Cool Gift Ideas

Sometimes you just want to give an inexpensive gift from the heart to a family member, friend or coworker. Sure, you could buy them a cup of coffee or a candy bar but why not put a little extra effort in to show how much they mean to you or to say thank you?

Once again I found myself in the Pinterest rabbit hole and wanted to share these ideas with you! I would love to see your project if you decide to try one!

Sour Cream Treat Holder (this one is super cute)

Explosion Box Purse

Bakers Box

Bow Builder Tiny Treat Box

Bee Treat Box

Pretty Wallet

Nesting Drawer Box

Curvy Keepsake Retro Trailer

Explosion Box Idea

Tutorial Sale! 50% Off

To kick off the summer and get back into the swing of things, I am offering a 50% off sale on all my tutorials. The sale lasts until midnight June 10th so don't delay! To get 50% off, use the coupon code SUMMER50 when you check out.

PLEASE NOTE: Most of my tutorials use some punches that have since retired at Stampin' Up! If you have all of the older punches from Stampin' Up!, you shouldn't have a problem. You may also be able to substitute if needed.

Punches I used (depending on the tutorial you buy) that are retired include:

Scalloped Circles (several sizes)
Build a Blossom
Word Window
Modern Label
Ornament
Designer Label
Butterfly
Wide Oval
Medium Oval
Small Oval
Large Oval
Scalloped Oval
Heart to Heart
Boho Blossoms
Scallop Square
Tag
1 3/8" circle
5 Petal Flower
Curly Label
Trio Flower
Squares (in various sizes which you can hand or paper cut as an alternative)
Star
Round Tab
Full Heart
Punch pack
Blossom Petals Builder
Owl Builder
Jewelry Tag
Small Heart
Decorative Label
Horizontal slot
Scallop Edge
Build a Bear sizzix die (for build a bear class)

I'm so sad to see most of these wonderful punches leave Stampin' Up! It's my hope that many of you kept (and still use) all of your Stampin' Up! punches. In the future, I will design classes that use current punches, though the selection is very small in comparison to what Stampin' Up! used to sell!

My Technique Wish List

I have REALLY been out of the loop the past three years with cool techniques being shared online.  Of course, many of them I discovered on Pinterest.  Once you enter that rabbit hole, you will never leave! So I have been feverishly saving away the many cool techniques I see.  Most recently, I made a couple of the Twist & Pop up cards.  Unfortunately, I didn't take pictures!  I will have to make another and share with you all.  As I go through my list of techniques, I will post my results and the place you can go for the directions.  I am contemplating some more videos.  My daughter has been sharing my Youtube channel with friends like I'm a celebrity and INSISTS I have to make some more videos!

NOTE: the list below are clickable links which take you to the technique.

Twist & Pop-Up Card 

Impossible Card

Bridge Fold Card

Concertina Card

Pass Through Window Card (this card doesn't have step by step instructions but I want to tackle it and will share my version when I get the chance)

Z Box Pop Up Card

Z Fold Card

Fan Fold Card

Pop Out Swing Card

Pop Up Book Card

Envelope Fold Card

Four Fold Card (I love Dawn's videos)

Double Flap Fun Card

Flap Over Fun Fold Card

Building Block Cards

I had a moment of panic today....I realized that my domain expired two weeks ago and my links weren't working. It has since been fixed but thinking my years of blogging was gone forever made me realize that I NEED to get back to blogging. I loved sharing with all of you and knowing my work gave people so much joy really gave me the drive and inspiration I needed to get back into it. Life has a way of getting in the way of your fun sometimes. I have had so many changes in my life over the past 5 years, some very positive and some not so great. I finally took the time to clear out a space on my desk and create. These were cards I actually made for people vs just creating to share on the site. There is so much more personal satisfaction in giving your creations to someone. I encourage you all to do it more often (just take pics of your work for posterity!)

Anyway, I wanted to share some projects I created using a tutorial from Splitcoast stampers called the Building Block Card. This technique can be found here:

https://www.splitcoaststampers.com/resources/tutorials/buildingblockcard/

I can't promise I will be posting daily like I used to, but I WILL be posting more often than once or twice a year! LOL

Project Inspiration 7-26-15

Hope everyone had a great week!

Explosion Box Purse

Note Box (video tutorial)

Sunflower Treat Box

Sweet Little Valentine

Cupcake Treat Box (video tutorial)

Box Card Birthday

Chocolate Egg Butterflies

Faux Tile Technique

Project Inspiration 7-24-15

Bakers Box Thinlits

Berry Basket

Choose Happiness

Sprinkles of Life

Dad Nugget Box

Origami Kiss Flower

Pop Up Gift Box

Pink & Black

Project Inspiration 7-22-15

Cute Owls

Two Tags Toolbox

Flip Lid Box

Envelope Punch Board Treat Box tutorial

Slide Lock Boxes

Explosion Box

Toadally Awesome

Hardwood Card

Project Inspiration 7-20-15

Gift Box & Mini Album

Bridal Box Tutorial

Bow Builder Box

Pretty Flower Box

Time for Tea Box

Apple Favor Boxes

Moon Box Card

Mini Treat Box

Project Inspiration 7-18-15

Still trying to adjust to the 5:30 mornings and 2 hour commutes!  I'm just happy to be working again but sure wish I was working closer to home!

Going to try and catch up on inspiration posting.  I have been pinning a lot of great stuff to share with you.  Just needed to blog it.  I hope everyone is having a great summer so far.  The weather is been very nice here in northwest WI.  Got our first steamy day yesterday.

Punch Board Picture Tutorial

Stand Up Joy Fold

Strawberry Box

Watermelon Curvy Boxes

Birthday Style

Rucksack Giftbox (video tutorial)

Tiny Box of Sunshine (video tutorial)

WOW Retro Camper

Accordion Mini Album Tutorial

Project Inspiration 7-6-15

I hope you all had a fun and safe holiday weekend.  I stayed home and set off some fireworks.  I'm glad I avoided the traffic home on Sunday night!

My new job downtown gives me a lot of time on the commuter bus.  And of course, that's just more time for me to spend on pinterest so I can share all of the fun finds with everyone!

One Sheet Box

Brown Truck Box

Tent Tutorial

Pinwheel Treat Box

Cozy Watermelon Tag Topper

Floral Frames Treatbox Tutorial

3-D Bee Box Surprise

For You

Mini Tote Bag Tutorial

Hello Sweet Friend

Project Inspiration 7-3-15

Maritime Handbag (video tutorial)

Sheltering Tree

Beautiful Bunch

Planter Box Tutorial

Baby Duck

4 Hearts Basket

Half Circle Pop Up Card Tutorial

Floral Wings

Happy Blooming

Butterfly Basics

Project Inspiration 6-30-15

Traveller

Stand Up Joy Fold

Mary's Swing Card

Watermelon and Slice of Summer

You're a Blast

Scalloped Edge Bow (video tutorial)

Birthday Wishes

Birthday Shaker

Build a Birthday

Birthday in a Box

Project Inspiration 6-28-15

Hello All, it was a long week!  Back to work, taking the bus downtown for the first time in my life.  Wasn't as bad as I thought it would be but I'm spending 2 hours a day on my commute.  Not what I'm used to!!  Sorry I haven't gotten around to sharing more links until now....  I will try to keep up.  By the time I get home at night, sometimes I just too tired.  LOL

Hershey Nugget Box Tutorial

Festival of Trees (cool technique)

Stationary Organizer Tutorial

Half Circle Pop Up Card

Center Cut Easel Card (video tutorial)

3D Greeting Card Tutorial

Owl in the Tree

Way to Go!

Enjoy

Inspiration and Then Some

Project Inspiration 6-19-15

I'm planning a fun weekend at the Dells with my daughter.  My last week off before I start my new job next week.  It will be exciting (but rather confusing at first) to be working downtown. I will try to schedule my posts ahead so there aren't gaps between posts.  I hope you all are enjoying this beautiful summer.  So far, it has been perfect with sun, temps and rain when we need it.

Could Bows be the New Butterflies?

Capture Your Heart

Sweater Weather

Stepped Tent Fold

Petite Petals Aperture

Garden Party

Masculine Fishing Card

Floral Thanks

Project Inspiration 6-17-15

I really need to get my studio cleaned up!!  Can't get anything done with such disorganization.  I admire all of you with beautiful immaculate work spaces.  It definitely boosts your creativity when you have a nice clean space.

Speaking of creativity.....

Note Card Totes

Watercolor Wings

June Artisan

Owl Gift Bag (tutorial included)

Micro Easel Card Box

Petal Potpourri Set

Butterflies Thinlit Die

Simply Wonderful

Project Inspiration 6-16-15

I'm officially another year over the hill LOL.  Enjoy these fun projects!

Cookie Monster Box

Origami Gift Bag

Sugar Fairy Gift Box (printable template)

Cookie Envelope (step by step instructions)

Paper Teacups (printable template)

Mini Purse Treat Box (video tutorial)

Jeweled Purse Box (printable template)

Grunge Gift Box

Project Inspiration 6-12-15

Hello all, it has been good to be back to regular blogging.  I have been finding so many awesome ideas that I just need to sit down and actually make some...  perhaps today I will tackle one and share my results.  I hope you all have been enjoying what I find.  Please take a moment to comment on any of the awesome projects I send you to.  These artists share their wonderful ideas and deserve recognition!

Yippy Skippy Flower Patch

Secret Box (step by step tutorial found HERE)

Decorative Top Gift Box (step by step tutorial included)

Accordion Wallet (step by step tutorial included)

Accordion File Organizer (step by step tutorial included)

Sweet Treat Tote (step by step tutorial included)

Mini Bag

A tisket a tasket a little green basket (step by step instructions included)

Project Inspiration 6-10-15

I was out of the loop for so long that I'm finally seeing some awesome projects that have been posted over the last year!  I need to take some time to try them out.

Matchbox Suitcase (step by step instructions included)

Origami Box (video tutorial)

Crisscross Box (step by step instructions included)

Fancy Flower Tutorial

Backpack Gift Boxes (step by step instructions included)

Birthday Style

Note Box (video tutorial)

Little Strawberry Basket (step by step instructions included)

Top Tip Tuesday Treat Box (instructions included)

Pretty Basket Tutorial (step by step instructions included)

Project Inspiration 6-8-15

I hope everyone got a chance to enjoy some sun this weekend.  I seriously need some color on my legs!!

Porthole Flip Card (step by step instructions included)

Big Hero Six Punch Art

Ballet Punch Art Card

Minion Birthday Punch Art

Chevron Pattern

Perpetual Calendar Blocks Tutorial

Little Sewing Basket (step by step instructions included)

Hello Sweet Friend

Pop Up Book Card (instructions included)

Christmas Kitty Punch Art

Project Inspiration 6-5-15

So many projects so little time to make them!  I hope you all are pinning these ideas for the long winter months.  I know I am!

Faux Punch Art Buttons (instructions included)

Owl Anniversary

Retro Trailer Curvy Keepsakes Box (step by step instructions)

Curvy Keepsake Mushroom

Curvy Keepsake Dragon

Curvy Keepsakes Covered Wagon

Curvy Keepsakes Alligator

Mouse Treat Wrapper

Easter Bunny Favor

Spring Frog Favor