Mini Christmas Gift Notebook & Co-Ordinating Card

Hi, it's Ruby here. I hope you've had a good week and managed to stay dry. It's that time of year when we start thinking about getting ready for Christmas.

Years ago, my best friend and I made a little Christmas gift notebook listing people we wanted to buy presents for. I decided I wanted a little upgrade, and this was the outcome:

I wanted something different from a plain notebook, so I pulled out the divine Greetery set, To Pie For. With a bit of holly, I thought it could be adapted into something more festive.

Here's how to make the little notebook:

Die cut 10 x 3" circles using a circular die.
On each circle, score at the 1/2" mark on a scoring mat to create a fold.
Die cut two lattice pies in white cardstock and colour them using distress inks. I'm just catching up with the trend of distress oxides (I know, how behind am I?!), so I used Tea Dye in the oxide and then Vintage Photo in standard distress ink.
Next, for the 'mince pie' filling, cut the 'fruit' circle from the set with the outer circle die and colour this in using Tea Dye, Vintage Photo and Walnut Stain. Attach all pieces of the pie together.
Cut a poinsettia flower (I die cut two in this case) in red cardstock, cut a couple of holly leaves in green cardstock and the centre in gold. I hadn't realised when making this that the poinsettia set I used is out of stock, so check this little one, which would do the job nicely. Attach to the pie front, lifting the edges of the petals to give some dimension. If you can't get a die, then a snowflake die would look really pretty too.
Now for the sentiment, stamp Just a Note, Curio Labels by The Greetery using Walnut Stain ink. Die cut using the Curio Divider & Details Die, and attach to the pie front.
Attach all of the 'pages' (scored circles) together at the top above the score line using a strong double-sided tape. This creates your little notebook pages, aka pad.
Create a 'hinge' - Cut a piece of strong cardstock, 3/4" x 1 & 5/8". Score at the 3 and 1/4" mark and 7/8". This will create a hinge that will allow the pages to open properly. Attach one side of the hinge to the back of the 'pad'.
Attach the other side to the back of the finished 'mince pie' panel.
Next, you need to cover the hinge. Die cut a circle from the set in white cardstock and colour using the Tea Dye ink, attaching to the back of the 'pad'.
Then do the same again by die-cutting another white cardstock circle, which you leave uncoloured this time and add to cover the hinge on the back of the 'mince pie' panel.
To finish, add some white gouache splats!

Top Tip: If you don't have the tiny stamp set Curio Labels, you must ask Santa for it. It is SO useful. Add the banner from the Curio: Divider & Details Die, and you have a match made in heaven! We all have sentiments, but this set is absolutely perfect for when you need something for a small space or don't want to use up too much space so that you lose your focal point. I can't tell you how often I reach for it.

For the matching card:

Die cut a circle from the pie set, adding the star pie holes die to create the pretty star-like centre. Colour this with Tea Dye and Vintage Photo inks.
Die cut another lattice one, colour in the same way as the notebook Stamp and die cut the sentiment, 'Just for You' from the Curio Labels set.
Add The Greetery's 3D Holly Toppers (sooo cute!)
Finish the pie with some white gouache splats.
Next, die cut the background in white cardstock using the Twinkle Background Die from The Greetery and attach it to the card base.
Add the completed pie to the front to finish.