A is for Advent Boxes

Welcome to my ABC Holiday Series! I am excited to share some fun holiday projects from A to Z, starting with these Advent boxes.

Paper Pumpkin Layered Leaves Advent Boxes Idea - Jeanie Stark StampinUp

When my kids were little I always made some type of Advent calendar for the month of December.  I would plan a special activity for each day and put a note or clue inside the numbered project. For us, Advent was all about family time, giving, and remembering the reason we celebrate Christmas. I don’t know who enjoyed this tradition more, my children or me!

These advent boxes are quick & easy to make using the pillow boxes from the Paper Pumpkin Layered Leaves Kit and the Large Numbers Framelits. When it comes to purchasing products I am all about versatility! I love the Large Numbers Framelits.  These dies are great for milestone birthdays and anniversaries and perfect for numbering advent boxes! (They coordinate with the Number of Years Stamp Set.)

You already know how much I enjoy getting my monthly Paper Pumpkin kits! If you are a Paper Pumpkin subscriber you can order refills of past kits (while supplies last).  I ordered 3 refill kits which will make 24 pillow boxes (not to mention 24 cards & envelopes which I plan to use for gift sets). Click on the image below to find out about the upcoming October and November Paper Pumpkin coordinating kits and how you can earn $5 off your next online order!Paper Pumpkin season of style

If you are not a subscriber (I can’t imagine why not!!!) you can make your own pillow boxes (or stockings) using the Trim Your Stocking Thinlits Dies (available separately or as a bundle).

Here’s a size comparison of the pillow boxes side by side.

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Here’s my decorated pillow box using the Trim Your Stocking Thinlits Dies. Stampin Up Trim Your Stockings Thinlits Dies Pillow Box Idea - Jeanie Stark StampinUp

You can easily fit notes, gift cards, and small treats in either one. Basically, it all depends on preference and how much time you have to create. You can add the stocking die to the pillow box which would be cute hanging on a tree. (I’ll be sharing more ideas using the stocking dies later.) There are many possibilities for these pillow boxes and just as many ideas for what to put in them…inspirational quotes for a college student during finals, gifts for 8 days of Hanukkah,  date night cards numbered for each month, a  birthday with their age on top, countdown to a wedding or big day, etc. What would you use them for? I would love to hear your ideas!

Stampin Up Paper Pumpkin and Trim Your Stocking Pillow Box Ideas - Jeanie Stark StampinUp

Click HERE for printable notes for Advent

Click HERE for Random Acts of Kindness Ideas for Children

You probably already do many of the activities you’d put in the advent boxes but there’s something special and exciting about opening a box to find out the special activity for the day. (FYI…the pillow boxes make it easy to slip the note in the night before or switch them around if something comes up.)

Even if you don’t have young children, you could make a set as a gift to give to grandchildren or a friend. You could even keep for yourself and fill with a random act of kindness to do or give away each day! We can all make a difference by spreading joy to others.

Have a wonderful day!

Just Stampin’

Jeanie

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Merry Patterns stamp set

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October special savings starts today! See details below!

  • World Card Making Day Sale (Oct 1-10)
  • Designer Series Paper Sale (Oct 1-31)
  • Stampin’ Blends Demonstrator Only Early Release (Oct 1-15)
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World Card Making Day is October 7th. In celebration of this day, Stampin’ Up will be offering 15% off select card making essentials, plus a deal on Fast Fuse Adhesive (BUY FAST FUSE ADHESIVE AND GET TWO REFILLS FOR FREE) October 1–10! Don’t miss out on this chance to stock up on card making staples to keep celebrating all year long. Click Here for the WCMD flyer.

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During the entire month of October, select packs of Designer Paper will be part of a Buy 3, Get 1 Free special! Click HERE for the DSP sale flyer.

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Say hello to a new world of colorful creativity! Stampin’ Up! announced the return of alcohol-based markers!! One of the perks of being a Stampin’ Up! Demonstrator is getting sneak peeks at new products and being able to order early. Demonstrators (and anyone who signs up between October 1st – 15th) can purchase these before the are released (sometime before the end of the year). You could get the Stampin’ Blends Marker Collection (all 26 colors plus the color lifter)  with “no strings attached” as part of your $99 starter kit.  I welcome hobby demonstrators!  Why not be your own customer and enjoy getting product at a discount? Click HERE for more information and to join my team! Questions? Email me and we can arrange a time to chat!

F is for Fun Fold Flap Card

Welcome to my ABC’s with Fun Folds series.  Today’s card is a Fun Fold Flap which I made into a gift card holder.

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I love ice cream!!! One of my favorite places to go for ice cream is Sweet Frog.  Oh Yum!!! The frog from the Love You Lots Stamp Set was perfect for this card.  This hostess stamp set will be retiring at the end of this month.  I adore all the critters in this set!

Love You Lot Host Stamp Set

I stamped the frog in Basic Black on Shimmery White then colored it with my Aqua Painter and Wild Wasabi ink.  I punched it out with the 1 3/4″ Circle Punch. I also punched a 2″ Circle from Melon Mambo cardstock and adhered the two together.

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My Wild Wasabi cardstock measures 4 1/4 x 9.  I scored it at 1 3/4 and 6.  I cut a 2 3/4 x 4 piece of Tasty Treats Specialty Designer Series Paper and adhered it to the front of my card. Then I centered the 2 inch Circle Punch over the score line on the inside of my card and punched.

I adhered a piece a piece of 4 x 4 Whisper White cardstock on the inside of my card. (It will cover part of the punched out circle.) I attached my layered circle on top making sure I could easily open and close the flap.  I used Tear & Tape to seal the flap on the bottom to make a pocket for the gift card. Then I cut a 1 1/2 x 4 piece of the confetti DSP and adhered it to the pocket.  I stamped the sentiments from the Cool Treats Stamp Set in Wild Wasabi ink. The small heart is punched from Melon Mambo cardstock.

I wrapped a piece of the NEW 3/8″ Mini Chevron Ribbon (available June 1st) around the card and tied a bow.  You can easily slide it to open the card.  I love how you can see the adorable little frog when the card is opened and closed.

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Stamp Sets: Love You Lots (retiring hostess set), Cool Treats  Ink: Wild Wasabi, Basic Black  Papers: Wild Wasabi, Whisper White, Melon Mambo, Tasty Treats Specialty Designer Series Paper (retiring)  Tools & Accessories: 1 3/4″ Circle Punch, 2″ Circle Punch, Heart Punch, Aqua Painter, Min Chevron Ribbon, Tear & Tape Adhesive

I know several people who would love to receive this “Sweet Gift”.  We had an exchange student from Germany stay with us and she loved Sweet Frog as much as the rest of my family.

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So many choices!!

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What’s your favorite ice cream topping?

Have a Fantastic Day!

Just Stampin’

Jeanie

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