2009 Favourites and Thursday Winner

HAPPY NEW YEAR

Can I start by thanking all of you who visit my blog. I really to enjoy showing my work and reading your comments. It's strange how the blog has introduced me to people who I have never met and yet feel that I know them.

I've seen a few people showing some of their favourite things from the past year and thought I'd do the same. It's a year ago now that I started thinking of starting an ATC Swap. Well the idea took off and I even set up a blog and ATC SWAPPERS was born. I wasn't sure how it would go but it turned out to be a success. It is still a small and friendly swap and have managed to stick to the 'Fun with no Obligation' philosophy that was the foundation of it all. There are regular swappers, those who dip in if and when they can and each month new people joining in. If you'd like to join in then pop on over to the blog for more info.

Anyway, I thought I'd show you some of my favourite ATCs I made for the swap.

Now onto the Blog Candy. Thursday's winner of the Blue Carry All Kit is:

Katie-Louise Oakley

Tomorrow's prize will be the last of the week and it's the largest item - the Sizzix Box 3 Die Cuts. They create a substantial box which can hold an array of items. If you'd like to see some made by the children at school with me then check yesterdays POST. To be in with a chance of winning the kit, please click HERE.

Polar Boxes and Wednesday Winner

A while ago I showed you some boxes that we made at school with the infants. Now's the time to show you what the Juniors made. They used the Sizzix Box 3 Die to create these:

The Polar Bears and Backing Papers are a digital set from Tinkers and Co.

Because it is a mixed class, the age ranged from 7 to 11 and therefore the final result was up to them. Some drew on faux stitching and others left the panels plain.

Some simply stuck on one image layer and others decoupaged the bears.

Inside was filled with toffees!!!

I think that each and everyone of the children did a great job and created a project they should be proud of.

If you'd like to create a similar box, then these die cuts are in fact my final giveaway on Friday for my Blog Candy. To enter, visit this post HERE.

My final bit of business is to announce the winner of the Wednesday giveaway. The winner of the PINK CARRY ALL KIT is:

ANESHA

Congratulations Anesha and can't wait to see what you make with the kit. Could you please e-mail me you address please.

Tuesday Candy Winner

On offer today was a Pink Popcorn Box Kit. And who has won it? Well it's

KEZ_ZA

In her post, she mentioned that she was thinking of trading in her Cuttlebug for a Big Shot so as she could use these dies. The only advice I can give her is DON'T! They DO fit through the bug - it's what I use. The only thing I had to do was trim a couple of millimetres off the sides of the XL plates and it works fine.

Please e-mail me your address so that I can post the kit to you.

If you'd like to be in with a chance, there's still 3 more days to go. Simply head over to the post HERE for more details.

Popcorn Box and Monday Candy Winner

Today's prize for my Blog Candy is a kit for making Blue and White Popcorn boxes. I then realised that I hadn't actually posted any of these boxes on here apart from the tutorial which wasn't decorated. I wanted to show how easy they are to decorate and the simplest way is to cut out four side panels and a square for the top out of some patterned paper. Since today is a blue themed give away, I decided to also use blue.

I've used some Nitwits Farm themed paper and used a template (which I've included in the candy giveaway) to cut out four mats. I then doodled around them and stuck them on. I then cut out a square and doodled stitches onto it as well and stuck it on the lid - what could be simpler?

So who has won the first kit? Who will be able to recreate this box for themselves? Well, the answer is

TERI

Thanks for joining in Teri and congratulations on being the first winner. If you could e-mail me your address and I'll post the kit off to you once all the draws have been made.

If you'd like to win some candy them hop on over to this POST and follow the instructions - it's not too late as there are FOURmore draws to be done this week!!!

Sizzix Doggy Carry Alls

Here are some boxes I made using my Sizzix Carry All die. I have decorated them using a downloadable kit from Nitwits. I simply resized the images in Microsoft Publisher and adorned it. Instead of panels in the centre of each side like I normally do, I have added the backing paper all around the base. I think this is a nice change.


Here's a close up of the very cute dog from the kit. I couldn't get it in focus as I had to get so close to take the pic - I already had it on the macro setting. Even so, you can still see how cute he is.

The second one here is a return to central panels. I have doodled around myself (as I did in the first too) and simply decoupaged the items onto them.

Remember, if you'd like to get your hands on some of these die cuts to make your own, check out my CANDY HERE! I will be making the first draw tomorrow evening so be quick.

Last Chance

Make sure that you sign up for my blog candy giveaway - today is the last day to sign up if you'd like to be in with a chance of winning each day. If you are reading this after Monday, still join in as there are chances each day to win so it's never too late. Click HERE or on the banner below for more details:

I have made a few more projects using the kits that I'm giving away, just need time now to photograph them and put them up here. Keep an eye out!!!

Popcorn Box Tutorial

Here's the promised tutorial on how to put together the Sizzix XL Popcorn Box. The box itself is larger than I expected. The one I've made for this tutorial has simply been stamped with no extra decoration - very minimal.

If you would like to get your hands on some of these die cuts and have a go yourself then click HERE to enter my Blog Candy giveaway and be in with a chance to win some.

Here are the pieces needed to create the box.

If you want to stamp straight onto the box then now is the time to do this.

To decorate the outside of the box, stamp onto the side with the tape.

I've actually stamped the inside of the box too just to add to the overall effect.

Attach the two side panels together as shown.
Now add the lid part and the base pieces as shown here.
Attach the side panels together to complete the box portion.

Turn the box upside down and fold the side panels in

and tuck them under the 'U' shaped piece.
Now fold in the final piece and tuck the flap in through the slot.

Here's what the base should look like - very neat and tidy.
And there we have it, the completed box ready to be decorated and filled.
Hope you like it.

EDIT: To answer Angela's query regarding the size, it's:

3 and a half inches tall

Top is 2.5 inches square (well, just over)

Base is 1.75 inches square (again, just over)

If you want to see the size for yourself then enter my blog candy for a chance to win a kit and then you'll be able to see for yourself. Simply click HERE for more details!

Sizzix Carry All

Bear in mind, if you like what you see in this post, check out my Candy Giveaway at the top of my blog and be in with a chance of getting your hands on these die cuts.

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I was so happy when a parcel arrived this morning and inside were some Sizzix XL Dies - the Carry All Box and Popcorn Box. Haven't had much playing time though but have cut out a load of pieces ready for use. I'd seen the Carry All Die being used by Sarah and thought they looked great. The first I have to show is a Carry All.

I cut out a box in brown and have decorated it to go with a few challenges - Secret Crafter Saturday Challenge, My Time To Craft, Simon Says, Creative Inspirations, Pink Elephant, Stamp Something and Allsorts. Who knew a simple project would hit so many themes.

The theme for SCSC was to make a last minute gift idea. I think, with the ease of use of these dies, that they match the theme well. My Time To Craft wanted a 'Yuletide Wishes' themed project.

With Allsorts, it was to make anything but a card. Creative Inspirations wanted a 'Christmas Gift'. And Simon Says was simply a 'Merry Christmas' theme. Pink Elephant had a Christmas/Winter theme. 'Holiday Somethings' is the challenge set by Stamp Something.

I have some plans for these dies too and will post a tutorial on how to put them together. The purpose will make sense soon enough too. Keep your eyes peeled.

Now, what to do with the popcorn die?????

Some Quick Reindeer Cards

Here are some small (4 by 4), quick and easy cards made using Elzybells Kraft Card and their reindeer stamp. The snowflake and white ink are also from Elzybells

They've simply been coloured, mounted and doodled on. Not a long post but it doesn't need to be!!!!

Another Sizzix Attack

Yes the Sizzix box has struck again!!!

This time, I've used the Elzybells dog on the front and have used my Stampin Up Punches to create an aperture in the lid. There is Acetate over the window to stop the contents falling out. I punched the circle out of the lid then placed the cream mat ontop and drew a pencil mark from the back. I then lined the scallop punch and punched the hole.

You can just about see the inside of the box contains some hot chocolate packages but these may be changed before the box is given away.

Sizzix Strikes Again...

Here's a box I made using a pack that was left over after sending them out to all my ATC Swappers. Each person who swapped last month was given a kit to make a box like this which included the die cut pieces and ready cut panels. I thought I'd show what was possible to make using their kit and decied to use the Elzybells cow.

I think the cow goes really well with this bright fuchsia pink card. I stamped the cowspots onto the pink panels and the image and sentiment onto the white linen card. It was simply coloured with Promarkers with some doodles for borders. If I'd thought before sticking them down, I would have doodled the side panels too.

Winter Wonderland - Week 29 Nativity

Can you believe this is my third post for the day - I'm like the bus right now - none for ages then all comes out in one go!!!! Please check out my other posts too as I really appreciate your comments and feed back.

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The theme this week at Winter Wonderland is Nativity. Now I'm not sure if I qualify here or if I'm cheating as strictly speaking I didn't make these but wanted to show you what I made in school on Friday (must have had a psychic prediction with the theme!) with the little ones (aged 3 to 6). I took in a big shot and the Shaker Box die and here's what we came up with:

Each child selected their colour for the box and turned the handle to cut it out. Then they stuck down the starry backing panel and chose a nativity character to cut out and stick on (the older girls helped out with the cutting for the youngest ones and what a fantastic job they did seeing as they are only 6 themselves).

Both the backing paper and characters are from the Cuddly Buddly Giggles Nativity download set and were perfect for the little ones. Child friendly with an added cute factor. It also helped that the school nativity/show was held the night before and most of them were dressed as these characters.

I've added acetate to the insides ready for some little treats next week. Hope you like them and again, sorry that I didn't make the challenge pieces myself. I could have made another couple myself but thought you'd prefer to see what the children made.

Elzybells Challenge 33 ~ Christmas Gift Packaging

Aren't these Penguins awesome!!!

Here's my entry for the Elzybells Challenge for Creating a Gift Packaging. I've made a Sizzix Box (Box 3 Die) and have used the Penguin Tree stamp on the front. I've also used their Whipped Cream ink to stamp white snowflakes on the sides (also from Elzybells). They really do show up well on the black card. I know Black and White aren't your most traditional Christmas colours but I really do like it. I've used green, gold and red on the lights and baubles to add that extra festive feel to it!!!

I know this is strange for me but this is my second post of the day. Please check my previous post about the ATCs as I need some help!!!

More ATCs

Thought I'd show you the ATCs I got from the Addicted to ATCs Swap. Last month's theme was 'Spooky' and here are the three I got back. There are two more Elzybells ATCs for my collection too - Woohoo.
Their next swap theme is 'Waiting for Christmas'. The swap is for 3 ATCs but I got a bit carried away and have made 3 sets of 3 and now don't know which to send in? Any advice? Which of these would you like to see if you were in the swap?

All were made using Elzybells stamps. The first up are the 'Three Kings':

This time it's the Sheperd:

And finally some Robin ones:

So which should I go for?????????

ATCs

Thought I'd show you the ATCs I have from the latest swap at ATC SWAPPERS. It was a mega swap this month and have a great collection of Christmassy ATCs now.

This was the last swap for the year but they'll return in January. If you're interested in joining in with future swaps then visit the blog or e-mail atcswappers@hotmail.co.uk for more info.