"Recycle" Christmas Cards: How To Make Boxes!

Obviously, I love to keep hand-crafted cards to remember and inspire me, but what do I do with all the "other" cards I get at Christmas time? I re-purpose them into gift boxes!

Here is how to do it in 8 easy steps:

1. Cut card in half along fold.
2. Using back half of card first, fold so long edges meet in middle (important to do this step first)
3. Open and fold short edges to meet in the middle.
4. Open and cut edges from short edges to the first fold.
5. Fold short "arms" into the inside of box.
6. Fold top edges of larger tab over the short arms and tape down to inside of box. This creates the BOTTOM of the box.
7. Repeat steps 1-6 for the TOP of the box using the front half of card, leaving a small space between edges when folding (this makes the top a bit bigger to fit over the bottom). Remember to keep the pretty side facing OUT when folding the box, so you can see the design!
8. Fit box together, place gift inside and add ribbon!

Joy in the Mailbox

Truth be told, my favorite part of Christmas is getting the mail out of the mailbox! For the other eleven months of the year, there's not much to look forward to amongst the bills, credit card offers and mass-mailed advertisements. But during the holidays, people actually send real-live-honest-to-goodness-hand-signed-cards/letters, and what a treat it is! The whole family knows that it's Mom's prerogative to collect the mail, and to cross mom is risky business.

It's much better to hold a card in your hand than to get a message in your e-mail inbox that reads "So & So Sent You a Card". Really? That ranks right up there with a "Gift" on Facebook: completely, totally and utterly useless. What am I going to do with a virtual Ice Cream Cone? Sure there aren't any calories, but the sender didn't give any thought about what flavor I liked best or come with me to enjoy eating it together, which is what friendship is all about. Remember this, dear reader: The tangible will always trump the digitally simulated!

While I love hand-stamped cards the most, I do have a few criteria by which I judge exceptional holiday greetings:

1. First and foremost...don't just send a picture of your kids! While I'm sure that your children are the most talented, adorable, brilliant creatures to walk this planet, what I want to see is YOU. The parents. My friends. If I'm being totally candid, I want to see if the effects of gravity are working on you as much as they are on me, but most of all, it's YOUR face I want to see and smile back at. 
2. Give me the dirt, but not the dump truck. I revel in reading the report of your past year, but one page is plenty. More than a page is like being forced to eat a whole chocolate cake...it started out sweet and delicious, but by the end you want to throw up.
3. To get the "Holy Grail" Merit of Christmas Greeting Cards (and get a place in the Christmas Album I keep from year to year), jot a personal note in your handwriting!

Before I continue, let me give a disclaimer: My own family has had an almost-20-year tradition of sending Thanksgiving cards. We would mass produce close to 180 hand-stamped cards early in the autumn, and getting them out FIRST seemed to remind people to return the greeting sometime during the ensuing holiday season. It also provided the perfect opportunity to express our gratitude for our friends and family, and it is certainly heart-felt appreciation. And occasionally, we don't have time to write a personal greeting in each, but sometimes we try.

Last year we decided that since our surname is "Spendlove", it would make sense to send VALENTINES! So we have switched to sending holiday greetings in February, and now our mailing list is MUCH smaller, as I don't feel the need to send someone a card who hasn't at least contacted me in the last year >:D 

Now we get to the good part: Let me share some of the first hand-crafted cards I've received from my awesome friends so far this season!! (I'm sharing those who have used at least one Stampin' Up! product and will post more on my Stampin' Up! Facebook page as they arrive). Hope you'll send me one of yours, too!

Clockwise from top left: From Suzie, Bobbie, Lacy, Leara and Shelli.

Christmas Cottage

Despite a busy schedule at the bookstore, I did find time to build a house! This cute little Christmas Cottage was made using the Stampin' Up! Decor Accents Design-a-House and the Candy Cane Christmas Designer Series Paper and some leftover batting for the snow covered roof:

It was really quite easy to make, and at $5.95 each, you could make a whole village! You could also make it into a cute Valentine decoration: "A House Filled with Love". After I finished this one, it was claimed by my daughter for her room. If you make one, send me a picture and I'll share it here on my blog!

P.S. You CAN still order Stampin' Up! online to be delivered by Christmas...all orders placed by December 15th will be picked and packaged in time for Christmas Eve Delivery! CLICK HERE to order.

Something To Read...

It's been crazy busy at the bookstore recently...which is why I've been absent for a few weeks.  It's like everyone looked at the calendar and said, "Holy Cow! Christmas is just around the corner! I better go shopping!"  So click below for a little Christmas shopping help from me (Deseret Book Friends & Family coupons are good through December 16th!)

 

Remember the Victorian Christmas Mantra..."Something they WANT, Something they NEED, Something to WEAR and Something to READ"

 

Here are my suggestions for the "Something to Read" part...(you can also check to see what I'm reading by becoming my friends on Goodreads or see my bookshelf in the left column).

 

Divine Signatures (and how fortunate that this is one of the coupons for you, too!). The true stories in this new book will touch your heart as you read about the evidence of God's hand in the lives of people just like you and me. If  you don't buy another book this year, this is the one you want! "In this unique book, Gerald N. Lund shows how having a correct idea of God's character, perfections, and attributes is essential to our ability to strengthen our faith and develop our testimony. He also reminds us of how much God loves His children and that He "delights" to bless us, especially when we are striving to do His will. As and example, Elder Lund introduces the idea of a "divine signature": "Sometimes blessings come in such an unusual manner and with such precise timing that they accomplish something in addition to blessing us. They so clearly confirm the reality of God's existence that they buoy us up in times of trials."

The Great & Terrible Series 

"This thrilling series by national bestselling author Chris Stewart takes us from the beginning of time to the final hours of the last days. Filled with rumors of wars and political intrigues, deadly epidemics and economic disasters, uplifting twists and inspiring miracles, the volumes in The Great and Terrible series reveal the greatest secret of all: The children of God can defeat the adversary, for we have fought him before." 

Of Pigs, Pearls & Prodigals: A Fresh Look at the Parables of Jesus This new book by John Bytheway is on my "To-Read" list. The thing that intrigues me the most about this book (besides the fact that John makes scripture study fun!) is that he includes a part for each parable that makes it relevant to my life today, which will enrich my study of the New Testament in 2011.

FOR KIDS: 

The Great Plan of Happiness: With fun illustrations, this book simply explains to children where they came from, why they're here on earth, and where they go after death.

FOR TEENS: 

HOW? Essential Skills for Living the Gospel If you were swimming in the ocean and discovered you were being pulled farther and farther away from land by a rip current, would you know how to get back to shore? There is a method - one that could save your life. Likewise, the authors of How? ask teenagers, "If you were caught up with friends in some activities you knew were wrong and you felt yourself being pulled away from the safety of the gospel shoe, caught up in a current of sin, would you know how to get beck?" Elder Russell M. Nelson said, "Once we ... understand the importance and meaning of a commandment, we need to learn how to do it." In this sequel to their bestselling book WHY?, John Hilton and Anthony Sweat answer more than 100 gospel questions, such as:

How Can I Increase My Faith in Jesus Christ

How Can I Know When I've Been Forgiven?

How Can I Know When the Holy Ghost Is Speaking to Me?

How Can I Stay Faithful When Life Is Hard?

How Can I Set Meaningful Personal Goals?

How Can I Find Answers In My Scriptures?

How Can I Resist and Overcome Pornography?

Holiday Grab-n-Go Open House!

Down "Santa Claus  Lane" (860 E 1050 S, Spanish Fork)

Saturday, December 4th from 4-6 p.m.

OR 

Monday, December 6th from 11 a.m.-2 p.m.

Drop in for some Cocoa and Christmas Creativity! Create a card to "dress up" your gift cards, stamp inserts for a "Simply Adorned" charm, see some incredibly fast and unique gift ideas, greeting cards, home decor projects and much more! Bring a friend or send your spouse (...I'll be Santa's Helper if you e-mail me your wishlist and his e-mail or cell phone number :)) No Charge!

Welcome, Christmas!

Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday, and despite my best intentions to take a lot of pictures to share...I didn't. Instead I cooked turkey for my family at home, took a nap and went to a movie! It's a family tradition to see a movie on Thanksgiving Day, so we went to see Disney's Tangled. This is one movie you need to see, people~ it was darling and delightful, and I may have even shed a few tears. But if you know me, that's no surprise as I cry at Campbell's Soup commercials...

The day after turkey day found me alone at my house for a few hours (a mother's fantasy!!) so I took down my fall decor and started on the Christmas trimmings! What was usually a stressful event (with the whole family) was actually a peaceful and enjoyable evening spent with the music cranked up unwrapping each treasured ornament. I didn't actually put up the tree (that's the hubby's job), but the "seasonals" are out and I am actually looking forward to the holidays! Maybe that's because I slowed down long enough to "Welcome Christmas into my heart".

This sweet card is one we made at the Christmas Stamp-a-Stack a few weeks ago. This could be one of my new favorite color combinations: Certainly Celery, Old Olive, Real Read and Marina Mist. And guess what? The stamp set used is Northern Hearts, a hostess level 1 set that you could choose free with a $150 order...and don't forget that shipping is FREE for two more days on a $150+ order during the Online Spectacular, where you can save up to 50% on some of our most popular items!

So if you are "Cyber Monday" shopping, be sure to check out some of the great gifts you can buy in your jammies at the computer! Here's a list of Stampin' Up! gift ideas for everyone on your list:

• For the Quilter/Fabric Crafter: Designer Fabric Bundles (Half Price today!) Check out my apron made with the Candy Cane Christmas Fabic here
• For the Scrapper: A Simply Scrappin' Kit or My Digital Studio (50% off during the Online Spectacular...unbelievable!) makes a gift they will appreciate! See some of my digital pages here
• For the Decorator: Get a bundle of our luscious 1-1/4" Striped Grosgrain Ribbon for 40% off through November 30 or a piece of our vinyl Decor Elements to change the look of any room!
• For your Best Friend (or Wife): A Simply Adorned charm with a personalized set of inserts (or pictures of their children!) says "I cared enough to stamp the very best!"
• For the beginning crafter: A Simply Sent Card Kit, stamp set and ink pad makes paper crafting so easy, a caveman could do it! (and for less than 30 bucks!)
• For Grandma/Grandpa: A personalized calendar or Birthday Calendar will bring a smile to their face all year long! Make one from scratch starting at $7.95 or make one with My Digital Studio that you bought for yourself :)
• For your Husband: The Decor Accents Date Keeper helps keep track of the days, weeks or months until a special event (a vacation? your anniversary?) and can be personalized with stamps or photos!
• For the kids: I don't know of a child who doesn't love to get creative with stamps and ink...and a few of our most popular sets for kids and teenagers are 30% through November 30th.

Spectacular Savings (through November 30th!)

 

Spiritual Gifts

Here's a sweet (spiritual) gift...from an adorable little girl with a great talent for teaching the Word of God!

"...and a little child shall lead them." Isaiah 11:6

Change Time, Change Batteries or "Learn from my mistake"

A few Saturdays ago, we made and bottled Apple Pie Filling until 9:30 p.m. (see below for a great recipe given to me by my best friend, Kelli). We were pretty exhausted, the husband and I because you see, we had been up since 3 a.m. (a story for another time). But the last batch we made was beautiful! We cleaned up the canning kitchen (which is in our basement), mopped the floors and turned out the lights. As we were preparing for bed, one of the smoke detectors started chirping because the battery was almost dead. 

This may be as good a time as any to explain that we had already removed 3 dead batteries (from the 5 total smoke detectors in our home) and had never replaced them. That annoying chirping when the battery dies ALWAYS starts in the middle of the night causing one to lose sleep waiting...for...the...next...beep!!! AARRGGHH! And of course, once one has had a good night's sleep, one never thinks to replace the battery, because that would require going to the store and buying some 9 volt batteries, which one never happens to have just laying around.

Back to the story: We promptly removed the battery from the second-to-last working smoke detector (ensuring an uninterrupted night of rest!), said our prayers (thanking God for safety and protection, of course...all the while He's shaking His head, I'm sure..) and went to sleep.

At 1 a.m., we awake to the blare (NOT a chirp or beep) of the last working smoke detector screaming that there is a problem! Remember the old movies about how to be safe in a fire? You are supposed to feel your door to see if it's hot, right? Who remembers that when the alarm is piercing your groggy brain? My husband flings open the door and 3 feet of smoke billows in on the ceiling. Suddenly I remember that I forgot to turn off the hot water bath with the last batch of Apple Pie Filling!!

We were lucky...the water had burned off and 3 bottles had burst, allowing the apples and sugar to start smoking and were able to get it out the door before it started to burn! 

So take it from me, folks...when the time changes, CHANGE THE BATTERIES IN YOUR SMOKE DETECTORS!!! And here's another little life lesson: Don't Google "smoking pot picture" if you are looking for an image of a burning pan in the kitchen...

Now to the good stuff! Here's the recipe for bottled Apple Pie Filling (thanks, Kelli!)

24 pounds (1/2 bushel) Apples, peeled, cored and sliced 

Mix together: 5 c. water, 6 c. sugar, 12 T cornstarch and 3 T cinnamon. Heat and stir until clear (it will still be brown, but not opaque). Add sliced apples and stir just 'til hot. Pour into jars and process in hot water bath for 25 minutes (REMEMBER TO TURN OFF THE STOVE WHEN FINISHED). 

To make a pie: Pour into pie crust and bake 45 minutes at 425 degrees.

Royal Blog Tour: Peaceful Season

Thanks for making the Royal Blog Tour a great success! While the tour is officially over, I'm leaving up the samples to inspire your holiday stamping :) Scroll to the bottom for Blog Candy Winner!

I've prepared some breathtaking samples using the *Exclusive* Level 2 Hostess Stamp Set, Peaceful Season from the Stampin' Up! Holiday Mini Catalog...it's not too late to contact your demonstrator to host a workshop to earn this set FREE (hint, hint)!

Have you seen the adorable mini gift bags in the Holiday Mini Catalog? Here is just one simple way to dress up some homemade caramel popcorn or a small gift:

 I love this card created with the Big Shot, Scallop Square die and more of the Deck the Halls Designer Series Paper that looks like a present on the outside...

 ...and when you open it up, you pull the greeting from a pocket on the inside of the card! 

It could be both a card AND a gift if you glued a gift card on the insert :)

I wanted to share a home decor project, too, so here is a simple luminary using the Fancy Favor die, the new Decorative Label punch, some vellum and a battery-operated tea light from the dollar store!

Finally, a simple and elegant greeting you can create in seconds with the Northern Flurry embossing folder from the Holiday Mini Catalog (and one of the cards you can make at my Christmas Stamp-a-Stack on November 20th!).  Isn't that Marina Mist blue beautiful?

BLOG CANDY!! Would you like to win a "Dasher" Instant Christmas Card Kit (just add ink!)? 

You must do TWO (2) simple things to qualify: 

1. E-mail me (loni@sfcn.org) with your name and e-mail address (so I can contact you if you win!) and 

2. Leave a comment telling for which holiday you send the most cards (Christmas? Valentines? Birthdays? Other?)

November 9~THE TOUR IS OVER and the winner of Dasher Card Kit is (thanks to Random.org)...visitor #54:

ilchezhead said...

Great blog. I love the snowflake card and luminare. I send out the most cards at Christmas, by far. Approx 100. I didn't make them last year, but have started this year's. Thanks for sharing. Sandy