recipe cards

Giving recipes away for a gift, especially if they are well loved recipes, is always wonderful. First, I printed up several of my bread recipes on colored cardstock (stampin up in color). On the back side that did not have the recipe, I added patterned paper and some rub-ons. Taking regular page protectors from the office supply store, I stitched pockets for each card. All the cards were different in size and that added to the charm. I left the top open, so that it could actually be a pocket. A hole was punched in the top corner where I added a ball chain closure and a bit of embellishment.
I still love this gift! It would be a great give for a bridal shower.
Here's a fun little recipe giving idea.

travel gift

Not sure where this idea originated, it may very well have come from me...who knows. But it was a well loved little book for my daughter when we were traveling one time. Finding some game templates online, I printed up several tic-tac-toe, and connect the dots, and a few word scramble pages to fill the book. Utilizing some chipboard in my stash, covered two pieces on both sides, embellished the front, and added book rings to keep it all together. Fun and easy. And well loved! All things making for a great paper project.




Isn't this gift idea adorable?

some birthday presents

A few more gifts to show off today. Always a great opportunity to use up your stash, as well as give away an embellishment or two that you might find yourself hoarding, or saying it's just too pretty to put in an album. Give it away...it is always loved and welcomed.

The gifts today were for a girl who's name began with 'M', so I went with that throughout. The above is a giant clip. I really love these and should make some for me. Have used this as a gift item very often and it is always well received. Today's gifts were part of a set, all going to the same girl.

This is an altered mini composition book. One should really keep these cute little books on hand for gifts in a pinch. I find them difficult to find at times. Again, stayed with the monogram theme and used papers from the same collection.

This framed work included some hand lettering to really personalize the whole gift set. This frame was in my stash. Probably found it for a dollar somewhere knowing I could do something with it. Love using up the stash.

Would love to see what gift sets you have put together. Link me up!

more gifts

Having three girls running around here makes for lots of girlfriends. And lots of girlfriends makes for lots of birthday parties to attend. Yet again...I have the need to make the gift. Wanted to highlight a few of these gifts here this week, as they could be translated into a teacher gift if needed. My girls genuinley love it when the present comes from me in this fashion. The gift then becomes an idea for them for their birthday, as they show so much appreciation for what was made.

The composition book above was a dollar buy at a local super store. Using these papers from Prima's collection Mommy and Me as well as well as some Scenic Route graph cardstock, I used this idea from Little Birdie Secrets to put this gift together. The post offers this book as a back to school idea, which would be great too. Sure wish I could have found those mini pens used on that original post, they really make the book. This item went together really well and is always a welcomed gift to the little writers in our lives.

Back tomorrow with more!

everyone loves cookies...

...especially cookies dipped in chocolate...

These are simple sugar cookies that I made. Thank you Better Homes and Garden-red-checkered-cookbook for a tried and true recipe. After baking the scalloped circle cookies, some were dipped in milk chocolate while others got a dipping in white chocolate. Stack them sweetly in a clear goodie bag, add a tag, and thank away...

have a great day!

celebrating cake...

over here...

Have a wonderful weekend!

more teacher appreciation

This idea is not new. As a matter of fact, Trish at WIP is my inspiration behind this gift. She has made available at her etsy shop this photo card kit. There are beautiful floral photos ready to be attached to the card. Envelopes are included and ready to be gifted away. These really saved me in a pinch. I went ahead and made up several batches of these sweet cards, and have them ready to go. The other day while walking out the door to another event, I remembered I needed a gift,...grabbed a set, arranged them in a mini gift bag with tissue, and it was a gift I would have been thrilled to receive.

I added a sentiment with some Stampin Up stamps on some of them.

Go check out her shop!

teacher appreciation month

Even though we homeschool, there are lots of end of the year occasions for teacher appreciation. My kids are in plays, enrichment classes, and clubs with all the end of the year ceremony that goes along with that. And since it is indeed teacher appreciation month, I want to share this week some of the gifts we give.
I HAVE to make the gift, or at least part of the gift. Just the way I’m built. Sometimes that gets a little crazy, but it’s the way I like it. One really simple idea to help with all the cookie bringing to different occasions is to make up several batches of snickerdoodles ahead of time and stick them in the freezer. So now I just grab a dozen or two, tuck them into a disposable bread tin, wrap them up, and we are good to go.

This simple gift was inspired by a digital kit over at House of 3. Using the House Warming List kit, I printed up the 'shop' list, used this notebook adhesive and glued the top to make a pad. (A small tutorial on the subject). Super easy, super fun. Found the take out box at Hobby Lobby, modified it a bit. Filled with basket filler, chocolate kisses, wrapped pad in tulle, and off we go. There are more than just the 'shop' list, so you could make more than one pad.
Fun gifts to give and thank those hard working teachers.
More tomorrow...

Woke to Mother's Day in my home with a basket full of chocolate, a yankee candle, olive oil body butter, and handmade cards from my children. Very sweet. Made for a wonderful start to a wonderful monther's day.

Us big girls went for ice cream and antique shopping...and had alot of fun. Look what a good sport my Mom is letting me take our photo in front of that mirror in the middle of the shop? To say she was a little embarrassed may be an understatement...but she did it anyway. She told me she wanted us girls with our photo today...she should know better by now.

So much to see, so much to touch...so much to want. Found a great Golden Books find about horses. It's a good size book, great condition...from 1968...does that make me an antique too??? Also continued my collection of vintage floral frogs. And, scored on a great postcard book of 1930's San Diego postcards. Sweet!

My sister..isn't she pretty?
...pretty goofy!
I enjoyed so much the simplicity of our Mother's Day celebration spent eating fabulous ice cream, looking at all things old and wonderful, laughing at the silliest things. It was a great day!

new 'places i go'

i have added a new link to a new blog...well...new to me as i just realized it today...jenni bowlin has not only added a few new designers to her team, but also a blog just for them to showcase their stuff. and it's a really great place to visit and be inspired.

Keisha Campbell is now on her team too. she is really amazing with her way around a 12x12. there is always some inspiration to be gained by that lady.

Amanda Johnson is new too. i just got really excited about this new place of inspiration. it's not suppose to debut until the 15th of the month, but there is already lots of eye candy, so go give it a peak!

have a wonderful day!!!

self portrait challenge

emily over at studio calico is hosting a self portrait challenge over on her site.

i felt compelled to give it a try.

here you go, emily...thanks for the challenge!

{supplies:: patterned paper:: studio calico, crate paper. die cut:: crate paper. digi journal block:: ali edwards. die cut and machine:: big shot (clear butterfly up in left had corner) other:: clear stamp}

hybrid and nsd

this layout is a little bit of a hybrid. you know what hybrid is, right? digital elements mixed with traditional paper elements. i use it quite a bit actually. the digital here is from ali edwards remember journal card kit. i liked the idea of it over the photo, it's what this layout is about. remembering this little girl as a little girl before she gets too much bigger. sigh.

{supplies: cardstock :: bazzill. patterned paper :: crate paper lillian collection. die cuts :: crate paper lillian collection. glittered brad :: imaginisce.}

thanks for stopping by today!!

national scrapbook day

how great is life when you have a whole day (weekend) celebrating scrapbooking? what a country!
i hope to get several things posted today to share with the world how much i love this artistic expression of life.
go here for a great kit to win this weekend in celebration of our art.

supplies: kraft cardstock:: stampin up. patterned paper:: crate paper. all die cuts and bird stamp:: crate paper. letter stickers:: basic grey. brush around photo:: rhonna farrer.
all product available in a kit from work in progress.