Once they all believed in dragons

Excerpt from 2011 Dear Diary -

December 23rd

Today one of my co-workers gave me a little Christmas gift. Nothing expensive, just unexpected. I should have just said thank you and left it at that. But no, the guilt blossomed like a rose in a too hot room and I said, “I have something for you, but I left it at home”. Had to stop at the store and buy something for him. New Years Resolution is to make a ton of little gifts so I don't have to fib!!

I remembered what happened last year and I am determined to follow through with my promise. No one is going to taunt me with "Liar, liar pants on fire." Umm...something just sparked my creativity (pun intended) and I'm thinking fire and two Viva Las Vegastamps - If you can't stand the heat and
Knight burned by dragon.

 

Before



After

Side/Back View


 

Supplies
Plain Old Box of Matches
Scraps of Checker Board Paper, Coordinating Paper, Red Glitter Paper
Viva Las Vegastamps - HERE and HERE.
Miracle Tape
TH Black Soot Distress Ink

Directions  Remove the match drawer and set aside. No need to paint the box, just cover the top and bottom of the box using your trustworthy Miracle Tape. Apply the Checkered Paper on the top and the Coordinating Paper on the bottom. Let the red edge of the box show through. Cut strips of the Coordinating Paper and attach to sides of box. Be sure not to cover the sandpaper strike area. Stamp your VLVS images and distress heavily. Add TH Black Soot Distress Ink. Cut a square of the Red Glitter Paper. Attach all with the Miracle Tape. Cover the front and back of the match drawer with paper and fill with the matches or red fire hot candy. Repeat over and over again until you have a full stash of Dragon Decorated Match Boxes.

This little 15 minute gift is both fun and practical. What I really mean is this little gift is both cheap and easy. Remember that the next time you get that unexpected gift!

Les enfants de Paris

It was over 15 years ago, but I remember my first trip to Paris as if it were yesterday. Cassandra and I stayed in this tiny hotel near the Odeon Theatre. We had a Juliet balcony that overlooked the street and because Paris was in the midst of a heat spell, we kept the balcony doors open all day long. On the weekend there were children playing outside and I loved listening to them talk fluently in French. But it was their laughter that enchanted me - they laughed with a french accent.

 

I was asked to make favors for a party being held for a gal who loves all things French. I don't know why I picked candles but I was drawn to the vanilla scent while at the Dollar Tree and came home with an armload. I scoured Pinterest and YouTube in search of the perfect candle craft. When I happened upon the tissue paper candle I knew I had found my inspiration.

 

Remembering how magical the children of Paris were I decided to forgo the Eiffel tower and create Les enfants de Paris candles. At school, play and just enjoying the every day joy that Paris offers made making these favors a real treat for me. I hope you will view the short video I made with some tips on making the tissue paper candles. And you'll get to see them all dressed up for the party. The video is HERE.

 

My favorite candle is the one on the right.

Two little boys holding their mother's handbags! 

 

As always I used Kraft paper and TH Vintage Photo. 

 

I'd love to know what are your favorite last minute, inexpensive gifts? Do you make them? If so, please share with a link! 



Festivus for the rest of us

December is filled to the brim with eagerly awaited holidays. Of course everyone knows it is the month of Christmas, Hanukkah and Kwanzaa, but did you know it was also the month of Repeal Day? Yep, as you sip on that glass of wine remember to thank Congress for repealing the 21^st Amendment that ended Prohibition on December 5^th. I’ll drink to that!

Another noteworthy day has to be December 16^th. It’s National Chocolate Covered Anything Day. Need I say more? The 21^st is Humbug Day, the 12^th is National Ding-a-Ling Day (what is a Ding-a Ling anyone?) but my favorite holiday is celebrated on the 23^rd – Festivus Day.

I am relatively new to this holiday tradition but around my house it has become a major celebration. Never heard of it? It was conceived in 1966 but became a part of worldwide popular culture after being featured on an episode of Seinfeld in 1997.

Important aspects of the holiday include an unadorned aluminum pole called a Festivus Pole, and the practices of Airing Ones Grievances and Feats of Strength. Now, some folks describe this holiday as a parody of commercialism, but I for one will be sending out Festivus Cards to all my friends this year – thanks to VLVS. 

Every person who sends me a Holiday Card is getting a Festivus Card! 

The best thing is that the card smells yummy!

Supplies
Patterned Paper
Simple Patterned Paper
Silver Card Stock
Silver Washi Tape
Card Stock
Red Glitter Paper
MiracleTape
Festivus Stamp
Ink
Incense Stick
Silver Stickles
3 Bling

Directions
1. Cut and fold greeting card with white/off white card stock - 4” x 5 ½”.
2. Make six paper cuts: Patterned Paper 3 ¾” x 5 ¼”, Silver Paper 3 ¼” x 4 ¾”, Simple Patterned Paper – 2” x 5” and 1”x 3 ¾”, Red Glitter Paper – two 1” x ¼” pieces.
3. Stamp sentiment on 1” x 3 ¾” Simple Patterned Paper.
4. Wrap silver Washi Tape onto the 2” x 5” Simple Pattenred Paper.
5. Cut the incense stick to 3” and cover with Silver Stickles.
6. Using Miracle Tape glue all the cut papers and the Festivus Pole onto the card.
7. Attach the Bling and you are ready to send your card to your friends who celebrate Festivus.

A traditional Festivus Dinner does not include alcohol. I get around that critical omission by celebrating Festivus and Repeal Day together. I'll drink to that!
       
The winner of the role of Miracle Tape is...Dsscrapie. Send me your address and I'll mail out your goodies.

PS - I'm putting up an infomercial later today! Hope you'll take a look :-)