Christmas in September - Creations by AR Blog Hop

Yes, it's only September. Yes, we just got our kids sent back to school (hooray!). And I think now is a great time to look ahead and start planning for Christmas!

A quick peek at all three new files. Read on for details on each!

Adela is back with three fabulous cutting files for Christmas and Winter, and as usual, you could win the file of your choice just by hopping along with us.  Three random commenters will be chosen from the designers' blogs and the AR Facebook Page to win one of the three new files. Be sure to leave a comment on all of the blogs (listed at the bottom of this post) and the Facebook page for your best chance to win!  Comments will be accepted until Friday, Sept 12, 12:00 noon Eastern. Winners will be announced September 13 on the AR Facebook page and the AR website.

Now, who's ready to check out the new designs? I should mention that these are each for sale individually, as well as a money-saving Winter Bundle.  Let's start with the super cute Gingerbread Gift Bag:

This sweet gift bag is super easy to put together. You'll need two sheets of cardstock for the bag base, and mostly scraps for everything else.  For my bag, I used the heart design cardstock from CTMH's Paper Fundamentals Basic Assortment. I used the side with the ink resist pattern as my outside, and sponged it with darker ink to play up the pattern more. (You can see in the photo, the other side has the same design in white.)  I used white glitter cardstock from American Crafts for my snowy accents, a scrap of Graphic 45 for the wreath, and plain cardstock for everything else.  I glazed the round part of all of my lollipops with Liquid Glass to make them nice and shiny like the real thing. I added details on my "people" with a Uniball Signo white gel pen.

Now let's check out the super sweet set of Starry Trees:

These are even easier to put together than the gift bag! And you have two options: a plain design that looks great with busier patterned paper, and a cutout design that is perfect for cardstock or a simple pattern.  You'll need a piece of cardstock for each inner base (I used brown for my plain trees, and yellow for the cutout one), but you can get two of the covers on one sheet. I used Graphic 45 papers for my trees, so I didn't even bother with embellishments other than the banners that come in the file.

I think these would make great place favors for a dinner or party, and you could write each person's name on the banners. Or, if you have a more informal buffet-type gathering like my family, just use the included words or stamp them all with "Merry Christmas"!

Finally, let's take a closer look at this fun Stack a Snowman:

This fun little guy takes a little more effort, but still easy enough to whip up quickly.  I used textured cardstock for his body and patterned papers from CTMH's Snowhaven paper pack for his other parts.  I wanted to used a light blue patterned piece for the center box, but I only have the consultant sampler on hand which wasn't large enough so I let him white. (Guess what's going on my next order?!)

He's easy to embellish with a little ribbon and some adhesive gems and a pearl. I used brads for his coal buttons and mini brads for him eyes and mouth. I drew on his carrot nose with a Copic marker.

As a reminder, all of Adela's files come with a PDF version as well, for those of you cutting by hand. All three of these should cut by hand easily.

Now, don't forget to visit all the participating blogs and leave a comment for your chance to win:

Adela

Julia

Doris

Lori (YOU ARE HERE)

Lyn

Lisa E

Monica

Patti J

Tina

Lisa S

Sue K