Papertrey Ink October Release Countdown Day 1

Welcome to day 1 of the Papertrey Ink October release countdown! I've been having loads of fun putting together all kinds of  holiday projects to share with you over the next 4 days! Up first is a super fun new set called Build A Santa paired with the new Just Sentiments: Santa! He's just the cutest thing ever and I've created 3 projects using this darling Santa!  My first project is a sweet treat that you could make for anyone on your gift-giving list!

To begin these gifts, I die cut all of the pieces I would need to create three in total. I'm not sure exactly who will be getting these, but my 3 littles could give them to their teachers at school, so I started with 3! ha ha!

Once the Santas were all assembled, I got to work on the actual box presentation. I ordered the plastic tubes that I used for the hot cocoa on Amazon, but depending on what you want to put inside, you could use the Trendy Tubes as well. I used bulk hot cocoa powder, crushed peppermint candy, and dehydrated marshmallows (also bought on Amazon). I made myself a cup of this the other day and I have to say, it was delicious! 

The presentation box is just a combination of simple scoring and die cutting the hole for the tube. I found a circle die that was just the right size, so depending on what size tube you use, you would need to either find a punch or die to fit. Once the hot cocoa tube was safely inside (it has a few glue dots on the bottom for security) I was able to add the Santa to the front using foam squares.

I used the smallest die from the Love to Layer: Notched die collection to create a place to stamp the cute Santa sentiments from the new Just Sentiments: Santa stamp set. I used three different sentiments from the set for variety. I also added some snowflakes from the Splendid Snowflakes stamp set to both the packaging and the sentiment piece. Santa's suit and the candy cane both got a touch of some Christmas Red Stickles and Star Dust Stickles. 

My second project using the Build A Santa stamp set is another packaging idea (you can't have enough) I die cut the box portion using the fabulous Scallop Top Gift Bag Die that was released last year (and is back in stock) using some Mint Julep + White Basics Pattern Paper ( on sale for $2) and assembled the box. Now, I totally forgot to keep the bottom open; I usually do this so that everything is tied up and ready to go long before the holiday hits, and all I have to do is fill it from the bottom and add adhesive! ha ha!

I chose to use the "sitting Santa" for this box because it made him the perfect size to fit on the front! I tied up the box with ribbon, a jingle bell, and a perfect sentiment from the Just Sentiments: Santa heat embossed in white!

The bow is tied through the pre-cut holes in the bag, and then I tied the tag and Jingle bell up with twine!

You have two different option for eyes with this cute set, and for this project I chose to use the open eyes (my first project used the "smiling eyes"). I added a few dots of white gel pen to really let his eyes glimmer with holiday delight!

As much as I love a traditional Santa, I had a lot of fun decking him out in a Raspberry Fizz suit with Sweet Blush trim! His Hawaiian Shores mittens and buttons are just the perfect finishing touch!

Since I was already going for an unconventional look, I decided to use the fun Border Bling: Flower Frame Die paired with the Poinsettias from the Tag Creations: Modern Gift Die (which is also back in stock) and a few of the included pine wisps.

I used Pale Peony and Raspberry Fizz ink for the Poinsettias and Mint Julep and Hawaiian Shores ink for the pine wisps. I Love how they turned out and they worked perfectly to place over the flowers in the frame. 

Since Santa is quite large, especially with the boot/leg option, I chose to use the "Believe" word from the To Die For Sentiments: Christmas cut from silver glitter cardstock. I also die cut it in white so that I could stack them for a more sturdy piece. I simply glued it over the top of Santa leaving the end of the word free of glue.

Of course I had to add more Stickles to the pink candy cane and hat. I added glitter to the foliage and flowers with a few Moonshine Sequins in the center of each poinsettia!

Now I'm switching gears entirely and showing you something less on the cutesy side and more on the elegant side. My 4th and final project for today pairs the latest installment in the Feathered Friends Die collection with the new Ornate Evergreen die set! These trees reminded me of intricate gingerbread cookies, so that is the direction that I headed in, hence the Honey Nut color! ha ha!

I had originally planned on having a card with cookies and oranges from the Sweet Orange Holiday stamp set, but forgot we were also showcasing the bird! duh! I couldn't really have oranges and birds, I didn't think! ha ha!

I did use the greenery sprigs from the orange set to tuck here and there in this shadow box type card. To create the base, I die cut two panels using the Love to Layer: Torn Edges Die opting for the largest and second to largest dies. I layered them together using foam squares on a Cocoa Bean card base. I added the trees and then gave the card some white paint splatter to mimic snow.

The bird was die cut using white paper and then colored using an assortment of Distress Oxide inks in colors suggested on the stamping guide. They ended up being perfect for this warm card. I added the bird so it looks like he's flying high above the trees! A few snowflakes and a heat embossed sentiment added even more holiday details. The finishing touches are a few more Moonshine sequins and a dusting of glitter, especially around the torn edges for a frosty look. While this card didn't turn out how I originally envisioned, I have to say, I really like how it turned out! It's definitely something different for me! Thanks for fluttering by!