homemade holiday gifts & tags...

Hey there!  Christmas is coming and to get you in the spirit, Papertrey Ink has brand new products to help make gift-giving fun and easy.  These will all be  available on October 15th, 10pm EST.  My first project uses the new Canned stamp set and coordinating dies.  Such a brilliant concept and one I am very fond of as I love gifts in a jar.

Sierra and I recently went apple picking at her Great Grandparent's house and I was able to put up bunches of apples and make jars and jars of of apple pie filling.  I've wrapped one up to share as a holiday gift.  I stamped my Canned gift tag using images from the stamp set as well as the new Merry Kiss-mass stamp set.  My favorite thing about this die??  The slots for the tiny, wooden spoon :).  Who can resist that?  I used Ripe Avocado, Autumn Rose, and Scarlet Jewel for my color scheme.

I die cut the label out of gold paper and embossed it using Espresso embossing powder.   I then layered a stamped gingham banner, also from the Canned stamp set, and a stamped Double Ended Banner, with a sentiment from Merry Kiss-mas.

I embellished my jar and tag using Simply Chartreuse felt, the Holly Jolly die, and Scarlet Jewel buttons.  Simple, inexpensive, and straight from the heart and home.

My next project uses the new Cross Stitched Alphabet dies and stamp set.  My homemade gift is wrapped up in a large Papertrey Ink glassine bag.  I wrapped a strip of patterned paper around my bag and embellished it with a tag that coordinates with the gift inside.  

My tag uses the Tag Sale #2 as the base and is topped with the Tag Sale #10 die cut from patterned paper and Vintage Cream cardstock.  The center of my tag is stamped with the new Cross Stitched stamp set.

Inside is a handmade banner I created using the oh, so sweet, Cross Stitched Alphabet dies.  I adore them and already love all of the things they'll create.  I used Vintage Cream and Spring Moss felt, the Tag Sale #10 die once again, along with the Tag Sale #5 die for the side pendants.

I mixed in patterned paper, polka dots, stripes, and florals to create a soft and shabby banner for the holidays.  Mixing and matching patterns is one of my most favorite things to do as I create for Christmas and any occasion. 

My center pendant was cut from Vintage Cream cardstock using the Basic Bookmark #1.  I then stamped it used the Autumn Adornments stamp set.  

My "O" is stitched on a Vintage Cream felt die cut using the Limitless Layers:  2 1/2" Circles die, and is embellished with more Holly Jolly die cut felt leaves and the new Seasonal Stitching:  Holly dies.  LOVE these.  Your craft room would be very happy to have these little babies :).

I attached my pendants together using Vintage Cream Topnotch Twill and some wooden clothespins.

I loved creating this :).

My last item to share is non-holiday, but can certainly be used for Christmas treats, or anything small and sweet for that matter.  I love small packages...something about those tiny boxes that always make me happy when they happen to be presented to me :).  My lovely, niece Makenna is getting married...that's her and her sweetheart in the photo.  They are beautiful!  She's my first niece to be married, and she's found herself a boy from Australia to love forever.  I'm so happy for them.  So, with weddings on my mind, after cutting out my new Vintage Favor It Box, I knew I had to dress it up for a wedding.  It's just the perfect size.

This box comes together like magic.  So simple to assemble, and when you add stamping, from the Just a Little Something stamp set, it comes to life.  I embossed my sides and top with gold embossing powder to fit in with the elegant, wedding theme.

I layered die cuts on top using dies from the Just a Little Something die collection and added a Vintage Cream felt flower cut from the Songbirds die.  Just a few sequins and some sheer ribbon, and my little favor was complete.

So, there you have it!  A whirlwind of gifts, tags, and treats.  For more inspiration be sure to stop by and visit the other designers below:

• Laurie Wilson
• Danielle Flanders
• Dawn McVey
• Erin Lincoln
• Laura Bassen
• Betsy Veldman
• Nichole Heady
• Maile Belles
• Ashley Cannon Newell

Enjoy your day!

Melissa

Comments

[Patty O'Malley]

I love each and every one of these projects, Melis! With those tags and that sweet little box, the possibilities are endless! I bet that apple pie filling is delicious!

[Jill Norwood]

Wonderful post full of pretty things! Love in a jar and sweet joy in a banner! Congrats to your niece and her fiancee! What a sweet giftbox for a special treat! :)

[janet wilson]

Oh wow, extraordinary and so very beautiful! Congratulations to your niece - gorgeous photograph :)

[Kathie B]

Thanks for all the wonderful gift ideas! You've made it clear the homemade gifts don't need to be dowdy...these are all so very elegant.

[Kathy H]

Leave it to you, Melissa, to make a little box look like the gift itself!! Just gorgeous work. I am awed by your talent:)

[Holly Saveur]

OH Woe so super gorgeous and sweet..LOVE it!

[Kristy Schalk]

Everything is lovely!!

[Noreen]

Oh so many beautiful things. Thank you for sharing your talent

[Jamie Vanskiver]

Simply beautiful! I absolutely love everything you do and these projects today are lovely!I love that you can make a tag beautiful:)

[Kathy Krug]

Great projects. Love the pretty box.

[Kris]

There you go again! Splendid Merry Christmas Tag on the jar and the Vintage box was fabulous (as are the wedding invitations underneath!!!!!!!)

[Trish]

Oh, your packaging is gorgeous... Swoon worthy! I love how you used gold to ass elegance to this new release-Wonderful!

[Trish]

I really mean't ADD elegance, no bad language intended:)

[María Alba Negrón]

Hi Melissa,

I am drooling over these projects, once again the combination of felt and paper and stamping and embossing is MARVELOUS!!!!
Your niece and her soon to be hubby are a pair of cuties, they are so lucky to have an aunt like you!

Cariños.
María Aba

[Becky Green]

I LOVE your canned gift! It's BEAUTIFUL the way you've decorated it Melissa! Your little banner is WONDERFUL!!! (Oh, to create like you!) LOL AND your little wedding box is GORGEOUS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :D STUNNING WORK AGAIN MELISSA!!! (Do they give "raises" at PTI? I nominate YOU!!!! ) :D

[Beth B]

Would you share your apple pie filling recipe? I wanted to make some this year and am looking for a good one! Your work is just beautiful. I hope mine can look half as nice.