Quick easy fast Gift Card holders

Fun simple gift card holders for last minute gifts.  We did this one at Christmas in July and I liked it so much I made a bunch of these and then put them on my tree as decorations!

You can make a lot of these at once by taking an 8 ½ x 11 paper, cut to 8 ½ x 10 ½ and on the short side score at 2” and 6”, now trim to 3 ½ wide. 

Or cut 8 ½ x 3 ½ and on the short side score at 2” and 6”

Fold up. Corner round the front flap (not essential but it looks nice). 

Adhere sides together with tear n tape

Decorate the front flap (first corner round it!) 3 ¼ x 1 ¾ and front pocket 3 ¼ x 2 1/4. I used Merry Patterns.

Belly band is 9 x ¾ - fold it around the holder (not too tight), then burnish your folds.

Secure the belly band in front.  Cover the join with a silver foil stitched shape.   Stamp the tree, cut it out by hand, add to silver circle with dimensions.

Happy crafting, happy holidays - MaryKate

Happy Solstice - and a Year of Cheer

Happy Solstice Day … today is the shortest day and tomorrow the days get longer! Yippee for sunshine and daylight hours. 

I made some cards with the Year of Cheer paper for my New Year’s invitations.    This is a “new meets old” as I used the retiring Cheer paper with a new set from the Occasions catalog that goes live Jan 3 2018 (so weird to write 2018!). 

I created this card set and pouch for our Big Holiday Event in September.  Here’s the post with all the dimensions and instructions (but using the Watercolor Christmas stamp set)

http://www.sipcraftcare.com/2017/10/day-2-of-12-days-of-christmas-year-of.html

I used the new Picture Perfect set which I think is mainly for birthdays but the sentiments make it so easy to use for celebrations, parties, birthdays and treat packaging.  We got this free at the OnStage event in Utah in November (2500 Stampin UP demonstrators in 1 room… yup … crazy… fun!).

Other sneak peek preview stuff… when you join our fun team January through March you get 2 free stamp sets (your pick … anything!) along with $125 of products that YOU choose for $99 and free shipping.  Zero obligation to buy or sell anything further. 

UPDATE to this post.... seems I didn't include the dimensions for the pouch oops! Here they are

Create the pouch 8 x 11 in thick Whisper White, scored on the long side at 1” and 5 3/8 from each end, and on the short side, score 1” from either end.

Trim off the center pieces that are ¼ x 1

Trim off the 4 corners completely

Notch (or miter ) all the corners – these will show so try to make the “notches” the same.

Now fold and burnish the folds really crisply.

With strong glue (white Tombow or Tear Tape) adhere the top edges down to the sides.

The front of the pouch has a Year of Cheer front layer that is 4 x 5 5/8

There are 2 layers (both punched with the triple banner punch) – one is 2 x 4 ¼ and the other is 5 x 1/2

Stamp the Oh Joy greeting.   Make a bow from the metallic ribbon.  Below the bow is about 24” of metallic thread bunched up and held with a glue dot . Add the bow on top of the thread with another glue dot.  Add the stamped greeting.

This pouch also holds regular sized cards as well.

Back to the POST ;) 

And final preview… yes Sale-A-Bration is back … for every $50 you spend you choose a free item.  There are stamp sets, dies to use with the Big Shot, designer 12x12 paper, cards/envelop sets, Memories & More card sets, ribbons… lots of great stuff to choose from.  Personally I’d hold off buying anything at this point, ask for a Gift Card and spend in January but that’s me J

Next week I’ll be playing with new stuff and will be posting my favorites from the new catalogs.  Don’t forget to sign up for classes starting again in January (see Events and Workshops tab), first class is Jan 8 at Warsaw. 

Happy Solstice everyone – here’s to more daylight and more crafting - MaryKate

The Handbag Gift Card or Post it Note holder

We did this at my Christmas in July event and it was my favorite project!  Cut out 1 piece for the handbag, score at the center and ½ on each side of center.  Make a “mountain fold” for the bottom of the bag.   For the pattern check out the tab Ideas, Projects & Free things (or if you can’t find it, just email me MaryKate@MaryKateScott.com)

Cut out 1 piece for the front of the handbag from designer paper, I used the Merry Patterns

Cut out 2 large round stitched shapes in Cherry Cobbler – fold one in half.

From the 2nd large round stitched shape (it's 2 7/8), cut out a circle with the layering circles to make an empty circle, adhere the  empty circle on the back of the large folded circle and this becomes your handle.

Cut out the smallest oval die of the stitched shapes, adhere it to the underside of the circle.  This doesn’t do anything but it looks cute J  Add a rhinestone or pearl to the front “flap”  Add the Velcro dots to close the bag.   Insert a gift card or a post in note holder.

It would look cute with a mini mirror and a lipstick  - it would be a fun bridal shower gift and could be a name card as well.  

This is a quick and easy thing to make for your tree as a decoration, a stocking stuffer or small gift.  

Happy crafting, happy holidays, MaryKate

New on Clearance!

I love Stampin Up products but I love them even MORE when they are on sale!!

New things added to clearance today Dec 18.   I think it’s fun to sort from Price High to Low (see the blue arrow)? Or you can sort by Newest … how do you sort?

Don’t forget the host code for December and you get a free goodie in early January!  The host code is 

3TAY26WF

So.. click on the cart and add your items ... so fun to see what's added... I'm going for the Foxy paper and some of the ribbons.. and maybe the Regal cardstock too!

Happy shopping - MaryKate

Lots of Happy Kit our first class of 2018

Check out the new kit.   We will be using this in our first class January 8 2018 6pm at Warsaw.  You'll make 1 of the larger cards and 1 of the smaller cards.  Check out the video for the cards and coloring tips. 

The kit includes watercolor pencils -- and in the class we will use these pencils, the blender pen AND the new Stampin Blends, the alcohol markers.

Here are the 5 cards, really pretty, very versatile.

I have a third project for you as well - that's a surprise.  

You will need to sign up for this class early as I need to order extra kits to ensure we have supplies for everyone. Right now I have 7 places.  Email me with your RSVP for class.  

Happy Stamping! MaryKate 

Memories & More – a photo book, tags and post it note holders

It’s really easy to create photo books with the Stampin Up Memories & More suite of products.  What I like is that it’s also easy to change – so it makes a great gift.  You can create a photo book and the receiver can easily change the photos, add some, write their own notes on the cards – and really make it their own.

I made this one for Charlie’s daughter.  (With permission!) I went to her Facebook page, selected photos, send them to my local drugstore (or Walmart is equally easy), printed them all for about $5

The hard part is choosing photos and doing the trimming!

I added in cards – and she can easily take them out and add her notes.  Below is Charlie with his grandson creating a construction site from Lego on his birthday!

The pages work fine either horizontal or vertical.

You buy the book and the pages. 

I selected the 6 x 8 book and the matching pages with space for 3 x 4 or 4 x 6 photos.  There are other sizes including a 12 x 12 book.

The cards are cute.  I used the Merry Little Christmas cards, they also come with stickers,  and some decorated acetate.

You can use these cards to make greeting cards. I used them for tags and to make post it note holders.

Here are the tags.  The Merry & Bright only needed a hole punched and ribbon. The Ho Ho Ho one had ¼ trimmed off each side.  And a mini bow.

The post it note holders are fast fun stocking stuffers.  Thick cards stock cut 3 ¼ x 8 ½ (you can make 3 to a page).  Score at 2 1/8 and 4  ¼. Nice crisp folds.

I used 2 of the Memories and More cards layered and these finish at 3 x 4 (you could use designer paper).   I trimmed the Fa La La card about 1/4 off each side. 

Now glue the layered card to the part of the holder that is 3 ¼ wide x 2 1/8 – see the blue arrow?  Just put glue on this part of the white cardstock (not the whole front of the holder.  

Trust me on this. 

Then glue the bottom half of the card to this part of the holder.  Open it up and adhere a post it note pad.

The card stands up with the card… or it folds flat and yes you can mail it, be sure to put a 70 cent stamp on the envelope.  You could stamp on the post it note holder. 

Lots of fun easy and I think wow things you can do with the Memories & More products.  Available in my online store, just click on the cart to the right and include the host code and you’ll get a free thank you gift at the end of the month!

Happy memory making - MaryKate

Tree decorating - finding the packaging in the tree

Decorating my tree with my paper packaging!

Here's the stockings from the Paper Pumpkin (filled with treats and a gift card for someone special!)

This LL Bean Bag is a bit squasked... I put it away last year and here it is again! Like an old friend (if you search on "Bean" you'll find the pattern and all dimensions, super quick and easy, lots of options). This year it's filled with chocolate and a gift card....  and as I said yesterday... no designer tree for us... just ornaments with memories :)

We don't do "decorator tree".. we just put up ornaments from the past 25 years and keep adding to them!  This one is new... the Stockings Framelits... and there's something for my Charlie in this one :)  he'll probably only see the plane on the left 

 The envelope punch board gets a work out this time of year and holds goodies, treats and gift cards... love these mini bows!

This one was from last year... cute "pouch" packaging.  Really easy - 6 x 6, score on 1 side about 1 1/4 from each end.  On the other side score at 2 1/2 on each side, and it folds into a soft box.  Search "pouch" for the how-to or email me MaryKate@MaryKateScott.com

I might put a few more packages on the tree... and I'll cut out a few more shapes with the Big Shot and add to my decorations... what's on your tree? 

Happy decorating, Happy Holidays, MaryKate

Tree decorations - Cookie Cutter Creatures and more

Decorating my tree with my paper crafts!

This one is the Cookie Cutter creature (and you can see our wedding picture ornament from 7 years ago, just to the right!. 

We don't do "decorator tree".. we just put up ornaments from the past 25 years and keep adding to them!

Here's a few more..you know I love coffee... so I put this Coffee Cafe cup on the tree (and I have a Starbucks ornament my sister gave me from about 15 years ago!)

This was a tag from last year... I save all my decorations.. it's like finding old "friends" when it's tree trimming time!

Another tag (that was a fun project kit)... we have a lot of planes and boats on our tree!

Here's a few more Cookie Cutter Creatures - another wedding photo ornament on the right!

I love this Eskimo Cookie Cutter Creature.. and the Gingerbread... I just stamped and punched them out (dimensions in the middle).

I'm feeling inspired, I think I'm going to cut out some snowflakes and maybe the Adirondack chair from Seasonal Colors and add them to the tree... 

Tomorrow I'll post a few more photos of my tree, I also add a lot of mini packages to the tree and on Christmas morning, I "make" people find these packages (not the giant shower cap box.. see the post from last week on that!!)

happy crafting, happy holidays -MaryKate

More wine tags, more wine gifts!

Super easy wine tag.   I created this for our team weekly challenge (this week was colors).

We get either a color or a sketch challenge, and there's a free stamp set for the (randomly chosen) winner!

This week: tranquil tide, real red, sahara sand and very vanilla.

I felt lucky that the boxwood wreath was reallllly close to Tranquil Tide :)



This is easy to make. The tag is 2 1/2" wide, the circle is 1 3/4" wide. There is new ribbon in the 2018 catalog... Organza 1/4" wide, and what's so fun is that it's very very easy to color with either markers or blends.  So you can make it match to anything!!

So you can see I used about 8" and the Sahara Sand marker to give it color, stapled to the tag, and added the wreath.

Here's a close up all finished on a yummy bottle of Justin :)

My team mates made some really pretty things... remember it's color so you can make a box, tag, card, anything! Here's Greta Leonard's cute stocking


and here's Michelle Haney's Santa Sleigh card with the 3D texture on the background.  

This is a great color combination!
Happy Stamping! MaryKate

Hold on to your shopping lists... Dec 11 all day is FREE shipping!!

Just in... latest news...

So ... free shipping all day December 11, just in time for some last minute gift shopping.  Don't forget the host code 3TAY26WF (it's always on the right).. tomorrow I ship out the free goodies for November and it's Glitter Dots and more!!

Lots of "chat" within my team, what makes for a great gift (other than a gift card!)... here are the ideas

Stampin' Blends - the new alcohol markers - 2 Old Olive 2 Razzleberry (each dark and light) and a color lifter, a fun way to try out these new coloring tools.  These colors are perfect for flowers, balloons, leaves, patterns.

Blocks - we all need extra blocks and these seem to go last on our crafting lists.

Watercolor pencils and a 3 pack blender pen - one of the MOST popular items from the catalog.

A Big Shot - a splurge gift - a must have!

Project Kits - everything you need in 1 kit.

What would you like to receive (what shall I be recommending when people call and ask me to choose a gift?!)

Happy Shopping - MaryKate

More on the Paper Pumpkin coming to you mid December

As promised Friday.. here's the next photo from the inspiration board for this upcoming Paper Pumpkin.

It's a fun box of crafting goodness.... usually a mix of cards and packaging.  Comes with everything you need... a stamp set, ink, embellishments to match and a block.  Easy and fun!

You need to be a subscriber by Dec 10 (midnight)... $20 a month, no need to subscribe you can purchase just a single month.    You click on the shopping cart on the right and enter "paper pumpkin" and you'll find all the options.  Questions... MaryKate@MaryKateScott.com

I think this would make a fun holiday gift - what do you think??

Happy stamping MaryKate