Matchbox Advent Calendar {Mini Tutorial}

Thanks to Pinterest, I decided to make an Advent calendar for Brett and I.  There are so many great ideas out there, but I needed something quick, cheap and easy.  So I decided upon a matchbox advent!

To make this advent calendar I did the following:

1. Gather empty matchboxes (or buy 3 packs of 10 at the dollar store and empty out the boxes)
2. Make a template to use to cut out scrapbook paper (I just wrapped a small piece around a matchbox and made little cuts on the edge and then used my paper cutter to trim it down)
3. Select  scrapbook paper and cut out covers for matchboxes
4. Using spray adhesive, cover the matchboxes with the cut paper
5. Punch/cut out circles from scrapbook paper
6. Stamp 1-25 onto circles (you could also print out the numbers and then cut them out)
7. Adhere circles onto matchbox with spray adhesive
8. Hot glue magnets onto the back of the matchboxes
9. Fill matchboxes with activities, candy or tiny gifts/ornaments
10. Put matchboxes on fridge or other metal surface (I am using a cookie sheet from the dollar store-I may paint it red and attach something to hang it, but it will have to wait til after the move!)

Easy peasy! 

Since it's just Brett and I, I thought it would be a good idea to put activities for us to do together inside the matchboxes.  In this busy time of year it's easy to get caught up in the holiday preparations and over look spending time with our spouse so I wanted to avoid that (especially since it is our last Christmas just the two of us!).  Here are the activities we will be doing (but in a different order):

• Bake and decorate sugar cookies
• Watch A Christmas Carol
• Drive and look at Christmas lights
• Make peppermint bark
• Wrap presents together
• Read the story of Christ's birth (in Luke)
• Enjoy hot some homemade hot chocolate
• Watch Polar Express
• Decorate the Christmas tree
• Take spare change to the Salvation Army bell ringer
• Buy each other's stocking stuffers for under $10
• Watch The Grinch Who Stole Christmas
• Play a board game
• Have a candlelight dinner at home
• Send out Christmas cards
• Make a gingerbread house
• Attend Christmas Eve Service
• Plan & go on a free date
• Watch Elf
• Participate in an Angel Tree or Food Drive
• Listen to favorite Christmas music
• Take cookies to friends and/or family
• Make ornaments
• Take a family picture
• Go see a Christmas movie

Did you make an advent calendar this year?  I'd love to see it so let me know if you did!

My Memories Digital Scrapbooking Software {GIVEAWAY & Free Printable!}

I have never really gotten into scrapbooking, but I have recently been interested in digital scrapbooking.  It seems so much easier and more practical when all my photos are digital, and there is no mess to clean up (I have plenty of other crafting messes to deal with!). 

I was so excited when My Memories contacted me about trying out their digital scrapbooking software!  It was so easy to download the software (you can download it or have it shipped) and get started!  My Memories offers lots of free and paid kits that you can download to get papers and embellishments.  You can also use any other digital scrapbooking kits you may have downloaded elsewhere!

In no time at all I had made this Christmas printable (that you can download for free! Just right click and save.) and page with my husband and I from last Christmas.   The software is very easy to use and doesn't take long to get used to!  They even have templates to use so all you have to do is add pictures (the snowflake page was a template)!

And in the Christmas spirit, My Memories is letting me giveaway a copy of their software to one of you all!  To enter you first need to be a follower of this blog (just click "Join This Site" on the right side).  And then leave a comment for each one of the following (for one entry each):

1. Visit the My Memories website and comment which digital scrapbooking pack you would download first!
2. Have a friend enter the giveaway (just have them comment who sent them)
3. Share the giveaway/blog post on Facebook
4. Follow the My Memories blog
5. Follow My Memories on Facebook

The giveaway will close on Saturday December 3rd, 2011 at midnight CST.  If you don't win the giveaway, you can still get the My Memories Suite software for a discounted price!  Just be sure to watch for the announcement of the winner...the code will be given then!   Just a tip..the My Memories software would be a great Christmas gift for the scrapbooker or crafty person in your life! 

31 Days of Handmade Gifts: Day 24 {Book Page Gifts}

Welcome to Day 24! You can find the other 31 Days posts here.

One of the biggest "crazes" of the craft blog land is book pages.  They are cheap (Goodwill sells books for $.50) and make unique decor.  I have gotten a lot of comments on everything I have made out of book pages (now that I think about it I think that's only three items, but people have loved them!)

Here are some of my favorite book page crafts.  I think for gift recipients that like home decor items, these would be great gift options.

Book Page Wreath

This is the book page wreath I made. (Inside the frames are more book pages).  My tutorial for the book page wreath can be found here. 


Glitter Book Page Ornaments

Image Source: Flea Market Style Mag

I found these on Pinterest and they are on my must make list!  I might even make some for myself they are that cute!  You just need any ornament (craft stores sell glass and plastic ones in packs and with a coupon they are quite cheap), book pages, glitter and modge podge.  A sealer would help the glitter stay in place.  I also really like the Noel tag, it gives them a great vintage look.

Rolled Book Pages Monogram 

Image Source: Little Things Bring Smiles

Ahh how cute is that!  This is just book pages rolled up and glued to a wood letter from the craft store. You could also use flat book pages or little ripped up pieces and modge podge it on.

Vintage Book Page Pomander

Image Source: Our Footprints

 This is definitely on my DIY decor to-do list!  It's so vintage and cute and would look great anywhere!  The hard part would be deciding where to put it!  You can find the tutorial over at Our Footprints.  But all you would need is a candlestick and foam ball from the dollar store, some book pages and hot glue!

What's your favorite book page craft/gift?

115 Days til Christmas!!

Yes, I'm counting!  This year I am very excited for Christmas (I'm excited every year, but more excited this year for several reasons).  One, once Christmas comes, it mean moving back to Kentucky (hopefully) is right around the corner!!  Alabama isn't bad, but it isn't "home" with all of our friends, family and familiar surroundings.  Second, I am feeling a little more prepared for Christmas and gift-making since I am starting to think about it now.  I have never started this early.  Never.  I am a habitual procrastinator so this is progress.  Third, I am just plain tired of these 90 degree temps.  I am so ready for cooler weather.

While blog-browsing I found something to get us all in the Christmas spirit.  I can't wait to print mine and put it on our mantle! 

 

I don't know about you, but Elf is one of the best movies to get me in the Christmas spirit.  For a limited time you can download this file for FREE!  So head on over to Less Cake {more frosting} to get yours before they aren't free anymore.

I have some fun things to share in the next few weeks, so come back soon!

Christmas Gift Projects

I didn't intend to take such a long break, but I was incredibly busy before Christmas with shopping, making and wrapping presents.  Then during the holiday I enjoyed time with our families.  And then I developed a cold that turned into a sinus infection so I haven't been doing much the past week besides work and sleep.  Yesterday was my New Years holiday so after staying in bed for a really long time I took down our Christmas decorations and strategically put them away in one tiny closet.  Now I can work on more projects!  But first I have to organize our office/craft room/storage room/laundry room extension.  So I might have to take another small break to get that knocked out!  

But I wanted to share what I made for Christmas gifts this past Christmas!  I learned the very basics of sewing Monday before Christmas (which was Saturday) and sewed my last gift Christmas morning.  Yes I am a procrastinator.  

My first project: A camera strap for yours truly.  

I started with something for myself because I didn't want to mess up a gift.  It was a success for my first ever project!!

Decorated Dish Towels

I used a stencil I purchased and fabric paint to make this fleur di lis.  The towels were flour sack towels from Target (also available at Sam's Club).

For this towel I sewed black and while striped ribbon on.  I LOVE this ribbon.  I have discovered through clothing purchases that I am currently obsessed with stripes.  This is evidence.

Bed Buddy 

I will be making more of these!!  It is a replacement for a Bed Buddy (the thing you put in the microwave to put on your neck or other sore parts).  The purple fabric is a cover that can be removed and washed.  

Fleur Di Lis Tote

No actual sewing involved here, but I cut out a circle (using a plate as my shape to trace) from black & white polka dot fabric and used heat n bond to adhere it to a canvas bag.  Then I used freezer paper to make a fleur di lis stencil.  Check out this tutorial for freezer paper stencils.  The freezer paper worked better than the stencil I purchased!

Point and Shoot Camera Strap 

Super quick and easy, but so cute!

Another towel.  I used a doily from the dollar store and adhered it with stencil spray adhesive and painted over it with black fabric paint.  Sorry this picture is so blurry, I was in a rush and just now realized it!  This was my favorite, I didn't want to give it away!  But I did.  :)

A simple cute little birdy using green fabric paint and a freezer paper stencil.  

For this one I made a ruffle (so easy and good practice for beginning sewers) out of black and white polka dot fabric and sewed it on.  Another fave.

And a red ruffle for UofL fans.

I had planned to make other things but ran out of time.  So next Christmas it is!!  I'm excited to really get into sewing now and making lots of fun things.  There are LOTS of babies and baby showers coming up so they will probably be baby projects (not for my own though!)

And I can't do a Christmas post with out showing off my adorable nephews at Christmas.

Santa Claus, err, Elijah on Christmas with the gifts he brought.

I just love this one!!  He LOVES cameras and flashes!  He knows when you're taking a picture and gives a big grin!  Holding him is Grandpa (my dad).

This made me laugh!  Not intentional but he didn't mind.  Oh, if you were wondering, yes I bought that adorable onesie he is wearing.  

And this goober had fits of hating the camera and then just tolerating it.  No smile, just a second of toleration.  Love him to pieces though!!

DIY Christmas Ornaments

From various blog inspirations I decided to make a few ornaments for our tree this year.  I was getting a little sick of the plain glass balls so I wanted something a little more creative.

Here were my supplies.  I started out with a lot more glass ornaments than I ended up with because I messed several up and got impatient.  Hey, it happens.

I tried putting acrylic paint in the glass ornament and swirling it around.  But even after days it still wasn't dry, so I gave up out of frustration.  The ornaments were about $.40 so I wasn't too concerned.  I did have a few successes though.

#1: Glitter Monogrammed Ornaments

First I cleaned the ornaments by swirling alcohol around and letting dry overnight.  Then I sprayed spray adhesive on the inside of the ornament, making sure I got every spot.  Then I poured glitter in and swirled it around to cover the whole ornament.  I then sprayed a little more adhesive into the ornament so that the glitter would stick.  Then I took scrapbooking letters and placed them on the outside to make them monogrammed!  So easy!

Cost:

*Ornament - $2.50 for 4 large, 6 medium, or 8 small (originally $4.99, 70% off at JoAnn's right now!)

*Glitter - price varies, $2.99 for a medium amount, less with a coupon

*Spray Adhesive - varies, mine was about $6 with a 50% off coupon

*Letters - varies, mine were $1.39 (30% off of $1.99)

Total - $1.05/ornament (roughly)

#2: Sparkly Orbs

(I don't have a better name than this besides gems on a styrofoam ball ornament!) 

I really like how this one turned out!  I don't like the green as much since you can see the white styrofoam through the gems.  It probably would have been okay if I painted the styrofoam green, but I was too impatient.

I started with a styrofoam ball (from WalMart or the Dollar Tree) and began hot gluing on vase filler gems.  (The white ones were from Michael's and green from the Dollar Tree.  I liked the ones from Michael's better because they have different shades/colors.  If I had blues on my tree I would have gotten the really pretty blues/aquas they had.)  It's okay if there are big gaps, especially with the white gems, no one will notice!  When you have covered all you can, find the biggest gap and attach your hanger.  I hot glued ribbon on and put two straight pins to make the ribbon secure.  Wait a while before hanging, and make sure you put them on a low branch at first to make sure the hanger is secure.

One package made about two ornaments.

Cost:

*Styrofoam balls - 6 for about $3

*Gems - $2.00 for the white ones, $1 for the green

*Ribbon - $.99

Total - $1-$1.50 per ornament

#3:  Snowballs

These are my favorite, and I have a couple more to make (hopefully before it's time to take them down!)

First I cut the styrofoam balls in half that I had left over from the previous ornament.  Then I cut squares of fabric, about one inch in size.  I used a white muslin fabric I got in JoAnn's remnants section for cheap!  Then I picked a section and put a little Elmer's glue on the half circle and with a toothpick (sharp end cut off) began poking the center of a fabric square into the foam. Keep going until the whole half circle is covered!  Get close to the other fabric pieces, but not so close that there's no foam around each fabric piece.  Then I hot glued silver cord on the back as hanger.

Cost:

*Styrofoam balls - 6 for about $3

*Fabric - $.75 for about a 1/2 yard

*Silver Cord - $2.99

Total - $1 / ornament

#4: Monogram Snow Globes

These were definitely the easiest ornaments!  I cleaned the inside out with alcohol and let dry overnight.  Then I poured Epsom salt inside (looks a whole lot like snow!).  You can't put too much in, it gets pretty heavy and might weigh a branch down too much.

Next I put a silver glitter scrapbook letter on the outside (if I had a Silhouette I would have been much more creative! Santa?) and tied a bow around the hanger.

Done!

Cost:

*Ornament - $2.50 for 4 large, 6 medium, or 8 small (originally $4.99, 70% off at JoAnn's right now!)

*Epsom Salt - $1.75 at Kroger for 1 lb

*Ribbon - $.89 (sale!)

*Letters - varies, mine were $1.39 (30% off of $1.99)

Total - $1 / ornament

Four great ornaments for about $1 a piece!

 (guessing based on what I paid, didn't get the calculator out)

If you made ornaments this year, I'd love to see them!

Christmas Card Wreath Tutorial

I'm back!!  Apparently after the 12 Days of Christmas I needed a break!  Plus this week has been filled with Christmas shopping and being sick.  I caught the winter cold that's going around, most likely from Hubby.  But  I'm slowly getting better and don't collapse on the couch after I get home from work now.

So through blogging I've discovered I'm obsessed with wreaths!  While browsing Martha's site I found this one.

I really like this way of displaying Christmas cards so I picked up an embroidery loop and ribbon at JoAnn's.

Her site said to use wood glue, but I was too impatient with it so I used my trusty hot glue gun.

I glued the clothespins on alternating which way the clip part of the pin pointed.  I wish I had mini clothespins like Martha used, but I already had the normal sized ones.  I am terrible with making bows so I made a loop, hot glued that together and then worked for way too long to make a bow I liked.  Then I glued that on.

Here it is hanging on our wall:

And with Christmas cards!

Speaking of Christmas cards, here are ours now that the recipients should have gotten them!

Front:

Inside top & bottom:

On the 12th Day of Christmas

Linking up with Cait for the last day of the 12 Days of Christmas for a little Christmas Musings.

This is really more of a musing instead of several.  A couple years ago I gave as gifts a jar of potato soup mix.  I don't have a picture of the jar but here's something like what I gave:

And just imagine it was potato soup inside!

Supplies:

1 qt. jar with lid

Cardstock

Printer

Thin ribbon/string/yarn/raffia

Tissue paper/fabric

Ingredients for approximately one jar:

1-3/4 cups instant mashed potatoes


1-1/2 cups dry milk


2 T. instant chicken bullion
(or vegetable if making for a vegetarian)

2 tsp. dried minced onion


1 tsp. dried parsley


1/4 tsp. ground white pepper


1/4 tsp. dried thyme


1/8 tsp. turmeric


1-1/2 tsp. seasoned salt



*Combine all ingredients in a bowl and mix. Place in 1 quart canning jars.

*Decorate with your supplies.  If your lid is 2 pieces place round disc on 1st, then fabric, then outer rim. 

*Print the following instructions on card stock, cut out and attach to each jar.

Potato Soup

To Serve: Place ½ cup of soup mix in a soup bowl and add 1 cup of boiling water.  Stir until well blended.

Makes 6-8 servings.

Mix in bacon bits and cheese to make it loaded potato soup!  Enjoy!!

I got a lot of compliments that the soup was great, and it was easy to put together!

On the 11th Day of Christmas...

Linking up with Cait at TheBlessedLife for the 11th Day.

I have a hard time with today's topic, being thrifty at Christmas.  I usually get caught up in the sales and buying for other people and go over budget.  Oops!  But this year I'm definitely doing a lot better. I want to  make a lot of gifts so there aren't too many things I'll be buying.  Last night I did most of my shopping so from now until Christmas I'll be busy crafting & sewing (not to mention learning to sew!).  Here are the few things I used when I shopped.

* Buy a Sunday newspaper ($1.75) and look through the ads.  This will help you with the next two items.

*Keep an eye out for coupons.  I saved $20 last night at Bed Bath & Beyond using the coupons I've accumulated the past few months (they take expired coupons). I also used coupons at Ulta and Bath & Body Works.

*MAKE A PLAN!  This is the biggest tip.  Before you even walk in to a store make a list of what you will get each person.  It will save you time at the stores and probably frustration from crowds.  After you have a list, break it up by store.  

*Remember that Christmas gifts don't have to be expensive to mean something to the recipient.  Most people enjoy gifts where the giver spent more time putting the gift together/creating it than money.  My encouragement, get creative!  Use google to get ideas from gift lists others have put together.  Good luck!

On the 10th Day of Christmas

Linking up with Caitlin for the 10th day for Christmas Decorations!!

I proudly bring you our Christmas decorations for Christmas 2010.  Remember, we live in a 900 square feet condo.  Space is not something we have a lot of so decorations are not high in numbers.  But I love what we do have!


Here's our door to greet you. 

The wall to the left when you walk in.  We recently hung the signature frames from the wedding with the wreath I made!

Closeups:

Our Nutcracker "calendar"

 

My Christmas hurricanes.  Left one filled with book page circles, tied with ribbon.  Right one filled with a white candle (the "religious" ones from the dollar store) and two red and brown picks. They are on top of a red place mat.  It looked too plain with out it.

Since our TV is on our mantle, I have to decorate the floor.  Kind of awkward, but it works.

Our tree! 

This year's ornament.  I love it!!

Our little table next to our tree.  I love eiffel towers and couldn't pass this one up on sale at Michaels.  Behind it are mosaic candle holders from Dollar Tree.  I love mosaic decorations!

Fleur di lis bowl (love love fleur di lis too!) filled with ornaments and my B&BW Spice candle.  I love their covers!

Snowmen are a fave too.  These are from my mother in law.  This one is me (I think)

And this one is Brett.





Hope you enjoyed the tour of our decorations!!