Cash & Carry Challenge

I couldn't wait to make my project for Nichole's Papertrey Design Team Challenge this month. Her challenge was to design a unique way to present gift cards. I had lots and lots of sketches and finally decided upon this one below. I made a few revisions but I kept the main idea in the final projects.
My finished gift cards came out so cute, I think! I would love to get a little gift like this and I know the girls will love to see them tucked into the branches of the Christmas tree...filled with IPod cards once I actually purchase them.
I made a gift card for Josey, using the Simple Alphabet stamp set and a Spellbinder's tag die.

And one for Jordan, just changing up the buttons a bit but keeping the same overall design.

I want to show you how to make the fun candy cane striped patterned paper. I'm so into the candy cane colors this holiday season...LOVE the red and white. You can see the strips used on my cards above, just under the buttons....sticking off the edge of the cards with a fun little notch cut out to resemble ribbon.

Using the Faux Ribbon stamp set and Pure Poppy ink, stamp lines at an angle on a strip of Stamper's Select White cardstock. I have two of the line stamps placed close together on my clear grid block.

Cut the finished paper into strips and they're ready to use on your projects.

Here, I've gathered up the supplies for the gift cards....Spring Moss cardstock for the base card, Polka Dot Parade patterned paper, Swiss Dot Pure Poppy Ribbon, Foofala buttons, silver jingle bells, silver tinsel pipe cleaners, etc.

For the actual card, I created a miniature version of a pocket card. My finished cards measure 2-3/4" x 4-1/4". Start with a quarter sheet of cardstock, fold in half, and create your pocket from there. I added a piece of polka dot patterned paper to each pocket card front and then stitched around 3 sides with my sewing machine and white thread. Cut a long, skinny strip of the candy cane striped paper and fold in half. Wrap this around the front and back of the card with both ends ending up on the right. Cut little notches. Finish up the pocket cards with a pretty red bow and silver pipe cleaners. Wrap the pipe cleaners around a pen to form the curls. Tie on jingle bells with embroidery floss. Add the stamped name tags.

Below is a detailed shot of the ribbon, name tag, curled pipe cleaner and jingle bells.

And here's a shot of the big, fun buttons. I always wonder what to do with those big, honkin' buttons. Use 'em up! Once complete, the actual gift cards slide into the pocket at angle, so there is no need to untie the pretty ribbon embellishment.

Hope you enjoy my project! Be sure to check out Nichole's blog and the other designers' blogs for more great ideas. Links: Debbie Olson, Lisa Johnson, Heather Nichols, Lauren Meader. I can't wait to go blog hoppin' to check them out for myself!