DIY Gift Card Holder

Image September 4, 2020 Susan Beale

So many times, gift giving is done through a gift card to a favourite store. This takes the trouble of finding the perfect size, colour or item away from the person giving the gift. It also saves the person receiving the gift from having to return it or worse, re-gifting it to someone else. While I am not a fan of gift cards, preferring to pick out a unique gift myself, I will say that I have both purchased them in the past and have happily used them many times as well. They do seem to be a staple when we don’t know what else to buy.

However, I love coming up with unique ways to present a gift card to someone and would like to share this mask gift card holder with you today. With Covid-19 so prevalent, it just seemed appropriate. This particular gift card holder is super easy to make yourself.

Start with two 6″ x 6″ pieces of double sided paper. Since there is a wide variety of cloth masks out there, your paper could be subdued or as wild as you like. I rather like the wilder masks I have seen around town but used a quieter paper pattern to demonstrate. Anyways, back to the instructions. Fold your paper into a triangle, creasing it using a bone folder (or your finger) to ensure a crisp crease line. Fold each corner inwards until you have a horizontal line, then repeat with the other corner as shown. Ensure all fold lines are crisp and neat.

Take the top piece and fold it down to crease it, then tuck it into the outside folded triangle so it all lies flat. This becomes your “closed” side. Do the same again with the second 6 x 6″ piece of paper so you have two but instead of tucking the top into the pocket, fold it inwards so you won’t see it. The second piece will become the “open” side.

Once both are done, it’s time to assemble. Add your adhesive to one of the triangles shown and then slide the other one into the pocket to bring them together. Cut two 6″ pieces of ribbon and add a glue dot or other adhesive to each end of the ribbon, then you can tuck them under the folds to complete the mask. You can now slide the gift card into the pocket of the “closed” side and fold the “open” side down to close it.

I then added a 2″ circle of card stock with the saying and glued half of the circle to the “closed” side, so the other half will overlap and hold the right “open” side closed until it is ready to be opened by the recipient. I then flipped it over and added another sentiment to the front of the mask, just because it needed something to finish off the look.

Well I hope you will try this unique gift card holder. It’s adorable and can easily be made with any paper you have on hand. The overall size of the “mask” is approximately 5″ long and 3.5″ high. I used approximately 6″ of ribbon at each end.

Please send me a picture if you make one, I would love to see your version.

Note of caution, they are addictive to make.

Whatever happened to good manners?

Image April 17, 2020 Susan Beale

In the world on electronics, it is so easy to forget common sense and general good manners. We’ve all seen postings online that make us just scratch our heads and wonder about these people.

What we really need to do is step back a little to appreciate the people around us. Whether it’s a family member, a work associate or your personal customers.

When was the last time you received an actual “Thank You” Card? You know, actual handwritten notes on paper and snail-mailed to you? I will guess and say it’s been a long time or maybe never. I know this is an old school thought process but when did good manners become out of date?

As an example: when you receive a fabulous gift, you say thank you, right? But what if it was mailed to you? Someone has taken the trouble to buy you a gift, wrap it, mail it (paying the postage) so you can receive it. Is it too much to ask, to buy a stamp and send them a little note of appreciation? I don’t think so.

Recently I sent a wedding gift by mail as I was not able to attend the wedding. I didn’t hear a word back, nothing. I found out several weeks later, through the mother (I finally asked), that the gift was received. I never received anything back from the bride and groom, not even to acknowledge that the gift was received. How appreciated do I feel now? How likely is it I will spend a similar amount on the next gift I send them (if at all)

What about your customers, do you appreciate their business? Have you ever told them that? A simple card sent to say thank you tells them that they matter to you. It is a class act and helps build relationships which builds loyalty. If you are in any sort of sales environment, this goes a long way and what did it cost you, a card and a stamp? Keep them on hand so you are always ready.

Think of an experience when you went out of your way to help “get the job done” whether on a personal level or a business one. You’ve spent time and effort to help. If your effort was never acknowledged or appreciated, how likely is it that you will jump in to help the next time? A simple thank you card makes you feel appreciated and we all need to know we are appreciated. It only takes a few minutes of your time.

I believe in sending thank you cards. I even make and sell my own cards. I personalize every card I make. You can see my cards online at http://www.ottawaartisans.com if you are interested.

So here are some simple pointers;

Send as soon as possible. Keep cards/stamps on hand, so you don’t forget
Mention the gift/assistance/business you received
Keep your message simple; a line or two is all you need to say thank you
Style matters, casual for friends, more formal for business
It only takes a few minutes of your time.

Tiny Keepsake treat box

October 2, 2019 Susan Beale

I started working on my Christmas crafts because Christmas is only 84 days away, can you believe it? Tick Tock…

I remember having chocolate treats hanging on our Christmas tree as a kid. These cute little treats can be stuffed with a chocolate of your choice but is the perfect size for a single Ferrero Rocher chocolate and who doesn’t love those.

You can hang this on a tree or it can be placed at your table setting for a cute look. Of course, it is also a wonderful little thank you gift to show appreciation to people you deal with every day.

They could be fully customized to suit any occasion such as wedding favours or baby shower gifts. You are only limited by imagination

Using the die cut in this set, I cut out the keepsake and tags, then folded it up. I stamped a sentiment on the tag and to dress them up a bit I used the Sprig Punch to punch out some leaves and glued them to the back of the tag. This of course is optional but I like how it looks.
I threaded a ribbon through the tag hole and tied it to the handle of the treat box. How easy is that?

To purchase this set, just click on the link below
https://stampinup.com/ECWeb/default.aspx?culture=en-us&dbwsdemoid=2197642

tams# 37690

Product List