CHRISTMAS IN THE BANK (#1)

Welcome to CHRISTMAS IN THE BANK!  What you ask is this all about?  My idea is based on the Christmas Club savings programs I recall as a child, a few cents (maybe it was a dollar or so, I am not that old!) were put away each month throughout the year for the holidays.

If you are like me there never seems to be enough to time to do all of the crafty sweet bits that I would love to do for the holidays.  I rarely start early enough to feel comfortable with what I have on hand.  Having the basics done so that we can enjoy making time for special projects without all the stress is the goal.

There are no monthly prizes, we are all winners in this challenge!  Of course there is a blog button for participants, please link it back here.  If you need the coding email me (see the button on the right) and I will send it along.

Feel free to ask questions, make suggestions!  I will attempt to keep the rules to a minimum and processes simple!

On the 12th of each month I will share some ideas and offer a challenge to motivate you in building your holiday stash and having your own CHRISTMAS IN THE BANK when December rolls around.  To participate leave a comment on the monthly post with a link to your blog.  If you don't have a blog, use Flickr or another site, email me a picture of your project and I will add it to the post for you.

Your first challenge is to create at least a dozen tags!  What?  Remember the goal here is to build our basic holiday stash.  Nothing too complicated or technique heavy - keep it simple!

I want a stack of tags for tying onto goodie bags for the neighbours or small gifts.  I also love using what I have on hand.  I have sorted through my vintage Christmas cards (nothing to precious) and using a 3" tag punch, punched out the small scenes inside or on the back of the cards and some blanks to adhere on for a bit of stability.  I have done the same with my stash of old photos - love the New Years party scenes!  I inked the edges with (what else?) Vintage Photo Distress Ink.  I have also edged mine with a fine line of Stickles.

Tip:  holding up your project, put the Stickles nozzle right on the edge of your project and keeping the pressure even "scratch" along the edge to get a fine line.  This will give you some sweet sparkle and take hardly any time to dry.

Vintage not your style?  Use the holiday cards you received this year.  Take a look at your own photo stash, those that really aren't "scrapable" but you have been reluctant to part with might make a great tag.  Put your crafty creative cap on and share your ideas.