Bella Blvd Studio Blog: Friday Free-For-All Projects: Creative Ways To Give Gift Cards

Today we are sharing some free-for-all projects from our designers, where they have free reign to use whatever collections they like as they create. Our only request in creating their projects was that they showed creative ways to give gift cards!

Ornament Gift Card Holder, byLaurie Schmidlin.

Gift cards are one of my favorite things to give for Christmas! They are versatile, easy to mail, and an all-around great gift! In fact, I give them to my boys' teachers every year! I also love to come up with fun ways to present them, so this challenge was right up my alley! I decided to go the traditional route and created some mini shaped cards that have pockets inside to hold the gift cards. The Christmas Countdown has so many fabulous prints in it, the only trouble I had was choosing which ones to use!

Supplies:
Christmas Countdown: Daily Details, Tree Park, Alpha+Bits, Paper Pieces; Designer Tape: Polka Dot Combo; Button Market: Orange Stars

Stocking Gift Card Holder, by Laurie Schmidlin.

For my second gift card holder, I chose another traditional Christmas shape - a stocking. After I had my paper cut out and adhered together I did some machine stitching around the gingham parts. For embellishments, I used several stickers from the Alpha+Bits sheet and a Crochet Heart. So that the top flap of the stocking would stay closed, I added a magnetic closure to the inside.

Supplies:
Christmas Countdown: Christmas, O Tannenbaum, Alpha+Bits; Crochet Hearts: McIntosh Hearts

Christmas Jar Gift Card Holder, byShellye McDaniel.

Find a die-cut shape that is a bit larger than a gift card and cut it out twice. I've used this cute jar shape by Sizzix and stitched the front and back papers together with a zig-zag stitch around the edge. Decorate the front with a border of photo-corner stickers that have been layered together and top with a sentiment sticker. Quick, easy and a great stocking stuffer!

Supplies:
Christmas Countdown: Alpha+Bits, O Tannenbaum, Daily Details, Captions

Scrolled Gift Card Holder, by Shellye McDaniel.

To create this gift card holder choose any shape die-cut (larger than a gift card) and have a roll of foam adhesive handy to make a pocket. After die-cutting the shape, place the gift card on the back and mark its placement (depending on how much of the card you want to show). Adhere the foam tape to the edge of the markings and then attach to the card front. The gift card will slide down into the pocket with ease. Layer on a smaller die-cut shape, buttons and cute stickers!

Supplies:
Christmas Countdown: Believe, Borders

“Best Gift Ever” card, by Ashley Marcu.

The fun elf, found in Paper Pieces Christmas Countdown was my inspiration for creating a pocket on the front of this Christmas card. The card pulls out to reveal a gift card attached with designers tape. You could also include cash or a secret note. Don’t forget to leave a little message inside the card letting your recipient know about the elf’s treat so they don’t miss it!

Supplies:
Christmas Countdown: City Sidewalks, Daily Details, Christmas, Paper Pieces, Captions; Designer Tape: Ice Stripe, Green Chevron

Christmas Gift Card Box, byAshley Marcu.

This little box is so fun and easy to create. I die cut the box and created a custom tag that is cheerful and bright. It is the perfect size to fit a gift card for a teacher, friend, neighbor or loved one.

Supplies:
Christmas Countdown: Believe, City Sidewalks, Tree Park, Captions

Pillow Box Gift Card Holder with Spool Ornament, by Kathy Martin.

Personally, I love giving gift cards because I think it’s important for people to get what they really want or need. To make gift card giving more personal I like to combine them with something handmade like and ornament for example. Recently while perusing Pinterest I came across this adorable little spool ornament and wanted to make one using some of my favorite Bella Blvd buttons. I think it’s a fun way to dress up this little pillow box, don’t you?

Supplies:
Christmas Countdown: Believe, City Sidewalks, Paper Pieces, Alpha+Bits; Button Market: Merlot Flowers, Red Flowers, Outdoors, Blues

“Joy to the World” Décor and Gift Card Envelope, by Kathy Martin.

Gift cards usually come with free envelopes, but I like to create my own so they match the handmade gifts I make to go with them. In addition to handmade ornaments I like to craft holiday décor items such as this Joy to the World sign. It’s made with a 5”x5” unfinished wood frame purchased at my local craft store.