Go Green and Save Some Green (a tutorial)

Sometimes I feel guilty because of my passion for paper. Crafting with paper products is my creative outlet. It keeps me sane. So I try to not be wasteful in whatever way I can.

Having said that, let me show you something I whipped up in just minutes. Not only is it a nice way to recycle, but it can help your wallet too. Why purchase pricey gift boxes when you can quickly make your own? Its so easy and if you've got kids, its a great way to get them on the crafty, repurposing bandwagon.

Here's what you'll need:

Trash...just kidding. Save some clean, empty cereal, cracker, etc. boxes
Adhesive of choice (I use Beacon's 3 in 1, love the stuff)
Patterned paper and scraps
Assorted embellishments
Hole punch
Bone folder
Scissors or paper cutter
Ribbon

Step 1
Gather several boxes. I promise, once you've done one, you'll want to do several. This is something you can do while watching tv. Cover the box simply using adhesive and your choice of paper. One sheet of 12x12 paper will cover a box depending upon its size. For my example, 12x12 didn't completely encircle the box, so I added a decorative strip of a contrasting paper down the middle. There's no template needed, just experiment with what you have. The only "rule"...be neat. Use a bone folder for your corners. Measure at least an extra inch (or 2) at the top and bottom to fold over.

Step 2
Make sure the bottom is completely covered. It just presents better. And Martha Stewart would be proud.

Step 3
Embellish at least one side of the box. Be as elaborate as you want. I just did one side, but you might want to do front and back. I used another contrasting embellishment from the same paper line (K & Company Yuletide). This time I used a die cut circle from their ornaments pad and layered a glittery snowflake chip embellie on top.




Step 4
Punch two holes at the top sides of the box with a common office hole punch. Cut a length of ribbon (again, this depends on your preference) and knot the ribbon through the holes to make a handle.

That's it! Now, I know this has been done a million and one times, but I hope its inspired you to "think outside the box" as it were. Now get busy!

Time To Get Holidazed

I hope you had a great Thanksgiving celebration. We did! And now its time for business. My Black Friday will be spent at home being a domestic diva, decorating, and watching college football. The perfect day.

Tomorrow is my hub's 65th birthday, Hello Medicare! I've got the day planned out with some of his favorite things. We'll be going to the Fort Worth Museum, our first visit since the new expansion/remodel. He love all things Egyptian which happens to be the current exhibit. While there, we'll take in the planetarium's "Stars of Egypt" show. Then we're having lunch at a new upscale Mexican joint called Chuy's (they're out of Austin), it got a great review and it's totally funky looking from the outside. I'm going to arrange for a cake to be served at the table. Finally, birthday toasts with friends. A full day indeed. He deserves it, I've been so tired and cranky after work the last month. Its payback time.

My Thanksgiving Banner didn't get finished in time (this year). I'm saving it for next year, so you'll just have to wait, ha. It turned out pretty cool though. In the meantime, I finished a Christmas layout using My Mind's Eye papers. Its a photo of last year's dinner table "Before The Feast". There's hidden journaling (family secrets, ya know). I used a chipboard flourish from Technique Tuesday which was enhanced with Ranger faux dimensional enamel (white) and Icicle Stickles. The leaves were snipped off a Christmas silk flower spray and the alphas are Doodle Bug Design.


Hope you have a great weekend. Oh yeah! Check out Paper Issues. There's a new link party going and its all things holiday-related. Thanks for stopping by.

There's A New Current Issue...

...at Paper Issues. Be sure to check it out. I finally did some scrapping this weekend. It felt so good to tidy my scrap table and play a little. Here's a layout and a card using some Bella Blvd goodies.






And soon I'll be posting an autumn banner, so stay tuned...

A Little Eye Candy

It's been so long since my last post. We've (me and Mom) been very busy decorating for Christmas. Fortunately, we're taking a little break to rest our weary bones. We're only putting up 4 trees this year, plus 2 mantles, a staircase, a formal dining room, the front door and the backyard patio area. My employer bought some wonderful new stuff this summer at market and its really been fun changing things up this season. Here's a peek for you.....

The sun room tree....



and a close up....




the formal dining room....






I'll be posting more photos later. Hope you have a great weekend. And don't forget about the challenge at Paper Issues. Cassie's got a great RAK for some lucky winner.