Try this idea with the fall leaves you pick!

I saw a great idea on Facebook this morning! 

Before pressing fall leaves, cut out some interesting shapes using a scrapbook punch!  Preserve the little shapes just as you would a regular leaf and use in future projects.

Not sure how to preserve leaves? Click here.

There were no written directions with the Facebook post, but I would suggest you take care to “clean” your punch afterwards by punching a number of paper shapes and allowing the punch to air dry thoroughly.

The possibilities!! Card making, scrapbooking, Thanksgiving place cards...

Another Little Bonbons Project...Bunnies and Owls

Two of my little grandbabies are having birthdays soon. It's ever so much fun shopping for little people!

I decided to make my own cards and found some sweet (and free!) patterns for a little bunny and an owl at Love the Bluebird. Scroll down the page to find the picture links for the patterns on the right side of the page. There's also a pumpkin.

Made with my teeny tiny crochet hook and Little Bonbons cotton yarn, they are about 2 1/4 inches long, quick to make and perfect for a scrapbooking or card project. Note, I changed the bunny's tail so it would be flat: Make a magic ring and then 10 single crochet stitches (almost the same as the owl's eye).

DIY... (free!!) initials, labels and tags to download...

Happy Monday!  We had a productive weekend at our house - items were purchased or made and a number of names have been checked off the list.  

So... today, wrapping is on my "to do" list.

For many years our gifts under the tree have not had name tags.  

No, it wasn't a quaint tradition...

The moment gifts came into the house, they were wrapped and tucked under the tree.  Without tags, we reasoned, it was a little more difficult for the kids to determine what was inside those mysterious packages.

Anyway (fast forward to today), our smaller gifts (in an effort to minimize commercialism and stress) in their (recycled) gift bags are becoming more difficult to distribute Christmas morning.  

So, this year I've decided to add initial tags... 

These small (1.5 x 2 inches), initial tags could be printed on coloured paper or cardstock.  They come in three colours or you can print them in black like I did.  Print landscape and you'll be able to get eighteen to a page.  Punch a hole and add a ribbon, raffia or twine for a tie...you're set to go!  

Cathe Holden designed these 2.5 inch diameter, round, blank labels - six colours available.  As she points out on the website, you can "use these vintage designed round labels for your jars with jam, tin containers for candles, use them for wedding favor gifts, for organizing your kitchen, for organizing your personal items or for anything you need to make look beautiful!!!"

Looking for something bigger?  Wedding Chicks has the answer!

And for those of you with a colour printer and LOTS of time today, check World Labels Pinterest site - free printables for every occasion!  

PS  Put on a BIG pot of coffee first.  

Have fun!

# 75 DIY...free, downloadable letters for crafting

Here's something you might be interested in!

Leo Reynolds has an amazing photograph collection on Flickr!

In particular, look at his collections of letters and numbers.  You can choose a pre-made set of letters such as this one...

... or browse through individual letters for one you especially like.  For example, there are 973 photographs of the letter "A".  You are allowed to download and use the letters for non-commercial purposes.

Imagine printing out the letters for a child's name and framing them individually...  

Or, printing just a child's initial and using it in a collage frame of photographs...

# 67 Christmas ornaments: little handprints, big memories

 

Yesterday, my daughter-in-law bought some clear balls.  She's planning to put feathers in some of them.

She also bought some "baby safe" glue and pink glitter to try one like this example.  She plans to make two "special" ornaments each year with our little granddaughter...one for the family tree and one to save for when she has her own tree!

At school we made snowmen ornaments.  Here's mine!  White acrylic craft paint was used to make a handprint.  The palm became the ground and the fingers were decorated with Sharpie felts

Some more handprint ideas from Pinterest...  

# 66 Pinterest to the rescue! Five Christmas gift ideas : )

In Michael's today, I started to hyperventilate.  It is SO CHRISTMAS in that store!  

A cup of tea and a dose of PINTEREST later, I'm feeling much better.  Inspired even!  

1.  Coasters!  Adhere photographs with Mod Podge to 4x4 tiles; spray with clear spray paint and attach felt pads.

2.  This organizer would make a good gift.  

3.  A Christmas book and a pillow would be perfect for my baby  granddaughter.

4.  And a no-sew, coordinating fleece blanket for "wrapping paper" would be easy.  

5.  The best idea of all?  Reproducing old family recipes onto tea towels!  I want to check this one first.