Sometimes we get so busy, we forget to say “Thank You” to the people who are important to us.

We appreciate your business.

Merry Christmas to You and your Family.
Your Friends at Around The Block

Supplies
White cardstock
Christmas Sweets & Sugar Cookie Patterned Papers
Fabric & Paper Ribbon Tapes
Christmas Brads
Adhesive

Instructions
1. Cut the card backs, 8.5” x 5.5”, fold. Finished size 4.25” x 5.5”.
2. Hand tear a strip about 4” wide of the Christmas Sweets paper – make sure the white shows in the tear, adhere to card.
3. Cut out a star sugar cookie, adhere on top of Christmas Sweets paper at a slight angle.
4. Cut a 3.5” strip of the Ribbon Tape, stick to card covering tip of cookie star. Top with a Brad – use all styles that match.

I would like to introduce Tina. Tina is one of our talented design team members. She has designed some super simple and fun ornaments you can make with your children.

She says: “This Holiday season I am in a ornament swap. I can’t tell you how thrilled I was to use the Around the Block Glitter and Flocking kits! They are so simple to use and so fun for the whole family! My elementary school boys made one for each of their teachers as well!!”

Here is what you do…

Supplies
Around the Block Flocking and glittering kit
Misc. Ribbon
Glass or plastic ornaments for your tree

Instructions
1. You simply choose a pattern or word from the rub on glue sheets. They are placed on see through plastic so it makes placement so easy.

2. Center on the glass ornament, rub down, and peel off plastic backing.

3. Then pour your glitter over the glue word and gently press the glitter or flocking into the glue.

4. Blow off excess glitter glitter and add ribbon.

Simply, rub on, pour glitter and blow! How fantastic is that? You should see my nieces bike helmet!! Soo cute!

A very talented Scrapbook & Paper Crafts designer and a member of ATB’s Design Team, Vanessa Colant, brings a fun and funky style to the Block! Vanessa has created a gorgeous Christmas Gift Bag and Christmas Card using ATB products. We invite you to try these ideas this holiday season.

Here’s a bit more about Vanessa…

Hi everybody, my name is Vanessa but everybody calls me Nessa or Ness. I’m a 27 year old Belgian girl. Do you know where Belgium is? it’s in Europe and it’s a very little and rainy country. We really need some sun here….

My mother tongue is, of course, French but I’ll do my best to write you in my best English. I live with my man and our 2 little boys (30 months and 7 months). I don’t work, I’m a stay at home mum so I have a lot of time for my passion: scrapbooking!!!!! Scrapbooking is a great part of my life!! I need it in my everyday life, to escape from my very speedy mummy life…I love to create !!!! As Jennifer says it, I’m a bubbly and cheerful girl, so I think she’s right…????? What do you think ?

Gift Bag Project

Instructions:
1. Cover bag, or create your own bag and cover with ATB Patterned Papers (Ornaments and Ho Ho Ho)
2. Paint Sassy Swirls Chipboard Letters green.
3. Attach Chipboard Letters, Ultimate tag kit tag and paper sentiments with adhesive.
4. Draw on doodles with permanent black marker.

Christmas Card Project

Instructions:
1. Cut a card back out of ATB Patterned Paper (Snow Storm) 5″ x 5″. Draw a black frame around edge of card with a permanent black marker.
2. Cut out sentiments from ATB Patterned Paper (Christmas Magic & Merry Christmas). Cut out bracket shape, circle and scalloped border (Snow Storm). Outline sentiments & shapes with a black permanent marker.
3. Attach sentiments & shapes with adhesive.
4. Cut out star and attach Christmas Epoxy Tag to star. Attach Star to corner of card with the Paper Tagger.
5. Attach a strip of green ATB Paper & Fabric Ribbon Tapes to bottom of card. Adhere “LOVE” sentiment to top of Ribbon Tape.

It’s been a while since we’ve posted a project on the blog. Here’s a fun one to get you in the Christmas Spirit. Make these sweet Christmas ornaments with a few items you probably already have around your home.

Supplies:

Cookie Cutter

Patterned Paper (We used ATB Christmas paper designs)

Narrow Ribbon or Rick-Rack, cut to a 7″ length

Glitter

Pony Beads

Glue

Instructions:

1. Trace your cookie cutter onto the back side of your patterned paper. Cut out your design with scissors or an Xacto knife.

2. Spread some glue out on a paper plate and dip your cookie cutter in the glue to coat the edge. Place cookie cutter on top of the paper design. Allow to dry.

3. Dip other edge of cookie cutter into the glue, then sprinkle glitter over glue. Allow to dry.

4. Gently run ribbon through the top of your ornament pulling back a little of the glued paper. Re-glue if necessary.

5. Slide a charm or small ornament (if desired) over ribbon. Pull ribbon ends to the top, then slide pony bead over ribbon ends. Tie a knot at the top.