the gift(cards) that keep on giving

We're still creating ways to send gift cards across the miles (or maybe hand it to them in person) and we can't wait to see your clever gift card holder ideas! You have until 6pm EST on Wednesday May 5th to join the party; scroll down to the original post to link up.

Here's how we are giving our gift(cards) this week.

Stephanie's Other Card

Stephanie says, "I found a cute little Gift Card Envelope Die from The Cat's Pajamas in my stash (apparently long-ago discontinued but similar to this one from Hot Off the Press), and it was perfect for the top element in this week's Sketch Saturday.  I used 3/8 inch Velcro dots to hold it closed to make for easy access to the gift card.

The sticker sentiments and stitches are from Pretty Little Studio.  Paper is from Memory Box Garland paper collection (I love how there is pattern on one side and solid with corner patterns on the other side)."

Lauren's Other Card

Lauren says, "There's a fab IG account called @LoveForPaperGoodies who makes really cool origami-style folded paper pockets. I used this video tutorial and was pleasantly surprised to find the technique is quite easy. I've put a bit more detail about the process on my own blog today." 

"There are three sections in the pocket, once it's folded. Working from back to front, I've got: a large shipping tag decorated with torn paper, vintage postage, a fussy-cut Authentique reindeer and miscellaneous blooms held on with ancient brads. In the middle section, there's a smaller shipping tag, with an Authentique Santa; and then the gift card tucks into the pocket right at the front."

On the First Day of Christmas ...

...my true love gave to me: a gift card in a gift card holder!  

That's right dear Belles, we're asking you to make a card that doubles as a gift card holder and has a place to tuck in a gift card. There are so many possibilities, from dies and templates to online tutorials; OR start with a store-bought option and decorate it. We can't wait to see your creative solutions.

Here's what we made this week:

Stephanie's Gift Card Holder

Stephanie Says, "I found a gift card holder tutorial that I made with a 12" x 5 1/2" piece of glittery designer paper  and coordinating tag from Pebbles Cozy & Bright.  This design just takes four scored folds, some strong tape and a few die cuts.  I used Essentials by Ellen Tag Trio for the gift card opening and a vintage My Favorite Things File Folder Edges Die for the rounded tab.  Finally I finished with the My Sweet Petunia Cut-Align to cut the perfect slit to tuck my gift card holder closed."

Lauren's Gift Card Holder

Lauren says, "I prefer a little box of some sort when it comes to gift cards, because it just looks so much more substantial! I saved and dissected a pillowbox which came with skincare samples, traced it onto beautiful Ciao Bella patterned cardstock from Paper Anthology, then cut, scored, folded and embellished it. I made a simple folder with a pocket to hold the actual gift card, sized to fit inside the pillow box, and decorated both items with diecuts, silk flowers, ribbon, jewel brads and a little bit of sparkly washi tape."

Link your project here by 6pm (EST) on Wednesday, May 5th. Keyword for galleries and Flickr is JB-21-09.

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter

Happy Earth Day!

We are always delighted and impressed by the holiday cards our Jingle Belles make in honor of Earth Day and this year is no exception! If you haven't scrolled through the Readers' Gallery, we highly recommend a trip. Meanwhile, here are three cards we thought had especially clever twists on the theme:

Rocky of Rocky's Crafting Blog

...up-cycled an old folder to make the vibrant blue-sky background for her sweet woodland scene!

Martina of U Martiny

...rescued this lovely cottage from a holiday card she received, then made it even better by adding lace and lots of glamorous glitter!

Lorraine of Paper Vernissage

...made not one, but two, awesome cards; using JUST recycled items; this one has some pretty packaging, a paint chip, the liner of a security envelope, and the bow off a bag of sweets. 

(Hop over to see her other card!)

♥♥♥

Many thanks to everyone who played along, and we hope you'll continue re-using and up-cycling interesting bits and bobs on your cards throughout the year. 

We'll be back at Midnight with a brand new prompt we hope will make you feel gifted!

Go Planet ... it's your EARTH Day

Yep, we're still celebrating EARTH DAY this week at Jingle Belles, which means creating holiday cards featuring recycled materials.

Here is how we up-cycled this week:

Lauren's Other Card

Lauren says, "I'm kind of excited that, apart from a few Eyelet Outlet Pine Tree, Deer and Snowflake Brads, a little bit of sheet music and some sparkly Tree Tape, these cards are made entirely out of cards. I trimmed, distressed, stacked, stitched and embellished multiple blue-and-snowy segments of card fronts and I'm pretty happy with the results!"

Stephanie's Other Card

Stephanie says, "This week I went back to my packaging stash and used three different pieces for this card.  The two background die cut panels are another tissue box and a piece of K & Company packaging.  The Simon Says Stamp Ho Ho Deer Die is cut from a piece of Studio Calico Gridded Packaging backed by a scrap of coordinating designer paper from my scrap box with an added pair of googly eyes (never pass-up an opportunity to break out the googly eyes).  The stamped sentiment is from Simon Says Stamp Christmas."

Remember, you have until Wednesday April 14th at 6pm EST to upload your up-cycled Earth Day Cards.

Peace on Earth {Day}

If you've played along with us at ♥JINGLE BELLES♥ over the last few years, you already know there are two prompts that never change: at the beginning of October we honor Breast Cancer Awareness Month with "Pink Christmas"; and the end of April we celebrate Earth Day by making holiday cards that feature re-cycled, re-used or up-cycled elements.

So this week we're asking you to create a card that features at least one recycled element.

Stephanie's Card

Stephanie says, "I saved this lovely marbled cardstock from one of the many tissue boxes I go through in a year for just such a recycling opportunity.  I used three Sizzix Christmas Circle Words dies for the words and then finished with a sentiment from Impress Holiday Words and a scattering of blue gems."

Lauren's Card

Lauren says, "I rescued the birch-bedecked cover of a catalog in December, and since I usually save the fronts of the store-bought holiday cards I receive, I was able to find one with cardinals who look right at home there. My sentiment was trimmed off another card and I matted everything on scraps of specialty cardstock and affixed them to my kraft slimline card. I had intended to add snowflake brads or sequins, but nothing seemed quite right, so I decided to stop and let the cardinals be the stars of the show."

Link your cards right here by 6pm (EST) on Wednesday, April 21st. Keyword for galleries and Flickr is JB-21-08.

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter

To Die For!

There are so many gorgeous cards in the gallery this time, it was especially hard to choose just three; so be sure to scroll down to the original post and grab an eyeful of inspiration!

Liz Cavill of Crafty Sunflower

...used a clever pop-up die set to create her awesome dimensional staircase, then accessorized it brilliantly to give the feeling of being in a festively decorated room! 

(We especially love that cool embossed "wallpaper"!)

Viv of Viv's Visuals

...has both "Merry" and "Bright" covered perfectly with this bold and dramatic CAS card; plus two sets of diecut trees for a super cool shadow effect! 

Carol S of Inky Fingers

...proves that sometimes thinking INSIDE the box is a really great idea; especially if its a folding box card, and it's full of diecut holiday cuties!

♥♥♥

Many thanks to everyone who played along, we really do love seeing every single one of your amazing cards. We'll be back at midnight with a brand new prompt we hope you'll think is the greatest thing on earth! ;) 

Prepare to DIE(cut)!

We're still celebrating dies and punches at Jingle Belles and you have until Wednesday evening to join the fun! 

Scroll down to the original post to see the awesome Readers' gallery and link up your card; meanwhile, here's what we made this week:

Lauren's Card

Lauren says, "Since die-cutting can result in both positive and negative images to work with (the die cut itself, as well as the hole it made) I've got a two-fer this week! The card to the left was made using ancient nested diamond dies to create two layered mats, which I filled with Impression Obsession's Deer Trio and Birch Trees. I took the diamonds I discarded while making those frames and stacked them, added more deer plus some Fiskars punched trees, and layered them onto an alternate background I made last week with the Hero Arts Holly Confetti die."

Stephanie's Card

Stephanie says, "I'm not sure how long I've had this cute little Holiday Owl from Elizabeth Craft Designs in my stash, but I had never cut him out.  He's super-cute and perfect for a card in the Iowa Hawkeye Colors for some fans on my Christmas Card list.  Sentiment is from Kerri Bradford  Oh What Fun and layout is the current Mojo Monday Sketch."