Inkling: please and thank you - free thank you card download

I’m a big fan of a handwritten thank you note. Once the holiday frenzy has settled down, I plan to sit down with a nice cup of tea or hot cocoa and write my thank you notes.

I created this note card using a simple drawing program and printed out cards on heavy water color paper. The berries fit the holiday theme but can still be used year round.

 

The PDF is under the Goodie Bag tab. Feel free to download and use for your thank you notes.



Sew and Tell: pin cushion gift box

I made this cute fabric covered gift box. The inspiration came from a craft on The Better Homes and Garden Handmade Christmas Gift site.

It’s a gift package pincushion. BHG used a foam square and wrapped it in fabric and ribbon. I made mine with a small sturdy gift box stuffed with fiber fill and topped with quilt batting. Then I wrapped the box in fabric and added the ribbon.

Either way, the pincushion is a perfect crafty gift for someone who sews.

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This project is linked at the following:

     

Inkling: faux birch napkin rings

I found birch wood clipart on, where else…Martha’s website. You can download it here. There are a lot of craft possibilities with this clipart. I plan to make some fun things with it.

Here’s a quick and easy project that will dress up your table. Birch wood napkin rings.

Just like my Thanksgiving napkin rings, I used paper towel rolls as a base. I printed out the clipart on cardstock and glued it to the roll. Cut them up, added a little décor and voila… holiday napkin rings.

If you’re not planning on using napkin rings for dinner, just slit the rings and string them together. You’ll have a pretty birch wood garland.




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This project is entered in the Winter Challenge




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This project is linked at the following:

   

Etceteras: miniature yule log

This tiny log was about to get thrown out with the yard clippings. I rescued several branches before they were tossed.

First up from my new stash of branches -  a miniature Yule log.  Apparently, the Yule log dates back centuries. It was customary that on Christmas Eve an enormous log of freshly cut wood would be carried to the house and place on the hearth.

 

My tiny Yule log won’t get burned but hopefully will be used year after year.

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This project is linked at the following:

This project is entered in the Holiday Home Tour at:

Etceteras: berries in the snow

It doesn’t snow where I live. In fact, it’s not uncommon to see people in shorts on Christmas day. So, in order to have a white Christmas around here, you have to buy it in a can.

This year I wanted to some snow for my table centerpiece. I created these berries in the snow using twigs, red faux berries and canned snow.

Now, even though the sun is out, we can have a white Christmas too.

Good Taste: snowman soup gift package

One of my favorite gifts to give is Snowman Soup. If you’re not familiar with Snowman Soup, you’re in for a treat.

You start with a steaming cup of hot chocolate and add marshmallows (snow) and chocolate kisses or morsels (eyes and buttons). As the marshmallows and chocolate begin to melt, they resemble a melting snowman. A peppermint stick or candy cane is used to stir the soup.

It’s easy to make a Snowman Soup gift package. Repackage all the ingredients and add cute labels, tags or bag toppers. I used regular plastic baggies, trimmed off the tops and added bag toppers that I printed out.

Print out the instructions for the soup. Package all your ingredients together in a box, basket or gift bag.

Just remember to save enough of the ingredients to have your own cup of Snowman Soup.

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This project is linked at the following:








    

 

Etceteras: holiday house place cards

With the hustle and bustle of shopping, card making, gift wrapping and decorating, it’s easy to forget about your holiday table. For a sit down holiday meal, you can dress up your table with place cards.

To make a snowy house place card, you will need:

• Cardboard or an existing small box
• Glue
• Corrugated cardboard
• Kosher or coarse salt

1. Make a small box out of cardboard and tape the inside of the box.
2. Make an A-frame roof out of corrugated cardboard and glue onto the top of the box. Cut out windows, and doors as desired.
3. Once you’re happy with your house, pour kosher or coarse salt into a plate.
4. Apply glue all around the house and press the house into the salt one side at a time. You may need to apply a little more glue and fill in the bare areas. Set aside to dry.
5. Add a name tag to each house.

If you’re feeling especially ambitious, create houses in a variety of sizes and make a small village centerpiece.

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This project is entered in the Winter Challenge

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This project is linked at the following: