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.

The Joyful Stamper Stampin' News - Free Shipping!

Year-End Closeout Sale Starts Today

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.

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.

Free Shipping With Nicole Steele

• 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 Blog Series: Gift Card Holders

Gift cards are one of the most popular gifts at Christmas time and I'll show you ways to give them with style.  Follow my site by entering your email address in the "Never miss a post" box and you'll be notified when each project is up.  See Day 1 and Day 2, then come back tomorrow for Day 3!  

Thank you for choosing me, Nicole Steele, as your demonstrator!  I appreciate your business.

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.

5 Days of Christmas Series | Gift Card Holders | Day 1

The last 5 days have been active and full.  My brother and his family stayed with us for several days and Emma was home from college.  We had 10 people packed into our little one-story, 1200 square feet home.  The cousins played games and read books, Brian wrestled with his 5 year old nephews (something he rarely did having 3 daughters), and my parents and grandmother came over for dinner each day.  Brian and I took our niece and nephews to Fun Fore All one morning and got to be silly and crazy - we attacked robots, played fooseball, raced each other on snowmobiles, and ate ice cream for lunch.  And now it's quiet because they returned home and Emma's back at college.  Alaina and Caitlin are still here, of course, but 6 fewer people in a small home is noticeable!  

So let's begin the blog series, shall we?  It's all about creative ways to gift the ever-popular gift card.  First up is an A2-sized holder (A2 is a 4-1/4" x 5-1/2" card).  I received one as a swap at OnStage and loved its ease to make and that it can be mailed in an envelope for a standard sized card.

The first version has a shabby, vintage look that goes so well with the Toile Tidings set and Designer Series Paper.  The cardinal was stamped on Very Vanilla in Real Red ink, then a Blender Pen was used to color over the image.  This smears some of the ink to give it a soft, colored-in look.  I added scraps of Very Vanilla Scalloped Lace Trim for an extra vintage touch.  Let me show you how to make the basic gift card holder!

Cut your cardstock to 4-1/2" x 11"; score at 2-1/2" and 5-1/2" on the long side.

Add Tear 'N Tape to the 2-1/2" section.

Cut three pieces of Designer Series Paper: 2-3/4" x 4"; 2-1/4" x 4"; 1" x 4"

If you want to add a vintage touch, add Soft Suede ink to the edges of the designer series paper with a Stampin' Sponge.

Glue designer series paper to the pocket card (not shown is the 2-3/4" piece glued to the front); Use a circle punch (any size) to create a notch, then remove Tear 'N Tape liner and fold to create a pocket.

This is a cleaner version of the one above - no sponging, no Blender Pen coloring, and no lace.  I kept the Early Espresso mat cut with the Layering Square dies.

Here's one that uses the Let It Snow product suite.  I used Pool Party ink to stamp "Let It Snow" as a background for the happy snowman.  Snowfall Accents Puff Paint and a Heat Tool were used to create touchable snowballs.  A strip of washi tape from the Let It Snow Embellishment Kit runs along side panel and the Layering Square mat was cut with Sparkle Glimmer Paper.

This one looks similar to the first except I eliminated the stamped background and highlighted the snowflakes with Basics Holiday Rhinestones Jewels and a Coastal Cabana Stampin' Write Marker.

These gift card holders are so easy to make!  Pick your favorite set and designer series paper and follow the tutorial above.  

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

  

• 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.