A Paper Diamond DIY

I love simple gifts that still make a statement. This is perfect for girlfriends, co-workers, neighbors who might not want another plate of cookies...you know. You could string several together and put different gifts in each one! Super cute to ding dong ditch on a doorknob. 

Materials:

12x12 paper

hot glue gun

mini glue dots

nail polish

strip of paper

washi tape

strip of paper

this pattern

bone folder

pencil

I printed the diamond on card stock at 98% to make sure it fit on the paper (I had to print it twice since it cut off the top the first time) so try a test print before you go for the good stuff!

Cut and score the template. Trace onto 12x12 paper (you can get three per sheet!) and cut and score your diamond. I think the crusted glitter paper is what really makes this a show stopper (purchased at Jo-Anns) but you can use anything! Patterned, glittered, flocked, whatever. Since this is so thick and glittery, I used hot glue to adhere it all together. Be sure to leave the last flap unglued.

Take a strip of paper (mine is a scrap piece of 12x12) and flag cut one end. Write a message, but be sure to leave a bit on the flag cut end blank. It sticks out of the diamond.

Now, as far as nail polish goes...Pure Ice fits p e r f e c t l y inside here! You could make your diamond before and bring it to the store to check though if you want a different brand. Washi tape the straight end of your message strip to your nail polish and wrap mostly around.

Use mini glue dots to close the diamond (keeps the message strip from getting glued and makes it easier to open than with hot glue) and admire your gem!

Quick Gift

supply list: old sewing pattern, baker's twine, cardstock, patterned paper, paper tape, stick-on pearls, candy cane, hot hand warmers

Our new neighborhood has been overwhelmingly welcoming. When we first got moved in, we called the post office to tell them they could start bringing the mail to our box now (we built, and thus had an address and things were already being sent with no mailbox!) and the sweet man said "We've been waiting for you!" It's a small town.

Our mail lady has been just lovely-she was even the first to compliment us on our cheery blue door. So I thought it would be great to give her something-but I didn't know what. Money, apparently, isn't very kosher. I didn't dare do food...who knows what she likes. Then it hit me! Hand warmers. We have a ton around, so I grabbed a pack and wrapped them up in an old sewing pattern and some baker's twine and a little thank you note. In the mailbox it is! Hopefully she doesn't try to mail it to anyone. :)

Have you ever given a gift to someone like a postal worker? What sorts of things have you given?

Whipped to Perfection

We have some incredibly generous neighbors and friends who have been very, very kind to us lately. Way above and beyond the call of neighborly duties I would dare say. Even though it's small, I wanted to give them something to show them how appreciative we are. Enter raspberry butter. It couldn't be easier but boy it tastes wonderful on fresh bread.

supplies:
1 stick butter (1/2 cup)
1/2 cup raspberry preserves (or maybe a little more)
food processor
spoon
spatula
canning jar (what I used)


step 1: place equal parts butter and raspberry preserves in food processor.


step 2: cover and blend until fully mixed. you may have to open it and move around the butter a few times to get it completely blended. add more raspberry preserves if desired.

step 3: now that it's whipped to perfection, put the raspberry butter into a canning jar. this recipe fits perfectly inside an 8 oz. swirl a little bit of raspberry preserves on the top just so they get extra excited when they open it the first time.

step 4: punch out a 1" circle from cardstock and ever so smally write raspberry butter. it's a long word so keep it tight. then wrap your bread and go thank your friends! Oh, and don't forget to make extra for yourself. It's seriously all I've had for dinner for two nights now. Yum.

Try other flavors too! Mix and match; get creative. Tell me what delicious flavor combos you come up with. And I've got a little something arranged for the end of the week that you'll want to come back for! It involves percentages...think about it. :)

For the Mr.

I thought I'd do a homemade round up for some simple and quick things that any Dad or Husband would love! Our Dad's are getting Hero Kits this year...I can't wait to give them out!


clockwise from top left:
Tuck a note in for him to find the next time he travels at Readymade

Remind him of his status with a Super Hero Kit at Oh Happy Day

Make him some custom BBQ sauce with RebeccaJBrown or Derrick Riches

Make sure his most important tech stuff is padded and stylish with Sew Mama Sew

Ribbon Bow

Saturday morning I revamped the blog a little! And my tumblr. :) Thought it would be a nice refresh for all this sunny weather. What do you think?

Don't you love the little package and big bow? Very fun! The great part about this one is that it's no sew. Quick and cute packaging is at your fingertips friends. I think this would work with fabric too! Maybe just a tad bit of hand stitching where the glue dot goes. Completely adorable.

No Sew Ribbon Bows via Papercrave

Pretty Pretties

Let me introduce you to Brittany Chaver. Her shop is full of the daniest, prettiest jewelry pieces! And they are crazy affordable. I ordered some earrings for Mother's Day from Brittany when I realized we would be mid moving with all my crafts packed away. I qualified for free shipping and buy three get one free! Plus, they were already packaged cute so I could simply give them to my sweet mothers.

Here are some pieces I'm currently wishing would adorn me..

sweetheart bobby pin set // chrysanthemum earrings // white poppy necklace

Sweet smells

My favorite smell to come home to after school was my Mom's delicious homemade bread, baking happily away in the machine. It's comforting, warm, and so good. Homemade bread was also often sunday dinner, with some melted cheese and hot chocolate! Yum. It's still my favorite come-home-to smell, but now I have to do it myself.

I do have a machine, but this recipe is just calling my name! It's a no-knead bread mix, so you can do it sans machine. How cool is that? I'm going to make a jar and give it to a friend who thinks she can't make homemade bread. I'm so excited!


Full instructions at Our Best Bites

Book worm

You know those simple, wonderful ideas that make you say "Why didn't I think of that?" Well, this is one of them. Love, love, love. AmberLee posted about it on her guest post last week at s.e.i. lifestyle and I can't get over how cool they are!

bookmark + bookjacket by Icoeye

Need a decoder?

My husband and I have decided (as of last night) to do something simple and sweet everyday this week in celebration of Valentine's. We went to a quaint and delicious Italian restaurant last night and practically had the whole place to ourselves! Five courses of us was wonderful.

Since I'm in celebration mode, I think this would be a great small and sweet reminder to give someone today! You can do it for a child in the their lunchbox, or toss it in a friend's mailbox for a secret admirer type thing. It's just adorable. Plus, you can do it with anything, not just fabric and a bobbin. Sneak a message on the toilet paper, roll a typed piece of paper around a pencil, use it to ask for a date or for your friends to be your bridesmaids; endless possibilities. Make someone's day!


Unraveling a Letter by Paper N Stitch (they have tons of great tutorials)

Happy weekend!

These are on my would never by for myself list, and therefore just for some good old fashioned window shopping. :) I hope it's Christmas-y where ever you are!

clockwise from left: Christmas Pyramid // Oven-to-Table Baking Dishes // Michelle // Wooden Ear Buds