Hostess Gift Sets from Paper & Cake

Have you ever torn apart your house, desperately searching for something you could possibly re-gift and pass off as a Hostess Gift for the party you are supposed to be attending that starts in 15 minutes?

Or is it just me?

Here is an idea, from Paper & Cake, that is not only inexpensive and available right when you need it, but also makes you look like a crafty superstar! For $5 and about 15 minutes of your time, you can download a PDF of one of three Wine Glass Tag gift set designs. Print out the two sheets, do some cutting and hole punching, grab a bottle of bubbly from the dusty wine rack and you are ready to go!

I put together one of these in the damask pattern for my step-sister on Christmas Eve, and it was an instant hit! Those tags were on everyone's glasses before I could blink!

Still Pulling Myself Together

I know Christmas is over, but I still can't face the day to day regular routine of my life. I guess you could say I'm in denial? So, instead of a step-by-step party instruction (coming soon by the way) here is a cute picture from Christmas eve with my kids and their cousins. Aren't they cute?

Merry Christmas to All!

Have a wonderful day and I will "see" you in the new year!

Family Holiday Card

About three seconds ago, I clicked the "order now" button from Kodak Gallery's website. I feel as though a weight has finally lifted from my shoulders!

To make this card, I purchased several yards of saturated green felt from the fabric store (on sale!) and taped it high on the wall. Three of my family members posed in front of it while my trusty tripod took several photos (before the felt succombed to gravity). Meanwhile, my daughter decorated her gingerbread house. She had such a good time!

Then it was all about the photoshop. I found a tutorial, online, for removing the "green screen" from the background - using a green fabric just makes it fairly simple to "cut" the people out of the background. I had to play around with the coloring of both photographs, the "gingerbread" photo was red in comparison to the "family portrait" photo. I also had to put shadows in behind the "family portrait" photo to make it look as though we had the same lighting as the other photo.

And voila! Sillyness ensues.

"green screen" portrait

Autumn's gingerbread masterpiece


Final combo photograph

Downloadable Holiday Tablescape

Well they've done it again! Those super creative girls from Paper & Cake have made available the first of two gorgeous downloadable holiday tablescapes.

Alright, you've caught me. I'm one of those two girls from Paper & Cake... and I just can't stop myself. We had such a good time with this damask themed grouping of napkin rings, wine glass tags and invitations (and more!), that we are doing a second theme.

This Wednesday check back for the "Retro Ornament" group that will include items like wrapping paper and (get this) a Holiday card for you to customize and send out to everyone you know!

A Giveaway from See Jack Draw

I saw this one with my own two eyes! See Jack Draw is giving away one of their most popular collages. A nine square, 12"x12" photo collage of your child's artwork - a $70 value - could be yours!


all they ask is...

1. enter the contest before Midnight PST on Sunday, December 7th
2. just make a comment on See Jack Draw, one comment per person
3. for an additional chance to win, post about their contest on your blog
4. one winner will be randomly picked and announced Monday, December 8th