Creations by AR - Christmas in September

Welcome to the Creations by AR September Template Release Design Team Blog Hop!  Adela has designed 3 wonderful winter gift boxes -  Gingerbread Gift Bag, Starry Tree and Stack a Snowman!

Here's my version of the Gingerbread Gift Bag -  I decided to make it out of a piece of patterned paper from the Idea-ology Paperstash Wallflower paperpad.  I also used some Bazzill solid color papers for the trims, lollipops and gingerbread boy and girl.  I also substituted the small wreath that comes with this template with the larger wreath and bow that comes with the Stack a Snowman template that you will see below!

Here's a close up of the trimmings -  I used a Sakura Black Glaze pen to draw the details on the Gingerbread people and added rhinestones to the lollipop centers and doorknob.

Here's a side and back view - where you can see the wreath that comes with this template at the top of the house/box.I love how the paper makes the house look like it's part of the garden that surrounds the cottage (in my mind that is!)

I made 3 little Starry Trees - one for each of the sentiments - mixing up various greens and browns of Coredinations Color Core and Kraft Core papers - I sanded each piece to make them look weathered and folksy - I coordinated them by using the same color for the banners and gold paper for the sentiments and stars.

Here's how the boxes look with the tops lifted off - to reveal the 'tree trunk' box where you can place a small gift or candy treat!  I used the star cut out version for the top of this tree.

I love the look of the mix of colors on my trees.

This shows how the 'trunk' opens. After you fill the box -  you just pull in the sides and slip the top of the tree over it - how easy is that?!!

And finally for my Stack a Snowman -  I wanted to do something other than a white/black/red snowman - so I really went against convention (!) using green and cream patterned paper - I've had this Cosmo Cricket Jolly by Golly paper for AGES and I'm trying to use things up -  so here he is! The paper is two sided - and my snowman is made out of the front and back of the piece called Breezy Freezy

This is the same wreath I used on my Gingerbread cottage above.  I put home made green enamel dots on the bow and wreath.  Look how cleverly his hands hold the wreath!

I used rhinestones for his eyes, nose and mouth and tied a long piece of wrinkled seam tape around his neck.

And here he is all opened up - you can put treats in his head, his middle and his bottom (!).  And look at that cute hat -  that's my favorite piece!

All of Adela's templates come in two formats - PDF that you print and hand cut out, and cutting files you can use with machines like the Silhouette Cameo (which is what I use)

Adela is also offering a Discounted 2014 Winter Bundle  you save $3 when you buy all three templates!

PRIZE: One of these new templates.
Three random commenters will be chosen from the designers' blogs and Creations by AR Face Book Page and will win one of the new templates.

HOW TO QUALIFY TO WIN:
Leave comments on each designers' blog linked below and/or Creations by AR FB Page. The more comments left, the better chance of being chosen.

Here are the links to the Design Team participating in today's Blog Hop.

Adela

Julia - me

Doris

Lori

Lyn

Patti J

Lisa E

Monica

Tina

Lisa S.

 Sue K

Comments accepted until Friday, Sept 12, 12:00 noon Eastern Time
Random winners will be announced Sept 13 here:
Creations by AR Face Book:
Creations by AR Website: 

I'm also linking my snowman to Virginia's View Challenge #7 - Pattern Paper

Gingerbread Gift Bag
Paper:  Bazzill green and brown, DP - Idea-ology Paper Stash/Wallflower, wreath cut from Cosmo Cricket Jolly by Golly
Accessories:  rhinestones - Kaiser craft, foam dots, Silhouette Cameo, Sakura black glaze pen, Scotch Quick Dry Adhesive, template - Creations by AR

Starry Trees
Paper:  Coredinations - Kraft Core and Color Core , Gold - Michaels
Accessories:  foam dots, ScorTape, Scotch Quick Dry Adhesive, Silhouette Cameo, template - Creations by AR, hand sander - Ranger

Stack a Snowman
Paper:  Cosmo Cricket Jolly by Golly/Breezy Freezy
Accessories:  wrinkled seam tape - Prairie Bird Boutique Etsy Shop, foam dots, orange and black rhinestones - Kaiser Craft, green enamel dots - home made from Perler beads, Scotch Quick Dry adhesive, Silhouette Cameo, template - Creations by AR