Easy Last Minute Gift Card Holder Idea

Every Thursday at 11 AM ET I go live on The Joyful Stamper Facebook Page.  Everyone is invited for some stamping fun!  After the Live class, I'll post the replay below.  

Today I'm using 'Tis The Season 6"x6" Designer Series Paper (item 153489) to make gift card holders that look like presents.  They're easy to make, so you can create a stack while watching a Christmas movie to have on hand for last-minute gifts.  That's what I plan to do!

 This is the gift card holder closed.  Doesn't it look fun to open?

And here it is with the lid pulled up, without a gift card inside.  The sentiments are from For Unto Us.  That stamp set is all sentiments, which is what I need for a lot of my Christmas projects!

And here it is, opened with a gift card inside.  I love clever packaging - it can really elevate a gift!

Place a $35 order by midnight Sunday December 20 and I'll send you a packet to make THREE of these gift card holders. ORDER HERE: http://bit.ly/ShopNicolesStore and USE HOST CODE QJXPTGRD

Gift card holder measurements:

Bottom - 5-1/2x6; score at 3" on long side; score at 1/2" and 5" on short side

Lid - 5-1/2x3; score at 1/4" and 5-1/2" on long side; score at 1/2" on short side

Inside - 4x4-3/4; score at 1" on long side

DSP pieces - 4-3/8x2-7/8; 1-3/8x4-7/8; 1x4-1/2

Message piece - 2x3-3/4

Select retiring products from the Holiday Catalog are being discounted up to 50% (including the 'Tis The Season paper used on today's gift card holders).  Shop my store to see everything on sale!  NOTE: if you can't find specific items in my store then that product has sold out.  Retiring products are sold while supplies last.

If you'd like a catalog package for the new January-June Mini and Sale-A-Bration catalogs, email me at nicole@thejoyfulstamper.com 

If you are enjoying The Joyful Stamper site

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• Use this month's Reward Code to earn points towards a $50 shopping spree - read the details here.
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Make cards, spread joy!  Thank you, friends, for choosing me as your demonstrator!

Gift Card Folio + Watercolored Peaceful Poppies Elements

Yesterday on my weekly Happy Half Hour Facebook Live, I played with the Peaceful Poppies Elements.  This fun package of die-cut embellishments has so many possibilities!  And they are just $6.50 - a great add-on if you're trying to get to a next level for some Stampin' Rewards or Host Code gifts!  (Psst...make sure to also read about my first-ever free Mystery Stamping Event at the end of this post!)

My first project was a gift card folio.  I used the black embossed Elements piece to stamp and heat emboss a greeting from Seriously The Best.  The Vellum embossed Elements piece was flipped over so I could add color to the back with a Dark Poppy Parade Stampin' Blends.  Because the Blends are alcohol ink, they dry quickly on the vellum, eliminating smearing.  That top die-cut is also from the Peaceful Poppies Elements pack - just punch and glue on!

  

It unties to open like a book and there are two pockets inside to tuck in a gift card and a message.  You could write a funny piece of life or marriage advice, if giving to a graduate or newlyweds!  I have the measurements and directions at the end of this post for this gift card folio.

My second project was this thank you card using the embossed watercolor Elements pieces.  The embossing resists the ink, leaving a very pretty variegated embellishment piece.  The three flowers and three leaves are all from the pack.  The labels were die-cut with the Painted Labels dies.  The card needed something more still, so I finished it off with Peaceful Poppies Sequins and splatters from a Blackberry Bliss Stampin' Write Marker (see a how-to for that technique in this post here).

You can watch the replay below for these two projects to see exactly how they were made.  

Gift Card Folio Instructions:

Old Olive cardstock - 10-1/4" x 4"; score on long side at 2-1/2", 5", 5-1/2", & 7-3/4"

Painted Poppies Designer Series Paper - 2-3/8" x 3-7/8"

Whisper White cardstock - 2" x 3-1/3" for message insert

Seriously The Best stamp set

You will also need for embellishing:

Crinkled Whisper White Seam Binding Ribbon

1-1/2" Circle Punch (to create notches)

Peaceful Poppies Elements

Dark Poppy Parade Stampin' Blends

Peaceful Poppies Sequins

White Stampin' Emboss Powder and Heat Tool

Two Ways to Score Your Cardstock:

With a Simply Scored

With the scoring blade of your Stampin' Trimmer

If you need any of the supplies to make these projects, I would so appreciate you shopping my store!  Every order gets a thank you and orders over $50 (before shipping & tax) that use the Reward Code JWD7M644 will get a free In Color Sampler Pack (the NEW colors)!

                                 

I played this with the team and it was so popular that I decided to create a special Facebook group for everyone to participate! It's free to join and to play.  Get the Mystery Stamping with The Joyful Stamper details here, then join the group!

May Reward Code = New In Color Sampler

Use the May Reward Code on orders placed in my store of $50 or more (before shipping and tax) to get a free 2020-2022 New Stampin' Up! In Color sampler!  Sampler packs will be sent out by the end of May PLUS you'll get a new catalog package from me! 

New Catalog Alert: If you have ordered from me since November, you are automatically on my list to receive a new Annual Catalog package next month.  If you'd like one and haven't ordered since November, place an order of any size to be automatically included or email me at nicole@thejoyfulstamper.com.

If you are enjoying The Joyful Stamper site

• Request a free catalog package by emailing me at nicole@thejoyfulstamper.com or with this form.
• Subscribe to The Joyful Stamper Stampin' News, a weekly email that delivers fun, tips, and specials right to you.  Get a free exclusive Stampin' News Subscriber pdf tutorial as a sign-up thank you!
• Shop my store anytime to give yourself the best crafting experience.  Check out the Clearance Rack and Discounted Bundles while you're there.
• You'll love my crafting videos on The Joyful Stamper YouTube channel!  Subscribe while you're there and click the bell so that you always have fresh inspiration.
• Looking for community, a hobby, or a way to make extra money?  My team of My Joyful Stampers has a place for you!  Read more here.

I love stamping and I love Stampin' Up!  Thank you so much for choosing me as your demonstrator.  I am grateful for YOU!

Rise and Shine Double Pocket Tea Bag Holder + video

Sometimes I feel like I'm walking slightly out of step with everyone else.  Yesterday I shared how I'm a late adopter of things.  Now I'm letting you know that I do not like coffee and never have.  My dad told me I'd start drinking it in college, in order to wake up after a night of studying (or partying, but that wasn't me).  When I didn't take to it in college, he told me I'd start drinking it to wake myself up for work.  Still didn't - instead, I woke myself up with 5 AM marathon-training runs (that out-of-step thing.....).  

I did end up loving tea, though!  I drink tea in the morning, afternoon, and evening.  It isn't just the taste, either.  The ritual of making and enjoying tea is soothing.  I have a cupboard devoted to tea because of my great love for it.

So when I saw the Rise and Shine Sale-A-Bration set (available until March 31) I immediately went looking for a tea bag holder to make.  I found a Double Pocket one and it's SO easy!  

This is the other side of the Double Pocket Tea Bag holder.  It uses a 6"x6" piece of Designer Series Paper so break out those paper pads!  There is zero waste, too!

And here is a side view.  I wanted you to see that little mountain fold in between the two pockets.  That is what allows this to stand up.  Pineapple Punch Grosgrain Ribbon and a bit of Whisper White Solid Baker's Twine keep the pockets tied together.

Double Pocket Tea Bag Holder Measurements (video below)

• 6"x6" piece of Designer Series Paper (2018-2020 In Color Pack used)
• Fold diagonally and score at 1/2" with fold to the left
• Score at 5-5/8" with fold to the top

Tea Bag Holder starts at 2:30 if you want to skip the chit chat.
The K-cup Holder in the video will be shown in Monday's blog post, along with a template.

Nicole's Retired Stamp Sale

• Shop my store here
• Shop my retired stash here

Sale-A-Bration ends March 31!

• Shop Sale-A-Bration freebies here

March Ordering Gift

5 Days of Christmas | Gift Card Holders | Day 5

Welcome back to Day 5 of the 5 Days of Christmas!  I'm showing creative ways to give gift cards!  Did you miss any?  See them here:

• Day 1
• Day 2
• Day 3
• Day 4

This holder is my favorite!!  It might be because of the big bright Real Red Ruched ribbon.  Or it might be because of the lovely layers of designer series paper and stamped images.

I used Stampin' Blends in Dark Real Red and Dark Shaded Spruce to color the branch and bits of the sentiment banner.  **Note: there are dies available to cut out these images and others in the Toile Tidings set.  I don't have them, though, so I used Paper Snips to do the job.**

When the holder is untied and opened, a little slot for a gift card pops up!  I stamped and cut out a greeting to glue to the inside.

  

Photo Tutorial for Pop-Up Gift Card Holder

Cut your cardstock to 9" x 4".  Score at 1-3/4", 4-1/2", 5-3/4", and 7".  Place your paper so that the pattern you want on the outside is facing down.  

Fold the 5-3/4" score line so that it is a mountain fold and the patterned paper is pressed together there.  Use a circle punch (any size) to punch a half-circle notch.  Use scissors to cut a slit on the left and right sides of the half-circle notch to within a 1/4" of the paper edge (see template above).  The photo below shows the inside of the gift card holder.

Turn the paper over so that the pattern you want showing on the outside of the holder is facing up.  Add Tear 'N Tape at the spot shown in the photo below.  Peel off the liner and adhere the sections between the 4-1/2" and 7" score lines together.  This creates a space to hold the gift card.  

From there, wrap ribbon around the folded holder and tie shut.  Decorate the front of the holder.

Tip: Use SNAIL to adhere ribbon to the holder.  Glue the decorative pieces on top of the ribbon with Stampin' Dimensionals so that when the recipient opens the holder, the ribbon stays put and can be easily retied.

You Can Make This!

• Toile Tidings stamp set
• Toile Tidings Designer Series Paper
• Real Red Ruched Ribbon
• Early Espresso ink
• Real Red ink
• Very Vanilla cardstock
• Stampin' Blends: Dark Real Red; Dark Shaded Spruce
• Circle Punches

Don't forget about this big Stampin' Up! sale going on now PLUS another special from me!

  
Click here for the full sale list.

Click here to shop Retiring items.  These are available while supplies last.

Click here to shop Discounted items.  These are available while supplies last.

Click here for Holiday Catalog items that are carrying over.  Starred items will be available again in the 2020 Holiday Catalog.  Unstarred items will be in the 2020-2021 Annual Catalog in June.

• Orders must be placed with Nicole Steele at my online store between Tuesday, December 3 and Sunday, December 15.
• Free shipping applies to orders of $70 or more (before shipping and tax)
• Shipping will be refunded by a check mailed to you from me, Nicole Steele.  Checks will be mailed by December 15.
• Orders must use the Host Code B422JZJ2 if between $70 - $149.  
• Orders $150 or greater do not need to use the host code - I want you to receive your Stampin' Rewards and you will still get free shipping from me, Nicole Steele.
• Questions?  Ask me at nicole@thejoyfulstamper.com.

5 Days of Christmas | Gift Card Holders | Day 4

Welcome back to Day 4 of the 5 Days of Christmas!  I'm showing creative ways to give gift cards!  Did you miss any?  See them here:

• Day 1
• Day 2
• Day 3

If you're a regular reader of my site, you know that I love Splitcoaststampers.  There's community and fun stamping events like Virtual Stamp Night.  As I was browsing there a couple weeks ago, I found a tutorial for Twin Pocket Purses.  They were so cute that I had to make a couple and share!

The Toile Tidings Designer Series Paper has a fantastic vintage feel with its old-time images and classic Christmas colors on a Very Vanilla base.  A bit of sponging with Soft Suede ink really adds to that, as do the Clear and Gold Faceted Gems on the purse clasps.

A Velcro dot (from the Dollar Tree) keeps the purse closed.  And did you catch that it's a TWIN pocket purse?  That means you can place two gift cards in each purse, or one gift card and a tea bag, or a gift card and a Ghiradelli chocolate.

I would be so excited to get a gift like this!  Tea is my love language and the ritual of making it makes me feel like all is right in the world.  My favorite teas are from Twinings and David's Tea.

Made with Garden Green cardstock

Made with Real Red cardstock

What I used to make both purses:

• Toile Tidings stamp set
• Toile Tidings Designer Series Paper
• Early Espresso ink (sentiment)
• Stampin' Sponges
• Soft Suede ink (sponged on paper edges)
• Stitched Nested Labels dies (purse clasp)

Additional supplies for Garden Green purse:

• Garden Green Double-Stitched Ribbon
• Clear Faceted Gems
• Garden Green cardstock

Additional supplies for Real Red purse:

• Gold-Edged Metallic Ribbon
• Gold Faceted Gems
• Real Red cardstock

Twin Pocket Purse tutorial can be found here on Splitcoaststampers.

Don't forget about this big Stampin' Up! sale going on now PLUS another special from me!

  
Click here for the full sale list.

Click here to shop Retiring items.  These are available while supplies last.

Click here to shop Discounted items.  These are available while supplies last.

Click here for Holiday Catalog items that are carrying over.  Starred items will be available again in the 2020 Holiday Catalog.  Unstarred items will be in the 2020-2021 Annual Catalog in June.

• Orders must be placed with Nicole Steele at my online store between Tuesday, December 3 and Sunday, December 15.
• Free shipping applies to orders of $70 or more (before shipping and tax)
• Shipping will be refunded by a check mailed to you from me, Nicole Steele.  Checks will be mailed by December 15.
• Orders must use the Host Code B422JZJ2 if between $70 - $149.  
• Orders $150 or greater do not need to use the host code - I want you to receive your Stampin' Rewards and you will still get free shipping from me, Nicole Steele.
• Questions?  Ask me at nicole@thejoyfulstamper.com.

5 Days of Christmas | Gift Card Holders | Day 3

Welcome back to Day 3 of the 5 Days of Christmas!  I'm showing creative ways to give gift cards!  Did you miss any?  See them here:

• Day 1
• Day 2

Today's idea was made by my friend and fellow Stampin' Up! Demonstrator Lori Brausen of Duchess of Design.  I met her in Las Vegas when we were there for OnStage.  I've known her for years on Facebook, so I was thrilled to finally give her a hug!  Her beautifully kind and generous soul was even more heart-warming in person.  

The Gold Pizza Boxes are 3-1/2" x 3-1/2" and come flat in the package.  You just need to fold to assemble.  The shiny gold make these super fancy.  

Lori used the following to make these:

• Whisper White cardstock (3-1/4" x 3-1/4")
• Gold Mini Pizza Boxes
• Wrapped In Plaid Designer Series Paper (3" x 3") (2-3/4" x 1-3/4")
• Gold Foil Sheets (3-1/4" x 2")
• Shaded Spruce/Gold Striped Ribbon
• Delightful Day stamp set
• Cherry Cobbler ink
• Delightful Tag Topper Punch (gold foil tag)
• Everyday Label Punch (used on smaller Wrapped In Plaid DSP)
• Pretty Label Punch (sentiment)

Tip from Lori: punch the sentiment from the center of the Whisper White square piece to save paper.  The negative space will be covered by the Wrapped In Plaid DSP.  So smart!

The Gold Pizza Boxes easily fit a gift card.  I added shredded Shaded Spruce cardstock for a festive nest.  Lori had some other ideas for what to put in the pizza box: a fancy decorated cookie; Ghiradelli chocolates; or a set of 3" x 3" mini note cards and envelopes.  So versatile for gift giving!

Don't forget about this big Stampin' Up! sale going on now PLUS another special from me!

  
Click here for the full sale list.

Click here to shop Retiring items.  These are available while supplies last.

Click here to shop Discounted items.  These are available while supplies last.

Click here for Holiday Catalog items that are carrying over.  Starred items will be available again in the 2020 Holiday Catalog.  Unstarred items will be in the 2020-2021 Annual Catalog in June.

• Orders must be placed with Nicole Steele at my online store between Tuesday, December 3 and Sunday, December 15.
• Free shipping applies to orders of $70 or more (before shipping and tax)
• Shipping will be refunded by a check mailed to you from me, Nicole Steele.  Checks will be mailed by December 15.
• Orders must use the Host Code B422JZJ2 if between $70 - $149.  
• Orders $150 or greater do not need to use the host code - I want you to receive your Stampin' Rewards and you will still get free shipping from me, Nicole Steele.
• Questions?  Ask me at nicole@thejoyfulstamper.com.

5 Days of Christmas | Gift Card Holders | Day 2

Welcome to Day 2 of my series on gift card holders!  Did you miss any?  See them here:

• Day 1

It doesn't get any easier than this!  I used a Stampin' Up! mini shipping box to create this gift card holder.  The boxes come in packs of 8 and are scored and ready to assemble.  Just fold!  The finished dimensions are 4" x 3" x 2-5/8", so you could add some special chocolates along with a gift card, or fill it with crumpled strips of cardstock to act as a nest for the gift card.

Supplies used for this holder:

• Perfectly Plaid stamp set
• Pine Tree Punch 
• Wrapped In Plaid Designer Series Paper (DSP)
• Shaded Spruce/Gold Striped Ribbon
• Shaded Spruce ink and cardstock
• Cherry Cobbler ink
• Whisper White cardstock
• Stitched Nested Labels dies
• Basics Holiday Rhinestones Jewels
• Stampin' Up! Mini Shipping Boxes

A favorite trick of mine is to curl ribbon ends with a Bone Folder.  I tie the bow, leaving long tails, then take my bone folder and run it several times along each tail.  It adds a touch of playfulness and fullness!

I left the back of the box plain, except for some Wrapped In Plaid DSP.  

The only measurements you need for this holder are the ones for the Wrapped In Plaid DSP that covers the box sides:

• 3-1/2" x 2-1/4" (2 pieces)
• 2-1/2" x 2-1/4" (2 pieces)

Bonus: The 6"x6" Wrapped In Plaid paper stack is perfect for cutting these!  1 sheet is all you need per box.  You'll be left with a 1-1/2" x 6" strip that you can shred for filler in the box; cut into skinny strips, curl, and add to box top; or use as a mat for a sentiment on the box front.

Check out two other ways I used the Stampin' Up! Mini Shipping Boxes:

Original Post Here

This was part of my Daisy Lane Class To Go last summer.

Don't forget about this big Stampin' Up! sale that starts today PLUS another special from me!

  
Click here for the full sale list.

Click here to shop Retiring items.  These are available while supplies last.

Click here to shop Discounted items.  These are available while supplies last.

Click here for Holiday Catalog items that are carrying over.  Starred items will be available again in the 2020 Holiday Catalog.  Unstarred items will be in the 2020-2021 Annual Catalog in June.

• Orders must be placed with Nicole Steele at my online store between Tuesday, December 3 and Sunday, December 15.
• Free shipping applies to orders of $70 or more (before shipping and tax)
• Shipping will be refunded by a check mailed to you from me, Nicole Steele.  Checks will be mailed by December 15.
• Orders must use the Host Code B422JZJ2 if between $70 - $149.  
• Orders $150 or greater do not need to use the host code - I want you to receive your Stampin' Rewards and you will still get free shipping from me, Nicole Steele.
• Questions?  Ask me at nicole@thejoyfulstamper.com.