AWESOME DIY EASTER GIFT BAGS

  Putting a Personal Stamp on 'em

 

I hope my grandchildren think the gift bags I have made them are awesome. I picture them looking at the bags lovingly, and exclaiming "Wow! Bamma made the bags just for us?" 

Of course, that is a dream. They are not likely to spend much time looking at the bags since there are gifts inside, and they are only six and eight years old. 

However, I really enjoyed thinking of their personalities, and preferences, as I made the bags. It also gave me another opportunity to use an adorable Easter stamp set, and some of my favorite papers, and inks.

Hopscotch Paper Packet

Some of the gift bags are made from scrapbook paper, and others are ready made bags I decorated. I hope you like both styles, and get some ideas of your own. 

From Bags to Riches

It really makes a gift special when it is in a handmade gift bag with a handmade card. You don't have to purchase expensive gifts, when you take the time to personalize the wrappings and card, the gift becomes special.

Hopping by Holiday Stamp Set

I'm not sure if my grandchildren will ask for countdown gifts for Independence Day, but I'm sure I will have to make some for Halloween. Don't tell anyone, but I'm really looking forward to Halloween Bags. 

I've Got This One in the Bag

I recorded two short videos to show the different types of bags. I used Cricut cuts, stencils, stamps, and more. Below the videos I have included links to the Close to My Heart products I used.

I appreciate all of you who take the time to watch my videos, read my blog, and especially those who help me donate to the Lymphoma and Leukemia Society with your purchases. 

Supply List
Glacier Exclusive Ink Pad
Black Exclusive Ink Pad
Pixie Exclusive Ink Pad
Canary Exclusive Ink Pad
Hopscotch Paper Packet
Brushed Paper Packet
Seaside Paper Packet
Shinhan Marker in Barely Beige
Shinhan Marker in Cerulean Light Blue
Shinhan Marker in Cherry Pink
Shinhan Marker in Clay
Shinhan Marker in Golden Yellow
Shinhan Marker in Leaf Green
Shinhan Marker in Peony Purple
Shinhan Marker in Tender Pink
Shinhan Marker in Marine Blue
Hopping by Holiday Stamp Set
Bonding Memories  Glue
Liguid Glass - liquid glue



Did you make Easter gifts, bags, cards, etc for someone special? I would love to hear about your creations in the comments below.



PICTURE PERFECT PICTURE MY LIFE CARDS

More Than Just Scrapbooks

I love to use my pocket scrapbooking cards to make greeting cards, and recently I made some adorable mini books for my grandchildren.

The books will be part of their Easter haul. Yes, at this point it is a haul. I started out with just a couple of small gifts, and it snowballed into a Dollar Tree shopping binge.

I have quite a collection of PML cards, and really need to start using them more often. There are so many different styles to choose from. How else can I justify purchasing more? 

CHANTILLY PML CARDS

 I hope that you all will start thinking outside the box regarding your Picture My Life/Project Life cards. 

Supplies Used

Chantilly Picture My Life Cards

Seaside Picture My Life Cards

Hopscotch Picture My Life Cards

Heidi Swapp Project Life Cards can be purchased at craft stores

Bind-it-All and coils can be purchased at craft stores

Let me know any ideas you have, or things you have already done, with your PML/PL cards other than scrapbooking.

GETTING MY PLANNER SUPPLIES ORGANIZED

My Portable Tote

I purchased a Paper Studio Tote at Hobby Lobby for 40% off, and I'm using it to keep all of my planner, journal, and crush book supplies organized. 

The tote allows me to carry my supplies from my craft room to my bedroom, living room, or kitchen. It really helps me keep on top of appointments, and to-do lists, as well as focused on my business.

I would also highly recommend Frixion pens for journaling, planning, etc. I purchased mine on Amazon.

I hope that the video gives you some inspiration to organize your own supplies.

Let me know if you have a system for keeping your planner supplies handy, especially if it is very different from mine.

CLOSE TO MY HEART NEW CONSULTANT KIT

Take a Look Inside the Cardmakers' Kit

The latest Team Crafts for a Cure member, Audrey, agreed to do an unboxing video to showcase all of the great products she received. You will get a look at all of the items ($360 value) that come in the cardmakers' kit. There is also a Scrapbookers' kit available if that is your preference. It would be really hard for me to decide.

 

Cardmakers' Kit

Scrapbooker' Kit

 Close to My Heart is running a great special during the month of March. If you become a consultant, purchase one of the kits for just $99 plus shipping, you qualify for a couple of great prizes. The first prize is a shoulder tote which will come in your consultants' kit. You can also receive the rolling tote simply by having $300 in sales within your first 40 days as a consultant.

I think Audrey did a great job with the video, and I am very grateful that she was willing to let me film her. As you all know, I prefer to be a hand model in my videos. We are now discussing what we will make first from her kit. She is giving me a look like she may not want to share. It's a good thing I am very persuasive.

I hope you enjoy the video, and all of the products Audrey received. If you have any questions about becoming a consultant, please email me at dedraclutz@hotmail.com, or go to my Close to My Heart Website.

CRAFTY HAUL FOR MARCH

Some New Goodies

I have purchased more than my normal amount of craft items this month, but I really love them all. The items are a mix of Close to My Heart, Michaels, and Hobby Lobby purchases.

I love a bargain, but if a product is really great I will pay full price. Of course, as a Close to My Heart Dealer, I receive a 22% discount on all of my CTMH purchases. I also try to use the 40% off coupons at Michaels, and Hobby Lobby.

Assorted Edges 

 I filmed a video to show you all of my purchases. Below the video I have links to all of the CTMH products, just in case, like me, you have to own them for yourself.

Close to My Heart Supplies

Assorted Edges Stamp Set
Flaxen Extra Thick Twine
White Shimmer Trim
Blue Shimmer Trim
Hopscotch Assortment
Washi Tape Dispenser


Have you made any great crafty purchases lately? Let me know in the comments below.





TIME TO GET HEALTHY CRUSH BOOK

Documenting my Journey

I decided the perfect use for my Close to My Heart In the Pink Crush Book would be to help document my journey to regain my health, and improve my energy level. 

It has been both fun and inspiring to write quotes, add pictures, and track my inches, and pounds, lost.  

I have also really enjoyed being a part of a great group of ladies in my Beachbody challenge group. I have chosen to use a combination of Shakeology, and PIYO workouts. My coach is Crystal Mays, and you can contact her HERE if you are interested. 

Crystal runs private incentive groups on Facebook to help us all stay on track, which I would highly recommend.

 I filmed a video to show how I am using this fun crush book. You can purchase your own Crush Book on my website.

 Let me know in the comments below if you use a journal, crush book, smash book, etc. 

CLOSE TO MY HEART BIRTHDAY CARDS

March Birthday Bonanza

We have a lot of birthdays in March, and I am happy to say I have the birthday cards finished. Yes, I am that good. 

I need to get used to making more masculine cards though. It just doesn't come naturally to me. If there isn't pink, or glitter, I'm just not happy with the results.

I used the March Stamp of the Month, "Choose Happy", on a few of the cards. I also used the CTMH Artfully Sent Cricut Cartridge. I will list all of the supplies used following the video.

March Stamp of the Month

I'm sure I will get lots of use out of this set. I really prefer to have a few versatile stamp sets over a lot of sets that are very specific. I can see a set like this being used for every holiday, just by adding different sentiments. 

Supplies

March Stamp of the Month "Choose Happy"

Stamp Set "Have a Happy Day" 

Artfully Sent Cricut Cartridge 

Exclusive Ink Pads 

Confetti Wishes Paper Pack 

 Do you have a month that is full of birthdays? How do you handle making everyone feel special? Let me know in the comments below. 

 



EASTER CRAFTS

Cut Mini Cards and Envelopes

I have vowed not to spend the time before a holiday frantically trying to finish cards, crafts, gift bags, etc. again. My family is laughing as they read this, but I have gotten a start on Easter.

 These cards were simple to put together, and I had a great time with the stamp set. I hope you enjoy the video, and the cards inspire you to make a few of your own. 

I have a basket full of small Easter gifts for my grandchildren, so the next video, and blog post, in the Easter series, will be all about making their gift bags. 

Supplies Used
Hopping By stamp set 
Shinhan Markers 
Hopscotch Paper Pack 


Let me know your plans for Easter. Do you procrastinate like I do?Feel free to link to any blog posts, videos, pictures, etc. as you get ready for Easter.