Do You Have the Gift?

Good Morning Stampin' People!

Do you have "the gift" when it comes to gift-giving?  What I mean by that is, are you one of those creative and super-thoughtful people who always seem to give the perfect gift?  I try to be that person, but sometimes I just can't think of a thing. And, of course, some people are more difficult to buy for than others... the elderly, people who have everything, people who are trying to down-size, teenagers whose taste changes daily... I could go on and on. 

Thank goodness for gift cards! They have saved me many a time.  The key to giving a gift card and making it seem like a warm and personal gift is all in the presentation. Today I have just the perfect solution for all of the gift card givers out there... the new Petite Pocket Big Shot die.  It is sized especially for gift cards!   With this little gem in your Big Shot arsenal, you'll be ready for any gift-giving occasion that may arise.

Here is one that I made for the Holiday Mini-catalog swap that I'm in tonight. 

The great thing about this cool little envelope is that you don't even have to glue it together. There are little tabs along the side that fold in, so that the gift card is fully enclosed.  Just fold it on the score lines and add a "belly band" (paper-crafting term for the strip that is wrapped around the middle).
I've decorated the belly band with a leaf and acorn stamped using the new set "Gently Falling" from the Holiday Mini.  The colors here are More Mustard for the pocket and Soft Suede for the belly band.  I embossed the front of the pocket with the Vintage Wallpaper embossing folder for a bit of beautiful texture.
The tiny tag is tied on with Early Espresso Baker's Twine (love that stuff!). 

Just imagine yourself taking a few minutes to cut a bunch of these.  And then imagine how organized and prepared you'll feel, knowing that you have a beautiful, cute, or handsome (depending on how you embellish it) presentation for any gift cards you'll be giving.  And with the holidays right around the corner, you'll have a ready-made solution for gifts for co-workers, holiday hostesses, and all those other little gifts. Of course these can be made in a variety of colors appropriate for any holiday or gifting occasion, which makes this very versatile die a great investment.

Here is the supply list, in case you'd like to visit my Stampin'Up! web site
http://www.susanrodgers.stampinup.net/  and place an order :)

Petite Pocket Big Shot Die, (#123131, 42.95)
Vintage Wallpaper Embossing Folder, (#120175, 7.95)
More Mustard Card Stock, ( #100946, 6.95 for 24 sheets)
Soft Suede Card Stock (#115318, 6.95 for 24 sheets)
Gently Falling stamp set (#123804, 28.95 in clear-mount)
   Leaf is stamped in More Mustard and Cajun Craze,  acorn is stamped in Old Olive and Soft Suede
Tiny Tag stamp set (#118592, 16.95 in clear-mount)
Jewelry Tag Punch, (#117190, 10.95)
Early Espresso Baker's Twine, (#123124, 2.95 for 25 yards)

Don't let this warm weather fool you, stampers!  While we are lounging in the sun, Christmas is sneaking up on us.  It is time to start thinking about the upcoming holiday season.  I'll be inspiring you with some fun Christmas cards and gift packaging ideas in future posts.  But right now, I see sunshine out my window and I hear the breeze calling to me!  Hope you'll have a chance to get outside and enjoy it too!

Thanks for stopping by today!  Meet me back here tomorrow for another dose of stampin' inspiration!
Susan