Get 'em while they're on sale! 

Once again, I'm faced with the dilemma of what to get a male teacher for a gift.  Charlie's teacher has had a huge impact on my boy, engaging him and supporting him like few teachers he's had before.  So while I don't usually make a huge deal at Christmas, I wanted to recognize this special person.



So I gave him something crafty ... but useful too, and something that can be appreciated for years to come.  I used my Cricut Art Philosophy and Artbooking cartridges to cut a whole selection of gift tags in different colours, then I stamped a message or an image on the back.

Lastly, I decorated up one of our Designer Creations cupcake boxes to hold all the tags.

Thanks, Mr. Gill, for all you do to make learning fun for Charlie.  Merry Christmas!

• This is a circular hop so you can start here and go all the way around.
• If you came from Krista's "Simply Creating" blog, then you are going in the right direction.
• Visit Michelle's My Creations blog, for the complete blog list if you get lost along the way. 

My family has a number of traditions for the holiday season.  From the food we eat, the music we listen to, the movies we MUST watch and watch together ... it's all part of enjoying quality family time.

So this year, I've created a mini album, using the Pear and Partridge Picture My Life cards to document the traditions for years to come.

These mini albums would make great hostess gifts for friends or special memory gifts for grandparents, aunts and uncles.  Simply choose the PML cards that match your theme and get creative.  And now that the PML card come a la carte, you can just get the cards and have some fun!


I've kept mine pretty simple as the cards really speak for themselves.  I bound the book in sections using Topiary washi tape and then bound the sections together into one big book.


You can use both sizes of cards to make your album a little different.  I will likely add cardstock mats for photos and embellish with a few sparkles, stars or Stickles.  I can't wait to add photos to this album.


Don't like the bound book look?  Try an accordian album.  You can use fewer cards but still have big impact!



The most important thing with these albums is to have fun!  Make use of the sentiments and images on the cards, add what you need with photos and stamps.  And let your creativity flow!

I love making new ornaments for my tree.  Now that my husband has downsized us from a 10' tree (that he hates assembling) to a 6' tree that is prelit and folds open like an umbrella, I have much less room for them.  But I will find a way to deck the halls of our home with my creations.  And I'll give some as gifts too.

Here are some cute ornaments I made using metal cookie cutter and some Paper Fundamentals papers.

Instead of paper, you can also use washi tape!  This one turned out great, and washi tape is so forgiving, you can unpeel and restick multiple times to get it straight.


These cookie cutters I purchased came in a little circle tin. So I decorated it too -- it will make the perfect gift!

A few years ago, I found this idea somewhere on the Internet.  It's so super cute and a great way to give a little gift with big impact.

Let me "bake" you up some sock cupcakes.  It's so easy and can work with any kind of socks -- fuzzy, festive, expensive or affordable.

Start with a pair of socks and a cupcake wrapper.  I love that with the CTMH Artiste Cricut cartridge, I can cut a cupcake wrapper out of any paper I want, any size I want.



Roll up the socks and tie them with some ribbon or twine.  I prefer to put the twine close to the bottom, so I can play with the "rolls", fluff them up, layer them and give them more of a cupcake shape.



Then simply insert them in the cupcake wrapper and embellish.  I like to use red pompoms to create a "cherry" on top.  The "Cutie Pie" Stamp of the Month is perfect for creating the SWEETEST tags to go with these cupcakes.



I find that fuzzy socks work the best.  They're nice and plump and you can even get them from the dollar store.  For this one, I used Snowhaven paper and added some candy striped buttons.