Ideas for last minute gifts

If you are still in need of a few last minute stocking fillers, bookmarks and small fridge magnets cards are quick to make. I indulged my love of digital scrapbooking to make most of the bookmarks on the photo (I cannot remember all the artists whose designs I used but I give credit to all of them for their creativity and sharing of their talents, I will make a list of each and every one of them and post it soon).

I download many of my digital scrapbook material from Scrapbookflair where I also feature some of my scrapbook pages. The cute gingerbread man and rooster graphics were downloaded from Mardar's Stuff. She is a very talented designer, if you visit be sure to sign her guestbook and say thank you.


The fridge magnet cards on this photo were made with graphics I found on some of my card programs. I have a long list of quotes and the only problem when I made these cards were to find quotes to suit the graphics. These small cards can also be used as bookmarks or to keep in a purse or wallet or can even be attached to gifts.

Personalised Desk Calendar

Personalised calendars are always welcome gifts and this desk calendar can be changed in so many ways to be just perfect for different members of the family.

If you have a graphics program on your computer you can draw the diagrams and add photos in place of the pressed flowers, add birthdays, anniversaries and many more. Read more...

You will find the diagrams at the end of this post.

If you do not have a calendar program on the computer you can download a basic 2009 template from the Microsoft Office Online site. This
template can be scaled down to the size you need, you can change the color and size of the fonts and even insert a picture or clipart.

To make the calendar:

Materials:

Date pad 13cm x 8,5 cm (any size can be used, simply adjust the size of pad)
Blue and white pastel paper
White cardboard
Pressed flowers
50cm x 0,5cm blue or colour of choice ribbon
Matt plastic film
White glue
scissors, hobby knife

To make:

Remove each page of date pad. Cut 12 pieces 9,5 cm x 14 cm blue paper. Glue date pages on to blue paper with 1 cm border (Diagram A)

Cut out piece of white paper 12cm x 20cm. Cut a 0,5cm wide border from blue paper and glue around white paper. Arrange flowers down sides and along lower edge, glue into place with white glue. (Diagram B)

Punch holes through date pages and flower card 1,5 cm from side edge and 1cm from top. (Diagram A)

Stand:

Cut white cardboard to size (Diagram C) Score on dotted lines. Punch out holes to match date pages. Fold into triangle and glue flap to inside of one long side of triangle. Glue flower card to front of stand and cover with plastic film. Thread ribbon through date pages and stand, tie inside stand.
To turn date pages to the back, loosen ribbon.

Diagrams for desk calendar: Click on image to open in new window, right-click and save to your computer.

There is an example of a one-page photo calendar on Mia's blog, another creative way to use photos and calendars for gifts and many a grandparent would appreciate a calendar with a collage of grandchildrens' photos.

Salt Dough Angels and other Christmas Gifts

It has been a long time since I made anything from salt dough. Regular readers of this blog will know that it started out as a gift idea blog in 2006 and then turned into a salt dough blog for nearly 6 months.

I also subscribed to Google Alerts for updates on salt dough "happenings" at that time and it is amazing how many updates I have received recently, most of them dealing with salt dough. It seems there is a revival of this craft. The lovely ideas that mothers come up with to make Christmas decorations or to just teach their children the joy of being creative are wonderful. Read more...

My salt dough nativity figures have taken their place under the Christmas tree yet again. They have really survived so well for a long, long time. The secret of salt dough items is to seal it with two to three coats of clear varnish (more for bigger items). Make sure to seal the backs of the items as well.

A few months ago I started a Squidoo lens on how to make the salt dough nativity scene. You will find step by step photos and tips as well as the instructions for the stable. Be sure to take a look at the salt dough carriage I found on a web site one day. Salt dough is not only for kids!

My nativity scene figures survived the test of time, these cute little salt dough angels did not make it.

You can find the instructions for them and other salt dough nativity Christmas tree decorations on the Squidoo lens as well.

More craft and gift ideas:

There is a cute little doilie angel on Mia's blog and if you have trouble coming up with a gift for the men in your life, why don't you try the tomato and chilli relish on my edible gifts blog.

Have fun and remember, the best gifts are those that come from the heart!

Document Holders from Recycled Cereal Boxes

Christmas is just around the corner and so it is really time for me to post one or two gift ideas again.

I always liked this document holder (one of my projects to be finished next year). As a result of my work, I am sometimes snowed under with different coloured cardboard, textured papers and copies of projects I have done for clients.

I always have to search for a specific paper or colour, so one of my new year resolutions is to recycle cereal boxes into useful document or stationery holders. They can be labeled and stacked on top of each other and I will be able to find things quicker. Read more...

There is still time to make a few of these for friends or family to keep important documents, photos or other keepsakes together. A beautiful gift that is inexpensive and will be treasured for many years to come.

To make the document holder, you will need:

Materials:

One sheet thick cardboard;
Printed gift-wrap;
Hobby knife;
Craft/paper glue or spray adhesive;
Ribbon 1cm x 50cm

Instructions:
(Click on image to open in a new window, right-click and save to your computer)

Draw box and folder to measurements of diagrams on to cardboard. Cut out, score along the broken lines. Bend sides upwards and glue flaps inside box. Cut two strips of gift-wrap 58cm x 12cm, join them along short edge. Glue the long strip right around sides of box allowing 2cm to extend below top and bottom. Slit extended paper at top and bottom corners. Fold the bottom extension under the box, glue down, fold top extension to inside, glue down.

Cut out folder from cardboard, score and bend along broken lines. Cut a piece of gift-wrap to same pattern, but again 2cm larger all around. Lay folder on the gift paper, glue down along center section. Fold the sides up, glue paper to each side. Fold extending edges of the gift-wrap to inside, glue down.

Cut a 1,5cm slit in center of each long edge of the folder about 0,5cm from the edge. Cut ribbon in half, thread through the slits and glue the ends down inside.

Cut a piece of gift-wrap 33cm x 23cm, glue to inside front of folder. Glue box to back of folder, placing it 1 cm from outside edge.