Got Gift Cards? I Have Holders!

The most common present that many people opt to give these days is a gift card. They're great to receive, but their presentation is lacking. As pretty as the card may be, it's still just a card. Sometimes it doesn't seem like much when you present it. It's not the gift card's fault; it just needs a little help to be special. Enter the gift card holder.

There are about as many variations on this kind of packaging as their are crafters, so I had plenty of inspiration as I was casting about for ideas. These are three I've come up with so far, and I'm putting together a class for anyone interested in having a stash of these on hand. I'd love to partner with you to put a date on the calendar to provide you and your friends with these unique items!

The first one is simple, yet sporty and fun! It's a quickie too, which is sometimes just what you need. It uses a fantabulous color combination of Baja Breeze (yes, I know it's retired, but I love it, so you know how special you must be if I'll share my hoarded stash for this project), Tangerine Tango (again, it's retired, but I don't care), and So Saffron. Love it! The little party hats seem to dance on the cover (thank you, Diana Gibbs for the idea and colors), and they're popped up on Stampin' Dimensionals on top of circles punched with the .75" punch. A slit punch helps keep the card closed and the gift card in its place. Here's a shot of the interior: the gift card is just held in place with mono adhesive.


The second card features a Christmas theme, utilizing the ornaments from Delightful Decorations. This holder goes together so quickly, thanks to the ornament punch that coordinates with the set! A belly band holds the holder together and the card is tucked away in a pocket inside. There's even a place to write a little message! So cool. I learned how to make this at a demonstrators gathering hosted by Glenda Travelstead.


I saved the best for last! Isn't this purse CUTE!! Dawn Griffith posted a tutorial on her blog, and I want to make sure she gets the credit she deserves.
The interior has a clear envelope that has been cut to size to hold the gift card securely, and the bottom flap is perfect for a little message to the recipient. It's held closed with a very small magnet. How's that for GIRLY?

I may add a few more to this repertoire, but I hope you are excited by what you've seen and want to get some friends together and make these! The cost of the workshop will be determined by the number of holders each person wants to make.

Contact me through the comments and let me know when you'd like to schedule this fun time of crafting with your friends.

Shop the Clearance Rack at Stampin' Up Online!

What great news! Stampin' Up! has decided to offer retired items they have a surplus of at up to 80% off! Click on my Shop 24/7 button in the upper right to be taken to my business website, and then click on the Shop button there to go directly to the store. You'll get the same pricing I would, since you're using me as your demonstrator. Check it out--there is some great stuff there!

Wedding Present

(This was supposed to post while I was gone last weekend, but I forgot to schedule it. Enjoy!) My cousin closest in age to me on my dad's side is getting married this weekend, and as you read this, I'm on my way via car to bear witness to the nuptials. Because funds are tight these days, my gift is my presence, but I didn't want to show up completely empty-handed. So I made these simple monogram cards using the color scheme from the wedding.

The base is Whisper White and the medallion is stamped on Real Red, matted with Basic Black. I hope they'll put them to good use as thank yous for all the wonderful gifts they'll receive.

Trip Postscript: Driving 1600 miles in 2 days to attend this wedding might be considered by some to be insane, but I'd do it again in a heartbeat. Time with family, whatever lengths you have to go to to have it, is time well spent, and you don't get another chance to experience some of life's events.

We were out of the car only about 3 more hours than we were in it, if you add it all up, but in that brief time I:
*saw my cousins, my niece and nephew, my aunts and uncles, my great aunts and uncles
*chatted with friends who met us along I69 at Starbucks (where else?) for late night coffee (decaf)
*listened to my niece play the few notes she knows on the flute she's learning to play
*made a spontaneous stop at a bakery on the way to the wedding and had great treats
*talked with my cousin about the narcissism of today's culture while speeding along I65
and witnessed a milestone event.

The happy couple is enjoying Hawaii, and I'm back in town, planning this month's Stamp-A-Stack and gearing up for the holiday card making season. And a good time was had by all!

More Birthday Cards

I have a few things to show you, but I want to hold off just a bit longer. I realize it has been awhile since I posted, so I thought I'd tide you over by giving you some card eye candy. This card is from my friend Connie in IL. She got into card making several years after I did, and we spent good quality time while I lived there crafting together. She has used her talents to support her local crisis pregnancy center by making cards for them to use, and she also makes cards for her church to send out to those who are ill or shut-in and can't make it to services. Don't you love how card making can encourage others? Thanks, Connie, for encouraging me on my birthday!

The other handmade card I received is from my friend Elisabeth, who lives in England with her family. She just moved there last year, and has found stamping to be a wonderful way to meet new people and help them nurture their creativity--some of whom never thought they had any! She has limited space and limited supplies, but such a beautiful way of making the most of what she has. She knows how I love earth tones. Thanks, Elisabeth!

Circles for a Sweet Baby and Water Water Everywhere!

My dear friend Aminah, whom I've known since she was in college and was Michael's babysitter, and her husband Nate had a baby on the best date of this year, 09-09-09. (How cool is that!) Their sweet little girl's name is Miriam Hope, and she's quite a cutie! I'd love to cuddle with this baby and sit on the couch with her mama, but I live 800 miles away from this dear family, so the best way I can celebrate with them is to send them a card.

When I spoke with Aminah before she had the baby (they didn't find out the sex!), I casually inquired about the colors of the nursery. She said brown, green, and orange. Soothing earth tones. Love 'em! When I received Miriam's birth announcement, there she was, laying on a blanket that had circles in the pattern. I LOVE CIRCLES.

So, I got out all my circle punches this afternoon--1.75", 1 3/8", 1.25", 1", .75", and .5"--and started making circles in Chocolate Chip, Pumpkin Pie (perfect for a little punkin!), and Old Olive. I layered them all on Very Vanilla to create a one of a kind background. Perfect!

Then I started playing with an idea that I'd visualized in my head. It involved chipboard frames--3 of them to symbolize Mommy, Daddy, and Baby. I inked them up in Chocolate Chip with my reinker and a sponge dauber and set them aside to dry. What sentiment to use? It needed to be small, so I pulled out a retired set of sayings from the Hostess line and came upon "it's a girl". Classic and to the point.

The final product has several more layers and measures roughly 4.25"x6ish". I mounted everything on some natural cardstock I'd bought at a chain craft store (it was surprisingly thin and flimsy but served the purpose) and it's ready to be mailed! I hope they like it. It was made "just for them".

A Beauty from a Friend

My friend and fellow demonstrator Nadine Amy sent me this GORGEOUS card for my birthday! Isn't it stunning?

The layout is a tri-shutter, and it has many panels to decorate. Nadine used the Cottage Wall DSP, which combines Old Olive, Orchid Opulence, and Rich Razzleberry. The butterflies on the front were created using the Beautiful Butterflies Sizzix Bigz diecut. Two half pearls from the Pretties kit create the body.

The interior showcases more of the DSP and flowers from Embrace Life accent the smaller areas. She punched those with her 1" circle punch and matted it on OO using her 1.25" circle punch. The sentiment "just thinking of you on your birthday" is from On Your Birthday, a 12-piece sentiment set. Accenting the message is the butterfly from Great Friend, stamped in OO and mounted with Stampin' Dimensionals.

This made me feel so special! Thanks a bunch, Nadine! Who will you bless with a handmade card today? I'm off to make a baby card.

Got Elves?

I love the idea of Santa, mainly because he has ELVES. Consider how much you could accomplish each holiday season if you had a vast army of people who would do everything you'd ask them to with smiles on their faces! I also wish for elves about this time every year because this is when I begin to think about making Christmas cards.

Each year the thought of making Christmas cards evokes two reactions in me. Part of me loves the idea of expressing how much I cherish my friends and family by giving them a handmade card, while the other part of me can't figure out where I will find the hours and hours (and energy) it will take to make them.

Well, this year is going to be different. Why? I've discovered SU!'s Christmas Jingle Simply Scrappin' Kit! What does a scrapbooking kit have to do with Christmas cards? Wait and see!

The kit comes with 8-12"x12" sheets of textured card stock in four colors: Very Vanilla, Real Red, Old Olive, and Chocolate Chip. Also included are 6-12"x12" sheets of double-sided Designer Series Paper that coordinate with these four core colors. The best part of the kit is the 6 sheets of self-adhesive stickers. ALL that for $20!

So I decided to get my hands on one of these kits and see how many cards I could create using these elements. I made 24! Ready to see my creations?


These first 8 cards were designed to be made twice. (Double click on the pictures to see each foursome in more detail.) With 2 sheets of every sticker page, this is accomplished painlessly with some simple planning, leaving plenty leftover for 8 more. I cut the card stock into 4"x12" strips, then cut those down by 1" so that I would have traditional size cards that would fit in A2 envelopes.


Here is the second set of eight. I loved how quickly and easily these came together. What's even nicer about this whole process is that there's very little cutting or stamping involved. I used several sentiments from various Christmas stamp sets I have, but the first eight cards don't have any stamping on them at all! This kit has plenty of supplies!

So, I'm offering what I've done all the work of planning out to you. I will cut all the elements and all you'll have to do is assemble them. In approximately 2 hours' time, you'll have 24 cards ready for mailing or gift giving. The fee for this will be $35. If you purchase multiple kits, the price will be $30 each. I will supply ribbon and envelopes as part of that $35 fee, so please keep this and the fact that I'll be doing all the prep work for you in mind as you consider the price.

Those who host a group of at least 3 friends to make these cards together will receive something special from me--a handmade by me container to hold 6 of these cards for gift giving. You can let me know of your interest in hosting one of these events by contacting me via email (jenn.nahrstadt@gmail.com) or by leaving a comment with your contact information. If you're looking for a photo card idea that's a step above the Walmart printout, I have a kit available for this as well!

Just consider me your card making elf this year!