13 December 2010

A Christmas Card


Let me tell you about something I came across
in the public garbage can. I found a clear plastic
bag (sealed) containing these:

CD envelopes!
Fifty pieces of clean, unused CD envelopes!
Clearly, nobody had wanted these, so I helped myself
to the stack. {But please know that no matter how much
I like making stuff out of "trash", I don't go through
other people's garbage bins. Heehee!}

Okay, here's what I eventually used them for:

TADA!
My 2010 Christmas card!
Inspired by this card I crafted last year, I decided
to include a handmade ornament.

Using this salt dough recipe, I made heart-shaped
ornaments with a cookie cutter. I added a hole on top
with a skewer and then baked these in the oven.

After cooling, I painted the hearts in a sparkly silver.

Then I slipped in a silver cord through the hole
and attached the ornament on red card stock
(trimmed to fit the CD envelope)
with a holiday message.

I wrote more personal messages on the
back plus a suggestion on how to use
the ornament: on a tree, a wreath or
around a doorknob.

I hope my relatives and friends
like this card + ornament that they
can use year after year!

10 December 2010

Mint + Chocolate


Howdy! Look at what I have as a blah today:

An empty chocolate and gum box.

A bit blah but I like these because they resemble envelopes.

But nothing that gift wrap can't solve.

I added dimension with layers of these scalloped coins
(made from a puncher).

Plus a little contrast with fuchsia sequins.

These make for nifty gift boxes for small presents
but have lots of impact.

Have a great weekend!

09 December 2010

Generic to Fantastic


If you're giving away gift cards for the holidays,
add a little personality to the packaging.

When you purchase the gift card, it sometimes comes with an envelope.
But isn't this so blah?

Make it TADA!
Add some glitter & bling to match the
sparkle & shine of the holidays.

This tinsel was from a gift I got last year
that I simply hot glued on the face of the envelope.

Add the card and a brief, cheerful message!


08 December 2010

Gingerbread Lady

All this week, I'm sharing some wrapping ideas
for small gifts that you'll be giving away.

When the holidays come around, there's
a lot of baking involved & packages received.
Make sure to save those empty boxes!

These are blahs that can become TADAs!

I can't help but think of gingerbread people
at this time of year. So I took out the cookie
cutter and traced the shape on the cardboard.

Then I painted it all over in a festive color &
attached some ribbon at the top with hot glue.

Tada! It looks like an ornament!

By adding two holes, it can be used to
"wrap" a pair of earrings.

Something you made yourself or found at a craft fair.

You can use it to highlight a necklace, too.

Tuck this gingerbread lady in a small gift box
if you want to keep the gift a surprise.


07 December 2010

Bear-y Christmas!


Hi there! Thanks for stopping by and thanks for
visiting Delia's blog yesterday where I turned a blah paper bag
into a TADA! envelope. Perfect for money gifts and tips.

Today, I have another idea to "disguise" a gift card
(some people may think it's impersonal to give a gift card,
I don't -- I think it's practical and let's the recipient pick
what he or she really, really wants!)

Blah: a teddy bear that was a promotional freebie.

Remove the tag and replace with a small envelope
(I made this using construction paper).
Secure it to the bear with ribbon or small amount of hot glue.

Insert the gift card and finish with a sweet note.

TADA! No one can resist the charm of this bear
who comes bearing a gift!

Have a great day!



06 December 2010

Big Gifts in Small Packages


How was your weekend?
I hope you were able to find some "me" time in the midst of
holiday preparations and year end deadlines.

This week, I'll be showing you ways to wrap small gifts
that are big in value.

Today's blah:

A plain paper bag.

To see the TADA!, you'll have to visit
Delia's blog where I'm a guest blogger.

What are you waiting for?
It's time to hop on over to Delia's!



03 December 2010

The Gingerbread Man


If yesterday, I made my version of a gingerbread house,
today, I might as well make a gingerbread man, right?

So I'll start off with blah, empty food cartons like these:

Then cover each in left-over gift wrap.
Add some cord for the handles, attach
my good looking gingerbread man and...

Tada! A cute gift box!

Have a fantastic weekend!