Bella Blvd Studio Blog: Altered Projects: Christmas Style

This week we are keeping with many of our usual daily features, but putting the focus on Christmas projects! Today we have altered projects to share with you. Our designers have come up with some easy to make projects for gift giving and decor, all of which can be created in a short amount of time.

Pillow Box, by Jennifer Edwardson.

I love the look of a pillow box for all kinds of smaller gifts. Gift cards, candies and jewelry too! I used a template that I kept from a store bought pillow box and traced it onto a brown striped patterned paper. Once I had it scored and folded into place, I lightly sanded the edges to show the white core. I added some cardstock stickers, wrapped it in ribbon and tied a couple of mini jingle bells to the center with twine. Can't wait to give it at Christmas.

Supplies:
Christmas Wishes: Trees For Sale, Just Write Journaling Stickers, Borders, Miniatures; Button Market: Merlot Flowers

Gift Box, by Jennifer Edwardson.

I love cute little gift boxes and whenever I find a new one, I ALWAYS create a template so I can use it again and again. This is a little 3 x 3" cube that I made from one of my favorite patterns from the Christmas Wishes collection. The little red on red presents were perfect for this box. Once I had it all put together I slightly distressed the edges with my sanding block. I added some pretty ribbon and then created a custom bow on top. This was the perfect place for a couple of flag stickers and a bit of curly twine to finish it off.

Supplies:
Christmas Wishes: Gifts Galore, Miniatures

Gift Card Card, by Jennifer Edwardson.

Gift Card giving is so popular for all occasions, but especially Christmas so I wanted to create a fun place to give one that wasn't just a folder from the store. I used kraft cardstock and scored (5) lines in the center 1/4" apart to make a place to tuck the folder inside for the gift card. I border punched the edges of the base and used designer tape to create a 'binding'. Then I went ahead and embellished the front as if it was a holiday card and the inside with a space to write to and from and a note too.

Supplies:
Christmas Wishes: Candlelight, Star Stripe, Christmas Love, Cute Cuts, Alpha+Bits Stickers, Miniatures Stickers, Borders; High Five Alphabets: Green

Gift Bag, by Jennifer Edwardson.

I have a serious gift bag obsession and have got quite the collection in my closet. The funny thing is that I never usually give them as they are purchased. I'm always adding paper and stickers to pretty them up a bit and for this little white one I used some patterned paper to start. I adhered a border strip folded back and forth to look like ribbon and precision cut a couple of sweet little penguins with an 'I love Christmas' sticker. My favorite part of this bag is the bow made from designer tape with a tree cut from a paper border Add the red tissue and a gift of course and its ready to give to someone special.

Supplies:
Christmas Wishes: Gifts Galore, Borders, Miniatures; Designer Tape: Red Dot

Gift Card Tag, by Jennifer Edwardson.

I decided that instead of creating a tag to add to a gift, that I would make the tag the perfect place to give the gift. I used the Bella clear stamp 'merry christmas' sentiment in (3) different ink colors to create a base on the tag before adding a few pieces of patterned paper. Then I used a border punch along the top of a journaling sticker and only adhered it on 3 sides to create a pocket for the gift card. A few stickers, chipboard shapes, a button and ribbon and twine to finish it off.

Supplies:
Christmas Wishes: North Pole, Borders, Just Write Journaling Stickers, Miniatures, Ciao Chip Icons; Button Market Bursts; Unity Stamps: December Details 2

Recycled Christmas Tree, by Wendy Antenucci.

My daughter loves to re purpose stuff much to my dismay and has items scattered everywhere in her art room. But sometimes her ideas are really good, and this is one of those times! She had taken empty air fresheners and decorated it to look like a Christmas tree. I loved her idea, but wanted to make it a little less kiddish so I chose to make rolled flowers to adorn my tree.

I used about 3 sheets of the Bella paper to cover my cone with 2" rolled flowers and hot glued them around the cone.

I finished my tree with some trim and a birds nest for the perfect elegant touch. I then draped pearls on my tree for the tinsel. Isn't it amazing what project can be made out of trash?

Supplies:
Midterm: Physics; Thankful: Burlap

Toilet Paper Flower, by Wendy Antenucci.

I've seen many projects out on the web using toilet paper cores and paper towel cores so I had this brilliant idea to cover a toilet paper core with some elegant Bella paper. I then cut slices off my roll in even increments (mine are approximately 1/2") and painted the insides. I then hot glued the petals to a circle on the top and bottom to hold their shape.

My flower still needed some dressing up so I took my designer tape and formed a bow which I glued to the top of the circle and then added a flower for the perfect elegant touch. With the addition of stickles and a hanger my paper flower was finished and I love it and can't wait to make more!

Supplies:
Socialite: Dance Circle; Winter Wonder: Toasty; Designer Tapes: Red Dot

Recycled Gift Box, by Wendy Antenucci.

I wanted to make some sort of gift box, but I didn't just want to use a plain box - then we had donuts for breakfast! I loved the see through window of the donut box and decided to wrap up the box in some finery so that I could put some cookies or cupcakes in it for a treat later.

I covered the box with my Bella paper and then used the designer tapes to cover the edges of the top that were still peeking out with a cute little chipboard tree and a tag my box is complete and ready to give away.

Supplies:
Christmas Wishes: Trees For Sale; Sophisticates: Petite Pieces; Birthday Girl: Party Dress, Alpha+Bits Stickers; Designer Tapes: Red Dot; Ciao Chip Everyday Elements: Trees; Button Market: Stars