It's No Can of Tuna

 What do you do if no one in your house eats tuna? 

You find the next best thing.... Altoids.  Okay, let me clarify the situation.... a SHINEworks challenge was given  to re purpose a Tuna Can, but since we don't eat Tuna in our house (never quite acquired the taste)... I just used the next best thing I had in my stash.... a mint container.

I admit it! 

It is so much easier to 'come up with ideas' while surfing through Pinterest.  You can find anything there, from meaningful quotes to amazing cupcake recipes.  There are fantastic fashion combinations, to ways to decorate the perfect gift.  And there are even ways to re-purpose an Altoid Tin.... check out the link here at the Nature of Crafty Things!

I have some really cute patterned paper that I thought would work perfect for this little tin.  Its a little Hippy Chick by DCWV.  Matching ribbon to go around the lid base and then "lolli" flowers with a button on top. Perfect, easy and ready in under about 10 minutes!

 I just traced the can shape on to the back of the paper.  Cute inside the lines and then glued the paper to the can. Added a few matching embellishments.  Notice, I also added patterned paper inside the tin!

A gift card fits inside perfectly!!!! 

Hey, if you are a small hoarder of Altoid tin cans, save me a few, I'd love to make a few more gift card holders!!!!

It's amazing what you CAN do when you try!

pinterest

Surprise Package

I love something that isn't what it appears to be. 

These little tiny gift packages that measure approx 4" x 4" are just the right size to house a gift card. Great for this time of year with grads and dads and all the other hub bub!  The gift lid slides off and there you have a cute little pocket to stuff with actual cash or a gift card.   You could adorn the package with anything, but a sweet bow ties it all together, and then I even added a matching tag to one.  Perfect for the TO: and From: sentiment.  I used two different pattern papers and each was under 6" x 6".  Mix and Match

Why fit in, when you were born to stand out! ~ Dr. Suess

Adhesive Free

This nifty and cute double envelope is a note card, gift card, bite size candy holder brought to you by Chicnscratch's blog.  Using a heavier designer series paper 8" x 8" this cute little pouch can be made with simple crisp creased folds and absolutely no glue adhesive (well, except for the decorative scalloped circle)  it is just simply tied at the top to hold together.  The card opening measures approximately 2-1/2" H x 3-3/4" W.

Here's the side view to show you how the score lines, then become the folds... making it into a little pouch.  This is a perfect idea if you want something a little different to hold a special gift card on one side, and maybe a little treat on the other.  Or, this could work as party favors, it could even stand as name placements for a dinner party.

Odd weather week for the month of March, it's like a great June... we had temperatures in the high 70's... I even think we broke a record of 81 degrees on Tuesday.  It's wonderful, it's beautiful!  The birds are chirping and happy, all of my tulips are beginning to burst through the mulch, the grass is getting green... it is however, just so odd... the mild winter we have had. I will find joy in the day( but the old part of me can't believe spring has begun and we had no really crazy blizzards... my head can't wrap around that!)

Brighten Someone's Day! 

Tiny Presents

I'm always SEARCHING for clever ideas ...(Pinterest is still so inspiring)  This gift card holder is even better when it is created with fun and interesting PP (patterned paper)  Both tiny presents are cute, but the one on the right (I think) just seems a bit more whimsical.  My style.  They measure approx. 3" w x 4" h when completed.  The top slides off and keeps the gift card secure inside the 'box' part of the gift.  Add some scrunchy ribbon to the top (lid part of the gift)  and the packaged gift card holder is complete... maybe a fancy tag zipping off the side would be perfect finishing accent! To you -----> from Me  It could actually be put in some FuN MaiL.... (don't want to pay extra postage) sans the ribbon... hmmm will have to come up with something for that!

I'm LEARNING something new... thinking outside the 'box' and creating pages of mixed media in my new ART Journal.  I did a quick video below in the next post to let you see what it's all about.  I don't mind being messy, but I realize in this first week of journaling that my art before has been quite precise, clean and small.... mostly on cards.  I'm not ready for big canvas art... but have moved my way up to a 11" x 14" piece of blank paper.... and that is a lot of space to fill up!

Snowy, icy, icky day.... finals for Sissy.... her first time driving in this 'stuff'.  Makes for a nervous ma ma. 

I am working on my SELF.... it's time to get moving in

Having the Blues

 Using a mish mash of different techniques and styles I created  a unique one of a kind Christmas gift for a friend and her two daughters, all things match in hues of blue.

Above are two personalized gift card holders. They are about 2-1/2"H x 4"W.  I have a lot of the very large chip board letters laying in my stash so I added some of the patterned paper, roughed the edges and then inked them.  Added them to the top of the white inked tag and topped that on the gift card holder.  I Glimmer misted the white ribbon so that it would coordinate with the blue color scheme.  Topped each letter with the perfect Martha Stewart snowflake punch. The gift card holders close together with velcro.

 When I make a mini scrap book after I use directions fro Following the Paper Trail with Laura, I have gotten in the habit of making  a matching card from the left over scraps.  That way, if I give the mini scrap book as a gift, I don't have to scramble to find a similar card.... one already matches from the scraps.  A snowman who has the blues. You've seen this snowman in a recent post.

Front cover view of the 'stacked' mini album.  I'll show the guts on another post.  I really love how all the elements came out on this mini made with small envelopes.   Topped with ribbons and bows, snowflakes an lolly flowers, tulle and beaded charms and a whole lot of inking going on.

So this is really a gift with a mix, but everything matches.  Gotta love that!  And it's made with a whole lotta loving going on!!!