Gift Card Holders

I have a couple Christmas things to post still. Hope you don't mind. Today I'll show you two gift card holders I whipped up on Christmas Eve. Yeah. I'm kinda last minute.

This one was for Britt's fiance, Kenneth.

SHOW

 

Love that cotton wrapped cording wrapped around the tree. I got it at Purl Soho when we were in New York. The patterned paper I picked up at Archivers in Raleigh when we went up to celebrate Britt & Kenneth's engagement and Britt's birthday.
Here's what the holder looks like when the band is slid off and the holder is opened up. I don't remember the exact measurements. I just cut a strip slightly wider than the gift card, folded up the bottom to make a pocket, folded down the top and then cut off some excess. For this one, I created a belly band out of kraft cardstock to slide around the holder and keep it closed.

AND TELL:  cardstock is Papertrey Ink (Kraft) and Stampin' Up (Always Artichoke, Real Red); patterned paper is Basic Grey (Jovial Collection: Tartan Plaid and Button Nose); ink is SU (Craft White); cording is Habu Textiles natural cover cotton; also used PTI's large rickrack and tree dies, a Marvy circle punch, and the Cuttlebug Snowflakes embossing folder.

I also made a gift card holder for our son, Ian.

SHOW

 
I didn't get a chance to get a photo of this one opened up. But I loved the way it worked out. I had already punched out a circle from this paper (the snowflake circle on Kenneth's gift card holder) and instead of cutting a new strip, I used the one with the hole in it... trimming it so that the strip included about a third of the circle. Once it was all folded up, the partial circle cut-out made a perfect place to attach the sentiment strip, leaving a bit of a space so that the cording could be threaded through it. You might be able to see it better in the photo below.

AND TELL:  stamps are from Papertrey Ink (Banner Builders, Fillable Frames #8); cardstock is PTI (Vintage Cream); patterned paper is Basic Grey (Button Nose); ink is Stampin' Up (Real Red, Soft Sky); cording is Habu Textiles natural cover cotton; also used PTI's double ended banner die.

Now — some more New York City pictures. The Monday morning that we were there we got up early to go be in the audience for Good Morning America. We arrived about 6:30 and joined the line.

 
Our understanding was that they would open the door around 6:45 and let those in who were carrying e-mail confirmations (which we were). Well, 6:45 came and went. 7:00 (the time the show starts) came and went. And then they divided up the line into haves and have nots (e-mail confirmations) and started letting people in a few at a time.

 
As we were waiting and looking through the window we came to realize that if we went in we would be standing for the entire 2 hour show — and that by the time they got to us, we would be in the back row. Not good for a short person like me (or a person with a bad back like Ken). And then they practically make you strip to go through security (well, kind of like in the airport... no belts, metal jewelry, etc.). Anyway, after freezing for about an hour, it seemed like not such a good idea. And, besides, Robin wasn't there. So — we ditched the show and Ken humored me by posing on the red lighted steps in Times Square.

 
I thought it would make a neat-looking picture — haha. Maybe if he weren't so cold. :)

Since we couldn't see Good Morning America, we consoled ourselves...

 
by going back to Magnolia Bakery.

 
They make their baked goods in small batches, mixing them up at this mixing station in the front window, frosting them near the sales counter,

 
where they sell them to the masses.

 
(In all honesty, though, I was the only one comforting myself with a cupcake... S'Mores, this time. It had a graham cracker-ish cake, marshmallow-y frosting, and a melted chocolate center. Mmmm.)

Anyway, yesterday I said that I was going to tell you about going to the Museum of Modern Art — otherwise known as MOMA.

 
Ken's not big on museums. Especially not art museums. This was not a stop that was on his NYC list.

Here is the first artwork we saw upon walking in:

 
Huh?

Look again.

 
The two fans blowing against each other made it possible for these two metallic ribbon circles to stay aloft.

Even Ken was a little impressed by that.

He was not, however, impressed by Warhol — 
Pollack —

 
Monet —

 
Mondrian —

 
artists who work in all one color — 
or art experts who encourage listeners to "lose yourself in the colors" and "feel the spiritual connection" to the art —

 
He didn't really share my enthusiasm for the exhibit showing the evolution of the modern kitchen along with great graphic posters from the past:

 
about pest control,

 
gardening,

 
and changing your eating habits.

Nor did he really care for any of my favorites:

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
And he didn't seem to really notice the cool architectural details like the window overlooking the area where someone was playing the grand piano

 
or the way this stairwell was exposed,

 
or the juxtaposition of the new and the old.

 
And when we stopped for lunch

 
I don't think he thought much of my food choice

 
(Bruschetta: whipped ricotta, spiced walnuts, & thyme; lemon chickpea hummus & prosciutto; apple, swiss chard, & black pepper honey dressing)

 But — he hung in there quite well. He really is a trooper.

And that night we went to the Winter Garden Theatre to see:

 
Afterward we spent a little time enjoying the lights and hubbub of Times Square

 
 
(and took another cheesy picture of ourselves...)

That's it for today — and that's almost it for New York City, too. One more day for you to suffer through. haha. Thanks so much for stopping in. Tomorrow it's back to work... And hopefully I'll get a chance to show you another little Christmas project. See you then!

 

 

 

Comments

[Vicky]

Oh to go to the MOMA! Lucky you! Your gift card holders are great - I especially like the plaid one.

[Katherine K]

Still lovin all the pictures Janelle.Thank you for sharing :)

[Maureen]

okay, you are totally taking me next time!!! I would love all of this!! hey...Basicgrey button nose? How did I miss that? old or super new!! LOVE it!!