~The Holidays Are Right Around The Corner~

Now that Halloween is over Thanksgiving and Christmas will soon be here.  Are you getting ready for the holidays?  Even though I shop for gifts year round there is still so much to do!  Every year there are things that I want to do and unfortunately I run out of time.  This year will be different.  Here are the things I have accomplished so far this year: 

• I’ve been clipping coupons and stocking up on ingredients for turkey day.
• I’ve dug up my recipes for Thanksgiving.
• I was accepted to be a vendor at the Holiday Bazaar at the Si View Community Center in North Bend.
• I have hand made approximately 150 holiday greeting cards that I plan on selling at the bazaar and in my etsy shop.
• I’ve started to list holiday cards in my shop, Sno Valley Greetings.
• I have about half of my Christmas shopping done. (yay!)

Here are my goals for November:

• Make a food donation to the Mt. Si Food Bank.  Currently they need turkeys, click HERE for details on how and when to donate.
• Finish the rest of my Christmas gift shopping.
• Buy wrapping paper and maybe start wrapping gifts.
• Continue to make cards and gift tags to sell at the holiday bazaar.
• Decorate the house! (my favorite part)
• Get our Christmas tree (this year we are looking for a 10 foot tree)

What are your holiday plans and goals you would like to accomplish?

~Make Your Own Snowflake Holiday Gift Card Holder~

I came across this great project idea on Michael’s website.  These gift card holders are a perfect way to personalize your gift rather than put it in a store bought holder.  I’ve included directions below on how to make the Snowflake Gift Card Holder.   

Materials Used:

• Eazy Felt Stiffened Felt: Purple, Light Blue, White
• Holiday Trim It-Up Blue, Light Blue & White with Silver Edge Ribbon
• 'Tis The Season Silver Dot on White Grosgrain Ribbon
• Sparkling Glitter Glue, Lilac
• Scissors

• Ruler or Straight Edge
• Craft Knife or X-Act® Knife
• Glue Gun and Glue Sticks
• 1/8-inch Hole Punch

Cost of each project will vary depending on materials used.

Directions:

Cut two circles with a diameter of 4½-inches from the purple Eazy-Felt.

Use the hole punch to make holes in the purple felt circles about every ¼-inch around the entire circumference. Lay the second piece on top and punch through both pieces to ensure the holes line up. Cut a 25-inch piece of white narrow ribbon with silver edge. Lace this through the holes. Leave a 3-inch opening on one side of the circle, lacing only to one side and not through to the other circle. Do the same to the other side of the 3-inch opening. This will give the illusion that it is completely laced all the way around. Glue down each end inside the circle so it cannot be seen.

Use a snowflake template from the computer or freehand draw one onto paper. Use a copier or printer to reduce the size of the snowflake, just make sure the snowflake fits within the purple felt circles, including the lacing. Print three sizes in smaller succession. Place the largest snowflake over the light blue felt and cut out entire flake with the craft knife. Take the smallest snowflake template and only cut the center of the flake out of the light blue felt. Take the medium sized snowflake and cut the flake completely out of the white felt. Layer and glue the snowflakes together as shown.

Glue the light blue felt snowflake down in the center of the circle. Lay the white snowflake on top and glue down. Glue the light blue center of the snowflake down in the center of the white snowflake.

Cut a 6-inch piece of silver dots on white grosgrain ribbon. Fold in half, glue ends together. Glue the raw end to the inside of the tag but only the front or the gift card holder will get glued shut.

Use the glitter glue to accent the snowflake. Place glitter glue in center of snowflake over the blue felt and just at the tips of the other parts of the snowflake.

Tip:

Use photo as a guide and follow manufacturer’s instructions for all products used.

The felt and ribbon colors could easily be changed to suit any particular theme or color scheme. Please experiment within the idea.

If you are interested in seeing the project sheet on Michael’s website click HERE to be re-directed.  Happy Crafting!

~”Scent”sational Kanani~

For those of you that are already holiday shopping and have candle goodies on your list of things to purchase check out Kanani’s website:

http://www.partylite.biz/sites/scentsationalkanani

I have to admit that I am somewhat biased because Kanani is my friend however she is the only one I know who is a PartyLite Consultant! If you are interested in purchasing PartyLite products go to her website and click on “Shop” or click HERE to  be taken to the online catalogue.  Don’t have money to spend on candle goodies?  If you live in the Seattle and surrounding areas book a party through Kanani and Host a Show.  For more details visit the website.  In the meantime happy shopping!