Anything But A Card Challenge #8

Today sees a new challenge at Anything But A Card. This is #8 and our theme is 'Celebrating The Light or Seasonal Holiday'. I do hope you pop over to the blog and have a look at what the other team members have made and even more than that, I hope you may find time to put in a little entry. Our last theme didn't seem to be quite so popular with you all but I suspect that many of you will have already made something that's suitable for the current challenge! We'd love to see you there and you never know, you might be chosen as one of our winning artists!

For my pieces this time, I chose the second option which is 'Seasonal Holiday' mainly because I love Christmas crafting and by making these two little gift holders, it means I've produced much needed packaging for Christmas presents!

I've used the Tim matchbook die which you have probably spotted around blogland being used for the very same purpose which I've chosen to utilise it for today. I usually give my Neice and Nephew gift cards because they're in their twenties and can then select something far more appropriate than Auntie Julia could ever choose!

I've attempted to make one gift card holder very girlie and the other more masculine for obvious reasons! Here they are and I should warn you I've had to use quite a few photos:

The 'girlie' gift card holder.

The rose is made from tattered floral die cuts coloured with dylusion spray and Tim's glitter. Some gold cord and charity shop beads were added to complete the look.
The matchbook die cut was embossed with a Tim snowflake folder, painted with layers of acrylic, gold paste applied followed by two step crackle. The cracks were emphasised with acrylic paint.

More of the gold cord was used to make the ties to close the matchbook. Some gold lace was sandwiched between the outer and the inner lining card.

The gift card fits snuggly in the little pocket.

The lining was cut from kraft card. The surface was stamped with a free CS stamp using metallic distress stains and white acrylic paint. Walnut stain distress ink was used on all edges.

After the gift card has been spent, the holder could be used to hold post it notes - they will need to be firmly fixed in place.

The 'boy' version of the gift card holder. This was made exactly the same way as the first, but different colours were used, no gold paste and the holder was decorated with embossed snowflakes. Before applying the two step crackle, the embossed painted card was lightly sanded  to give a shabby look. Jute plaited braid was used to make the tie closure.

The embossed punched snowflake on the front of the gift holder.

Kraft card was used to die cut the edging for this holder. The edges were sponged with distress ink.

The gift card in position.

The lining was made in the same way for both holders. On the boy version, a snowflake was stamped and embossed.

The post it note pad in position.

Thank you so much for bearing with me and looking at my work. I love the 'girlie' holder the most but I'm very pleased with the shabby look of the 'boy' holder with the jute braid. Let's hope my Neice and Nephew are pleased with them too! Let me know what you think.

Your turn now! Get out those Christmas makes, take a photo and join us at Anything But A Card.