June 17, 2008

THE EVOLVING GIFT!

So, you are probably wondering about the title of this post - well, it all started out with my idea of making a gift to go along with the card I made for my MIL's birthday yesterday. So, I decided on something to do with chocolate - my MIL LOVES chocolate (as I do!) and her faves are milk and dark. So, I decided I would alter a jar, and fill it with Hershey sticks in her two favorite kinds. I used my SU! rub-ons because they go on so nicely, especially on glass! I used my SAB sets - I have tons of them and they look so wonderful in the white. I did the whole way around the jar and then added some Elegant Eggplant ribbon around the top of the jar and the lid. I also decorated the top of the lid - you can see a close-up here. I used Elegant Eggplant card stock and Cutie Pie dp, punched out some flowers using my 5-petal punch, and added an Almost Amethyst button to the center. All in all, I was pretty happy with this, but decided it just wasn't enough, I needed to make something else. So, I decided on this 4x4 box that I saw on Corie's blog - she did a wonderful tutorial which you can find here. I thought it would be perfect to put some little note cards in because she loves them and I knew she would use them. So, with that thought in mind, and knowing how much she loves the color purple, I came up with this box here. And yes, it IS purple - LOL! The bottom is made using Elegant Eggplant card stock and the top is made of Cutie Pie Dp, Elegant Eggplant, and Almost Amethyst card stock. I covered the edges of the lid with Elegant Eggplant grosgrain ribbon as well. The image is stamped on Whisper White card stock using my Fresh Cuts stamp set - can you believe this is the first time I inked this set up? I actually colored the stamp with my stampin' write markers in all differing shades of purple and got a really pretty effect - here is a close-up of the box top. The corners are all punched using my Ticket Corner Punch. I then added another piece of Elegant Eggplant ribbon to the top and called the box done! So, then I thought that I should make some note cards to actually go IN the box - LOL! And, what better note cards to make for this one than the new Fresh Cuts note cards that came with the set! I had not used these yet either, but I LOVE LOVE LOVE them, and will definitely be doing a lot more! Here are the note cards I made with the matching envies. Aren't they pretty?! I again used my Fresh Cuts stamp set and colored the image in with my stampin' write markers - it does take a little longer but the result is wonderful IMHO! I also punched out flowers with my 5-petal punch in Elegant Eggplant and adhered them to the inside flower, then added a Pale Plum button to each center. I also added some more Elegant Eggplant grosgrain ribbon to tie the card design in with the top of the box. The envies are stamped in Elegant Eggplant classic ink using a stamp from the Fresh Cuts set. Here is a close-up of the cards - I am really happy with the way they turned out! So, now you can see how this gift evolved from a card and dinner to a card, dinner, and chocolates, to a card, dinner, chocolates, a gift box, and some matching note cards....throw in the cake I also had for her and I was done - LOL! She loved everything though and had tears in her eyes when she told me this is the best birthday she has had in a long, long time...I think I will call this a success! I hope I did not bore you too much, but thought it was a fun story to share! I hope you enjoy my creations as much as I enjoyed making them! Have a fabulous day!

32 comments:

Courtney said...

What a wonderful gift! And Chocolate, to! yum!

Scrappy Girl said...

The amount of effort you put into this showed how much you care about her. No wonder she teared up. You made her feel special. What gorgeous note cards!

corinnesomerville said...

First of all this was the farthest from a "boring" story !! I love stories like this....ahhhhhh! What a wonderful moment between you and your MIL :)What a completely thoughtful gift too...it screams how much you love her by putting so much thought into and everything turned out BEAUTIFUL!!!! Way to go, kiddo !!!

Love ya..

Ila said...

What a Fabulous gift Alex...and a Wonderful way to present it!!!

~Denise Lynn~ said...

What great gifts Alex! I love the jar of candy, who wouldn't want that! :) Yum! Those note cards and the box are just gorgeous! I love the colors and the images. I can't wait to get that set. :) I'm sure your MIL is going to love everything you've made for her! :)

Denise ~ Paper Ponderings said...

Wow...what an awesome set! I'm sure she loves it!

a portland granny said...

What a smashing gift! and so adorable too! Its lovely! Thanks for sharing. I love your site.

Melissa said...

Awesome job Alex! I love it when the great ideas just keep comin' and comin'!

Many Blessings,
M.

Jessie/knightrone said...

This is just gorgeous!! I love the Fresh Cuts, looks amazing!!

papel1 said...

I love the Hershey Sticks in a jar. What a great idea.
Judy

Chris said...

what a great gift!! no wonder she cried, it's fantastic..>"<

Donna Baker said...

you are a sweet DIL - that was such a thoughtful gift (see what the color purple can do to some people?) HA - I bet you scored some points with your DH too

Tammy Hershberger said...

What a great gift! LOVE the jar, and I must get myself some of those Hershey's Sticks! YUM!

Shannon McGann said...

You are too funny! I absolutely LOVE the little note cards you made. Aren't those Fresh Cuts notes fabulous!? Your jar looks wonderful too! I love the rub-ons. I saw Corie's tutorial, and I'm planning on trying it this weekend. TFS.

Ana Baird said...

Great jar and card!

Erin... said...

wonderful gift alex!! i really love the note cards! i'm trying to decide on a preschool teacher gift, thanks for the ideas!!
mmmmmmm chocolate

Christina Fischer said...

Oh my gosh -- what a fantastic set! I'm sure she loved it! :)

Lee said...

Oh wow!!! Your evolving gift is just amazing!!! So thoughtful and special!! And chocolate!!! YUMMMMY!!! LOL

joslyn said...

wow lots of effort. great gift. i hope you like the stamps.

tyrymom29 said...

What an awesome Gift !! I bet she was feeling loved I know I would be ....IT looks GREAT !!!!

Diane said...

It looks so yummy inside and out!!!

Rose Ann said...

That is such a beautiful set, Alex!! Everything looks perfect!! Hugs!!

Deborah said...

Oh Alex, your MIL must love having you as a DIL! You spoiled her with gorgeous gifts! Fab job on each one! Hugs, take care, Deb

Latisha said...

Great gift idea. The cards turned out beautiful. Those little chocolate sticks are yummy!

Manna said...

*THUD* This is SUPER gift! Love the stamp! Great colours and thanks for the link to the box! Never heard of Hershey's Sticks before. Very interesting!

Anonymous said...

great gift idea Alex! I got my card swaps and they are awesome!! if you ever do another one I will sign up!

Nikki Bond said...

I'm sure she is going to love these Alex...such a beautiful gift and filled with chocolate! The best of both worlds in my book! {SMILES}

Anonymous said...

oooooo I want one! Yes, this is me, the kid in the candy store.

Corie said...

So beautiful -- you did a FANTASTIC job with this.

Nancy Riley said...

Fantastic stuff !!!! Your lucky MIL !!!

Vicki said...

Oh Alex, what a wonderful gift for your MIL. I know she had to just love it. The note cards are beautiful. And who wouldn't love a jar full of chocolate. Amazing!

Kim Marie said...

Wow! I just cannot keep up with you!! I don't know how you manage to keep up the inspiration! I love the colors and the jar, but the Fresh cut stationary is the TOP! I just ordered this set and now I cannot wait to make something for my MIL who has a birthday this month! Wow!
Kim Marie