MeGa Stampin Studio

Freebie Friday Gift Card holder

As promised, today we are not only sharing this gift card holder but a "how to" achieve a soft suede look as a background on your project by using just your stamp pad. There is still time to make one of these to give to that special someone in your life for Valentine's Day!

 

As always, gather your supplies before you begin.   You will need the following for this project:

A 3x6 envelope, ink pad, card stock, patterned paper, a bone folder, glue, punches and other goodies for embellishments.

 

 

 

 

The first step is to create this easy soft suede looking background.  All you need is your envelope and a stamp pad.  We've used Stampin' Up! Blushing Bride for this project.

Lay your envelope flat and with your stamp pad every so lightly run it back and forth and up and down over your envelope until you have the desired look and depth of color.

This is called direct-to-paper and can be done on any paper to create a wonderful background.

The next step is to prepare the envelope for the gift card holder.

First, fold the envelope in half, creasing well.

Next, fold the flap with the adhesive in half, using the glue as your guide, simply crease the flap along the bottom of the glue line.  Dampen the glue or use a tape runner to glue this part of the flap down.

It should look like this.

Now you are ready to start on the "gift card holder insert" that will slide into the envelope, just under the flap.

Cut a piece of card stock, we used Blushing Bride, 3-3/8" x 3-1/4".

On the top which is the 3-3/8" side, using your 1/2" circle punch to create the small half circle which allows you to grasp the card. 

Along the bottom, punch one time using the slot punch to create the flap to hold the gift card.

Add the gift card and embellish the top of the gift card holder.  For this project, we used two pieces of Making Memories patterned paper.

The polka dot strip is 1/2" x 3-3/8".  The heart was punched from the same paper using the Stampin' Up! small heart punch.

Slide your gift card holder into the envelope.

Now you are ready to decorate the front, which is the bottom part of the envelope.

Fold the bottom of the envelope up where you creased it earlier.

Cut a piece of patterned paper 3-3/8"  x 2-5/8" and glue to the front.

To create an embellishment and the closure for the holder we stamped an image from the Stampin' Up! Vintage Label set onto Naturals Ivory card stock using Blushing Bride ink.  It was punched out using the scallop punch.

You can create any embellishment for the center.  We chose an element from My Minds Eye called Market Street "Love Brads".

Put this element together and glue just the very top of it to the top of your flap.

You will also need to punch a second scallop circle to help complete your closure.  We have used the small magnetic disc from Basic Grey.

Once you have glued the first scallop onto the flap, glue either the negative or positive piece of the magnet in the center of the back side of your scallop.  Glue the second scallop over the top being careful to glue only around the edges, not on top of magnet. Add another small punched heart if desired.

You can now place the other part of your magnet right on top of the other (which is under the paper) so you can add glue to it and close the flap allowing the glue to dry.  When it's dry your second magnet will be in the right place for the perfect closure every time.

" For You" is also a stamp from Vintage Labels.  It's stamped on Naturals Ivory in Early Espresso and punched out using the small oval and layered on the large oval which is Blushing Bride card stock.  Dimensionals were used to adhere the message.

So here is a picture of the gift card holder insert and your finshed gift card holder.

 

Another great Friday; another fun project! Have a wonderful weekend!

Melissa & Gayla

MeGa Team

Halloween Combo - treats and a gift card!

Halloween is just around the corner so why not make some of these fun treat cards.  We used the Wicked Fun Specialty Designer Series Paper.  The little flocked bats worked well on this treat card.  The test tubes were purchased last year and we believe they were found on www.testtubesonline.com.  There are many sizes and so many uses for these. 

 

The inside shows you can include a gift card with your candy treat. Of course, a note pad would be nice, too.

 

For the second sample, we used Halloween paper from the Holiday Mini Catalog, Nite Owl.  The new Bitty Bat punch.  These bats were shaped for dimension.  We know many don't celebrate Halloween but we hope you see that you could even make this exact treat card (without the bats) and it could be used for a birthday or anything.  Much of the paper is versatile.

 

These are fun and easily adapted for the occasion you choose. The general directions for this treat card are:

• Score an 8-1/2" x 5-1/2" piece of card stock at - 3-1/2", 4-1/4", and 5".  Fold on the center score line and cut in about 3/4" and then another 3/4".  Do this from both ends.(See the picture below.)  The two "tabs" created from the cuts will be the two pieces that fold "out" and hold the test tube.
  Of course, the distance between the score lines and the size of cuts will depend on the size of your test tubes.

 

Have a great week!   Melissa and Gayla

 

 

Take 2 Tuesday - Spooky Spider Gift Tote

 

This little gift tote is the exact size of last week's tote, BUT we did not use the side pieces.  This is perfect for a gift card.

 
The tote is made from purple felt and blanket stitched by hand in black.  Yes, it was a little time consuming and you could definitely use a machine but we love the look.  Even the black "spider thread" is black embroidery floss, hand-stitched.

 
The spider is made using the Big Shot Circles #2 die.  We took 2 circles from black felt and glued eight legs between them.  Our legs are made with Baker's twine.  And, of course, who could resist googlie eyes!

 
Supplies:

• Felt - Black and Purple
• Big Shot Circle #2 die
• Other - Baker's twine, googlie eyes, black embroidery floss, fabric glue

 

If you haven't purchased this tutorial and would like to, just use the Paypal button below and we'll send you the tutorial within 24-48 hours of receiving your $3.95 payment.  Here is the original post for more details.

Happy Birthday Coffee Cozy Idea

We've shared how to create a four page Coffee Cozy album and a six page Halloween mini album, so how about something on a smaller scale

This sweet little 2-page album is actually a gift card holder.  The step-by-step tutorial will give you details on how to put your albums together but this one is held together with 5/8" grosgrain ribbon.

 
Here is the inside.  You can see we put a sentiment on the inside just like a card.  You can see the the gift card is attached to the pocket insert with glue dots so as not to damage the gift card.

 
The pocket insert has a tab attached so that it shows above the cozy card.  We used the Round Tab punch to create the "for you" tab.

 
The card/albums are all made with cardboard coffee cozies - like you see at coffee shops.

The coffee cozy album tutorial comes with step-by-step instructions and can purchased for only $4.95 using the PayPal button below.  Here is the original post if you need to see more detail.

We think this would be great for Christmas gift cards as well!  Have a great weekend.

MeGa Team - Melissa and Gayla 

Briefcase for Dad

This small brief case is the perfect size for a gift card or business cards.  We have created this masculine look just in time for Father's Day.  But, it is equally adorable stamped, made with DSP or card stock, etc.  We will show you a couple of other looks.  These would be adorable gifts for down-line (or up-line) for convention, for hostesses, for gift cards, etc.

 

Below is a close-up of the back.  For the faux leather technique, we used an embossing template, a Versa Mark pad and clear embossing powder.  This holder uses the new Square Lattice embossing folder with Creamy Caramel card stock.  Then lightly run the Versa Mark pad over the "raised" part.  Sprinkle with clear embossing powder, heat and sponge everything with Creamy Caramel ink.  We used black grosgrain ribbon all the way around the holder as well as some "old" HodgePodge Hardware.  Tomorrow's post will have another sample and instructions for putting the holder together.  We will have the information where you can get the briefcase /gift card holders.

 

Big Shot Wednesday - Week #2 Perfect Setting

We know we have already shared an apron idea but we were on such a roll and loving the whole apron thing that this little gift bag was just too cute to not share as well.  The apron on this gift bag is removable.  It holds a gift card but you could just insert a gift tag.  Notice the collar around the top of the "dress" uses the other piece on the die.

Here is a close-up of the apron showing some of the detail and embellishments - pearls.  They match the pearl buttons going down the dress front.  The pink bag is just a regular shaped bag that we used a punch to shape the arm holes and the neckline.

 

Here is a close-up of the back so you can see we truly attached the apron by tying it around the bag.

We PROMISE that the next two weeks have nothing to do with aprons.  They are completely different ideas for using this die, Perfect Setting.  Supplies used:

• Card Stock - Pretty in Pink and Certainly Celery
• DSP - Pawsitively Prints
• Other - Flat back pearls, Whisper White Organza Ribbon, Perfect Setting Die, Wide Oval punch, pink curly paper

 
 

Big Shot Wednesday - Week #1 Perfect Setting

This month our projects will have a little more vintage feel.  We both love vintage and this Perfect Setting die just fit the bill.  Our first project is this adorable apron gift card holder.....perfect for mom!  Even though this is retired DSP, it seemed perfect for this project.  Of course, EVERYTHING has been sponged with Creamy Caramel giving it an "old" look.  We used three of the cupcake "bases" to create the ruffles - two on the front and one inside.  We aren't sure you can see all the detail, but we faux stitched around the apron and the pocket.  Here is a link for the apron.

The inside of the card is designed so you can insert a gift card or money.  Of course, it would be adorable just as a note or card.  You could even use it to pass along a small recipe. 

Supplies:

• Paper - Whisper White card stock, Bella Rose DSP
• Ink - Creamy Caramel (pad and marker)
• Embellishments - Kiwi Kiss striped ribbon, Kiwi Kiss buttons, Polka Dot embossing folder, SU! exclusive Perfect Setting Die, Dimensionals

 

How fun to come up with new ways to use all our Big Shot dies. We'd love to see any new ideas you come up with.  Thanks for stopping by for Big Shot Wednesday.  Don't forget, tomorrow we will be revealing the winner of our Royal Blog Tour candy and to give you more details about the blog tour projects. 

Cupcake Gift Cardholder

This is the final week in April so our cupcake ideas are starting to wind down.  I'm sure that you will see more cupcakes sneak in here and there but it is time to move on to other things.  The Royal Blog Tour starts this Friday!  We are excited to be a part of this tour again.  Be sure to check out our projects and to leave a comment as we are having another drawing for blog candy!

This gift card holder is made with two 6x6 pieces of DSP.  Most of us have stacks of 6x6 DSP so this is a great use for it.  This idea was originally a card but we glued the edges together and created a slide out pocket for the gift card.

Supplies:

• Card Stock - Close to Cocoa, Whisper White
• DSP - Pretty in Pink, Close to Cocoa
• Stamp Set - Crazy for Cupcakes
• Ink - Close to Cocoa, Pretty in Pink
• Embellishments - Pretty in Pink ribbon, Dimensionals, Pretty in Pink eyelets, buttons

 

Top Notes are back....

This has to be the most versatile die anyone could buy!  We have cut two Top Note die cuts from felt.  Cut one of those in half; you just need one and a half.  We have stitched these two together creating a "pocket."  This pocket is perfect for holding a gift card, cash, a note or treats. 

 
The red hearts are made by punching red felt with the Full Heart punch.  As you can see from the samples, you can use a regular, whip or blanket stitch around the edge.  You could even just glue the two together with fabric glue if you don't want to sew.  Of course, you could always dig out the sewing machine and do a straight or zigzag stitch.

White Chocolate Day!

We are still sharing ideas for the little known holidays!  We have decided this might become one of our specialties! Today is White Chocolate Day.  So, here is your excuse to spend the day celebrating chocolate. 

This little holder is perfect for a Ghiradelli square.  It could also hold a gift card very easily.  This one has been created with Soft Suede card stock and The Write Stuff Specialty DSP.  They can be closed with velcro, ribbon, or a belly band.  Here is the quick and easy pattern.View this photo