Gnome Fever

It's gotten me a little bit to get into the Christmas card making mode and right now I'm in a gnome mood. This set came out last year with the dies and then in the spring mini they came out with a spring set. I bought both sets and the dies go with both sets. They've been retired, which is too bad because they are so cute.

I posted a gnome card the other day. This morning I woke up around 3 and couldn't get back to sleep so I thought I would play with the gnome sets again. I also used the retired paper for both cards as backgrounds and this first card I also used the dies to cut out three of the gnomes.

I die cut the gnomes, the die cut some rectangles and layered those on card stock that coordinated with the gnomes hats. I used a little Night of Navy ribbon and layered it all on Night of Navy. I embellished them with some little snowflakes.

The inside I stamped the Christmas greeting and another little gnome with a lantern. I also used an ink that was retired several years ago called Illuminate and stamped a background of stars.

This second card I used the dies for the gnome and cut all the little pieces, even some hands, using the mushroom die and the nose dies to make the arms and hands. I put a little Wink of Stella on his beard. The snow shoes are from a retired set from a few years ago, called Alpine Sports. It's a cute set with sleds and skis and the adorable snow shoes. I put a layer of Early Espresso behind the snow shoes, which are die cut from Cinnamon Cider.

The tree is die cut from Early Espresso using the In The Woods die set. I wish I would have had foam sheets on hand (I ran out) and then it would have puffed up the tree a little. I put a little iridescent glitter on the tree and some pearlized paint on the edges of the skis. I also added some Wink of Stella to the Balmy Blue accents on the trees in the DSP. It's hard to tell in the photo. I die cut a snowflake for the top of the gnomes hat and put a rhinestone in the center.

This card is stamped the same way as the first, on the inside. I stamped the insides first before applying the front, just in case I messed up the stamping.

Well, maybe now I can take a nap. LOL.

Until next time! Happy stamping!

Images: Stampin' Up!© 1990 - Current

Creating a Custom Box for my German Pickle Ornament

Well, as you may have read I have moved back to a German town in Minnesota, where I raised my children. It's a lovely little town and I am so glad that I moved back. Life is good.

One of the traditions my family and I picked up, when we moved here, originally in 1990, was the German Christmas Pickle Ornament. It was always something my kids looked forward to on Christmas morning. We purchased this "pickle" in a wonderful shop they used to have here called The Christmas Store, where they had all things Christmas. The Christmas Store became an extension of the original gift shop (Lambrechts). Both shops are now closed an another owner has a gift shop that is similar to the original shop. Ironically the owner's mother lives across from me in my new apartment. But I digress.

The tradition is, this pickle is hidden on the Christmas tree on Christmas Eve and the first one who finds it on Christmas morning gets an extra Christmas present. Hmm I wonder if this is why my adolescent son, woke up and opened his Christmas presents as 12:01 a.m. on Christmas morning and video taping himself doing it. He's always been very legalist. :-)

Here is the pickle and the finished box. I love that it has a window and fits my ornament exactly (you can find these in my store, on this website to purchase as a gift and start your own tradition).

The dimensions of your custom box will depend on what you are going to put in it. I've seen these used for gifts, chocolates, note cards, etc.

Start out by measuring the height (depth), length and width of the item.

TOP: My ornament was 4 1/4 inches long, about 2 1/4 inches wide and 1 1/4 inches deep (height). I decided to make the box 4-3/4" long, 2 -3/4" wide and 1-1/2" deep. Then I added the depth to each side of the length and width (4-3/4" + 1-1/2" + 1-/2") AND 2-3/4" + 1-1/2 + 1-1/2"). So the paper size is 7-3/4 by 5-3/4".

BOTTOM: For the bottom I cut the paper almost the same size less 1/16" on both the long and short side, so the bottom would fit inside the top. I found this an easier way than to adjust my scoring. You can do whatever works best for you.

Then I scored both the top and the bottom at 1-1/2" on all four sides. For step by step instructions check out my video:

I like to use my retired DSP and ribbon for my craft projects. Anything you have on hand will work. I also put a window in my box so that people can see what is in the box. You can skip this if you want it to be a surprise. Since these will be offered at my craft sale, I find people like to see what is in the box without opening it.

I also placed the story of the Christmas Pickle in the bottom of the box.

Stampin' Up!© Products used, they are available in my Stampin' Up store :https://sharonbrennan.stampinup.net/?demoid=2162064

Rectangle Dies #151820

Window Sheets #142314

Tear & Tape #154031

Stampin' Seal+ #149699

Take Your Pick Tool #144107

Paper Snips Scissors #103579

Multipurpose Glue #110755

Hope & Peace stamp set #159773 (July - Dec 2022 Mini Catalog)

VersaMark ink pad #102283

Embossing Additions (embossing powder tray and accessories) #159971

Heat Tool #129053

Banner Pick A Punch #153608

Embossing Powder (Metallics combo, silver, gold & copper) #155555

Bone Folder #102300

Rhinestones Basic Jewels #114220

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Images: Stampin' Up!© 1990 - Current