The Stockings Were Hung...

With there being only a few days until Thanksgiving and Black Friday looming in the all-too-soon future, the holiday shopping season is nearly here. I'd be willing to be that many of you have already begun your shopping. Not me, but not for the lack of trying. I just don't know WHAT to buy.

I put so much stress on myself to choose the right gift for someone, and if you are like me, there are always a few people on your list that either have everything you could possibly afford to get them, or they are so picky that no matter how hard I try, I never get the right thing, so what's a person to do? Ah ha...the gift card. You can't go wrong...and I'm not the only person who agrees. Approximately $95 billion dollars worth of gift cards will be sold in the US this year! That's a lot of of plastic cash.

Most gift cards you buy come with some kind of cheesy holder, but if you are going to give a gift card, why not give one sporting your own special flair by creating one of these little stocking gift card holders. Claire Brennan of Waltzingmouse Stamps has created a printable template that makes creating one of these stocking gift card holders a breeze. Want to find out how you can make your own? Read on...

This cute little stocking is today's Try a New Technique on Splitcoaststampers.com. I'm always so blown away by the talent of the ladies that regularly participate and always look forward to what they will create with the challenge I provide. You really should pop on over to the TLC -CLICK HERE - that's where you will find a link to the template that allows you to just print the stocking onto cardstock, cut and embellish. It's that easy.

I created an acrylic tag to go along with my gift card. Using White Stazon ink, I stamped the snowflakes on the backside of the tag, which I made using my Sizzix and Graphix Clar Crafting Plastic. I also added some ink around the edges to give the tag a little more "framing". I attached a great set of Zva Creative Crystals for a little festive Ho Ho Ho and finished it off with a rhinestone studded chipboard snowflake.

So while the person who has everything may get many gift cards for Christmas, they won't have one so well presented as the one you give them in a stocking gift card holder like this!

On a closing note, I'd like to thank you for all the wonderfully touching comments and e-mails that I received about my post yesterday. It really touched my heart that so many of you share in that somewhat sad feeling centered around missing a loved one during the holidays and wanted to let me know how my post touched you on a deeper level. Thank you and hugs!

Have a wonderful day.

{Supplies}

Paper: Holiday Vintage prints & Pure Poppy (PTI)

Ink: Pure Poppy, White Stazon

Accessories: Rick Rack (Bazzill Basicis), HO-HO Crystals and single rhinestones (Zva Creative) Metallic Pearl Paint Dabbers (Ranger)