Gotta Make It: Handmade Birthday Card October 31, 2007

“I have learned that being with those I love is enough”

 

Here’s an idea for a cute handmade birthday card that took me only a few minutes to go along with the Letter Name Blocks and Gift Bag.  The pink & brown card was purchased in a pack at Impress, the flower sticker, polka dot ribbon, and “J” letter all came from Michaels, and the “happy birthday” embellishment was on sale at Jo-Ann Fabrics.  Once you have the materials it was pretty easy….you just attached them.  And Voila!  A cute, personal birthday card for a special girl. 

I didn’t go out shopping for any of these pieces to make this creative birthday card.  They were all pieces that I had in my collection.  And come to think of it- that is usually how I do my projects.  I look for good sales and if I like something I will grab it and figure out exactly what project its for later.  I actually like doing it this way because it forces me to be more creative and think outside of the box….and it saves me a lot of money!  When I go shopping for materials for a specific project I buy way too much and spend way too much.  But whatever works for you because its your project so…

Be inspired, get creative, and have fun!

Gotta Make It: Decorated Gift Bag October 30, 2007

“It’s never too late to live happily ever after….”

I needed a package for my Decorated Letter Blocks for a baby’s first birthday gift so I decided to decorate a plain white gift bag I had.  You can find a 10 pack of these gift bags for around $3 so they are always great to have on hand!

1.  Paint the gift bag (I did pink)

2.  Cut out scrapbook paper to the size of the bag.  

3.  Decorate your paper (I cut out the “1″ for her first birthday and used an ink pad to brush the edges to soften the look and then glued it on)

4.  Once your done decorating your piece of paper, attach it to the gift bag with glue.

5.  Take scrap ribbons that complement your color scheme and tie knots around the handle bag.  (See….you know you kept all that scrap ribbon for a reason!)

 6.  Voila!  All done.

You have an absolutely adorable gift bag that will have the recipient anxiously waiting to peek inside for more surprises!

Be inspired, get creative and have fun!  See you again tomorrow.   

Gotta Make It: Name Blocks October 29, 2007

“Everyday is a Gift”

Well, after some technical difficulties last night with our computer I’m finally ready to go for today’s post.  My husband decided to run “updates” on our computer and our computer and internet decided to revolt and shut down.  Funny how that happens.  And then guess who was up until midnight on the phone with Troubleshooting to get it fixed?  However, I can’t complain too much because to my surprise the person on the other end of the phone was extremely helpful and helped this non-technical person fix it in less than 30 minutes.  Now that is impressive! 

But on to the more fun stuff!  I’ve got children’s birthday parties and weddings coming up so I am concentrating on getting those gifts done this week and hopefully sparking some inspiration for you.  Today’s project are decorated blocks with paper, embellishments and GLITTER!  I used the wood blocks to spell out my God-daughter’s first name for her first birthday.    And look at how cute they are! 

 

The blocks for this project are about 1.5-2 inches in size and can be found at most craft stores.  They are significantly smaller than the one large block I used for the Halloween block.  Here’s a general rundown of how I went about this project:

1.  I started out by painting the blocks a bright red. 

2.  Then I measured one piece of scrapbook paper to fit on the block allowing a red perimeter to still show.

3.  I used that piece as my guide to cut out all the other pieces.  I personally used 6 different pieces of paper so there would be a different pattern on each side of the  block.

4.  I then Mod Podged the paper to the blocks and allowed to dry.  This takes a little time since you can only do a couple sides at a time. 

5.  When the Mod Podge was dry I added the Glitter Stickers on the front in Pink. 

6.  On the top, I used words that corresponded with the letter of her name and added some embellishments.  I cut some them our of scrapbook paper and used rub-on letters for others. 

7.  Voila!  A great gift for kids of all ages. 

Get creative and have fun with this one!  You could also use this as an opportunity to teach your child their name and other things that begin with the letters of their name.  For example, on the “J” block you could put a picture of a jacket on one side, a jar, on another, a jaguar on the third, and so on. 

See you tomorrow! 

Family Time & Looking Ahead to Next Week October 27, 2007

“Friends are the family we choose for ourselves”

Today I’m enjoying this gorgeous weather with my family and I hope you are too.  My husband’s crazy work schedule has finally allowed us to have him the whole weekend to ourselves and we will most definitely take advantage of every minute!  However, we’ve quickly forgotten how much longer a “To-Do” list takes when you have a toddler around. 

I hope you have enjoyed all the Halloween ideas, but I am ready to move forward to the other upcoming holidays and events!  In November I will be travelling back to Washington for a wedding and my best friend’s daughter’s 1st birthday (pheeww..that was a mouthful).  So needless to say I have got some presents to get crackin on.  Hopefully, if my “To-Do” list goes as planned I will be able to get those gifts done today! I have some fabulous ideas for the perfect gift for weddings and kids that I just can’t wait to share.  So be sure to check back with us on Monday!

Until then – have a fabulous weekend, be inspired, get creative, and have fun!

Gotta Make It…Lollipop Pumpkin October 27, 2007

“If the broom fits, ride it!”

Looking for some more decorative pumpkin ideas for those last minute halloween decorations?  Last week we showed that some stickers and ribbon can add  a little character to any pumpkin in minutes and today we have a guest post from the one and only….my mom!  She saw this idea from Martha Stewart on the Today Show and decided to give it a try.  She used a plastic pumpkin she found for around $5, drilled some holes, and popped the lollipops into them.  This fun and festive idea could be used for a centerpiece, left on the porch for trick-or-treaters, or for a fun game for the little ones. 

If you are having a halloween party for your little bugger(s) here is an idea that we used at our annual school fundraiser (ahh…the memories).  Make the pumpkin as described above, but before you put the lollipops in the pumpkin, color the bottom of each lollipop a certain color. For example – choose the colors, red, orange, black, and green.  Randomly color them and place them in the pumpkin so the colors cannot be seen.  Then have four ‘tubs’ that correspond with those colors.  Each tub has various toys, treats, etc in them.  When the child pulls the lollipop out of the pumpkin, he/she gets to pick a treat from the corresponding tub.  Its a very easy game that any age can play and still enjoy.   You could even use the same idea for an adult game – just have the color represent a specific shot of alcohol or any other fun and creative idea you can come up with. :)

The below picture is from Michaels.com as well as the ideas.  I love all the black & white pumpkins and the SPARKLE!!  Check out the how-to instructions here.

Gotta Bake It: Chocolate Crinkles October 26, 2007

This quote made me laugh……“RECIPE:  A series of step-by-step instructions for preparing ingredients you forgot to buy, in utensils you don’t own, to make a dish the dog wouldn’t eat.” ~Author Unknown  I’ll guarentee everyone will eat these yummy cookies though!!!!

This recipe is easy with no fancy ingredients or utensils needed!   Just note that the mix does have to chill 1-2 hours.  I chose to make this out of my favorite cookie cookbook, Better Homes and Gardens Homemade Cookies.  This came out of the same recipe book as those yummy, unforgettable Chewy Coconut Macaroons!  The Chocolate Crinkles taste like sugar-coated brownies and would be delicious with a bowl of ice cream! 

Prep:  30 minutes               Bake:   8-10 minutes              Chill: 1-2 hours      Makes:  48

Ingredients:       3 eggs
                            1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
                            4 ounces unsweetened chocolate, melted
                            1/2 cup cooking oil
                           2 teaspoons baking powder
                           2 teaspoons vanilla
                           2 cups all purpose flour
                               Powdered Sugar

1.  In a large mixing bowl beat eggs, granulated sugar, melted chocolate, cooking oil, baking powder, and vanilla with an electric mixer on medium to high speed until combined, scraping sides of bowl occasionally.  Beat in as much of the flour as you can with the mixer.  Using a wooden spoon, stir in any remaining flour.  Cover, chill in refrigerator for 1-2 hours or until easy to handle.  Shape into 1-in balls. Roll balls in powdered sugar to coat generously.  Place 1 inch apart on an ungreased cookie sheet.  I lay down a piece of parchment paper to avoid lots of cleanup.

2. Bake in a 375degree oven for 8-10 minutes or until edges are set and tops are crackled.  Transfer cookies to a wire rack; cool completely.  If desired, sprinkle with additional powdered sugar.

Nutrition Facts per cookie:  80 cal, 4g fat (1 sat), 13 mg chol, 19mg sodium, 11g carbo, 1 9 protein

For a person who use to never get her chocolate chip cookies to turn out even when it was the already mixed cookie dough (its true-ask my mom!) this book has converted me into a pretty decent baker!  I received it as a gift from my aunt for Christmas and I’m always asked for the recipes.  If you want to add it to your cookbook collection or use it as a gift for Christmas you can purchase it here.

Gotta Have It: Picture Postcards October 25, 2007

The postal service delivers mail six days a week to nearly 140 million addresses.  Every year this number increases by 2 million.  – Joe Baca      WOW!!!

…….

I love these photo postcards!  I found them at Wal-Mart in the photo paper & accessories section.  You get 8 in a package for $1.77….you can’t beat that!    Print your favorite photo at a photo kiosk and then stick it to the self-adhesive front, fill-out the back with your personal message and mail!  It is so easy and everyone always loves to get a surprise postcard.  I use it to send out pictures of our son to family and friends since we live on the other side of the country from them .  This is sure to put a smile on anyone’s face when they open up their mailbox and it is so quick and easy! 

Gotta Make It: Halloween Gifts October 24, 2007

“The manner of giving is worth more than the gift.”  – Pierre Corneille, Le Menteur

In need for a quick and affordable halloween gift or party favor?  Look no further because we have one you can do in minutes and you can even include your kids to help!  This halloween cone would be a great gift for your child’s teacher, your neighbors, or as a party favor.   Hang it over their chair or their door and they will be in for a great “Trick-or-Treat” surprise and your wallet will be happy too!

I took some scrap scrapbook paper I had and cut it into a 6 1/2in  square.  I then rolled it into a cone and used the good ole glue gun to secure it.  From there, let the decorations begin!  On the orange cone I used some scrap ribbon to glue around the cone and then at the top.  I then cut out the corner of a black piece of paper and glued it to the inside of the cone to give it that little extra contrast.  I had a “S” (our family friends first letter of their last name) to personalize the gift.  I took the “S” ran some thin ribbon through it, tied a bow, and glue gunned it to the cone.  I took some halloween candy, filled it up, and voila!  A stylish, thoughtful, easy, affordable Halloween gift. 

For the design below, I did the cone the same as above, but then decorated it a little different.  I traced around a ribbon spool to get the orange circle, cut two slits in it across from each other, and ran the ribbon through it to the back where I fastened it with glue.  I chose to write “Trick-or-Treat” on the front, but you could do any saying, name, etc.  And who says you can’t have a little sparkle around halloween?  My son helped me add some sparkles and we filled it with candy….keeping a couple for ourselves of course! 

Gotta Have It: Tombstone Centerpiece and Place Cards…from the $1 Store!!!! October 23, 2007

“I am thankful for the mess to clean after a party because it means I have been surrounded by friends.”  ~Nancie J. Carmody

 

It’s amazing what you can find at the Dollar Store.  I promise you one week you will be able to challenge me to do something and I will do it all with ease (and wallet friendly) from the Dollar Store! Ok – maybe I am being a little cocky, but why not…let’s give it a try!  So if you have a request send it to me at inspiremecrafts@yahoo.com right now!

I haven’t been to the Dollar Store for a long time, so with a few extra moments on Sunday my son and I took a little stroll down the aisles.  He was infatuated long enough with a mini mirror (how vain he is!) that I was able to uncover some great finds that sparked that creative corner of my brain. 

For awhile now, I have saved a list of funny tombstone names I came across online that I couldn’t figure out what to do with. My husband and I always like to have a good laugh and incorporate it into our everyday lives so I knew eventually I would have that ah-ha moment.  Well today was that special day.  I found these tombstones for a $1!  They could be used in a couple ways. 

My first suggestion – A humorous and spooky centerpiece.   Buy several of these tombstones and some stickers (I also found them at the $1 store) and spell out your favorite funny tombstone names.  I hope you get a little chuckle out of them just as I did:

 

 Justin Tyme
Yetta Nother
Barry A. Live
Dawn Under
Ted N. Buried
Yul B. Next
Bill M. Later
Lefty B. Hynde
Kerry M. Off
Fester N. Rott
Reid N. Weep
Sue D. Bum
Jess Gough
Barry M. Deep
U.R. Gone
Otta B. Alive
Mummy B. Ware
 

Once you have your favorites, get imaginative and create your own mini graveyard at the center of your table.  To get those ideas flowing here is one suggestion.  Buy some wheat grass that you can find in your craft store or fresh in a local grocery store.  Trim the grass and put the tombstones in the grass, add some fake spiders, cobweb, and flowers and voila! – you have a funny and spooky centerpiece that will be a great conversation starter for your guests.  

Onto idea #2.  Use the tombstones as your guests’ place cards.  Use the same $1 stickers to place their name on the tombstone and place at their setting.  Once again, get creative and use some plastic spiders and cobweb to make it extra spooky.    

 

I hope you enjoyed these ideas and perhaps they sparked that creative corner in your mind!  Please share some more ideas or pictures from your Halloween party!  Get creative, have fun…and share the photos! 

Family Time October 22, 2007

There are no days in life so memorable as those which vibrated to some stroke of the imagination – Ralph Waldo Emerson

We’ll be back tomorrow with more ideas…see you then!