Christmas Gift Ensemble #1

Happy Tuesday, Everyone! I've been busy. . .shopping, wrapping gifts, and creating gifts! I'm sorry I haven't stopped by your blogs and said "hello". . .it's just that are so many things I need to get done so I can actually relax and enjoy the holidays. I've been busy working on these projects so I can send them out before Christmas.

Every year, I create a set of gift ensemble that I stick to. . .it's much easier to create the same sets so I can get a rhythm. It's difficult to create a variety of things because I spend more time thinking about what I can create than to actually create them so during Christmas, I decide on three types of projects, usually a card, a scrappy item, and a gift bag. . .then I create them for everyone that I'm going to give these gifts to. I try to make them a little different for each person but I stick to the same projects

Anyway. . .here is the first set. My goal is to make at least 10 sets this year. I'm up to #4 so I actually have 6 to go. Argggh!! In this picture, it shows the card and mini purse album. I forgot to add the gift bag in the picture but I already sent this set out already so I can't take a picture of it. You can see it in the first picture above.

I heat embossed the Christmas bird image using SU Real Red embossing powder. The image is from a Christmas Inkadinkado set and the sentiment is by SU.

You can't really see it in the picture but I filled in the flowers with metallic gel pen to have the flowers and snowflakes stand out a bit.

Here is the inside of the mini purse album. The pockets were created using CD Sleeves. I'll be posting the rest of the projects each day because there's something a little different each one.

Oh, I wanted to show you the boxes I sent out yesterday to my family. Inside are multiple gifts that I wrapped. Argggh!! I then had to wrap the packages with postal paper. I stayed up late the other night so I could get them out yesterday.

Believe it or not, the postal cost for the 5 boxes totaled $103. Argggh! I was so bummed out about the cost to ship all of the boxes to Hawaii. One of the boxes cost $35. Sheesh, I could have bought an extra gift with the cost of that box alone.

My husband told me that I should send gift cards instead but honestly, I don't like sending gift cards. . .first, it shows the cost of the gift card and I find them a bit impersonal. I like the idea that "I" chose the gift personally. . .with the person in mind. You know what I mean? It's just that the shipping cost sort of "waste" what could have been an extra gift or more expensive gift to that person. I told my husband that I'll pick lighter gifts next year! LOL!

Card and project details:

Stamps: Inkadinkado, SU

Paper: SU Real Red, Bliss Blue (I think), DCWV designer paper (I think)

Ink: Versamark Ink, Bordering Blue, Real Red, Sakura Metallic gel pen

Accessories: Ribbon (?), Making Memories brads, SU Large Oval Punch, Fiskar mini scallop scissors, Prima flowers