Fancy Smancy Gift Card Holder

This Men's Billfold is so neat! I found the directions on Lorri's blog. It looks like it would be hard, but it's really quite easy, although maybe a little time-consuming.

I made this a while ago and was saving it for a perfect occasion. I got one! My husband and some friends recently tiled our kitchen and this went to one of the guys with a huge thank you (and a Lowe's gift card). We are so blessed to have great friends! I typed "Thank you" on the computer and matted it on the front. I forgot to take a picture of it like that, though, so the front looks very boring...


I cheated for the picture and put two small magnets inside to hold the wallet closed for the pictures because it kept wanting to pop open. When I gave it, I was able to tuck it in an envelope, so it's okay that it doesn't stay closed on it's own.


The inside, empty.


The inside, full. Unfortunately, that's not what our friend got inside his. :-)


Look how much you can stuff inside!


If I ever make another... maybe?...I think it would be fun to give this with pictures in the pockets. Or maybe the kids could draw pictures and we could trim them down and put them in the pockets. Or handmade coupons that fit for the recipient. Hmmm, lots of neat ideas!

Here's another take on the same wallet.

And, yet another take on her design.

Here's a neat idea for a sort of similar wallet, maybe more for a girl instead.

A Little Birdie Told Me Paper Pieced Card

I am trying to be more consistent in my scrapbooking and stamping and not so sporadic! I think doing challenges and using sketches will help me!

This card uses this sketch as well as Gina K's challenge to paper piece on the card. Sorry the picture is so small. I deleted my original picture, then couldn't find where I found the original and had to use that one. Anyway, maybe you get the idea...


I had already decided to use the bird on my next card and had cut him into a square, so I didn't follow do a circle image.


A close up of the paper piecing. We were also challenged to use metal, which I didn't realize until after I'd finished the card. Hopefully you can't tell the clip is an after-thought. *grin*


Check out more cards made using the Verve Sketch and Gina's You Want a Piece of Me? challenge!

Stamps: Fairest of Them All Bird
Paper: cardstock, My Mind's Eye patterned paper
Tools: copic markers, paper cutter, paper distresser

Baby's First Christmas Ornament

I "met" a gal on etsy that lives in Longview (and even knows a friend of mine--what a small world!) and she asked me if I could make a square, wooden ornament that was personalized on all sides for her son's First Christmas ornament.

She showed me a picture of what she wanted and asked if I could make it cheaper than the one she'd found.

I am pleased to say that I made it for half what she would have had to pay and minus the shipping since she's in Longview, too.

I'm letting it dry completely (so it's not "tacky") before I let her know it's finished, so I thought I'd take some pictures.

I was pleasantly surprised to find that it was actually quite simple to make. Maybe I'll do a tutorial for anyone interested in making one of their own. You could probably figure it out yourself, of course, but it's always fun to have someone walk you through it.

Here's a front view. She wanted Christmas paper, but not girly colors.


Here's an attempt at a picture of the bottom.


An attempt at a picture of the top.


I distressed the edges and then sealed the paper with mod podge and the exposed wood areas with a varnish.

I was going to try to use beads somewhere, but I'm just not seeing where. I could hang a short strand from the hook on top and let it drape over one side, but I'm just not sure.

So, Merry First Christmas to Connor!

Gingerbread cookies and Christmas notes

The plan was to sing carols to the neighbors as we delivered these gingerbread cookies and Christmas cards.






In the end, all we did was deliver them and wish a Merry Christmas (it was cold and kids were cranky), but we all enjoyed making the cookies and I had fun making the cards.

I actually used clip art for the snow people image. I knew I had a gingerbread stamp, but I couldn't find it anywhere. So, I searched online and used a simple clipart image I found.

Wouldn't you know it, I found the gingerbread stamp a few hours after I finished the cards... Figures.

Merry Christmas to you and your family, with or without the Christmas carols. :-)

Girlfriends and Coffee

I have a sweet friend with a thoughtful husband who sneaked around behind her back getting together enough cards so that she could get birthday cards all month before her birthday. Since I didn't know when she would be opening my card, I never posted it here. Then I simply forgot.




I know I used a sketch, but I can't seem to find which one...

Stamps: no name, set of 2, by Inkadinkado
Paper: cardstock, My Mind's Eye patterned paper
Tools: copic markers, paper cutter

Teacher Gift and Card

This year, I had a blast making Russell's teacher, Mrs. Cole, a Christmas gift. I saw a GREAT idea months ago from Tip Junkie that led me to Dawn's blog. She had a wonderful idea posted for a teacher gift.

Well, yesterday, while Randall was under the weather, I got to work. It took me about 30 minutes and I still couldn't get it to look how I wanted, so I e-mailed Dawn and asked what program she used and such. She was so, so sweet to offer to just do it for me (I think I sounded pretty pitiful...).

So, this is a group effort:


I was very pleased with how it turned out and Mrs. Cole seemed to really like it. It's a frame that can be displayed for years to come.

Here's the card that I remembered this morning that I wanted to make! I bought the stamp a few weeks ago (when it was on sale, of course!) knowing I wanted to make a teacher card with it. I colored him to look like Russell.


It was quick and easy and I followed this sketch:


Here's a close up of the lunch bag. It kinda looks like it's full of food from the top.


Both together. The ribbon topiary to the left is the Christmas craft we made for our last MOPS craft. Isn't it cute?!


I meant to make two for Randall's teachers, but time got away and I totally forgot. I might still make them for after the holidays. Next on my gift-to-do list, gifts for Sunday School/Kids' Church teachers.

Christmas Shopping

Just a reminder: You can shop from other moms by shopping Tip Junkie's Mom-Preneur Shop-A-Thon!

I think you will be pleased with all the selections available! It might take you all day to make it through all the shops!

See if you can find me on there! It's like Where's Waldo? :-)

Save yourself the hassle of going in and out of stores. There are lots of different options and categories--I'm sure you'll find something for everyone on your list! And, many of them are very reasonably priced!

So, what shops did you like best? Who are you considering purchasing from? Who did you already buy from? Did you even click on the link?! :-)