A Crafty Soiree #62

Halloween is over and I'm still feeling energetic from the sugar rush.  I'm thinking about Christmas already and found three projects among our links from last week that would make great gifts and all easy enough for all levels of DIYers.  Are you planning on making some of your own gifts?  Let me know what you're making in a comment, I'm always up for new ideas!

As much as I love making some of the gifts we give at Christmas time, I think I will be short on time this year with a new baby.  If you're like me, without extra hours in the day, but still want to give something made from the heart, might I suggest supporting handmade?  Please check out one of the creative talents I've got featured in my sidebar.  These shop owners each offer something unique and beautifully crafted that would make a lovely gift this season and any time throughout the year. 

I personally love to support small businesses, and in particular handmade, because I like knowing my money is going to support an individual talent.  Each of the ladies, who's ad button is on my sidebar this month, is taking advantage of my Support Handmade promotion and receiving a month of free advertising.  It's my way of trying to do my part to get the word out about a movement I am passionate about.

If you are a small business owner and would like to be featured on my sidebar, there is still time.  I am accepting requests up until tomorrow.  Just click over to the blog if you're viewing this in a reader or in email, to find out more about the details, found at the top of my posting column.

Now onto this week's features!  Funkymom Cards is lucky enough to be part of a crafting group, one of my dreams...I've just gotta round up enough local crafters!  Her group made magnetic boards and hers is so cute, love the Christmas colors and I think these would make great gifts.  I know I could use one!

Every December I list this as something I'm going to make to give, possibly because it's something I desperately need myself come January.  I haven't gotten around to it yet, but Erika at Bliss Images and Beyond turned out so cute I think it might actually happen this year!  Don't you just love the twine?

Pendants are one thing I have actually made, usually with pictures and with glass pieces.  However, after seeing how fabulous the ones by One Artsy Mama's look with in the beveled pendant and with extra dangles, it's time to revisit this project!  I've already been looking for the pendant blanks online and love the idea to frame a word.  Great way to personalize for each recipient!

By the way, Amy just so happens to be one of the featured business owners on my sidebar, visit her store One Artsy Mama and see more of her jewelry.


<a href="http://www.katiesnestingspot.com/" target="_blank"><img width="150" border="0" alt="A Crafty Soiree" src="http://i679.photobucket.com/albums/vv157/KTnestingspot/Blog%20Buttons/FeaturedOnBlueButtoncopy.jpg" /></a>
Party Guidelines

1.  Link up to four of your creative projects (No Etsy stores or other linky parties pretty please).  

2.  Add your link to the specific posts not the main URL.

3.  Add a "Crafty Soiree" button to your blog or posts.

4.  Please comment on the post linked up in front of you.  All partygoers love meeting new friends... don't just stop there...if you see something that catches your fancy-- stop by and say hi!

5.  Your hostesses would love it if you'd follow us. You can find Malia here.

<a href="http://www.katiesnestingspot.blogspot.com" target="_blank"><img width="150" border="0" alt="Katie's Nesting Spot" src="http://i679.photobucket.com/albums/vv157/KTnestingspot/Blog%20Buttons/KatiesNestingSpotButtoncopy.jpg" /></a>Let's Party!

One more thing before you go. My friend Maryanne's Online Crop will be starting today and going on through the weekend. There are fun challenges and prizes! In fact, I'm offering one this month, this fabulous set of dinner party clear stamps from Martha Stewart Crafts.  Click on the photo to the right for a better view of the set.  It's perfect for paper crafters who also like to entertain.  I hope you'll join us!

Thankful Leaf Garland

Yesterday I shared one way to record what your family is thankful all month long, but if a jar isn't what you had in mind, here's an alternative project, using the same slips of paper. Instead of keeping your thankful papers in a jar, you can use them to create an beautiful autumn garland. It will grow in beauty as the month progresses.
For this project you will need your decorative pieces of paper, thirty silk leaves, ribbon, and clothespins. I added a number to represent the date, but they are optional.
Hang your ribbon, and then each day of the month write something your family is thankful for on a slip of paper. Clip it along with the appropriate numeral and a silk leaf to the ribbon. By the end of the month you will have a visual reminder of all the blessings in your life and a lovely decoration.

When the month is over, create as special holder for all your memories! I searched for "pillowbox template" online and found several free patterns. Print one out on the back of your choice of paper and assemble. Now we have a lovely container and can take out our thankful papers over the years to come and look back at what was speical about 2010!

Shared at Strut Your Stuff at Somewhat Simple, Weekend Wrap Up at Tatertots and Jello, Tickled Pink at 504 Main, and Think Pink Sunday at Flamingo Toes.

Gratitude Jar

A Gratitude Jar is a nice tradition to start during the month of November, that can continue to be used all year long. It's very simple to make, and the sentiments keep inside can be priceless.

Materials:
Glass Jar
Seasonal Filler: acorns, popcorn kernals, etc.
Cardstock: cut to 3.5"X3.5"
Decorative Paper: 1 piece cut to 4"X4" and 30 pieces cut to 2.5"X4" inches
Ribbon
Paper Cutter or Scissors
Hole Punch
Double Sided Tape

Begin by making the label. The font Wendy Medium was used to write out the title in a word processing program. Print it out onto tan colored cardstock and trim down to a 3.5 inch square, centering the text. Use double sided tape to mat this on a 4 inch square of decorative paper. In the example, the edges of both pieces have been inked with brown ink.

Punch two holes near the top center of the tag. Attach ribbon to label as shown. trim edges. Loop more ribbon around the opening of the jar. Use tape to attach the label to the ribbon. Place filler in the bottom of the jar. Cut thirty pieces of decorative paper to 2.5"X4". Fold each in half. These will be used to record something your family is thankful for every day in November. Place the papers and the jar out in hour home somewhere convienient, so you'll remember to use it often during the month. Each day pick out one piece of paper and write something you are thankful for on it, don't forget to date it! Place it into the Gratitude Jar, but the end of the month it will be filled with all the wonderful things that happened.

Tomorrow, I'll share an alternate easy way to record all the things you are thankful for and add some fall decor to your home.

Shared at Strut Your Stuff at Somewhat Simple,