Emma's Gift

Well I ran short on time and energy and I needed to come up with something quick for Emma's leaving gift today. I had already contributed to the office collection but I still wanted to give her someting handmade and a bit more personal. Something just from me!

I grabbed the box/bag and card I had made for the PT challenge and decided to add something extra to it. I keep a regular supply of things like hard backed notebooks, post it note pads, tins etc in the house for when I need a quick gift item so I grabbed the last of my black notebooks - that was lucky! Let's hope I can remember to grab more next time I'm in the store - memory aint what it used to be ya know.

I had just enough designer paper left over to add to the front - the perfect width but it fell short on length. Necessity being the 'mother of invention' I added some white cardstock which I punched with a MS scallop border punch and then decided I could get away with leaving the rest black for a nice effect. I used the polka dot ribbon to hide the join.

Some super quick embellishing, a few tied ribbons plus a long one on the top as a marker, some gems and her name to personalise it. I filled the bag with some M & S dark chocolate mint truffles which all fit bar one - SHAME - I had no choice but to eat it honest!

It was a quickie job so ordinarily I would've embellished the book a bit more but at least it goes to show it can be done if needs be. Well today is my day off and I have no idea what I will achieve; if anything. I might just clean house some and watch a period drama while I paint up more of those cute little angels. I share my creations with girls at work who are often telling me they wish I'd bring in cards to sell. These angels are so darn cute I think I could easily make a half dozen and take them in and keep them happy.

Good Luck to Emma

One of my work colleagues is leaving work on Wednesday for a new job and there are a lot of mixed feelings at work right now. Obviously we're pleased for Emma but it's sad that she's leaving because the job is no longer what it was. Those of us who remain know that and have to stay and deal with it though I'm sure a few would love to be in her shoes and making a fresh start.

The NHS as an employer and a service provider is sadly no longer what it used to be and there are so many changes (and more to come) that it can actually be quite stressful working in the NHS at times.

This card probably should've been pink and girly to suit Emma but I actually think she'll appreciate these colours. She wears a lot of greens and reds and besides I made it girly with the flowers.



I used my trusty Sizzix leaf die - I absolutely depend on this die for sooooo much and I love it - we've been together for about as long as I've owned Sizzix and that's a number of years now.

I love inking edges for definition so I used that technique all over the card - wouldn't be one of my cards without it! I used my computer for the text cos I didn't have a 'good luck' stamp to hand and used an inexpensive flower stamp (.99p) that I also picked up on Sunday at Ali Pali. I keep sayin 'it don't have to cost a fortune', it's all in careful purchasing and how you use what you do buy.

All I have to do now is make the liner and get everyone in the office to sign it before Wednesday - yeah right - I think I need the good luck!

Sneak Peek Number Two!

Well I figured before I get too tired to do this tonight I'd better get my last sneak peek posted for you girlies who are booked onto the all day workshop.

My other project has a Christmas theme but this one doesn't.

I just love the yellow, brown and blue colours in this second project. I simply can't decide which of the two projects are my favourite so I'm pretty sure I will be makin both of them again for myself.

Both are perfect for gift giving although if you're anything like me you might find it hard to actually give them away!

Pretty Little Angel

I promised to share the stamp I purchased at Ali Pali yesterday so here it is.

It is made by a company called 'greeting farm' and I only had about 4 designs to choose from so with Christmas coming up I chose this really sweet angel design. She'd be equally cute for sentiments such as 'thanks - you're an angel' and 'keeping you in prayer'.

She has an oversized head but I think she looks sooooo cute and although I haven't really had too much time to play it's fun to see what colour combos I can come up with.

This was the card I made last night (after X-Factor and Doc Martin of course) but I did colour in my images while I watched the telly.

I knew I had a whole bunch of Christmas papers that my daughter and I ordered on-line so I chose a lime green and pink for my main colour scheme with the darker green and pale blue to pull all the colours out of the papers.

I used my nestabilities ovals dies to cut her out, a MS border punch under pinning the ribbon, an ancient Sizzix die for the holly leaves and a StampinUp! stamp for the Christmas sentiment. I finished her off with some super fine glitter on her wings and halo and pinkish red buttons for the berries.

I can't wait to play with some other colour combos but I have other things to be getting on with first. I am posting this from work in my lunch hour so I will have to post the all day work shop sneak peek once I get home.

Ali Pali on a Sunday Morning

Quite spur of the moment Amanda invited me to tag along with her on a trip to London to Ali Pali (Alexandra Palace) on Sunday which worked out really well as Dave was busy elsewhere.

I have been here a number of times and the last time was actually helping Amanda on her stand but this time we were just 'grazing', taking it all in and chatting to the various people in the craft business circle. I don't get quite so excited about these shows as I used to.

The weather couldn't have been better for this time of year and the place was buzzing with people, out enjoying the sunshine. It's surprising just how lovely the views over looking London are from up here but I'm afraid it was harder to catch on film than you'd imagine.

Despite it looking fairly quiet at 10.30 am on a Sunday morning it took no time at all to get real busy.

I took along my camera intending to take several photos but then forgot to get it out for most of the day! I did manage to grab a shot of the Craftwork Cards stand who had some lovely new products available. The birdhouse projects were just ADORABLE! Sorry couldn't get in any closer to take a shot good enough worth sharing.


I loved these new products called 'colour me' which come plain but are brought to life (and any colour scheme) with a few pens. These products are always so simple but the samples up around the stand were fabulous. You have to see the finished cards to fully appreciate them.

While I didn't actually get any of those shots I know Amanda did. If she manages to get them in I won't mind playing with these in the slightest - lots of colouring - what fun!

I spent relatively little money but am now regretting not having treated myself to a 'Just Rite' beginner set of stamps. I have been debating about these stamps for the past year at least and the first chance I had to get my hands on them and I passed it up. I did at least purchase a Versafine ink pad that should be friendlier to my clear stamps (thanks for the heads up Dawn) and the cutest little 'angel' girl image stamp from The Greeting Farm ( www.thegreetingfarm.com ). Can't think where I left my water colour paper but she looks beautiful and the Versafine gives a fantastic clear, clean image first time - I am super impressed!

Will share a photo of what I create with her in a few days maybe.

I hope to share a further sneak peek at some point tomorrow for the all day workshop so make sure you check back.

Now I'm afraid X-Factor wins out over ANYTHING else since I missed boot camp last night - aaggghhhhhhh!!!!

Maddy Loves Dancing!

Well what a time we've had this evening watching Maddy barn dance and just loving it. I think she was also somewhat infatuated with her dance partner too cos for a long time when the ladies went one way she would insist on staying with Robert! He is the minister at Garland Street Baptist Church and the two of them get along very well.

Despite this once she got into the swing of it she didn't mind that her partners kept changing as long as she eventually came back to Robert.

Apologies that I've chopped peoples heads off when I cropped this shot but I was only really after Maddy. That being said Robert is to her left (green shirt) and you can just make out Papa to her right (blue checked shirt) and grandma just behind him. I love barn dancing and couldn't resist one dance despite practically have an asthma attack directly afterwards. Needless to say I only had the one dance.

Towards the end she really got into the swing of things and I heard her telling Joan who was behind her "you follow me ok". Later on she grabbed the sides of her dress and swung them as she twirled. Think maybe we should get her into those dance classes we keep talkin about huh?

She was the only 4 year old on the dance floor and everyone was very good with her considering it was sometimes just a bit challenging!

When she left she told me just how many dances she had danced - FOUR! She thanked us several times for having taken her plus lots of hugs, kisses and 'I love you's' when we finally dropped her off home; proof she had a fab time.

I keep saying it's all in the simple things. What a delight it was to bring such joy to her little heart and to be fortunate enough to be a part of it. It was the highlight of today.

Family Classic

Just finished making a family classic recipe for a bring and share Barn Dance we are all headed to this evening. I doubt I will be dancing this time around though ( I love barn dancing and am usually first on the dance floor) but I know we'll all have a really good time anyhow.

I decided to make my bean salad that usually gets made a few times each summer and then again at these kind of events cos it's 'cook-free' and pretty easy to make plus it makes LOADS which is perfect for sharing. Dave helped by picking up an inexpensive plastic bowl at the supermarket so I don't have to worry about getting my bowl back. I have lost many a good dish at a church event let me tell ya - and it's soooooo frustrating!

This bowl actually happens to be WAY TOO BIG so it doesn't look like much but it's loads - trust me. This dish is full of yummy ingredients so I thought I'd share the recipe. I really must get a family recipe book done for each of the girls.

The recipe calls for several drained cans of beans. I usually add my favourite kinds such as garbonzo beans (chick peas), red kidney, pinto, aduki, bilotti - any canned beans will work but I like colour variety as well as taste.

Add 1 finely chopped red onion, 1 finely chopped red & green pepper, 3 - 4 sticks of celery finely chopped, 1 can drained green beans, 1 can drained sweetcorn and the following dressing ingredients combined.

2/3 cup vinegar
1/2 cup salad or olive oil
1/4 cup sugar
2 teaspoons celery seed (or celery salt)

Mix well and leave in the refridgerator to marinate for several hours or as long as you can and then drain just prior to serving.

Serves - LOADS!

Bo Bunny at YTOC

I managed to stop in at YTOC today so I could chat with Dawn who was demonstrating the Christmas Bo Bunny range. I know Dawn has booked onto the all day workshop but I will be teaching on the day so I may not get the chance to chat much. It's always nice to catch up with fellow demonstrators and I love to see what creative ideas they come up with too.

While it was supposed to be a ball ornament that had gone slightly wrong (due to getting squished) I was most impressed with the stripey flower accent. I've seen loads of flower creations but this one was so simple and effective. Isn't it usually the simplest things.

I want to have a go at the other 'ball' ornament she made - not sure why - just think it would be fun!

I know Dawn is a follower of my blog so THANKS DAWN and it was so nice catching up with you. Hope you get some results that make a difference real soon.

You can check out Dawn's blog here http://anythingpapercraft.blogspot.com/

Quick Wedding Card

I don't usually like to do cards on the hop when they're for something as special as a wedding but this morning I found myself caught a bit short. I should've made this card when I had more time but this week just ran away with me! Don't they all - nearly October - it's really frightening how quickly the year passes.

I must confess I didn't have time to sift through my paper rack and find just the right supplies so I simply grabbed from what I had around me on the desk and in my scrap basket. Happily it turned out ok. I think it must've cos my hubby saw it and declared 'what a lovely card that is' completely without prompt. He doesn't usually have this reaction you understand.

This shot shows the depth of some of the elements of the card. My Big Shot was close to hand as were my Nestabilities so I simply cut and layered up- some flat and some 3D. I created the text on the computer cos I didn't feel like sifting through stamps (even though I know I have a PTI set that would've been perfect) and made it the colour I wanted.

I knew I wanted a banner type feel to the text going across the hearts so that's how I mounted it and then added a sheer bow and some punched flowers and leaves to finish it off.

It's not my best effort but it turned out really sweet and Becky will love it. I didn't get to go to the wedding as I had other plans but the rest of the family went and I'm told the bride looked really beautiful and it was a lovely service.

If I talk about the year passing quickly it's not near as quick as the time that's passed with the kids we had in our youth group who are all grown up now. I still think of them as 14 and 15 years old - sure makes me feel older. Rebecca was one of them and is now all grown up an embarking on married life - a very happy one I'm sure.

Project Tuesday Challenge

Well despite being real tired today I MADE myself do a craft project this evening. I struggled to get started but with one of my favourite CD's playing to help me keep the momentum going I did it (even if I did yawn my way through the entire process).

I have made a couple of these before but not for a while now and this one was made just for the PT challenge.

I used a paper that I really like but the design has always thrown me as a 12 x 12 all over pattern. Cutting it down for this project worked really well. Black seemed like a natural choice for the complimenting colour and I kept the decoration simple with a single inexpensive stamped image. I die-cut and layered up the image with square nestabilities dies and then added gems and glitter to the flowers.

Since the design was so simple and I had scrap card stock surrounding me I whipped up a super quick card to match so it can be used for gift giving next time I need one.


My favourite filling is Thornton's chocolates so that's most likely what I will be filling this one with before I give it - wish I had some chocolate right now!

Five Down - Three More to Do!

I am having a 'down' day today. It's actually my day off so I am still in my PJs but just pottering around doing a bit here and a bit there - nothing too tiring. I get periods of fatigue due to some ongoing health issues that I just have to deal with right now so I need one of these days every so often to help set me right. That's why I try to be so productive if and when I get an energy spurt which can be rare!

Despite that I do sometimes manage to get a few things done and today I have finally finished the aprons I've been working on. I couldn't quite manage it last night so had an early night instead and since I could take my time today I have now completed them. All 5 of them so that makes just 3 more to go if we want to do them all.

I am gonna enjoy wearing one of these cos the flower is so pretty. These aprons aren't too long either and have several pockets which come in handy for holding a few crafting tools when demo-ing.

I have enough pieces cut out to do the remaining 3 aprons and maybe even another flower or two. I quite like the idea of making a little pink canvas lunch bag for myself with this flower on the front - if you gotta 'brown bag it' you might as well have a pretty bag. I am also hoping to make Maddycakes an apron of her own and this would be 'oh so cute'? Think maybe I shall have to go fabric shopping for pink canvas fabric some time soon.

Last year at the all day workshop I made name badges for us all. This year I just might have to use one of my pretty flower nestabilities dies and make us pretty floral name badges to match.

The nested flower die on the left makes a fab flower and a circle sits real cute in the centre. We had an issue with pin backs last year but I found a whole bag of blank badges that this flower could be stuck to. My mind is running wild with ideas already. I just love anything to do with planning, decorating and co-ordinating stuff for parties or other events.

My project samples, hand out sheets and supply lists are all done so like I said earlier - I AM BEGINNING TO GET EXCITED!! I hope those of you lucky enough to have booked onto the day are starting to get excited too. I will share another sneak peek beginning of next week so watch this blog!

Well I am gonna get a cuppa and try to get something done in the kitchen. Hopefully that'll keep me goin till lunchtime and then maybe a nap this afternoon and another early night tonight might just see me right for the rest of the week.

New Aprons

I have just finished sewing at the machine to see if I can cover up a logo and still make this pink apron look cute.

Amanda had several of these aprons with the idea of using them at the shop, workshops and craft shows but she was looking for a flower on the front.

Now that I've finished I am in two minds as to whether to leave the rest with quirky flowers - i.e. some petals tight and some loose - or whether to squeeze in another petal and tighten the whole flower up. Some petals have to be tight to completely cover the logo.

I decided to 'pad out' the petals with felt underneath because the logo was pretty dark and would've shown through otherwise. Since I was padding them out I decided to add some stitch detailing so added lines to the petals and a swirl to the centre of the flower.

You can see the detailing better in this shot. I have just laid the button on for the sake of this photo and I would probably add it for real but the choice is not up to me. I have used a combination of Cath Kidston fabric plus some others to make it go a bit further.

I like it but I won't be doing anymore until we all like it.

First Sneak Peek

Today I am really excited to be able to share the first real sneak peek at one of the 3 projects I shall be teaching at the all day workshop in October - just around the corner girlies!

I met with Amanda this afternoon to finalise a few things and this evening I have managed to re-create this project using the actual colours & designer papers we chose. You may well recognise them from some of the recent Christmas cards I made. Well if you thought the cards were nice made up in this paper then you'll love this project.

There are some really lovely things going on with this project and while there might be elements that may be familiar I guarantee you won't have seen one like this.

This weekend I'm hoping to finish yet another project for the day but you will have to wait for any further sneak peeks I'm afraid.

I am beginning to get EXCITED!!!

And the Winner is......

And the Hello Kitty goodie package winner is Cindy - congrats! Just as soon as I have your details I will pop these into the post.

Thanks everyone that played along. Give me another month or so and I will probably do another blog giveaway. As long a you gals are willing to play along I'm happy to have a little fun and offer up a freebie now and then.

PT Birthday Book

Hopefully I can still get this posted onto the Project Tuesday list and play along this week. The project was a birthday reminder book and this was my effort.

I used some of the lovely papers Jess gave me that had this cute cupcake & birthday cake theme as well as cutting out the pink cake from a smaller sheet to use as an accent. I also finally used my MS button punch and some pretty pastel sheer ribbons on rings as a binding. I did think about using my bind it all but the only wires I had were too big for this little book.


I simply stamped playful circles in similar colours down the edges of the pages to make it co-ordinate. It's sod's law that I just loaned out my StampinUp! punch that makes book tabs otherwise I would've put colourful tabs along the side. Jilly only borrowed it yesterday! I may just have to add them when I get my punch returned.

I think maybe I'm gonna post this to my daughter Jess with everyone's birthdays already added in. I didn't add a title to the front because of the little rhyme inside the cover. I hope she likes it.

Designer Slip Cover

This evening I finally found something worth cutting into one of my Cath Kidston fabrics for - a slip cover for a cushion that my mother has been after me to make. Actually I completely re-made the cushion first and then created the slip cover.

I appreciate it's a bit bright but it just had to be this strawberry fabric. None of the others would do - she would've complained the white would get dirty too quick, the stripes didn't look right etc, etc. This is a long slim pillow with a very important purpose. Mum had a pace maker fitted a while ago and she is unable to sit in the front seat because of the seat belt that comes across her chest unless she has some kind of cushioning. This is now it. In addition she is awaiting further surgery for one leaky heart valve and one completely shot valve so she has to be extra careful right now.

I hope she won't mind that I decided to finish the closing with some very large, very fun white buttons. I thought it looked more 'trendy' and despite being absolute CRAP at button holes (ok I'm not that bad I just hate doing them) I wanted it to be perfect for her. She can be a bit of a clean freak so she'll appreciated a cover that she can take off and wash and the buttons make that task easier.

As an extra 'designer' touch I cut a length from down the edge of the fabric to obtain the makers trademark name label and used a fine zig zag stitch to add it so it looks as though it was always meant to be there. I'm guessing that's within the law - must be cos when you buy the fabric it's yours to do whatever with and her name is plastered all down the edge of the fabric for goodness sakes!

Mum's cushion is super soft (has to be) and now it's super pretty and fashionable too. Hope she likes it. I'll find out when I take it to her later this evening.

Jilly Came for Tea

Jilly came for a cuppa ands some homemade banana bread this afternoon and brought along her latest project to share. She takes flower arranging classes and had made a lovely arrangement with white roses.

She had chosen the flowers herself and now that she has taken several classes she is learning to find her own 'style' with flowers. I was most impressed with this and while it's hard to see in the photo she re-used a container that looked like a handbag to set it in.

I don't remember but she tells me this was filled with toiletries and I gave it to her daughter one Christmas. It's a great recycling job Jilly - shame flowers don't like me or I could've easily have kept it!

We even managed to squeeze in some time for crafting and I shared the PT flower pot project with Jilly. While I was lookin for some stamps with a 'round' text I remembered this 'oh so cute' birdie stamp and complimenting 'so tweet' stamp I'd bought last month or so. Since we'd used reversible paper that was light blue on one side we stamped the text on it and added the patterned paper to the little birdie.

Jilly then suggested making these for Easter - how cute would they look in pretty spring colours filled with candy eggs? We got 2 out of a single 12 x 12 sheet plus enough scraps for tags and things so they would be quite inexpensive too.

I really must go buy something sweet so I can actually complete one of these!

Cute Mini's

Ok so maybe I have played enough with these papers? Nah! I still want to make a gift bag, some tags and finish the Christmassy flowerpot I started. THEN maybe I'll quit!

Threw a couple of super quick little cards together this morning (had to have a play cos it was all still out) but then I HAVE to go do at least a bit of tidying up downstairs cos Jilly's comin for tea this afternoon and I promised my mother I'd get her sewing done today.

I am lovin this one - super cute and super easy too - much better up close and for real. I cut the card base using a scalloped square nestability die then cut a glittered square to fit, then a square to fit that in the red S.E.I glittered snowflake paper (love this one), added a stamped and punched text, punched more of those MS snowflakes out of glittered cardstock and finished them off with 'faux' dewdrops.

This is the kinda project you can sit and cut in front of the telly while you watch a good movie. I am thinkin seriously about makin this one my 2009 Christmas card. I love mini's, love red, love snowflakes! White cardstock is economical when bought in a pack like YTOC sells, I'd get a whole bunch of squares from just one sheet of red paper and I could even cut my snowflakes from inside the backing square before mounting up AND I have a ton of dewdrops! Might just have talked myself into it.

I lost interest in this one when I started it so it's a throw together but even one of these would do - should've grouped the snowflakes in a bunch maybe? Guess I didn't put as much effort into this one but it could look as cute as the red with a bit more work. Could've NOT shared it but just keepin it real. I don't always like everything I create sometimes either.

This is one I made last night before heading off to bed. The light catches the detailing on the pretty embossed background paper just lovely in the upper left corner - see why I said it would be good for weddings or anniversaries too. Had a little play with punches, crystal glaze, white pen etc. Not my kinda card but a cute concept if I'm allowed to say so.

Well I'm about to walk OUT of the craft room and head downstairs for breakfast before it turns into lunch time.

I Mojo'd

I have just finished my very first 'Monday Mojo' card and after sharing it here I'm going to add it to the ever growing list of creative gals who are playing along today. I am pleased with it except for the smaller scalloped circle which looked like a good colour choice at the time but has come out the wrong shade of blue due to the flash. It's my first attempt so I'm good with it.

I still have these S.E.I papers on my desk and the circle theme suited those 'oh so cute' nestability bird dies again so this one was easy to do. I had all my papers and colour inspirations plus I was in the right place ceratively speaking.

Hopefully it will inspire someone else to have a go.

Flocked Birds!

Well I played some more today with the new S.E.I papers that have some lovely flocked, glittered and embossed detailing. Sometimes things look great in a catalogue but then appear very different up close and for real. I didn't immediately warm to these papers once I got a chance to see them in person. Despite that I haven't lacked inspiration when creating with them and I am beginning to appreciate the detailing. I love the colour scheme.

I bought this nestability bird die several months back but hadn't actually used it. I knew I wanted it but wasn't too sure about how to use it. See - I'm no different to many of you crafters out there - I sometimes buy things and then don't quite know what to do with them.

Anyhow I made these two cards featuring the little birds which I think suit a Christmas theme perfectly - kinda like red robins.

This first one features a glittered circle and red scallop as the base for the bird. Both the red details on the bird and the background papers feature red flocking, especially the stripes. The stamped sentiments are the same ones I have been using since the Thetford Craft Show. This card uses 4 different nestability dies (bird, circle, scalloped circle & ribbon tag). The snowflake is an MS punch and I added 'faux' dewdrops to the centres. I just love these and since I have TONS in my tub I can use as many as I want as often as I want and still not run out!

This second card uses just the one die and MS punch. Both cards feature 'faux' stitching. I had the machine downstairs and yes I could've done stitching for real but I wasn't goin there today. You might just be able to make out the embossed detailing on the paper I used for the wings. This particular paper would be super pretty for a wedding or anniversary card too, not just at Christmas. By the way the wings are made using the smallest bird and rounding off the beak area with scissors.

This is a close up of the stitch detailing. I also enjoyed the little bit of stamping since I could add to the colour scheme even more with minimal stamping - super quick and super easy - that's my kinda crafting!

In this shot you can see the glittered card I used for the circle (used the same for the snowflakes too) and just about make out the flocking on the bird (in red) which turned out to be a nice touch.

Well at least now I can say I've used my bird die and now that I have I might get it out again. If nothing else it'd make super quick and super cute tags on gifts this Christmas and make a nice change from the usual round or rectangle ones. I am also taking quite a liking to these papers now that I've had a chance to use them too.

The Stockings Were Hung.......

Today I've been at home and playing with several things this morning but I got distracted when I saw the 'oh soooooo cute' stocking gift card holder that Claire had made over on Waltzing Mouse - link on right - (she has kindly shared the pattern if you want to make one).

I didn't have her 'new to be released' stamps (they're lookin good) so instead I had to use what I did have since I couldn't wait. I have been playing with a few sets that Amanda gave me so I used one of those in a Christmas theme. I was also very naughty and started on half a sheet of the S.E.I papers I am supposed to be holding on to for a workshop project - I couldn't help myself - this was the one I WANTED to use.

Can't you just see why! The red gingham is on the reverse of this glittery snowflake & polka dot paper and the colours were just perfect together. The only thing I would change is the ribbon - it should've been more blue/grey but when I went to grab it I only had about 2" left. Guess I've been using a lot of it lately and I now need more.

I used the stamps I had to make a double tag. I thought since it is designed to hold a gift card the 'not to be opened' stamp would be a nice addition.

You can just about see the glitter in this shot but sadly not the glitter on the snowflakes I punched using the MS snowflake punch - that I'm gonna find hard to part with I think! Just for some added fun I glued some mini white pom pom trim to the lower edge of the cuff. I had snowballs in mind when I purchased it and I think it finishes this stocking off nicely.

The cuff opens up to reveal more Christmas wishes inside and also the gift card (white card). Sorry about the clipped shot - I trimmed my fingers out of the shot but lost some of the project in the process. I love how the little pom poms look all lined up in a row when it's opened up.

I could imagine these all strung up across the fireplace with name tags and different gift cards inside. Having said that I can also imagine these hung on a tree with white glittery snowflakes (Sizzix die), wired red gingham ribbon and red baubles. Boy a person would have to start now to get there in time for Christmas I think - maybe next year?