Saturday, November 17, 2007

Gift Certificate Holders

Sorry I didn't post last night. I was feeling icky yesterday and spent most of the day in bed. Yuck, I hate feeling sick. Well, I am going to admit... we are buying gift certificates for almost everyone on our Christmas list. I know it is a bit of an easy out, but it is nice to know that the kids will be able to get something they actually want. So, I really wanted to make something cool to put the gift certificates inside...not just a card but something that would make it kinda like opening a present. I remembered seeing these business card holders a long time ago on Jan Tink's blog Stamps, Paper, Scissors and thought it would make a great idea for a gift certificate holder. A bonus is that they are quick and easy to make as well.

To make them, you start with a typical envelope that we use with our cards. You fold each end in to meet the point of the flap. Then, You snip the flap where the fold is and lick and stick the right and left edge pieces closed while leaving the center part of the flap unstuck. Then you fold the sides in and keep the flap on the outside.

I made 2 different versions. On the tree version, I used the tree from Papertrey Ink's Believe stamp set. I added the star to the top and a present on the bottom. This was my first version, and I see I had added 3 presents, but coloring in this was exhausting so I ended up only using 1 present. I did the coloring with my prisma colorpencil crayons. On this version, I see I added Merry Christmas from my Fancy Flexible Phrases (Stampin' Up) but on the others, I used a holiday sentiment from Papertrey Ink's Faux Ribbon set. On the front, I added the sentiment Christmas Wishes from Papertrey Ink. I love the sentiments from Papertrey Ink, the fonts are just perfect!!! and they stamp so "crisp"! I also added lots of holly sprigs as well, colored with my prisma colorpencils.
Here is what the inside looks like. I did some decorating inside too. There is some room to write a nice holiday hello. And I knotted a ribbon (the red and blue are both from Michael's) on the front. If you want to know how to tie the PERFECT knot, you should check out this tutorial video from kwernerdesign blog. After tying all these knots using her tips, it really does make a great knot!! It did take a bit of practice!
For the second version, I decided to do somehting much more simplistic (without all the coloring) so I turend to my Snowflakes set (Stampin' Up). These are some of the nicest snowflakes! I did multiple sized snowflakes on the back and then the smallest snowflake and the teeny ones to fill in around it for the front and inside of the holder. I still used the Papertrey Ink sentiment and some blue ribbon from Michael's. You can see this version in the group picture at the top of this post.
Well, I hope you enjoyed this project. Maybe you can use it this holiday season to! Post a like in your comment if you do so I can check it out!!
Thanks for visiting.

5 comments:

Toodypie said...

These are great! Love 'em!

Toodypie said...

You know this is me, right?
Toodles = trudy lynn !

Donelda said...

yes, I know it's you, thanks :-)

Chris (catt871) said...

LOVE these!!! Great job!!! I will try them out and let you know how it goes!!! ;)

Anonymous said...

OK, I commented on your great gift card holders before I scrolled down far enough to realize you made them out of regular envelopes -- you are so clever!