The Twelve Days of Gift Tutorials: Day 12
Hello G45ers,
We're counting down the days until Christmas with gorgeous ideas for handmade gifts! Welcome to the final day of the Graphic 45 Twelve Days of Gift Tutorials! We've got more festive holiday inspiration that's sure to brighten your day! We'll be sharing another magnificent card by Gloria Stengel. Then Nichola Battilana is going to share a fun tutorial for creating a beautiful Christmas cracker, complete with a decorative holiday crown! You're going to fall in love with today's amazing crafts! Lets get inspired to make this the best holiday ever with Graphic 45!
Just a reminder, G45ers, today is the last day to enter to win this breathtaking prize pack! Just leave us a blog or Facebook comment for your chance to win this fabulous grand prize that includes our 12 Days of Christmas collection as well as fabulous products from Core'dinations, Xyron, Petallo and Scor-Pal! This amazing prize is worth over $135 and its got everything you need to craft a perfect holiday season! Be sure to leave a comment for your chance to win! A random winner will be announced on our blog tomorrow! Stay tuned to see if you've won!
The twelfth day of Christmas celebrates the twelve drummers drumming. This fabulous image comes to life in Gloria's dazzling holiday card featuring our 12 Days of Christmas collection. The holidays are such an enchanting time for getting creative. The magnificent papers and embellishments from 12 Days of Christmas offer endless possibilities for perfect handmade cards and gifts! Let Gloria's wonderfully festive card inspire you to let your imagination run wild! Here are some of Gloria's helpful tips for how she created this vibrant holiday treasure. Take it away, Gloria!
This was the hardest card of the entire set to complete. Perhaps because it was the last one or maybe because I was unsure which image to chose. I am happy with the outcome and love the small details such as the glitter flower centers and my "real wood" drum sticks!
I am happy to have purchased a set of Christmas trinkets and that I hoarded them for just this set of projects. They added just the right vintage touch to the cards! I love the vintage metal paired with the sparkle on the flowers.
I cut the flowers with a poinsettia die and then chalked the veins with white chalk ink to give the flowers more dimension. The drum sticks are actually toothpicks cut to size and "stained" with an alcohol marker!
I decorated the inside of the card a sticker and a strip of paper.
Supplies:
Graphic 45 The Twelve Days of Christmas papers:
Graphic 45 The Twelve Days of Christmas Cardstock Stickers
Cardstock: WorldWin Papers Original ColorMates Light Totally Tan, Deep Berry Red, Light Berry Red, Elan Metallics Antique Gold, Smooth Deep Spring Green
Trinket: Tim Holtz Idea-ology
Die cut template: Spellbinders Layered Poinsettia
Gems stones: Couture Creations
Ribbon: Stampin' Up!
Toothpicks: grocery store
Brad: unknown
Ink: Clearsnap Colorbox Chalk Alabaster; Copic Markers
Adhesive: Scrapbook Adhesives by 3L 3D Foam Squares; Scotch 3M ATG tape runner; Beacon Fabri-trac; Aleene's Tacky Glue
Next we have a beautiful gift tutorial by Nichola that also features our 12 Days of Christmas collection! This is her amazing Christmas cracker! This is such a fun holiday tradition! Have a great time creating these sweet gifts for your holiday dinner guests, friends and family! It's the perfect way to bring even more festive cheer to your Christmas celebration! Take it away, Nichola!
We have a combined Christmas in my household, celebrating both my husbands Italian roots and my British background. One of the Brit traditions we always include is the Christmas Cracker. Just before dinner, guests grasp the ends and pull apart these little treats, a small snap inside ‘CRACKS!’ as it breaks open. Inside is a paper crown to be worn during the feast, a joke or motto, and a small treat, gift or trinket.
Supplies:
• 12 Days of Christmas Banners
• 12 Days of Christmas Chipboard Die-cuts 2
• 12 Days of Christmas Stickers
• 12 Days of Christmas 6x6 Patterns & Solids Pad
Cracker snap (I purchased mine from Michaels’s 12 for under $3)
Tissue Paper
Double Sided Tape
• Botanica Minis in Cranberry/Amber/Orange
• Velvet Hydrangea leaves
Trinkets and treats for inside the cracker.
Here is how to create your very own Traditional English Christmas Cracker.
Tutorial:
Begin by creating the paper crown. The crown should be quite simple and not heavily embellished as it will be rolled up. Create your own version or use THIS .template
Download Graphic45_12DaysofChristmas_Cracker_Crown_template
I’ve cut the two pieces from the template from 12 Days of Christmas. **NOTE the template only measures 11” across. Clip or incorporate the extra 1” however you see fit.
Use some double sided tape to adhere the layers together. Take a 28” length of coordinating ribbon and affix it with double sided tape to the crown, adhere the middle of the ribbon with the middle front of the crown. The extra length at the sides will be used to tie the paper crown to your head.
I lightly embellish with some dots from the 12 Days of Christmas Banners and a festive 12 Days of Christmas Sticker. DO NOT over embellish.
Now we move on to creating the actual cracker. Begin by cutting two pieces of coordinating paper into 5” x 6” rectangles.
I’m going to use the piece from the 12 Days of Christmas 6x6 Patterns & Solids Pad for my inner tube. I place a double width of 2 sided tape down the length of the short edge of the paper. I want this inside tube to be slightly smaller than the outsider one.
With the inner tube now created, I roll my paper crown tight enough to fit inside. I can also place any other treats, jokes or small items inside at this point. (Psst! If you have trouble keeping them from falling out, you can sneak them in later!)
Using a small piece of tape (or hot glue, or any other adhesive) tack a snap into place. This will help to keep it in place when it is pulled apart. Do not affix it in the centre, where the snappy bit is.
By bending the strip like the photo below, you further help the snap to stay in place.
I fold a standard piece of tissue paper in half and tightly roll it around my tube. Don’t worry about the excess width, we’ll need it. Tack in place with a tiny bit of hot glue or double sided tape.
Try to avoid squishing the ends as you wrap the second piece of 5” x 6” paper around the outside. Align this outer roll with the inside one.
You should have something that looks like this...
At this point I usually trim about 1” from either end of the tissue. Making sure the the ends are neat and tidy.
To create clean, crisp rolls at the end I make an extra tube that is slightly smaller than my cracker. This doesn’t have to be pretty as it is going to be my rolling tool.
Insert the roll tool inside the end of the cracker. You’ll want to leave about 1-2” of space between the end of the tool and the edge of the crackers tube.
Firmly twist until you have a nice tight seal and a neatly rolled end. Peek inside and you should see the end of the snap poking out of the centre of the twist.
To ensure the twist does not unfurl, tie a small piece of ribbon to hold everything in place.
If you were having trouble keeping your treats inside the cracker, you can now sneak them inside by pushing them in the open end before repeating the same twisting technique to seal the opposite side.
The final step is to embellish the exterior. Use coordinating ribbons, and tags, Fussy cut flowers and lords-a-leapin’. I’ve added a decorative brad and some beautiful flowers and leaves from Petaloo.
When you’re setting your Christmas table, place one cracker on each plate and have guests pull them apart before the feasting begins. And make certain that everyone wears their silly paper hats… they make Christmas merry and jolly indeed!
Wasn't that fun?! We've got one more special treat for you G45ers! Here is another gorgeous series of cards that Gloria created with our 12 Days of Christmas collection. You can download the project sheet for these amazing cards as well as a decorative card storage box! Click on the links below to download the project sheet tutorials. Have a wonderful time creating the perfect cards for friends and family! Happy holidays from all of us at Graphic 45!
Click the link below to download Gloria's card tutorials!
Download Tutorial 12Days-12CardClass
Click the link below to download Gloria's decorative card box tutorial!
Download Tutorial for 12Days-Box
That's all for today's very special blog, G45ers. We had so much fun getting to share this incredible holiday event with you! Be sure to stop by our blog tomorrow when we announce a winner for our amazing grand prize! We will also have a fantastic featured artist and some incredible crafts to inspire your weekend! We can't wait to share the inspiration! Big thanks to Gloria and Nichola for their stunning work today. We also want to thank all of you G45ers for joining us! Have a fantastic day!
Happy Holiday Papercrafting!
Your Friends at Graphic 45
Amazing...Gloria is Genius! I love everything she does...I want to be like her :) I love this paper line...I want it in my stocking! Happy Holidays
Posted by: Patricia | December 12, 2013 at 04:07 PM
Wonderful tutorials! There is something for everyone in these 12 Days projects! Excellent job ladies!!!!
Merry Christmas...Hugs, Linda
Posted by: stampinglyn | December 12, 2013 at 04:22 PM
I loved all twelve cards, each was so clever and attractive. Today Christmas cracker made the light bulb go on. Each year I order a special box to get really good prizes inside. In fact I used a few of them today at a small party with my knitting group. Next year I could make my own and make the gifts appropriate for my knitting friends. Thanks G45.
Posted by: Elizabeth Etheridge | December 12, 2013 at 04:24 PM
Absolutely GORGEOUS!!!
Posted by: Julie Tucker-Wolek | December 12, 2013 at 04:25 PM
Beautiful. Please let this be my lucky day, the day I win all these fantastic products. Nobody does it like Graphic 45.
Posted by: Judy | December 12, 2013 at 04:30 PM
These cards are all so beautiful! Thanks so much for sharing all the tutorials with us.
Posted by: Kathleen Rimer | December 12, 2013 at 04:32 PM
Thanks for sharing. I sure hope I win.
Posted by: MichelleC | December 12, 2013 at 04:32 PM
I WANT EVERY Graphic 45 item! ;-) Thanks for sharing the tutorials.
Posted by: Candee Schamber | December 12, 2013 at 04:42 PM
Just amazing, but I expecting nothing less from Graphic 45. Thank you for the give away.
Posted by: Carol Douglass | December 12, 2013 at 04:43 PM
Wonderful cards and projects on all 12 days, each one was a work of art! Thanks for all the ideas and inspirations.
Posted by: Cheryl Stauffer | December 12, 2013 at 04:44 PM
Wonderful projects! Thanks for sharing!
Posted by: Chris F | December 12, 2013 at 04:50 PM
Love the projects - they are inspiring and the instructions are great with the step by step pictures
Posted by: Dee Brown | December 12, 2013 at 04:56 PM
Great inspiration! Thanks!
Posted by: Bern | December 12, 2013 at 04:56 PM
Just amazing what is done with paper. Love it
Posted by: Therese | December 12, 2013 at 05:00 PM
thank you for a wonderful days filled with lots of inspiration
Posted by: Debbie Eslinger | December 12, 2013 at 05:06 PM
Wow! This is all so beautiful... And look at those gorgeous cards!
Posted by: Cricut Coupke | December 12, 2013 at 05:08 PM
Love these ideas! Thank you for sharing them!
Posted by: Cori W | December 12, 2013 at 05:08 PM
Thank You so much for the Christmas inspiration! And thank You for the generous giveaway. Good luck everyone!
Posted by: Sharon Young | December 12, 2013 at 05:12 PM
Wow everything is just so great. Really enjoyed the twelve days. Thanks. X Sam
Posted by: Samantha wade | December 12, 2013 at 05:17 PM
Great projects! The designers are incredible!
Posted by: Susan s | December 12, 2013 at 05:26 PM
Such a talented group of people!! The products are always beautiful and easy to work with! Graphic 45 makes such high quality products just love them!!!(:
Posted by: Tricia Brewer | December 12, 2013 at 05:27 PM
This is gorgeous!
Posted by: Chrisi Rogers | December 12, 2013 at 05:29 PM
What a lovely Christmas projects~~ <3 It make me feel sweet and warm. That's why i always said i love Christmas and also Graphic 45 projects so much~ Merry Christmas to Graphic 45 and everyone~~
Posted by: Goh Shu Ling | December 12, 2013 at 05:41 PM
Thank you Gloria for all your hard work in making all 12 cards of Christmas for us. I have thoroughly enjoyed the inspiring projects over the last 12 days - thank you!
Posted by: Lynn Hardy | December 12, 2013 at 05:50 PM
Your ideas are just wonderful and I only wish I had enough crafting time to make them all! Thanks for the inspiration.
Posted by: Connie Minnich | December 12, 2013 at 05:57 PM
I would so love this prize package, the things i could make. I am wanting to make the 12 days of Christmas Explosion box. This is so many neat items to win. please please PICK ME!!!
Posted by: Tish Anderson | December 12, 2013 at 05:57 PM
Beautiful! Merry Christmas
Posted by: Karen Smee | December 12, 2013 at 06:09 PM
I'm so in love with this paper collection. But then again i love all G45
Posted by: Erminda | December 12, 2013 at 06:17 PM
oh, oh I do want to win, I'm sure my projects wouldn't turn out that nice, but I can always try
Posted by: mary peterson | December 12, 2013 at 06:28 PM
Wonderful ideas. Happy holidays
Posted by: Yolanda Taylor | December 12, 2013 at 06:35 PM
They are gorgeous!
Posted by: Grace Garrett | December 12, 2013 at 06:36 PM
Gorgeous projects! Loved it all!
Posted by: Christine B. | December 12, 2013 at 06:36 PM
Thanks for the opportunity to win!!! I love Graphic 45!!! Your tutorial on the 12 days of Christmas houses were adorable!!!!
Posted by: Gwendolyn Dolata | December 12, 2013 at 06:39 PM
These cards are beautiful!
Posted by: Sarah Barton | December 12, 2013 at 06:41 PM
Yes, would love to win all these special items--would be a lovely Christmas present!
Posted by: S Zacher | December 12, 2013 at 06:44 PM
Gorgeous projects! I am in love with that beautiful poinsettia! Lovely!
Posted by: Denise Bryant | December 12, 2013 at 06:46 PM
The projects have been just amazing!!! I would love to win some goodies to go with all the great ideas.
Posted by: Laurinda | December 12, 2013 at 06:52 PM
Thank you for all the wonderful tuts! such great inspiration-
Posted by: Kathy | December 12, 2013 at 06:53 PM
Love it all!
Posted by: Les | December 12, 2013 at 06:57 PM
Thank you for a week filled with gorgeous inspiration!
Posted by: Robin Buchholz | December 12, 2013 at 07:22 PM