Make Your Own Shaker Tags and Winner!

It is almost 4:30 pm and the sun is setting in Minnesota.  I miss you sun!  I guess this is the sign that winter is here.  Good thing we have the holidays to distract us! 

Today I used my new Sizzix Eclips and eCal software to make some fun shaker tags.  I have included a tutorial below in case you want to make some of these too!  Also, see the bottom of this post for the winner of my giveaway of the new Holly Jolly Christmas SVG collection by The Digi Bistro and the 12 Days of Christmas paper kit by My Mind's Eye!

To make the shaker part of the tags, you will need:

• Lightweight chipboard
• Window sheets or transparency paper
• Cardstock
• Glue (I prefer Scotch Quick-Dry Adhesive)
• Confetti/Punches/Glitter - Whatever you want to put inside the shaker.  I used Iridescent Glitter by Martha Stewart Crafts

Determine what shape you want to use for the shaker.  If you have SCAL or MTC, make a copy of the shape and make it a shadow of the original shape.  Then place the original shape within the shadow and group them together.  Once grouped, make 3 copies of the shape with the shadow and cut them out on the lightweight chipboard using your die-cutting machine like shown in the picture below.

Remove the shapes from the mat.  Then glue them together - one on top of the other until it looks like this.



Cut out this shape one more time with the cardstock you want to put on top of the assembled shaker.

Then, in your cutting software, remove the original shape (the inside shape) and cut out the remaining shape (the shadow) in cardstock for the back of the shaker and in the windowed sheet/transparency paper for the top of the shaker.  You should now have all of the shapes show below. 

Now glue the shadow shape to the back of the layered chipboard shape. 

Then, fill the shape generously with confetti/punches/glitter.  Once filled, glue the windowed shape to the top of the layered chipboard. 

The final step is to glue the cardstock shape to the very top (this covers the glue that shows through the windowed shape).  Your shaker is done!

And here are the final tags embellished with the assembled shakers:

The pine trees SVG is from the Peppermint Holiday Cut Its collection by Lettering Delights and the tag SVG is from the Little Ho-ho-ho-ligans Accents Cut Its collection by Lettering Delights.  Both of these SVG collections are only $2 until 11/29/12!  The paper, letter stickers, pink sprinkler (to color the doily die-cut), and pipe streamers are by October Afternoon.

Other materials used:
Doily die by Papertrey Ink
Star and circle nesting dies by Sizzix
Merry Christmas Script embossing folder by Sizzix
Scalloped border punch by Stampin Up
Glitter paper in white by DCWV
Felt

I am entering this project into the following challenges:
Paper Issues - Any Holiday Project
My Sheri Crafts - Tis The Season
Hiding in My Craft Room - Christmas

Now for the giveaway winner!  Congratulations #21 which is .........................................................

Amy E!  Congrats Amy E!  Please send your full name and address to

cheryl.evans @ thedigibistro dot com and mention you won The Paper Retreat giveaway.

That's it from me today - hope you stop by again soon!  Also, if you make a shaker using my tutorial, please remember to link your blog post to the tutorial on my blog.  Thanks so much!

Mel

Sales & More Sales! $150 for a Sizzix Eclips!

Happy Black Friday everyone!  I hope everyone had a fabulous Thanksgiving!  Now it is time to shop!  I certainly have made some purchases today - the deals are too good to pass up!

Below are some sales that I think you will like!!!!

I have been wanting a Sizzix Eclips for awhile now.  With a Sizzix Eclips, you have the opportunity to cut SVGs without being completely tied to cartridges which can be very, very expensive.  I have found that SVGs are just at cute as the cartridge designs (if not cuter), and they are way more affordable!  I purchased the Sizzix Eclips Starter Kit today for $150 at Archivers!!!!  The regular price is $299 and it is 50% off!  I haven't found a better deal online for this.  So get yours while you still can and hurry!  I am not sure when this sale ends.  The Archivers I went to in Apple Valley, Minnesota, still had a couple in stock.

 

Here is a picture of my first view at my brand new Sizzix Eclips!  I am SO EXCITED!!!!!

 

 

eCal Software:

In order to cut SVGs using the Sizzix Eclips, you will need to purchase the eCal software (SCAL software for the Eclips) separately.  This software is on sale on the CraftEdge site - regular price is $79.95, you can get it for $50.99 with the coupon code: 9298904!!!!!  I just ordered mine!  I will be downloading the software to my computer shortly.  I am hoping to play with it tonight!

 

Now, who wants to stock up on SVGs and Fonts for cheap?  The following SVG stores are having Black Friday sales!  These are AWESOME sales and some are offering freebies too!

 

Lettering Delights:  All Cut Its (aka SVGs) only $2!!!!  Plus 40% off a $20 Purchase - Coupon Code: HoDown.  Ends 11/29/12.

 

 

ScrapNFonts:  All Fonts $1!!!!!  Plus 40% off a $20 Purchase - Coupon Code: FeedMe

 

 

MyScrapChick:  70% off a $30 Purchase!  Plus you get the below freebies, if you take advantage of this sale!  Ends 11/26/12.

 

Lori Whitlock:  30% off a $15 Purchase - Coupon Code: HOLIDAY30.  Ends 11/27/12.  Lori has 3 free cutting files on her blog until 11/24/12 - Hurry and grab them while you can!

 

 

**If you know of other SVG sales that I haven't mentioned, please let me know.  I will update this post to reflect them!  Thanks!**

 

And one more sale that I couldn't pass up!

 

My Thoughts Exactly Stamps - Entire store is 40%!!!!  I just stocked up!  I had won two $10 gift cards to the MTE store, and what a perfect time to use them!

 

Happy shopping.......or resting if you were out late last night/early morning shopping!  :) 

 

Also, if you missed my post from earlier this week, I am giving away the newest SVG collection by The Digi Bistro, Holly Jolly Christmas, and a 12 Days of Christmas Paper Pack by My Mind's Eye.  Sponsored by The Digi Bistro and My Mind's Eye.  To enter the giveaway, click HERE!  Giveaway ends 11/24/12 at Midnight CST.

 

Mel

An Elf's Handbook and A Giveaway!!!!

I recently got to play with the new Holly Jolly Christmas SVG collection at The Digi Bistro and here is what I made with it - a handbook for an elf!  All elves must have a handbook to make all of those toys and cookies, right?  ;)  Check the bottom of this post to see how you can enter to win this SVG collection right here on my blog!

When I saw the elves in this SVG collection, I instantly knew I needed to make them - aren't they sooooooooo cute!!!  I used the tree and the wrapped gifts from this collection too.

To make the handbook, I first found a book in my pile of stuff for a future garage sale (new use for something old!).  Then I made a book cover using a brown grocery bag - this took me back to my school days when I covered all of my books this way!  :)

I created the title for the handbook using Sure Cuts A Lot (SCAL) and fonts from Lettering Delights.  The fonts I used are LD Woodland and Lollihop.  Also, I used SCAL to create the background of the front cover and to design the cover!  I have a tutorial on how to use SCAL to design a layout here.  Designing in SCAL helps me visualize a project before using my materials and it usually saves me from cutting SVGs in a size that is less than ideal for my project.

The paper and accessories I used are by October Afternoon.  I purchased these goodies at the October Afternoon Warehouse Sale a couple weeks ago!  I just love the vintage/retro feel to October Afternoon's products and they worked perfectly for this handbook!  The patterned papers, trims, and tin pins come from the Holiday Style and Cakewalk collections.  I also used "Playtime" Sticky Keys Stickers and a button from the Sasparilla collection.

Other materials used:
Cardstock and Rhinestones by Recollections (Michael's brand)
Stampin' Up Embossing Folder - Elegant Lines
Stampin' Up Punch and Stamp Set - Tiny Tags (to embellish the gifts)
Scalloped Frame Die by Spellbinders
Rustic Jute Twine by Papertrey Ink
Stampin' Up Scalloped Circle Punch and 1 3/8" Circle Punch
Ranger Distress Ink in Tye Dye
Ballerina Pink chalk ink by Inkadinkado (to give the elve's rosy cheeks)

Here are some close-ups of my handbook!  Hoping you fall in love with it and make one of your own!

I added a little something to the back cover of the book too......to make it official.  :)

The Holly Jolly Christmas SVG collection is being released in The Digi Bistro store today and lucky for you, I am giving away one of these collections right here on my blog, courtesy of Cher at The Digi Bistro, along with a 12 Days of Christmas paper kit by My Mind's Eye, courtesy of My Mind's Eye!!!!!  Awesome right!!!!! 

  

All you have to do to enter this giveaway is:

Follow my blog and leave me a comment on this post.  Giveaway ends Saturday, November 24th at Midnight!

If you love the new set, make sure to let Cher know by visiting the new The Digi Bistro blog too (this is not required for the giveaway, just a nice gesture if you like the set).

I am linking up this project in the following challenges:
Paper Issues - Any Holiday Project
DL.ART Thankful Thursday Linky Party

Mel

Christmas Cards for The Kids!

I was so excited when Cher at The Digi Bistro asked me to make something using the Christmas SVG collections she released last year.  Cher's SVGs are so adorable and so fun to play with.  I decided to make simple cards using the cute Christmas characters from the "A Very Penguin Christmas" collection and the "Reindeer Games Christmas" collection.

I made these cards for my nieces and nephews so I decided to have the focus be on the character with the sentiments inside.  To make these cards, first I cut each character out and pieced/glued them together.  Then, I decided how I wanted to place them on the front of card and glued them down.  Last, I cut off the parts of the character that extended past the card using my paper trimmer.  I thought this added a unique touch and think it turned out really well.  Note:  When you do this, make sure you don't cut the card itself, especially on the crease of the card.

To add a little extra touch to a couple of the cards, I added some snow using white Flower Soft.  Also, I added pink chalk to all of the character's cheeks.  They are outside and cold, right!  And, it adds a touch of cuteness too!

I made a total of 7 cards - I would have made more if I didn't have other things I need to do!  :)  Below are close-ups of each card.

Would love to hear from you on which card is your favorite.  I think my favorite is the Santa card.  He took the longest to put together, and was well worth it.  He is so adorable!!!  I love them all though!

I am entering these cards into the following challenges:
Christmas Card Challenge #50 - Use a Snowman
DL.ART Thankful Thursday - Anything Goes Linky Party
Everyday is an Occasion - Linky Party

A little birdy told me there may be a new SVG collection coming out at The Digi Bistro......Can't wait to see it!!!!!  :)

Mel