Category Archives: holiday

I Love Advent

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Christmas Tree in progress

Most people might say they love Christmas, and I do definitely love the holiday. But after a little thought, maybe I really enjoy Advent more with all the preparation, the anticipation, the planning… there’s so much I want to do, but have already resigned myself that some projects will be for next year. I have much to be thankful for, much I want to give to family, friends, those with needs, those less fortunate.

All month, I’ll try to share with you some thoughts and ways to give back… not that you’re already bombarded with ideas, but perhaps just some food for thought.

One of my favorite ornaments

Food and Gift Packaging

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I was super excited to get these goodies from the offices of Martha Stewart Living via Craft Critique. If you’re getting ready for the holidays and looking for ways to wrap or package your baked goods, please take a look at my review on Craft Critique! Leave a comment at their site and you just might win your own set of treat bags and boxes!

Catching up on Crafty Inspirations

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I love these artists, bloggers and their creations… they just make me drool. Check them out if you dare.

Donna Downey

Image from http://donnadowney.typepad.com/

Of course, this is just a handful of things to check out. I’m completely backlogged with articles to read and projects to finish.

Other random Friday thoughts…

  • I’m excited about working with new reporters at Craft Critique.
  • Still working on the t-shirt quilt, but finished a couple of baby blankets.
  • After hosting a party, I usually have two to three (relatively) unproductive days. I need to clean up.
  • I can’t believe Thanksgiving is nineteen days away.
  • Most of my family will be in the Philippines for Christmas = early Christmas shopping and gifts.

A Really Good Weekend

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I spent lots of time preparing for last week and weekend… not only was it Halloween, but our little man turned 4.

And, as usual, the Halloween crafts didn’t get done, but I did get goody bags finished the night before the school party.

I always intended on posting a tutorial for a last-minute batcave made from store-bought wall decorations, dollar store garbage bags and duct tape… but unfortunately it was far too last-minute. I was busy writing a food article for Halloween.

On Halloween, Abby played her last soccer game (the team’s record 6-1-1)…

… then we headed out for some trick-or-treating with friends.

Like I said, a really good weekend. I hope all of you out there had one too.

Making Birthday Invitations

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The inspiration for this design comes from Jessica Jones at one of my all-time favorite blogs, How About Orange. I had the pleasure of meeting her at the Chicago Craft Social last year – such a nice person.

Her tutorial is here. I just made it work for Abby’s birthday party invitations, both of them. One for a small gathering of school friends, and one for the family. Thanks, Jessica, for your inspiration!

Valentine’s Basket Card

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I made this card several years ago for a friends on their wedding anniversary and then again for Christmas. I thought Valentine’s Day might be a nice time to resurrect it. What better to hold a little teabag, candy or gift card? It’s also a nice way to recycle crinkly paper from gift baskets, and odd pieces of cut paper and ribbon! I suggest using a padded envelope or hand deliver your creation to your friend. Here’s my simple “basket” card that I’ll take you through.

For the card, you will need:

  • 4-1/4″ x 5-1/2″ piece of cardstock (half of 8-1/2″ x 11″ paper and folded)
  • 5-1/2″ x 2-3/4″ piece of coordinating printed paper
  • 9″ – 10″ ribbon
  • Miscellaneous: ruler, pencil, bone folder, gluestick or double-sided tape, hole punch

1.  Fold your cardstock in half if you haven’t already. Position the card so it is fully open. You will glue (or tape) your coordinated paper to the inside top half of the card. This might look strange, but hang on.

2. Close the card and on the bottom front face (just the other side of where you glued), mark a point at 2-3/4″ (exact center) from the edge. You may also want to mark 2-3/4″ up the two sides also, but this is not necessary. It’s the height of the printed paper.

3. Take a bone folder or some blunt tool to score the paper from the bottom mid-point to the top edge of the printed paper (along the side of the card). You’ll have two right triangles that will become the “basket”.

4. Fold the triangles up and use a bone folder to crease well. Almost done!

5. Punch holes at the top of the triangles for your ribbon and tie a pretty bow.

6. Use some leftover crinkly paper and place your favorite tea to share.

You’re done, good job! For some more fun, you could rubber stamp some cute designs all over the cardstock. Don’t forget that you’ll have a small amount of writing space inside the card since the front is folded over.

Here’s an extra little tidbit. You know those paint chips you get at the hardware store when you’re thinking you’re going to actually paint that ONE room… Use your paper punch and attach to some long toothpicks with glue or tape!

Hoping to have a few more Valentine’s Day resources for you tomorrow. Enjoy!

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