A Perfect Presentation Christmas

Are you ready for Christmas?  Now that Thanksgiving is over I am officially on Christmas mode, which means gifts!  Today the Perfect Presentation design team is ready to help you out with gift ideas.  Today may not be an official new release day but there are quite a few new cut files (including tags) and templates (there is a sleigh) in the store.  Have you checked out the new Perfect Presentation store?!!!  

I am sharing an idea for one of the new templates, "Favor Box II".  This template has such a fun closure and it is roomy too.

The PP is an iPaper from Amber Ink.  If you missed my post from last week, iPaper is the way to go because you can print the pattern paper on heavy card stock and then cut your template from it.  For this one, I printed on kraft paper which tones down the red iPaper and gives more of a rustic feel (love it).  The image is also from Amber Ink.

My box is filled with bite size Lindt Fioretto and I was able to fit in the entire 4 oz bag with plenty of room to spare - hmphhh, that means no extras for me to eat and it also means that this box is BIG enough to hold almost 8 oz, so I need to go buy more.

Be sure to visit the rest of the design team for more gifty ideas: Kerri Michaud, Terri Moore, Alyssa Scritchfield, Chris Olsen, Beth Johnson and Leigh Ann Baird. Plus, we have a new member on the team, Susan Wesley, so be sure to stop by and say "hi"!

Smiles,

Julie

Details:  Template - Favor Box II (Perfect Presentation), Image - Tis the Season (Amber Ink), IPaper - Red Snowflake Lace Tiny (Amber Ink), CS - Kraft and Green (PTI), copics, embossing folders - Plaid (Sizzix) & Swiss Dots (Cuttlebug), and Ink - Always Artichoke (SU).

Papertrey November Blog Hop Challenge

November's PTI Blog Hop Challenge is to "design a holiday tag or two using all of your favorite goodies and share it with all of us!"
Tags are so much fun to create and a great way to use up little scraps of paper.  I made a dozen, then bundled them up in a clear bag tied with a bow - a great little gift for anyone with a Birthday in November or December. 

 

 I cut out all of my tag bases on my Cricut using Tag Set 1 from Perfect Presentation.  Gotta love being able to cut more than one at a time and change the size - for these I made the tags 2" wide.  All the tags have the same basic layout, but each has different PP and images/sentiments from Christmas Button Bits.  Some have felt, others just solid strips of paper and the gingerbread men tags have ric rac.  I used my Cricut to create the ric rac with a svg freebie from Pigtails Paper Trails - I reduced the size to fit the width of my tags.

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving to those in the US and may this be just a little inspiration to get everyone crafting for the holidays.
Smiles,
Julie
Details - Stamps - Christmas Button Bits (PTI), PP - Eskimo Kisses (Basic Grey) and Jolly by Golly (Cosmo Cricket), Felt (TCP), Buttons (PTI), Twine (PTI), CS - PTI and GKD, SVG - Tag Set 1 (Perfect Presentation) and Ric Rac (Pigtails Paper Trails), and Twine (Martha Stewart Crafts).

Cocoa Anyone?

I have seen the posts on other blogs with yummy homemade hot cocoa recipes.  I really do love the idea of making my own hot chocolate, but I am taking the easy way out today - Ha!  Especially because the Tall Gable template from Perfect Presentation is the perfect size to hold packets of hot chocolate. 

My DD has a male teacher this year so I am trying for a more masculine look with this box.  Hot Cocoa Slusser from Inktegrity is perfect paired up with hot chocolate mix :>)

Right now, this box is filled with Swiss Miss (it's some special dark chocolate kind) but I will be on the lookout for other brands/varieties to fit in this box over the next month (yikes, Christmas is coming fast).  Swiss Miss should consider changing their packaging though because this box holds all 8 packets and is much more fun than a plain ole rectangle.  This pic also lets you in on a little secret of mine...I use a dark thread for my bobbin.  I think it makes the stitching a little more distinct and it is also easier because I never have to change it to match the top thread ;>).  Here is another little tip, the plaid embossing on my template was too distinguished, so after I embossed, I ran the paper thru my Cuttlebug outside of the folder to smooth out the embossing.  Now the embossing is subtle, yet still gives some texture.
My cocoa box is for the following challenges:
Inktegrity Hump Day Inspiration Challenge - Anything Goes! - Now everyone should be able to play along with this one and you may just win a gift certificate to Inktegrity :>)
Paper Players - Sketch Challenge - I always love a good sketch!
Have a wonderful day!
Smiles,
Julie
Details:  Image - Hot Cocoa Slusser (Inktegrity), template - Tall Gable (Perfect Presentation), CS - SU, PP - Oliver (Basic Grey), Dies - Rectangles (Nestabilities) and Embossing Folders - Plaid (Sizzix).

AmberINK's INKredible 21 Day Challenge - Wrap it Your Way

Have you heard about the Amber INK's INKredible 21 Day Challenge?  Now you all know that I love challenges, but I have to say the prize from this one is truly INKredible.  The winner will get to create their own stamp set with Amber!!!  Haven't we all said oh I wish I had... Well, now you can have it!!!  For chance at your own set all you have to do is play along with the challenges.  The newest challenge is a theme, "Wrap it Your Way".  Take a gift or food item and deck it out.  Make a tag or card to attach to a gift, decorate a candle, a gift bag, etc. 
I decided to make my own gift set, I know, not much of a surprise from me :>).  

The surprise, is that the holiday sentiment paper is Amber Ink iPaper (Holiday Cheer Purple) that I printed myself.  Amazingly enough, prior to last week, I had never thought of using iPaper to create patterned card stock to use with templates.  Hard to believe, but true!  The benefit of using CS for templates is that CS is typically heavier than PP.  By being able to print your own PP, you can choose whatever weight CS you want - hooray!!!  That means I no longer need to create mats all the time out of thin PP to layer over my templates, which will save time.

I was immediately drawn to the purple paper because I have a friend who loooooovvves the color.  So much so that she even has a purple couch.  She also has a slight addiction to what is found in this little bag...hand sanitizer (I guess if she sees this the only surprise will be what scents are in her bag).  
It was so easy to create the little bag, using the Bag it Up template from Perfect Presentation, that I did another in my fave - aqua (Snowflake Lace iPaper).  Creating your own packaging personalizes every gift and with iPaper it is soooo fun and saves time and paper!

Have fun stopping by the blogs of my Fellow Torchbearers Angela, Julia, Kerri, Stacie, and Shannan (aka Amber Ink's Ambassador of Awesomeness).

We are all excited to see what you wrap and even more excited to see what stamp set one of you creates!!!

Signing off with smiles,

Agent Foxy Needles

Details:  Image - Tis the Season (I copied and pasted the ornament from the set to create the group of 3) (Amber Ink), CS - White (PTI), iPaper - Holiday Cheer Purple and Snowflake Lace (Amber Ink), Template - Bag it Up (Perfect Presentation), dies - Labels 1 (Nestabilities), and stash ribbon.

Amber Ink November Release - Santa Puff

It's November release time for Amber Ink and this time around Amber has designed a super cute holiday set that can also work for Birthdays and other occasions - Best Fishes!  There are tons of images in the set and quite a few sentiments.  You will want to head on over to the Amber Ink blog for all the details. 

This (not so) little puffa fish is one of my faves from the new set.  I made all the images larger for this card and then embellished away on the bubbles.  I am pretty sure that you have never seen one card from me with all of the following:  rhinestones, buttons, glossy accents and flock - that's a record for me! The layout for my card is based on sketch #91 from Card Patterns.
If you want to see more FINtastic samples be sure to pop on over to the blogs of my Fellow Torchbearers Angela, Julia, Kerri, Stacie, and Shannan (aka Amber Ink's Ambassador of Awesomeness).

Side Note:  Amber designed Best Fishes using ideas from last month's AmberINK's Inkcredible 21 Day Challenge winner - how cool is that?!?!  Wouldn't you love to create a new stamp set???  I will share all the details on how you can do that with the new 21 day challenge that starts tomorrow. 

Signing off with smiles,

Agent Foxy Needles

Details:  Images - Best Fishes (Amber Ink), CS - White, Hawaiian Shores (PTI), Buttons - Aqua mist (PTI), Flocking - Stampendous, Embossing Folder - Snowflakes (Sizzix), Copics, and Glossy Accents.

I Upcycled - Sorta

Yvonne's guest blogger challenge with Amy Duff is to upcycle...well, I tried, I hunted around my house and even took an empty margarine container home from work with the intent to make it all pretty.  Did I end up using something old, nope, I saw a huge container of trail mix at Target and knew that I needed to fancy it up.  I guess to be a true upcycle I would need to eat all the trail mix and then repurpose it.  It seriously took all my will power not to open the container and do just that!!!  Out of curiosity, I did the math and quickly determined that I did not need 4,760 calories in one day (that helped my willpower win).  It is quite possible that I will be disqualified from this challenge, but really, one person can not eat that much trail mix in one day!!!

This belly band does double duty.  It dresses up the simple plastic container and it hides the caloric content! To make the band I used one of the new Verve sets I won thru the Viva La Verve challenge on SCS.  Side note, if you have not played along with this challenge before, you have to give it a try.  You win the ENTIRE Verve release!!!  I won in August, so I received the early October release which was full of fab fall images - I already made cards using the stamps here and here.  So huge thanks to Julee of Verve for being soooo generous :>)
Ok, so back to the trail mix...as I write this the container has yet to be opened and it is going to stay that way until I deliver it to my In-Laws as a Thanksgiving hostess gift!
Smiles,
Julie
Details:  Stamps - Autumn Splendor (Verve), CS - PTI and SU, Ink - Really Rust and Chocolate Chip (SU), PP - BoBunny, and Buttons & Twine PTI.

I'm an Amber Ink Torchbearer

Oh so exciting...secret messages late at night, missions and assignments, not to mention a code name - Agent Foxy Needles - LOL!!! Yes, it all means that I am a torch bearer for Amber Ink for the next month!!!  A huge thank you to Jacki Randolph for passing the torch on to me.  I am now representing the Brown team (it's not aqua, but brown is a fave too because it goes great with aqua!).  

If you are new to Amber Ink then head on over to the store to check out the digi images, acrylic stamps, and iPapers.  Plus, you will want to visit the Amber Ink blog, especially today so you can meet all the torchbearers and see some pics of all of us "babes". 

For the next four weeks I will be designing alongside these creative ladies:

My Fellow Torchbearers Angela, Julia, Kerri, and Stacie.

Keeping us all in line is Shannan (aka Amber Ink's Ambassador of Awesomeness).

I can already tell that this is going to be a great team and a fun filled month.  Not only is everyone talented, but Pam and Amber definitely know how to party and keep everyone laughing!  Plus, I am soooo looking forward to using the Amber Ink images and papers!!!  Stay tuned...the new releases start NEXT WEEK on the 23rd!

Huge Smiles,

Julie

Whimsical Christmas Cards

Whimsie Doodles has THE cutest little circle images for Christmas and I just had to have 'em.  I had a plan in place and used 'em right away - no procrastinating, that just may be my Christmas miracle.  I made quite a few cards with the images, 21 to be exact...

To create the cards I kept to a simple design and changed up the band with either sewing, ribbon or embossing.

Creating a set is one easy way to use up patterened paper, which fits in perfectly with Wee Memories "Dust off that patterned paper challenge".  I did not finish the whole mini pad, but there is not much left!
Since this is a gift for someone, ease in mailing was numero uno. The only card that I allowed buttons on was the card for the recipient.  Plus, the Whimsie Doodle challenge this week is buttons, so I had to include a few.

In addition to the Nestie label 1 mat, there is also some yellow on that card which meets the challenge for Your Next Stamp this week to use 2 of the following: yellow, nesties or stickles.  Well, I did not use stickles, but I have the first two.

I went with glossy accents on the candy cane and the snowman's nose to add a little fun.  This card is for a guy, so I did not want to make it too glitzy!
Smiles,
Julie
Details:  Image - Christmas Greetings (Whimsie Doodles), PP - Jolly by Golly (Cosmo Cricket), CS - GKD, PTI, SU, buttons - PTI, Ribbon (PTI), embossing folder - Snowflakes (Sizzix) & Swiss Dots (Cuttlebug) and copics.

The Penguin Invasion Continues With Star Hana

Yep, the Inktegrity penguins are back and today Slusser's sister Hana is debuting her winter attire - Star Hana.  Be sure to visit the Inktegrity blog and leave a comment there for a chance to win Star Hana.  All the penguins will be available for purchase at the Inktegrity store on Friday.

Oh how much fun I had creating a little winter scene, with the felt mat, hand stitching, glitter and more glitter.  
Plus, I was able to combine a few challenges with this one...
Crazy 4 Challenges - Square Card
Sweet Sunday Sketch - Sketch #92
Paper Sundaes - Let It Snow
Inktegrity Challenge Blog - Recipe Challenge - flowers and bows - be sure to play along for a chance to win an Inktegrity gift certificate.
Smiles,
Julie
Details: Image - Star Hana (Inktegrity), PP - Eskimo Kisses (Basic Grey), CS - PTI, Glitter - Stampendous, Dies - Snowflakes (Cuttlebug), Ribbon, Button - PTI, and Felt (TCP).

Today's Penguin - Baby Slusser With Gift

Today is the second preview day for the November Inktegrity release.  Slusser is back and this time we are flashing back to when he was a baby.  Here is "Baby Slusser With Gift"...

Awww, he was a cute baby!  Do you see that cute hat?  I used flock for the first time - what fun!  Just a wee bit messy, but so worth it!  There was a mini baby boom amongst my cousins this past summer and there are quite a few 1st Christmases to be celebrated.  Baby Slusser is perfect for that occasion, but he would also be fun for any age.  For a chance to win him head on over to the Inktegrity Blog and leave a comment.
My card is based on this week's Card Pattern's sketch found HERE.

Be sure to visit the rest of the Design Team and say "Hi!".

Monica

Joni {owner}

Diane

Kristy

Candy

Becca

Tammylee

Jessy
Divya

Stop back tomorrow to see Slusser's sister who is ready for the snow!

Smiles,
Julie

Details:  Image - Baby Slusser With Gift (Inktegrity), Sentiment - computer generated, CS (PTI & GKD), Buttons and Ribbon (PTI), Copics, Flock - Stampendous and Embossing Folders Cuttlebug and Sizzix.

It's a Penguin Invasion at Inktegrity

Today is the first preview day for the November Inktegrity release.  Slusser is back and he brought the rest of his family.  I am sneak peeking Hot Cocoa Slusser - warning he is playing the role of a girl today ;>)

Yep, I colored him up with pinks and aquas.  He's a cutie!  
Be sure to visit the rest of the Design Team and say "Hi!".

Monica

Joni {owner}

Diane

Kristy

Candy

Becca

Tammylee

Jessy
Divya

The rest of Slusser's family will be stopping by to visit tomorrow and Wednesday - I hope you stop by too!

Smiles,
Julie

Details:  Image - Hot Cocoa Slusser (Inktegrity), Sentiment - Christmas Button Bits (PTI), PP - Eskimo Kisses (Basic Grey), CS (PTI), Buttons and Ribbon (PTI) and Copics.

Curve Challenge wtih Raise the Bar

I am playing along as a guest designer with Raise the Bar this week!   To all the gals on the DT, thank you for having me!
Challenge #43 is curves - circles, swirls, a curved image, scallops...what fun :>)

My card has a bunch of curves with circles, a curved image, even a curve on the sentiment.  Yes, there are a few straight lines in there, I admit, I could not stop myself from using straight stitching.
Be sure to pop on over to the Raise the Bar challenge blog and play along.  You may just be the next guest designer!
Smiles,
Julie
Details - Stamps - Bountiful Harvest (Verve), PP (BoBunny), Buttons (PTI), CS (SU), Ink - Really Rust (SU), circle punch and Twine (PTI).

Togetherness + Me = Happy

I gave in to temptation.  I think it had something to do with the fact that it was the middle of the night and I could not sleep.  I was flipping thru my e-mails and saw that there was free shipping on Two Peas.  I popped over to the store and was casually looking around when I saw what I have been coveting for what must be months now...Cosmo Cricket Togetherness!  Yes, I have seen it on many of your blogs and it called out to me.  I have been trying to use up my stash though, so I told myself that I could not have it.  3 am and free shipping changed all that.

Togetherness may just be my new favorite from CC.  Or close competition for Early Bird.  There are great patterns, plus a soft aqua throughout (my favorite color), and just enough whimsy...I am so glad that I gave in!

Now on to what inspired this card.  I started out making a card for the latest guest blogger challenge on Yvonne Yam's blog Do More With Less - ribbon.  Well, I have wanted to incorporate more buttons with a ruffled ribbon, so this seemed like the perfect opportunity.  I failed to read the fine print however (or I forgot the fine print) - no stamping!!!  Yikes, that really is a challenge and I failed :>(  That does not mean that you still can't give it a try so head on over there and see what you can put together by noon on Friday Nov. 5th.
My card is also for the following challenges:

Card Patterns - sketch
Paper Players - Anything Goes
Wee Memories - Anything Goes
Have a great Friday!
Smiles,
Julie
Details:  Stamp - Many Blessings (Verve), PP - Togetherness (Cosmo Cricket), CS - Vintage Cream (PTI), Buttons - Ocean Tides (PTI), Copics, Ink - Blue Bayou & Chocolate Chip (SU), thread and embroidery floss.