Here are the projects from my Critter Christmas Treats special holiday class including many gift ideas for the holidays! This class shows other critters that can be created using the Penguin Builder Punch, the variety of Stampin’ Up! Treat boxes, and simple templates for fun projects. Recipes are included with each project and the supply details are listed at the end of this post. Thanks for stopping by!
Project 1: Happy Hedgehog Post-It Note Holder
This project shows a simple post-it note holder with a 3x3 post-it note pad. You can create these for any occasion and with stamp sets and papers to match. It can be nicely packaged using a clear medium envelope. This one features the cute little hedgehog from the Joyful Life Stamp set. The white chalk marker used to color the apron is included in the class kit.
Here is the template for the post-it note holder. It measures 3 ¼ x 8” and is scored at 1 ½”, 1 7/8”, 5” and 5 3/8”. The top flap is the one that is shorter, at 1 1’2” tall. To close, the top flap tucks under the hedgehog image, which is attached so the bottom flap.
Tips:
- Fold on all the score marks
- Use the corner rounder punch (part of the Detailed Trio punch), to round the 2 corners of the top flap
- Use the eraser top of a wooden pencil in Real Red Classic ink to stamp the polka dots on the top flap
- Attach the DSP to the bottom flap, line it up with a slight border along the bottom and each edge (scored edge of the flap)
- Stamp the hedgehog in Memento Tuxedo Black ink on the crumb cake cardstock. Color as desired. I used the white chalk marker for the apron. Other colors used are listed on the recipe below.
- Attach hedgehog to Evening Evergreen backing piece. Add dimensionals to only the bottom corners of the back of this piece.
- Attach post it note pad to the holder using tear and tape.
- Fold the holder closed, with the bottom flap under the top flap. Add 2 dimensionals, centered and less than the width of the hedgehog piece to the bottom flap, just below the edge of the overlap with the top flap.
- Peel off the dimensional backings from the hedgehog piece and bottom flap and center and attach the hedgehog piece to the holder. The only part that it should adhere to is to the bottom flap.
- Now the top flap should tuck under the hedgehog to close.
Here is the recipe:
- Stamp Sets: Joyful Life, Penguin Place (sentiment)
- Crumb Cake cardstock 2 x 2 3/8”
- Evening Evergreen cardstock 2 1/8 x 2 ½”
- Real Red cardstock 3 ¼ x 8” scored at 1 ½”, 1 7/8”, 5” and 5 3/8”
- Painted Christmas DSP 2 x 3”
- White Stampin’ Chalk Marker
- Stampin’ Blends: Real Red, Flirty Flamingo, Crumb Cake, Granny Apple Green, Mint Macaron
- Ink pads: Memento Tuxedo Black pad, Real Red Classic pad
- Detailed Trio Punch
- Clear Medium Envelope
- Dimensionals, stampin’ seal, tear and tape
- Simply Scored
- Wooden pencil with eraser top
- 3x3 post-it note pad
Project 2: Holiday Mini Card Folder with 3x3 cards and envelopes
Here is another project that you can make for any occasion. It holds 3x3 cards and envelopes. It could also hold tags or be resized for other card dimensions. I like this size because it only takes a half sheet of cardstock to make the folder.
Here is the template for the folder. It measures 8 ½ x 5 ½”. Along the 5 ½” side, it is scored at 3 ½”. Along the 8 ½” side, it is scored at ½, 4, 4 ½ and 8”.
Folder Tips:
- Fold on all score marks. Cut away the outer edges as shown, angle the end of the flaps for the folder. Also use a slight angle for the edges of each pocket. Cut away the center area of the pocket as shown, cut at an angle.
- Use tear and tape or liquid glue on the areas marked by the white tape. Only go as high as the pocket.
- Fold up each pocket. Then fold in the folder edges to attach.
- Decorate the front of the folder as shown in the photo. I used a retired punch for the holly leaves and berries. You could use the Holly Border punch or Seasonal Labels dies.
For the cards, they feature 3 different critters—a rabbit, monkey and raccoon. For the monkey and raccoon, I was inspired by a project I saw by another Stampin' Up! demonstrator. They were all made using the Penguin Builder punch. Plus the daisy punch for the rabbit ears. Here are the recipe cards for each of the animals so that you can see how to assemble them. Then you can complete each of the mini cards using these cute critters!
Here is the recipe:
- Stamp Sets: Penguin Place, Christmas to Remember
- Basic White cardstock 3 x 6 scored along 6” side at 3” (for mini cards), scraps for bunny tummy
- Real Red cardstock 8 ½ x 5 ½” scored at 3 ½”along the 5 ½” side and ½, 4, 4 ½ and 8” along the 8 ½” side; piece for Everyday Label punch (rabbit card); berries
- Evening Evergreen cardstock 3 ¼ x 3 ¼” (for folder front); 2 7/8” square (for rabbit and racoon cards); 1 ¾ x 2 ¼” (for monkey card); scraps for holly leaves
- Pear Pizzazz cardstock for Everyday Label punch (folder front, monkey card, raccoon card)
- Painted Christmas DSP 3x3 (folder cover), 2 7/8 x 2 7/8” (monkey card), 1 ½ x 2 ¾” (for rabbit card and raccoon card)
- Cardstock for rabbit: Crumb Cake, Basic white
- Cardstock for monkey: Soft Suede, Crumb Cake
- Cardstock for raccoon: Basic gray, smoky slate
- White Stampin’ Chalk Marker
- Stampin’ Blends: Flirty Flamingo, Basic Black
- Ink pads: Memento Tuxedo Black pad, Evening Evergreen classic pad
- Punches: Penguin Builder punch, Daisy punch, Everyday Label Punch
- Dimensionals, mini glue dots, tear and tape, stampin’ seal
- Simply Scored
- 3x3 envelopes
- Other black marker to draw rabbit eyes and whiskers raccoon nose, monkey mouth
Project 3: Mice Gift Box
This project uses the Scalloped Kraft Treat Boxes from the annual catalog on page 137. It measures 3 ½ x 3 ½ x 2 ½” (height). It has pretty gold polka dots and is food safe. For class, we filled the box with a packet of hot chocolate and a Hostess treat (twinkie or cupcake). To decorate the top, we used cute mice that were made from the inner body of the Penguin builder punch. Again, this project can be tailored to the occasion.
Tips:
- The hole for the mouse house was created using a 1 ¾” circle. In class we used the retired 1 ¾” circle punch. But the Layering Circles Dies could be used instead.
- When tucking in the gray mouse to peek out of the hole, see how much of the body sticks out, then trim off what is sticking out from the under the wood DSP piece.
- When wrapping the 12” belly band around the box, wrap it such that the edges are at the top of the box, there will be a gap that will be hidden by the square piece with the mice. While the band is around the box, put dimensionals, 2 on each end of the 12” piece. Then attach the square piece. The band can slide off.
Here is the recipe:
- Stamp Sets: Penguin Place (for scarf), Christmas to Remember
- Evening Evergreen cardstock 3 x 3; scrap for sprig
- Cardstock for Mice: Smoky Slate, Crumb Cake, whisper white for scarf
- Painted Christmas DSP 1 ½ x 12” (for band)
- Bloom Where You’re Planted DSP 2 7/8 x 2 7/8” (wood print, for top)
- Ink Pads: Evening Evergreen Classic pad, Real Red Classic pad
- Punches: Penguin Builder Punch, Sprig Punch
- Red Rhinestone Basic Jewels
- Scalloped Kraft Treat Boxes
- Stampin’ Blends: Flirty flamingo (for inner ears)
- Dimensionals, mini glue dots, stampin’ seal
- Black marker for mouse eyes and whiskers
Project 4: Kraft Gift Box with Card and Hot Chocolate
This project uses Kraft Gift Boxes from the holiday mini catalog on page 11. It measures 4 ½ x 6 5/8 x ¾” (height). It has an acetate window and is food safe. We have a card packed on top so it can be seen through the window with 2 packs of hot chocolate underneath. Again, this project can be made to fit to the occasion.
For the card, the penguin and seal were both made using the Penguin Builder punch and Penguin Place stamp set. See the recipe card for seal below.
Here is the recipe:
- Stamp Set: Penguin Place, Christmas to Remember (words)
- Bermuda Bay cardstock 8 ½ x 5 ½”
- Basic Black cardstock 4 ¾ x 3 ½”
- Pool Party cardstock 4 ½ x 3 ¼”
- Basic White cardstock 3 ½ x ½” for words; 4 ¼ x 2 ½” for ice (template used to trace curves then cut out); scraps to stamp present
- Cardstock for penguin: Basic Black, Basic White, Pumpkin Pie
- Cardstock for seal: Basic Gray, Smoky Slate
- Wonderful Snowflakes (used on box cover)
- Ink Pads: Tuxedo Black Memento Ink, Real Red classic pad, Pumpkin Pie classic pad
- Stampin’ Blends: Flirty Flamingo (for seal nose)
- Punches: Penguin Builder punch, Tailored Tag punch (used to but banner ends of “merry christmas”)
- Medium Basic White envelope
- Kraft Gift Boxes
- Dimensionals, mini glue dots, stampin’ seal
- Black marker for seal whiskers
Project 5: Gingerbread Box with Tags
This project uses the smaller Acetate card box from the annual catalog on page 137. It measures 3 1/8 x 3 1/8 x 3/4” (height). For class, we used it to hold tags. It can also fit 3x3 cards with envelopes (from Project #2). We added a small card to the top of the box for gifting. Then filled it with 6 tags (2 gingerbread, 2 snowmen, 2 trees). The gingerbread was made using the penguin body from the Penguin Builder punch, then the arms were cut along the body so that they could overlap the piece in front. I learned how to make the gingerbread from Cindy, visit her at stampedwithaloha.com.
Tips:
- Tree tag: Cut the scalloped rectangle from Very Vanilla cardstock using the die. Then fold it in half. For tree, punch it from Evening Evergreen cardstock using the Pine Tree punch. The dots on the tree were made using the white chalk marker.
- Snowman tag: Fold the costal cabana cardstock in half first (along score line), then cut it using the scalloped rectangle die, do not cut the folded end. The snow dots were made using the white chalk marker. Punch the snowman body, nose and arms using the Snowman Builder punch. For the snowman scarf, stamp it directly on the snowman body. In the sample photo, the snowman on the left was made using Very Vanilla cardstock and the snowman on the right was made using Basic White cardstock.
- Gingerbread tag: Use the Heart Punch Pack to punch the scalloped heart from Real Red cardstock and regular heart from Very Vanilla cardstock. Punch the gingerbread from Soft Suede cardstock using the Penguin Builder punch. You will need 2 for each tag—the hole for the tag is punched on the back piece so it can’t be seen from the front. Add icing to the gingerbread using the white chalk marker.
- Use a 1/8” circle punch to punch the hole for each tag. Thread the gold twine through.
Here is the recipe:
- Stamp Set: Christmas to Remember, Snowbody Better, Inspired Thoughts, Penguin Place
- Real Red cardstock 5 ½ x 2 ¾”, scored at 2 ¾” (for small card); scalloped heart
- Coastal Cabana cardstock 2 ½ x 2 ½ (for small card); 2 ¼ x 5 ½” scored at 2 ¾” (for snowman tag)
- Very Vanilla cardstock small scalloped rectangle (for small card); heart (for gingerbread tag); large scalloped rectangle (for tree tag); snowman body
- Soft Suede for gingerbread, snowman arms
- Evening Evergreen cardstock for trees
- Pumpkin pie cardstock for snowman nose
- Ink pads: Memento Tuxedo ink, Real Red classic ink
- White Stampin’ Chalk Marker
- Punches: Penguin Builder Punch, Snowman Builder Punch, Pine Tree punch, Heart punch pack
- Simply Elegant Trim - Gold
- Red Rhinestone Basic Jewels
- Cute Stars Adhesive-Backed Sequins
- Acetate Box 3 1/8 x 3 1/8"
- Dimensionals, mini glue dots, stampin’ seal
- Stitched So Sweetly dies
- Stampin’ Cut & Emboss Machine
- Simply Scored
- Black marker for snowman eyes
Supplies
Below are the supplies used for all the projects. If you'd like to order any of the products, click on the pictured item to jump immediately to my website and shop or from the top menu, click on SHOP NOW.
Happy Hedgehog Post-It Note Holder:
Mini Folder with Cards and Envelopes:
Mice Scalloped Box:
Kraft Gift Box with Card:
Gingerbread Box with Tags:
Other: