Magic Christmas Ornament

Want a fun kid friendly kraft that's inexpensive, easy and magical?

Hop over to the May Arts Blog to see what I did with these:

See you there!

May Arts Unique Gift Wrap Blog Hop

Need a quick, easy, elegant and unique way to wrap up jewelry, homemade candy or handmade creams, balms or scrubs?

Check out this elegant and super fast wrap up using metal tins.  You can stack as many tins as you want. I chose 3 for a pair of earrings, a bracelet and a necklace.

I just love how this looks.  I grabbed 3 varied sizes of tins from my stash.  As you can see, they're not new.  There are a few dings and I actually roughed them up a bit more with some sandpaper because I wanted a slightly shabby elegance to play off that gorgeous ribbon.

Line the inside of the tin with batting if you're packaging jewelry.  Apply stick on magnet strips to keep the tins together.

Wrap with gorgeous May Arts Satin Ribbon and Silver Snowflakes.  You can add a tag, before tying the bow, if desired.

Want some of this yummy ribbon?  The Ribbon Lady is giving away 2 prize packs of 1 roll of ribbon and a package of Artful Accents to 2 lucky people who leave comments along the hop.

Here's the hop line up in case you missed someone:

Monday

Virginia Fynes

Tracy McLennon

Rhea Weigand

Mary Brockway

Mallika Kejriwal

Lalo IK

Karen Hanson

Tuesday

Karen Baker

Jennifer Davey

Jenifer Cowles

Jen Shears

Gini Williams Cagle

Emily Lanham

Charlene Driggs (that's me!)

Happy Wrapping!!

May Arts Sweet Treats and a Giveaway!

'Tis the season for baking and giving Sweet Treats!  The best gifts come from the kitchen and the heart.   The Ribbonistas at May Arts have put on our aprons and our ribbons to create some creative ways to gift your sweet treats.

I absolutely love baking for the holidays and creating pretty packages to present the goodies is part of the fun.   One thing our family likes to do is give visitors to our home a little surprise to take home with them. I think this lacy cookie pocket is perfect for one large or several small cookies or other treats.

I've packaged some yummy White Chocolate Macadamia cookies in a pretty lace envelope lined with Kraft parchment paper to create an elegant cookie wrap. I added a May Arts Kraft tag and some gorgeous May Arts Silver Metallic ribbon, Silver Snowflakes to add some holiday sparkle.

Be sure to pop over the May Arts blog to check out the other Sweet Treats wraps and comment there for your chance to win one of 2 rolls of yummy ribbon for your own sweet treats!

Thanks for stopping by and Merry Christmas!

Not Your Typical Berry Smoothie - Williams-Sonoma Smoothie Week!

I know...it's not Foodie Friday but it is Williams-Sonoma Smoothie Week so here's my contribution to the celebration.  

Yum...that's all I have to say about this yummy smoothie I whipped up for breakfast on Saturday. 

We had a lot to do and not much time for cooking so the freezer and pantry came to the rescue for a quick and delicious breakfast.

I was able to make this totally organic, thanks to berries we picked and froze this summer and an added bonus was the protein punch I gave it with the addition of...are you ready? Organic Whole Rolled Oats!   It was a risk throwing them in there because I wasn't sure if I'd end up with a gloppy thick mess but they blended up perfectly and added delicious flavor!

If you look closely, you can see the oats all blended up in that beautiful berry goodness.  

This quick and easy beauty kept us going from breakfast until mid-afternoon.

Here's the recipe in case you want to try it yourself.  This makes two generous smoothies.

Berry Oatmeal Power Smoothie

In a blender, combine:

2/3 cup Blueberries (fresh or frozen)
2/3 cup Blackberries (fresh or frozen)
2/3 cup Raspberries (fresh or frozen)
1/2 cup uncooked Organic Whole Rolled Oats
1 cup Organic Greek Yogurt
3/4 -1 cup Orange juice or more to taste
4 teaspoons Organic Honey
1 Tablespoon Organic Flaxseed Oil
6-8 ice cubes

Mix at high speed until well blended.  That's it!

What?  You don't have a blender?  Well, Christmas is coming so I can't think of a better time to ask Santa for one of these beauties from Williams-Sonoma.  Every kitchen needs one for whipping up everything from cool drinks to delicious soups and salad dressings.

Enjoy!

Thanks for popping by, I'd love to know if you try it.

Easy Christmas Centerpiece

Need a quick, easy and economical centerpiece idea for your holiday table?  Head over the May Arts blog for a complete tutorial to make this pretty candy tree.

Bonus!  The kids can help.

Happy Crafting!

May Arts Kids' Crafts Hop

Welcome to the May Arts Holiday Kids Crafts Blog Hop!  I'm first up on the list of 2 full days of kid friendly, ribbon inspired crafts.

I think Christmas is the season most kids look forward to the most.  Decorating the tree, baking cookies, lights,shopping and making that all important list for Santa.  

Christmas is also the season of giving and celebrating the most important gift of all, the gift of the Christ child.  

I think one of the most important things children can learn is that the most valuable gift we can give someone is the gift of our time and our hearts. 

I was inspired by Shel Silverstein's book, "The Giving Tree".  If you haven't read this sweet story to your children yet, it's well worth adding to your library.   You can find gently used books for a tiny price at half.com, Barnes & Noble, etc.  Many are in gift worthy condition.

Even the littlest crafters can help with this project.

We used Spellbinders Heart and Star dies to cut big and small shapes from Core'dinations Glitter Silk Cardstock.  This cardstock is perfect because the back of the stock is white, perfect for writing, while the front is pretty glittery color.  We punched holes in the hearts and stars and strung them with May Arts  Metallic String in Silver, Gold and White.

Next, we decorated a small tree with May Arts White Snowflakes, Silver Leaves and Wired Beads in pretty Red for a pop of color.

Then we wrote on the back of the hearts some things we could give this Christmas season like donating a toy to Toys for Tots, volunteering at the local homeless shelter  baking cookies for our mail person, raking the neighbors' leaves, and taking a meal to a sick friend .  We thought of others too, but that should give you a start for your own "Giving Tree".   

You know the Ribbon Lady is the Queen Giver of good gifts, so leave a comment on each Ribbonista blog as well as the May Arts blog for your chance to win some May Arts Ribbon and the new Artful Accents!

Here's the line up:

Thursday

Charlene Driggs

Emily Lanham

Gini Williams Cagle

Jen Shears

Jenifer Cowles

Jennifer Davey

Karen Baker

Friday

Karen Hanson

Lalo IK

Mallika Kejriwal

Mary Brockway

Tracy McLennon

Virginia Fynes

Thanks for joining us! 

May Arts/Core'dinations Blog Hop Week

It's the last day of the May Arts/Core'dinations Blog Hop but that doesn't mean the fun is over.  Be sure to check out the list below in case you missed anyone and check out the Core'dinations Blog for even more chances to win.  All you have to do is leave a comment!

I started with this simple paperboard and wood box that I picked up at Michael's for just $1.  With the help of Core'dinations Core Impressions Fancy Pants designs and May Arts ribbons, I turned it into an elegant gift box perfect for gifting jewelry, gift cards or cash.

First, I removed the knob (it screws on!) and the elastic) Next, I cut the Fancy Pants cardstock to fit the top and sides of the box.

I painted the box inside and out with white acrylic paint for a nice finish.  It dries super fast so there's really no down time.   Then I simply sanded my cardstock with the Core'dinations sander and applied it to the box with Mod Podge.

I used May Arts White Satin String to outline the box lid and to replace the elastic closure.  May Arts 5/8" White Lace w/Pearl Center  to trim the box base.  Both ribbons were applied with a very thin stream of hot glue.

May Arts and Core'dinations have an awesome prize pack of goodies for a lucky blog hopper so be sure to visit and comment on both blogs.

Here's the MA line up in case you missed someone along the way:

Monday

Tracy McLennon

Rhea Weigand

Tuesday

Mary Brockway

Mallika Kejriwal

Lalo IK

Wednesday

Karen Hanson

Karen Baker

Thursday

Jennifer Davey

Jenifer Cowles

Jen Shears

Friday

Gini Williams Cagle

Emily Lanham

Charlene Driggs

May Arts/Core'dinations Blog Hop Week!

It's time for the May Arts Ribbon/Core'dinations Blog Hop Week!   There's a Core/May Arts prize pack up for grabs just for commenting.  You're sure to find some paper and ribbon inspiration along the way and the Ribbon Lady may just have a few other surprises up her sleeve...just sayin'!

Monday

Tracy McLennon

Rhea Weigand

Tuesday

Mary Brockway

Mallika Kejriwal

Lalo IK

Wednesday

Karen Hanson

Karen Baker

Thursday

Jennifer Davey

Jenifer Cowles

Jen Shears

Friday

Gini Williams Cagle

Emily Lanham

Charlene Driggs      

See you Friday!

Easy Holiday Napkin Rings/Placecards

Need table setting ideas for the holidays?

I've got 3 ideas for you on the May Arts Blog today.  Whether your table is casual or dressy, one of these quick and easy ideas are sure to spark your imagination.

May Arts Artful Accents

Have you seen May Arts new Artful Accents?  They're nothing short of fabulous for crafty creating!

The Ribbon Lady challenged us to use them in creative ways and if you know me, you know by now that I love Thrifty Gifting.

How's this for dressing up a plain brown bag?

Just grab a glue gun and go!  One package did the entire bag... back, front, sides and even a few on the bottom.  Just wrap, glue, and done.

A pretty May Arts Sheer Glitterd Dotted bow, a piece of foil tissue and this plain brown bag is now a glamour girl.

Want to win some Artful Accents of your own?

Just leave a comment on the May Arts Blog ..the Ribbon Lady will draw 2 lucky winners!

Thanks for joining us!

PS...Peggy, I still your snail addy for your Breast Cancer Awareness prize.  

DIY Macrame Bracelets

I've got an easy and super quick idea for Christmas gifts and stocking stuffers on the May Arts Blog.

Be sure to check it out!

Breast Cancer Awareness Giveaway Winner!

Here's the winner of the Breast Cancer Awareness Giveaway.  

Here are your random numbers:

5

Timestamp: 2014-10-20 18:33:15 UTC

Peggy said...

Thank you for the chance to win something that is near to my heart. I am a Breast Cancer Survivor of 1 year. My grandmother also had breast cancer and I have many friends who are currently battling.
Thank you for the chance to win.
God bless,
PeggyA

October 15, 2014 at 2:31 PM

 

Peggy, email me with your mailing info and I'll get your package out to you.

Thanks again!

May Arts Handmade Christmas Card Blog Hop

I have a confession to make.  Ready?  Seriously, you better sit down first.

 I don't make my Christmas cards.  GASP!!

I used to...really I did. but life has become a whirlwind of things to do and something had to go.  I do, however, make a few special ones to send to family so I was thrilled when the Ribbon Lady challenged us to a Christmas card hop.  I miss my paper and ink.

I decided to go elegant in ivory and gold for this one.  Super simple, super easy.  My card base is 5" square ivory card stock, corners rounded and the front spritzed with ImagineCRAFTS Pssst! Sheer Shimmer Gold Spritz.  I think I'm in love.  I sponged the edges with Tsukineko Delicata Golden Glitz.

I created the wreath by first cutting a circle with a Spellbinders Circle die then glued May Arts XL30 Gold Leaves.  The wreath circle is popped up with foam tape.

The paper flowers were sponged with gold ink  and pearl swirl was muted with some Versafine Sepia ink so they wouldn't be so white against the ivory card stock both came from my stock.  I stamped the sentiment with the same gold ink.

Inside, I spritzed more gold shimmer then pulled a string on a single gold leaf to create some texture.  A stick on pearl tops finishes it off.  Yay...one Christmas card completed!

You know the Ribbon Lady loves to give away ribbon so here we go -   2 spools of ribbon EACH day from the May Arts Christmas Section!  That's 21 pages of choices!!  Just comment to win!

Here's the hop line up in case you missed someone along the way:

Thursday

        Virginia Fynes

       Tracy McLennon

       Rhea Weigand

       Mary Brockway

       Mallika Kejriwal  
       Lalo IK 
       Karen Hanson

Friday
       Karen Baker

      Jennifer Davey

      Jenifer Cowles

      Jen Shears

      Gini Williams Cagle

      Emily Lanham

      Charlene Driggs - that's me!

Breast Cancer Awareness - Fight Like a Girl Giveaway

In honor of the women I know fighting breast cancer, I'm having a Fight Like a Girl giveaway!

You'll receive Amuse Studio's fight like a girl stamp set, Imagine Crafts Tsukineko Radiant Neon Electric Pink ink pad and all the May Arts pink ribbons from my scrap basket.  Most are long, some are short, all are beautiful. 

What do you need to do?  Just leave me a comment and tell me about a special woman in your life who has battled or is surviving breast cancer.

I'll draw a winner on Saturday, October 18th.


Thanks for stopping by!

Decorate Your Fall Pumpkins

I've got a fun, quick and easy Fall project up on the May Arts blog today.   Be sure to pop over to see the whole project and get your creative juices flowing.

Happy Fall Y'all!

May Arts/Authentique/Imagine Crafts Blog Hop

It's time for another fun May Arts blog hop!  This time we're combining our gorgeous ribbons with beautiful Authentique papers and Imagine Crafts inks and sprays.

Just because summer is over, there's no reason to put away your summer papers and bright ribbons. Here's a way to bring a little sunshine into your family's lives on those dreary winter days.

I have some old  (I mean, they were on the clearance aisle to start with and have been sitting in my office for about 3 years old!) Martha Stewart boxes that were craving a make over.  So, for my project, I pulled one of the boxes out of the dungeon and decided to give it a paper and ribbon face lift.

See what I mean...yes, it looked that bad!

Now, thanks to May Arts Ribbon, Authentique's pretty papers and Imagine Crafts Shimmer sprays, and a little adhesive;  I've created a"Happy Box" and cheerful tags to tuck into backpacks, lunch boxes and even your spouse's car to brighten their day.  Having a supply of tags handy makes writing a little note of encouragement to brighten their day stress free and fun.

Much improved...yes?  Loving those happy ribbons!

Even the inside got the ribbon and pretty paper treatment.  And those tags were so much fun to create!

The box can be refilled or re-purposed for as a treasure box or keepsake.  The supply list is at the bottom

Here's the line up for the week: be sure to check in to each Ribbonistas blog daily for your chance to win one of 3 awesome prize packs full of May Arts ribbony goodness, pretty Authentique papers and Imagine Crafts surprises.

Monday

Charlene Driggs (that's me!)

Emily Lanham

Gini Williams Cagle

Tuesday

Jen Shears

Jenifer Cowles

Wednesday

Jennifer Davey

Karen Baker

Karen Hanson

Thursday

Mallika Kejriwal

Mary Brockway

Friday

Rhea Weigand

Shellye McDaniel

Tracy McLennon

May Arts Ribbons used:

3/4" Chevron
5/8" Faux Canvas
1/2" Sheet Two Tone Stripes
3/8" Woven Check
1" Solid Reversible Dots
3/8" Double Faced Satin
3/4" Elastic Plaid Ruffle

Thanks for joining us and be sure to comment to win!

Crochet Pony Tail Holders

Want a fun and easy project?  Need a fundraising project for cheerleaders or inexpensive gifts and stocking stuffers?  Maybe you just want to match an outfit?

Head over the May Arts blog today for the easy tutorial!

Have fun!