Check this out.....a new die!

Hello!  Welcome to a special post today!  Why is it special?  Because I am one of four girls showcasing a new die made by a very special person & friend Laurie Willison!  How fun and exciting!!

Today we are showcasing a new concept for card makers that I think you're going to flip over!  It's called a "Card Hanger Die' and it is designed to showcase our cards as part of the packaging, instead of hiding the card inside an envelope.  Laurie has put together a You Tube video to show you how the die works.  Be sure to take a few minutes to check it out!

Let's hear what Laurie has to say about the die she created:  As card makers, we spend a lot of time and put a lot of love into our cards. Then we get the gift ready for the party and what happens to the card? It gets put in an envelope and hidden away. Now with this new card hanger die, you can proudly display your card, as your card and as your gift bag decoration. If you love kraft colored things, like most crafters do, you have a stack of kraft gift bags ready to decorate. Just add the die to several bags and then you will be ready with a quick gift at a moments notice. Please check out Laurie's blog for more info on how to purchase this die. 

There is a giveaway too!! Be sure to leave a comment on my blog post for a chance to win one of these card hanger dies. One winner will be randomly chosen from the comments on all 4 blogs. 

I have several projects to share with you.  Up first, a card & bag for a baby gift.

For this bag, I used the die on the side so that I can use a horizontal card with it.  I love that this is an option!

I love using "bulky" items on my cards like this fun pinwheel, but how do you put them in an envelope without smashing them?  I'm so glad that I don't have to worry about that with this die!  

Supplies:  My Mind's Eye Tangerine Paper, Melon Berry Cardstock PTI, Gold Shimmer Twine by The Twinery, Lil' Inkers Designs Mini Pinwheel Die & Stamp Set & Stitched Flag Die, SU! Top Note Die, PTI Summer Sunrise Button

And one more project to share with you today.  

I know...doesn't look like much.  I decorated the bottom of the bag with some washi tape that I've collected.  There is a tiny little blue stamp to the left that says "Pull Here".  That rolled  "blob" in the middle is a scroll and has a twine handle wrapped through it with a button pull.  When the recipient pulls on it...

...it starts to unroll a secret message.  This one happens to be for a birthday, but you could use it for any occasion such as Christmas, graduation, Valentine's Day, Mother's & Father's Day, etc...

Keep on pulling and an even bigger scene is revealed.   

Here is a closeup of the pull tab and button.  I threaded two colors of twine by The Twinery (Mandarin & Caribbean) through the button holes and tied them together in a bow.  You're not quite done pulling though...

...keep pulling and you find a special gift that anyone would love to receive...money!  Now, if you are like me, you LOVE to receive money or gift cards as a gift but hate to give them.  They just aren't fun to give!  They are boring and seem so impersonal!  BUT...this spices things up a little.  This was inspired by a gift that my mother-in-law gives my son each Christmas.  She likes to give him cash but tries to find a creative way to gift it.  

If you're curious how the scroll stays inside the bag, I put adhesive on the end of the patterned paper and rolled it around an old, round clothespin.  It's light enough that it won't tear the paper but is heavy enough to keep the scroll in the bag until it is pulled.

Thank you for stopping by today!  

Be sure to stop & visit the other three gals showcasing projects today.  If you'd like to purchase the die, there are limited quantities available over on Laurie's blog (on her sidebar) so get them while you can!

Laurie Willison

Suzanne Dahlberg

Amy Kolling

Have a great day!!