November 30, 2008

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!

31 comments:

Charmingdesigns said...

I love the colors that you used!! What a wonderful way to give a gift card!!! Thanks for showing how! Laurie

Debbie Olson said...

Mish, honey, you ROCK! I love your strips, the accents on your card holders--well, everything!

AuBien said...

Mish,
Thank you for the GREAT tutorial! I just love your completed projects and I am so excited that with your help I can make some of these myself for my own family's giftcards! I am so excited! Thanks again.
Shae

Anonymous said...

I really enjoyed reading this article, thank you. Some very interesting points to think about.
Cash Gifting

Debbie Corbari said...

I just love your style Mish! LOVE IT! I am always so excited to see when you post! You give me the BEST ideas! TFS!

Terri said...

These are SUPER cute...who wouldn't love to receive these little gift cards...and wouldn't they look awesome all over a tree?

DeeDee said...

Ooooh, I love this!!! So sweet and CUTE too!!! Love how you made the candy cane paper too...you are so smart!!! I love coming to visit you....you always make me smile from ear to ear!!! HUGS!!!

Anonymous said...

Mish these are wonderful! I adore the 3-D ishness of it all. The pipecleaner, jingle bell and your candy cane strips are marvelous!

Stefanie said...

Mish, these gift card holders are awesome. I especially love your candy cane paper. I'm going to have to try that myself!

Tricia said...

You are amazing!! I love all of the elements. Just fabulous!!!

Anonymous said...

Very cute! Thanks for showing us how your created the candy cane paper!
Melissa

Cassandra said...

I must say that I'm addicted to your blog. I check it more than I do my work e mail.. I just love everything you do, you are so inspiring !!!!! I just wish I could get as much done as you do in one day. Do you ever get any sleep? Thanks for all the wonderful tutorials !!

Dolce Deb's Designs said...

What a fun gift card holder it is very whimsical and really looks fun stuck on a tree. Have a great day and TFS.

Debbie/Phx AZ

Babies-Beth said...

Oh my gosh, Michelle, these are so cute! I love the candy cane paper youmade! No reason why this design couldn't become a card, too!

Anonymous said...

gawjus as always..anybody would like to get that gift card...great job tfs...Liann M.

Lynn Put said...

Wow, these are sooooo stinkin' cute! All the details like the bells, sparkly pipe cleaners, buttons and ribbon are all so charming!

Anne Marie said...

Love love love this! So cute and festive. It will be perfect for my teens gift cards -- seems that's all theyw ant these day!

Gail S. said...

What a wonderful idea for Christmas! I may have to use this idea this year because all three of kids want $$$ or a gift card - thanks for sharing. You always come up with the best ideas.

wandykj said...

What a GREAT gift card idea!!! I'm going to make a few of these since the kids both have requested a gift card or two this year, plus it's such a cute decoration on the tree:) Thanks for the great idea.

Wanda

Chelsea said...

I love it ... It's very dimensional and the candy cane paper idea was brilliant!

Unknown said...

LOVE these Mish!! Just the cutest little touches make the whole thing!! I totally used the candy cane paper for my card tomorrow - LOVE that!! :) Thanks so much for sharing

Anonymous said...

Mishie, Mishie, Mishie! You sure you don't read minds along with everything else you do? I just came home from Christmas shopping with 5 gift cards to "pretty up" and get in the mail. I checked out your blog for my daily dose of inspiration and what do I find? The most gorgeous gift card holders EVER! I love 'em. Big thanks!

Renee said...

Oh my gosh this is so stinking adorable! I love the color combo!!
Awesome!

Michelle said...

Ok these are AWESOME!! I love everything about them!!

CreativeMish said...

WOW! What a fabulous gift card idea! I love it!

Karen Motz said...

These gift card holders are superb! All your stuff is wonderful. Thanks so much for sharing your fabulous ideas!!!

Elena said...

Love this gift card holder Michelle! So cute! Love the paper pattern you created! And very nice touches with the buttons, gingle bells and pipe cleaner!

Anonymous said...

Been silently following your blog for awhile now. I don't know how you come up with such cool ideas!! But I love this for giving gift cards! Way cooL!!!

Anonymous said...

Your projects are always spectacular and I enjoy your blog tremendously! I like how you add a lot of pictures! :)
Thanks for taking the time to share!

Cindy

Anonymous said...

thanks for this nice challenge. They look so good.

Anonymous said...

I love the colors that you used!!

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