I don't usually make my holiday cards this early and usually I do something with hand coloring and die cutting but this year I spied some Simple Stories papers (at HM Ben Franklin Crafts) that were so charming that I was inspired.  One of the 12x12 sheets had a set of tags which I was able to cut out, punch holes and tie on some twine. Combined with assorted fall themed papers I was able to make a cornucopia of cards to send with my annual family newsletter.

To make these cards unique, I punched holes in the card front (not through the whole card) and tied on the tags upon which I affixed mini Vippies calendars ( I haven't received my 2022 ones yet). I melted sealing wax on a slick heat proof flexible surface like parchment and impressed it with the metal stamp. Once cool the wax was glued (with 3 in 1 Beacon glue) to the card leaving an edge free so that the tag can be inserted underneath. I plan to tell the recipients that the tag  twine can be untied and the calendar tied to a place where a calendar is needed.  Under the calendar is a space where I will write something like 'Live Aloha' or 'Share the Aloha'. Small strips of autumn themed paper from my scrap pile were added for interest and to whittle down my ever-growing stack of 'too-good-to throw away' small paper pieces.  The wax for the melted seals are sold at HM BFC as well as the metal stamps.  It might take several tries to get the puddle of melted wax (use a heat gun) just right so that the resulting impressed wax is somewhat round.  I used a scissors to cut off small pieces of wax to melt rather than heating the stick of wax which can be unpredictable. (The metal stamper used on these cards impresses a pine sprig and was given to me as a gift...source unknown.) Blogger Yvonne (Do More With Less) uses wax seals on her cards so she was my inspiration for this cool add on.  Okay, so I have enough greeting cards to write a short message to friends and family and to enclose my yearly family newsletter update.  Yay!  I'm early this year!!!!

 

Halloween Swirl Trick o' Treat Card

It's sad that because of the pandemic most kids won't be going trick o' treating this year.  Since my grandsons deserve some Halloween joy, I decided to make cards with gift card holders.  At least with a gift card the boys can find some treats of their choice.  I love the new Whimsy 'taffy' slimline papers.  The bright colors remind me of yummy candy so it seemed natural to use them to make Halloween themed cards. The Whimsy die cut windows were cut from plaid paper and simply glued over the swirled papers.  Lawn Fawn Halloween characters were stamped, colored, and glittered (with fine crystal glitter) before adhering with foam adhesives.  (Adding glitter with a glue pen covered up the shading I did but I think kids always like sparkle.)

This photo shows the use of another colored sheet of Whimsy slimline paper.  It changes the look a bit but I think it will still be attractive to the boys.  Beneath the card is the back of the other card which shows the  corner gift card holder made from the Lawn Fawn die.  The words (from the Halloween fox set) used on these cards were stamped and then cut out with Whimsy label dies. Usually I make my own slimline envelopes, but I was so happy to discover slimline envelopes at HM Ben Franklin Crafts.  There were several colors including black, kraft and white with speckles.  I chose the speckled one because it seemed the most 'Halloweeny'. LOL!  "Trick O' Treat to all kids big and small!"

 

I decided I wanted to decorate a box as a kit for making s'mores.  This box was the right size but it was a bright yellow.  After covering the top of the box with the last of my tie-dyed washi paper, the box was still too yellow and had some words here and there.  Papering the inside cover, box bottom inside and out it looked a little better.  To pull in the yellow color I cut a moon and put it behind the Lawn Fawn colored and die cut critters.  A little glitter was added to make the fire sparkle and a label was added to hint at the box's contents.

Inside the box lid I glued on a die cut S'more character just for fun.  It was a bit tedious to put together the figure as there were many little pieces and I kept changing my mind on the colors...LOL!  Over all I really like how this box turned out and can't wait to fill it with the ingredients and instructions for making my favorite fall treat.  Yay for Autumn!

 

Autumn Shadow Box Cards

I had more ideas for autumn shadow box cards so I decided to test them out. I really like the little scenes that I can create with such simple stamp and die sets.

Because I just purchased the Lawn Fawn campfire stamp and die sets, I had to make something cute, immediately!  For sparkle I added a little glitter to the fire but unfortunately, it barely shows up in the photo.

This is the shadow box card that I will probably make for the base of my calendars (if I get around to making them this year).  Because the Mama Elephant stamped scene is not really seasonal, I think it is suitable for use all year long.  Also the sentiment is appropriate for tucking into any gift or passing out for most occasions.  All the shadow box cards fold flat for easy giving or mailing. Oh yes, I added some clear sparkle glitter on the dandelions just for a little magic fun.

I bought the Lawn Fawn stamp and die set last Halloween but it was too late for creating something with it so I had to wait a whole year to use it.  LOL!  I really like the costumed foxes and plan to make lots of cute Halloween paper crafts with them.  The fox's cupcake costume has Nuvo pink dimensional paint on it which acts as a glue for the fake candy sprinkles.  Anyway, I thought you'd like to see what I've been working on recently.  Hope you'll post your holiday creations on your blog site.  I love hearing from you and seeing your creative craft work.

 

Squirrel Shadow Box Card

I love making shadow box cards because they remind me of the shoe box dioramas we made in elementary school for library week.  The parts for this shadow box card were cut with dies from the Lawn Fawn Shadow Box Card Park Add-Ons.  You will need the Shadow Box Card die set too to make the base.

This view shows the dyed/stenciled cloud background that was made from paper leftover from a previous project.  The trees, sides and back of the card were die cut from brown card stock that was first stamped (using dark brown ink) with the Hero Arts woodgrain large stamp.

The two strips of grass were adhered to the sides of the box using the tabs that are formed with the die.

The 'thinking of you' banner was made by stamping the Hero Arts sentiment onto a Lawn Fawn Fancy Fold Banner.  This shadow box card folds flat for mailing. I may write a message on the back with a white gel pen. Perhaps this year I will order more mini calendars and attach them to the back of shadow box cards.  Because this card was made with dies it would be easy to duplicate and/or make similar ones.  We'll see what time will allow me to do this year.  I'll keep you posted...LOL!

 

Tie Dyed Washi Paper Box with Gift Enclosure Cards

After having success with tie dying washi paper (see previous post), I decided to tie dye washi paper with autumn colors and cover a box.  I covered only the top of this box because the inside of the box (which once held Japanese treats) was in pristine condition and had a neat partition.

I looked for tiny envelopes but after an unsuccessful search, I decided that I could make cards that didn't need envelopes.  Sticking with the autumn theme, I stamped the Hero Arts woodgrain onto brown paper and cut them into cards that would fold up to fit in the box compartments.  

Next yarn/ribbon (from HM BFC) was tied around each card. (Don't cut the ribbon too short because it will be difficult to tie it into a bow.) I had leftover tie dyed washi paper so I decided to use it for the leaves.  Plain white card stock was glued behind the washi paper before die cutting the leaves.  (Washi paper by itself is too fragile for die cutting.)  

To give the leaves more color, I dabbed on some autumn colored ink pads and sprayed the leaves with water before patting them dry.  Once the leaves were dry, each one was glued onto the front of each card to hold the ribbon in place.  I think this recycled project was very successful.  I love the way it looks and know that it will make a perfect hostess gift to take to a holiday party.  Will we ever have  holiday gatherings again?...hopefully soon?

 

Squirrel Friend Card

My youngest grandson has a stuffed toy squirrel that is his favorite thing to carry around.  It's his sleep aid and thumb-sucking friend.  Because Mr. Squirrel sometimes likes to 'swim' in the toilet, my grandson's parents wisely bought extra squirrels who take turns spinning in the washing machine.  It doesn't seem to bother my grandson to see all the squirrels together.  However, he always seems to be sniffing each squirrel until he finds THE one that makes his thumb taste 'just right'!  In honor of Mr. Squirrel I decided to make an Autumn card.  

I started with a Kraft paper card with envelope and stamped the front with a Hero Arts woodgrain design.  Next I hand cut a freeform tree hole door.  After stamping the Lawn Fawn squirrels, coloring them with Copic pens, and die cutting them, I used foam sticky dots to adhere them to the card. I did the same with the large  Lawn Fawn acorn. I stamped the words and hand cut the strips before applying double stick tape.  This squirrel card was super simple to make and I hope my 1-year-old grandson likes looking at it....maybe he'll even recognize his best friend!