You Rock, Valentine Sunglass Gifts!

Long time, no post! Life has been crazy lately!

I love Valentine's Day. I know it has such a reputation of being a "corporate holiday," but I like how my husband and I celebrate. Every year since we met, we spend V-Day together in a traditional fashion. Drive through Wendy's, then a picnic in front of the TV with a rental movie. When we feel REALLY crazy, we may even run through the Dairy Queen parking lot and pick up Blizzards! :) Anyway, I digress. Back to the idea I want to share!

 

My friends this year will be receiving "You Rock" Valentine's Day cards and Sunglasses! Here are the materials I used:

• Sunglasses, of course! I purchased mine for only $1.39 a pair from this vendor on ebay. I know we are getting close to the holiday, so you can always swing by Dollar Tree and pick some up for a buck a piece.
• Designed sheet of cover stock. I know I have an in on this one because I'm a graphic designer, but don't let that stop you! Michaels / Hobby Lobby have awesome scrapbook paper selections and stamps/stickers you can use!
• Ribbon
• Paper Hole Punch
• Eyeglass Cases (optional. I used them only for the cards I was going to mail to protect the sunnies)

 First, I designed by sheet and cut it to a larger size. This one is cut to 5.5" x 8.5" to fit an entire family's Sunglasses.

 I found it easier to punch 3 holes in a role to insert the arm of the Sunglasses to hang down from.

Tada! This set is for a family we know. One for Mom, Dad, and Baby (picked hers up at Dollar Tree) 

This pair is for a friend in Germany. I know it will have a long way to travel, so used a case to protect it. 

 Then cut down the sheet smaller with some scrapbooking scissors.

And tied it in place with a ribbon! I think she will be pleasantly surprised to be receiving a pair of sunglasses for Valentine's Day!

ENJOY! I'm excited for our day.

Traveling Craft Kit: Friendship Wrapped Headphones

I know. The concept of this is pretty "Duh, Melissa." But I am excited to share it anyways.

As my friends, family, and husband know, I have a very difficult time sitting still. I like to keep games on my iPhone, iPad, and crafts in my purse. Of course, traveling with crafts is pretty limited. Crocheting takes too long for my patience level, and knitting..... No way in H-E-double hockey sticks my brain will ever wrap around that. I have been making tons of these DIY Tangle Free Friendship bracelet headphones, and all of them are made on the go! I posted 2. See the links below!

My most recent pair made for Momma: Here

This link below includes the Mod Cloth instructions on how to make them: Here

So little of materials, and all materials so small. They even fit perfectly in a coin purse or eyeglass case! 

Only materials needed to include in your on-the-go headphone kit is your thread (I find it easier to wrap them around the embroidery thread holders beforehand), headphones, nail clippers to cut thread, and super glue. (Super glue optional. I like to use it to be extra safe. After all, these things do take hours to complete.)

This little on-the-go kit is always in my purse. Easy for me to take out to work on during my lunch hour, road trips, when I'm watching a movie, on a plane and during layovers. 

I think I'm going to make little kits for random gifts for birthdays this year, and for my friends and family that aren't crafty, a completed set. :)

Happy Monday!

Cozy Sweatpant Christmas Gift Basket!

Looking for a low cost, but heartfelt gift to give a family or friend this year? Why not go with sweats?! I love my collection of sweatpants (who doesn't?!) and find myself in them ALOT around the house during the holidays.

These super easy and didn't cost much. I purchased the hot cocoa, coffee mugs, and Basket at Dollar Tree and hit up Target and Walmart for the sweatpants. This one was made for a dear friend of mine.

I used some scrap die cut circles I found at my print shop that was going in the garbage. I hand wrote HAVE A on one, COZY on another, and CHRISTMAS on the last one. Then layered them, and tied them to the basket. I could have just slipped a card into the basket, but I will admit, I was in a bit of a hurry when I did these.

This was done for a family of three. Mom, Dad, and Baby will enjoy a cozy Christmas!


Happy Holidays! <3

DIY Chapstick Christmas Gifts

I really wanted to do something outside of the norm this year for Christmas "Cards". Thinking about it the other day, I remembered this Burt's Bees Chapstick gift mailer that I had found online awhile ago: 

http://www.giverslog.com/?p=11402

BINGO! Everyone's lips get dry this time of year. I started with her idea, then ran with it a little bit. End product? Chappy Holidays!

Materials needed:

• Chapstick (I got mine on sale 2 for $3 at Walgreens)
• 2 1/2" x 8.5" sheet to roll around chapstick bottle. 
• Masking tape
• Sharpie Marker
• Scissors

First, design your 2 1/2" x 8.5" greeting sheet of paper. I am a graphic designer, do designed mine on the computer, but you can get creative other ways if you like! Scrapbook paper, stickers, stamps, etc.

Cut out your sheet to fit.

Apply Masking tape to the edge and lay chapstick on top so that it will roll evenly inside the sheet. Then roll, roll, roll!

Write Unroll me with your Sharpie Marker on a piece of masking tape to seal.

I made bunches and they only cost .65 cents to ship each one (I shipped mine in small envelopes.) I can't wait to hear about what my friends and family think of the little surprise gifts they will be receiving in the mail!

These would also make wonderful stocking stuffers. Enjoy!