It's my turn to share a little sneak peek for this months Papertrey Ink release! I'm excited that I get to share a peek at the new 2008 Holiday Tag Collection stamp set... a collaborative set by Nichole, Heather, Melissa and I! I thought I would show you are little idea that popped into my head when I finished illustrating one of my tags that I was submitting. It was so fun tho think about making when the tag got accepted!
We have a family Christmas tradition that my girls LOVE... every year we spread out a few ingredients... Almond Slivers, Hersey's Chocolate Kisses, Melted Milk Chocolate Chips,Melted White chips with red/pink food covering, coconut and Maraschino Cherries.
We form an assembly line and one by one the girls grab a cherry and start the process... Dry, Dip, set on the coconut, at the Kiss then the almond slivers... and finish with a little dab of pink on the tip of the kiss. These yummy ingredients come together to create Chocolate Mice!!!
We have a plate at the end of the line where this all happens... when were are producing a mass amount I use a cookie sheet.
Here is a quick shot of the mice in each step of the creation. I placed them in the freezer for about an hour to harden the chocolate.
Now... here is the reason why I was inspired to make these yummy treats... and let me tell you, my kids were so glad when they came home from school and had some mice to nibble on!This mouse was almost as fun to make ;)
I love how the parameters in this set all fit with the regular or scalloped Super Jumbo circle punch! (thats the blue size.) You will see this card in full a little later in the countdown. I have to say that I LOVE the other images that were created for this set... I'm always in awe of what everyone else creates...it's so exciting to be apart of such a diverse group!
I thought it would be fun to create a simple box for the mice to be housed in ... simple is always good for mass production! This is something easy and pretty fast. Here are the measurements for making this fun box...
Box bottom
7.5” x 7.5”
Score @ 2.5” turn and score @ 2.5” repeat until all sides are scored
Cut into the score lines on just two sides, that oppose each other.
Lid
5.5 X 5.5
Score in just over 1.5” and turn, score and repeat until all sides are scored.
Cut into the score lines on just two sides, that oppose each other.
Insert 5” x 2.4” score in 1.25 inch on each end and fold. Insert into box.
Here are all the elements laid out. I added some scalloped trim for more pizazz.
I wanted to note that I secured the acetate with glue dots.
I put some extra coconut on the box insert to add more "snow" to the box. if you have an aversion to coconut you can put the mice onto the top of a cookie, like a vanilla wafer or an open face Oreo. You can put some wax paper underneath if you wish I usually do that if I am shipping them. Be careful with the cherry stems... you can gently curl them with your fingers... if you pull the may come off though.
Here is the finished box with the mice ready for someone special! I love how the tag goes with this concept so well!
Here is a closer look at the finished tag too.
When you see the set in its entirety you will be amazed at how many cool ideas you will get... it's so versatile! I just can't express how wonderful it is and how easy it will make not only Christmas but other occasions. There are some decorative non-sentiment tags that I will for sure be using for birthdays this year!!! This set becomes available on Oct. 15.
I just might get brave this year and make these for Chris' co-workers... I am FOR SURE making these for teachers... with 4 kids in school... I think we have offer 20 gifts to give this year!
Nichole is previewing this set today... head over to her blog. Heather and Melissa have sneak peeks for sets too!
I also wanted to give a HUGE shout out to my friend Lauren!!! Lauren has a new product line with Papertrey Ink... My Timeless Templates!!! You will be amazed when you open your fist one... she is a genius with templates AND in addition to that the DT is creating exclusive projects for them...OH YOU ARE GONNA LOVE THEM! Everything is SO elegant... So Papertrey! head over to her blog to check them out! Congrats Lauren!
Supplies
Stamps- 2008 Holiday Tag collection. Ink- Ripe Avocado, Dark Chocolate, Pure Poppy. Cardstock- Pure Poppy, Ripe Avocado, White. Pattern paper- Vintage Holiday Prints. Other- Spring moss stitched ribbon, Acetate, Scalloped edge punch, Extra Jumbo Circle punch, Super Jumbo scalloped circle punch, Synthetic sponge, score-pal, fabri-tac.
Awwww...these are so cute and look absolutely gorgeous in that box!
Posted by: Denise ~ Paper Ponderings | October 11, 2008 at 08:27 PM
So cute!!! As I was scrolling down on my Google Reader and reading your post I had NO idea what your ingredients would make. When I saw the little mice I totally smiled as I had never seen this cute little idea before. Adorable!
Posted by: Charlene Austin (Willow01) | October 11, 2008 at 08:47 PM
Oh Lisa these look YUM-AZING! LOL! I love it. and your tag is so totally beyond adorable-the box is perfect. Thanks for the support too!
Posted by: Lauren (mytime) | October 11, 2008 at 08:49 PM
These are so adorable, Lisa!! What a cute treat and a great gift box!
Posted by: Niki Estes | October 11, 2008 at 09:26 PM
This is absolutely adorable. I love it. I love everything about it. My boys are young so we are still figuring out what traditions will work with our family and what won't. This would be so cute, and we make a point to read the story behind the story of 'Twas the night before Christmas, so cool. TFS!!!
Posted by: Melissa D. (SCS honeybee7896) | October 11, 2008 at 11:10 PM
Truly adorable Lisa. Can't wait to try this!!
~Meredith
Posted by: Crafty Math Chick | October 11, 2008 at 11:38 PM
What a Cute box for presentation and the little mice tags are adorable. The little mice look scrumptious....no the chocolate looks scrumptious, but the mice are very cute!! I just can't bring myself to say they look good enough to eat. (and Mice, in the same sentence.) LOL
Cynde
Posted by: Cynde | October 12, 2008 at 12:56 AM
Oh my, these are absolutely ADORABLE!! How cute, and what a great gift idea! You are so clever! Thanks!
Posted by: CherylQuilts at SCS | October 12, 2008 at 04:42 AM
WOW I'm so speachless- this is increadible!!
Posted by: Regan | October 12, 2008 at 04:48 AM
those look awesome! great idea for the holiday mass productions as you said. I'm definitely making them!!
Posted by: Emily | October 12, 2008 at 06:19 AM
These are so cute and bring back memories! My mother and I made them several years growing up! We even got fancy and used white melted chocolate (or whatever) and used toothpicks to dot on eyes!
Posted by: Tessa | October 12, 2008 at 06:34 AM
Oh this is too cute that box is the pefect display for those adorable little mice (who knew mice could be adorable?!)
Posted by: Rachelle | October 12, 2008 at 06:39 AM
Lisa..this is just darling!! So cute and I'm looking forward to trying it out!! Thanks so much for sharing some of your traditions with the rest of us!! And I can't get enough of that darling tag..so cute!! Great job!!
Bridget
Posted by: Bridget | October 12, 2008 at 06:50 AM
Lisa, this project is just adorable. From the actual mice to the cute box to put them in. I want to assemble mice with you and your girls !! :) Great family tradition.
Posted by: Stefanie | October 12, 2008 at 06:52 AM
OMGoodness, what a fun and super cute project. I love the tag and little gift box you created. Those mice look like such a fun treat too!!!
Posted by: Kimberly O'Rosky | October 12, 2008 at 06:55 AM
Gracias por este trabajo, es increible
Posted by: Monika | October 12, 2008 at 07:12 AM
I love cute... and this is it! Yummy too! What a clever idea!
I'm so excited to see this new set!
Posted by: Renee V. (happystamper05) | October 12, 2008 at 07:23 AM
My mom makes chocolate mice every Christmas! What an adorable way to package them! Super cute!
Posted by: Amy Young | October 12, 2008 at 08:15 AM
Those are so adorable! I love the little mouse on the tag. Can't wait to see the rest of the set.
Posted by: Jessica | October 12, 2008 at 08:18 AM
OMG, this is soooo cute!! I've never seen these before. Love the adorable box you made, too.
Posted by: Cindy H. | October 12, 2008 at 08:34 AM
Wow, that is just too dang cute! I've got to try it.
Posted by: Lisa H | October 12, 2008 at 08:57 AM
These are so cute!!! What a wonderful idea.
Posted by: kim howard | October 12, 2008 at 09:04 AM
That is too sTinkin' CUTE!
Posted by: Kris Tolman | October 12, 2008 at 09:13 AM
How sweet! The mice are just adorable..and your tag and packaging are perfect! Thanks so much for the great idea!
Posted by: Tracey Adams | October 12, 2008 at 09:50 AM
This has got to be the CUTEST think EVER! You blow me away.
Posted by: alma de la rosa | October 12, 2008 at 10:28 AM
Hi Lisa! I love the tag design- the mouse is so cute and the font for the sentiment is adorable! I can't wait to see the whole set of tags!
Melissa
Posted by: Melissa | October 12, 2008 at 10:43 AM
HOW CUTE! This might be a dumb question but how do you get the cherry and the kiss to stay together? DO you have toothpicks on them or do you just secure it with the melted chocolate. I really want to do this with my three boys. What a fun tradition I can start with them. I love baking and making treats. Your packaging is prefect. Papertrey is by far my favorite stamp company. You think of everything. I am not crafty at all but you make it all so easy to do. You make me look good! :). Thanks for all your ideas and your inspiration. I have never been an art student but always wanted to be. I just did not have the artistic ability to be one. You make it possible for me to get out my artistic side without looking horrible.
When you have time please let me know how to secure the mice. THANKS SO MUCH!
Janin Huerter
[email protected]
Posted by: Janin Huerter | October 12, 2008 at 11:22 AM
Leese, this is beyond adorable!!! I just love family traditions and this one is over-the-TOP cute!
Posted by: hb.carol | October 12, 2008 at 12:10 PM
Lisa, these are just adorable! I love your mouse treat, but then your tag is so perfect! I think there will be a lot of mice stirring on the night before Christmas since your brought this to our attention!! Thanks so much.
Posted by: laurie Hunt | October 12, 2008 at 12:13 PM
this is absolutely adorable!!
Posted by: kristie larsen | October 12, 2008 at 12:25 PM
Absolutely precious! What a clever idea! Thanks for sharing!
Posted by: Lesa | October 12, 2008 at 01:26 PM
Lisa - I LOVE this idea! I have never heard of the chocolate mice, but I will be making some this Christmas. The tag is perfect for them. I can't wait to see the whole set. Also, the box is wonderful - thanks for sharing the details.
Posted by: Robin Orewiler | October 12, 2008 at 03:33 PM
This is fantastic Lisa!! :)))
Posted by: Becky | October 12, 2008 at 04:21 PM
yeah, I love these, can't wait to make them with my little guy this season!! Thanks for the tutorial on the little box too!
Posted by: Geny | October 12, 2008 at 05:28 PM
Stinkin' cute! Thanks for the great idea.
Posted by: Lori A. | October 12, 2008 at 06:59 PM
Lisa, this is the cutest thing ever!! My kids would LOVE this project and that tag....well, it couldn't be more perfect for this project!!
Posted by: Betsy | October 12, 2008 at 07:24 PM
What a delightful idea. The tag is just perfect and the recipe sounds delicious. Thank you for sharing this amazing idea.
Posted by: Mary | October 12, 2008 at 07:29 PM
Leese-WHOA! You really outdid yourself on this one--fabulous!
Posted by: Debbie Olson | October 12, 2008 at 10:24 PM
These are so adorable! They also may never get to the person intended for...lol! Thanks for sharing such a cute idea!
Posted by: Gay Ferland | October 13, 2008 at 01:06 AM
As the elephants on Dumbo say, "Aaaahdorable, Simply Aaahdorable!!!
Posted by: tanja | October 13, 2008 at 05:25 AM
Oh my goodness! Well, my kiddos are 5, 3 and 2 and I think that we have just found a new family tradition! Thank you so much for sharing...they will think this is the greatest thing ever! I can't wait to make the entire project!
Posted by: Alyssa | October 13, 2008 at 07:46 AM
This may just be the sweetest, cutest thing I have ever seen!! I love how the card perfectly compliments the little mice goodies! So adorable :)
Posted by: Jenna P | October 13, 2008 at 08:13 AM
The mice are so cute, the candy and stamp ones. You are so creative! I love the tag.
Posted by: Emmy | October 13, 2008 at 10:46 AM
WOW! those mice have got to be the cutest thing I ever saw! I LOVE your gift set
Posted by: Heather | October 13, 2008 at 01:05 PM
This is just the cutest! Those little mice are precious!Very clever, tfs.
Posted by: Rhonda K. | October 13, 2008 at 04:45 PM
Absolutely Adorable!!
Posted by: Dee | October 13, 2008 at 05:48 PM
What an adorable holiday treat and sweet box you created, Lisa -- love that tag!
Posted by: Sharon Harnist | October 13, 2008 at 10:15 PM
WOW!! Those mice are delightful!! I'm always looking for things (Food type) to make with my 10-year old grand son who loves to cook.
I can hardly wait for my visit to Austin so we can make some! Thanks so much!!!!
Margaret
Posted by: Margaret S. Romero | October 14, 2008 at 03:13 AM
OH YUMMY! What a terrific gift idea! THanks so much for sharing Lisa. LOVE THIS!!!
Posted by: JenC. | October 14, 2008 at 09:51 AM
wow, these are adorable! I will have to try these for my friends who have cats! they will luv them.
Posted by: Patti W | October 14, 2008 at 03:57 PM
this is so adorable. i love the little mice as well as the little box you made for them.
Posted by: jules p | October 16, 2008 at 07:08 AM
totally and completely adorable!!!
Posted by: Charys | October 19, 2008 at 11:45 AM
This is just charming!
Posted by: Evelyne | November 24, 2008 at 11:19 AM
Wow, those are super cute mice, and I think my two year old would really get into eating mice, whether they were chocolate or not... And your wrapping is so perfect. I really need to work on that skill.
Posted by: Katherine | November 26, 2008 at 03:47 PM