Well it’s December 1st. Am I the ONLY one who thinks that is INSANE?? Where did July go?!
Yesterday we actually got an accumulation of snow.
What I can’t believe is I have to STOP the talk about gift giving and actually get started! UGH!! This means it will be a crazy next couple of weeks.
Anyway every month on the 1st Nichole gives us a Design Team Challenge, and this month was to create a unique presentation for a gift card or cash.
I think this was a great challenge for us all because I know we have many TEENS in our family, and I’m not killing myself making them some keepsake (that they will toss) or try to figure out WHAT to buy-so I ALWAYS go the gift card route. You can’t lose 😀
I decided this challenge would help me get some holders ready in time for the holiday. Often even if I don’t MAKE a gift, and give cash or a gift card, I always like to present it in a FUN way.
Well I decided when I saw this gift card design
at Michaels, that it would inspire my design. Did I have FUN!!!!!
You can see how I used a hobby blade to make the mittens “hold” the gift card in the photo above. I stamped my mittens first, then used a coluzzle to cut a circle around them for the body Easy peasy.
I think its great to make your theme fit your gift card theme.
Here is the full view of my first of THREE gift card holders: Spender Snowman
Is he not the most adorable thing you have ever seen?!
I have to say my finished gift card holder just came out better than the vision in my head 😀
The very first thing that ever came to mind when I saw the actual size of the mitten image from the Snowfall set was to hold a gift card! It was one of those ideas that I had, but didn’t execute right away. I just jotted it down, to save for later. Well I’m happy to say that while this was different than my original vision in my head, I just LOVE it. There is a snowman on the card that sparked the idea, as did the colors in the gift card.
Now the hands and body were the easy part. I had to decide what to do for the face!
I used the top of the tree from the Merry & Bright set for my snowman nose, and a middle image of a different tree from the Merry & Bright additions set for my little hat cuff! I thought it matched the gift card perfectly! The rest of the hat was just a die cut circle from Ocean Tides cardstock. Added a pom pom to the top.
The sentiment on the bottom of the snowman is from Merry & Bright
Now my eyes are Bella Dots– just colored with a black sharpie marker!!
I used Pebbles Pearlescent Chalks for the shimmery pink cheeks.
Now the scarf I used the Aqua Mist grosgrain and pulled the fiber apart, securing it in place with a brad from Making Memories. A perfect scarf don’t you think?
This lil Spender Snowman took me about a 45 minutes to make, which isn’t bad considering I had NO real idea what I was going to use for each step.
The BEST part of this entire project was when I showed my husband. He said it was his favorite thing I have ever made! ( I thought-WOW! REALLY?!!) Then he went on with a FABULOUS idea. He since since I was seeking inspiration from my gift card I should also make a Santa and a Reindeer!
What great idea. Considering he never offers creative input or shows too much excitement, I figured I better listen to show him his opinion matters (and get some of our family gift card holders done a tad bit earlier than Christmas Eve! LOL!)
NOTE: You can tell the snow started to fall as I stamped! Put me in the Christmas spirit as I FROZE my hiney off taking photos in our yard outside my stamp room. I crawled out the window-in my slippers-no jacket-to get these photos! OYE! What we do for our hobby eh?
Next up: Santa Sends Some $
Now aside from the mittens (like above) the rest is just cardstock and creativity!
I used Pure Poppy cardstock , and stamped his mittens in black and white ink.
For the belt buckle that was an OLD punch I had from EK Success and never used-till now! LOL! His beard is done in white-using a scallop circle nestability, and his face was a large oval, punched from blush cardstock, with the addition of googly eyes, and pink cheeks!!
Ribbon makes his hat cuff here, and another pom pom.
Then I debated-a mouth or no mouth?
So I slapped one on, and didn’t like it :C
I didn’t have the right size circle for his mouth and I wanted him to be happy. At the end of the day I ripped this mouth off! LOL! Oh well. What is your opinion? Mouth on or off? I guess writing this it is kind cute…….HMM.
Now he only took me a bit over 20 minutes.
Now last but not least: Buck-a-roo
By now its FREEZING and DARK! Sorry this photo is awful :C
BUT…………Isn’t he cute?!
I created him using Kraft cardstock then sponged the edges. For the stamping- his mittens were done with Pure Poppy and Dark Chocolate ink. I made him also hold a snowball.
Want to know what made his antler’s? It was the OPEN line image of the tree trunk from Father Knows Best, stamped in black, on dark chocolate cardstock, then cut out!
His ears are colored Bridal Confetti flowers 😀
His Rudolph nose was originally the layered circle stamp-also from Father Knows Best, and covered with a large Bling (colored with a sharpie marker), but you can still see some of the circle outline, which is what I hoped for. More googly eyes to complete the face 😀
His scarf is a polka dot Ocean Tides ribbon, secured with a button that I embellished with some dotted cardstock.
The sentiment on the bottom is from Merry & Bright
The Buck-a-r00 took about a 1/2 hour since I wasn’t sure HOW to make him look just like a reindeer.
Now here we have a photo of the gift card trio-with the inspiration gift card!
By now I am a icicle! LOL! Covered in falling snow.
I hope you like my version of some cute little gift card holders, all created from the inspiration of the mittens! These didn’t take that long to make, and considering I have done the design part, to re-create them and whip up several, wouldn’t be as long! LOL!
I really don’t care how long they took, as I truly had fun with the challenge, and the extra push of inspiration that my husband set before me 😀 Thanks honey! Im just so happy with these.
Now for MORE inspiring ideas for Cash and Carry be sure to check out the design teams members!
Thanks for taking the time to stop by! Id LOVE to hear which one is YOUR favorite!
Mine is the snowman
Alexa liked Santa
Amber liked the Santa
Noah liked the Santa
I should have expected the kids to say that one! LOL!
Jay wouldn’t pick-he said they were all equally cute. I think he thought it was a trick question! You know like most men think when we ask them stuff. Too funny.
Anyway-hope you find some time to stamp for FUN! Challenging yourself while crossing off your “to do” list is a great way to multitask 😀
Thanks for reading and only 24 more creating days till Christmas!
81 Responses for "Cash and Carry Challenge"
My favorite is Rudolph…..they are all adorable. You are just too good!!! I think I might have to try these out myself!
Lauren you are truly one of my fave stampers!! You always inspiring me with your creativity!! Thank you SOOOOO much for sharing it all here on your blog!! I hope that someday I may actually meet you in person!! Blessings and Hugs!!
PS — If i had to choose a favorite it would probably be the snowman — I love snowmen!!
Oh my gosh, are those cute!!! I can’t pick a favorite… they’re all suuuuper cute! I can’t believe you set them in the snow to photograph them… didn’t they get wet? 🙂
We have to pick a favorite? But they are ALL fab, Lauren! You’re amazing. I know, I sound redundant. But you ARE!
mine is santa/snowman. and keep the mouth. I made mine in a pinkish color.
TOODANG CUTE!
How cute! I think I will do that for Abby with a McDonald’s card! She would like it to hang in her room afterward!!
These are absolutely adorable! I don’t know how you come up with all of these ideas but I am sure glad that you do!
I like the snowman, too. What a great idea to use parts of the Merry & Bright trees for the nose and the trim of the hat!
cute idea!! I even have adults I always buy gift cards for! my favorite is the reindeer *smile*
I love all three but if I had to pick the snowman could you tell me the size circle you used I have alot of gift cards for my daughter and I would love to make this.I love your idea
oh these are all so cute Lauren! My favorite one is the reindeer. Even without the gift cards they would make cute ornaments to hang on the tree or in the window. You really took some stamps way out of the box on this project!
OOOOOOh, tough choice. I LOVE the red nose on the reindeer but I have to say that the snowman is my fave.
Love them all but the snowman is my fave. TFS
these are soooo adorable and cute!! 🙂
Lauren, these are absolutely ADORABLE!! You are soooo talented, girl!!
LOVE the pic of the 3 of them together in the snow. Cute!!
OK these are just too darn cute! That Rudolph is cracking me up. He is adorable. And the snowman is awesome. I am a snowman addict and he is super cute. Have a great day! -Molly B
Well I think they are all CUTE CUTE CUTE! I love that reindeer for her nose!
Yes, these are the cutest things I’ve ever seen for gift cards! I especially love the snowman, but it would hard to pick just one. Thanks for these GREAT ideas!
These are AMAZING!! I love the snowman and the reindeer the best. Love what you did for the snowman’s scarf! Brilliant idea to use the tree trunks from Father Knows Best for antlers. I was blown away! They are all adorable!!
Oh these are stinkin cute! I love the reindeer the most, but they are all adorable.
OMgosh…these are soooo adorable, Lauren!! I LOVE them!!
The snowman!!!! Though they are all adorable! Super cute!
Awwe! I love all 3 a lot! But if I really had to pick 1 it would be the Snowman!!!! Way to go girl!!!!!!!! TFS! ~Heidi
oooo……if i had to pick, because you said to pick….lol!, i would also pick th esnowman…but i LOVE all three of them!
heh heh heh…that’s a tough one Lauren – I like them all too…but I’d say toss up between the snowman and the reindeer…I love the blingy nose 🙂
These are perfect for gift cards – brilliant.
Love them all, Lauren. The snowman is my fav but they’re all darling. Wish I could pick your brain for a few hours.
These are all too cute, but my favorite is the snowman!
I love them all! You are so creative.
How freakin cute are these?!! I love the raindeer myself… the little ears are adorable… Lauren, you have got some talent!!
Stinkin’ cute!! I can’t pick just one…they’re all adorable!
These are all adorable, Lauren!! I’m with you, I like the snowman but each one has such character of it’s own. Great job!!
OMG these are ridiculously CUTE! I’ve gotta CASE! I’ve GOTTA CASE! So my fave is the reindeer…but I think it’s my fave b/c none of you picked it! LOL! That is typical me! I have a thing for snowmen too…and the santa is cute with OR without the mouth! Love ’em all!
Wow, these are the cutest! I absolutely love the snowman but the reindeer comes in a close second. Thanks for sharing all your AMAZING ideas!
Those are absolutely GORGEOUS!!!!!!!!!! I have to admit that I’m torn between the Reindeer and Snowman for my favorites! BTW, definitely think that Santa needs to be sans mount 🙂
Thanks for your inspiration!
Another Clever Idea!!
They are all truely Adorable…
but because I am a snowman collector
(smiling)…that’s my favorite 🙂
TFS….”Happy Holidays”
Very cute!
You are soooo creative! These are adorable! the reindeer is the cutest! but, i love all of them. Thanks for sharing!
They are all so cute and very creative. I REALLY love the reindeer though!
oh my gosh! I love these! How stinkin’ cute!!!!!
Agreed – the card holders are adorable! (and where did July go??) My favorite is watching the accumulation of snow in the background of each picture. lol (I can laugh. I don’t live in snow any more.)
Lauren, these are just the cutest!! I am with Jay I like them alll but I think I am leaning more toward the snowman.
Lauren you have done it again!!!! We stampers never know where inspiration will come from isn’t that wonderful. I am a snowman gal myself but I must agree with your hubby they are all equally cute. Thanks for working out all the details for us. Have a great day and TFS.
Debbie/Phx AZ
Lauren,
I have a few gift cards to give away this season. I never know what people would really like to have but I do know their favorite stores to shop at so I get GC. I am going to make each of your holders to present (LOL) each card. You are the best.
SO SO Adorable! The reindeer is my favorite (but I have a special place in my heart for reindeer). Fantastic job on these!
There is no way I could only chose one! They’re all stinkin’ adorable!
I think it was cute what Jason said. How sweet!
I love these gift card holders – you never cease to amaze me, Lauren!
Holiday Hugs,
Renee
Ohhhh cute Lauren…what darling, darling creations….simply adorable.
Melissa
I LOVE this idea. It is so cute. I agree I had a hard time deciding which one is my favorite but if I had to choose I LOVE the reindeer. He is just so adorable.
It is crazy that it is Dec. already. I am having a hard time getting into the swing of Christmas (even though we are basically done with everything). The weather is just not winter weather. Living in So. Cal. just isn’t all that it is cracked up to be. I am used to snow in Oct. Dang it, can you send some of that snow our way? 😛
Lauren,
Love the gift card holders! Excellent idea. The snowmans my favorite. Got a good chuckle at the vision of you crawling out the window to get the pictures.
Ann
You are so funny!!! I love them, they are amazing. I love that scarf. Only you would think of unraveling ribbon to create it. Not sure which one I love best, toss up between the Reindeer and Snowman but I do like Santa with his mouth!!!
OMGoodness, those are soooo cute! Santa is hilarious but I love the chubby reindeer!
Love these cute gift card holders Lauren – so cute and a fantastic idea !
I’m going to make some of these – the reindeer is my favourite.
you’re killing me, girl! they were all so fabulous!!! I liked the snowman best but all were adorable!
BTW, I liked the little mouth on santa 🙂
Soo cute and clever! I think the snowman is my favorite too.
They are all cute, but the Snowman is my favorite. I have trouble resisting snowmen and gingerbreadmen. 🙂
Hope your Thanksgiving was happy.
~Meredith
Ick…I feel sick. Only 24 more days?! Thanks for that reality check! I needed it :O)
I like Buck-A-Roo…he’s adorable :] Oh, and Santa without the mouth!
Thanks for continually inspiring me!
I like them all! These are too cute! And the pictures in the snow are just darling.
I pick all three!! Love them – my vote is Santa with the mouth! He looks like he is saying “Wow, I’m getting to pick out what I want!” You come up with the most clever ideas…keep it up!!
sheesh… i leave for a week and just look at all the CUTE stuff i missed out on!!! I love these gift card holders, I think the snowman is such a creative way of using your stamps, but i really do love them all. Im so glad to be back!
k
I like something about each gift card holder.
Too CUTE, I love these!!
They are ALL SO darn cute! I think the snoman is my favorite but I really like them all!
These are absolutely adorable and so creative!
These are very cute. Your ideas are always TOPS. There was a suggestion for the Santa that might be helpful: a mustache might help his mouth look a little better. 🙂
OH MY!!! Those are awesome and adorable! LOVE them! My favorite is the reindeer, so darn cute!♥ Then the snowman, I agree with you I like the santa better without the mouth.
Such a wonderful way to present gift cards! You go girl, as always! 😀 😉
The gift card holders are soooooo cute. I have also put off my shopping, so not much card making, scrapbooking, etc. This year will have to be the year of ordinary or the usual.
Thanks for something great to look at today and some inspiration–even if I have to wait until next year.
Have a great day!
Oh my goodness those are so darn cute!! I collect snowman so, of course, like him a lot. But I think I like the reindeer best…santa and snowmen are everywhere! The reindeer is a nice change!
My oh my, you are sooooo talented! I love these, Lauren. I’m definitely going to give it a try. You’re right… gift cards are the best for teens!
Fantastic job!!! You are crazy woman! Going out in the snow to get these photos – sheesh! But they sure do make the gift cards look adorable. You really outdid yourself in the creativity department. These are the cutest most clever little things I’ve seen in a long time!
Brilliant ideas! Very very cute gift card holders!!! Lauren, you are so very talented!!! Thank you for sharing your creaivity with us!
OMG!! These are sooooo stinkin’ cute!!! (and here I was going to try and stay away from gift cards….Yeah right!! I have to make me some of these!!
Seriously Lauren, I have no idea where July went either, but bring it back as I’m freeeeezing! 😉 I just love love LOVE your giftcard holders, they’re so original! If I had to pick a favourite I’d pick…no, I can’t, they’re all just too darn cute! Thanks for the inspiration!
Hugs,
Erica
These are absolutely adorable! Love it!
Love your gift card holders… they are all wonderful but I love the reindeer in part because he is made up of so many bits and pieces that just shout out that you are a beyond the box kind of gal! In a word the are WONDERFUL!
I love these cute card holders. They are amazing and I will definitely be making some for next year!
I hope you like my version of some cute little gift card holders, all created from the inspiration of the mittens! These didn’t take that long to make, and considering I have done the design part, to re-create them and whip up several, wouldn’t be as long!
Cool post! I like it. Thanks!
MTS Video Converter Download the ideal MTS Video Converter free to convert MTS to FLV, MP4, MPG, MPEG, MKV, AVI, DV, DVD, etc.
M2TS to MP4 Converter
MTS to MOV
MTS to MP4
WMV to iPad you can easily enjoy your treasure video on iPad as well as other devices such as iPod, iPhone, GPhone, Blackberry, 3G phone, Nokia, Apple TV, Creative Zen, Archos, PSP, Pocket PC, etc.
MTS to iPad
FLV to iPad
Welcome all the customers to come to our website
Awesome job epic creations.!
Leave a reply