Send a Smile: Easter Card Printables

There are few things I love more in this world than mail. "Real" mail. You know what I mean. A letter or a card has the potential to make my entire week. A package? I get so stinkin' excited I've been known to call friends just to tell them I got a package (P.S. Sorry if you've ever been on the receiving end of one of those pointless calls...). Luckily I'm not alone in this enthusiasm. Everyone I've ever talked to about has agreed that getting real mail is pretty much the best.




These little notes took just a few minutes to make but will hopefully be just enough to make a friend smile. And because smiling is important, I thought I would share them with y'all in case you know someone who loves mail too.



You can click any link below to download the one you want (if any, of course).

"Some Bunny loves you! ... Spoiler Alert: It's Me." 
"I could just eat you up! ... But I won't. Because I love you." 
"You're one of a kind... And colorful too." 

Printed on regular computer paper, they're quarter folded and then trimmed to 4" squares. You can add any embellishments you want; I tried a piece of ribbon on the peep card but decided to keep the others simple. The slightly more tricky part is the envelope. If you don't have a pre-made one on hand all you need is a piece of construction paper and some tape.



Fold the edges in 2" on each side, then fold the bottom up 4". Fold over the top leftover inches, then tape the edges. I used washi tape but later found that it could pop open pretty easily though so I would recommend using regular scotch tape either underneath, over top, or instead before mailing.

That's it! Then comes the REAL challenge: remember to send it in a timely manner... Does getting mail brighten up your day? What little thing makes you excessively happy? I'd love to know.

Sheila

Simple Glass Ornaments

WHAT. HAPPENED. TO. DECEMBER. 

Seriously, how is it already the 11th? I feel like Thanksgiving tricked me this year by being so late. Oops. If you're like me and feeling desperately behind, I have an easy project suggestion that would be great as a stocking stuffer or simple, elegant gift.



It's pretty simple, especially if you're comfortable with free-handed drawing. All it takes is plain glass ornaments, puffy paint, ribbons, candy and a dry erase marker if you want to sketch out your drawings before using the puffy paint.

 We wanted each one to be unique so we used about 16 different Christmas images: star, a strand of lights, a fire place, stockings, Santa hat, silver bells, candy cane, gingerbread man, ornaments, Christmas tree,  wreath, snow man, snowflakes, holly, and then a few logos of the organizations receiving gifts.

After the paint dried overnight, we filled them with M&Ms and put a ribbon on top to finish them. We then realized the candy made them VERY heavy and also easier to break. Instead, we used the candy as a layer of protection around the ornaments when we put them in the gift bags. Functional and tasty, 2 things I love. 

The dry erase marker is particularly helpful for detailed projects, like this Pensacola Beach sign. If you use the dry erase maker then just use a dry paint brush to wipe off any extra after the paint dries. It's kind of fun to do. I would find myself using the marker even when I didn't need an outline just because I enjoyed brushing it off later... Is that weird? Don't judge me.

Pretty simple, but fun to make and seemed to be very well received by the people they were given to (it was actually a work project, I wish I had this many gifts finished for friends!).

So you have any handmade ornaments on your tree? Have you spent a lot of time mastering the beast that is puffy paint? I'd love to know!

Sheila

Notebook Pen Holder

Now that Memorial Day weekend is over and I'm back in South Carolina, it's time to get back to business. How about a little something to help stay organized?

Have you seen Smash Books by K&Company? I think they're adorable. They're not paying me to say this, I just really like the stuff. Such a simple, but great idea that anyone can do. I've used a composition book like this for years. The accessories with the line are clever with a touch of whimsy. You've already seen the label maker in use with cereal box file folders. I fell in love with the elastic pen holder for the binders. It keeps the binder closed so nothing falls out and holds pens and pencils at the same time.

After multiple trips noticing these pen holders in the craft store, it seemed like it would be easy enough to make one customized for my little blog notebook. I would have bought the holder, but it would be way too big.

Isn't it cute? A good friend gave it to me years ago and I've saved it until there was a use cool enough to deserve it. Now, it holds bunches of post ideas and inspirations.

You will need:
Elastic, I used 1-1/4" thick. The length needed will depend on your notebook.
2" wide fabric strip at least 7" long
sewing machine, or needle, thread and perseverance

Start by wrapping your elastic around the notebook. It should stretch just a bit to overlap about a half inch, but not tightly. (If you bring your notebook to the store, you could pay just for the elastic you need. I don't think that far ahead.) Mark it and cut it to size.

Run a stitch across the overlap to make a circle of the elastic. 

Set the elastic circle aside and cut your 2" fabric strip. The length will depend on on your preference; 7" worked for this small notebook



Pin and sew a rough hem on the long ends of the strip. I was going for a lose, messy style so I didn't worry too much about the lines. Annnnnnddddd I never sew straight lines anyway.

Sew the short end of the strip over the top of the stitch that connected the elastic ends into a circle.

The best way to judge how far apart to sew the pen spaces is to use pens, oddly enough.

After a few pen spaces, I got the idea to include the second most frequently used item in the notebook: post-its. Each line was stitched twice, forwards and backwards, for stability.

I love it. It's so useful and fun, if I do say so myself. It took about 30 minutes using a sewing machine.

Do you have a "smash book"? Official or homemade. Would you want to include anything else besides pens and post-its in this holder? I'd love to know.

Sheila :)

Paper Towel Roll Napkin Rings

You didn't think I was going to stop with just the napkins did you?

Napkin rings are the punctuation to a table setting; they finish the look and complete to the tone. But they tend to be expensive as even the cheap ones are a few dollars a piece. To create an inexpensive alternative you can use a regular, plain ol' paper towel roll.This project was inspired by Renee's DIY Napkin Rings over at Rustic Crafts and Chic Decor. Thanks Renee!

You Will Need:

Paper towel roll or any other type of cardboard roll 

6 strips of unrolled paper twist, 15" long

Hot glue

6 buttons

Cord or ribbon

Hole punch

The first step is to cut your roll to size. You can use any type of cardboard roll you desire. I cut mine down the center and then in 1-3/4" wide sections since the roll was 11" long total. 

Next, wrap your unrolled paper twist around each section. It was easiest to wrap and then glue. Once you've completely covered the cardboard, hot glue the ends and any lose sections. 

Adding the buttons and loops was the tricky part. Use the smallest hole punch you have to punch a  hole centered about 1/4" away from each edge. Use a short piece of cord through the holes and your button and feed the back of the cord through one hole. Knot several times until it it is larger that the hole.

Next, use a longer piece of cord and tie a loop. Push the loop end up through the empty hole, leaving the knotted end inside. Both inside knots could also be hot glued into place if desired. 

Then just close it up around your napkin.

You could make them all the same, but it seemed like more fun to switch it up and let each ring be as unique as the napkin.

Even my "non-crafty" friend who I tricked into helping thought they were super easy to make.

Can you tell they started from a paper towel roll? More importantly, have you ever used paper twist before? I'd love to know!

Sheila :)

Easy Cloth Napkins

Cloth napkins seem to be all the rage right now. I love that the trend is to have a set using a bunch of different patterns as shown perfectly here and here. Between those examples and the stash of fabric I need to start using up before moving, cloth napkins were happenin'. 

Cloth napkins are usually about 20" x 20". Fat quarters from the quilt section are about 18" x 22". You can buy a color-coordinated varied pack (using a 40% off coupon-woot!) and not have to worry about cutting to size; if you don't have a large, flat work space not having to cut fabric to size is a huge time saver.  The small size difference isn't noticeable.

You will need:
Fat quarters, as many quarters as napkins you desire
Lots of pins
Sewing machine

If you aren't lazy, you start by ironing. I clearly did not. Sorry.

If you are lazy or have finished ironing, you move on to the corners.

My Mom taught me a handy trick for making the corners, which is the hardest part of this project. In each corner, fold the tip over once, then fold it over again. Originally it was easier to stitch each corner as pictured. After a while I learned to hem the sides without needing this part stitched, so you will too I'm sure.

Double hem each side by folding the edge twice. It's the same idea as folding the corners, but in a straight line instead. It should make a perfect point if folded correctly. The tension on my sewing machine is a little out of whack so some of the stitches have character. 

Repeat this all the way around on each napkin to create your set.

Enjoy with something extra delicious. 

Do you use cloth napkins? I love the look and the fact that they don't waste paper, but I also don't want to waste water by washing them all the time. Have you found a happy medium? I'd love to know.

Sheila :) 

PS. Thoughts and prayers of healing and comfort to all those in Oklahoma. It's a scary time, but you have the support of the nation.

Weekend Inspiration: Embroidery Hoops

There are so may neat projects all over the internet world. I love looking through them and thinking "How did they ever come up with this!?" Sometimes, people are amazing. Sometimes, not so much. But the not so much times are not what we are focusing on now. I'd like to start a new series on Friday called "Weekend Inspiration." My plan is to scour the internet to find the coolest DIY and crafty ideas with a theme. This week, the theme is using embroidery hoops. They're super inexpensive and extremely versatile. That's enough to inspire me at least...

This amazing table runner on On to Baby. 

This could be a great addition to any classroom. Or any room. Ever.
Made by Heatherlee of Lady Poppins.

Always been a favorite quote! From the Etsy shop Art by Autumn.

I am pretty much obsessed with this photo chandelier from Natalme.

So fresh and springy. From the Etsy shop littlenestbox.

This idea has been around for a while because it's so cute and simple.
This wall art is from Inspired by Charm.

Wouldn't this be a sweet baby shower gift? Made over on Creative Jewish Mom. 

OMGoodness, can you imagine a wall in a craft room with a bunch of variations on this idea as supplies organizers? Someday, when I'm not such a vagabond... Sewing kit from The Train to Crazy.

A wine cork trivet is classy and useful. This is so grown up-esque it's almost intimidating.
See the tutorial on Lines Across.

HOOP. There is is... I'm sorry. I had to. 

Will you make any of these? Have they inspired you for a new, completely different project? I'd love to know.

Sheila  :)

PS. Have a wonderful weekend! 

Cereal Box File Folders

Being a grown up is hard. There are bills to be paid, responsibilities to remember, and important documents to keep track of. When you move across the country a few times it becomes even more challenging. I had to take organizing matters into my own hands. 

File folders are expensive y'all. Especially when you don't need a million at a time. And the cute ones are even more expensive. However, reusing boxes you already have is free, eco-friendly, and in my opinion, adorable. 

You can use just about any thin cardboard box. Cereal boxes are usually about the perfect size so they don't require much trimming, but you could also use smaller boxes combined or frozen pizza boxes.

You will need:

•  
• a cereal box or other thin box
• an old file to use as a template (I'm pretty sure judging by previous content, condition, and hand writing on the label, I've probably had this one since 4th grade.)
• scissors
• writing utensil
• masking tape, optional
• label maker, optional

Start by cutting down the long seam of your box and laying it flat. Lay your template file over top and find the best fit. Don't worry if you need to include the tabbed edge to get the right size. We can fix that later. It's also a good idea to find a seam already made in the box to serve as the folder seam. It's a lot easier and looks cleaner than folding a new one.

Don't forget to save your Labels for Education or Boxtops! You're welcome, Mom.

If you care, now is a good time to check which image will be on the front of the folder. I usually like to go with the box cover. 

Once you're happy with the positioning, outline it. 

Cut it out. Said while making the Joey Gladstone gestures. 

Remember when I said we'd take care of the tab part later? The time has come. It's not necessary, but it adds a fun detail and a little stability. Use packing tape to cover the tabbed edge. Mine just happened to be decorative because that's how I roll. Half the tape should hang over the edge so it can be folded over and reinforced.

Now all you have to do is label it. It's easy enough to grab a pen or Sharpie but my favorite is a simple label maker. It looks nice, and it also easier to change if the content of the folder changes.

Voila! Grown up organizing materials. Kinda.

This may also encourage you to vary your cereal choices, which may or may not be a good thing.

What's your favorite organizing trick? I'd love to know.

Sheila  :)