It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!

Hello Everyone, I've been quiet for the last few weeks which was NOT my intention.  But I have exciting news:  I have signed up for my very first Christmas craft fair!  It will be held in two week's at our Church (Trillium United) in conjunction with their annual bake sale.  I am more than a bit late to the game and am feeling the time crunch to create a display, make some projects, and have enough items to attract customers to my booth!

Since I have been focusing all of my efforts on projects for the craft sale I have my planned blog posts on hold.  Instead of sharing the birthday card I was going to make this week, I'm going to share some of the items I've been prepping for the sale instead.  **Disclaimer:  some of the stamp sets, paper and ribbon I've been using are not Stampin' Up! items, or are retired, but they are in my stash so I wanted to use them.  If you want to CASE something there are plenty of current products you can substitute in place of anything I used that you don't have.

This post is going to be picture heavy!

Up first, some Hershey Kisses Mini Coffee Cup treat holders.  I think these would be a great way to jazz up a gift card to Tim Hortons or Starbucks, and make it have a bit more impact.  They are full of sparkle and chocolate--everything a great Christmas present needs! :)

I have also been working on a few different styles of gift card holders.  I give A LOT of gift cards each year, and I'm always looking for ways to make them more exciting.  First up are fold open holders with a belly band to keep them closed.  I made whimsical, elegant and manly options to maximize the appeal.



These are little "booklet" gift card holders that have a pop up section in the middle to hold the actual card.  Super cute!

I've also been making some Christmas card sets that I will be packaging in the new Stampin' Up! acetate boxes (once my order arrives later this week!).  I REALLY love how these cards turned out.  I used my gold Wink of Stella to splatter some gold "flake" over the white-embossed and sponged card fronts.  They are probably my very favourite of all my holiday projects this year.

I am also really fond of the white-on-white and mixed metallics trends that are everywhere right now.  I am selling my card sets in packages of 5, but I made 10 of each so that someone could buy in multiples if they needed to.

I thought it was wise to have some more traditional colour combos as well, so I went with Cherry Cobbler and Crumb Cake for these sets, although I did add a little black to update the look.

I have upcycled a few potato chip canisters and decorated them to hold homemade cookies for neighbor gifts.  This way you don't have to try to get your tupperware back!  I also made some Christmas crackers filled with chocolate balls, which I think would be really pretty place settings for a holiday dinner.  The little red-striped gable box is sized to be a gift card holder with the added benefit of having room to add the recipient's favourite holiday candy to the box.

Finally, I am still working on away on individual cards for those who don't need a set, or who prefer to use a variety.  These ones highlight a little Blend action on those pretty green trees. ;)

I also completed my first custom card order today, so it has been a really busy few weeks!  Please keep in mind if you are interested in sending some handmade cards this holiday season.  I would love to make something just for you!

Have a great week,
Barb