Photo Album

Step 1
Cut 3 10x10 pieces of cardstock. I used 2 white and 1 red for this project. Also cut 2 5 1/2 pieces and 2 5 1/4 pieces.

Step 2
Score the 3 10x10 pieces at 5" horizontally, vertically and once diagonally. Stamp snowflakes all over both sides of cardstock.

Step 3
Glue the 3 pieces together so that they look like the picture above on the top right.

Step 4
Fold the photo album like an accordion. The diagonal points should meet in the middle. It will feel like it is fighting against you but will settle after it has been tied together.

Step 5
Cut 2 pieces of ribbon at 15" each. Using mono tape, glue one to each side of the folded album in the middle.

Step 6
Stamp snowflakes all over the 5 1/2" cardstock on one side. Using mono tape, adhere to the smaller 5 1/4 cardstock. Fold over the edges and make a cover for the smaller pieces. Glue down the 5 1/4" pieces on each side of the album and tie the ribbon together.

Step 7
On a scratch piece of cardstock, stamp the truck and tree and numbers for the year you want to add to the cover. Color using watercolor pencils and blender pens. Glue down on the front of the card.

Stamps used for this are Loads of Love, Snow flurries and Headline Numbers.

Easy gift bag

Running out of time to get to the store for a small gift bag? Never fear! Here is a very simple gift bag to make. All you need is a brown paper lunch bag, cardstock of your choice, glue, raffia string, tag punch, signo gel pen, a sponge, ink of your choice and a stamp set of your choice.

Step 1-

Cut off 1 1/2 inches off the top of the bag.

Step 2-

Cut cardstock to fit the bag. You will need one side to fit the front of the bag and one side that is 2 1/2 inches longer.

Step 3-

Stamp your image all over the cardstock and tag.

Step 4-

Use the signo gel pen (white) to add depth to your image.

Step 5-

Sponge the main color of your bag all over in the background to add depth.

Step 6-

Score the longer piece of cardstock at 2 1/2 inches from the top. This will be the backside of the bag and be the "lid".

Step 7-

Adhere the front and back pieces to the bag.

Step 8-

Cut raffia string long enough for a bow to be tied.

Step 9-

Punch a hole in the tag and on the lid of the bag where you want the tag to be placed. String the raffia into both holes and tie into a bow.

You now have an inexpensive gift bag that takes about 15 minutes to make. I think this is much faster than driving to the store. picking one out and standing in the checkout line. Please note that these cannot hold heavy items or ones that have moisture.

Gift Ideas for teachers

Some of us out there like to show our appreciation to the teachers in our children's lives around Christmas time or the end of the school year. The first question that comes to mind is what to give? There is the hand towel set, candles, ornaments etc... Why not jazz them up and make them more personalized to the teacher. Stampin' Up! offers a wide variety of stamp sets that any teacher would love to see used on everyday projects. For example, you could use the craft stamp pads to make a unique pattern on towels, you could stamp on the outside of a plain canle holder and you could hand make the ornaments and personalize them from your child to the teacher. I have also seen plain muslin wine bags turned into beautiful gift bags for the recipient. Another wonderful gift idea is to make a photo album set for the teacher to put all the pictures from the year in and it can be made for the particular year that your child is in the class room. These projects are simple and fun to do and teachers really like handmade gifts. I gave both of my childrens teachers handmade stamped gifts before Christmas break and they loved them. It also lets them know how much you appreciate what they are doing with your child. If you have any other ideas you would like to add to the list, please add them in the comment section.