Halloween Candy Holders

Hello!  Today's project was inspired by Mary Brown's Two Tags Halloween Treat tutorial over at Stamper Camper's Corner.  I literally saw her post on SCS and immediately ran to my stamp room to try my hand at these super cute treat holders!  Good thing I had gone to the Dollar Store earlier in the morning to pick up some Kit Kat and Hershey bars just for the purpose of stamping!

  In her tutorial she uses Dove chocolate so I did have to adjust my measurements to fit the mini chocolate bars I had.  For the spider web holder, I used the larger of the two tags, folded along the pre-made score line and then scored a second line at 1 1/2" (measuring up from the bottom).  I used the Spider Web embossing folder with Basic Black card stock but then gently ran my White Craft ink over the raised web.  The web was cut down to 2 1/4"x3" and adhered to the front of the tag.  Mary chose to staple her scallop circles but I adhered mine with Terrifically Tacky Tape, making sure to not tape the bottom!!  I should mention that the spider web will actually pull forward so that you can get to the chocolate (I forgot to take a picture of that!)

     For the second holder I used the smaller tag from the Two Tags die.  Again, because I was using a different chocolate bar I had to adjust my measurements just a bit.  I scored my tag at 1 1/2" and 1 7/8" (measuring from the bottom).   It's hard to tell from the photo but "a little treat" was embossed with clear embossing powder.

Stamps: Dark & Dreary, Got Treats

Ink: StazOn Black, White Craft, VersaMark

Paper: Pumpkin Pie, Basic Black, Whisper White

Tools & Accessories: Big Shot, Two Tags die, Spider Web embossing folder, circle punches, scallop punch, heat tool, clear embossing powder, Terrifically Tacky Tape



Two Tags Treat Box

     Many  moons ago I promised I'd show you another project using the Two Tags Bigz Die. (pg 206, $21.95).  After much procrastinating I finally found my way into my stamping studio and made these adorable little treat boxes!  I must give credit where credit is due: I did not design these boxes.  I watched Dawn Olchefske's video tutorial and used that as my starting point. 
     For those of you who have difficulty viewing videos online or just don't want to watch Dawn make a box, I'll give you a brief outline:

1. Using the Big Shot and Two Tags die, cut out 2 tags
2.  Fold on score line and adhere together with sticky strip so they form a U
3. Cut a 2 3/4" x 6 3/4" piece of coordinating card stock and score at 2" (short side) and 1/2" (long side)
4. Using scissors, cut up to the 1/2" score line and fold on all score lines (it should fold up into an odd shaped box)
5. Adhere to tags and embellish.  My handle is 1/2" wide and attached to the box with brads.

     I have a ton of retired DSP and I thought this would be the perfect project to try to use up some of it.  The first box uses Sage Shadow (retired...what a bummer, I loved that color!) and Wintergreen DSP (you may be able to find some in the Clearance Rack over at StampinUp.com).  The Old Olive box uses the long since retired Ski Slope DSP. 
     The brads were "dyed" to match using craft ink and clear embossing powder.  I've found that when I emboss brads white it's best not to use white embossing powder.  For some reason, it's too thick and doesn't melt as easily as the clear powder.

     The Old Olive treat box will be filled with chocolates (what else?!) and a stamp and given to the hostess at my next workshop.  The Sage Shadow box will also be filled with chocolate but given away as a door prize at that same workshop.

     I've had several customers ask me where I purchased the cellophane bags I use for candy and card supplies at my workshops.  Why, Stampin' Up, of course!!  On page 170 you'll find 3 different sizes of bags.  I've found the small 3x5" bags are great for little chocolates and incentive stamps (like those in the photo) and the large 6x8" bags are perfect for holding card supplies for each project at a workshop. 

Paper: Sage Shadow (retired), Handsome Hunter (retired), Old Olive, Ski Slope & Wintergreen DSP (retired)
Ink: White & Always Artichoke craft ink
Tools & Accessories: Big Shot, Two Tags Bigz die, circle brads (retired), 5/8" grosgrain ribbon

Christmas in August

     Hello!  Today's project is a Christmas tag we'll be making at my next Stampin' Up! workshop at the end of the month.  Christmas is still a ways away but I like to get my customers thinking about cards and tags they may be giving so they'll have plenty of time to order supplies and actually sit down and create before the hustle and bustle of the holiday season hits. 

     I used a snowflake from a Sizzlits set purchased at nation-wide craft store chain.  Stampin' Up! offers a very similar set (pg 211, $19.95 for a set of 4) or you could certainly use the Snowflake Extra-Large punch (pg 200, $16.95). 

     You'll notice that the button on the snowflake is made of paper.  This is because I don't have a large selection of buttons and have found that the Button #5 Sizzlit die solves the problem!  As long as you have the cardstock you can make a button to match any project - I love that!

    

      Here is the same tag but in Cherry Cobbler.  To give the snowflake a different feel I covered it in white Chunky Essentials Stampin' Glitter.
     While these tags are super cute and super easy to make, I'm working on a few other projects that use the Two Tags die in unique ways. I've found a great tutorial on how to make a box using two tags that I can't wait to share.

Stamps: Holiday Happiness, Holiday Collection (retired)

Ink: StazOn black, VersaMark

Paper: Bashful Blue, Certainly Celery, Whisper White, Chocolate Chip, Cherry Cobbler, Old Olive

Tools & Accessories:  Two Tags die, Merry Details, Buttons #5 and Snowflakes Set #3 (purchased at Michael's) Sizzlits dies, Big Shot, hemp twine, ribbon, Chunk Essentials Stampin' Glitter, brad