demo, I have been known to buy back business supplies  so there’s that.  You have absolutely NOTHING to lose and so much to gain. Join my team and the stamping today!

Every year I send little Halloween treats with my kids to school for their classmates.  But I’m not a fan of sending candy, since they get so much of that today.  This year, I’m sending little pretzel bags from Costco.  Since I know the kids will just throw away the wrapping, I didn’t want to use good card stock or spend too much time on these, so I used some bright orange copy paper I had from long ago (think I purchased it at an office supply store) and made a little simple pouch for each little pretzel bag.  But I did want to dress it up a bit so I added a 1″ thick strip of Basic Black card stock (121045) that I punched with the Scallop Trim Border punch (118402) on both edges and added it to the front of the pouch.  I also used the 1-3/4″ Scallop Circle punch (119854) at the top of the pouch to make it look like a “bite” was taken out (and this also helps get the pretzel bag out of the pouch).  Using Jet Black StazOn ink (101406) I stamped the Happy Halloween image from Gift Givers (123772 – wood mount) or (123774 – clear mount) on Whisper White card stock then colored the pumpkins with Pumpkin Pie markers (105115), adding color twice at the top of the pumpkins to give them some added shading.  The stamped image fit perfectly with the Decorative Label punch (120907) which really added a fancy touch to this treat bag.  Making 42 of these was quicker than I expected since I used the Simply Scored Scoring Tool (122334) to make the pouches.  If you are interested in how I made the pouches, just leave me a comment and I’ll add that information for you.

I usually struggle with masculine cards, even for young boys (toddlers are much easier!)  But then I saw this stinkin’ cute pizza card on a YouTube video by Tarheelstamper.  It was PERFECT for my son’s 9 year old friend!  It’s actually a card, with the fold hidden behind the top crust.  I added the olives for a bit of contrast.  The card base and top crust is Crumb Cake (120953).  The sauce is Red Riding Hood Red (111348), pepperoni is Cajun Craze (119684), olives are Basic Black (121045), bell peppers are Old Olive (100702)and the cheese is Very Vanilla (101650).

Punches were a big help here, using the 1-1/4″ Circle (119861) punch for the pepperoni slices, 1/2″Circle (119869) and 1/4″ Circle for the olives, and the Extra-Large Oval (119859) for the bell pepper pieces.  I ran my fingernail along the edges of the pepperoni slices for added texture then added dots with Cajun Craze and Basic Gray markers after sponging the circle edges with Cajun Craze ink.  The white dots were created with a white gel pen.  I started with a standard size A2 card so this pizza card will fit in a standard size envelop.  Mmmm . . . now I’m hungry! 

I have seen a few card samples similar to this card and had to make one myself.  A little girl I know was having a birthday party and this was just perfect for her.  The “canopy” at the top of the card was created using the Word Window Punch (119857), Whisper White card stock (100730) and Pretty in Pink card stock (100459).  The bottom Pretty in Pink panel was embossed with the Perfect Polka Dots embossing folder (117335) for a little girly feel.  The stamped cakes are from the Birthday Bakery set, a past hostess set no longer available, stamped in Chocolate Chip (100908) then colored with the following markers: Crumb Cake (120967), Pretty in Pink  (100045), Rose Red  (100063) and Chocolate Chip  (100071).  A touch of red glitter was added for a bit of bling on the strawberries and roses using Crystal Effects (101055).  The sentiment is from the current Hostess Set, Happiest Birthday Wishes (122615-wood) or (122617-clear) using Chocolate Chip ink, punched with the 1-3/4″ Scallop Circle punch (119854) layered on a piece of Chocolate Chip card stock punched with the 2-3/8″ Scallop Circle punch (118874).  More bling was added with the Dazzling Details (124117) in each scallop of the larger scallop punch.

Hope you enjoyed this card.  It was fun to make and the little girl really liked it.