Craft night

Tonight was my craft night.  I so look forward to getting together with my crafting buddies...We could just spend hours and hours crafting.

I worked on some items for the Advent package that I am working on...

On the left side of the picture is a box I made to put some of my greeting cards in to give as a gift.

I found the instructions at Split coast stampers...the link is below...

A2 card box

http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/resources/tutorials/a2cardbox/

To the right side of the picture is a Corner Book mark that I made...

I found the instructions also at Split coast the link is below...

Corner book mark

http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/resources/tutorials/cornerbookmark/

In the center of the picture is a paper stocking I made to put a gift card in...

I found the instructions at the link below...

It's called Bitty Christmas Stocking Gift Card Holder...

http://waltzingmouse.blogspot.com/p/tutorialstemplates.html

I'm also putting in my Advent box the handmade snowflake soap that I bought recently at a craft show...

I made a box tonight to put it in...

I found the instructions at Pinterest...the link for the box is below...

http://pinterest.com/happyyakker/origami-boxes/

Cookie Holder

I really like these cookie/tea bag holders.  I think they are cute, and so easy to make...
I found the link here to make them.  (Look under instruction sheets, Cookie tea bag holder)
She also had some other adorable projects on her blog...

I made these to add to the Advent box that I am making, but I think they would also look adorable at each table setting at your special company dinners.

Video found here at UTube

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8AEOrOamAqE&feature=player_embedded

http://procrastistamper.blogspot.com/2012/02/teabag-cookies-pouch.html

Just boxes

I know not an exciting picture...smile.  But this is what I have been working on right now.


A few years ago, I saw a UTube video on how to make these boxes.  At the time, I wondered if I even wanted to watch it, I couldn't see much use for the boxes.  I am so glad I took the time, I have lost count of how many of these I have made.  They come in handy for me for several things.  They make great favor boxes.  I usually make up some at Christmas and fill them up with some candy kisses, etc.  I then put them in a basket to keep handy for when company comes and hand them out. They also make nice boxes to put small jewelry pieces in.  Comes in handy, when you need a small box and don't have any on hand.  I usually make them with scrapbook paper, Card stock sometimes doesn't fold as well, or will crack.  I try to use a heavier weight of scrapbook paper.

I also used these boxes to make a Birthday present for my teenage grandson.  I has asked my daughter what I could buy him for his birthday, and she told me that a gift card or money in an envelope was the best choice.  I wanted to give him something to unwrap, so made four of these boxes in different sizes.  Nesting boxes!  Then I did the old box in a box trick!  I know that has been done before...smile.  I put some change in the smallest box, (so it would rattle, to keep him guessing) along with the paper money, and then put a cartoon on each of the box lids, and finally wrapped the box in several pieces of wrapping paper.  He liked the gift!  and it was just a bit more memorable than just some money stuffed in an envelope.  If you make each box piece 1/4 inch smaller as you go they will fit into each other...

I couldn't find the original UTube video that I watched, but I did find this link with directions to make the box. 

In regard to advent ideas...I saw this at Roxie's blog...She made a fantastic Advent calendar.  Really cute.  (much, much better than the sad one that I made...smile)
Here is the link to Roxie's...Take a peek, to see her great work.

Here is my Advent/stocking stuffer idea list…

Advent Calendar

Body lotion/spray

Bookmark

Books/cookbook/scrapbook

Calendar

Candle

Candy Bar

Cocoa

Cookies

Cross word puzzle book

Flashlight

Hard Candy

Home made scarf/gloves, etc.

Home made Slippers

Jam/Jelly

Jewelry

Jigsaw Puzzle

Journal

Lip Balm

Mug

Ornaments

Pens

Picture frame

Pop Corn

Post Cards

Pot Holder

Small bag of nuts

Small box greeting cards

Small decorated notebook

Soap

Socks

Stationary

Stickers

Tea

Tea towel

Things related to the recipient’s favorite hobby

If you can think of anything else to add....please let me know...Ideas are always appreciated.

Have a great day,

and thank you for reading my blog...

Blessings,

Jill

 

My Hostess gift

This is one of the gifts given to me this weekend for hosting a Stamping party in my home.
I think it's adorable, and very useful.  I like that it's small, and doesn't take up much desk space, and I have it sitting right next to my computer.  I hope to make one for the advent package that I am in the process of making.  (Later today, I hope to post, on my blog.my list of Advent ideas). 
Here is the link that Stacie used to print the calendar pages  she used to make this project.

Thank You, again, Stacie.  I really like my gift!

Thank you for stopping by my blog today...
Blessings,
Jill

Happy Mail

 Look at what I received in the mail.  Oh, Happy Day!  It's always a happy day when there is something in my mailbox besides bills and junk mail!  This really made my day!  The beautiful stencil is the one I won in the Dream Weaver challenge (Dream Weaver Challenge link is in my side bar on the right side of my blog)  Pretty stencil, can't wait till I have the time to try it.  The beautiful glittered card was made by Lynell from Dream Weaver.  Lynell, very kindly also included some instructions for the double glitter technique to use with the stencil...

Another Christmas/Advent idea...

The house above is a re posting from a pic on my blog.  I made this house for my sister-in-law as part of her Christmas present many years ago.  I got  the idea from a Christmas book that I have...just have to get a small box, about the size of a shoe box, and cover it with folded paper twist.  I used foam sheets to cut out my windows and door. I baked a Loaf pound cake to put inside the box.

More Christmas items

 This is another 3d (tole) card I made last night when my crafting buddies came over to craft along with me.  (Thursday night is one of my favorite nights of the week)  Again, since the image was printed a while ago, not sure where I found it.

This is the Advent Calendar I made last night.  I  found the calendar here and printed it out...

http://www.janbrett.com/index.html

http://www.janbrett.com/christmas_treasury_advent_calendar.htm

I realize that my calendar does not look that great, but it's because part of it was cut out with an exacto knife...and part of it was cut out with a scissors.  The part with the exacto knife looks really nice, and the windows lay flat.  The problem is I cut my finger with the knife, and ended up cutting out the rest with a scissors and the windows would not lay flat afterwards.  I am going to give the calendar anyway...I don't feel like doing another one...LOL.

This is the first present which goes along with my Advent box that I am doing this year.  I like to give advent boxes as part of my getting ready for Christmas.  I did NOT do one last year, and it made my Christmas feel like something was missing.  Even though I am giving away 25 presents, It definitely makes my Christmas too.  My presents are NOT expensive presents]..(This GrandMom is on a very limited budget...smile)  Most of the things are handmade things...that would be suitable as stocking stuffers..  As I get more done with my Advent box, I will post my list of stocking stuffer ideas, and some more of the things I have made for my box.

The person that I am making this box for does not have a computer...so hopefully, they won't see their gifts ahead of time..

After deciding who I will pick to be my Advent recipient...I make a list of the things I know about them, their hobbies, their favorite color, etc.  Then start with my list.  As I make each present, I put on the date they are to open the present...December 1st, December 2nd, etc.  I also make a list for myself.

Some of my packages have themes, such as the one I did for an Uncle...(after job loss--to help as a pick me up)  I put a cartoon on each one of his packages.  I did one for my Mother too as a pick me up, after she moved out of state, and was very homesick. The advent package I mailed to her really did help her feel less homesick.  Each of her packages had an inspirational quote on it.  My Mother's in laws packages had a scripture verse on each of hers.