My Cricut Craft Room's Christmas in July Blog Hop

Merry Christmas!!!!  I know, I know; it's not Christmas YET. However, it's never too early to get started on your shopping NOR is it ever too early to get started on your cards and gift tags and other handmade items!  For this reason, today is My Cricut Craft Room's Christmas in July Blog Hop, where we hope to give you plenty of inspiration for your handmade Christmas items!!

You should have come from the wonderfully talented Tammy; if not, please go back to My Cricut Craftroom and start at the beginning. Believe me, you're not going to want to miss ANYTHING!!

My big thing at Christmas is wrapping the gifts!!! I used to LOVE spending hours making sure the wrapping was just so, the ribbons so pretty....But, then LIFE happened and I just don't have time for all that anymore. My new favorite Christmas wrapping idea is GIFT BAGS!!!  They're so easy!! But, who says they have to be boring??  I love dressing up my gift bags with cute gift tags and now, thanks to My Cricut Craft Room and all the ladies that I have met through there, I know how to make some pretty cute gift tags, if I do say so myself!  I have two different ones to show you today. Remember, I'm all about simple yet cute, so either of these takes a very long time and can be turned out by the dozens fairly quickly.

This tag was made using Create a Critter (yes, Create a Critter!) and Tags, Bags, Boxes and More (TBBM).  I first cut the tag out of manila cardstock from my stash using the blackout feature of a basic tag from TBBM. I used my Gypsy to make the tag our standard Tag Swap size of 4.75" tall by 2.375" wide. Then I added a tree cut from Create a Critter (Accessory button on p. 33 in the handbook) that was cut at 1.47" high on my Gypsy (1.5" on your machine if you don't have a Gypsy) on green cardstock from the Creative Memories Shades of Green cardstock pack. 

Here, I have a confession to make: the tree was in my stash because, when I made the card for Card Creating Tuesday (see post below), I cut the trees too large.  But, so as not to be wasteful, I put the trees into my "scrap shapes" box and saved them for later.  See, WHOOPSIES don't always have to be a bad thing!!

Now, back to the tag. Once I added the tree, I wanted it to look like snow had fallen on it, so I added some Star Dust Stickles to the branches.  Then, I had to add the "To:" and "From:" which came from a little pack of acrylic stamps I picked up in the Michael's clearance bin some time ago using Tim Holtz Distress Inks Barn Door.  Lastly, I added an eyelet and some red and green raffia ribbon from my stash so I can tie the tag onto my gift!

I took a little poetic license with this tag, as our rules say our projects HAVE to include AT LEAST 1 Cricut cut. Well, the tag itself is my Cricut cut: I used the blackout feature of a standard tag from TBBM and cut it using my Gypsy at our standard Tag Swap size of 4.75" tall by 2.375" wide. I just used some light gray cardstock from my stash.  I then "dabbed" or "rubbed" some ink onto the background to give it a cloudy, chilly effect.  The color is Tumbled Glass from the Tim Holtz Distress Inks line (I'm absolutely LOVING these inks!!).  I then used the same color, Tumbled Glass, to stamp the snowflakes all around the tag using some more of my Michael's clearance bin Christmas acrylic stamps. And, of course, what gift tag is complete without "To:" and "From:" - same as the tag above, using Barn Door ink again - and an eyelet and ribbon for attaching to a gift?

I hope you have liked the Gift Tags I have created for you. As I said, I am all about quick and simple - yet cute! - so these can be turned out by the dozens! You could even add your own flair by embossing the snowflakes, or the to and from....the possibilities are endless!  Enjoy, and Mele Kalikimaka!!! (Hawaiian for Merry Christmas!)

Your next stop will be:  Melissa

Here is the whole line up in case you get lost:

Start http://mycricutcraftroom.blogspot.com

Tina http://craftyandgreen.blogspot.com

Laurie  http://www.lauriecandoit.blogspot.com/

Gayle http://gscraptime.blogspot.com/
Jen  www.mybusycraftylife.blogspot.com

Lucinda www.thegrowinggibson.blogspot.com

Sheila  http://2pawprints.blogspot.com

Yvette http://gammascreativecorner.blogspot.com/

Enjoli http://mississippihippycrafts.blogspot.com/

Connie  http://conniescraftycloset.blogspot.com

Raina http://www.scrapwithraina.blogspot.com/

Heather www.papercrafteranonymous.com

Tammy  http://crazycardcreator.blogspot.com/

Autumn http://autumnsbuggycreations.blogspot.com  YOU ARE HERE

Melissa http://pinkpolkadotscrapping.blogspot.com  NEXT

Erica http://mycricutcraftroom.blogspot.com/2011/07/my-entry-for-christmas-in-july-blog-hop.html
Kat http://katkscrapfever.blog​spot.com/