December 3, 2009 – 10:21 pm
I love the holiday season!!! Twinkling lights, festive decorations, and of course PRESENTS!!! This year I want to be a little more eco-conscious than in years past, so I’ve been searching the internet for creative ways to top my gifts and send out my holiday greetings without wasting tons of paper and going through endless bags of bows. [And don't worry ... I'll be talking about wrapping paper solutions later in the week.]
Check out this tutorial on making your own bows from magazine pages from Talk Crafty To Me [they also have tons of fun holidays crafts!]. I think they look even prettier than store bought bows and the customization possibilities are endless! I am going to be making some of my own bow creations this week and will definitely share the results with you. How about you? Will you be making your own bows? What are you using to make them and CAN I SEE THEM??
I am really digging [no pun intended] all the plantable cards and gift tags hitting the marketplace. Grace Graphics in Eastern Oklahoma turns out these plantable creations using recycled fibers and soy & vegetable based inks. She has quite a selection of Christmas and Hanukka cards available and I just love the “Seeds n’ Greetings” phrase printed on the gift tags! 1 dozen gift tags for $11.50 and cards are $3.75 each.
I came across a lovely little blog today called ormolu, belonging to Kaitlin Sheaffer who is a mom who loves paper, handmade, and interior design. She has an Etsy shop filled with all sorts of wonderful things like these A is for Angel Alphabet Gift Tags – 26 for $8.00 …. and these Love Song Paper Chains [that I completely ADORE], which would make an excellent garland [there are also some Christmas themed chains available] – approx. 1 yard for $4.50.
As I perused through the holiday cards on Etsy, I smiled and maybe even chuckled a little when I saw this letterpress print by Paper Elixer. I laaaave it! $4.00.
Be sure to check out all of the great holiday deals at Earth Lover!
Tags christmas bows, DIY, eco-friendly, handmade, holiday cards, holidays, paper chains, paper goods, plantable cards, plantable gift tags, wrapping paper
|
Permalink |
November 27, 2009 – 3:30 pm
I can remember opening the little paper windows on an advent calendar every December when I was younger. Sometimes I would sneak a peek a few days ahead and steal the chocolate goody that was waiting for me. I want to start the same tradition with my little Ava and I found some great ideas to inspire me. Pretty soon I will be counting down to everything!
This calendar is so cute and colorful! Felt circles and little numbered coins to pull off as the days pass by. For more info on how to make your own, visit She Knits Shiznits.
This Christmas Countdown Kit, put together by a mother and two daughter team called Sweetwater contains everything you’ll need [fabric, thread, rope, iron-ons, pattern] to create these delightful pouches you can fill with treats of any sort. $23.95.
There is a great tutorial for this pretty advent tree on The Red Thread [by Lisa in Sydney, Australia]. It’s such a simple idea and blends beautifully into the decor of any home. This one is my favorite.
These little beauties were made by Ashley of Nouveau Designs in my former home city of Brooklyn. Inspired by the cityscapes of Brooklyn and Amsterdam … get one of your very own for $20.00.
And just for fun I thought I would include this photo I found on Flikr of a Beer Bottle Advent Calendar … just be sure you don’t drink yourself to Christmas all in one night!
November 27, 2009 – 3:40 am
I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving! I am STUFFED and was just killing some time on the computer when I saw this awesome How To on Instructables. This light bulb vase is such a clever use for your burnt out bulbs [that you are now replacing with CFLs - wink]. The base is just an aluminum ring from a recycled hard drive and they have some other options for keeping the bulb upright as well. They have also made a light bulb terrarium – LOVE IT.
