GIFT CERTIFICATE HOLDER/GIFT CARD HOLDER

I've been having fun getting to know my Silhouette cameo machine and the HUGE range of possibilities it provides.  Some of the software is pretty intuitive, other parts a bit odd and it will definitely take some practice to master this baby.    I chose to start with some easy projects to keep the frustration level to a minimum.  It's been a little bit like when I learned to sew....I didn't start out with a fully lined jacket, but instead it was a simple elastic waist a-line skirt.  Baby steps....

The gift certificate holder starts with a piece of white cardstock folded in half and glued on the two sides.   I used the silhouette to cut a reindeer out of some pretty Christmas paper; the contrasting piece of Christmas paper that I used for the border I just cut with some scissors; finally, the Merry Christmas sign was printed on my printer and then fed through the Silhouette to cut it into the shape I selected.   I added a few scribbles of silver glitter paint and a red plastic bow for added fun.
In order to reach in and pull out the certificate easily, I used my pinking shears to cut a semi-circle at the top of the certificate.

For the gift card holders I tried a couple of things..... the first one was my design....I chose a fun border/frame and then began writing Christmas related words within the shape in different font styles and sizes; my version of subway art!   I printed it on a pretty paper and then cut it on the Silhouette.  I felt like it needed a little something more so I used some green glitter paint to trim around the edge.
For the second design, I chose to use a basic gift card template from Lemon Jitters (I met this little gal at a blogger seminar).  I downloaded the template and cut the shape from some fun Christmas paper to give it some extra holiday cheer.  Then, I found a snowflake shape on the silhouette website and downloaded it to my library.  I found a beautiful white glitter paper that I cut them from.

 I am absolutely floored by the intricate cutting this machine can do.   I added a rhinestone to the center for a little something extra and look at that --- awesomeness!
There are so many possibilities--keep it really basic, or decorate them with snowflakes, rhinestones, sequins, or other goodies.....so fun!