HOT CHOCOLATE HOLDER by Kenya Guard

Hello Gazelle Lovers!

I have three children in school this year and the Christmas season is literally around the corner. We all know what that means! Yep, you got it! I need to make teachers’ gifts. I already have some gifts in mind for the regular teachers because we have a good rapport. However, what on earth do you get people who volunteer? Of course they deserve a gift. Well if you are in a similar situation, this post is for you!

Today, we are making a simple hot chocolate holder. How many times have I mentioned the FREE cuts that come with Fun Time when the Gazelle is purchased? Hmmm, several! I keep mentioning them because 1) they are FREE 2) they are awesome 3) you have several images to play with as soon as you set up your Gazelle…why not use them? I used one of the 3D images that are the shapes library for the holder.

Have you seen the new releases? Oh boy, they should get us in the holiday spirit for sure! The new Chocolate Mug with Candy Stick file was exactly what I needed for this project! I am still amazed at how well the candy stick cut on the BossKut Gazelle considering how small it is! It is less than .5” in width!

To jazz it up a little bit, for the whipped cream, I used puffy paint. Honestly, this file is super cute without the “extras”.

I hope you all enjoyed today’s project! If you are in a pinch, this quick and inexpensive project is the way to go. Check out BossKut.com for this file and others! Thanks for stopping by, Kenya~

Files:

Chocolate Mug BKD157

 

Candle Holder and Ring by Debbie G.

Candle holder and ring,

     For this project you will need a an inexpensive glass vase, a piece of wire big enough to wrap around the base of your glass, some sticky-backed vinyl,  glass etching  cream, ribbon, glitter paper and brads. (Vinyl, glitter paper, and etching cream are available at www.bosskut.com)

     I used  0576 poinsettia and sized it to 1 inch and cut about 20 of them out of vinyl, placed them randomly all over my glass. I then covered the entire piece with a thick coat of etching cream and let it set 10 minutes.  Then wash your glass thoroughly with warm water, remove the vinyl and let dry. I resized the poinsettia to about 2.5” this is not precise you want it to be big enough to cover the bottom of your vase multiply it enough to wrap around your vase and cut them out of glitter paper. Crease and stack together your poinsettia and secure with brad. Next form your wire into a ring use hot glut to attach poinsettias to the wire. Finish up with ribbon between the poinsettias.

Dog Tag by Kenya Guard

Hi Everyone!

The other day I was outside with my dog Rico. We adopted him a little over two years ago. He is definitely a part of the family. As he was sniffing around, it dawned on me that he does not have an identification tag. Yes he is micro chipped, but what if he could be returned without having to go through the trouble of taking him to the pound? It would be so much easier IF the day ever came for the person who finds him to read his tag. I pray he is never lost, but at least now he is taken care of. And guess what? It only took a few minutes to do using my Gazelle!

I used the Engraving Tool for this project! I enjoy using this tool and know you will too! If nothing else, you can make your own dog tags…and perhaps make a little change on the side J I simply used one of the fonts that ship with the Gazelle. I also imported a dog bone shape into Fun Time. In the software, you can engrave the outline, inside or both of the image. I decided to go with both. You can choose the type of line as well as how engraved you want the image. I went with an S line spaced out a bit. I thought it made the image look fun.

On the backside of the tag, I typed in my contact information and that was it! This only took a few minutes to do, but it will save me heart ache if the unthinkable happens…well worth the effort!

 I hope you all enjoyed today’s project! Check out BossKut.com for files and inspiration! Thanks for stopping by, Kenya~

Holiday Magnets by Judy S

My Grand- daughter should have material which is not smooth so she can feel the textures.  Feeling textures builds up /stimulates her touch sensors.  If you have or know of children with this disorder/Austism, this makes a great gift for them!! Check with their parents first, as they may be hypersensitive to textures. 

Using my Bosskut Gazelle machine, I cut thick magnet vinyl.  Betsey, a Gazelle owner on our forum, suggested buying magnetic air vent covers from your local hardware store. Bosskut.com also has magnetic vinyl for purchase.

 These vent covers are thicker than regular magnet material and my Gazelle cut it without a problem!!  Patterns used for designs are available at www.bosskutdiecuts.com

 Materials used was faux football vinyl,thick mulberry paper, and glitter paper from Bosskut.com.  A word about the glitter paper I used; it is covered with a sealant and doesn't flake. This paper is gorgous and cuts well!  All the materials used are textured and Presley will love playing with these, feeling them and hopefully not eat them!   Further directions available on the Fall Pumpkin post from last month.

Happy Holidays!   Judy Tesla- Stark

Christmas Gift Card Holders by Jamie G

Files Used: Journaling Block 0411, Pop Kut Angel by Judy Stark BKD161, Snowman 0615, Penguin by Olivia Myers 0607,

Materials: Card stock, ribbon, glitter paper

Being a military family, we have family everywhere. I have nephews in California and nieces in Japan. I live in Michigan!! I would much prefer to give gifts for my nieces and nephews to open on Christmas day, but unfortunately shipping costs can really put a strain on an already very budget conscious month.

That's leads me to this project. I like to send gift cards so that they can go shopping at their favorite store! Now, I can't just send a gift as impersonal as a gift card and NOT do something special!! That would be a crafting crime and my Gazelle so loves the work. :o)

Starting out in Funtime I created a very basic and simple card to hold my gift card. Then using the true type font Honey Script, I typed out the names that I needed for each card and welded the letters together. With the awesome feature to use ANY pen, I put a Sharpie in where the blade holder would go and let my Gazelle "cut" out the names for me! I replaced the pen with the blade holder and then cut out the journaling block around the names. Then I secured the name tag to the gift card holder with ribbon.

For my beautiful nieces, the Pop Kut Angel was the only one that I personally thought fit perfectly for them! I added gold stickles around the halo and clear stickles for accents to her.

For my handsome nephews I used the Snowman and Penguin. For the whites of the snowmen and penguins I used a mixture of half white glue and half shaving cream for added texture.
With the snowmen I used the beautiful blue glitter paper, available at Boss Kut, for the scarf and the trim on the hat.

The penguins are decked out in their red glitter hat and scarf. To give those cute little cheeks a rosy glow, I used a Q-tip dipped in some ink and dabbed it on.

 

These 6 gift card holders are finally ready for some very special kiddos! Now, I just need to get to the store and get those gift cards.

Jamie Gillahan – BossKut Design Team Member
My Crafting Blog

For more projects and information, please click links below:
BossKut Gazelle Blog
BossKut Company Blog

A BossKut....Christmas! by Lori m.

Bosskutdiecuts.com and designer Judy Stark added a little more holiday spirit to our home. 

 I finished a few more snowflakes for the tree and finished the 12 days of Christmas banner I had been working on.

I'm loving the ease of just using files from www.bosskutdiecuts.com rather then designing my own.  A big time saver this year.

For the banner I used Judy's Victorian Ornament with Holly and bow, there's a lot to this file and just so many fun ways to finish it for projects. 

On our Christmas tree the new snowflake added this year is from the layering Snowflake Collection by Debbie Grommet.   Even though I chose not to layer this one, you'll have many options for creating some stunning projects with the file.

Enjoy, blessings and hugs, Lori m
http://reflectionsfromgranny.blogspot.com/2012/12/a-bkchristmas.html

GUARD FAMILY NAPKINS by Kenya Guard

Hello Gazelle Lovers!

Kenya here to share some last minute and inexpensive home décor or gift ideas with you. As many of you know, I LOVE vinyl! One reason is because it cuts so beautifully on the BossKut Gazelle. The other reason is you can customize SO many things with it.

Today, I am sharing two projects (dinner napkin and hand towels) using Heat Transfer Vinyl which can be purchased at BossKut.com. For both projects I used the Mini Holly Collection. There are so many files in this collection. I guarantee you will not be disappointed. I decided to only use the holly.

I brought the file into FunTime and typed in the family’s name. When cutting HTV, make sure you mirror the images. I cut them out on the BossKut Gazelle using the vinyl blade with a speed of three and a force of 4 (because of the glitter vinyl). I did not do a kiss cut on this particular type of vinyl like I normally do. I used my heat press for the projects, but a good ole trusty iron will work too with a Teflon sheet. PLEASE make sure your images do not shift! One of mine did, BUT this is just for my home so it did not bother me much!

First I started with the holly and the lettering. I heated it for approximately 10 seconds. I peeled off the plastic and applied the berries and set it for another 10-15 seconds. Peel off the plastic. That is it! My kitchen is festive and I have some cool napkins too J

I hope you enjoyed today’s project. Please stop by BossKut.com for files, supplies and inspiration, Kenya~

*Please note, if you are gifting Terry Cloth towels, please let the recipient know they are for decoration only! The vinyl can peel due to the type of cloth. The napkins are fine to use J

Files:

Holly Mini Collection

 

Joy Word Holiday Book by Kenya G

Hi Gazelle Lovers!

I don’t know about you, but sometimes it is hard for me to think of interactive handmade gifts for people. I mean, everyone in my circle is not scrappers. Honestly, when people find out I make cards and I scrapbook, I get the eyebrow…to get them involved (without them knowing) I found mini albums are the ticket! However, they can be very time consuming. In the end though they are worth it because people add their own photos and they truly treasure them!

One of the new releases consisted of a “Joy” Word Mini Book. All of the work was done for me and I am going to look like I worked on this chipboard mini album for a long time (it didn’t take long…shhh).

This project was pretty straight forward. The first step was to cut the file with chipboard. Next I cut it in the pattern paper twice (one mirrored for the backs). I also cut the word Joy separately in chipboard.

 Once I had the album assembled, I used the O’Hannah Oval file for the label and corner. They were heat embossed with gold embossing power.

. I also cut the Swirly Holiday Tree file in glitter paper (can be purchased at BossKut.com). The tree file is very intricate to begin with, but to cut glitter paper can be scary. However, I was not afraid cutting it with the Gazelle. As you can see, it cut like butter! The photos can be place under the corners and the tree.

I hope you all enjoyed today’s project! Check out BossKut.com for these files and inspiration! Thanks for stopping by, Kenya~

Files:

Swirly Holiday Tree

Joy Word Book

O’Hannah Oval

 

CHRISTMAS 2012 LAYOUT by Debbie Grommet

For this Christmas layout I used the newly released cutting files from www.bosskutdiecuts.com .

The pinecone and leaves, candle with fern, bell,  angel with halo, and long bow were simple to use and made decorating this layout a breeze. The font used was Brush Script in your funtime software. (I did not use the connect version of the font so that I could weld the number into the word.)
The papers are Home for the Holidays from Fancy pants. I sprayed the ivory background papers with Olive Vine glimmer mist from Tattered Angel to add a littler shimmer.

Debbie G

Files Used:

Angel with Halo

Candle with fern

Long Bow

Pinecone and Leaves

HOT CHOCOLATE GIFT BAG by Jamie Gillihan

Files Used: Coffee Mug with Candy stick by Judy Stark BKD 157, Snowflake II by Phyllis Parkins 0876
Materials: Cardstock, vellum, rhinestones, brad, cotton ball

While I feel that generosity spread year round is the best, it always seems this time of year that most people want to give. I believe that's way this is my most favorite time of year, well, that and of course the snow (I live in Northern Michigan). This really makes it easy to think of projects that include giving a little something else to someone and put a smile on a face.

Here's a simple gift that you can give to family, friends, or co-workers. You could also easily tie the ribbon at the top with a loop in it to leave on the handle at home of someone that may need a little extra warmth.

I started by creating a cut file in Funtime that created a 2-sided pocket bag. I rounded the corners of opposing ends and added 2 holes to each end for the ribbon. When I'm done decorating my bag, I'll add a packet of hot chocolate to each side along with a candy cane.

When BossKut showed off the coffee mug as a new release I LOVED IT!! Such a cute design and the details are beautiful. When I cut the straw out of the awesome glitter paper available at BossKut there was absolutely no glitter flaking and my Gazelle cut through it with ease. I saved the negatives from the straw to add into the cool whip, hey, no wasted paper here! ;o) For the cool whip, I added a piece that I tore from a cotton ball.

For the beautiful snowflake, I started in Funtime by adding a border. Then I changed the blade in my Gazelle to the embossing tool and put a sheet of vellum on my embossing mat. Using a force of 3 and 3 passes, I "cut" the snowflake and all the details of the snowflake. After the image was embossed on the vellum, I changed back to my blade. I changed the force to 1 and the passes back to 1 and cut out the border around the snowflake.

Then I used a brad to secure the snowflake to my mug and added some rhinestones.

Jamie Gillahan – BossKut Design Team Member
My Crafting Blog

For more projects and information, please click links below:
BossKut Gazelle Blog         BossKut Company Blog

COOKIE EXCHANGE by Kenya Guard

Hi Gazelle Lovers!

Around the holidays, a lot of people participate in the Cookie Exchange. If you are not familiar with it, the participants exchange cookie recipes or sometimes people exchange cookies. It is a good way to socialize and discover new cookies. It has been a LONG time since I took part in an exchange, but I think this is my year! I used the Gazelle and the File Folder Box to get me ready.

One thing I like about cut files is the fact that they can be customized to fit your needs. The File Folder Box does not come with a lid. However, I was able to use the existing cuts in the file and make one. The only thing I had to do was measure and score in the correct spots so the lid would fit over the chipboard (the Gazelle cut the chipboard with no problem)! Easy peasy!

I had to make the File Folders a little smaller so the lid would close. I covered the fronts of the File Folders with some pattern paper. There is an Index Card file available for purchase as well. You will need them to keep your recipes in order. They too can be decorated!

The label is from one of the Loopy Doily files (it comes with two doilies). I thought it was perfect for the look I was going for!

 I hope you all enjoyed today’s project! Check out BossKut.com for files and inspiration! Thanks for stopping by, Kenya~

Files:

File Folder Box BKD121

File Folder BKD122

Loopy Doily BKD102

 

Christmas Countdown Frame by Jamie Gillahan

Files Used: Swirly Holiday Tree by Judy Stark BKD 166, Pop Kut Angel by Judy Stark BKD 161, Santa Bag by Lisa Schmidt 0882D
Materials: 12 x 12 frame, card stock, glitter paper, vinyl

I remember fondly as a child when my Mom would make a countdown calendar by hand on index cards. My brothers and I would take turns pulling of the day and watching the numbers get smaller. I can still feel the excitement!! :o) While I sincerely appreciate all the hard work my Mom put into that, I decided that I would take a different route with the intentions of being able to provide for my children that same excitement.

For this project I started out with a very plain 12 x12 slate grey frame with a 5 x 5 opening for a picture and as any crafter knows, that just won't do! For the top third, I added white vinyl and the bottom green vinyl. To ease the transition from white to green vinyl, I added some red ribbon.

The numbers that countdown to Christmas are on a simple ornament that I created in Funtime using 2 basic shapes. I started with a circle and a square that I had rounded the edges on. After welding them together, I went into the special effects and added the charm feature. Very simple and gave me exactly what I was looking for!

When I had one completed, I placed it in the lower left hand corner of my mat. In the transformation box I multiplied the number of ornaments by 13 and selected the fill page option. Before cutting, I ran a green sheet of card stock through my Xyron machine and laminated both sides of the card stock. The reason I chose to do this was to give the ornaments more durability since my almost 4 year-old daughter and 2 year-old son will be "helping" me count down. My Gazelle cut it like a dream!!

After layering the numbers in red and white card stock, I used a mixture of half white glue to half shaving cream for added dimension. Once I had the "snow" on the numbers, I added some extra fine glitter for that fresh fallen look! To complete the look, I added a couple strands of thin ribbon to the top.

I used the true type font SantasSleighFull Bold for "days until Christmas." The green outline is cut from card stock and the red is cut from out door vinyl. Once I layered it, I went along the outside of the red vinyl with a white extra fine Sharpie paint pen.

The silhouette of Santa's sleigh I found during an online search for coloring pages. After saving the image, I imported it into Funtime and created a cut file from it. This image is only 3.5 inches wide and about 1.75 inches high!!

Due to the thickness of the numbers, I needed a place to store them. My hooks just aren't big enough to accommodate all of them at once. So, using the adorable Santa Bag, I started by cutting out the bag in red glitter paper and the top trim in simple white card stock. The red glitter paper cut beautifully and there was absolutely no mess from glitter falling off!!

Using the same mix from the numbers, I added the fluffy white mixture to the top of the Santa bag and tied the top with some twine. To make a box out of it hold the numbers, I simply cut out a rectangle that was about an inch wide and 5 inches long. I scored it and folded it so that it would form a shelf with tabs on the sides to glue it to the bag and the frame.

The presents I added are scrap pieces of paper that I cut into small rectangles and then added some ribbon to it. 

The beautiful Swirly Holiday Tree is a new release from BossKut. After cutting the tree from the green glitter paper, I added it to the outline using Mod Podge for the glossy look. I also decided to add a tree skirt by easily cutting out an oval from some patterned paper.

I chose to top my tree with the Pop Kut Angel. She's absolutely gorgeous and I love how the pop kut wings gave added dimension to my frame. This little beauty measures only 1.25 inches high and look just how well she cut out from the glitter paper!!

Jamie Gillahan – BossKut Design Team Member
My Crafting Blog

For more projects and information, please click links below:
BossKut Gazelle Blog
BossKut Company Blog

Reindeer Cookie Holder by Judy Stark

Who doesn't love to receive freshly baked cookies during the holidays?  Especially with cute red nosed reindeers peeking at you.  Perfect gift to put in a box for your children's holiday party,gifts for your neighbors and family.  This newly released digital file is easy to assemble and available now at http://www.bosskutdiecuts.com/reindeercookieholderbyjudystark.aspx

After I cut my cookies holders using my Bosskut Gazelle, I found a box pattern and adjusted the size I needed.  I used the Swirly Holiday Tree design to decorate the front of my cookie box for gift giving.

Remember, you probably shouldn't use glitter on the cookie holder since you are using a food product. 
Happy Holidays to all!

Judy Tesla-Stark

HOLIDAY CARD FRONT by Terri Mouw

I made this card by using my Bosskut Gazelle and Funtime software to design it.  When you purchase your Gazelle, you get over 700 FREE files and the file I used was one of these free ones.  I took the leaf flourish and multiplied the file to a total of 4 individual pieces.  I then used the subtract the white feature and it welded my design into one piece!  I made an outside frame and welded it to the design. I then glued and applied my card front to white cardstock.

I  glued some holiday beads and rhinestone and my card front is ready!

Notice how well my Bosskut Gazelle cut the thin curls in my design?

Terri Mouw