This IS Santa's BIG WEEK!!!

Now I realize that these have been around for sometime but I just HAD to share "my Santa makings" for my Holiday Table! I am using them at each place setting and no doubt they will be a hit!

Yesterday I pointed out to you a product that is on the Clearance Rack…the Sweater Trim….LOVE IT – but highlight of this post is A MUST FOR YOU!!! It is still on the clearance rack and seriously, I would click here and order it today!

It is called Petal Die Bigz L Die...and for just under $20.00 – you will be amazed at all of the different things you can do! Please click here and here for other 3 D projects that I have done with it! Just because it is on clearance…this is one product that I would never part with as I love all of the goodies it can make!

I was inspired my my dear Stampin' friend Jeannie as every time we talked on the phone she said she was busy making these Santa's for her husbands office party! I was so excited to see them and then when I did….I was WOW….and then when she said she made 28 I was like REALLY WOW – you are my hero!

If you do searches for this Santa, there are many versions… – here is what I used for this this adorable Santa…my hope is to give you some tips and tricks that will make this come to life for you… it is super cute and it is easy…it just is much easier to make a bunch of them…and once you have a method – it all makes sense!

Trust me, next year I will be making these for holiday shows that I do….just think of the ideas you use….put candy inside, money, a gift card, a Christmas Message….the sky is the limit! The colors I used were the ones that would work for me in my home….Cherry Cobbler, Very Vanilla, Always Artichoke and Blushing Bride!

I totally recommend that you use sticky strip when you do projects like this! You need this strong hold! When you go to make one of these dear Santa's you will need to cut (2) cones out….fold at the score lines and use Sticky Strip to hold them together! TIP ALERT: take a sheet of 8 1/2 X 11 paper and cut 1 1/2" off the long side, then cut that at the 5 1/2" mark and you can cut (2) from one sheet of paper and still have a nice strip of leftover for later!

I used 8" of the Old Olive 1/8" taffets Ribbon and did a simple knot…Look at the nes]xt picture and you will see a super quick and easy way to put this on the cone! After you have it all adhered – take scissors and snip the end off and then drop the knotted ribbon in….I used a letter opener to push it through – EASY-PEASY!!!!

To make the Beard…I cut a piece of Very Vanilla 1 3/8" tall and a bit wider than the base of the box…I then took this peice to the box and drew a pencil line for the size….a simplt snip – snip and I have a template! DO THIS….it wll make it go sooo much faster!

Next I ran this through Mr. Big Shot withe The Pretty Prints Embossing Folder! When this came out….I was on the fence with it but I cannot get over how versatile it is….such a beautiful folder and I have used it time and time fr projects!

After you run it through, take a 1" piece of blushing bride and after putting Stick Strip on the bases….simple put the piece of blushing bride and then you can simply take a part of scissors and snip it "in line"

So easy….do not stress – once you have cut the shape – simply peel off the adhesive and adhere to the cone!

The super simple "mustache" came from the Bird Builder Punch and then the nose was a quick pop from the 1/2" circle punch! You can see how having basics can be a HUGE help in making something that "appears" hard to actually be easy!

The eyes were from a ordinary hole punch but a quick and easy tip….put the adhesive on the paper BEFORE you punch and then simply "punch them onto your finger" and it makes it soooo darn tootin' easy to place!

The brim of the hat and accents were super easy! I loved using the Gold Metallic Paper and I took a sliver of the Cherry Cobbler and then using the word window punch – easy!

The "holly" was from the Bird Punch as well and I snipped off a bit – adhered it to the back – added some "berries" and then the bling was from the basic pearls – I thought that this gave it a wonderful, classic touch!

The top of the hat was another great punch, Boho Blossoms! This gave it the finale that it deserves! I know that this is a super hard post to "take it all in" but it really is a great 3-D project! I had soooo much fun making them that I can hardly wait for Christmas dinner to be here!!!

I hope that you are smiling from this post and I will be sure to take a picture of my table on Christmas Day! PLEASE email me if you have any questions about this post….it is a really fun one to make up and the best thing is…..it has a HUGE WOW FACTOR! Super cute!

I hope that you are ready for the holiday! It is HERE…if you are not ( and I am NOT in many ways but it is…what it is!!!! Just roll with it!

My last "peep" is flying home Christmas Eve…can't wait!!!! Tomorrow's post is HIS CARD on his bed when he goes to sleep….a little note from Mom and Dad letting him know we are soooo happy to have him home!

Let's have fun this week…it will be a busy one and I am going to be a "bit quieter" to have fun with the family….enjoy your day and …

Until tomorrow!