Gift Giving...

Although Thanksgiving for the U.S. is next week, many of us are putting together Christmas gifts, trying to get a head start before the mad rush and last minute pick-me-ups.

You Tube has many tutorials on quick gift ideas and I found one that is quite popular in the blogging craft community: The envelope mini album. There are so many but I'm not one to work on a project days on end. I want to see the results fairly soon.

This mini album tutorial can be found here.

The envelopes are a good size and make a small enough mini album that can be taken to friends' or family members' houses to show off - a little quick brag book, so to speak.

For the covers, I cut out patterned designer paper (DCWV - Taj Mahal) - one for the front and one for the back.

On the flap, I adhered die cuts. This is a perfect place for die-cuts or rub-ons. In the video, she actually does some embossing.

I wanted to keep it simple because I wasn't sure if the person I'm giving it to is frilly though she seems to be a clean cut kind of girl. She went to Morocco to meet a guy who happens to be a friend of my husband's. I'll put photos of her and him that they sent us on these pages.

The tag insert has a patterned front to adhere more photos and a plain back for journaling.

For this mini album, I only used 4 envelopes (approximately 7x5"). I wanted to keep it small and simple so that she could take it to work and show her friends photo from the trip.

I actually made a Christmas one first.

I didn't do anything special to the tags, as you can see. Just a place to put photos and on the other side, there's a blank space for journaling.

Lessons learned: Make sure your eyelets match the holes made by your eyelet maker. I used Making Memories and didn't check to see which was being used and the holes were bigger than the eyelet and they sort of kept coming apart once I put the rings in.

These are actual Christmas gift tags I found at Michael's and were only $1.49 whereas the other die cuts usually cost around $4.99 for this quality. I removed the string and just adhered it to the flaps.

Overall, I really like these envelope mini albums. I plan to make more but will make sure holes, eyelets and rings work prior to putting it all together. ;P

We'd love to have you become a follower and take our blinkie to your blog and tell others about this wonderful blog; especially ways to save and make gifts for those you love.

Happy crafting!

Gifts for Everyone

It's that time of year, isn't it? The economy is not doing us a favor with the predicament it is in; however, you'll still be able to give cute little what-nots to family and friends. Here's one idea I got from Stampin Inspirations by Maria:

Isn't this the cutest little goody bag? Guess what, it is a standard envelope. I've covered the front and back with designer paper.

You can even stamp images on plain colored card stock and use it too.

I put a snowflake and gem on the front of the candy, which is wrapped in more patterned paper. In fact, if you get the double sided paper, you'll save even more money. The candy is your typical Hershey bar (this one has nuts) and you can buy a bulk or so and save.

I added a chipboard embellishment, a ribbon and a sentiment ticket. There you have it - a gift under $5 but more valuable because it is handmade (and edible). The person can easily use the envelope to stash paper things like receipts, pieces of notes, etc.

How lovely is that? So why not become a follower and post our button on your blog so others can find a freebie gatherer place to call home?

Happy Saturday!

Old Photo Album

What a beauty of a blog we have for you now....This link was sent to me from 1cardcreator (Diane) thank you so much!.. See we can all come across something and think how big this resource will be when we find it all!

Isn't this just a stunning photograph and there are more at this wonderful site...

All she ask is...

Free PHOTOS, PRINTS ADVERTISING,

DRAWINGS and ARTWORK.

These are FREE PHOTOS.

You may use them for anything,

but DO NOT put them into a collection for sale.

Thank you.

So get yourselves over there and get crafting!

But don't forget to follow us.. and if you use an image.. maybe come back and leave a comment with a link to your site on this post .. so we can all see... maybe you would also like to use our logo on your site...

Here it is....Old Photo Album 

Easel Card Tutorial

A tutorial here for the Easel Card.. the ones that are cropping up everywhere. 

Pictures steps along with diagrams.. very easy to follow.. how do I know.. cause I did the tutorial so has to be!!

Just a couple that I have made... so well worth giving it a try... once you have the idea of them.. you can make them bigger, the principle is the same.  Let us know if you make any as we would love to see them!


Here is the link... Crafty Cardz   

Please don't forget to tell your friends that we are here... follow us and maybe take our logo and put on your own blog.. ooo what about a comment or link back to your own creation from the template..Happy Crafting!

The Boxes Have It!

Have you seen those cute little 4-drawer boxes? Some even have an easel card on top. Well, if you've ever wondered how to make one and didn't want to buy the tutorial or the kit, check Kirsten's Blogg - she has put up a tutorial. Check out her blog - she makes some of the most awesome projects ever!

I thought it would be nice to try this...a second time. The first time was crappy, so if this is new for you, use scraps first, then move on to the cute papers you have. I learned that cute papers are key.

I wanted to keep the top simple because I think my paper (K & Company) is so cute. It has Santa there with a gift and there's that cute image from Tellen's Place of Edward and Ally all huddled under the Christmas tree. The dotted bow works well with the dotted paper. I used Lisa's Paper Town sentiment tickets because they're already printed and I don't have to think what to write. Sometimes, I just can't think... :D

I added a snowflake on each corner where the lace punch (Martha Stewart) papers didn't connect. Isn't the snowflake cute - like filigree - a pearl is a nice touch with the bows adhered to fabric lace on top of that.

If you open the card up, more embellishments (Making Memories) on the left. On the right I distress inked the lace punched paper with Versa Mark Hint of Pesto and adhered it to layered pattern paper. I cut out the presents from the paper I used on front, punched a tree with Martha Stewart's Xmas tree & ornaments punch, adhered those babies nad completed the box.

The knobs were colored with Copics.

The doubles sided paper worked particularly well so that you have something colorful inside the drawers as well as outside.

All in all, it's a cool (and free) project!

Here's a second one I did - pretty in pink.

The possibilities are endless in a crafting world, aren't they? ;)

Don't forget to follow us and post our logo on your site to tell others of our goodies we find for you. 

Happy Crafting!

Digital Doodling

Yep another FREEBIE for you...

Nip over to Digital Doodling cause she has reached her 200 followers and is giving away a lovely image of Tilly Claus.

Great in time for those that haven't finished their Christmas cards this year!.. of course the image on site doesn't have the watermark on. 

 Wendy has just taken on a new DT member and also runs challenges.

Ok.. don't forget to follow us.. tell your friends by hosting our logo please... leave a comment if you like some thing or even pleased we are finding all these freebies for you!

Here is her link....Digital Doodling   Happy Crafting.

Tellen's Place Challenge.. Freebie

Ok.. Ok.. now is your chance to grab a fantastic FREEBIE that Tellen's Place is giving away with their challenge this week...

Nip over there to see...  I entered the challenge so the image on the front of this card is the one you can get...

Quick.. oh and don't forget to follow us to see what we come up with next.. tell your friends and how about putting our logo on your site :))  Don't want much do we lol

Here is the link..... Tellen's Place