Simply Sunday Challenge at Getting Cricky

The Simply Sunday Challenge at Getting Cricky is "JOYS OF THE SEASON".  We were asked to create a holiday decoration.  I am truly honored to be part of this design team and to have you here to see my projects. 

Here in the backwoods of Maine, my house is like Grand Central Station on a normal day.  During the holidays there are even more people in and out of the house.  We have a lighted pond in the front yard, that we keep clear all winter for ice skating.  Many a night friends will stop in and we will light a bonfire and skate under the lights.  Which, of course, means hot chocolate and cookies - and I like sending something home with everyone.  This year I'm focusing on 'paper'.  Perhaps it's because of the simplicity.  I have thought alot about what Christmas means and how far we have gotten away from the true meaning of Christmas.  So, this year my goal is 'simplicity'.  Simple things from the heart.  Hopefully it will make everyone smile.

If you like my projects, you can purchase your own K. Andrew Art Stamps and know that you are not only RECEIVING some great quality stamps - but you are GIVING as well.  K. Andrew donates a dollar of every stamp set to charity.  The stamp set I feature here today benefits the Wayside House for Women.

On to my projects...

This paper ornament was soooo fun to make.  I will be attaching this to gifts and also as an addition to gift boxes.  I used one sided papers with this - but I can imagine they'd be gorgeous with double sided papers .  You can embellish these many ways.  The gift tag says 'SWEET THING' which is from the Coffee & Tea Tag-a-Long stamp set by K. Andrew Art Stamps

I cut 8 3" circles and folded them in quarters.  Attaching 4 to each side of another 3" circle.  Added some shiny curling ribbon and some embellishments and you get a really cute ornament! 

Here is  the stamp set I used on all my projects.  Click here to order the Coffee & Tea Tag-a-long Set.

My next project is a gift box.  I had so much fun making this!  Of course it will be filled with chocolate gifts!

The "Everything is Better with Chocolate"  card holds a pack of hot cocoa. (or a gigantic chocolate chip cookie)  Another "Sweet Thing" tag adorns the front of the box.

Here's a side view of the gift box.  My sentiment was stamped in chocolate ink and says, "Chocolate Men ... Coffee..somethings are just better rich."   I love this!!  Have you noticed all my decorations are in blue and chocolate this year?

The next decoration is a little triangle gift box that holds a couple candy kisses.  These are fun to make and fun to give!  You can embellish them however you like! 

These are fun to hang from the tree and give to any little ones that come by.  I may have stuffed this one a bit full of kisses...it's ready to pop!

Here's another view of the hot cocoa packets and the candy kisses box.  I used some stickles that really made the stamp sentiments "POP".  I also made a few gift tags.  This stamp set is incredibly versatile.  I have more ideas to come.  I think next will be some "Snowman Soup."  Come back again and take a look!

Thanks so much for taking a peek at all my Christmas projects.  If you become a follower and leave me a comment, I will pick someone randomly to send the triangle box pattern to!