I tried to give myself a break this year and not beat myself up about doing everything that I wanted to, and one of those things that did not get done was our Christmas card. We just never had a good time to get pictures done, and ended up having my friend Gennifer take them on the fly. There was still time to get them printed and sent, but with our travel schedule, it did just not work out… so our card this year is an e-card delivered via my blog, facebook, and email. So really we are just super “green” right? So in lieu of a card in the mail, Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

The decorating mostly got done – I couldn’t slack on this since its our first year in the house and I was excited to see how my existing decorations fit the new house. I still need a bit of filler since the house is so much bigger than our apartment, but I can pick some of that up on clearance on Monday! Here are a few snapshots that I took of our decorations this year:

(the iphone 4s takes THE BEST night-time christmas tree photos)

I saw the ruffled tree skirt tutorial that was floating around pinterest. I got everything ready and started to glue all of those ruffles, but only made it a few inches and decided it would be MUCH MUCH easier to just sew the ruffles on (actually my mom was visiting and she sewed them on for me – which is why this is even finished BEFORE Christmas). And trust me, if you do this, SEW the dang ruffles on, you will save your fingers and yourself from going crazy.

I totally need two more cream stockings from pottery barn! And extra points for anyone who spots the baby!

One other exciting thing that happened this week was that our back splash tile went in the kitchen! It looks amazing and I’ll share it very soon!

I hope you all have a wonderful and relaxing holiday weekend!

So I created a checklist with 5 major columns, and under each of those columns are a bunch of check-boxes for different activities, parties, gifts etc that you need to schedule, accomplish, shop for etc. This is a great over-view type of document that you can use to schedule all your various Christmas happenings. Since everyone’s Christmas activities are so vastly different, I made this form an EDITABLE PDF file. You can’t change the categories ( I should have done that too, but it’s too late now!) but you can change all the existing checkbox text as well as add text to all of the existing checkboxes. And you can save the file and reprint next Christmas so you have a good idea of all the things you need to do for Christmas.

Click on the images below to begin download of PDF file

And since Christmas is a week away, I created a simple Christmas Countdown with 7 days leading up to Christmas. This one will have to be printed out to be filled in, but you can quickly write up all the things you need to get done this week… like STARTING TO SHOP for Christmas gifts… or is that just me??

Click on the image below to begin download of PDF file

Click on the images above to download a PDF version of my printable Christmas Checklist and Countdown forms. The downloadable PDFs in this article (and across my entire site) are free for personal use only. If you would like to blog about this free download, please accompany and images from my site with a credit and link back to this article. As a courtesy please do not link directly to a downloadable file but rather to this page. At this time, no customizations of this or any of my forms are available. Forms are a free download AS IS. Also since you’ve made it this far, please subscribe to my RSS feed and facebook page so you can find me again! And don’t forget to tell your friends

No, that doesn’t mean they are all wrapped nice and pretty…..or even completed yet!

I need to {start and} finish a tshirt I’m painting for my nephew.

But, if you are in need of a gift for someone in your life, and just aren’t sure what to do,
I have an idea for you.

Check out all of Jen’s free downloads/printables, and design your own gift!

Some ideas……

A new Mom/Dad:
To Do List
Baby Log
Two Week Planner
Meal Planner

The Health Nut!:
Workout Worksheet
Goal Chart
Food Journal
Meal Planner

The Planner:
Meal Planner
Chore Chart
Project Planner
Perpetual Birthday Calendar

The Organizer:
Canister Labels
Organization Labels
Packing Labels {or for storage tubs}
Storage Container Index

The Traveler:
Ultimate Travel Checklist  {This one is one of my favorites!!}

Other Ideas {without links}:

For the Blogger
The Holiday Planner
Or…print one of everything!

Once you print out all the pages you need/want, organize them somehow for that person.
Whether it is in a folder, a 3-ring binder with tabs, spiral bound, or a tear-off notepad…
that will help make the gift complete.

Tip:  Many copy center/printing places are able to spiral bound items or even make them in to notepad form for a small fee.

There are so many freebies/printables out there online.   Go get them!
{If you aren’t sure of where to look, check out Pinterest!
And if you’d like an invite, just let me know.}

So have fun putting together the perfect gift for someone, that won’t break the bank.

The best part with printables, if you save the file to someplace where you will find it again on your computer, you can print out new sheets for the recipient as needed.

This week I have “neighbor gifts” on the brain. I’m not sure if this is a regional thing or everywhere, but we like to give home-made gifts to our close friends and neighbors. Last year I made 16 round pans of cinnamon rolls, this year we are making Jamaican Christmas cake.

Anyway this printable helps you organize any gifts you are making/buying. You can also list all people you are delivering gifts to, as well as whom you have received gifts from — not so that you can revel in all your loot – but so you can reciprocate with a gift or a thank you card etc.

This printable works for office gifts, teacher gifts, extended family gifts and more! If you are looking for a more custom gift list, check out my gift organizer.

(Click on the image to begin PDF download)

Click on the form image above to download a PDF version of my printable neighbor-gift form. The downloadable PDF in this article (and across my entire site) are free for personal use only. If you would like to blog about this free download, please accompany and images from my site with a credit and link back to this article. As a courtesy please do not link directly to a downloadable file but rather to this page. At this time, no customizations of this or any of my forms are available. Forms are a free download AS IS, no customization or changes can be made.

]]> http://www.theprojectgirl.com/2011/12/12/motivated-monday-neighbor-gift-list-free-download/feed/ 1 http://www.theprojectgirl.com/2011/12/02/hybrid-ipad2-styled-recipe-stand-and-cards/ http://www.theprojectgirl.com/2011/12/02/hybrid-ipad2-styled-recipe-stand-and-cards/#comments Fri, 02 Dec 2011 14:00:15 +0000 Angie http://www.theprojectgirl.com/?p=3192

Hello dear readers it’s Angie Hinksman here and a very Happy Holiday Season to you!  Today I’m going to share with you a little hybrid project, inspired by what is probably the most is talked about product this Christmas; the iPad2.  I love the simplicity of the design of the iPad and I think that the included stand is pure GENIUS!  Now, while my little Recipe Stand won’t help you surf the net, it’s certain to brighten up any kitchen table!  You’ll need very few supplies (no need for specialist binding materials  here, just paper, card and some basic crafting supplies.

To create the Recipe Stand and 6 recipe cards, you will need the following supplies:

• Recipe journaling templates – you can download the pdf file here
• Some plain co-ordinating paper or cardstock for printing the journaling cards.  I’ve used some simple ’letterhead’ stationery for mine.
• Selection of 12 x 12 inch patterned scrapbook papers – I’ve used papers from Jen’s beautiful Stella & Rosecollection.  You’ll need 2 for the stand and 1 sheet will 6 recipe cards.  Cut your paper to the following measurements:
  • 1 piece:  8.5 x 12 inches (just keep the off-cut handy, we’ll use this later)
  • 1 piece: 6 x 12 inches (again we’ll use the off-cut later)
  • 1 piece:  cut out 6 at 4 x  6 inches
  • Chipboard or very thick card.  If you can’t get hold of plain chipboard, the back of an old note book will work perfectly! I’ve used the back of one of my scrap-pads.  Cut your card to the following measurements;
    • 2 pieces: 4.5 x 6.5 inches
    • 1 piece: 2.5 x  6.5 inches
    • 2 pieces: ¾  x  6.5 inches
    • A ruler
    • Cutting tools (such as a Stanley knife or rotary cutter and scissors)
    • Adhesive (I’m using a glue stick and some double-sided tape)
    • Cutting matt
    • Rolling pin (this helps the glue stick well)

    

Instructions for the recipe cards:

Print your recipe journal pieces onto your paper and cut out.  Glue these to the front and back of your 4 x 6 inch pieces of scrap paper.  I’ve rounded the edges of mine, to keep with the iPad feel of the project!    

Instructions for the Recipe Stand:

Place your 4.5 x 6.5 and 2.5 x 6.5 inch pieces of chipboard on your 8.5 x 12 inch scrap paper as illustrated.  Align the top and bottom pieces with the edges of the paper.  Place the middle pieces approx. ½ inch below the top piece.  You want to have a bigger gap at the bottom (this will help your recipe stand close well).  Use a pencil to mark where your placed this pieces, then glue them down.  Use your rolling pin over the top then turn the whole thing over and use your rolling pin again. This will make sure your glue has good contact.  Leave to dry for a few minutes then glue the sides down as shown.

Once dry, glue the 6 x 12 inch piece of scrap paper on top, as shown and leave to dry.

Glue the 2 ¾ x 6.5 inch pieces of card together as illustrated.  Once dry, glue and cover with a piece of your left over scrap paper.  Leave to dry.  Once this is dry, glue to the bottom of the main piece(the bottom has the small piece of cardboard).  Leave this whole piece to dry thoroughly (I left mine for about an hour).

On the inside of the stand, cut a piece of your left-over scrap papers in a strip: 2.5 inches x 12.  Place this at the bottom of the stand so that it meets the edge of the ¾ inch piece.  You’ll need to trim this down so it fits your stand.  Using either a thin layer of glue or double-sided tape, glue this down.  This will create pockets to keep your recipe cards in.

Once your stand is completely dry you will be able to fold it as shown.   As you can see, the ¾ inch piece helps  the Stand stay in place!  Cut another little scrap of paper in a triangle shape to act as a photo corner to display your cards(mine is about an inch and half wide). Glue into place. 

Finally place your finished cards in your pockets and enjoy!   I think this would make a great gift andit  is light and small enough to post to far-away family and friends.  Why not invite some ‘recipe-loving’ friends over, give them each a recipe stand, filled with cards and have a recipe swap party.  Now wouldn’t that be fun? 

Have a great day

As I said, we are visiting family, my aunt and uncle and a couple cousins. This particular part of the family has always lived far from me, but they are amazing people and I love spending time with them. My cousin and I text MANY times a day. I decided to make my aunt some cards as a thank you for hosting us for dinner. I used several of Jen’s MME papers!

Gathering my supplies:

White cards, kraft cards, a few pieces of patterned paper, Papertrey Ink’s Botanical Silhouettes set (for the sentiments), and my Memento Tuxedo Black. Of course you’ll need adhesive and pop dots as well.

The paper pads I used: MME Stella & Rose Gertie, Stella & Rose Hattie, and Lost & Found 2.

The patterned papers that I chose. I love the 6×6 size for card making!

And here are the cards! I ended up using some matching cardstock behind the patterned paper to make it a little more substantial on the base. I also used the other side of each paper along the bottom of the sentiment to ground it.

(this sentiment comes from Congrats All Ways)

And the card I plan to send to my aunt and uncle is made with paper from MME Stella & Rose Hattie and a tag from MME Stella & Rose Mabel.

I hope everyone has had some lovely family time this week! Not to mention delicious food! Happy Thanksgiving.

I thought I’d wrap up this week with some gift wrapping ideas.
When I came up with my topic idea,
maybe it was wishful thinking that I’d have all my gifts purchased.

Oops!  I have 1 gift, with a few more to get yet.  Which means nothing wrapped!
Oh well, you’ll get the idea.

A few years ago, I believe I got the idea from Martha Stewart
to wrap my gifts in brown or white paper,
and then finish it off with ribbon {which can be reused}
or other accessories/tags/doilies/etc.

Since I have made the change from regular wrapping paper to brown and white paper,
I have seen lots of fun ideas.

Your options are endless!

Ribbon, bakers twine, scrapbook paper, lace, doilies, decorative tape, balloons,
material scraps, rubber stamps, paint chips, buttons, paper bags, newspaper,
pages of old books, and whatever else you find that you like.

Of course you will need some tags.  So go back to Karen’s post and make some of your own!

Once you have your presents purchased, have some more fun wrapping up the gifts.

And there’s no need to stop at wrapping gifts like this for Christmas!
Think:  birthdays, weddings, anniversaries, new neighbors, baby showers, etc.

Be the one at the party where your gift makes a statement before they ever see your gift. 

{All the images above were found via Pinterest.}

If would like some more inspiration, head over to my Make It Look Pretty board,
or just search Pinterest or the internet in general.

And a side note….if you are looking for a delicious coffee cake for Thanksgiving morning
or sometime over the weekend, head over to the Tasty Kitchen
and check out the Pumpkin Coffee Cake with Brown Sugar Glaze.

It is DELICIOUS!!!

I jazzed mine up a bit by adding butterscotch chips and toffee pieces to the topping,
instead of walnuts, before I baked it.  {Not a fan of walnuts.}

And it is OH. SO. GOOD!

I am sewing with Jen Allyson’s fabulous Christmas fabric line: Holly Jolly from Riley Blake.

Materials:

• Fabric for decorating towels
• Towels to be embellished
  (helpful hint: when possible pre-wash and dry your fabric, especially when using dark colors to prevent them from bleeding color onto your towels)
• Additional trim such as ribbon, lace or rick rac
• Scissors, sewing machine, measuring tape, thread and straight pins
  

Steps:

• Measure the width of the towel. Cut the fabric strips the width of the towel, plus one inch.  I like to layout my towel with the fabric and trim so I can see what the over-all effect will be.
• Measure trim the width of the towel plus 1/2 inch and cut.

• Turn under 1/2” on each long edge and press with your iron. Turn under 1/2” on each short edge and press.
• Load your bobbin with thread that is the same color as your towel and the top thread the closest color to your trim and fabrics.  You may need to switch colors for the same towel, but keep the bobbin thread consistent.

• Pin your fabric and additional trims with straight pins onto your towel.  Now you are ready to sew!
• Start with the fabric and edge-stitch along front pressed edges of strip, through all thicknesses.
• Decorate with more fabric strips and embellish with coordinating ribbons, lace, or ric-rac.

Pair your finished towel with your favorite bottle of hand soap and you have a wonderful gift that you’ll be proud of giving and the receiver will be pleased to get!

Karen from The Bald Dragonfly here, and I happen to think that nobody describes the iconic holiday image better than Clement Clarke Moore from his poem, The Night Before Christmas. The image portrayed in Lost & Found Christmas is the spitting image of what is written…”…He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf…” It became a great focal point to my hand crafted holiday gift tags and ornament holder. The beautiful textures and patterns from the Lost & Found: Christmas line offer a nice vintage vibe, while the red glittered accents add a touch of sophistication and glam.

To make the tag/ornament holder, I started with an upcycled package from my boys’ toys. After washing and cleaning the inside and out, I carefully measured the Santa paper and cut to fit inside the packaging. After rounding the corners, I simply added a bit of repositional adhesive in strategic locations to secure the image to the clear packaging. I repeated for the back side of the packaging as well with the same sheet of paper. Then I wrapped some jute twine around the outside of the packaging, having secured that with hot glue.

The tags were created from various designs from the Lost & Found: Christmas collection and scrapbooking/cardmaking tools such as corner rounders, label die cuts, twine and fasteners. I found a bit of red, glittery ribbon that had been recycled from my mother-in-laws holiday arrangement from last year that was a perfect match to the red glitter accents! I simply added a strip of the lighter patterned paper to the back of the tags as a place for the address of the gifts.

Once the person that I gift this to has used up all the tags, the decorated box remains as a perfect place to store precious and delicate ornaments. It’s is like two gifts in one! The possibilities are endless for tag-making with this line. Mix and match patterns and shapes to add variety to your tag line-up or let your tags become more vintage by including such things as lace and buttons.