Author: Traci Penrod

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year! It’s officially 2024 and I’m already looking forward to all the new and exciting paper collections and projects ahead. I hope everyone had a fun and safe evening last night and you’re enjoying the day with loved ones. In honor of the holiday, I’m sharing a very fun pop-up card that I made with one of Lori Whitlock’s awesome cutting files.

 

It’s called Hexagon Pop-up Card New Year 2 (SVG, Silhouette). I made it with a variety of solid papers and a cute black and white gingham – all from the Echo Park, Little Ladybug Collection that Lori designed.

When opened, the card looks great sitting out as festive holiday decor. Use it on a desk, a shelf, side table, entryway table, or … your fireplace mantle. 

 

 

It folds flat for sending in an envelope or for storing as a wonderful memento.  I love the scripted Happy New Year and the cute stars! I hope you’ll visit Lori’s shop to see all the other wonderful cutting files she has. 

Here is the file I used …

 

 

Thanks for stopping by the blog today and happy crafting!

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Christmas Money Holders

Happy Thursday friends!  With Christmas only 4 days away, I’ve been looking for fun ways to give cash and gift cards, instead of just handing the kids an envelope.  Lori Whitlock has amazing ideas for gifting projects.  Even though I normally give gift cards, I saw these cute money holders and decided to mix it up this year! Cash for the win!

 
How cute are these??  They are larger than I thought they would be, which makes the presentation even more fun! 
These are SUPER easy to make!  Just group the colors on your “mat” in the software, and add 6×6 squares of paper on the 4 corners of your cutting mat.  I prefer to do this to cut multiple colors/shapes at one time.  It saves paper and time!
 

The cutting file makes this cute little cut out that folds up to hold the money.  The hole is about 1/4″ round so be sure to roll the money tightly to fit through the holes.  I used a thin metal rod (less than 1/4″ thick) to roll my bill. You may be able to tightly roll the money using a pencil or thin straw, etc.  Then just tuck the roll into the holder and your gift is ready!!  SO much cuter than handing the recipient an envelope!  

 
Here are a few more ideas:
 
Punch a hole and tie a ribbon on the top and hang it from the tree!
Tie or tape it to the top of a present for an added cash/gift tag!
Tuck this little cutie into a stocking!
Add it in a Secret Santa bag!
Or you could always mail it, of course 🙂
 
Thanks for stopping by my friends!  I hope you all have a wonderful holiday and enjoy creating throughout the rest of the year! 
 
Cutting files:  
Reindeer Cutting File
Penguin Cutting File

And, the best part is that these money holders are 25% off this week. No coupon coded needed.

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Tiered Bracket Mini Album

Hello friends! We’re into the Christmas season so, I thought it would be fun to make a holiday mini album using one of Lori Whitlock’s amazing cutting files called Tiered Album Bracket (SVG, Silhouette). It‘s perfect for your favorite photos from the season, and … it would make a sweet gift idea for someone special.

I love making shaped mini albums and Lori has lots of great cutting files with unique silhouettes to choose from. This one caught my eye with its pretty waterfall pages. To decorate it, I chose Doodlebug’s Gingerbread Kisses Collection.

Now, on to how I made it …

First, the cutting file comes with the base pages and the inset pieces for cutting pattern paper.  One tip when cutting out the patterns … be sure to position your pattern on the cutting mat so that it will be cut in the direction you want!

I love how the patterns cut perfectly sized to allow a nice 1/8″ border of white (or whatever color base you choose). 
I decorated my pages with card stock mats and embellishments and love how the waterfall design let’s some of the fun elements peek through!
The pink page above is an example of what I meant about cutting the correct direction for your paper.  Since I wanted my pink hearts to be right side up, I flipped my cutting file design in the software to “flip vertically”.  You could also just place your paper upside down on your mat 🙂 
Lori has several fun waterfall (tiered) album designs in her shop … curved, flag, pennant, pinking, rounded, tabs, scallop, ticket, and wave shapes!  I love them all!

I hope you’ve been inspired to try one of Lori’s tiered albums!  They would make a cute gift for Christmas, and a fun way to display your holiday (or any day) memories!  Thanks so much for stopping by today!


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Hello Fall Y’all Card

Hello friends! Traci here and today, I’m sharing a cute house-shaped card for fall that I made using one of Lori’s wonderful cutting files. It’s actually titled Christmas House Card (SVG, Silhouette) but I re-imagined it with fall-colored papers and created an autumn version!

I used the Echo Park, I Love Fall Collection designed by Lori and chose the 12×12 solid papers in cream/ brown and orange/green. The tan paper used for the brick shapes is the 6×6 print called Autumn Woods.

I changed the Merry Christmas sign to Hello Fall Y’all with the Silhouette software and the text feature. Then, I embellished it with some cute enamel dots.

This is a great card for a house-warming, welcome to the neighborhood, Thanksgiving, or to let someone know that you are thinking of them this season!

Here is the cutting file I used …

I love finding different uses for a cutting file by changing the paper, colors, wording, etc. Please give this Christmas House Card a try. It makes a beautiful card for any season!

 

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3D Pumpkin Decor with Traci

Hi crafters! Traci here and today, I have a great project for the fall season. I made some beautiful 3D pumpkins that will add a fun shape and pattern to your home’s decor. You can place them around the house, on a mantel, or cluster them together in a centerpiece for your dining table. Perfect for Thanksgiving!

3D Paper Pumpkin Decorations for fall

I created them using one of Lori’s amazing cutting files called 3D Pumpkin Solid Panels (SVG, Silhouette) and the Echo Park, I Love Fall Collection that she also designed. I made three and adjusted the size of the file for the last one by 30%. It’s a little smaller and so cute!

3D Paper Pumpkin Decorations made with a Lori Whitlock cutting file

Each panel can be removed so that you can place a small battery-operated tea light inside. However, since I’m using them in a centerpiece with candles and vases, I left them out. With the cute papers and shape, they were perfect as is!

3D Paper Pumpkin Decorations for a table centerpiece

I used three 12×12 pattern papers: Plump Pumpkins, 3×4 Journaling Cards, and Crisp Fall Air. They’re fabulous and look great with the solid card stock I chose in rust, orange, cream, brown, and green.

3D Paper Pumpkin Decorations with candles and a vase for fall

I hope these pretty pumpkins inspire your next autumn project. They make such a wonderful display. Lori’s cutting files are simple and fun and there are so many great ones to choose from! Hop on over to her shop
today and have fun exploring. Happy crafting!

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