November 2009 – Page 2 – Craft With May

give thanks blog hop #3: November decor

I don’t put up a lot of decorations for Thanksgiving. I think it’s largely because we almost never host it. But I had this bit of paper that was just perfect for a little something, and this family photo that had yet to be used…

So I pieced together a little (5×5) canvas to hang on the wall. The hooks in the top were already there – no doubt from some project I abandoned. I don’t know if I’ll take them out or add ribbon to tie through them and secure to the wall yet. It was fun to play with such a small surface and with the intent to hang on my wall each November.

I didn’t feel I needed to add in my own words- the ones on the paper were exactly what I wanted to say and this little piece will remind me how grateful I am for my happy little family each time I see it.

Be sure to check in on the other blog hop participants…

Allison Kreft Abad http://hamblyscreenprints.typepad.com/
Becky Novacek http://www.beckynovacekphotography.com
Debbie Hodge http://www.debbiehodge.typepad.com
Elizabeth Kartchner http://elizabethkartchner.blogspot.com/
Jennifer McGuire http://jennifermcguireink.typepad.com
Jodie McNally http://jodiemcnally.com
Kelly Purkey http://kellypurkey.typepad.com
Lain Ehmann http://knitandpurlgrrl.blogs.com/five_things
Lisa Dickinson http://lisadickinson.typepad.com
Liz Hicks http://blogerisms.blogspot.com
Margie Romney-Aslett http://www.margieromney-aslett.typepad.com
Margot Potter http://margotpottertheimpatientcrafter.blogspot.com
May Flaum http://mayflaum.wordpress.com
Patti Milazzo http://pattimilazzo.blogspot.com
Rhonna Farrer http://rhonnadesigns.blogspot.com
Stacey Kingman http://staceykingman.blogspot.com
Stephenie Hamen http://cropgirl.wordpress.com
Wendy Smedley http://wendysmedley.typepad.com

Fall layout-

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I purchased the pack of Core’dinations Jenni Bowlin embossed cardstock, so expect to see it show up a lot here for a while as I enjoy it.

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I applied acrylic paint over the sheet of cream cardstock with a foam brush randomly, then when dry used a nail file to distress – which removed paint + some of the darker cream color to reveal the pale color and it really made the circles stand out too. Love that.

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My inspiration for making this page was comparing the 2008 patch photo with the 2009 one. It was dumb luck that had me discover the ’08 photo, and I decided it was fated to be used on this page. (other supplies – Pink Paislee sticker, fabric, title paper; Jenni Bowlin tags and flower pearls, MM flower & brad)

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Happy creating!

Giving Thanks Blog hop #2: Tell her.

Do you have friends in your life that you’re grateful for? That make you laugh, that have been there for you, that mean a lot to you?

Do you tell them so?

Something I do (and keep meaning to blog about!) is my love of sending random notes and mail to cherished friends. Big or small, a letter or a gift, just something to send love to someone I treasure at an unexpected time. Today I’m excited because I’ve come up with a new twist on my “I love you, man” mail.

It all started with this perfume sample. It’s such a cute little card, and the sample inside has a spritzer even – it’s pretty nice for a freebie! That’s when I got the idea to turn the little card into a love note. I started by stitching (badly, I know but it’s ok) two hearts on the front sort-of along a black heart shape I had drawn onto it. In this case I didn’t want to cover up the name – because “happy” is just perfect for what I have in mind!

Inside I put glue over the stitching & added tinsel glitter. I also stitched a bit of pink ribbon and put down a super cute tag. Now my tiny gift is all ready – I just need to add my love note!

I know I’d love to get something like this in the mail from a friend, something sent purely to brighten my day. Now, this concept got me thinking. Could I make my own card like this? Why not!

Just figure out how thick you need it, fold to that size, and cut two slits in the binding to make your holder. Mine didn’t “hold” tight enough on this lip gloss so I added a ribbon to make it secure.

I will add a word on the front (bottom) + my love note once I know who’s getting this one. I think you could use this for tiny Christmas presents for anything from a roll of lifesavers to a chapstick, candy cane to travel size lotion. Personally I plan on having a few of these ready so that when I feel the desire to send out something little but special I’m prepared.

Because really – what friend doesn’t want to hear from you and get something telling her how fabulous she is, what a jewel she is in your life?

From our house to yours, please enjoy this week of gratitude with the other blog hop participants:

Giving Thanks Blog Hop #1: to go

I can’t help myself. When I go visit someone – especially when it’s far away or someone I rarely get to see – I have to bring a little something. As a child I remember feeling extra special when a visitor would bring me something. The “what” didn’t matter, it was the fact that they thought about me and cared enough to pack something just for me in their suitcase. It’s a special feeling, and one I still enjoy as an adult.

Thanks to all the insanely tight regulations on what you can & can’t pack (and how) bringing stuff has gotten trickier, but still I make the effort! Even if it’s a tag made with a bit of homemade love (like the ones shown here) on a little box of chocolate – it’s special. It’s my way of saying I’ve been thinking about this visit, I’m glad to see you, and I want you to know it. I couldn’t wrap these gifts, but I think the oversized tag with a touch of hand crafted love will get my point across.

As you can see I’ve got a few family love packages all set to go in my carry-on suitcase. Miss Elizabeth and I are heading up to Washington for 50 hours (literally & in total!) to visit with a lot of my family that lives there. My uncle is battling cancer, and I feel blessed and grateful that I found a magically low airfare – and a few days that I could manage this visit. I have a lot of family I get to visit, and I know we’ll treasure every moment.

I will be taking my journal along to record thoughts, special moments, and more- some of which I’ll share with you along with some layouts and ideas I gather for projects based on this trip. Time with family is something to always treasure – no matter how often or how long. I know I do.

Other bloggers participating in blog hop this week…

Becky Novacek http://www.beckynovacekphotography.com
Debbie Hodge http://www.debbiehodge.typepad.com
Jennifer McGuire http://jennifermcguireink.typepad.com
Jodie McNally http://jodiemcnally.com
Kelly Purkey http://kellypurkey.typepad.com
Lain Ehmann http://knitandpurlgrrl.blogs.com/five_things
Lisa Dickinson http://lisadickinson.typepad.com
Liz Hicks http://blogerisms.blogspot.com
Margie Romney-Aslett http://www.margieromney-aslett.typepad.com
Margot Potter http://margotpottertheimpatientcrafter.blogspot.com
May Flaum http://mayflaum.wordpress.com
Patti Milazzo http://pattimilazzo.blogspot.com
Rhonna Farrer http://rhonnadesigns.blogspot.com
Stacey Kingman http://staceykingman.blogspot.com
Stephenie Hamen http://cropgirl.wordpress.com
Wendy Smedley http://wendysmedley.typepad.com

Giving Thanks {Blog Hop}

Welcome to the Giving Thanks {Blog Hop} 2009…

Stephenie approached me about doing a Thanksgiving inspired hop and I thought “what a great idea!” Over the next week you will be able to hop around the web and find some amazing projects and stories and it’s all inspired by family, gratitude, and giving thanks. Some of us will be posting several times, others just once. You’ll have to ‘hop’ around and check what’s new throughout the week.

Each person participating has the full list of attendees posted, so you can hop from one to another. We hope you find something that inspires you, sparks your creativity, or reminds you to be thankful this Thanksgiving. From our house to yours, please enjoy your week and our gratitude…