Bang! Cardmaking with Christmas-cracker gifts: 3

Hi hi hi.

Since the last time I was here I've:

[a] had a birthday. [That has nothing to do with anything. Just thought I'd mention it.]
AND ...
[b] learnt that not everyone reading my earlier posts about Christmas cracker gifts had the first clue what Christmas crackers actually are.

This thought had briefly crossed my mind when I started but then I thought that crackers are such a ubiquitous festive tradition that I was being silly, and that of course everyone knows what they are. But I was wrong. [Ooh, it must be the maturity I've gained since my birthday helping me admit when I'm wrong ... ;-)]

I know anyone can go Google or Wiki them but I was trying to explain them to someone on Twitter, so I needed to think quick and come up with a brief description ... and this is what I decided on:

• Christmas crackers are something like a party favour ... but with added gunpowder.

Just about sums them up wouldn't you say?

And also makes them sound weird.

[Isn't it funny how you can see something with fresh eyes when you need to explain them to someone else?]

Anyway ... now that we're all up to speed I'll share another card made with a Cracker-gift tape-measure. This time it was a nice yellow tape:

It's just this minute struck me that I could start collecting a rainbow of tape measures. Ooooh .... Dangerous thinking!

Actually it was the colour of the tape that inspired the rest of the card:

• I used a design from the Crate Paper 'On Trend' range as a background [edge punched with an EK Successs binder punch]
• Then layered up a couple of tags
• Added a strip of colour-coordinating washi tape
• and picked out a matching postage stamp as a feature image:

[I often include old/vintage postage stamps in my paper packs and kits. You can browse the shop for them, or get in touch with a custom order if you'd like something similar].

• The 'stupendous' stamp is from the 'Portfolio' set by Pink Paislee;
• And I added the wooden bird as it balanced the image of the bird postage stamp and the colour of the kraft card + tag
• The finishing touch was a few lengths of twine and an owl charm from The Ribbon Girl.

And that's that. And yet ...

 

... it's still not the end of my experiments with cracker gifts. Whether you like it or not I've got some modern Valentines on the way using plastic puzzle parts!

 

Before I go ... a quick idea in response to a question in the comments:

•  if you got one of those mini screwdriver sets in your crackers ... how about adapting the idea I used for the mini pen card here and instead fixing a tiny screwdriver to a card for DIY enthusiasts / hobbyists / someone renovating a new home etc etc?



Right, I'm really going now.

Julie :-)