Turn Cancelled Postage Stamps into Gift Tags

Hello! Do you enjoy receiving Christmas cards as much as I do?

Every year, I collect all the cards I receive. As I've mentioned in this post, I punch a hole on the corner, gather them on a book ring, label them with the year, and then I put them in a plastic storage bin. 

I usually shred the envelopes as a safety precaution (since names and addresses are printed on them) and also to save on storage space. 

But a pang of guilt arrives when I see these pretty postage stamps. How could I shred Saint Nicholas or The Mother and Child? That would instantly put me in Santa's "Naughty List"!

So I cut out the postage stamps and used them to make some crafts: 

I made these gift tags...TADA!

Here's how:

I used some blank tags (you can make your own using card stock) and the other parts of the envelope like the area with patterns and shiny foil. 

I made a collage using the strips of paper and attached them to the tags with glue.

Using seasonal stamps and an ink pad, I printed these messages on the clean side of the envelope. I tried to keep my waste to a minimum...TADA!  

Then I added the messages on the gift tags with more glue:

No need to shop for gift tags! Why buy when we can D.I.Y.?

You can use this idea to make other gift tags depending on the postage stamps you have on hand: hearts for Valentine's, spring flowers for birthdays, or trains/vehicles to say "Bon Voyage."

Here are other ways I've used cancelled postage stamps for crafting:

To make fridge magnets...TADA!

To embellish a plain paperclip tray...TADA!

To decorate brown paper package tied up with string...TADA!

And to turn a plastic box from blah to TADA!

What are the creative ways you've used cancelled postage stamps? Let me know!

   

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Recipe Exchange

Hello guys!

Who doesn't love a recipe, especially one that is a family heirloom, passed down from a grandma, mother or an aunt?

This is one of many recipes from my mother-in-law. She was a great cook and isn't her penmanship pretty? 

These are from my dear friend Veronica who printed some recipes on her postcard collection and sent them to me when I was a newly-wed. I have used and kept them to this day.

These ones are from a recipe swap I participated in one Christmas. The top photo is from my swap partner Anjel and the bottom one is what I sent to my swap partner Morgan.

Recipe cards can feel quite outdated given that so many recipes are available on-line. But what I love about these recipe exchanges are the stories behind each one and how the cook has tweaked it to their liking (ex. less sugar, more lean meat, etc.). Plus points if they are handwritten, because lots of time and care was put into filling out these cards!

"Recipe exchange" is the theme for today's craft.

It's also inspired by this book that I got as a present many years ago.

Inside, there are a bunch of perforated recipe cards in cute pastel colors. I'm still deciding what recipes to jot down. But instead of just giving the stack in an envelope, I thought of a unique way to package the recipe cards.

I'm turning this tin container from blah to TADA!

It's empty inside.

I'll add a nest of shredded paper.

Then I can add the recipe cards once I fill them out.

The book also has these adorable tags.

I tied on some ribbon and they can become cookbook markers or gift tags...TADA!

These are what will go inside the tin container.

Oh, the book has a variety of food-related stickers, too!

I picked these to decorate the lid of the container.

A recipe exchange with bonus features any foodie will love...TADA!

Happy eating, happy crafting and if you'd like more crafty ideas delivered to your inbox, please subscribe here. 

Easy Envelopes

Hello everyone!

I guess you've noticed by now that every month, I've been making some kind of envelope. I used a variety of materials like a grocery flyer, brown paper bags, chocolate packaging, and tea envelopes. 

Today, I'm using gift tissue -- those thin sheets of paper for lining gift boxes or bags. This particular one is white with metallic flecks that look so fancy!

Just by folding the paper and gluing the middle and bottom ends, they instantly become envelopes.

I think they're both pretty and practical and you don't have to spend anything if you're in the habit of saving them for another use.

By adding stickers or ephemera, the plain envelope is transformed from blah to TADA!

This holiday tissue is bright and festive. How can you not reuse it? Folding, gluing and embellishing has yielded these envelopes with personality:

They are ready for any occasion! So, how do I use these envelopes?

To package gifts or handmade cards...TADA!

To wrap game prizes, cash or gift cards...TADA!

I love gift tissue because of their bright colors and prints. But instead of throwing them after use, I turned them from blah to TADA!

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Illustrated Menus Inspired by Chef Jacques Pepin

It's the week of Thanksgiving and I'm inspired by the great and endearing Chef Jacques Pepin. Over the years, he has taught us easy French meals through his TV show and a slew of cookbooks. I don't know if you're aware, but he's also one talented artist. His work has been featured in an exhibit and his favorite subjects include food, flowers, and chickens.

In fact, my husband and I acquired this print (that is personally signed) in 2020. It's displayed in our dining room and we find the colors truly joyful and love the abundance that it represents.

Chef Pepin has also illustrated menus over the years, memorializing food he's cooked and parties he's hosted:

via Jacques Pepin

via Jacques Pepin

via Jacques Pepin

Aren't they lovely? What a nice way to remember a meal!

So I thought, maybe I should illustrate our Thanksgiving Menus from now on using watercolor, brush lettering or calligraphy: 

Once the menu is finalized, I write it down on a sheet of paper (cardstock or watercolor paper would be my preference). I use a pencil, being mindful of the margins and the spacing at this point.

Then I use a brush pen while following the pencil marks that I made. I make sure the letters are legible and thicken all the downstrokes (as compared to the thin upstrokes). I let the ink dry then erase all the pencil marks.

Then I sketch out a border (I'm really feeling the autumn leaves outside my window) and fill it in with watercolor.

Here is the illustrated Thanksgiving menu that I made...TADA!

If it's a small party, I can make several copies and position one on each place setting. If it's a buffet, I can frame it for guests to know the names of each dish. Then I can send a digital copy of the illustrated menu together with the evening's photos to all of our guests. It's definitely a unique party favor showing the memories we've made.

That is how I'm turning a plain menu from blah to TADA!

To all of you who celebrate, Happy Thanksgiving!

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Monograms on Luggage Tags

I'm happy to see you today!

Whether luggage or a weekend duffel bag, I'll always attach a luggage tag to it. It's my small guarantee that I'll reunite with it if it ever gets lost. It's happened once and the luggage tag did its job!

I have a good number of luggage tags on standby, mostly plain leather ones like this one. They look a bit "blah" so I'm going to show you simple ways to make them "TADA!"

First up is this leather luggage tag. 

My friend gave me these monogram stickers that I haven't used.

Stick one on, front and center, and instantly we've got a stylish monogram tag...TADA!

Before sticking it to the tag, the back of the sticker can be reinforced with glue for more staying power. 

These luggage tags are made of plastic and are waterproof.

To add a monogram, I make an outline using white pencil (erase mistakes with a paintbrush dipped in water). 

Then I color in the monogram with white acrylic paint and a size 1 paintbrush. 

It will look like this after it dries...TADA!

For the other luggage tag, I'll likewise make an outline of the monogram with a white pencil.

I'll fill in the letter with a matte gold paint pen.

This is what it looks like...TADA!

Add some personality and personalization to your plain luggage tags and transform them from blah to TADA!

Since we've got a travel theme going on, how about crafting your own passport case, shoe bags and sleep mask? 

If you would like new crafty ideas delivered to your inbox, please subscribe here. See you next week!