Easy Handmade Gift Ideas

If you are like me you are always on the lookout for easy handmade gift ideas especially around the holidays.  It's always fun to receive gifts that are personal or have meaning.  In my family we rotate names between us siblings so that Christmas doesn't break the bank.  Last year my sister had me and I was beyond thrilled when I opened up these cute Christmas ornaments she hand painted.

No Sew Skirts for Your Tree

Last year I took on a massive project for Christmas... one of those no sew skirts for your Christmas tree that you have seen floating around Craftland.  Now no sew skirts are the way to go for someone like me who doesn't do a lot of sewing or own a sewing machine.  However, you may want to engage in a Pride and Prejudice (the long version) marathon while you're at it.  

Countdown Till Christmas Printable

Can you believe its almost December.  Ya me neither but I thought I would get this Countdown Till Christmas Printable ready for you a little early.   It seems like Christmas is just around the corner now that Thanksgiving has come and gone and my to-do list is getting bigger and bigger by the minute.  

Pintastic Monday 18

Three weeks in a row I've been late with Pintastic Monday.  Someday I will have all my eggs in my basket.  It's been a Monday if there ever was one and right now I could use a little partying to try and get my week off to a better start.  So link up your projects and visit a couple of others and starting pinning away!

Shabby Apple Winner

Thanks to all who have entered our Shabby Apple giveaway.  Today's lucky winner is entry number #115 Kathleen B whose winning entry was liking Shabby Apple on Facebook.  To see the winning entry click here.

Kathleen I have sent an email out to you.  Please respond withing 48 hours to claim your prize:)

The party doesn't end there though.  For the next three weeks you can receive 10% off any order using the code  sarahdawn10off.  

Happy Thanksgiving!

Pintastic Monday 17

Happy Monday!  I apologize for not get last week's link party up.  As the holidays approach things have gotten even more crazy.  None the less welcome to Pintastic Monday where bloggers comet together and pin one another's projects.  

Easy Christmas Ornanment Crafts

This week has been a bust for me when it came to projects and posts until I finished my easy Christmas ornament crafts.  Either I ran out of supplies, I couldn't get a good photo, I ran out of time, or it simply didn't turn out.  I sure tried though.  I was feeling a little sad that I didn't have anything new to show you this week.  That's when I had the idea at ten o'clock last night to make these easy Christmas ornament crafts.  

Shabby Apple G!veaway

Pintastic Monday will return next week.  I just ran out of time to get everything done this weekend.  In the meantime...

Are you in for a treat or what!  A few weeks back a representative from Shabby Apple contacted me and asked if I was familiar with their company and if I would be interested in hosting a giveaway for a $50 Gift Certificate to their store.  Am I familiar???  I only drool all over my keyboard every time I look at their website.  

Attitude of Gratitude Frame

I think this Attitude of Gratitude frame is my favorite Thanksgiving project to date and has a little more meaning.  It all started when I was searching for ideas on Pinterest for a Thanksgiving craft to do for our monthly craft club as November was my month to host.  It's hard to find something that 12+ people will like and isn't covered in turkeys.  Then I stumbled upon this beauty from Catherina's Creative Corner.  It is the perfect project to get you in an attitude of gratitude.

Cute Christmas Cards of Years Past

It's that time of year... have you started thinking about the cute Christmas cards you want to send out in the next few weeks?  I know I have and to be honest I'm feeling a little behind.  Usually by this time I have family photos done and the card all designed but this year got away from me.  I will get them out though!  This week I hope to finish 3-5 new templates available for purchase on my website.  In the meantime I thought I would show you some of my favorites from years past, all of which are still available plus 24 other designs. To check out these cute Christmas cards head on over to my website.

Chamilia Jewelry Winner

Drum-roll please....

Congrats to Rachelle A who's winning entry was a tweet about this giveaway.  I have sent a confirmation email so make sure and look for it.  

Thanks to all those who participated, be sure to check back soon for a Shabby Apple giveaway!  

Happy 60th Birthday and the Photo Numbers

The room was buzzing with anticipation as we all waited to shout, "Happy 60th Birthday!"  I'm not sure if the adrenaline was rushing because I was so excited that the day to celebrate my mother-in-law's birthday had finally come or from not knowing if I was going to make it in time for the big reveal because of a helium shortage.  I've been dying to show you the center piece I made for this surprise party.  My mother-in-law is a pretty special person and one of the kindest people you will ever meet.  If you know anyone in her family you also know that the love for taking photos runs strong and deep.  Giant photo numbers were the perfect way to say Happy 60th Birthday to someone so deserving.   

Lets start at the beginning.  At the party so many people asked me how I made the numbers.  Out of cardboard of course.  Each number is about 3 1/2 feet tall, maybe a little taller.  Yes you read that correctly.

Step 1:  I cut a front and back for each number.  I knew I was going to use 4 x 6 photos so the width of each number is right around 7 1/2 inches so that the photos could overlap slightly.  I used a ruler to help trace my numbers on the flat piece of cardboard.  It took me a couple of hours to get the numbers traced and cut but it is worth the time to be precise.  

*Please note that the numbers do stand on their own so make sure you have a good flat bottom for both numbers*

Step 2:  Next I cut strips of cardboard that were 5.75 inches wide.  The would serve as the inside and outsideand and needed to be slightly less than the width of one photo.

Step 3:  I started with the outside and began taping the front and the back with my strips cut in step 2 wedged in between.  Alternate between which side you tape, you want it to be sturdy and the tape keeps it from bulging.  The photo of the 0 gives a better idea of how this was done.  It took more than one of my cardboard strips so I just taped them as I went to make it look like one continuous strip.  Once I was done with the outside I completed the inside.   

Step 4:  Next I lay my numbers flat and placed my photos on the front side of my numbers.  Cover the entire front before you start taping so that you have all the tricky spots figured out ahead of time.  There were a couple of photos that hung over the edge so I had to trim them.  Once you have it figured out, tape the photos down.  Turn the numbers over and do the same thing to the back.  Finally you will tape photos all around the sides.  I started at the bottom for the outside row so that if the photos didn't meet exactly  up you wouldn't see it.  Subsequently I started at the top of the inside for the same reason.  Take care to make sure to get plenty of tape on the back of each photo to make sure it is secure and doesn't fall off.  I just used masking tape.

By the end of the project I had used two rolls of tape and approximately 325 black and white 4 x 6 photos.  It's definitely a labor of love as it took many, many hours but I spread it out throughout a week's time.

Every one loved looking at the numbers seeing all of the different memories from my mother-in-laws 60 years of life.  It was definitely a show stopper and fit into our Hollywood Glam theme perfectly.  The numbers are actually pretty sturdy as these photos were taken three weeks after the case and traveled for more than 9 hours in cars and still in pretty good condition.

Happy 60th Birthday! 

Color Me Rad 5k - Check

Over the weekend I ran the Color Me Rad 5k with my husband and it was pretty rad in my opinion.  Before I get too carried away let me explain how we decided upon this event.  About three weeks ago on a Sunday night I was sitting at my computer probably surfing the net when kind of out of nowhere I sent the link for the Color Me Rad 5k to my husband who was sitting in his office doing the same thing.  I didn't really think he would want to do with me...

Pintastic Monday #16

Welcome to  our latest edition of Pintastic Monday, where bloggers come together and pin one another's projects.  Can you believe it is November, my favorite month of the year?  If you haven't already I hope you are getting your voting ballets ready, tomorrow is the day!  

In case you missed it here is what I was up to last week:

 

I was asked to do a review and giveaway for Chamilia Jewelry (which ends tonight so make sure you have your entries in:)

I posted about the Hollywood Glam Desserts we had my my mother-in-law's surprise party.

and shared my interactive Thanksgiving/Gratitude Advent Calendar.

Our most viewed link from last week's party was:

 

this awesome idea on how to make keeping your fridge cleaner and easier from Let's Get Crafty.

 

House of 34 shares her new side table that she made herself.  I love the letters underneath!

 

Halloween may be over but I just love this costume from Acasarella.  I may have to try this next year.

 

Mmmm, pumpkins and November were a match made in heaven which makes me really want to try these Pumpkin Pie Poptart Cakeballs from Pint Sized Baker .

 

Finally, Mommy's Sweet Confessions, shared with us her recipe from Cornbread Stuffed Taco Peppers.  We have tacos frequently in our house so I'm always looking for different variations.

Thank-you to all who participated last week.

Are you ready for this week's party?  

 

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Pin Party Rules:

1)  Visit at least two other links and pin two projects from the authors' blog.    

2.)  Add my button somewhere on your blog, whether it is in the post itself or on the side.

3.)  Link to a specific post and it must be something you wrote or created.

4.)  No give-aways or other link parties.  

I would love if you would follow me as well, but it is not a requirement.  

Of course you can find me on Pinterest too.  I'll follow back if you leave your Pinterest link in the comments section.  

Get your pins ready, get set, GO!

*By submitting your links/projects you are giving others permission to pin your projects to Pinterest as well as giving me permission to use your photo/s should I choose to feature you.  If you have any questions you can email me at info@sarahdawndesigns.com*

*Each participant is responsible for complying with Pinterest's Terms of Use and Sarah Dawn Designs cannot be held responsible should those terms be broken.*

Thanksgiving/Gratitude Advent Calendar

It's officially November!!!!  Hip Hip Hooray.  I have been trying to decide on what I was going to do to make November special.  That's how I came up with my 25 Ways to Show Gratitude list.  I want to do more than just think about the things I'm grateful for.  When pondering about this list I decided I also wanted to come up with a DIY project to go with it.  *Enter Thanksgiving/Gratitude Advent Calendar.*