Holiday Jumpstart

It's that time of year....the kids are back in school, the leaves are starting to change, the weather gets cooler. And although we're not even past Halloween and Thanksgiving, my mind starts thinking about the holiday season. I love to start planning gifts and cards in advance..and today the Papertrey girls have some great ideas to jump start the holiday season.

My motto for the holiday season this year is: Keep it stylish, keep it simple. You'll hear me repeat that lots because I want to keep reminding myself. Today I have a gift ensemble that I can start assembling early on. It's a card with matching jelly jar. I worked hard this summer canning lots of jellies..they'll make the perfect little gift for neighbors, teachers and for guests that just drop by.Here's my cute card. I used my Tent Topper design (click on the label at the end of the post to see more) to create a card that can be made assembly line style. You can work on this type of card in steps, a little at a time. The new Papertrey set I'm using will debut this month and it's called Tree Trimming Trio.

There are different trees that you can stamp for the main image. Then there are lots of cute little circle stamps with various designs that fill in blank circles on the trees. It's a very fun, interactive type stamp set with dozens of designs you can create. I used Kraft for my card base, added some material that matches my jelly jars, Aqua Mist ink and cardstock for the tree, Dark Chocolate for the circles, tree base and sentiment, Vintage Buttons tied with Rustic Cream Twine, and Green Tea Leaves patterned paper. The main tree images was matted with Spellbinders Rectangle and Scalloped Rectangle Nestabilities die templates. I finished up with some machine stitching to give my card a homespun feel.

My half pint jelly jar is covered with striped green material cut with pinking shears and tied with Dark Chocolate Swiss Dot ribbon.

The topper to my jelly jar is created with punches, a PTI Christmas sentiment and a little punched circle that matches my card.

I think while I have my supplies out, I'll go create more cards and jelly jar gifts. I can't tell you how good it feels come December when I see a big stash of gifts already wrapped and ready to go. Stylish and Simple...that's my motto!

Click on the links below to for more holiday gift giving inspiration:

Nichole Heady
Becky Oehlers
Heather Nichols
Lauren Meader
Lisa Johnson
Dawn McVey
Debbie Olson
Geny Cassady
Betsy Veldman
Melissa Phillips
Niki Estes