Heart Handle Gift Bag Tutorial

Here's a quick tutorial that's quick, easy and pretty fun I'd say!

What you'll need:

-Brown paper bag (yep, like the kind used as a lunch bag) 

-Washi tape (Buy awesome washi tape here)

-Glitter Paper (or patterned/plain paper-it's your creation!)

-Adhesive

-Rubber stamps (or use no text at all) 

-Miniature size clothespin (Purchase Here)

-Heart shaped punch or Frame lit (These two items can be bought here)

What you'll do to make your mah-valous gift bag:

1. Cut off the end of the lunch bag. You shouldn't be able to stand the lunch bag up after cutting. 

2. Fold the edges at the bottom of the bag toward the back of the bag and secure with washi tape (see pic below).

3. Punch or cut out the heart at the top of the bag to make the "handle".

4. Go to town with your washi tape. Decorate however you like! Would love to see YOUR creations. Leave a comment with a link to watcha made. :) 

5. Add a stamped sentiment or if your good at calligraphy, go for that. 

6. Last, but definitely not least, cut two small strips of glitter paper to fit your clothespin and glue the paper to the front and back of the pin. Fold over the top of your gift bag and clip the clothes pin on to secure. 

This project only took a few minutes. It would be great for a last minute gift! Kids could really get into this too. Their friends will love their personalized gift! My favorite part of this project is the washi tape. Where has this stuff been all my life?! I know it's all the rage now and I'm loving it! 

Grab your lunch bag and get crafty :) 

*Robin  

A Verse Ministry and Paper Tutorials

Over the years I've accumulated tons of stationary and office supplies. Notecards, post-it notes, binders, folders, pens, gel pens (oh my word, I bought the 50 pack of those when they were really "in"), I could go on and on about the paper and ink products I have on hand now. The way I'm currently using my extra stationary is by sending notecards with verses on them and journaling who I send them to in order to stay organized.

1. Choose how you'd like to use your extra stationary

Since I can't get out much because of pain, I'm currently using my extra stationary to mail verse cards. *Side note-If you are bedridden or have to stay inside because of an illness you can still glorify God, often in unique ways. Don't give up the fight and don't forget about others.*. I use notecards that have piled up over the years. Just hope I don't accidentally send one with a study question on the back! I used notecards a lot during school.


2. Organize your stationary according to what you need for your project 

For me this is the hardest step. I used to be more of a free spirit before the illness hit me then I got super OCD. So now there's this part of me that wants everything to be in it's place and another part that wants an organized mess (aka organized stacks).

Materials for verse ministry:

1. Notecards
2. Pens
3. Envelopes
4. A Bible
5. Postage stamps
6. Binder or Notebook to track which verse you sent to which people, what day it was and their address.
7. Address book (if you have one-still need to compile my addresses!)
8. Post it notes (I use these on the first verse card I send just to let people know what I'm doing. That way if they continue receiving verses they'll know why). You don't have to do this step.

Even if everything isn't perfectly organized, make a special spot/container for your supplies. Decorate the notebooks if you want. Make things fun :)

If you're interested in the verse ministry, you can make a card to send it in or send only the notecard. If you want to send with a card, check out our Etsy shop for some cards that are sure to encourage as well! TRC Etsy Shop

Project Ideas

-Learn to make origami figures Origami Crane Tutorial
-Use notecards as learning cards, just like you may have done in school. Never stop learning!
-Donate excess school supplies to kids who need them
-Make greeting cards
-Make a home organization binder
-Decorate unused notebooks or notepads and give as gifts (Check out these sites for ideas and tutorials: Tutorial for Covered Notebooks Tutorial for Notepad Toppers )

Have fun creating :)

*Robin*

Decorating on a Dime

Yes, I have Lyme disease. That means I can't hold a job so that also means that there isn't a lot of excess at the end of the month from Ken's paycheck. Ever since I could shop, which was when I was about 3 years old, I liked finding a good deal. Since I've gotten old enough to have an apartment it's opened up a whole new aisle at TjMaxx! The decor aisles! 

I don't want to waste money or my Lyme. I want to do as much as I can with the circumstances that God's given me. It's taken a lot of time to get things organized and decorated how I'd like them at our apartment. Gotta start somewhere though so we've been working little by little to make our house a home. I'm definitely no expert at budget decorating but do have a few tips to share.

Decorating on a Budget:

1. Look for what you have on hand FIRST! 

This is a step that I often forget. Over the years we accumulate stuff. Lots and lots of stuff. Look for picture frames, ribbon, fabric, candles, yarn, etc...

Look at my organized mess! I found some burlap ribbon in this box and it was perfect for the mason jars I wanted to use. I also had some of those rocks used for faux flower arrangements, some candles, and a figurine that my grandma gave us for our anniversary that works well on our "ledge". Keep reading to see the finished "budget project." :)

2. Borrow and share items from friends and family

I know everyone's situation is different but in some cases borrowing, sharing, and exchanging works. I'm borrowing the mason jars from my mom. I'm also borrowing some of the candles from her and fabric of course. My fabric container won't fit in our apartment so I store it there. You should see HER fabric collection! It over-flowith! 

I've seen fabric covered books on Pinterest so I thought I'd cover some of my books with pretty fabric! Pick different size books. I used 3 books with the biggest on the bottom and made a tower. 

Make sure your fabrics are large enough to wrap your books. I wrapped mine like a present. Just use some tape. That way you can re-read the book and re-use the fabric too! 

WALA! A fabric covered book tower that didn't cost a dime with a mason jar, rocks, ribbon and candles that didn't cost anything either. Pretty awesome huh?! Just get creative and go on Pinterest ;)

3. Buy pieces that can be used in other seasons. I like to get a "statement" piece. 

My statement piece for this project was a cool rustic bike ($12.99 from BigLots). I also bought some garland ($7.99 also from BigLots too) to use for many years to come. This is the first season I've been able to decorate so I'm gathering pieces for the future. Getting started is the hard part...especially with Lyme. But when the project is finished it makes you smile (well it does that to me). I just love nesting! The project cost $21.00 in total. What are your ideas for budget decorating? Do you use everything you have on hand? 

This project took me about a week to complete. I almost didn't try because it would take too long and too much energy to decorate. But I love decorating. So, I decided to take it at my Lyme pace. Don't waste your Lyme! Don't waste your money and definitely not your life!

*Robin 

Coffee Table Revamp

Finally a post about something really fun: decorating! Really don't know what my personal style is but I like pretty things. Pinterest has revolutionized my world (as it has for many women...and a handful of men I guess???). I was able to get out yesterday so Mom took me to T.J.Maxx! I was able to do one little DIY project with my purchase. 

Here's what I got: 

-One flower arrangement-wasn't sure about the green but I really like it now

-Three pillar candles 

-Copper plated tray it's really heavy and my favorite piece! 

I obviously want to keep my favorite piece looking mahh-valous. So, I needed to put something under the candles but didn't see anything that I liked at the store AND I wanted to save a buck. So here's what I used for the bottom:

-Brown felt
-2 sided tape (My aunt graciously gave me some of this-don't know if she remembers). 
-Sizzix Big Kick cutter (you can purchase items like this cutter and circle dies through my Mom's blog: I Stamp, I Sew
-Sizzix Circle cutting-dies
-Scissors 

Steps:
1. I took a 8"x12" piece of the felt and cut it in half so I could send it through the Big Kick 
2. Cut my circles out. Had a perfect match for the orange candles but had to cut off some of the excess felt around the cream one-that didn't look so great but no one will see it :)  
3. Used my two-sided tape to attach the felt to the bottom of the candles 

 

4. Arranged them on the tray with the flowers and enjoyed the atmosphere-Ken liked it too. He's so supportive!
If I only had a before picture of the table. It was a bowl of candy haha. Like this a lot better!

Although Lyme has so much pain involved I'm thankful for the little windows of time where the fun and beautiful things in life have a stronger presence than the pain. Today was very hard. I was sore from the hour that we were out yesterday. I walked with my cane so, I guess no pain, no gain. Today I tried to rest but it was difficult. 

Thankful for some more progress with the apartment. We're on a 5 year decorating plan. :) 

*Robin*