Wednesday, August 19, 2020

Christmas Gift Card Holders


It is time for the new challenge at The Funkie Junkie Boutique Blog.  Sara Emily is our hostess for this one called It's A Wrap. Here is what she has to say about it:

Whenever I hear this term, I think of something that's finished or completed. But for this challenge, we want you to share your vintage or shabby chic gift wrapping, gift box or bag or perhaps a set of gift tags. Or maybe you might take a different approach and use a wrap die cut or gift packaging on your project -- just be sure to tell us what your 'wrap' is if it's not obvious!

When I saw this challenge I immediately knew that I needed to work on something for Christmas. Since there is zero chance I am going shopping at the mall during a pandemic, I will doing most of the shopping for Christmas online. I have Grandchildren that are at the age where they want to select their own gifts so I decided on gift card holders for this challenge. I normally take them shopping for their birthday, give them a budget and they pick their own presents and along with lunch out that Grandma buys, they walk away very happy. This year they got gift cards purchased online at stores where they like to shop in person but can shop online. It wasn't as much fun for me but it worked and I can see Christmas being much of the same although I do plan to ask their Mother for a shopping list of things I can buy online. I am getting quite proficient at hitting the SUBMIT button since I am buying everything online, including groceries right now.

I made a quartet of very simply decorated but different gift card holders. Since some e-gift cards can be cut into the shape of an normal gift card, a couple of the holders will accommodate that type but when you print from some sites, you have to fold the gift card so two of the holders are made with space to accommodate that type.


For all of the holders I used the Festive Greens and Holiday Greens die sets from Tim Holtz. If they are no longer available in the store I will link to suggested alternatives. Since I am on a mission to use up leftovers and scraps in my stash I also used leftovers from a couple of Graphic 45 Christmas paper pads that were in my stash along with some of the Metallic card stock pads from Tim Holtz.



  • Cut a strip of card stock 4" wide x 8 1/2" long
  • On the long side score at 2 1/2", 2 7/8", 5 7/8" and 6 1/4"
  • Fold all score lines and burnish with bone folder
  • Cut patterned paper to cover the back, front bottom and front top (I cut mine so it was 1/16" smaller on all four sides)
  • Ink edges with Vintage Photo Distress Ink
  • Cut two pieces of card stock 1 3/8" wide x 2 3/8" long for the gussets
  • Score on the short side at 1/2" and 5/8"
  • Fold gussets and burnish with bone folder
  • Adhere to the inside of the front bottom and back with double sided tape
  • Add velcro fasteners or make a belly band to keep holder shut
  • Decorate as desired - I just added a fussy cut element from the paper and a pair of die cut holly leaves with adhesive pearls

For the next one, I was inspired by a little double flip box that I found online HERE. I used the template shown on the blog but did my own measurements and actually messed up when I did the outside so the top isn't quite as flat as it should be. I will explain in the instructions.



  • Cut one piece of card stock 5 5/8" x 4 3/8
  • On the long side score at 1/2", 1", 4 5/8" and 5 1/8"
  • Cut out sections and angle edges as shown on the template
  • Fold to create box bottom
  • Cut one piece of card stock 8 7/8" x 3 1/2"
  • On long side score at 2", 2 1/2", 6 3/8" and 6 7/8" - the centre section needs to be at least 1/4" longer than the box bottom and I only added 1/8"
  • Cut out sections and angle edges as shown on the template
  • Fold to create double flip top
  • Die cut a label for the closure
  • Add magnets to right side of flip top and to back of the label closure
  • Cut patterned paper for both sides of the flip top inside and out as well as the back of the label closure
  • Adhere the box bottom to the inside bottom of the double flip top piece making sure it is centred
  • Decorate as desired - I used the Festive Greens die set and Gold Metallic card stock



  • Cut one piece of card stock 4 1/4" x 5 1/2" for base
  • Cut patterned paper to fit base and ink edges with Vintage Photo DI
  • Cut one piece of card stock 3" x 4 1/2" for a mat and centre over base
  • Cut one piece of card stock 5 1/2" x 4 1/4"
  • On long side score at 2 3/4" and fold like a card
  • Dye a strip of seam binding with Antique Linen DI and attach to outside of folded card to act as a closure
  • Adhere folded card to mat
  • Cut three pieces of patterned paper to fit insides and the front, ink edges and adhere
  • Fussy cut an element from the paper pad and add to inside as pocket
  • Decorate inside and front



  • Cut one piece of patterned paper 3 1/2" x 7 1/4"
  • On long side score at 3 5/8"
  • Cut a thumb notch at one end using a circle punch
  • Fold and adhere with a narrow strip of double sided tape on each side
  • Cut a piece of patterned paper 3 3/4" x 3"
  • On short side score at 1 1/2" and fold
  • Adhere the pocket section to the inside of the top and add Velcro closures
  • Decorate as desired - I used a mixture of die cuts and plain and metallic card stock

I hope you will join us for the challenge. It runs until 11:55 pm EST on Tuesday, September 1st. One randomly chosen winner will receive a gift certificate to shop at The Funkie Junkie Boutique and the Design Team will choose their top four picks with the overall winner receiving an invitation to be a Guest Designer at a future date.

Supplies list:

Sizzix Alternations Tim Holtz Thinlits Dies - Holiday Greens 658759
Sizzix Tim Holtz Thinlits Die Set - Funky Festive Florals 664221
Graphic 45 - Christmas Magic - 8x8" Pad
Tim Holtz Idea-ology 8 x 8 Metallic Kraft Stock
Tim Holtz Idea-ology 8 x 8 Metallic Jewels Kraft Stock
Ranger Tim Holtz Distress Ink Pad - Vintage Photo TIM19527
Ranger Tim Holtz Distress Ink Pad - Antique Linen TIM19497
Ranger Inkssentials Mini Ink Blending Tool - With 4 Blending Foams IBT40965
Scor Tape
Rayon Seam Binding
Graphic 45 St. Nicholas 8"x8" Paper Pad
Tim Holtz Festive Greens Thinlets Die Set

5 comments:

  1. Cec these are brilliant and beautiful! We are in the land of gift cards and this is the perfect solution for all of those cards which I don't like to wrap up but still want to feel special! Fabulous take on the challenge!

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  2. Now you say your gift card holders are simple by I'd say they are simply stunning Cec. With four completely different looks and designs there is something that will be perfect for anyone and I'm sure the grandkids will enjoy their gift cards even more in these special wraps xx

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  3. Lovely variation Cec, beautiful way's to hold those gift cards and boy do we all need a little treat right now. How lovely these would be to receive around Christmas, you'd want to display them EVERY Christmas! The card is especially a favourite. Thank you for sharing.
    Wishing you well & creative Tracey x

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  4. Cec, you get a HUGE round of applause from me with your interpretation of this challenge! I love a project that is useful and beautiful, too, and you scored at the top for both! I am bookmarking this, and going to give your instructions a try. I bet your grandkids will be so excited not only to receive a gift card to their favorite store, but also to receive these very special handcrafted gifts. Thank you for your inspiration!

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  5. Cec, these are all wonderful and make the gift extra special!!!

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Thanks!
Cec