Sew Useful Tips for Wrapping

When it comes to making crafts, I try to buy just enough materials so I don't have tons of scraps that I always intend to use but never really do.  After making my custom Christmas Card holder a few weeks ago, I did had some leftover ribbon that I was determined to use.  I decided to use the Christmas ribbon as a theme for my wrapping this year.  I bought some simple red & green wrapping paper and used the leftover the ribbon to jazz it up.  Don't these presents look cute with that ribbon in the middle?

I try to use the same mind set when ordering photos.  It may be more Brad than me saying - only buy prints of the photos that are absolutely needed.  I made some photo collages this season so it was inevitable that I would have a few leftover photos.  I didn't want anything to go to waste so I decided that I could use them as the gift tags for some of my gifts.  Not only will the recipients get the gift that is wrapped but they also will get a great photo of themselves!

I hope you find these tips Sew Useful when wrapping gifts for the next celebration or holiday!

Who's cookin' in the kitchen?

For my last photo shoot of 2011, Dina asked me to do a fun photo shoot in her kitchen of Alex & Reese.  Instead of decorating the empty wall space with pictures or artwork of food or wine bottles, she thought it would be fun to display photos of the girls "cooking."  This was probably one of the funnest photo shoots that I have done so far.  Here are some favorites!

DIY Holiday Greetings

One of my favorite things about the holiday season is getting Christmas cards in the mail.  I come home  from work every day in December and run straight for the pile of mail.  I especially love the displaying all the photo cards.  The last few years my card holder has left me wanting something more.  I turned to Pinterest and Etsy for some inspiration because I was convinced that I could make something better than what I bought a few years ago.  After a brief search, I came up with the idea to attach some Christmas-themed ribbon to a doll rod and jazz it up a little. 

Supplies:

• Doll Rod
• 4 rolls of ribbon with different patterns - about 1.5 inch thick
• 1 roll 1/4 inch white ribbon
• 1 roll 1/2 inch red ribbon - cut the length of the doll rod
• Embellishments of your choice 
• I used some fun white pom pom trim!
• Hot Glue Gun & Glue Sticks
• Paper clips to hold photos in place

Instructions:

1. Cut 8 strips of the 1.5 inch ribbon (2 of each pattern)
2. Evenly space out the strips on the doll rod before glueing
3. Put some glue on the top of the doll rod and place the ribbon over the doll rod.  Leave some extra ribbon on the top so that you wrap the ribbon around the rod and glue to the backside of the ribbon.
4. Continue with the other strips of ribbon.
5. Take the strip of red ribbon and glue it on tip of the doll rod.  This will cover your space markings and all the other ribbon tops.  
6. Add your embellishments
7. Measure out the thin white ribbon to a length that you will give enough room to hang the card holder.
8. Tie the ribbon on each end the doll rod.  Double knot for good measure!
9. Take a small strip of one of your patterned ribbons and tie to the white ribbon.  I tied mine in a bow.  
10. Hang up it on the wall from a small hook or picture hanger. 
11. Use paper clips to the hang the photos.  Make sure you disperse the cards evenly so that it hangs straight!

I absolutely love getting all the photo cards from families that I have done photo shoots for this year.  My entry way is like my own personal gallery!  

Here is the Christmas card that I made for me & Brad this year.  

365: Week 49

Time keeps on ticking...

"Our most precious commodity is time - to waste, to give, to save, to share.  Reminding myself to spend it with intention this season." 

- Shauna Niequist

Shauna tweeted this about 2 weeks ago and it really struck a cord with me.  The funny thing is that I couldn't find the time to actually write a post about it.  Hmm.   This is a mantra that I probably could be more mindful about at times.  I like to pride myself on coming from "a place of yes" all the time but that can translate into me spending my time in ways that don't really keep this concept at the core.  I guess it really is true that sometimes coming from "a place of yes" means saying no.  Going forward, I will be more mindful of my time and as Shauna said, spend it with intention.  

How do you spend your time?

Will you spend it with intention?

Introducing Harper Ann Suarez

365: Week 48