Shameless Plug...

well it isn't too shameless as it isn't about me...but I thought I would mention two sales my friendly bloggers are having.

1. If you Knit...Shelby over at Shelby Knits is going to be selling her hand-dyed wool this Sunday at the Homespun Yarn Party Festival at Historic Savage Mill in Savage, MD. Her color schemes are incredible! So if you are in the area (DC metro) you might want to check it out!

Also Shelby is doing a Spring Destash of a whole bunch of Yarn (not hers...storebought)!

2. And my other friend Brenda of MyHodgepodgerie is also doing a big Spring Destash of all kinds of Craft stuff...some retired SU! sets are available over there.

Happy Shopping!

Simple and Clean

We've been very lucky this year and have already visited Florida, Myrtle Beach and are taking off for Massachusetts next month. Very lucky to travel, but well not so good for crafting. The good news is that between making thoughtful thank you notes for friends (for taking care of things here) and the fact that we have had several nice sunny days...I've actually been crafting again.

I seriously apologize for the pink backgrounds...my 'white' set-up was cannibalized to make cards...LOL. So I just grabbed the first plain piece of something to take photos of before I gave out the gifts!

I've been seriously stuck in no-mojo land, but when I saw these simple and creative creations by Nicole Heady I had an idea for a set of cards to gift. To me these colors are so FALL...but well when you come back from Florida and the sun and sunshine...to everything gray and bleak...it really felt like fall here.

This is the set of four cards...green and yellow...packaged in one of those trusty clear boxes...if you haven't found out about clearbags.com...YOU need to go there!

I tried to make them simple...and they might even be too simple. The base is a 4.25X4.25 white cardstock card and the earthy green layer is a cuttlebugged with Textile. I think this is my #1 CB folder...it works for any style. I then used my MM handheld Notch punch (I don't have a SU! slit punch) and frankly I probably prefer this because I can put my slot ANYWHERE I want it! And finished off my little semi circle area with Offray Iridescent White ribbon and a Lavender button from Oriental Trading Company (I got a button pack a long while ago...first time I'm using it...so cathartic).

The sentiment is a TAC sentiment "One Liners" and is finished off with a Black Brad.

This card is pretty much the same as the green card except I used a black button...and a different sentiment from the same TAC set. I think they fit very well with the size of this card! I included a set of 4 in each plastic case...mostly because with the buttons that is all that would fit!

My initial idea was to make two of each color until I realized that they wouldn't fit and well purple was my friend Shelby's favorite color and I wasn't even making a set for her...but she was SOO in my thoughts that day I just started designing for her. Hmm...she reads my blog I better go gather up the extras and make her 'her set' now...LOL.

So I realized that the green/yellow sets were probably the preferred colors for the people that I needed to thank!

But I needed a BD card that coordinated with the Princess Coloring Book I made here. So I used my pre-cute purple supplies and cuttlebugged it with the Swiss Dots folder (#2 Folder for me!) and a lavender button and purple scrappers floss! And viola...quick and easy BD card. The sentiment is a mix...the "Happy B-day!" is from TAC Tag Tidbits and the Princess is from...my Target Princess Stamp Set.

Oh yeah...I just want to make one observation...when I first started stamping I bought a bunch of the thinner Paper Company Cardstock before 'gasp' I knew better! It is WAY too thin to use as a card base although I'm sure people do...BUT it is REALLY awesome to cuttlebug and/or layer because it doesn't add a lot of weight. It can be a bit of a challenge to coordinate the colors sometimes but well that is part of the fun for me...

Card Supplies:

• Stamps: TAC Tag Tidbits; TAC One Liners; Target Disney Princess
• Ink: Palette Noir
• Cardstock: White (Walmart); Paper Company Vintage Green and Yellow, Primary Purple
• Accessories: Offray White Irradescent Ribbon; Oriental Trading Company Box of Buttons Neutral and Bright; TAC Scrappers Floss - Beige; TAC Scrappers Floss - Dark Purple
• Tools: MM Punch Kit; Cuttlebug Embossing Folders Textile and Swiss Dots

In my world Sunday is now Monday er Tuesday...

I got my wires crossed...and the following creation was what I had PLANNED to post thinking it was all fitting for a Sunday...but well...I forgot....twice. I'm sort of addicted to the game at the bottom of my blog...I find it relaxing and with two kids undergoing some SERIOUS Spring Fever I need all the relaxation I can get! So everytime I come to my blog I get sucked in playing it. I've actually won twice!

So here it is...A Praise and Prayer book. I have a very good Christian friend that belongs to a wonderful church. They are really, really active...and even have a FREE monthly crop and quarterly overnight crop...oh my. And they let me come even though I don't belong to their church or practice their religion...LOL. I just think that is awesome and speaks volumes of the 'Christianity' this church practices and my friend. So I go along listen to Christian music....hum along until I realize no it isn't Madonna...and no I don't know the words...LOL.

Well my friend has had a challenging few weeks so when I was blog stalking...and not doing any crafting I saw this FREE My Timeless template Recipe Wrap Up from Lauren Meader at PTI and My Time, My Creations, My Stampendence, and well I had to try it. I mean really, I can't pass up FREE ever! They had SIX project ideas...really awesome and so varied I couldn't believe how versatile this template and the ideas were....go Lauren!!!

One of the projects was a Praise and Prayer Book to record Bible passages that are meaningful to you. This was right up my friend's alley (I also hope to make one for the organizer of the Crop). This template is a folding book that ties close and has pockets inside to hold rectangular cardstock cards. Here is my take on the template...overall awesome (I seriously would've bought this JUST for the Project ideas).

Now I am sort of spatially challenged (and really anal) so I couldn't figure out how exactly I was supposed to print the templates out AND my stupid printer is so complicated it 'helps' you...which is never any help...so in the end I printed it at 100% which seemed correct.

HINT: Print things out you are unsure about onto cheap paper instead of wasting good cardstock...yes you heard it from me first...I'm sure none of you ever do this.

Overall using the templates was SUPER simple and easy...but being thrifty though I WANT to use all of the cardstock so when I printed the pockets and only two printed per sheet it felt wasteful (but then again all 4 wouldn't of fit AND print to the edge) so I just cut one out and used it as a template to trace around (I know...wasn't the 'super easy to print so you don't have to trace, option the WHOLE point). Really it wasn't much work and by lining them up to an edge I got FOUR pockets per 8.5X11 cardstock sheet...yay!



So details of the project although I must admit this is rather plain...I used In My Mind's Eye paper Magnolia that I got from Costco on sale about a year ago...I have a serious paper problem...I buy all kinds of paper then make myself nuts trying to match everything. I'm a Stack-O-Maniac...but at least they are only $10.

I printed "Praise & Prayer" and the Prayer Card Titles the cardstock using Word...I always forget this trick...you can always print a phrase you love instead of driving yourself nuts trying to find it as a stamp. Duh! I do not have any Nesties...sigh so I just made flat rectangle notecards...no scallops like in the project example. And there are 3 of them to represent areas of prayer. I think this could easily be personalized to fit the person and their idea of prayer.

Alright I have to put this out there...I'm Catholic...and well we pray and I've read the entire Bible cover to cover but we don't really study the Bible like many Christians. And my prayer is a more free-form stream of consciousness or a particular prayer like the rosary (I love rosaries...again very relaxing). I am fascinated by all the differences in religious beliefs and how they evolved over history.

Okay back to crafting...sorry I'm super long winded today.

The only stamping is on the dotted Designer paper covering the 3X3 pockets. I also went wild with my Threading Water punch I just got from Fiskars...I think it matches the polka dot paper.
AND I included a Jumbo PaperClip to perhaps hold open the Bible.

So that's it for now. And I better get cracking so I have something to post!

Supplies Used:

• Paper: Paper Company Heritage Blue and Beige; White Cardstock; My Mind's Eye Magnolia
• Accessories: Offray Pink Satin ribbon; Jumbo Paperclip
• Tools: Fiskars Threading Water Punch; Super Jumbo Scallop Circle; Super Jumbo Scallop Rectangle; Recipe Wrap-up Template by My Timeless Templates

Pretty as a Princess...

Coloring Book that is. I like to include something handmade if possible with every gift I give. I ALWAYS try to make a card, but something useful that can be used after the event is even better!

We had a Birthday Party to attend, my very best friend's daughter and son...they are like my very own kids. I've seen them grow up, I babysit for them...the works. So remember that AWESOME Princess Stamp set I bragged about snagging? I finally put it to good use.

I first saw this design in a project created by StampwithGwen, she used it as a mini-Easter Scrapbook. I liked how it opened so decided to use it as a holder for, some blank cardstock pics and color pencils. Note that I scored the cardstock to make it easy to cut (and help me with where I was stamping)...so once colored these images can be used on scrapbook layouts, cards (or course)...all with that little bit of personalization from the child.

I always am striving to involve my kids in the gift giving process...so that they 'get' that well 1) you should show appreciation to those that impact your life 2) handmade is JUST as good as bought and it REALLY is the thought that counts and 3) and this is probably the most important....to quote my friend, "They don't show up with their arms swinging".

While I make/buy most of their presents I always make them sign the card (or stamp it if they don't write yet), carry the gift to the person, hand it to them...and most of all say Happy 'occasion' and Thank You!

Okay on to the project...

I took some Lavender DCWV Textured paper and made a gatefold card. I then punched out the border using a Fiskars punch. and tied a white organza ribbon around the lower edge to hold it shut. The image is the smaller Cinderella I think, matted with DCWV Primary Purple...and it is Purple because Purple is "C's" favorite color. Not please do not make fun of my coloring...I know her face looks like it needs a good washing! I was using Aqua Crayons and a blender pen BUT my blender pen was dry and I recently discovered if you just use a bit of water, miracles of miracles it works just as well...I just used WAY too much water and soaked the paper! My bad...

Inside....

I simple stamped various large and small images with Palette Noir so that they can be colored, water colored...crayoned...whatever her little heart desires! Most importantly, I scored the cardstock to ensure I stamped the image in the right place so later it could be matted if desired.

So the images just slip under the flap and the whole thing closes...viola! A cute AND handmade gift. I packaged it in a glassine envelope with a set of mini color pencils.

Supplies Used:

• Paper: DCWV Textured Lavender; Paper Company Primary Purple; White Cardstock
• Accessories: Offray White Iridescent Organza ribbon
• Tools: Fiskars Threading Water Punch

This is for Mel!

This is a LONG overdue post...for Mel Stampz. Mel is a tireless creator of templates and amazing step-by-step instructions for all kinds of thrifty uses of all kinds of materials.

I saw these ADORABLE picture snowman here. I, clueless as I am, had a question or two despite her excellent tutorial. So late, late at night I shot Mel an email for clarification and to my disbelief she shot one back seconds later!

So here is 'my' um variation (okay they are almost identical) of the Photo Snowman. I made these for Christmas and used them as Placeholders! My kids are 3 and 5 and they immediately knew just where they were sitting (and then proceeded to tell everyone else). One tip I found out the hard way...let the puffy paint dry overnight it makes ALL the difference in the puff...and you don't 'toast' it trying to get it to puff more...like I did in haste to get them done.

Anyway, I just loved this project and thought on this sunny day (70 degrees here...despite the 8 inches of snow we had on Tuesday) it would be a fun thing to share! Also Mel has been a bit under the weather...so shoot on over to her blog and spread some cheer! Afterall it's not just for Christmas! I filled mine with Ghiradelli chocolate squares which made them a take home treat! Also, with last minute changes to my list of people it took me minutes to switch out the picture (I just printed them on regular paper) and slip them in. I only glued the bottom bit so the picture was removable.

Supplies Used:

• Paper: White cardstock (WalMart); DCWV Stack;
• Accessories: White puffy Paint Pen
• Tools: Cuttlebug Folder SnowDots; Standard Hole Punch

Office in a Bag

I made a few of these many moons ago...for a Craft Show at a College Campus...and well sold "Zero" But I brought them along as a 'Whatever' item at my Christmas Craft Show...figured if they didn't sell I would give them as Teacher Gifts...well...I sold all but these last two!






I cut each bag out with my Cricut Tags, Bags, Boxes, & More Cartridge...using 12X12 paper, the lunch bag setting 'fit to page'. I tell you I LOVE this cartridge and the Expression is AWESOME...easy ways to package everything!


I then used the leftover 12X12 sheet to alter the items inside the bag.


Covered Notepad, Matching Pen and Ghiradelli Holder (instructions here)

Supplies Used:

• Paper: White cardstock (Costco); DCWV Stack;
• Accessories: Black Ribbon Offray; RSVP Pen Black
• Tools: Super Jumbo Scalloped Circle punch (2"); CM Circle punch (1.5"); Cricut Expression and Tags, Bags Boxes and More Cartridge
  

Hello Again

I'm doubtful anyone even follows me anymore after my long hiatus...but no matter, I blog mostly to have somewhere to put all my creations. And after a somewhat long break...and a few craft shows...I am finally creating again!

Now I just can't decide what project to start with...I have so many. Stay tuned for an Office set...

Score Big Time!!!

So...aside from apologies for my unannounced break from blogging (it was a busy summer...and now craft show season has struck!). I have so much to share...it is just a matter of getting pics together!

So...first off. I read blogs (just didn't write) and as usual was envious (as in GREEN with) of all the cool things OTHER people have at their local stores. I mean I have all the same stores but the 'cool' stuff never seems to make it or I am NOT quick enough...sigh :-(

I saw this Princess Set over on Lauren Meaders blog (and you MUST see what she did with it). She bought it at Target...and I rushed out the next day to look for it...got up early even. No princess. Sad me.



My daughter is just a princess nut and this set is by FAR the best one I've ever seen (most of the time you have to buy 3 different sets to get all the princesses). Anyway, I was in a search for cupcake liners...I'm guessing NO ONE bakes anymore...I couldn't find them ANYWHERE! WalMart didn't have BD sprinkles and cupcake lines...WHAT!??!??! Neither did Target...BUT I was walking down the aisle and spotted the set...I literally ran (afterall it was the last one) and snatched it. And DD screeched like a banshee "PRINCESS" OMGoodness, OMGoodness!!!

Yeah I was excited! So stay tuned for some fun Princess items!

Krazy for Kaleidacolor Kards

I have a few Birthdays coming up, so I made some colorful cards (during my scrapbooking marathon). I have wanted to use the Kaleidacolor Pad with this stamp since it came out in the Angel Company Catalog. I do however have to mention this stamp is called Partridge...whatever...it looks like a peacock so that is what I consider it!

Finally I earned this hostess set and was so excited to finally put ink to stamp! This card has alot of wow factor but not too much work. I used the Spectrum Kaleidacolor Pad and one stamp...easy peasy. I then did the same thing with the sentiment from the TAC Swirly Sayings.

One little Kaleidacolor tip...when inking the stamp, move it slightly side to side to completely ink it otherwise you get edges and sometimes white space between each color. Yes it muddies your pad a bit but well all in the name of art.

The card bases are this gorgeous 110lb cardstock that I scored when my local paper store went out of business. I got a REAM of cardstock for $15 A REAM...Yes I was doing the happy dance that day.

Fun and Friendship

Well it was another Fun, and Furious Crafting weekend...I attended by 2nd All Night Scrap...but I was MUCH smarter this time...I went home to bed early then came back refreshed and worked all day.

Now THEY (the wonderful ladies that invited me) scrapbook...I'm working up the nerve to actually do a 12X12 page...but in the meantime I craft alot.

So the tally for this session...

8 BD invites (2 are pop-ups)
2 Birthday Cards
1 Musical Notes Card
4 Popsicle Cards
2 Wedding/Anniversary Cards
2 Sets of Paper Jewelry

I also got a crack at the Cricut and I REALLY, REALLY want one...but they are REALLY, REALLY expensive (cuz of course I want a bunch of cartridges...LOL).

Here is a little tease...something you've seen before, but didn't they come out beautiful?

Wine Bottle Hanger...works like a charm!

We went to a good ole Memorial Day party...and the hostess had everything covered. But being Italian...I can't walk in empty handed...I just can't!!! So we of course brought wine...and well wine is boring...so I made a little Wine Bottle Hanger. Can I just say these are the coolest things!!!

They are very quick to 'throw' together...an added bonus for me (because being the slowest stamper in the universe this project took me 3 days). Typically stampers put candy/chocolate in the little pouch, I put in 3X3 cards and handmade envelopes. Because the main image was popped up it only fit two...but that was okay. The hostess' tween girls went nuts for them...so I felt appreciated. I might just make a few for the girls. And I got a little promotion as MY daughter upon seeing the empty hanger on the table announced to the whole party..."My MOM made this!" Thank God she is 3 and adorable!

The base of the hanger was some Paper Company cardstock from Michaels...usually I like heavier cardstock, but in this case (and with the layering) the thinner cardstock actually works better...especially for embossing! So the base was turquoise, I used a piece of DCWV Stack 3 turquoise, yellow, green dots paper, then a turquoise square embossed with the Cuttlebug Textile Embossing Folder, a white (Mega Pink Marvy Punch) scallop circle, a turquoise (Super Blue Marvy Punch) scallop circle of DCWV striped paper...with each scallop bump punched with a 1/8" punch. Layered on top of that is a 1.5" circle embossed with Cuttlebug Playful Circles and finally a Punched Daisy with a silver brad. I came up with this layout after the 3X3 cards...but liked it better than the monogram I did do.


The 3X3 cards are very simple and straightforward. I embossed a strip of turquoise cardstock with the Cuttlebug Textile. I dug out my 1/16" hole punch and used that on the Scallop Circle...I think it is a much better look and more forgiving to uneven punching (LOL). Finally the Cuttlebug Embossed Playful Circles was embossed and the "L" monogram was stamped with TAC Ancient Alphabet in Palette Noir. I forgot to mention I highlighted the embossing on the circle with turquoise glitter chalk...but of course that doesn't show up in the picture. I even made matching handmade envelopes click here to find out how to make your own.

Thanks for looking...and reading my diatribe! I hope it was clear....probably not!

Do you Stamp or Stalk?

Someone posed the question on SCS...are you a Stamper or a Stalker? I was like what??? Then I read the details and realized...I'm more of a Stalker. When I first started stamping I was obsessed I sat down most days and tried to do a card...a project something. In those early days I did a decent job but realized I could do BETTER...so I started browsing and learning...and that evolved into stalking.

How do you know you are a Stalker?
1. You have more favorites saved than cards uploaded.
2. You save a bunch of different projects in various formats...can't find the one you want...or realize you have 5 of the same thing, named differently.
3. Do you have unmounted stamps, unopened embellishments...but see a project on SCS and HAVE to have that 'something' too! (I think we all have a little of this).
4. Do you wake up each morning grab your coffee (tea, water...whatever your poison)...and walk PAST your stamping table to get to your computer to SEE what everyone else has done on their blog for today.
5. Has your MUST READ blog list gone from 10 to 20?
...and I'm sure there are more, but I'm going to stop now and go make a darn card!

So what makes you a stalker!

And a hearty thanks to everyone out there that lets me Stalk them! Kudos for some awe inspiring blogs.
Taylored Expressions
Dawns Stamping Thoughts
Stamps, Paper, Scissors
Chic n' Scratch
Paper Rose Studio
Impressions (Rochelle is doing a huge blog giveaway...hurry over there to enter)
Mish Mash
JoAnna's Creative Expressions
Stamping Dani (in Italian...which I speak/read...but with excellent translations)
Paula Ponders
{capture the moment} This is hands down one of my favorite blogs...I mean her creations are incredible and trend setting!!!
Creative Corner

It's All About the Girl" Earrings

I designed this set for a little girl that just had her ears pierced. Do you remember that first girly girl moment in life...the anticipation and touch of fear getting your ears pierced? Staring at yourself in the mirror cuz you just felt so beautiful and feminine. And waiting until you could take out the boring posts and FINALLY get that first pair of dangly earrings.

It was all soo important! As only things can be to children. A friend asked me to make her daughter a fun set of danglies for her daughter. What started out as a desire to give her a selection of cute adorable 'danglies' turned into a interchangeable set! She was thrilled with her set as any tween would be!!

One thing I found out while looking for cute charms...is the current style is for seriously LARGE ugly metal charms (for bracelets)...it was quite the challenge to find something fun for a little girl...that definitely hasn't started the 'diva' phase yet.

Fiskars ROCKS!

A few months ago I saw a blog post on Joanna's Creative Expressions (check her out she makes such thoughtful gifts...and they are pretty too!) all about how she joined the Fiskateers and they sent her very own pair of engraved scissors! Cool I thought, I joined...and they have ton of fun people...they even sent a group of Fiskateers on a paid conference...Yippee!!


Well time went by, didn't receive my scissors so I thought well, no biggy it was worth it just to find out about the site...so I totally forgot about the scissors...and...well they arrived on my doorstep yesterday and are seriously cool.

I am totally guarding them...if the husband or kids touch them to cut a box or something BAD apart I will just kill them. Really I'm not a violent person, but I LOVE my scissors (and my good knives). I actually hide my REALLY good knife so that no one is even tempted to open a plastic bag with it!!

Anyway, it'll take about 5 months to come in (maybe less if you are lucky)...but for free...waiting isn't a big deal!

So, go check them out HERE!

Didn't have lemons...

...to make into lemonade, but I had paper scraps from my prior project and the flower is born!

I haven't had alot of time to talk about what I've been making...but I do want to share it! Check out my other projects to see the materials as recently I've been using up one sheet at a time!




I didn't put sentiments on these cards because I'm not sure what I will use them for...so I decided to wait.

Nugget Tin

Well I am alive and well...I guess the accident curse HAS been broken. Well at least I hope it is. So this is another adorable item I made...during my down time. I am pretty hooked on these origami flowers! They are so much fun and something I can do in front of the TV.





So I made this tin using a wonderful pad of My Mind's Eye Paper, Wild Asparagus Collection. I have a HUGE stack of this (thank god) and with my little paper fetish I hope I may never get through the WHOLE stack.


I know it gets a little boring seeing the same colors and style. But I'll share a little secret...with you...I try to use up the paper that I start. I used to try and 'file' the scraps but found that was taking longer to do than just using them up! So I make the major items...then find uses for the progressively smaller scraps. The smallest scraps are used in my paper bead bracelets and I've even started using my punches to punch away...then store each shape in a box ready for accenting!


Here is another picture with the tin open.

Again these tins are just simple and fun to make! And paired with a card...or perhaps a piece of jewelry they make an even nicer gift! One of the things that makes blog reading so much fun for me are the ideas everyone comes up with and how they gift their items. I try to be a thoughtful person but often I am stumped as to what would be appropriate to give or embarrassed if I hand some one something. Especially if it isn't their style. And I really do believe in Random Acts of Kindness...one of my favorite memories was sitting in the Milan train station waiting for my train to Parma when a gorgeous Italian guy comes up, says 'Ciao Bella' and hands me a flower! Well it was like 15 years ago and that memory STILL makes me smile!

More Drama...

Okay if you don't hear from me for a while...well I might be dead. This past weekend, the sprained foot gave way and I fell down a flight of stairs so now I have a bruised tail bone...which of course I can't do anything about! So now sitting IS hard...but I have managed to get a few things done!

Here is a little teaser...

Thanks for looking and hoping this is the end of my mishaps!

So my little drama...

I have recently gotten into geocaching and it is a spectacular way to get in shape...hiking while treasure hunting definitely fun! However as I was coming out of the forest I tripped on a root...and badly sprained my foot.

Initially I thought I had broken my foot but now I am reduced to hobbling around with a cane...and let me tell you toddlers...KNOW you can't get them! But I am on the mend and should be right as rain...and I was able to craft a bit more this week as no one expected me to move much...hee, hee.

So despite my injury if you are looking to get outdoors this spring and enjoy the sunshine...check out geocaching.

More Origami...now its in a tin

I really like making coordinating things. I'm really not sure why, but a whole bunch of matching things soothes me...and it is easier to just work with the same paper until it is all used up rather than filing the scraps (or feeling guilty for throwing them out!!).

Anyway, I made another scrapbook in a tin...and reduced the origami flower to tiny. Easy to do, my trick for folding the flower is to make the first half hold (easy) then without opening it fold it in half again...this way you don't have to strain your eyes to see where you made the first crease. Then my second tip to make the 2nd fold (those edges are REALLY hard to see...or perhaps I need new glasses). Well I rarely have a straight edge...so instead of searching for another half hour...I use what is on hand...fingers. I place a finger nail edge on each corner and fold against them to start the fold. Then remove and fold crisply.

Well anyway, I hope you enjoyed my entirely cerebral instructions...I will try and take pictures (one handed of course)...of what I am talking about and post them later this week. Here is a close-up of the folded flower...3 petals (I prefer this flower to the full blown option).

Thanks for looking...and tomorrow I will have a story to tell you...on the good hand I will have plenty of time to craft!

Another Hat...this one for Graduation

Here is another adorable thing to do with Nuggets! Isn't it precious! I plan to make these for my son's preschool graduation! I think they are just adorable.

The key is to use the brad to secure the black cardstock square and ribbon...then use a strong adhesive to glue the overlapping ends around the chocolate nugget!

My favorite adhesive is the Scotch Quick-Dry adhesive...it is super strong and as the name says quick to dry...it adheres paper to paper in seconds!