Countdown to Christmas...

Welcome to group post #2 for the Papertery Ink October countdown!  Today the team really is counting down...to Christmas, that is.  Heather Nichols has designed two new sets that are perfect for creating any sort of countdown project you can imagine..from advent calendars, December Daily albums, paper chains, you name it.  These two new sets will be available for purchase on 10 pm Eastern on October 15th, 2012 from the Papertrey Ink site.  

So a little about my projects today.  For my countdown project I created a paper chain.  Paper chains are some of the simplest holiday decor items to create.  And I don't know about you, but my kids love them. 

I jazzed my chain up a little by attaching snowflakes from the Damask Snowflake dies to each ring of my chain.  I had a terrible time capturing it in photographs...in real life it's very dimensional and sort of "fluffy".  But I think you get the idea.  :-)  

I used the numbers from the Countown to Christmas set -- stamped them onto white cardtsock and just punched them with a 1" circle punch...quick and easy.  This would be a fun project to do together with your kids.  There was quite a bit of diecutting since my chain is 24 rungs long and each one has two snowflakes, but my kids love to run my Vagabond.  

I created it assembly line style by cutting everything first.  My paper strips are 1" x 8 1/2".

Then I just used a stapler to assemble everything.  I stapled the snowflake on top at the same time I stapled the ends of each ring together.  Then stapled the second snowflake to the opposite side of the ring.  I covered the staples by topping each snowflake center with a number circle attached with foam tape.

And of course there are some fun card-making possibilities with this set as well.  Here's a fun typographical card I created with elements from both the new Countdown and Countdown Details sets.  I'm also loving the new Limeade Ice Pattern Pack papers.  It's such a fun zingy color.  

I also embossed the background of the card using the new Diagonal Stripes Impression Plate.  I wrapped the edges of my cardstock panel with my favorite washi tape.  

I hope you enjoyed today's countdown projects!  Stop by the other girls to see what they've created with the new Countdown to Christmas goodies!

• Ashley Cannon Newell
• Danielle Flanders
• Jess Witty
• Maile Belles
• Nichole Heady
• Dawn McVey
• Melissa Phillips
• Cristina Kowalozyk

Supplies not linked but available on October 15th from Papertrey Ink:  Countdown to Christmas and Countdown Details stamp sets, Limeade Ice Pattern Pack papers, Diagonal Stripes Impression Plate

InLinkz.com

Comments

[Holly Saveur]

Gorgeous!

[Leigh Penner]

Very fun banner, Betsy! Love your card, too!

[Nancy Penir]

Beautiful garland, Betsy. And thanks for the assembly line suggestion.

[Renee VanEpps]

Beautiful projects Betsy! Loving that diagonal stripes die so much :)

[Mary Lou Kemp]

My grandchildren would have a great time making this garland and it is so colorful and cute. I just love that you used a snowflake die. Thanks for sharing.

[Connie C.]

Betsy, I'm so loving the colors you used on your card.
-- Connie C.

[Pat Kinkaid]

That garland is aamazing~ Love it. I'll probably be casing your card :-)

[Jann Gray]

So very cute....my youngest niece will LOVE helping me with a paper chain project like this! So glad we still have a "youngin'" in our family! Thanks for the inspiration!

[Becky Green]

Your Snowflake Garland & Card are WONDERFUL BETSY!!!!!!!!! (I KNOW your kids LOOOOOOOVE it when you craft!!!!! :) ) SUPER JOB!!!!!!!!!!! :)

[Mendi Yoshikawa]

Love your fluffy snowflake garland and that card is darling! :)

[Artful Scrapbooking]

Both projects are wonderful!! Love how you wrapped the edges of the card panel with washi tape!!! xo Evie

[Janet]

Super pretty garland, Betsy :)