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Christmas Carol Papers plus Tea and Tags by Rhonda!

Filed under Art Projects, Giveaways, Newsletters, Provence Kit, Rhonda Secrist Thomas, Victorian Christmas Tags Kit

Note: most of the links on this post no longer work, as we moved to a new Web site in 2018. However, you can see the supply lists for both projects on the new site: Rhonda’s Countdown to Christmas and A Teeny Tiny Tea.


Design Team Member Rhonda Secrist Thomas has two projects for you today, both that you could make in plenty of time for Christmas.

Countdown to Christmas is another alternative advent calendar you’ll love to make if you love playing with paper as much as we do here at Alpha Stamps!

Using the luscious papers from the Victorian Christmas Tags Kit along with the Library Pocket Organizer Box to create Countdown to Christmas. The Library Pocket Organizer Box is a flat kit to put together, wooden box designed to hold a lot (!) of decorated library card pockets with tags and tons of embellishments. The boxes are 4-1/2″ wide, 4″ tall and 8″ long. (Library Pocket Tabbed Dividers are also available to purchase separately.)

I already have the Christmas Spirit. I wonder why that is? Ohhhh, it must be because of the recent Christmas Tags Swap over at Alpha Stamps! I’ve already been busy, creating Christmas art. It is never a hard thing to do and I tend to gravitate towards the older decor of the holidays.

In addition to lots of wonderful Festive Ephemera to use on tags, you can also find this easy to assemble Library Pocket Organizer Box. A dab of glue and some festive papers equals instant decor for any table top. Not only can you display it with tags, it’s also the perfect size to hold your Christmas Cards. Scatter a few all around and feel the love of the Holidays! I also added 1 Inch Wooden Finials to the bottom of my box to give it more of a finished look.

Yes, it does look like a festive package that doesn’t need to be unwrapped. Super simple, just add a thin line of glue, place your trim on top, a little wreath from a Pine Needle Stem, a sprig of Holly Berries and done! I used one long piece of ribbon within the other from the Advent Calendar Tags Ribbon Kit around the the whole box, and then cut strips to fit each side.

Countdown to Christmas Supply List

Visit Rhonda to see more pictures and for further details at her blog.


With all of the rainy weather we’ve been having in the South, Rhonda’s next project makes me want to make a nice, hot pot of tea! Teeny Tiny Tea is an adorable banner that Rhonda made with the Tim Holtz Tea Time Teacup Die Set and the Provence French Country Kit.

Leave it to me to make tea time a bit creepy. Alpha Stamps now carries this wonderful Tea Time Teacup Die Set and it is precious. I have a collection of my grandmother’s tea cups but none of those contained Little Imps.

I used the Provence Paper Collection and must have made dozens of these wonderful cups in two styles. I especially love that there is already an opening in the top of the tea cup, waiting for a wonderful color of brew or a child or two.

I have to be honest, I never thought I would purchase a Big Shot Die-Cutting Machine, but I love it. I can run any size die through this machine and it’s super easy to use. The Tea Time Tea Cup Die Set cuts out two types of teacups, one saucer and a teabag tag. Imagine all of the themes you could use this for. If my grandmother were still alive, I would create the most beautiful spring banner for her. She would have loved this, especially while telling me stories of old about the cups and saucers my great grandmother would paint.

A Teeny Tiny Tea Supply List

Visit Rhonda’s blog for more pictures as well as a quick tutorial on how she tinted the Pleated and the Crinkle ribbons with assorted Carved Pumpkin Distress mediums.

 
Psst! If you like the Provence 12×12 Collection Pack (or other big collections by Bo Bunny), Leslie just put all of them On Clearance! View them all here.
 

 

Hooray for the Christmas Tags Kit, Box & Dividers Giveaway!

I was inspired by Rhonda’s Countdown to Christmas project, so this Giveaway has everything to make a full set of 25 Advent tags! (And/or to enter the Christmas Tags Swap)

First, there’s one of the Victorian Christmas Tags Kits

Next up, both the Library Pocket Organizer Box and a set of the Library Pocket Tabbed Dividers (and also a Christmas Tabs & Text Collage Sheet for tabs designed to fit the dividers)

And so you’ll have enough tags, pockets (and extra ribbons) to make 25 advent tags, I’m including more manila tags with pockets, and an Advent Calendar Tags Ribbon Set!

To enter the Christmas Tags Kit, Box & Dividers Giveaway drawing all you have to do is leave a comment BELOW on this blog post TODAY or TOMORROW (the deadline is 11:59 pm PST, MONDAY NIGHT, November 9, 2015). AND tell me: What would you make with the items in the Giveaway? Would you decorate the box like Rhonda did? Would you use the box for tags or holding Christmas cards or something else? And are you joining the swap?

Don’t forget to leave your (hello! correct) email address, too, so I can contact the winner; your email address does not need to be made public. Note: I’m offering free shipping, too, but only within the USA. International shipping will still apply.

Please be patient! Spammers try to post crap here a lot so comments are moderated. So if you don’t see your post in the comments section, be patient and check back in a few hours before re-posting it, please!

After midnight, I’ll randomly pick the winner (via Random.org). So make sure to check back to see who won! And check your mailbox on Thursday morning for the next Giveaway and Newsletter!

Hey, who won the Tea Cottage Giveaway? That would be Barbara MacAskill!

And she replied to my query “If you win the drawing, will you make a tea cottage? Complete with all the foliage and tiny breads? Or what would you make from the Giveaway supplies?”

OMG!!! This is exactly what I have been trying to make on my own!!!! I NEED this fantastic Tea Cottage so that I can make my Fairy Village a Fairy Dust Room. This is where the fairies create the different fairy dusts that spread love, peace and happiness around the world!!! I have some miniatures that are just screaming out for this cottage and would love to win it!!! So many awesome goodies in this giveaway!!! May the Crafty Fairies sprinkle me with lucky dust!!!

  
Posted by Leslie, November 8th, 2015

48 responses to “Christmas Carol Papers plus Tea and Tags by Rhonda!”

  1. Andrew Francesconi says:

    I think this box would be great for storing all my handmade tags, as I have a lot of them. I could then organize them according to holidays, different occasions,etc. It would be great.

  2. Peggy Hatcher says:

    Oh, I just love the items in today’s post. The Christmas Tags Box is so inspiring. And I have loved teacups forever! I have just been waiting for a good reason to purchase the die, and now I have it!

  3. MaggieM says:

    Since I collect tea cups and tea sets, I might just have to purchase that tea cup die for my Big Shot! I think I would initially decorate the tag box like Rhonda did and use it for the advent calendar tags, then use it after Christmas to store my handmade cards and tags. I’d probably need a couple of those nifty boxes:) Thanks for offering this great giveaway:) Now I’m off to check out your tag swap…

  4. Peggy Hatcher says:

    I was so excited I forgot to answer your questions! Let’s have another go at this, shall we? I would certainly make the same project with the materials. I love the way the box is decorated, but knowing myself, I can not answer that I would do the same decorating. I create by instinct, kinda’ “on the fly”. I have just decided to join the tag swap and am super excited!!! Merry Christmas, y’all!

  5. Jen R says:

    Might have to give this one a try. I won’t be joining this swap tho.

  6. Kathleen Jones says:

    If I win it would kickstart my Christmas card crafting. And none too soon!

  7. Margaret D says:

    Tags are my newest love. These are great! And I love boxes! I am so happy to see Christmas things now. My very favorite time of year are the winter holidays. This is all wonderful! The tags are beautiful!

  8. Jo says:

    I would love to use these items for my Christmas cards!

  9. Charlene says:

    I’d fill the box with Christmas tags and candy canes to send away with friends. A very nice post for Christmas

  10. Barb J says:

    I like the box to hold the cards and tags in.
    I would probably make that and add some of the things to my Christmas cards!

  11. mary macdonald says:

    I have been looking for papers just like this to make very fancy tags to use in place of traditional Christmas cards. Something my friends can save for their trees after the card is read. This would be perfect.

  12. Denise Bryant says:

    Fabulous project!I would make tags and store them in the box so they would be ready to use as I need them!

  13. Dianed says:

    I would make the 25 days of Christmas on tags.
    Everything in this giveaway is gorgeous!

  14. jean marmo says:

    Such pretty papers! The Christmas tags would be the perfect touch for my Christmas presents! Can you believe how fast the time is going? I need to get busy!

  15. Kim R says:

    I would make a tag wreath! These tags are gorgeous + I would love to show them off!

  16. Maryellen says:

    Yes, I would use the box for my advent tag storage. All I need are the grandkids to help deco with the Christmas tags. I won’t be able to do the swap this year but will probably do a family one if we are fortunate enough to put a tag creation day together. We were able to do this with the sugar skulls and had a wonderful day creating and sharing. Thanks Alpha Stamps for all the wonderful idea’s!

  17. Noreen says:

    I love the beautiful vintage tags. And the box is perfect for holding them.

  18. Karen says:

    I think making tags that are worthy of hanging on the tree as ornaments is what I hopefully have time to do if I am a very lucky person. Christmas is coming to us so quickly – not sure the time will be there to do everything I would like to do. Beautiful giveaway.

  19. Orlie Severson says:

    What Beautiful tags and ribbons. I would make the tags to go with MY Christmas Album. I love to make tags and give them as gifts on presents. Thank You for all the Beautiful work you all do.

  20. Jean Elford says:

    I adore these papers and the xmas makes are so inspiring. I would make a set of nostalgic notelets to send as a gift or with gifts (letter writing at xmas is always short on time).

  21. Luanne Shoup says:

    I WOULD MAKE GIFT TAGS, OF COURSE!

  22. Carolyn Bowlby says:

    Gift tags and boxes, a great combination.

  23. barbara macaskill says:

    LOVELOVELOVE the beautiful Alternative Advent Calendar idea!! I would definitely make it if I won!! Either way I need to get the goodies to make it though! I know my son would do this with his boys so they can count down the days till Santa comes!
    So excited to have finally gotten the coveted email saying I won the Fairy Tea Cottage giveaway! Email replied to!!!! THANK YOU SO MUCH!

  24. Denise Humenik says:

    I’ve planned to make Xmas themed tag wall hangings as gifts….this kit is exactly what I need (and desire) 🙂 The box I plan to decorate & store favorite ATCs.
    Perfect kit for my favorite holiday!
    Thanks once again!

  25. Kim Lucak says:

    Wow! Love, love, love tea and we collect teapots and teacups, have tea parties, etc…thinking the 25 days of Christmas tea 🙂

  26. SOKAT says:

    this is exactly what I need to make for my sister in law. the entire theme and vintage look is right up her alley and screams her name.

  27. Helen says:

    I love everything about Rhonda’s box, so I would try to use some of her great style along with my own little twist. I think the tags would make great Christmas ‘cards’! I might even make a 2nd box and decorate the tags around little photos of my 5 Granddaughters.

  28. Laural says:

    I am a Victorian Crafter through and through and I wouldn’t change a thing. I adore what you have created

  29. Dennis L. says:

    I would use the Victorian themed papers along with past Christmas cards to make Christmas themed books.

  30. Gail S says:

    I would love to win because I want to make a card box. I would decorate it with Graphic 45, A Christmas Carol.

  31. Karen Mallory says:

    I love Christmas and I love tags so making the box would be a no brainer for me! LOL

  32. julie m says:

    i love the vintage Christmas look. usually incorporate it somewhere in my cards. not entering contest as i recently won, but wanted to comment on the wonderful Christmas goodies.

  33. Mary Helene says:

    I would love to make the box to hold these beautiful tags.

  34. Ina Good says:

    I would make the box for cards and tags and plan on joining tag swap because I also love Christmas and Vintage!

  35. Christy Minnis says:

    Hooray for tags! Hooray for boxes to put useful things (like tags) in! I would make the box and the Advent tags because Advent is a very important season at our house.

  36. Carol Slowik says:

    Yes I would! Oh yes I would!!!

  37. Heather says:

    So many beautiful possibilities with these goodies! I think I would decorate the box to use for Christmas cards; then I would make some tags and I would definitely want to participate in the swap!

  38. Alice H says:

    Decades ago I used to make an advent calendar for my baby sister and we both had so much fun. She is now a very young grandmother and I could make a grown-up advent calendar for her and her young grandson. I am really inspired by the newsletter (although I always am!)

  39. Love the box with the tags, is there a pattern for the box ? Or is it assembled already ? I did’t quite understand the box deal, But I love it and would love to knock some of those out for friends, pick me !!!
    thank you
    melody

  40. How adorable I would love to win these I would make a great collage with them

  41. Ruthi Mazur says:

    You offer the most wonderful things. I’m really impressed !!

  42. Cindy Fitch says:

    What a fun project! If I win, I would definitely decorate the box and make all 25 Advent tags but more like a December Daily. Hope I win!

  43. Liane Ceglar says:

    Great Project !!! I would decorate the Box for my daughters to hold Family Christmas Recipes.
    Liane 🙂

  44. LeAnn says:

    I would decorate the box and use it to hold Christmas cards. I love the tags and would use them to decorate a wreath.

  45. Kimberly Barcello says:

    I love the idea of an advent tag calendar, and especially intrigued by things inside envelopes, so this boxed creation is a winner. Unfortunately tho, I’m already behind on my projects, so I will not be joining the swap. As always, thaanks for the chance to win

  46. Kimberly Barcello says:

    oh! I just came up with an idea! ( I hope I don’t get bumped from the contest for multiple posts) I used to create cards for my mom for birthdays and other events, but when tags became more fashionable, I was then making them instead. I saw that she always kept the tags tucked in her china closet, or sticking out of a bookshelf etc. with the ribbon or string hanging out, where they’re available for anyone to pull out and look at. Now, I can make her an all-occasion, coffee table, library, drawer, oganizer where she can store and display them for anyone to flip through and enjoy at any time! A scrapbox of special, custom, celebration tags!

  47. Roxanne says:

    Oh Gosh! I love old fashioned Christmas ephemera!
    I would love to make several Christmas Gift card holders for many of our family members living far away. It makes gift cards so much more special when you ‘wrap’ them in a special way. Would love to try this with this great lil’ stash of creative goodies! 🙂

  48. sheila AR says:

    This giveaway is festive, inspiring and too gorgeous! Rhonda’s work is beautiful! I would love to make a decorated Christmas box similar to hers, and fill it with lovely tags, candy canes, and boughs of holly . Love the Advent idea, and joining the swap!