Multiple Gift Card Holder

This year I had a very hard time finding a gift for a good friend of mine. She seems to have everything! Do you have any friends or family like that? My only thought was to get her a gift card, but it seems so generic and impersonal, then I thought maybe a couple cards, then I figured maybe a little "booklet" of gift cards to her favorite places to shop! YEA, that was when my craftyness kicked in! Create a booklet of cards for her to use in a variety of stores!

After a trial basis to find measurements, this is what I came up with -

Started with a piece of card stock 5.25" by 3.5 inches. Scored it at 1.75" down the middle, and .75" from each end.

Next folded the score marks and made cuts so it would be easy to fold and adhere. Used my circle punch to make the half circle in the middle.

This is what my little project looked like after making 8 card holders and making the outside of the booklet. Not sure if you can tell but I put the Michael's gift card first in the stack.

I didn't have any stamps or stickers for Chanukah, so I used the basic blue paper and some snowflakes.

Finally I added the cover with embossed snowflakes then brushed blue ink over them to make them stand out. Hope she likes it!

This is the final project.

Thanks for looking.

Happy New Year!

Quote for the Day

"Dreams are renewable. No matter what our age or condition, there are still untapped possibilities within us and new beauty waiting to be born."
~~ Dr. Dale Turner

Christmas Card 2009

This is my Christmas card for this year. I've had it done for a while but didn't want to post it until I mailed them out and everyone received it. At this point I think everyone has it and I haven't ruined the surprise for anyone.
The black ink is much better in real life! I printed out the saying on the computer and just cut them out. Used the Cuttlebug embossing folder ot add the snowflakes in the background. Very easy to make.

For the inside, I added some snowflakes to punch it up a little. Pretty cute.

Thanks for looking.

Happy Holidays!

Stocking Stuffer Idea

This is a hand held mirror that I had in my "to-do" craft box. Not sure what I was going to do with it, but it was in there. I spotted it the other day and it hit me (OUCH!) I could embellish it and give it to my daughter for Christmas. She LOVES pink and purple so I only had to add some pink stuff. While stolling through Michaels I spotted this cute pink stuff, not sure what it is called. All I had to do is get my trusty hot glue gun and PRESTO!!

I started out by wrapping and gluing around the handle of the mirror. That part wasn't too bad, it was easy to contain the glue!

As I got to the back of the mirror, it was harder to keep the glue where it was supposed to be and not all over the pink boa! But I think it was OK.

And TA DAAAAA, here is the final project! Pretty cute, I know she will love it. At 8 years old she loves to dress up and look in the mirror! One day I actually heard her saying, "I can't stop looking at myself becuase I'm so cute!" Now there is one confident girl!! I know she will enjoy this gift.

This is a view from the back.

This is the wrapper that the pink boa stuff came in. It was just wrapped around the cardboard.

Thanks for looking, and Happy Holidays!

Religious Education Teacher Gifts

This year for my kids' religious education teachers I thought I would make coasters out of tiles. Since I didn't have pictures from each lady I thought it would be nice to use some Christmas quotations on each. Found these saying from a Google search, printed them out on tissue paper, then used the directions from SplitCoast Stamper. So easy to make, and (if I do say so myself!) they turned out pretty nice. Each teacher received this same set. Check out some of my other coasters that I created.

In case the print is too small to read, this is what is on each one -

For to us a child is born

to us a son is given,

and the government will be

on his shoulders.

And he will be called

Wonderful counselor, Mighty

God,

Everlasting Father, Prince of

Peace.

Isa 9:6

The best of all gifts around

any Christmas tree: the

presence of a happy family

all wrapped up in each other.

Burton Hillis

Christmas waves a magic

wand over this world, and

behold, everything is

softer and more beautiful.

Norman Vincent Peale

There's nothing sadder

in this world than to

awake Christmas

morning and not be

a child.

Erma Bombeck

I found these great gift boxes at the Dollar Tree - I love that store! My 4 coasters fit perfectly in each one. There was plenty of room for at least 6, but I only made 4. The presentation was great! I loved the way they looked.

This is how nicely the coasters in in the box. It is like they were made for each other!! I'll have to go back and get a few more.

Thanks for looking. And, have a great holiday.

Quote for the Day

'Lots of people want to ride with you in the limo, but what you want is someone who will take the bus when the limo breaks down.'
~~Oprah Winfrey

Very Moving Video - Silent Night

Check out this very moving video honoring the brave soldiers who protect us from harm. Thanks to all who serve.



Home of the free because of the brave.

This is a very FUN video that promotes Breast Cancer Awareness. My sister-in-law was diagnosed with breast cancer just last week and we are praying that they discovered it early enough.



Enjoy the video.
Thanks for looking.

Quote for the Day

"Character is doing the right thing when nobody's looking. There are too many people who think that the only thing that's right is to get by, and the only thing that's wrong is to get caught."

~~ J.C. Watts

Clever Christmas Gift Ideas

I'm always searching for cute gift ideas for teachers or neighbors. Here is a list of 103 Quick and Easy Gift ideas. Some of the ideas include -

~ Popcorn Balls - Hope you have a BALL this holiday!
~ Ches Party Mix - Remember Santa CHEX his list twice to see who has been naughty and nice... so be good for goodness sake! Happy Holidays!
~ Snicker Bar - Don't SNICKER, just be glad you got something!
~ Ice Cream - Have a COOL Yule!
~ Muffins or Muffins mix - You're getting MUFFIN for Christmas!

These are just a couple ideas! So cute.
Thanks for looking.

Great Wrapping Ideas

Tip Nut has some of the best ideas!! Just found this link to a variety of excellent ideas for wrapping gifts and tags.

Lots of excellent wrapping ideas here. This is definitely one I've bookmarked!!

Thanks for looking.

How Cute is this idea!!

While out surfing today, I found this great idea to reuse yogurt cups!!


It seems so simple, maybe that is why I never thought of it! This is a great way to have a cup with a lid for every visiting child! I never seem to have enough of them when friends stop by for a playdate.

Click here to see this and more ideas.

Thanks for looking.

Happy Thanksgiving

"As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them."

~John Fitzgerald Kennedy

50th Birthday Party Gifts

This weekend I was invited to a friend's 50th birthday party. For a gift I made some etched glass plates. The plates are from Wal-Mart and etching cream is from Michaels.

My Cricut machine cut out the letters, and used contact shelf lining paper as the sticky paper (not sure what to call it- kinda like the vinyl stuff). I have done this before and works out very well and is less expensive!

They were a big hit at the party!

Made some teacher appreciation gifts using the same method. Check them out!

Thanks for looking.

Envelopes for a Picture Card

I love making my own envelopes for everything! They are so festive and I personally think they make the mailman smile when he sees them!! :-) Here is a link to some of my other envys I have made for everyday stuff or special occasions. These are made with a template from QVC. However, envelopes for Christmas picture cards are a different size and need some tweeking.

Each year I buy half price Christmas paper after the holiday at Michaels so I'm ready for the following year. I order my cards from Costco, which are 6 x 7.5 inch picture cards.
First I start with a piece of 12 x 12 card stock (or wrapping paper, or whatever you want).

My first step is to cut a piece of cardboard (I used an old cereal box) 6.25 x 7.75 inches - it is a quarter of an inch larger than the card on each side. Place the template in the middle of the 12 x 12 card stock that has been turned sideways.

Next fold in the sides of the card stock. Be sure to hold the cardboard tightly so it doesn't move when folding.

Next fold in the top and bottom of the paper.

Snip the corner of the flap that will fold up and add some glue.

Now it is all set for your card.

Here are a couple of my other envys for my friends and family this year.

To add addresses I print them out on the Avery address labels. They show up nicely on the paper and much easier to keep track of them each year. I've never had a problem with the post office delivering the cards. They take one stamp and haven't had any returned to me requiring more postage - hope that holds true for this year!!

Thanks for looking.

Quote for the Day

"Good character is not formed in a week or a month. It is created little by little, day by day. Protracted and patient effort is needed to develop good character."

-- Heraclitus

Awesome Winter Card

I love checking out YouTube for card making ideas. Found another one to share with my fellow crafters. This one is from starofmay, she always has excellent ideas.




Check this one out, hope it sparks your creativity!

Thanks for looking.

Valentine's Day Card

This is a very early Valentine's Day card. I was involved in a swap on SplitCoast Stampers and finished up a little earlier than expected.
I love pink and brown together so decided to make the card with those colors rather than the traditional red and white.

Thanks for looking. Have a great day.

Cuttlebug Folder Cards

I love this easy layout!!! It is so versitile and easy to create. This is just a couple of sayings that I've made to send to friends.

I love the Cuttlebug folders, they really spruce up everything.

Thanks for looking.

Happy Veteran's Day

Today is the day to remember and thank all those who served our country. My Dad, father in law, brother in law and nephew all served our country. I'm very proud to remember my Dad who served in the Navy on an aircraft carrier. My father in law was a very proud Marine. And, my brother in law served in the Army reserve. Finally, my nephew is in the Marines now. He will be going to Afganistan next year and will be in my prayers every day.

Thanks to all the brave men and women who give their time to keep our country strong and safe. Home of the free thanks to our BRAVE.

It Smells Like the Holidays

During the fall I like to make some "smelly" pine cones! I think they look nice in a bowl or basket on the table and to top it off they smell great.

Thanks to my next door neighbor I can pick up pine cones at no charge! After picking up the pine cones from our neighbor's front yard, I use an old and very small slow cooker to melt some wax, and/or old candles. Also add some extra fragrance (bought it at Michaels in the candle making section) these are pumpkin spice. They are red because the wax was from an old red candle whose wick seemed to have disappeared!

I like the wax a little built up on the cones, so they have to be dipped 3 or 4 times in the hot wax. After the first dip in the hot tub, I lower the slow cooker temp so the wax doesn't just melt away. The lower temp also makes the coating seem thicker too. To add extra fragrance just add a couple drops of liquid fragrance to the waxed pine cones. Or, just put some extra essence to a tissue and place at the bottom of your basket.

After the holidays or when they don't seem to be as fragrant, they can be used as a fire starter in the fireplace.

Thanks for looking. Have a great holiday season.

Quote for the Day

Life is like a coin. You can spend it any way you wish, but you can only spend it once.
~~ Unknown

Act of Kindness Card

This was a card that I played around with. I like everything except for the TINY jewels at the center of the flowers. I think they need to be bigger.

Also, another idea would be to make a book mark out of the saying. The layout would have to go the other direction so the book mark would fit in a pocket on the front of the card.

Thanks for looking.

Birthday Card

Happy Birthday !! I wanted to use up some pieces of ribbon that were laying around my craft room. This idea hit me, but didn't turn out exactly like the one in my head!
Definitely used up a bunch of scraps, but it is missing something..... not sure what it is.

Maybe this will give someone an idea to make a better card. Any suggestions would be appreicated.
Have a great day.

Quote for the Day

For any Harry Potter fans out there....

"It takes a great deal of bravery to stand up to our enemies, just as much to stand up to our friends."
~~ Dumbledore

Coffee Card

I love pink and brown together!! Also love a steaming cup of coffee, so it just seemed natural that the two would go together. I made this card ... hhmmmm maybe for a swap, maybe for myself, maybe for a friend - can't really remember. It has an interesting fold and card front.

First the brown part open up to reviel the pretty pink "card part".

Finally the pink part opens to show the blank interior ready for any personal thoughts. Added some stamped coffee beans for cuteness!

Thanks for looking.

Have a great day.

Thanksgiving will be here soon...

I know Halloween was yesterday, but I need to start thinking about Thanksgiving NOW!!


"How big should the turkey be?
Should I make 2 turkeys to have lots of left overs?
Who will make the mashed potatoes?
What kind of veggies will the kids eat?
Where will all the guests sleep?
What am I thankful for?"

Of course I need to keep my kids busy while I'm fretting over all these things. I found a cute site that has downloadable pages for kids. It looks interesting if you need something to keep kids busy. This is just one less thing to worry about!

Have a great day.

Quote for the Day

Don't worry that children never listen to you; worry that they are always watching you.
~~ Robert Fulghum

Princess Card

Happy Birthday Princess!!! This was for my friend's daughter, so cute but can be a bit of a drama queen (or princess in this case!). She really liked it, especially the little bling on the crown.


It was a hit with all the 7 year old girls!
Thanks for looking.

"I am always doing that which I can not do, in order that I may learn how to do it."
~~ Pablo Picasso

Santa Baby

Check out this beautiful card by Amy Sheffer at Pickled Paper Designs. She has some unbelievable cards posted here. I orginally saw this on Splitcoast Stampers.
Amy's description reads -
The sentiment carries through to the inside and reads: "I've been a good girl." The image and sentiment are both from Santa Baby by My Favorite Things. For the ruffled bottom, I hand-basted and gathered some wide silk ribbon, attached it with tape, then covered the seam with some wide ricrac and a knotted length of red polka dot ribbon. Papers are Eskimo Kisses by Basic Grey.

Enjoy!

Have a great day.

Quote for the Day

One of the things I keep learning is that the secret of being happy is doing things for other people.
~~ Dick Gregory

Peppermint Patty Spiders

I've seen these cute spiders in many blogs and on SplitCoast Stampers. Finally, I tried to make my own. So easy!

These cute sweet treats start out with Peppermint Pattys and a couple SU punches (well, at least that is what I used!) They smell so good!

My daughter decided to help me create these cute little guys. I knew that she would want to use her own colors and the traditional Halloween colors would be out the window! She wanted to start with her favorite colors first - pink and purple! And, yes, one of these guys has a smile! I like it but my assistant wasn't really thrilled with it.
Then she wanted to used "crystal eyes" rather than the black googlie ones! This one is kinda cute!
Next, she wanted to make a couple for her Dad. Of course we went with the VIrginia Tech colors - orange and maroon. Go HOKIES!! Not sure if the colors look great or not, but that is what it is supposed to be!
She also wanted to make a couple for her brother! His color choice was red and orange!! Not sure where he got those colors from but if that is what he wanted, far be it from me to try to change his mind!
We even tried to make one that looked like it had hair on it. I used a white colored pencil on the black parts and a black pencil on the orange parts. Don't think the details came out very well, but they are there!
FINALLY, we used purple and yellow to show support for East Carolina University. Our niece is a freshman there and the colors look nice together.
My little angels will be sharing the spiders with their teachers this week. Hope they like them.

Thanks for looking!

Have a good time trying some of your own!