TAC Savvy Projects for People on the Go

Chistmas Clock by Guest Designer Laurie Willison

 
If you're looking to add your hand stamped decor to your home for the holidays ... look no further!  This FABULOUS clock can easily be customized to match any decor, any theme, any color palette!

Laurie really did an incredible job with this project and at the same time captured our simple, smart, sophisticated philosophy.

I love the simple, yet very elegant, details.  Notice how beautifully the snowflakes are stamped.  And adding button centers here and there is a nice, warm touch.

Don't overlook the glitter bead around the clock face itself.  This was a great solution for hiding the edge where seam meets wood clock.

And topping it off is a beautiful red bow!  This warm Christmas palette is sure to ignite many fond memories and I believe this clock is destined to be a wonderful family heirloom to treasure for many years to come.

 
 Thanks so much for sharing with us Laurie!

Happy Paper Crafting and Merry Christmas!

Mischelle

Personalized Christmas Doll & Packaging by Guest Designer Candi Dierenfield

 
INCREDIBLE Candi has done it again!  I SO love this gift and so did my daughter ... who for some reason still thinks this is for her!  {smiles}.

Candi so captures our simple, smart, sophisticated philosophy with this gift and packaging!  How brilliant to take a purchased doll and then add your own embellishments to make this gift so fabulously personal! 

Who knew shrink plastic could be so sophisticated!

And what a great way to utilize red line tape and glitter!  So smart!

How chic this package looks simply stamped with burnt umber ink!

And if that isn't FUN and FESTIVE enough ... wait until you open this box!

How charming to find this string of gingerbread men!  This is truly the gift that keeps on giving!  What little girl wouldn't LOVE to decorate with these little guys!

And then the BIG WOW continues!  Do you see all of the shrink plastic embellishments?!

The Christmas Tree Brooch.

The personalized waistband.

Gingerbread House hair bows.

And the little black patent shoes have also been so lovingly embellished!

 
Thank you Candi!  You really showed us how to take a gift from 'just a gift' ~ to an heirloom that will be treasured for many years to come!

  

Happy Paper Crafting!

Mischelle

Jenna's Challenge

Before I tell you anything ... I hope I don't get in trouble for hijacking this idea!  You see ~ it's SOOOO not mine.  I actually just heard about it today, from Debbie, who I know is going to be blogging about it really soon ... so I don't want to say too much because Debbie will make it so much more eloquent and fabulous than I EVER could!

So you ask ... why am I blogging about this when I know Debbie is going to?!  BECAUSE!  Tomorrow (or today when this goes live) is December 1st and I think Jenna's Challenge is SO FABULOUS that it's something EVERYONE should know about and consider doing!  The more people that know about this ... the merrier the holidays may be for so many people!  So that's why I am sharing a little bit about Jenna's Challenge right now.

If you don't know Jenna ~ she's a senior in high school with the heart and love of Mother Teresa.  And single handedly I believe this girl will and has already begun changing the world!  Seriously!  If ONLY there were more Jenna's in this world ... what an incredible world it would be.  Anyway.  Here is Jenna's Challenge, in Jenna's words:

"... My mom and I were talking and came up with a little competition.

We are going to see who can influence the most people in the month of December and I thought if we can do it, so can everyone else!

 

So, I am challenging you to try to positively impact the life of one person in the month of December. My mom and I are going for a person a day which makes 31 people this month, but do it however you'd like."

 

Jenna goes on to share that not all ideas have to consist of spending money.  They can be as simple as talking to or eating lunch with someone who no one talks to.  Letting someone know they are special.  Babysitting for an hour free of charge.  So many great ideas!

 

There is much more that I could share but I'd like to leave that to Debbie.  So ... here is where you can find out MORE about Jenna's Challenge Debbie's Simply Inspired Blog be sure and check back throughout the month of December for updates from Debbie!  You'll be so glad you did!  Especially since I'm not sure she's blogged about this yet!  She'll have to get on it now!  {smiles}.

 

Anyway.  I am SOOO inspired by Jenna's Challenge that I'm starting it tomorrow ~ December 1st.  I'm going for 31 people in 31 days.  I decided that I'd like to record each day so I took a little album that I bought at Target for $1 and modified it into my Jenna's Challenge Day Planner.  I can easily drop this in my handbag and have it with me at all times!  I thought what a blessing it will be to look back and remember each thing ~ no matter how big or how little it may seem to me.  And when you think about it ~ do we really know how much a kind gesture impacts someone else?  I doubt we'll ever know the answer to this question, in this life, but, that's okay!  I can tell you that just the idea of doing random acts of kindness fills me with joy and excitement! 

 

I know you'll love this idea as much as I do and I want to let you know that it's perfectly okay if you don't call this Jenna's Challenge.  You can rename this challenge whatever you like ~ whatever inspires you!  Jenna certainly won't mind! 

 

I can hardly wait to start Jenna's Challenge and I hope that this high school senior inspires you this month as much as she's inspired me!

 

Happy Paper Crafting!

Mischelle

Christmas Paper Crafts: Sassy & Sentimental Stocking Part 2 of 2

Today the sassy side of this stocking shines through!  More Mimi, beads and foo foo ... everything a girl loves!

 
 
 It doesn't matter if you make this darling little stocking for your grown up girlfriends or a little girls tea party ... it's guaranteed to delight!

And it all began ... with our very traditional Reece Stocking!  Shall we get started!

I had to show you this shot of the back of the Reece stocking.  Notice the brush marks in my Gloss Gel ~ not only is this fun to touch but it leaves a FABULOUS first impression!

The first thing I did was google 'stocking'.  I printed off one I liked and cut it out bigger than the image itself.  This stocking said to enlarge 200% ... needless to say ... I used it right off the printer!

 I picked out my papers and put them in the order I wanted them.  I used a clip to hold my stocking at the top and each of my papers in place. 

Here is a view of the back:

And then I very slowly began stitching.  Slow ... because I had to!  {smiles}.

I roughly followed the stocking pattern around.
 

The clip at the top helps you to remember to NOT stitch the top closed!

Here's what it's looking like on back:

Then I took my pinking shears and trimmed it out.  Isn't it darling!

Then I pulled out my secret weapon.  I have to tell you ... I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this stuff! 

Apply a coat to the front of your stocking and let it dry.  You can kind of see below that the Gloss Gel makes the paper curl while it's wet.  Don't worry.  It'll be okay.  After the front drys apply a coat of Gloss Gel to the back.  Notice that you can make patterns in the finish with your sponge brush.  You can do zig zags, swirls, straight lines, swoops ... anything your heart desires!

Next I cut a piece of bead fringe the size of the top of the stocking.

I added some red-line tape to the back of it as well as a bead of adhesive along the top of the stocking itself.  Probably not necessary ... I just like glues and adhesives.

Attach the bead trim and let dry.

I attached some ribbon over the twill of the bead trim.   

Here's the back:

 

I could have stopped at this point and added a cute bow with a brooch or something festive ... but ... I just couldn't stop here!  I found this darling fluff at my craft store for half price so I had to get a couple.

Now isn't this FUN!  I don't care if she's a foo foo girl or not ~ she'll LOVE this sassy little stocking! 

 

 Happy Paper Crafting!

Mischelle

 
 

Christmas Paper Crafts ... Sassy & Sentimental Stocking Part 1 of 2

I recently had the opportunity to participate in a swap hosted by my friend Rita on our TAC Paper Crafting Community.  TAC PCC

The theme of the swap was Gift Card Holder ~ any size, any shape.  I was game!  This is one of the projects I sent to Rita.  I thought it would make a darling Gift Card Holder and ... it's actually something I would make and give!

Best of all ~ this isn't just great for a Gift Card  ... it's a great silver ware holder for festive holiday place settings!

Instead of stamping a greeting ~ how about stamping the name of your special guest and using this as a place setting name plate.  You could put a couple of candy canes or mints in the stocking with a little bit of kraft shred.  How fun would that be!

 

And of course ... I think these would make fabulous ornaments for any special tree!  Be sure to include the name of each loved one on the stocking ~ nothing will make them feel more loved!

In my next post I'll share with you the simple steps to creating this project yourself!  And ... give you a peak at my super savvy and sassy girls stocking!

Happy Paper Crafting!

Mischelle

Christmas Count Down by Guest Designer Kim Sears

If you're looking for a Christmas Count Down here is a great idea from Guest Designer Kim Sears!

You just flip the days over as you count down!

 
Notice all of the little touches that really polish this project!

The aging around the numbers and papers, the crinkled song sheet, the button and scrappers floss, the ribbon and glitter ... so much to adore!

 
 
Thanks for a fabulous project Kim!

Happy Paper Crafting!

Mischelle

Christmas Gift & Mailing Station by Guest Designer Laurie Willison

I LOVE the saying 'a picture is worth a thousand words' and here it applies well!  When I first saw this Gift & Mailing Station that Laurie design I was astonished by the details!  There are so many!  Even as I uploaded this project I still noticed even more! 

Laurie included everything!  Tape, postage stamps, gift tags, handstamped cards and envelopes!  Absolutely amazing!  Who wouldn't LOVE to receive this FABULOUS gift!
 

Recycling items is high on my list of favorites and I adore how Laurie converted this clam shell (plastic stamp container) into a fabulous pocket for this pad that does double duty ... keep on reading to learn more!

BTW ~ I apologize to Laurie ... I didn't notice that I hadn't straightened the flower on the notepad when I placed it back into the clam shell.  I would have re-shot this but alas ... I had already returned it to the designer before I noticed. {here I sit shaking my head back and forth in disbelief!}.

 Regardless ... it's still INCREDIBLE!

Stamps and everything!  And check out that recycled tin!

 

As if everything I've shown you weren't enough already ... check out these cards Laurie included! 

I especially LOVE how the ribbon goes across the line in the zig zag and that Laurie used the zig zag vertically!  I think I always use it horizontally!

Now back to that nifty notepad!  Notice that this side is the Christmas Gift List and Laurie has a tag that says 'shopping list'.

Flip the pad over and you have your Christmas Card Address List!  Laurie has tabs for 'Christmas Card List' and 'Addresses'.  WAY FABULOUS!
 

Years ago I purchased one of these turny-round thingy's at our local craft store ... and I never did anything with it ... suddenly I feel inspired!

Laurie thank you for inspiring me and so many Savvy Readers!  This is an incredible project and your attention to detail is amazing ... just like you!

Happy Paper Crafting!

Mischelle
 

Quick, Easy and Elegant Christmas Candle

Look no further for a fabulous holiday gift idea!  This candle wrap is rated E ~ Easy for Everyone and is perfect for hostess gifts, stocking stuffers, holiday favors and more!

Laurie Willison designed this GORGEOUS gift and I can't wait to make more!  One of the most important details is the Burnt Umber Ink stippled along the edge of the pattered paper where it meets the candle.  Easily add polish and pizazz with this technique!

Laurie stamped a greeting on white cardstock, layered it onto a brown mat and then added brads to each of the four corners.  And don't forget that touch of ribbon!  Sassy and sophisticated!

Speaking of polish ... Laurie polished the back of this candle quite nicely!  She folded the paper and ribbon in about 1/2" before adhering down.  It leaves a very finished edge and the ribbon stays crisp and clean!

Candles are ALWAYS in style and this one is perfect for the holiday season!

Happy Paper Crafting!

Mischelle

Willoughby Frame

The holidays are just around the corner and this frame is a FABULOUS gift that you can make for friends, family, co-workers, teachers ... anyone of those special people on your Christmas list!

You may remember this frame from our Escape Leadership Conference!  It is one of my favorite projects and PERFECT for gift giving.  On this tutorial Sophie and I share some tips and tricks for making this project that I'm sure will become one of your favorites!

Happy Paper Crafting!

Mischelle