Today's nap-time project... bow making. It's a simple, quick way to add a personal touch to your gifts, and you don't even have to spend a penny. You probably already have everything you need for this one. Usually I just make one right after I wrap a present (it's that easy) and before heading out the door to a birthday party. But with Christmas on the way, I thought I'd stock up and have some ready made one on hand... just in case.
All you need is paper (sketch paper, card stock, construction, wrapping paper, even newspaper would work), tape, a stapler, decorative edge scissors, hot glue, and something to decorate the middle. Today I used peppermints for a festive Christmas look. Usually I use buttons. Silk flowers also look pretty. You can use anything you want. So if you have all that on hand (and who doesn't?), you can get started.
I'm taking a break from early Christmas preparation, to enjoy a little fall. For me that means PUMPKIN! Have you ever tried using pumpkin instead of the eggs and oil in a cake mix? It cuts the fat, adds some extra nutrition and makes the most amazing cupcakes! And that goes perfect with a pumpkin latte which is also nice with pumpkin oatmeal...
You get the idea. I love pumpkins and I even love the way they look. So to celebrate fall and pumpkins (my major pregnant craving in case you hadn't guessed), I came up with a cute autumn greeting card, so easy and fun you can do it with your kids.
Here's what you need:
Card Stock, Orange Tissue Paper, Green Paper Twist, a Green Crayon, Tape, Paper Glue and Scissors.
I know the name of my blog would imply that someone should be napping while I work on these projects, but things don't always go as planned around here, and this time it was even better with my little helper. If your kids are just a bit older than Isla, they might enjoy making these greeting cards too. Paper crafts are always great starter crafts. Isla preferred eating cookies and making comments while I made the card which was still lots of fun for me. Plus she helped out by letting me use the green crayon. Anytime you see me using crayons in my projects, you can assume they're actually hers (which explains the broken pieces you'll see in some videos). It's nice to have a two-year-old who shares... even if it might require a cookie bribe.
I hope you enjoy making these simple paper crafts as much as I did, and now I think it's time for another pumpkin muffin! Happy Fall!
Christmas is just around the corner... of every isle of every department store, grocery store and pretty much every other store that wants your money (which would be all of them I think). And if you're like me and prefer to take it one holiday at a time, it can be slightly annoying seeing all the red and green before we've even made it through black and orange or the fall colors of Thanksgiving.
This year, however, I'm already thinking Christmas. Why? Not only because it's probably my favorite holiday, but also because I'm getting into saving money with a little bit of recycling, crafting and diy, meaning I need to get an early start. Once of my main ideas to think green and save some green is cute home made gift bags, bows and wrapping paper. Every year I forget about the gift wrapping part until the end, then rush out and buy a bulk bag of bows and rolls and rolls of generic paper, then spend my Christmas Eve stressing out over having to wrap presents into the early morning hours. If you're a mom, you probably know that the night before Christmas, while the mouse may not be stirring, you are... frantically wrapping until your bloodshot eyes match that shiny red paper. Well not this year! Not me! Come Christmas morning I will be well rested and prepared. Furthermore I will not be seeing red because I will know I saved some green.
While I am not doing a 100% do-it-yourself Christmas (I only wish I were that impressive!), I would like to try to make some of my own stocking stuffers and all my own cards and wrapping.
I started this blog with the intention of having a place to share photos, tips and patterns to go along with my YouTube channel, iLeedoo, and I will use it for that, as well as for a cute story here and there about my adorable two-year-old daughter or pictures of her doing some art and craft projects of her own. On iLeedoo I share my diy, craft, decorating ideas with a focus on saving money by using stuff I already have around the house. And on here, I'll share some thoughts to go along with them. I hope by sharing my ideas, I can help you add that personal touch to Christmas, birthdays, parties, your home, and every day life while saving some cash in the process.
Here's my first cute, money saving Christmas idea to add a personal touch to your packages. I'll be getting started early, and not doing 100 of these on Christmas Eve :) The free and easy wrapping paper idea to go with it will be uploaded by Friday, 10/28/11.
And coming soon: my Reuse, Reduce, Recycle gift bag.
Another video I'm working on is a tutorial for my Poppy Headband. Use it as a stocking stuffer for your little girl or wrap it around a present for a cuter than cute bow that doubles as a second gift. P.S. it's not just for little girls. I love matching my baby when we both wear ours :)
