Where to put those gift cards....hmmm

I had some neighborhood friends over last night for a "wrap" party, and I taught all of them how to make these great gift card holders. They were all skeptical when I told them to bring over empty toilet paper rolls! But, we flattened the rolls, glued on papers and punches and embellishments and they were impressed with their own creativity!

To make these...

-flatten your paper roll

-cut the paper about 3/4 inch wider than your roll so you can fold the paper over one end. I found hot glue works the best for adhering this first layer of paper onto the cardboard roll.

-Cut the length just enough to wrap and overlap.

-Decorate, decorate, decorate.

-Then, make a small hole on the open end (all the way through both layers).

-Slide your gift card in and then place a brad in the hole to close it up.

Your relatives will be so impressed!

The 12th day of Christmas--2 more tags for me

My version of Tim's tag #9
I added a little color to the tag by using a burgundy paper for the rosette and for the matte under the phrase.



My version of Tim's tag #5

I used some snowflake patterned, glittered paper as the base and punched the holly leaves with some glittered paper (saved me some steps). I used a small square of some vintage-looking paper I had since I couldn't find a big Santa face like he had. Lastly, I used some Thickers for the "25" since I just wanted to simplify.


The 12 days of Christmas have come and gone, and I'm going to need at least 12 more days to get a few more of Tim Holtz' tags done. I've watched him through photos and videos teach techniques for embossing, stamp-making, masking, inking, crackling, and the list goes on. Let's just say I've added a few of his products to my Christmas list.

Tim's Tag #6, Kelly's Tag #1

12 days of Christmas, 12 days of tags over at Tim Holtz's blog. This guy has more creative juice in his little finger than I can only wish for. It is a challenge to find "substitutions" for his elements. He loads each tag with lots of new techniques. There are so many layers and steps, that each tag becomes a work of art. There is a lot of time that went into this one. Maybe the next one will go on a present...this one, is for ME.

Not a Christmas project, but still a project (or 3)

I recently followed a few sketches over at Allison Davis' blog for Scrapbook Generations new sketch site and publishing creative DT. While I didn't make the DT, it did allow me to get some pages done. Next on my "to do" list, getting 4 kids to sit still and look good for a Christmas photo. Wish me luck!

December is HERE! Project #1

I'm going to try really hard. I mean REALLY hard to post 12 projects before Christmas. Christmas projects to help you find the energy and blessings of Advent.

Day 1: Last year, I made an Advent calendar tree. I bought these little wood boxes from Oriental Trading Company. After many hours of sanding to get all of the doors to fit, I painted them, and then distressed them with sand paper. I created a structure that will allow all of the doors to slide open so the kids can pull out the slip of paper with the Advent activity for the day and the chocolate. Then, I pulled out my stash of stickers, ribbon, brads, and Christmas goodies to decorate each box. It's already become a favorite tradition.

If It's Groovy--my DT swan song

I have had a blast being part of the If It's Groovy DT. It was my first DT and will always have a special place in my crafty heart. I've decided to take a break from the DT and focus on my home and some self-paced projects. This is a project I did called "Inspired Every Day-by the Everyday". I'm hoping to make this a regular series for my blog, so here is hoping that this is the first of many "everyday inspirations".

Inspired Every Day

There have been times where my desk has become a pile of “s-crap”. For months. Yes, months. Sure, I can go to the internet or look through my pages of ideas that I’ve ripped out of magazines, but what has helped me re-fuel is to look at the “everyday”. After all, isn’t that why we scrapbook? Save some time, save your money. Look around you. What can you find to inspire you? A cereal box? A bible verse? A pair of shoes? A shower curtain?

While we may have wonderful memories from vacations, weddings, and graduations, “everyday” is where we spend most of our time. And, sometimes it’s not enough to see those memories in scrapbook form. We need to let our creative juices pour out into other things…our jewelry, paintings, walls, gardens, furniture. After all, we are not just scrapbookers. We are artists.

This is the first in a series of articles to get you inspired every day, by the everyday. And I’m hoping to inspire you to make your creative juices pour out.

My first source of inspiration? My bathroom tile. I hate it. Wait, HATE is such a strong word. I really, really, really, really do not like my bathroom tile. I look at it and it screams 1966! It’s cream colored with light brown flecks (which look like freckles) and every so often there is unique tile that really screams 1966! It looks like… gear shaped snowflakes?! And while I really, really, really, really do not like it in my bathroom, I’ve used it as a source of inspiration for a scrapbook page.

Here is a picture of my tile (I told you, 1966!!!)


Here is the page that it inspired. Headline: Ugly tile inspires A Whole New World. I cut square cardstock “tiles” and fleck painted them by putting brown paint on an old toothbrush and rubbing it against a piece of plastic. After they were dry, I ran the squares through a Cuttlebug embossing folder (Swiss dots). I used Spellbinder nesting dies and Sizzix snowflake dies and assorted punches to re-create that “unique” tile design.

Right now, go look at your bathroom tile. Go. Right now, I’ll wait…Hopefully, yours is newer than 1966. But ugly or not, let it inspire your next scrapbook page. And, come back and show us your tile inspired art.

Be inspired every day, by the everyday.

A purpose under heaven (and in heaven too)

Every dog has a purpose. Indy's was to teach, love, and lick... not necessarily in that order. I just finished reading "A Dog's Purpose" by W. Bruce Cameron. As I read, I reflected on the passing of our first "baby". She taught us a lot and gave us the practice we needed to have 4 kids. We will always love you Indy!

INDY January 11, 1996-October 27,2010

She also taught us to perservere. And it is in that mind-set, that we couldn't be a 1 dog household for very long. We welcome with love...Axel

He is a "mutt" with some obvious shepherd and lab traits. He has brought joy to our house as our new fur-baby.

Did you know, in addition to everything else they eat, puppies eat into "scrap time"? It's been tough to get anything done around here, especially Christmas cards! But, I've gotten a few layouts done to share.

I used this precious photo for a "Liftateer" layout over at Fiskateers.

This layout was inspired by Gerry van Gent's "Just a Boy" LO from August over at Scrapbook Challenges. I loved all of the stitching she did around her page so I used it too!


This is from Sketch 224 at Scrapbook Challenges.

This one is a Kelly "original". I tried a new technique for me on the right page...back-stitching with ribbon. I like the effect.

And, if this one look familiar, it's because I already posted it back in October. But, this week it is a "gallery gem" over at Scrapbook Challenges. Thanks to Ana for choosing my layout to showcase!

I'll be back soon with a paper-piecing technique and my Christmas cards (I hope).