Holiday Wine Tags

I've been such a busy bee lately and totally in the mood for this holiday season.

On a recent my mom and I crafted up these tags for wine bottles. You can also put them on bottles of olive oil.

We created a variety of them that I have in the Cards and Tags section of the shop now.

I'm also going to be including one as a gift with purchases over $20 from now till the new year.

Do you get snow for Christmas? I'm so hoping we do. Just a little. :)

Hot Cocoa Gift Packs

The kids will be getting out of school soon for their holiday vacation. Before they're off they like to give a little something special to their teachers and school bus drivers. I love this idea I found through Pintrest and have added my own little alterations to these Hot Cocoa Gift Pocket Cards.



We got carried away making them this past week and so they're are some available in the shop made up and ready to ship here. 

Due to the cost of shipping, you have your choice to receive them with or without the hot cocoa packet already in them.



I can't wait for the kids to share these with teachers, school bus drivers, and even their friends.

They're even great for a little something to share with your co-workers anytime of the year.

It's getting close to Christmas, now, are you ready?

Christmas Coupon Books Are Back

I've almost finished all my shopping, but there is always one or two on my list that either has everything or needs nothing. Do you know who I mean? Do you have someone like that, too?

Last year, I made up these Christmas Coupon books, I've since made up ones for Birthdays and Valentine's Day, they're great for just that kind of person on your list.

I've cut out and assembled some new designs for this year, keeping a few for those on my list, too.

There are 12 coupons in each book in three different colors. 4 red, 4 white, and 4 green.
My little Bug helped hand stamp the santa on the red, the candy cane on the white, and the present on the green. Each coupon is also perferated for easy tear out.

My husband surprised me last year and give me one of these for Christmas, even though I made it, he pulled it from my stash and personalized each coupon to last throughout the year!

Babysitting, Dinner, Lunch, Massage, mowing the grass, taking the kids to clubs, there are just some many things you can do for someone that may mean a lot to them.

If you'd like to make you're own, the tutorial for these comes from Split Coast Stampers, I've modified mine a bit, but you can find it here.

Or check out the ones I've got in the shop this month.

Don't forget, you'll receive a free gift with any purchase from the shop this month and orders over $50 receive free shipping with coupon code that you'll find below my shop banner here.

Did you check your list twice? Don't forget anyone!

Now, I'm off to write. That Christmas story won't type the words itself and I've got a fruitcake bride waiting for her groom. For updates on my latest book project don't forget to head over to my author site and stayed tuned. 

Warm Wishes this Christmas Season

 It's Christmas!
Almost...
Where did the time go?

After many months of helping out on the family farm, it's time to get back into gear!

It's been so cold out lately and hot chocolate has been in high demand after school at our house.

The kids walk a few blocks between bus stops and schools, so they need something warm to help get them going when they open those books for homework.

I got to thinking how nice it would be to share that warmth and so I've been creating these cozy little hot chocolate pocket cards. They almost remind me of a book, just tied such with something yummy inside.

If you want the recipe for making these hot cocoa cards, let me know. I'll be happy to share.

I just made up a new batch of them in a variety of patterns that you can check out in the shop as well. You can't go wrong with chocolate, right? 

I'm thinking this year, the kids teacher, bus driver, and the mail man will all love this Christmas treat, what do you think?



I'm off to work on my Christmas story for the local paper today, if you haven't already, sign up for my newsletter over at my author site and download my story Emma's Dilemma free or now available on kindle through Amazon.

Here's to staying warm!

Create A Craft Binder or Planner for this year

If your like me, you either create your own patterns and keep lists of ideas or you find lots of free printable tutorials and other goodies on line and don't know what to do with them all.

My craft studio is getting a little cluttered with all my craft supplies, notes, and sketches for patterns and printed tutorials. So, I grabbed a 2" view binder from Wal-Mart yesterday and decided to try and get everything organized this year.

I do this when I'm writing books, so why not for crafts, too. The view binders range from about $3 to $5 depending on the size and color. The black ones are cheaper than the white, go figure.

However, I encourage you to do the same.
As the year goes on, and you've probably already noticed, I'll be sharing recipes and tutorials that you can print out. So why not create your own binder to keep them all in?

 For the cover, I cut a piece of 9 1/2 x 11 1/4 inch scrapbook paper, 7 1/2 x 9 1/2  inch card stock, and layered them.

For the center, I printed out what I wanted my book cover to say "MrsChadT's Book of Crafts" on an 8.5 x 11 sheet of copy paper. I then trimmed it down to 6 1/4 x 8 1/4 inches.

I used an EK Success border punch and punched around the edges of the card stock before I layered it all together using a glue stick to keep them all adhered.  Then I added some die cut flowers I had and secured them with a few brads.

Can you tell purple is my favorite color?

I also used 8.5 x 11 piece of card stock for the dividers and a 2" scallop punch. You can score the scallops and fold them in half then staple to the card stock for tabs.

Then you can write on the tabs or decorate and print the section titles on the card stock before you put them into your binder.

I have a section for many of the crafts I enjoy such as: Book Binding, Paper Tutorials, Crochet, Plastic Canvas, and Sewing Projects.

This is also a great idea for creating your own Wedding Planner, Shower Planner, Daily Planner, or other type of party planner organizer.

Looking forward to being a little more organized here in 2014, how about you?

Twelve Days of Christmas: Project #8 DIY Santa Gift Tags

 It's almost that time, you know, when you realize you've gotten all your shopping done, but now you have to wrap it all!

Today's Twelve Days of Christmas Project is a simple one.  It's time for some DIY Christmas tags.

 I picked up some pretty blue rhinestones, silver mini ink pad, and these glitter cloth stickers from the craft bins at Jo Ann's last month. I used a snowflake stamp from my Winter Holiday Stamp Set from CTMH for the snowflake tags above.

 To make your own Christmas tags, you'll need to cut pieces of card stock 2" x 4", clip the corners off the top, and punch a hole in the center.

I had a ton of gray and red card stock strips laying in my craft room from some recent book projects. So I cut them up and Bug and I made tags. The star designed stamped on these blue Christmas star tags came from a Halloween mini stamp set I picked up, also, at Jo Ann's.

 I added some of the cloth glitter stickers and voila! Beautiful tags for Christmas packages or other occasions. And, in the photo below, I took the red and Bug stamped Santa on these tags. I was so thrilled to see how they came out, but disappointed Bug not only knew about them, but helped create them, now Santa can't put them on the Lower children's presents.

Don't you think these would make cute Christmas gift tags for Santa packages?

This Santa stamp came from a Christmas gnome stamp set I got from oriental trading last year.  

What are you wishing for Santa to bring you this year?

New Food Label Place Card Designs

 Birds Nest in Burgandy or Baby Blue

 White Castles

 

Tea Cup

These tented cards are perfect for food labels or place cards at bridal showers, weddings, baby showers, birthdays, or formal events. 

They're 2.5" x 4"

I've got several other designs that I'm working on in the studio. 

Got to love criciut machines, right?

Family Celebration Tree

Last week was First Friday at the Pajama Factory and I wanted to show off some of my own artistic talent. I came up with this cute little family celebration tree.  This is my own design, so you won't find a tutorial anywhere else for it.

I used the foundery pins and created little trading cards and attached school pictures of my nephews and nieces. I only added three, which has six pictures, but you could add however many you want to your own tree.

 I'm working on getting a tutorial made and will post it by next week.

In the meantime, to make your own family celebration tree, you'll need the following supplies:

Celebration Stamp Set (comes with your art philosphy cartridge)

Art Philosphy Cartridge

Elemental Paper Pack

Cranberry Stamp Pad

Juniper Stamp Pad

Foundery Pin Clips

1 Styrofoam Cone (from a local craft store)

It's so easy to make, I can't wait to show you!

Suzy

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Watch It Wednesday - Holiday Card

Hey Everybody,

While I'm busy down in the studio I thought I'd share this video of the holiday cards we'll be making for November's workshop.

Have a great Wednesday!

Roxie Gift Card Collection

Happy Monday Friends!

Today I wanted to show you some sweet gift card holders that I made up over the weekend. With holidays and birthdays coming up, these are a perfect solution for dressing up those gift cards to hand out. I used the Roxy Level 2 Paper packet that you can purchase here.

Know anyone who enjoys digital scrapbooking? Studio J gift cards are awesome!

Tuesday's Tutorial tomorrow will be on making one style of these gift card holders.

Here are the supplies I used:

Roxie Level 2 Paper Packet :

Desert Sand, Smoothie, and Zebra Print  #X7140B

My Acrylix Roxie Workshop Stamp Set #G1025

Designer Brads #Z1360

Have a Fabulous Monday!
See you Tomorrow

Suzy
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Cricut Art Philosphy Cartridge

I'm so excited that my new consultant package has arrived! I have to say, there are so many projects to choose from that I don't know where to start! But now that it's August, I thought I'd share with you a new product that Close To My Heart just came out with this month!


So watch and learn about the new Cricut Art Philosphy Cartridge, while I go plan my first project to share will you all.

You'll find the Art Philosphy Cricut Cartridge online here in the 2011 Fall/Winter catalog. ***Available August 15th***

Together We Can Create a Smile

I snapped three needles in half stitching a book this morning, as I've been anxiously awaiting my new Close To My Heart Consultant Package. I've really never been one to store up much patience. It's like Christmas morning when that package arrives. I just can't wait!

But in the meantime, I wondered if any of you noticed the new widgets on my blog? Most importantly, did you see the one that says Together we can create a smile?

Even though Bell, my oldest wasn't born with a cleft lip, she was born with a hemangioma on her upper lip. But she and I agree that we can appreciate what these children a going through. It's tough being different.

What is the first thing you look at when you see someone? It's more than a face, it's their smile. And it is a great feeling to make someone smile, don't you think? Isn't that why we send a card to a friend whose feeling down or sick? How about celebrating those moments like birthdays and graduations and wedding? They make you smile.

Everyone should have a beautiful smile. Together we can make that happen.

I've added the widget to the blog along with a donation tally starting here in the month of August.

Did you know that every time you make a purchase from Close To My Heart, that a small portion goes to Operation Smile? It's one of those little factors that teetered me over the edge to becoming a consultant. And I wanted everyone to see their contributions as well. So every month I'll be updating that number, and hopefully we'll turn those zeros into larger numbers before the end of the month.

Yesterday, I shared with you the great two for one deal that is going on this month through Close To My Heart. But in just a few days, an additon offer is coming your way. So stay tuned.

Until then, I've got to go get a new pack of needles to finish stitching up a very special baby shower guest book.

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Gray is The New Black

Have you noticed it, or is it just me?

Actually Paper Craft Magazine just had a simular statement a few months ago in one of their issues. Things have been changing from formal black to slightly gray when it comes to weddings and graduations.

And not only is gray climbing on the popularity scale, it's getting twisted with colors like gold. How unique is that?

But don't just take it from me, Hello Beautiful has this to say about the grey trend, and even the stars of letting go black and turning grey according to the NY Times Daily.

Sophistacted
Refreshing
Neutral
Comforting

Is Grey the new black? What do you think?