December 16, 2012

Photo Bottle Cap Magnets {A Tutorial}

Need a last minute gift idea? Why not make little bottle cap magnets to put your favorite faces on the fridge? These make great stocking stuffers and/or grandparents' gifts. (Both of my mother-in-laws are receiving a set grandkid magnets.)

The inspiration for this project came while visiting my aunt and spying my these sweet little faces on her magnet board. Aren't they adorable? I knew I wanted some, so I snapped an inspiration photo and set out to make my own. Here's my tutorial, and if you're curious it's super easy.



What you need:
Bottle caps - I bought mine new in the scrapbook section
Magnets circles
E-6000 glue
Mod Podge Dimensional Magic
optional: 1" circle paper punch


What you'll do:
Step 1: Glue magnets to the back of bottle caps. I used E-6000 glue. Tip: when glueing multiples, be sure to leave plenty of space between each bottle cap so the magnets don't jump together. This happened to me while the glue was still wet - ooops!



Step 2: Find the perfect photos for your project. This is somewhat difficult because the face needs to be relatively small when using a standard size snapshot (4x6). Try to include as much hair as possible. A too tightly cropped face is difficult to recognize. Here's a tip for choosing a photo:

Hole punch a paper scrap to create a guide for finding the perfect snapshot.

Step 3: Cut photo. If using a paper punch, you will likely need to trim the photo to reach child's face. This is done most simply by cutting along the edge of the paper guide, while it is centered over area of interest.

Step 4: Glue photo into bottle cap depression.

Step 5: Wait 24 hours until glue dries!


Step 6: Apply Mod Podge Dimensional Magic to give that glossy sealed look. Do not shake bottle. (makes air bubbles).

Step 7: Wait another 24 hours until Mod Podge Dimensional Magic is dry.

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Happy Gifting!
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December 13, 2012

Christmas Card Photo and Sign Tutorial

Well, I finally got our Christmas cards addressed and stamped, which is late for us, but they still haven't made it to the mailbox yet. I'm hoping I can bribe the hubs into licking all the envelopes tonight. I really dislike sealing envelopes. Anyone else? After about ten, I feel as though the taste of envelope paste will be imprinted on my senses for the rest of the month.

I haven't mailed my cards yet, but I'm sharing the photo on here anyways. So if you happen to be on our mailing list and are reading this post tonight, promise me you'll feign delight when your hard copy shows up in the mailbox next week.  mmkay?

Here's our last minute Christmas card photo.


I had no idea how difficult it was to get a weekend appointment at a photo studio during the month of December. Usually we are a snapshot kind of photo card family, but this year was different. My little girl is growing up and I wanted to capture one last "baby" portrait with her curly pigtails and a tutu. We snagged this family portrait at the same session (after an outfit change for the Bean).

I should note that my father-in-law also captured some great professional quality family photos over Thanksgiving, but since I really wanted to include my "Merry Christmas" sign, (which I forgot on our 12 hour drive to the in laws) we went in to a budget chain photo studio for our Christmas cards.

Want to make your own photo card props? There's still time to replicate this look before Christmas.

Here's what you need:
Foam core board - (The nicer stuff from Hobby Lobby, not the Dollar Tree variety)
Pencil
Permanent Marker
One Page Protector
Overhead Projector

What you do:
Step 1:  Use your favorite program to design and your sign. I like PicMonkey.com's font selection, but Microsoft Word has a great selection too. Print your words (in a medium size) onto regular printer paper.

Step 2:  Place inside a page protector and trace with a permanent marker. (The photo above is from a previous project. Lessons learned from that first project - use a larger font size and trace with a permanent marker)

Step 3: Using an overhead projector and a pencil, trace the typography shadow onto foam board. Keep your pencil markings on the outside of the shadow lines. This step doesn't need to be perfect.

The photo below is awful, but it better describes what I mean about tracing the outside of the shadow.

Step 4: Apply permanent marker. On solid-fill fonts you simply color in the void. On outline only type fonts (see birthday girl below) Your ink line should barely cover the pencil tracing with the majority of the ink thickness just inside the tracing, to more closely replicate your original typography.

Step 5: Cut with craft knife, leaving some white space between the words and your cutting line.

In my opinion, the best way to cut the foam board is in a series of three cutting strokes. Begin with a series of  dotted-line piercing type cuts around the perimeter. The second cutting stroke is a continuous cutting motion connecting the perforating first cuts. This will free the sign from the remainder of the foam board. The third cut is a smoothing cut motion. Angle your blade inward and smooth out any rough edges.

Step 6: Say "I'm a pretty princess." (Seriously, that's what our photographer asked.)

Honestly though, you really don't need a photographer to get a card worthy photo. This impromptu backyard snapshot taken with my cheapo camera is almost just as cute.
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Linking to these great parties listed HERE

December 11, 2012

To Elf, Or Not To Elf?


With only two weeks until Christmas, its probably safe to say that The Elf on the Shelf will not be joining our family this year. My daughter's still a bit young anyways. But what about next year? Will we be future "Elf on a Shelf-ers"?  I'm just not sure.

While the Elf on the Shelf is extremely popular right now, I'm still on the fence about whether I want to introduce this tradition to our family.

On the one hand, I reeeally want to plan funny pranks for our mischievous elf to complete during the night. (i.e. Dry erase mustaches on the glass panes of photo frames? Hilarious.) But really, at only two and a half, my daughter's favorite part would be the daily hunt to find the elf's new location.

The part that I'm not too keen on is the book's heavy emphasis on the elf's nightly reporting to Santa of the child's misdeeds. Whether you view this aspect of the tradition as a bribe or a threat, the result is the same: a child's month long preoccupation with good behavior and the subtle implication that gifts can be lost or earned based on one's conduct.

I want my child to feel loved and to know that she is loved always. It doesn't matter if she's the worst kid in town, I would still love her. And I give because I love. Its a parallel to our heavenly Father, who gave us the gift of forgiveness through His Son even while we were still sinners. It's the story of the first Christmas (and Easter) and God's unending love for us - that's the message I want to teach my child this season.

I'm not opposed to secular traditions, and I'm definitely curious about Elf on a Shelf. I just want to be sure to introduce this tradition in a light hearted way that emphasizes love, rather than discipline. Maybe that means we'll skip the retail boxed kit in exchange for a non-licensed elf and a carefully worded  story told by mom and dad.

Will we embrace the Elf on the Shelf craze next year? The verdict is still out. The creative side of me is rooting yes, but I still have some concerns. I guess you'll just have to wait and see!  :)

Where does your family stand on the Elf on the Shelf debate?





December 9, 2012

Monogramed Packages and Recycled Wrapping Paper Filler


We exchange gifts with a fairly long list of family members at multiple (and separate) Christmas celebrations. To simplify the process of gathering up the gifts specific to each event, we wrap our gifts based on which Christmas party location they will be given. For example, all the gifts going to my parents house are wrapped in brown paper packages.


Inspired by this pin from my Pinterest Let's Party board, I chose to monogram those brown paper packages with the recipient's first initial. I cut the letters free-handedly out of wrapping paper.

Do you like the rolled paper tree on the gift bag? I love it. That idea was inspired by the paper tree art over at Simply Living. I thought it would be fun to embellish all the gift bags that way, but one proved to be enough for my wrapping impatience :)

I also tried making my own gift bag filler this year. I had some wrapping paper scraps that were too small for wrapping boxes, but too big to throw away. I ran the scraps through my friend's paper crimper (which I happened to be borrowing for another project) Then I sent the crimped wrapping paper through the paper shredder and voila!  - an economical (and environmentally friendly) gift bag filler.


Happy Gifting!

December 3, 2012

[Semi-Homemade] Felt Snowflake Garland


Have you seen the felt snowflake ornaments for sale at Target this year?

I wasn't planing on making a Christmas garland, but after finding these adorable felt snowflakes, I couldn't resist. The sturdiness of these 3mm thick felt snowflakes - along with the cozy colors and varying flake shapes - really caught my eye. But it was the $1 price tag which impressed me most.

Sure, I could probably make my own felt snowflakes. But the time and effort that would take? And during the busy holiday season? Sometimes complete DIY just isn't worth it.

I began my project right there in the middle of Target, spacing snowflakes on the floor, guesstimating my mantel length and arranging the felt flakes to my liking. Fortunately, there was hardly anyone else shopping at that time because my brainstorming spread rendered that aisle impassible.


Once home, I used measuring tape and a calculator to determine how far apart each snowflake should lie and tied marker knots at the appropriate distances. (My ornaments are spaced 15" apart). Raffia bows were the final touch.

I love the way this garland stylistically ties together the other elements of my mantel - the twiggy reindeer, the vintage cross stiched artwork made decades ago by my grandmother, and the Norweigan heritage wreath (which I'll write about later) seem unified by the cozy cabin feel of the felt garland.

What do you think? What are your favorite retail items for semi-homemade projects?


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What do you think? What are your favorite retail items for semi-homemade projects?

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