Simple Handmade Gift Idea

Here’s a simple project idea I tried recently which was small enough to slip into an envelope with a card. These were quick and easy to make and I used mostly supplies I already had around the scraproom – yay !

Magnetic Notepads

Supplies:

• Small cardboard-backed notepad
• Magnet (adhesive backed would be a plus)
• Paper flowers and/or other embellishments
• Hot glue gun or other adhesive

Steps:

1. Adhere the magnet to the back of the notepad. A thin, flat magnet would be best, since the idea is that the notepad can be written on while hanging up. You can purchase adhesive backed magnets or just use those free magnets you get as advertisements (that’s what I used, since I always save them and have plenty on hand).
2. Decorate the top of the notepad with paper flowers and a gem (the ones I used are by Prima), or use any other embellishments you like!

Tip: I love using my hot glue gun for projects like this – I just add a dot of hot glue, then quickly place the paper flowers on top and use the gem to press and hold it all together for a few seconds until the glue is dry. It works because there are tiny holes in the flower centers which allow the glue to adhere all the flowers and the center together at once!

Have fun, and let me know if you make some of these! Oh, and depending on how bulky/heavy your notepad is, you might need a bit of extra postage on your envelope - so keep that in mind if you plan to mail them .

Christmas Gift Basket Idea

****FAMILY MEMBERS: Don’t look at this one please !****

Here’s an idea I have been wanting to try ever since I saw it on Kayla’s blog last year around this time: homemade caramel dip! I was amazed that you can make this great treat right in the can without ever even opening it . You just remove the labels from some cans of sweetened condensed milk, put them into a deep pot, and completely cover them with water, then boil them for three hours (adding water when needed). The milk turns into a caramel-y type sauce – who knew?? But I learned after the fact that it can be dangerous because the cans will exploded if the water level drops below the tops of the cans! Good thing I remembered to keep adding water !!! Despite the risk, I will be making more of these – I tested some, and it is YUMMY!

Here’s a gift basket idea: Decorate cans of homemade caramel dip (I used printed papers from Chrstmas Heart), add some apples, candies and bags of nuts and you have a sweet gift to  be enjoyed by all … I hope !

Christmas Ornament Tutorial

Merry Christmas ! You will be hearing that a lot from me this month, because this is one of the happiest times of year for me, and I like to really enjoy it and spread the joy as much as I can ! I noticed that the Christmas Edition of The Daily Scrapper is up – check it out, you don’t want to miss this one!! As you may know, The Daily Scrapper is a FREE online newspaper filled with great articles, tutorials, inspiration and more. This month’s special edition includes two tutorials by me . There are actually five tuts in there this month plus lots more ideas for hybrid gifts and cards. One of my tutorials shows how you can make a 3D star-shaped Christmas Tree ornament using the Golden Star Mini Album (on sale for only $1.50 right now) plus chipboard stars. If you’re feeling really creative, you could make your own star-shaped digital pages and use them with cardboard or heavy card stock if you want to just use supplies you have on hand . Click HERE to see the full tutorial !

P.S. Another great reason to check out the Christmas Edition of TDS is the huge Christmas Bazaar section which is packed with special coupons, sales and of course feebies !!!