Month: November 2010

Quick! {Gift Card decor}

A hypothetical situation, of course. I’d never really do this. Except I did. Last week. I’m not even that ashamed. Here’s the situation:

That giftcard you bought weeks ago for your sister in law? It’s going to be gifted in 5 minutes. You can’t get to your gift bags (because they’re buried in scary closet), and you don’t have any non-Christmas paper out. WHAT.DO.YOU.DO?! You could give it to her plain (and look lame + unprepared) or you could quickly take it from lame to rockin’ with the help of some craft supplies…

Using envelope it came in (or you could fold a piece of cardstock quickly to make your own) wrap a piece of ribbon around the middle so it ‘seals’ the OPEN sides. Use piece of double sided tape (I love Crafty Power Tape by Scrapbook Adhesives 3L) on front to secure where ends meet.

Then: QUICK! Throw down some jewels and rhinestones. Slap a thin layer of Rock Candy Distress crackle paint and help it to dry quick with a heat tool. Rub with green ink all over to accentuate those crackles.

Mission: Accomplished. Note: I used liquid adhesive to secure my jewels as my husband was taking this to be delivered. If to be delivered immediately SKIP the liquid adhesive.

football or scrapbooking?

I don’t totally get the lure that football holds over so many. BUT: This season I did attend my first two NFL games and had a blast both times. Jason cooks up amazing food before hand, and then of course in the stadium I was treated to some truly HUGE soda not to mention having a good time watching all the game + action all along the sidelines. My soda came in a cup that I could take home and enjoy in my studio (with water). Score.

I’m so NOT a 49er fan, but I dressed the part. I was told I had to if I wanted to eat Jason’s food… it was worth it. Sometimes I felt like an undercover spy – after all I’m neither a fan of the team or the game…

but I’m a fan and have great respect for fantastic eats… so perhaps I can relate after all to these fanatics.

{or I can sit here in comfort of my studio and get back to paper crafting. yeah, that’s more me}

Holiday season + kids books

My girls love it when an envelope from Harper Collins shows up, and this time we were all surprised by the FABULOUS content…

13 Words by Lemony Snicket

I LOVED this book, and I love reading and re-reading it too. It’s about a bird (who’s a bit despondent) and his friends. There’s cake. A Haberdashery owned by a baby. Painting ladders. More cake. What I really like about this one is the funky illustrations combined with the unusual storytelling. I had Elizabeth focus on each key word (and the #) as it was introduced as the story went along. I’d strongly recommend this one as a fun pick for boys or girls- I’d say ages 5 – 8 or so would enjoy it the very most.

As I’ve said before, we are Nancy fans big time. This was another fabulous addition to both our collection and the series. In this book Nancy sets out to earn money by selling some of her clothes and accessories in order to make enough money to buy a fan that she wants. Her little sister really wants one of her necklaces that she is selling (and it’s her birthday coming up) so Nancy has to choose… make her sister happy, or make herself happy with a new fan?

I love both the stories and the illustrations in these books, and that they can be read in any order you please. All of the interesting detail ensures that we notice some new image every time we read it. My girls have loved this so much – I purchased two copies of the Fabulous Fashion Boutique already to give this holiday season – if the reaction my girls have had to it are any indication it’s going to be a huge hit. I’ve seen it at Target, and of course it’s available at Amazon.com and many other stores I’d imagine.

I expect for the next month or so Splendiferous Christmas to be the #1 asked for book to be read. Though they like to read that Fancy Nancy title year round so who knows. Last Christmas I did a post about decorating packages “Fancy Nancy” style, and you can imagine I’ll be doing more. Here’s the link, and here’s the package I did up last year:

The girls and I are ready to kick up this holiday season Fancy Nancy style… I’ll be sure to share our results!

Thinking holidays

Things I’m doing right now:

  • Thinking about addressing Christmas cards I purchased last week/
  • Working on any/all ‘to ship’ Christmas gifts. Hoping to be done within the week so I am NOT at the post office after Thanksgiving.
  • Playing with holiday inspired crafting to share here on blog, decorate my home, for articles, etc.
  • Making a special “Santa spot” where stocking items and other gifts gather.

I was raised around crafters who by this time in the year had to have all their ‘craft fair’ goods done or largely done so the whole ‘getting ready early’ idea isn’t a new one or particularly original. When I was a young adult, living on my own November could be a depressing month. Not much to do, short days… I discovered the fun of writing up Christmas cards EARLY. Of jump starting shopping. Relieving a bit of the December pressures.

My outlook is this: Too many people stress, make it complicated, and otherwise freak the heck out over Christmas making it a stressful time instead of a joyful one. One way I avoid this is to start early and take care of things that are being mailed first. I do it in pieces even when it seems “so far away” so that by the time December 1 comes around I can decorate, enjoy, and RELAX during the holiday season.

Do you have to be organized? HECK NO!! I’m a total mess up in here. Horrible. But I am taking care of things I already know I need (or want) to do and can.

Does it all have to be homemade and fabulous? Um, no. I’ve already removed a bunch of “make ___” from my list. I like to come up with grand plans, then be ok with it if even 50% actually happens.

If you haven’t already, I suggest getting some holiday spirit going now. Then you too can be done early and enjoy sipping cocoa and reading a book while other people get frantic and lose sight of the beauty and magic December brings. If you have been busy, I’d love to know with what/how/what your traditions are.

Because truly? Getting my holiday gifting and cards lined up early has become a tradition for me. It’s one I love, and one that anyone can join in and do too.

I’ll be sure to share more – especially the crafty bits. 🙂

just a peek.

Working on some new projects to share. Working on articles. A few new classes. Some guest blogging. More fun to share…

and I’m loving it. After 2+ weeks gone, MY LAPTOP IS BACK, it’s got all it’s programs re-installed (I think) and all is well. I’m getting back into my zone. Holiday goodness, tips, ideas, videos, and so much more to come. Stay tuned.

Keep it classy.