Sending Cheer, Matchbook Candy Holder, Teacher Gift, Weekend Projects, Stampin' Up!

Hello and welcome to my blog. Today I have a fun stocking stuffer for you to make. You can add these to your Christmas stockings or give them out to your mail carrier, co-workers, friends, etc.  They are easy to make and are fun to give. I believe this layout is called a "Matchbook Holder" Please read on to see how I made today's project.

You can make these for any candy you have. I chose the M & M's because my granddaughters like them. All you need to do to change the holder is to measure.  I will provide measurements for this M & M package. 

My M & M package measures 2-3/4" x 4".  Add 1/8" to 1/4" to the 2-3/4" end to equal 2-7/8" or 3".  Now you take the 4" and multiply it by two, one for the front and one for the back.  I also add a little for the top, I don't like the piece to just bulge. This part will vary depending on how thick your candy is. There now that you know the basics of the piece I will give you the measurement for the M & M project pictured here.

The card stock for this was cut at 9-1/2" x 2-7/8".  I scored it as follows: 3/4", 1-1/2". 5-1/2", 5-3/4". I like to have the front piece thicker, that's why I have two 3/4" scores there. Now go score your piece and come back!

Fold all score lined inward. I stapled the front piece down. I stamped it about 1/8" from the fold. And I stapled it backwards, meaning that the bumps from the staple are on the front. Doing it this way makes the back smooth and the bumps will be covered by your Designer Series Paper (DSP).

Next you will want to decorate the front.  The (DSP) is from the "Joy of Christmas" 12" x 12" package. I cut the top piece at 3-3/4" x 2-7/8" and a 2-1/8" x 2-7/8" piece for the lower part. Score this piece at 3/4" and 7/8" I glued both pieces in place. The bottom piece is larger than needed but that was planned. Glue it from the bottom edge and then roll it over the fold towards the inside. I prefer to use glue because the piece bends a bit and I know glue isn't going to release. Tape will work, it's up to you which you prefer to use.

Once I got the DSP on I stamped the Gingerbread man from the "Sending Cheer" bundle. I used Pecan Pie ink to stamp him. The hearts were stamped using Real Red and the face was stamped using black Memento ink. Then I die cut him using the matching die. I cut off the loop on the top, it's used for making him into an ornament or tag and it's not needed here. Dimensionals were added to the back and it was set in place on the front of the holder. 

The words are from the same set and were stamped using Real Red ink on a scrap piece of Basic White card stock. I used the "Double Oval" punch on them. I added a little glue to the bottom of the oval and attached it to the upper edge of the bottom section. 

I tucked the upper part to the inside and the piece was done, all closed up and ready to give! 

Wasn't it fun? It's pretty quick and easy too. Even easier if you have some DSP that has characters on it that you can just die cut and affix! I just kept mine simple but you can add some bling too. 

Thank you SO very much for taking your time to stop in and see today's Stocking Stuffer/gift,
Wanda

Sizzix Die Spring Gift Box

The die I used here is a ScoreBoards XL die.  This one is much like the Stampin' Up! Box #2.  You could always use the new edgers dies on the end to give the flap a new look!  This one is called a "Bag, Caddy".  It produces just two pieces.  The back part is just flat and the front part is the pocket.  I like that because it allows me to change the back piece on my own.  I can cut out the front part and then use my cutter to cut out the back by hand to make it even taller if I need to.  It provides me with a little more versatility.

And like with most of these types of dies, you can cut out two and make it into a tote.  

I cut mine out and then added the decorative paper.  Then I filled it with the fun flower candies I got at The Dollar Tree.  I added some crinkles to the pocket.  Finally I added some die cut flowers and wording to the front of the pocket.  These pockets can be used for lots of occasions.  They would make great gifts and party favors!  

I have future plans for this die and of course I will share them with you when I get them done!!

Thank you SO much for visiting today,
Wanda

Festive & Fun Valentine's Day Gift

My plan is to make some fun and inexpensive gifts for Valentine's Day.  It seems that there are SO many people on tight budgets now and it's always refreshing to find inexpensive gifts to make and give.  We all LOVE making, giving and even receiving gifts and when you can do it under budget it's always a great thing.

Today I have a Hershey candy bar sleeve.  I used some retired Valentine's Day decorative paper.  I think it was from Valentine's Day time in 2011.  I'm not sure.  I didn't have much left and I wasn't sure what I was going to do with it until I took out the piece you see here.  It was cut almost exactly as I needed it.  I think I may have cut about 3/4" of an inch off the one end. 

I had made a card last week using the "Festive & Fun" set.  It will be retiring shortly or put on the dormant list. Something like that.  So I thought I'd play with it while it was still available.  Though I may play with it again later.  I just find it odd that it wouldn't be available for Valentine's Day use!  

Anyway, back to the card.  I centered the paper on my scoring board and I set the candy bar in the middle of the paper.  I scored two lines on either side of the candy bar.  Then I scored two 1/4" lines on each side of the first score lines.  I folded the lines over and glued the seam on the back.  I glued one end shut.

I punched out two Real Red hearts and glued the top part together.  Then I used some super sticky glue dots and added them to the end of the candy wrapper and then set the heart in place.  I used the glue dots on both the front and back of the end of the wrapper.  I put the candy bar in the sleeve and the bumps of the heart stick out.  This is exactly what you want.  This allows you to pull the candy out of the sleeve easily!  This was very fun and SO easy to make too!  Just find some decorative paper or card stock you like and get going on it!!  If you have limited decorative paper and need to make a few of these then use card stock for the sleeve and just decorate the top of it with your papers or you could even use the stamped image.  Though I think I would stamp something on the sleeve paper before I put it together.  A white sleeve with images stamped on it would look pretty with the layered image on top of that.  You can have a lot of fun making these.  And the best part is that they are not that expensive to make!    You can even do this on a smaller scale using the fun size candy bars.  You can use the smaller heart punch for the tab.  Just use your imagination!!  But mostly, have fun!!

Thank you SO much for visiting today,
Wanda