top dog dies: gift bags

Thanks so much to all of you who visited during the Blog Hop last week.  I loved reading through your sweet comments!

I am back today with a few last minute gift wrapping ideas.  I probably shouldn't admit this, but gift cards are my go-to, last minute gift idea.  When time is running out, and my poor little brain can no longer think up something clever to give, I grab a gift card.

Gift cards themselves are pretty boring, so that's where a little fancy wrapping comes into play.  And Top Dog Dies makes it so easy!  I used the Treat Bag Die to create a super fast gift bag just the right size to hold a gift card.

Treat Bag Die

With a quick little embellishment and a gift tag, you are good to go give.

These little dimensional snowflakes are super easy.  Just fold in half with insides facing along the long points, then fold in half with outsides facing along the in between points.  Poof it up and tack down the snowflake tips with wet glue.

I have one more last minute gift idea for you: fill a little gift bag or bucket with

layer up some Top Dog Dies:

and sign the back with:

How cute is that? (Can't take credit for the wording; saw it on Pinterest)

Here's one more take on the idea using the Treat Bag die:

Here are the dies I used to create these bags (click on the image to be taken to the Top Dog Dies store):

Thanks so much for stopping by, and I'm hoping that all of you are in better shape than me with your last minute gifts! 

top dog dies: blog hop!

Hi and welcome to the next stop on the Top Dog Dies blog hop!

If you're just starting out, be sure to read the bottom of this post to enter the awesome giveaway from Top Dog Dies and find links to the rest of the design team's amazing projects.

Today, I'll be sharing a pretty beaded ornament:

Gather your supplies.  You'll need the Trio Snowflakes die, some papers and card stock, beads, twine and glue.

Cut 5 of each snowflake.

Fold each one in half.

Glue each layer together at the center leaving the edges loose.

Glue the back of each edge to the back of the next, lining them all up on the folds.  Glue the final edge to the first edge to create a circle.

Thread some twine through the center.

Tie a knot at the top leaving a loop for hanging and tuck the knot inside the center seam with a dab of glue.

Thread some small beads at the top, and some larger beads at the bottom of the ornament.

Hold it up to the snowy window to appreciate its glittery sparkle.

Contemplate making dozens more to give as gifts to teachers and staff, neighbors, coworkers, etc.
(then if you're like me, conclude that that's just crazy talk, and just make one)

Since it's going to be a gift, it will need a coordinating gift box for giving.

Use the Scallop Box Die and create a box with the same papers and a tag from Darby Doilies and Tags.

Tie it all up with some twine and give to someone special.

Thanks so much for hopping over.  Hop on through each DT member’s blog to get the details on their fab creations:

                                                                   Michelle Neddo <------you are here   

Angela Bode

Kendra Sand

Kathy Martin

Vicki Dutcher

Lisa Somerville

Nasayi Atkins

Maureen Cronin

Shellye McDaniel

The party isn’t over just yet, though: We’re giving away $50 Top Dog Dies eGift Cards to two lucky winners. Entering is easy: Just add your email address here and you’ll be included in the giveaway!

You can earn extra entries by commenting at each stop along the blog hop and by following Top Dog Dies on Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest. Even better news? You have until Friday Dec. 13 to enter and we'll announce the winners on Monday Dec. 16.

Thanks for joining us for our first – but definitely not our last – blog hop. 

Happy hopping!

top dog dies: happy valentine's!

Well, time is running out to start any new projects for Christmas (guess there's always next year, right?).  But now seems as good a time as any to get a jump on Valentine's Day!

I used some Top Dog Dies to create a couple of love-themed projects:

This card uses both the Circle Mini Album die and the Heart Doily die

I ran the heart through a wood grain embossing folder and embellished it with cuts from my Silhouette Cameo.

This bunting was made with the Photo Mats die and the Heart Doily die.  It was super simple and quick to make.

 Just cut the frames and hearts out of assorted red papers, back the frames with some light colored paper, add some cut letters (I used the Silhouette to cut mine), and clip them to some baker's twine with mini clothes pins.  Done!

top dog dies: a few cards

Good Morning!

Today I have a little assortment of cards to share with you created with dies from Top Dog Dies.

First up is a happy little spring-themed card (wishfully thinking for warmer weather already!)

 I used my beloved Photo Mats die to frame a little scene with an Echo Park paper line designed by the awesome Crystal Wilkerson.

This next card is a bit more seasonally appropriate and uses both the Photo Mats die and the Snowflake Trio dies:

And finally, here's a fun birthday card using the Photo Mats die again.  The Polaroid-style frame is perfect for holding lots of layers.

Thanks so much for stopping by!

crochet wrist warmers

Hello!  I am still recovering from an overstuffed belly, crazy Black Friday shopping, Cyber Monday mouse clicking, and the general feeling that the holidays are going to yet again eat me alive.

It's December (how on earth did that happen?).  Time to deck the halls, bake the cookies, wrap the presents, attend the parties, make the annual card, and write list after endless list.

Sounds like the perfect time to sit back and work on some crochet, right?!  I don't know what it is about stress and having a thousand things to do.  It always puts me in the mood to make something.  Seriously.  Maybe it's the procrastinator in me, or maybe it's just the crazy in me (you know, the one who likes to add more stress to my stress).  Whatever it is, here is a crochet project I finally finished:

The pattern for these pretties comes from Liz over at Crochet in Color.

I'm hoping to make a few for Christmas presents, but that might just be the crazy in me talking.

And since it is December, I figured it was the perfect time to resurrect the crochet Christmas stocking project (because. . .um. . .yeah. . . I didn't have a whole other 11 months to be working on those).

Signed, The Procrastinator