By Janet
Here is my annual friendly reminder that thank you notes for holiday gifts are due (or, if you ask Emily Post, long overdue--the standard is to acknowledge Christmas gifts before New Year's Day)! Here is some inspiration to get you writing.
Whimsical Forest Thank You, Rifle Paper
Letterpress Thank Yous, Lilikoi Letterpress
Happy writing!
P.S. 11 Amazing Thank You Notes from Famous People
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By Jessica
This year, I have resolved to work with what I have and refresh my holiday displays without purchasing anything new, as much as possible. I did purchase this GORGEOUS Santa print that makes me smile every single time I look at my mantle, but, so far, nothing else. Which is how I ended up searching for ideas on a new topper for my tree that wouldn't cost me anything. Because while I may be working with what I've got, that doesn't mean I don't also want to change my theme/color scheme again. I'm a complicated woman.
I have fallen in love with idea of red, teal, and acid green with hints of white and sparkle so that's the path I've headed down. I have decorations that will work for me but no topper and I thought about just pulling out my doves and using them again but wanted something more funky, retro yet modern? I also, for some reason, have been obsessed with the idea of making things from paper this year.
I did some Google searches and some Pinterest searches and ultimately I ended up with two tutorials of a similar style. One that was more intricate and since it was made with glittered paper, more glittery as well and the other, more subdued and I suspect, since it was made with black paper, the one really spoke to me.
Obviously, I didn't use black paper (I still might somewhere this year) but I definitely went with that second tutorial to make my tree topper:
I followed that second link pretty much exactly with two exceptions:
1) Glue. I used hot glue to make it quicker and not require anything to hold the strips together while they dried. (NOTE: hot glue is HOT, have a bowl of ice water handy, in case of drips)
2) Measurements. Even though we were taught metric briefly in elementary school, I am still a lame American that knows inches not centimeters so my strips were 1/2" x 12"
This project required less than one standard 12"x12" sheet of cardstock scrapbook paper which I always have on hand and probably around 30 minutes total (that's being really generous with the time, I didn't time myself). So totally FREE, YAY! And also, totally GORGEOUS, YAY! I love how it resembles a celtic knotwork design and looks different depending on how you look at it, since it's open on the inside and sort of puffs out a bit.
I HIGHLY recommend making one of your very own or even making a bunch of these stars and just hanging them as decorations in front of windows, from the ceiling, around the mantle...the possibilities are endless.
Have you ever made your own tree topper?
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By Sara
I was alerted to a new-to-me photo card site that is running some incredible deals right now, just in time for holiday card season. Cardstore.com has a nice, condensed selection of holiday cards ranging from classic and traditional to modern and contemporary.
Cardstore.com has easy to navigate customization and the ability to upload any number of photos so you can "try out" different looks. Check back with them daily to catch their current deals!
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By Leah
'Tis the season for thanks, thankfulness, and thank you cards. And soon it will be time for Christmas cards and gift tags and new calendars and finding great items for all those mothers-in-law/preschool teacher/boss-types who are impossible to shop for.
This year I'm going to fly my hippy flag high and proud and pick up some things from Botanical Paperworks, who specialize in plantable paper goods of all kinds. Check it out:
Plantable seed thank you cards.
Plantable seed calendar. (My favorite. Each page grows a different herb or vegetable. LOVE THIS.)
Plantable seed confetti (for decorating your Thanksgiving table).
Plantable seed wine glass tags.
They have cards for holidays and special occasions, and also miscellaneous things like wedding stationery and favors, business cards, promotional products, and memorial products. (A friend of mine sent seed cards when her dog died, and although that might seem weird out of context, it was actually really lovely.)
Lots of great ideas here, for the holidays and beyond. (And the calendars are genius, aren't they?)
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By Jennie
Are you (like me, and) already thinking about your holiday cards? (Maybe not. I'm a little weird.) See, every year I think I'll get a jump on my holiday to-do list so I start thinking about my holiday to-do list eaarrrrly, especially my holiday cards, and every year I send the last card out by New Year's. Fine, Valentine's. Still, the goal is always to take care of these things early. I HAVE AMBITIOUS GOALS. I am just very lazy.
In case you're already ambitiously bookmarking or pinning cards on Pinterest, let me suggest tossing Minted into the ring of holiday card contenders.
There are hundreds of designs where these came from, too.
If shopping for holiday cards in September isn't your thing, Minted also has (lovely birth announcements, stationary, prints, business cards, SO MUCH MORE STUFF.
Any of this stuff can be yours, too, since we're giving away $50 (+ free shipping) to ALL Minted merchandise.
Fine print section:
Best of luck to all our readers! (Man, I really wish I could win this one.)
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by Leah
When it comes to Hallmark holidays, we're more of a handmade card + special activity family than a buy-a-gift one. For Father's Day this year, my baby daddy's getting a spinning photo card, courtesy of Martha Stewart.
Instructions are here. (Dear Martha: It's not really a three-step process if Step 1 has seven parts.)
Two things to add:
1. The directions are kind of confusing, so I recommend making a dummy version out of scrap paper first, so you can figure out what you're doing before you add the fancy paper and photos into the mix.
2. If you want the photo to actually spin on its own when Dad opens the card, make sure you wind up the photo first and then hold the photo in place so the string doesn't untwist as you're putting the card in the envelope. Then, when he opens it: TWIRL!
Cute cute.
{Photo credit: marthastewart.com}
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By Jen
There has been a lot of talk lately about chalkboard paint and how glorious it is for labeling things. I totally agree and I have used it in my own house. However, sometimes I don't want to put paint on something permanently.
So imagine my delight when I discovered chalkboard Contact Paper.
(Photo from: Amazon.com)
It works like regular contact paper, so you can remove it or readjust it. You can also cut it out in any shape you'd like. I borrowed a scrapbooking punch from a friend and punched dozens of little scalloped circles out of mine. Now I have labels on all my pantry items and all my spices in my spice drawer. See?
(Photo from: me)
The chalkboard contact paper isn't perfect, as it will only stick to smooth surfaces and it seems like the chalkboard markers smudge more easily on it, versus the chalkboard paint. But it is definitely worth buying a roll of if you have things to label.
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By Janet
Happy Mother's Day to all you Moms!
Remember making your mom a paper craft in elementary school? Something covered in glue, glitter, and macaroni? I've collected a few lovely (and free!) printable crafts to help you celebrate your mothers this year. Less macaroni and paste, but equal amounts of love.
Mother's Day DIY Card, Make Merry
Confetti Inspired Printable, Daily Suze (available in English and Italian)
Best Mom Ever Medallion, No Biggie
Breakfast Printables, Oh Happy Day
Mother's Day Quote, My 3 Monsters
Have a lovely Mother's Day weekend!
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By Jennie
Almost two years ago, A'Dell wrote about buying custom prints for wedding or baby gifts, and I loved the idea and thought of it often. Around the holidays, I stumbled upon A Vintage Poster, an online print store that offered the same kind of product -- beautiful, personalized prints.
I recently bought a print for my sister, with lyrics from a favorite song of hers. I was so pleased with how it turned out, I wanted to share it here:
Not only was I pleased with how the print turned out, but working with Sara, my contact at A Vintage Poster, was a dream. She was friendly, creative, and accomodating. I wish all small businesses had her dedication to a quality product and good customer service.
(I've since gone back for my second order!)
Seriously, I can't recommend this site enough. Thanks to them and to A'Dell for the idea, they have become my go-to gift for birthdays, weddings, new babies, and just because gifts.
Finally, if you order three or more, you get 25% off your order, so stock up!
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This post begins as most sentences I speak begin: "So, I saw this thing on Pinterest..." This specific time, the pin in question are these (adorable!) personalized-lined envelopes.
After my son's recent third birthday party, I wanted to personalize the thank-you notes (especially since I lost track of time and had to send en evite out for the party itself). These seemed easy but fun, which are two of my favorite words.
Steps!
The final result:
I used flat yellow cards for the note itself and just stamped a thank you on them.
Easy and fun, right? Use any photo for the liner and color combination for your cards/envelopes, and you have your own, personalized thank you notes!
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