With only 3 days before the big day I’ve realised that I still have a lot to get done. I have the little notebook I created a couple of months ago and I’m constantly adding things I’ve forgotten. This book will definitely give me a head-start for Christmas 2023 as many of the tasks are the same every year. One thing I did realise though is that I wanted a separate list of my go-to seasonal recipes. So I created this project and will write the details on the back.

CHRISTMAS PAPER

This bookmark needed to have plenty of room to record my favourite seasonal recipes and so I decided to make it wider than usual. First I cut a piece of Thick Basic White Card at 2-1/2″ x 5-1/2″. Then from the retiring Painted Christmas 12″ x 12″ Designer Series Paper (DSP) pack I found a pretty pine cone patttern. I cut a strip of this paper at 2-1/2″ x 5-1/2″ and mounted onto the card strip using Multipurpose Liquid Glue (Tombow).

Then I punched a hole at the top using the slot option on the Very Best Trio Punch. Bookmarks tend to need something to help you find them when they’re in the book, so for this I cut two 6″ pieces of white twine from the Baker’s Twine Essentials Pack. Then I folded the twine in half and poked the two loops through the slot. After threading the cut ends through the loops I pulled gently to secure them in place.

Now I was ready for my sentiment.

LESS STRESS

From the Very Best Occasions Stamp Set I chose a large sentiment: “With a little more sparkle and a little less stress, let’s make this Christmas the very best”. Using VersaMark ink I stamped the sentiment onto some Thick Basic White Card. Then I sprinkled the sticky ink with copper powder from the Metallics Embossing Powders pack. After tapping off the excess and removing a few stray specks, I melted the rest using my Heat Tool set on 2 (high).

To cut out the sentiment I turned to the Beautiful Shapes Dies and the largest of the hexagon shapes. Using my Mini Cut & Emboss Machine I cut out the sentiment with the points of the die centred at the top and bottom. Then I simply glued the die-cut piece onto the bookmark base.

I could have stopped there but I thought that the white twine was a little boring. Unfortunately I don’t have any copper ribbon or cord but I had a spark of inspiration. Taking each end of the twine in turn I rolled them onto my VersaMark ink pad. Then I dipped them into the copper Embossing Powder and after shaking off the excess I melted it with my Heat Tool set on 2 (high). Finally I was happy with my project and with the recipe information written on the back my Christmas cooking stress will be definitely eased this year.

After completing my bookmark I realised that if the back gets full I could simply cut and punch another strip of card. The I could reset the twine to hold them together. Genuis! Do you have any tips for making Christmas planning more of a pleasure and less of a chore? Why not share them by leaving a comment below.

If you missed my little Christmas planning notebook project check out my earlier blog post Christmas thoughts.

PRODUCT LIST

BUNDLE BONUS EXPIRING! – I bought the Very Best Occasions Stamp Set and Very Best Trio Punch together using a single ‘bundle’ item number. This meant I saved 10% off the cost of buying the two items separately. I’ve included a link to the bundle below in case you want to explore that option. Just be aware that while the stamp set and punch will continue to be available separately until at least the end of April 2023, the bundle discount will end on January 4th.

RETIRING SOON – The Painted Christmas DSP is retiring and currently on sale at 60% off. Like all retiring products this paper is now only available while stocks last.