Christmas Gifts

I bake fairly often for the coffee shop we own....so the thought of baking for friends this Christmas did not sound appealing.  I came across this idea on Pinterest, of course.  I do love how they turned out, but I might have had more fun creating them had I planned a little better and not waited until the week before Christmas.  Every year I tell myself I will work on Christmas presents through out the year rather than at the last minute.  Maybe next year! 

List of supplies you'll need to recreate:

Flat-bottomed glass gems (the kind for filling vases with; I found mine at the Dollar Tree)
Storybook Creator Plus 4.0

Mod Podge
Paintbrush
Magnets (strong ones; I purchased mine at Home Depot near framing supplies)
Gorilla Glue or E6000 clear adhesive

Clear treat bags

cardstock

metal washers
Circle Punch

Step One:  In Storybook Creator Plus I created an 8 X 10 project.  I inserted 1.25 inch circles and then filled them with paper and embellishments.  When complete I had it printed at Sams Club.

Step Two:  Again in SBC 4.0 I created another 8 X 10 page and inserted 1.5 X 4 inch rectangles.  I filled each of these rectangles with coordinating paper and embellishments for the packaging of the magnets.

The last steps are :  Punch out the circles and mod podge them onto the backs of the flat bottomed glass gems.  After they are dry you may need to trim a little bit around the edges since the gems are not completely round.  Now glue the magnets onto the back and glue washers onto the cardstock. Place your completed magnets into the clear treat bags and top them with your labels.  The cardstock for the magnets is cut at 4 x 4 and the label is a 5 x 5 piece folded in half.

Complete and ready to hand out!

More Christmas Stockings

Finally finished our granddaughter's stocking.  I used this site for the pattern and this site for help with the lining.  I think it turned out pretty cute, but I won't be in a hurry to make this style again.  The points on the cuff were a little bit of a challenge.

Decorating on a Budget

Christmas decorating isn't as fun when you know that in a few short months you will be moving.  We wanted a little different look than what we have had in the past but the thought of buying more Christmas decorations was not appealing.  So I rummaged through the house and this is what I came up with for the mantle.  Only thing purchased was the printable from this great site. 

• Greenery and lights
• 16 X 20 gold frame with linen fabric and star and words cut out of scrapbook paper
• 16 X 20 canvas wrapped with Burgundy fabric, hot glued 8 X 10 frame and printable
• Nativity set
• Glass Hurricanes with cranberry garland
• Stockings
• Hot glue gun and tape

Had I been on Design Stars and a Christmas mantle been given our challenge, I definitely think I would have given them some competition. I think it needs a banner so will be making one today using Storybook Creator 4.0.  The boxes are all back in the shed and that's all the decorating for this year.  Now back to working on the Christmas presents.

Burlap Christmas Stockings

Awhile ago we requested some coffee bags from our coffee supplier to possibly use when refurbishing our tables in the coffee shop.  We have since come up with a new idea so they have sat in my closet.  Finally, I thought they would make great Christmas stockings.  And they did!  Now to go clean up the mess...

Christmas/Valentine's Outfit

My newest creation inspired by Pinterest is done.  Sending it off to my sweet granddaughter for her Christmas/Valentine's outfit.  The tutu directions can be found here and the bow directions are here.  I love how it turned out!