Winner Winner, Chicken Dinner

Okay, I am not sure where this post went.  I made a post last week about the winner of my Christmas in July blog hop winner.  I guess it's lost in cuber world somewhere. 

Anyway, according to Random.org, the winner was poster #13 which makes Karen my winner. 

Karen, please send me a PM on CUC with your address to claim your prize.  I'll get it out to you ASAP.

CHRISTMAS IN JULY blog hop

Welcome to the CHRISTMAS IN JULY blog hop, hosted by the Cookin' Up Creations Master Chef Challenge Team! The temperatures outside may say summer, but it's cool in here!! We hope our projects and craft ideas will help you get a head start on your holiday crafting. If you have been following the hop route, then you should have come from Michelle's blog. If not, and you would like to follow along the complete blog hop itinerary, please start at the Cookin' Up Creations Blog so you won't miss any of the fantastic projects and inspiration the "chefs" have cooked up for you.

I used to hand make all my Christmas cards each year.  But it got so overwhelming because of how many I was sending out, I decided to start doing the photo cards.  That way the relatives got an updated photo of the kids and I took pressure off myself to get the cards finished in time.  Christmas time is hectic enough without adding that stress to myself.  However, one thing I do continue to make each year are my gift tags.  A lot of the time I will whip one up as I am finishing a LO using all my scraps I have.  They don't take long to put together and since I make them for all occasions, not just Christmas, I usually have a nice stock of them when I need one.  The great things about gift tags, if they can be made pretty generic so no matter what type of gift you need one for, it will work.  And they can be any shape and size as well.  I created this set in about 30 minutes.  And it only took that long because I was watching TV at the same time. 

they are very basic tags and can be used for any occasion.  I simply cut out all my circles at once.  In this case I cut out 14 because I also adhered one on the backside because that is where I will write who it is to and from.  And because I stapled the twine on it, adding the circle to the back allowed me to cover the staple.  I then punched out my 7 scalloped circles and my 7 stars.  I inked everything in the colors I wanted them inked in, and adhered the stars to one of the circles.  I cut my desired length of twin, knotted it and stapled it on the front side of the scalloped circle.  I then added the circles to the back to cover the staple, and added the circle with the star on the front with foam adhesive squared.  This allowed the knot from the twin to fit between the layers with no problems.  I then added some yellow glitter glue to the star to make it sparkle.  they were quick and easy because

I was able to make them in an assembly line way.  And by making the whole set the same, I didn't have to come up with new designs each time like I did on the next set.

This next set took more time, just because I created each one differently.  And this set is larger in size as well, so I just made four for this set.

For the first one I paper pieced the wreath by using some leaf punches and red rhinestones:

Before adding the wreath to the tag with pop dots, I used a punch that is suppose to make slits/tabs for a gift card to be inserted in, except I used it to make curves on the corners.  After I inked the edges, I put the wreath on, stapled some twine on and then put more leaves and rhinestones over the ugly staple to finish it off.




the second card in that set is just made in the shape of a normal tag.  However I added the paper with the ornament on it and mad it so it would hang off the edge.  Since there are no rules to making gift tags, It's fun to make them be not so uniform.

I didn't want to leave the tag so flat looking though so I added both glossy accent and crackle accent to the ornament.  I know it's hard to see in the photo though.  Then I added the buttons for a little more embellishing and called that one finished.





This third one was quick and fun at the same time.  I mounted one of the journaling cards that are in the Echo Park paper collections to some card stock and used it as my base.

After I had that mounted I simple drew a line of adhesive on the cord from the Christmas lights that was already on the card and placed the twine on it.  I punched out Christmas lights out of the coordinating solid pattern papers and pop dotted them over the pictures of the ones already on the journaling card and added some clear glitter glue to make them shine. Next I stamped my sentiment on a piece of the green paper, mounted it on the kraft cardstock and then again on the red.  I used my scalloped edge scissors to cut along the edge giving it a border and mounted it on the top.  I can either write the info on the front or the back of this one.


On the last tag, I ran the size I wanted through a crimper to add some texture and then inked the edges.

After that I just put some paper strips along one side and added some twine.  I once again used a scalloped circle and cut a gift from one of the papers.  I adhered it on my circle and added some glossy accents to it to give it a little dimension.  I added to twine bow and then once again used pop dots to adhere it to the tag.


I hope that I have been able to inspire you to make your own gift tags.  whether it be for Christmas, or any other occasion.  And now, for following along with me and listening to me ramble, I'd like to offer a small RAK.  to be entered into the random drawing for this, simple become a follower of my blog and leave me a comment on this post letting me know you are now following me.  If you are already a follower, just leave me a comment letting me know that as well.  I will use random.org to choose a winner from all those who do those two things.  Easy Peasy, right?

And now, I'd like to thank you for stopping by!  I hope that you have enjoyed the hop so far and  now be sure to hop into your sleigh and head on over to Tamara's blog to see what holiday inspiration she has cooked up for you. Our blog hop continues through Sunday evening, July 22.

Be sure to leave a comment on each team member's blog, as well as on this one, for your chance to win a prize package valued at more than $50 from a*muse / studio consultant Renee Zieglmeier. The winner will be chosen at random from among the blog hop and crop participants.

And be sure to stop by the Cookin' Up Creations forum for our CHRISTMAS IN JULY CROP this weekend, starting Friday, July 20 and continuing through Sunday, July 22. There will be more Christmas and holiday inspiration, challenges, and games. We would love to have you come play along.

In case you get lost along the way, here's the order for the hop:
Cookin' Up Creations blog (featuring Annette)
Annie
Barb
Cassy
Jan
Jo
Michelle
Sandy <--- You are here
Tamara

Twinkle Twinkle Little Star...(and Blog hike winner)

I want to invite everyone over to Cookin' Up Creations in July as we revisit all our favorite Nursery Rhymes...

Each day of the month (except Monday's they are our make-up days) we will be issuing you all a new challenge based on different Nursery Rhymes.  If you complete at least 15 of those challenges you will be entered into the monthly prize drawing.  So come on over and let's have some fun together.

Oh, and I realized I never announced the Blog Hike winner here on the blog.  Just on the Scrap-Friendzy MB.  OOPS!  Sorry.  The winner was Kerys.  Congrats Girl.