Stamp With LisaT

Photography Tips for Halloween

Halloween offers lots of opportunities for photographs, which, in turn, offers lots of opportunities for scrapbooking! Make sure you get the best Halloween shots by following some of these simple tips from PhotoJojo.com. Remember, there's no do-over for this fun night!

Lighting

Halloween is a particularly difficult holiday to shoot because most of the action occurs after dark, when low-light conditions make it difficult for your camera to get a sharp shot. You’ll get your best Halloween photos at dusk. For that hour or so while the sun is setting, you’ll have enough natural light to easily forgo your flash while still capturing the glow of your jack-o-lanterns and the bright colors of your costumes.

After dusk, use a high ISO setting (400 or more) and hold your camera as steady as you can (or use a tripod) to capture action without a flash. The rich, dark colors characteristic of Halloween are essential in setting a spooky mood, so make sure your flash doesn’t overpower them. Remember, Halloween’s not a bright holiday; and dark and creepy shots can work in your favor.

Brighten your pumpkins’ glow

Sure, you can stick a dozen candles in that puppy, but unless you want to risk a smoking jack-o-lantern, try adding a flashlight instead. Keep an eye on your angle so your camera can’t see the flashlight or its beam of light directly. (If you do opt for more candles, cut a hole in the upper, back part of the pumpkin–it’ll act as a chimney and allow your candles’ heat to escape.)

Quick tip: If you still can’t get the inner glow bright enough and you’re shooting indoors, try lowering or turning off your room lights to compensate.

For more great Halloween photography tips, check out the full article at PhotoJojo.com.

Have a safe and fun-filled Halloween!

Halloween Trees & Ornaments

One of the reasons I haven't posted too many new projects lately is because I've been working feverishly on some Halloween gift items. I decided to create a Halloween tree with handmade ornaments. In typical LisaT fashion, I got carried away and decided to make one for my mom, one for my brother's family, one for my daughter's teacher - but whoops - my little guy just started preschool, so there's another teacher!

I have to say that it was great fun to make these ornaments the first time! Making them for 5 trees got a little tedious! I'm not really into repetition or mass-producing; I'm always looking for the greener project/pasture.

Anyway, here's a sampling of the trees I decorated - there's a huge variety out there, and I tried a couple of different types:

And here's a better view of the tree I'm keeping for myself (sorry the picture's a little blurry - my son kept trying to squeeze in the picture to 'pose' with the tree - he kept sending the ornaments a-rockin'!):

And here's a closer view of some of the ornaments
 

A couple of quick notes on the ornaments shown above:

The medallion ornament was made following my Accordion Flower tutorial. The paper is just larger - I started with a 1.5x12" strip and scored it every 1/2 inch.

If you like the look of the spiral ornament above, it's pretty simple. Punch a large circle (I used the 1 3/4" circle punch). Using scissors, start cutting a spiral shape - just go round and round. Here's the trick: when using double-sided paper, choose the side that you'd like to be on the 'top'. If you're left-handed, cut with that side facing down. If you're right-handed, cut with that side facing up. Trust me!

The 'banner edges' of the greeting ornament was made by inserting each end of my sentiment strip into the corner of the Photo Corner Punch - no more messy scissor snips trying to do this by hand!

If you noticed the dimensional pumpkins, they were created using one of the two pumpkin tutorials I included in my October newsletter. If you're not currently receiving my free monthly newsletter and would like to, sign up using the box below. As an added benefit, you'll receive the remaining nine weeks of my Twelve Weeks of Christmas - easy card, gift and wrapping projects to simplify & beautify your holidays! *If you'd like the October newsletter with the pumpkin tutorials, please shoot me a quick email after signing up, and I'd be happy to get a copy off to you!

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Recipe: (all supplies Stampin' Up!; images copyright Stampin' Up! 1990-2009):
Paper: Basic Black, Whisper White, Pumpkin Pie, Basic Gray, Kiwi Kiss & Ghostly Greetings (using up my retired stash!)
Ink: Basic Black, Basic Gray, Pumpkin Pie marker
Stamps: Batty for You, Pumpkin Patch, Teeny Tiny Wishes, Eat Drink & Be Scary
Accessories: Big Shot, Lots of Labels Sizzlits, Birds & Blooms Sizzlit, Scalloped Circle, 1 3/8", 1 1/4" & 1" Circle Punches, Photo Corner Punch, Silver Elastic Cord, Basic Black 1/4" Grosgrain Ribbon, 1/16" handheld punch
 
 

Covering Up a Mistake

Let's face it: we all make mistakes. Only with our paper crafting, mind you, but we do it! The best thing is that it's usually easy to fix, and there's no need to toss things out. There are two golden rules to follow:

1. Turn it over. Yup - card stock has two sides. Turn it over & stamp again. If that doesn't work, proceed to #2.
2. Cover it up! We really don't need an excuse to embellish, but this is a good one!

Here's an example: I was making a medallion ornament for my Halloween tree (which I'll be sharing soon!). See my Accordion Flower tutorial for instructions on how to make these medallion ornaments (same concept as the flowers - just larger!). See the 'smushed' part? I purposely put it at the top so that I could . . . .

add a bow & cover it up! No more mistake!

Hope you enjoy today's helpful hint!

Recipe: (all supplies Stampin' Up!; images copyright Stampin' Up! 1990-2009):
Paper: Basic Gray, Kiwi Kiss, Whisper White, Ghostly Greetings DSP (yes, I'm using up my stash from last year!)
Ink: Basic Black & Pumpkin Pie markers
Stamps: Batty for You
Accessories: Scalloped Circle Punch, 1 3/8" & 1 1/4" Circle Punches, 1/4" Black Grosgrain ribbon

Masculine Card with a Mosaic Tutorial

I'm back from vacation and dusting off the craft table! Actually, I haven't created anything in close to a month, between family demands, vacation prep & being away. I'm feeling a little withdrawal, but there's nothing like a crafting challenge to make you jump right back in! I've been enjoying the EtsyInspired challenges lately, so thought I'd start there.

If you're not familiar with these challenges, Ashley selects an Etsy store each week. (Etsy is an online forum for crafters of all types to sell their handmade creations.) You browse the store, select a piece that interests you and get busy creating something based on your 'inspiration piece'. Then, to participate, post a link to your creation on Ashley's blog Heart Hugs Designs. It's that simple & so much fun!

This week's challenge, EIC51, features the Etsy store Red Crow Arts, which contains all types of interesting pottery - dishes, pendants, beads, buttons, etc. Here's a wonderful miniature chest of drawers that inspired me:

I chose this piece for two reasons: 1) love the earthy, jewel-tone colors and 2) I've been thinking about mosaics in my papercrafting lately. The Stampin' Success Magazine that demonstrators receive monthly featured a different type of mosaic technique. This reminded me of mosaics I used to create with cut-out Sizzix shapes. I even found an old sample from years ago that I might share at the end of this post (don't ask me why I still have (mostly ugly) cards that I created years ago - I feel a purge coming on!).

Anyway, here is the card I created. I created a mosaic background using the Top Note die. The focal image was created using the Baby Wipe technique - I folded up a baby wipe, squeezed a few drops of different color inks onto it, and used that as a stamp pad for the pheasant from the new Autumn Days stamp set. I love the multi-colored stamped image that I ended up with!

Here's a quick how-to on the mosaic:

Prepare your shape. In this case, I cut 5 Top Note shapes - one in Burgundy for the background, and one in each of the 4 colors I selected based on my inspiration piece. (I trimmed around the perforation on each of these 4.)

Cut random pieces from your shape. Be sure to cut through all layers at the same time. (Since the Top Note shape is pretty large, I cut a few pieces at a time, and kept them carefully together.) Sorry this picture's blurry - but it conveys the idea:

Carefully lay out the pieces on your background shape. Kind of like a big puzzle, right? (Hint: be careful to keep the pieces that you're NOT using in order - you can use them to create additional mosaics!)

Using paper snips, trim away little strips on all of your inside edges. This will create the 'gutter' or 'seam' between the pieces of your mosaic. Attach the trimmed pieces to your background, and you're done!

This mosaic technique works well for background elements or focal images that you can use on your cards or scrapbook pages. My challenge card features a mosaic background image. Here's a card I created years ago that has a mosaic focal image. It predates my acquaintance with Stampin' Up! - see the blurry stamped image (on poor quality white card stock) and the colored card stock that buckled with the adhesive I used? Sheesh - live & learn!

 

Recipe: (all supplies Stampin' Up!; images copyright Stampin' Up! 1990-2009):
Paper: Always Artichoke, Bravo Burgundy, Brocade Blue, Kraft, Very Vanilla
Ink:  Always Artichoke, Bravo Burgundy, Brocade Blue, Soft Suede
Stamps: Autumn Days
Accessories: Big Shot, Top Note Die, Always Artichoke 1/4" Grosgrain Ribbon, dimensionals, baby wipe

Tutorial: Card Boxes (& how to adjust to other sizes)

A while ago I posted some gift-boxed cards I had made, with a promise to write a tutorial on how to make boxes for standard A2 sized cards (4 1/4" x 5 1/2") as well as pointers on how to adapt the box to fit anything.

I'll start with the dimensions for the A2 box. Below that, you'll find pointers on making your own box of any size. Be sure to see my finished project towards the end of this post!

This box is intended to have a clear acetate/transparency lid so that the contents can be seen. If you don't have anything like this to use, no worries - simply substitute a piece of card stock and cut and score accordingly. If you're using card stock, you'll want to embellish the lid, probably in a manner similar to your cards (do any embellishing/adhering before folding the flaps in and adhering them to form your lid).

You will need:
card stock cut to 8 3/8" x 9 3/4"
transparency/acetate cut to 6 1/4" x 7 5/8"
paper trimmer with scoring blade
bone folder
sticky strip (or other strong adhesive)
glue dots

You'll also need this .pdf template file with cutting & scoring dimensions.

Box Bottom

Start with the 8 3/8" x 9 3/4" piece of card stock. Score at 7/8" and 1 7/8" on all four sides (Note: those fractions look funny when I preview this post. To be very clear, it reads "Score at seven-eighths and one and seven-eighths on all four sides").

Sharpen all creases with a bone folder. Hint: When making boxes or 3-D projects of any kind this step is really very important. It's the only way you'll get nice, crisp edges.

Remove the corner pieces as indicated in the pattern. Here's a quick shot (it's slightly blurry - sorry about that!):

Cut along the score lines where indicated with red on the pattern. Flip the card stock over and apply small pieces of sticky strip or glue dots on the reverse side of the little flaps that you just cut (you're looking at the bottom of the box):

Turn your card stock back over and apply sticky strip as pictured below. You're now looking at the inside of the box. Hint: If you wanted to stamp the bottom of your box with a "hand stamped by" stamp, now's the time, while it's still flat!

 

Remove the liner from the sticky strip on the little flaps. Fold them in and adhere them to the inside of the long sides of the box as shown:

Remove the liner from the sticky strip on the long sides of the boxes. Carefully fold them in and press firmly to adhere. Hint: I set the box on its side and used the tip of the bone folder to firmly rub the flap - this ensures a 'good stick'. Now your little flaps from the previous step should be covered, for a nice clean look.

Repeat the step above for the two short ends of the box. Your box bottom is now complete.

Box Top

• Cut a 6 1/4" x 7 5/8" piece of acetate or transparency.

• Score at 7/8" on all four sides. Carefully sharpen the creases with a bone folder.

• Cut along the score lines where indicated on the pattern.

• Turn your lid so that the top of the lid is facing up. Place adhesive (if working with a transparency or acetate, your adhesive must be clear: a small piece of sticky strip or a glue dot) on the small flaps that you just cut in the previous step. Sorry - no photo here - it's too hard to photograph clear adhesive on a clear lid!

• Turn the lid top-side down. Adhere the little flaps to the inside of the long sides of the lid. Your lid is complete!

Now place your cards and envelopes into the box. If desired, place a ribbon around the box to hold it closed.

Here's a shot of one of the cards:

This card was CASEd from page 81 of the previous Stampin' Up! catalog - the Spring/Summer 2009 Idea Book & Catalog. I kept the same layout, but changed up the papers and colors. I used the versatile Friends 24/7 Stamp Set (#113218). The Rose Red patterned paper is from the brand new Thoroughly Modern Designer Series Paper Pack (#115673). The bird and sentiment are popped up on dimensionals - here's a closer look:

Still with me? Here are instructions you can use to determine the dimensions for a box of any size:

Measure what you want to enclose in a box: width, length and height. If you will be boxing cards and envelopes, make sure that you are measuring the width and length of the envelopes, as they are slightly larger than the cards! And yes, I'm speaking from experience here!

Using the example of my box above, here's how to determine the size and score lines of the box bottom:

My envelopes measure 4 3/8" x 5 3/4".

1. Add 1/4" in both directions for a nice comfortable fit. The size of the actual bottom of my box is 4 5/8" x 6".

2. My box needed to be 1" tall. Subtract 1/8" from that to determine the width of my fold-down layer - that's 7/8". Remember the two score lines on the box bottom? The first score line is to fold down, the second score line is for the actual side (height) of the box. The layer that folds down needs to be slightly smaller than the side of the box.

3. Add the fold-down layer to the desired height. That's 1" + 7/8" added to BOTH sides of the length and BOTH sides of the width. Sketch it out - it helps!

4. For the length, add 5 3/4 + 1 7/8 + 1 7/8. Converting your fractions, that's 5 6/8 + 1 7/8 + 1 7/8.

5. For the width, add 4 3/8 + 1 7/8 + 1 7/8.

6. This will give you the size that you cut your card stock to. The height and fold-down layer numbers determined in step #2 above give you your scoring measurements. Score the fold-down layer first (7/8"), then the actual side of the box (7/8" + 1"). Score at these measurements on all four sides.

7. Cut the corners away and snip along the score line as in the pattern provided above. Assemble & adhere as above.

Using the example of my box above, here's how to determine the size and score lines of the box top:

1. Start with the dimensions of your box bottom. Again, using my example above, my box bottom (assembled) measures 4 5/8" x 6".

2. The lid should be slightly smaller than the bottom for a nice fit. Subtract 1/8" from both the length and width. The top of my box should measure 4 4/8" x 5 7/8".

3. The sides of your lid should be slightly less than the height of your box. My box is 1" high. Subtract 1/8" inch - the sides of my lid need to be 7/8".

4. Add the side measurement two times to both the length and width of the lid: For the length, add 5 7/8" + 7/8" + 7/8". To determine the width, it's 4 4/8" + 7/8" + 7/8". This will give you the size (length and width) of the acetate or card stock that you're using for the lid.

5. Score in at the measurement of the sides of your box lid - here, 7/8". Score on all four sides. Sharpen score lines and snip along score lines where indicated on the pattern. Assemble as above.

That's it! Not so difficult, just a little tedious with the measuring and arithmetic. I highly recommend sketching out your box and lid (with measurements). I also suggest you try out your box on a piece of scrap/copier/printer paper first. Try fitting your contents into the test box. Do the same with the lid and make sure that the lid fits easily into the box bottom. Have fun, and happy crafting!

Accordion Flower Lion

If you missed my post yesterday, I created a card with a couple of Accordion Flowers. Be sure to click through to catch all of the details. I liked these flowers so much and was wondering what else they might be used for. Well, my daughter recently finished up a week of zoo camp at our local Turtle Back Zoo, and I wanted a card to thank her counselor.

There's no lion at Turtle Back Zoo, but I realized that the Accordion Flower would make a great mane! So I pulled out my recently retired Wild About You stamp set and stamped the lion two times in the new Crushed Curry ink. One lion became the main image on my card, and I cut out just the head from the second image. I created an Accordion Flower as per yesterday's post, using the Razzleberry Lemonade (#115675) paper. I attached that to the lion's body where the mane would be, and adhered the head to the mane. 

For the sentiment, I used the new Teeny Tiny Wishes (#115370) AGAIN! This stamp set is never gonna make it to the storage shelf - I think it's earned a permanent spot on my table - right between my paper trimmer and Big Shot!

 Here's a close-up of the lion:

 And a peek inside the card:

For my sketch, I turned to a recent one on Splitcoaststampers: SC233. I wanted to emboss the main Crushed Curry panel, but Silicone Rubber pad for my Big Shot suffered a mishap at a recent class (it's now a lovely Top Note shape, but I'm sure there's something cool I can do with it!), so I pulled out the Cuttlebug folder Spots and Dots. It complements the dots on the Razzleberry Lemonade paper nicely. You do know, don't you, that you can use Cuttlebug embossing folders and dies (as well as dies from other companies) in your Big Shot?

Two lessons here:

1. if there's a technique or embellishment that you like, think outside the box and try to find a new and different way to use it, and

2. if there's a stamp set you really like, make sure you get it  before it retires! I'm keeping my Wild About You, so I can't help you there - sorry!

If you like the ideas you're finding here on my blog, why not sign up for my free monthly e-newsletter? Each month, my subscribers receive exclusive tutorials, tips & hints. There are members-only contests, too! Join us by entering your email address in the box below and clicking GO!

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Recipe: (all supplies Stampin' Up!; images copyright Stampin' Up! 1990-2009)
Paper: Dusty Durango, Crushed Curry, Rich Razzleberry, Razzleberry Lemonade, Whisper White
Ink: Crushed Curry, Rich Razzleberry
Stamps: Teeny Tiny Wishes, Wild About You
Accessories: Big Shot, Cuttlebug Spots and Dots, Word Window Punch, Modern Label Punch

Accordion Flower Card

I made this card that features the new paper Razzleberry Lemonade (#115675). I love how I was able to use so much of this paper on one card. I wrote a technique to make this folded paper flower for my July e-newsletter. If you'd like the tutorial, sign up for my newsletter below and I'd be happy to send it your way!

I used the new Teeny Tiny Wishes (#115370) stamp set for the sentiment. I can see that this will be my go-to stamp set - I've used it so much already. If you are just starting to build your collection of stamps, this is a must-have! It's suitable for just about any occasion you can name, as it contains 24 phrases! I love how its sentiments fit perfectly in the Word Window Punch (#105090), then layers on the new Modern Label Punch (#116630)!

Teeny Tiny Wishes (#115370)

To order any of these products, visit my Stampin' Up! website, click Shop Now in the upper right corner and enter the item numbers provided above. Don't forget about this week's Deal of the Week - the Sizzix Big Shot Doctor's Bag for just $49.99!

My monthly e-newsletter contains tutorials that you won't find here on my blog. Each month, my subscribers receive exclusive tutorials, tips & hints. There are member-only contests, too! Join us by entering your email address in the box below and clicking GO!

!

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Recipe: (all supplies Stampin' Up!; images copyright Stampin' Up! 1990-2009)
Paper: Old Olive, Rich Razzleberry, Razzleberry Lemonade
Ink: Rich Razzleberry
Stamps: Teeny Tiny Wishes
Accessories: 1/2" & 3/4" Circle Punches, 1/4" Grosgrain Ribbon, Word Window Punch, Modern Label Punch

Lots of Bots Stampin' Up! Sneak Peek

My daughter just finished up a week long science camp in Robotics. Fun start to the summer - interesting activity in the morning, with the rest of the day free. I was happy that my Lots of Bots set arrived in time to make thank you cards for the two instructors! Best of all, I got this set for free as an incentive set! Gotta love Stampin' Up! I also used new In Colors and new Razzleberry Lemonade Designer Series paper. All of these fun products will be available July 1.

 

This card uses Bermuda Bay and Melon Mambo - a great, happy color combination. I stamped the small robot image 3 times and colored parts of it with the fine tip of my new In Color markers (LOVE them!). I mounted the matted images on black card stock that I had punched with the Spiral Punch for a filmstrip effect. Hint: stamping small images multiple times & lining them up on your card front is a great way to keep them from getting 'lost'.

( 

This card uses the new In Color Rich Razzleberry, Orchid Opulence & Old Olive - get used to this color combo - you'll be seeing it more often (wink, wink)! The patterned paper is from the Razzleberry Lemonade pack, and the large scalloped circle was cut from my Big Shot using the Scalloped Circle #2 die. I use my Big Shot almost every day - it's definitely one of my best crafting purchases. Has a Big Shot been on your wish list for a while? I've got a deal that you can't pass up (click here for more info), but hurry - it's only good until June 30!

I stamped the image with Stazon on watercolor paper and watercolored it with markers & an Aqua Painter. Have you tried that technique? It's fun, and much easier than you'd think.  Color a little bit with a marker just where you want the image to be a bit darker - I used the right side of the image, as if the light were coming from the left. Use an Aqua Painter or a slightly wet paintbrush and simply pull the color away into the open area. Be sure to let the image dry before adding a different color to an adjacent area. After everything was dry, I went back with the fine tip of markers to outline his eyes and color the star & handle on the bag.

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Recipes: (all supplies Stampin' Up!; images copyright Stampin' Up! 1990-2009):
Filmstrip Card
Paper: Bermuda Bay, Mambo Melon, Basic Black, Whisper White
Ink: Basic Black pad, Bermuda Bay & Mambo Melon markers
Stamps: Lots of Bots, Short & Sweet
Accessories: Spiral Punch, Melon Mambo Polka Dot ribbon, Large Oval & Scalloped Oval Punch
Scallop Card
Paper: Rich Razzleberry, Old Olive, Orchid Opulence, Razzleberry Lemonade, watercolor paper
Ink: Jet Black Stazon, Rich Razzleberry; markers: Going Gray, Orchid Opulence, Rich Razzleberry
Stamps: Lots of Bots, Thank you Kindly
Accessories: Big Shot, Scallop Circle #2, Large Oval & Scalloped Oval Punch, Rich Razzleberry Polka Dot ribbon, slot punch

Birthday Cards & New In Colors

My daughter has a birthday party to go to today for two sisters. I sat down with Party Hearty and got busy playing. This set has a couple of stamps that can be used as main images on your cards, and I love the little round ones that can be punched out and popped up on dimensionals. The little row of party hats is great, and would make a great border on a birthday scrapbook page as well!

Here's the first card I made with Ballet Blue and Apricot Appeal, with a touch of Brilliant Blue on the scalloped border accent:

Here's the second card I made with the new In Colors, Bermuda Breeze & Melon Mambo. Crushed Curry was used on the border.  I love that the In Colors are available in markers this year! I used markers on the row of party hats, to alternate the colors. Have you used markers on your stamps before? Continue reading below the picture for a quick tutorial!

If you want just one color on your stamped image - simple - just ink up your stamp on an ink pad and apply to paper. To get more than one color, use the brush end of your markers to color directly on the rubber of your stamp. Breathe on the stamp (as if you're getting ready to clean a pair of glasses) to remoisten the ink, and apply to paper! Tip: I find this technique works best on the second inking, so you may want to follow the directions above, stamp on scrap paper, then marker up the stamp a second time and apply to your card stock.

I used the Stamp-a-Ma-Jig to place one more hat on the end of the row, so they went all the way acroos

Here's a peek at the inside of the card:

 

Party Hearty is a great, versatile set. It works for children & adults, masculine or feminine - it's a simple as switching up your color scheme. The multiple images included make it easy to change up the look of your cards. It's also a great set for scrapbookers - think of all of those party pages! To order your set today, follow these simple steps:

• visit my Stampin' Up! website

• click Shop Now in the upper right corner
• enter item number 111532

Recipe: (all supplies Stampin' Up!; images copyright Stampin' Up! 1990-2009):
Paper: Ballet Blue, Apricot Appeal, Brilliant Blue, Bermuda Bay, Melon Mambo, Crushed Curry, Whisper White
Ink: Ballet Blue, Apricot Appeal, Bermuda Bay, Melon Mambo
Stamps: Party Hearty, Birthday Wishes
Accessories: Whisper White 1/4" grosgrain, Bermuda Bay polka-dot ribbon, dimensionals, 1/2" circle punch, Stamp-A-Ma-Jig, scalloped border punch

Gift Card Tutorial with Stampin' Up! Sneak Peek

'Tis the season for Gift Card Holders! Here's a tutorial for a very simple, yet pretty gift card holder. If you're a papercrafter, you probably have all of the necessary supplies. I'll even include a sneak peek of the new Teeny Tiny Wishes stamp set and the Modern Label punch, both of which you'll be able to order from the new catalog on July 1!

Here's my finished Gift Card Holder. Be sure to scroll down for the tutorial!

Supplies:
card stock 8 1/2 x 3 1/2" (you can get 3 holders from 1 piece of card stock!)
card stock 4 x 3 1/4"
coordinating patterned paper 3 3/4 x 3" (for the front)
coordinating patterned paper 4 x 3 1/4" (for the inside)
ribbon 14-16 inches
card stock scraps for punches
Slit punch or small circle punch for 'notch' on inside

Instructions:

Score the large piece of cardstock at 4 1/4" & sharpen the crease with a bone folder.

Adhere the ribbon to the outside of the folded piece of cardstock using SNAIL or the adhesive of your choice. Center the ribbon horizontally.

Adhere the 3 3/4 x 3" patterned paper to the 4 x 3 1/4" piece of card stock. Adhere this panel to the front of the gift card holder. Embellish as desired with stamped images, punches, die cuts, etc.

Using the Slit Punch (or part of a small circle punch), punch a notch in one of the short ends of the  4 x 3 1/4" piece of patterned paper. This will allow the gift card (or cash) to be seen and pulled out. Apply sticky strip to the BACK of this paper, on all sides except where the notch is. Place the sticky strip close to the outside edges of the paper.

 

Remove the liner from the sticky strip, and place it on the right-side panel on the inside of the gift card holder. The notch should be facing towards the right (the open side). Embellish as desired. As I used dark patterned paper, I opted for a simple Wide Oval Punch'ed shape for a short greeting.

 

 

Have fun making your own Gift Card Holders!

 

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Recipe: (all supplies Stampin' Up!; images copyright Stampin' Up! 1990-2009)
Paper: Not Quite Navy, Kiwi Kiss Very Vanilla, Baja Breeze, Urban Oasis
Ink: Not Quite Navy
Stamps: Fifth Avenue Floral, Teeny Tiny Wishes
Accessories: Wh White Tafetta Ribbon, Modern Label Punch, Word Window Punch, Wide Oval Punch, Sticky Strip, dimensionals