Day 6 - Within Arms Reach

Paula and I have enjoyed all the great comments each day, so many fabulous ideas!  

Thanks again for all who commented!  This one was not the winner in the random giveaway but we laughed so hard about it (at the same time thought it was a great idea) that were going to give an extra prize today.

Cliptix said...

I usually go on a massive baking spree for friends and neighbors.
3 or 4 types of cookies and 2 or 3 breads and at least 1 candy.  Although for the neighbors I plan on buying a box of HoHos and DingDongs and giving those with a note that says Ho-Ho-Ho Merry Christmas from the DingDongs next door. :P

The winner of Day 5 of the 7 Days of Giveaways is....

Congratulations!

Thea said...I give different little gifts every year. This year it was a note tote - made out of folded files. I stamped put clear contact paper on them. They have four pockets for notes, a small pocket for business cards and a 2012 small calendar. I put a small Dec. calendar in the business card pocket.

 

Cliptix and Thea please email us at paula@2gypsygirls.com to claim your prize!

You have 24 hours or it goes back in the pot!

Within Arms Reach

(or using what you have on hand) 

Paula asked me to do this post and for whatever reason I didn't get her email until midnight last night. At that point I decided I would just go to bed and figure it out this morning.  After much thought I decided that a good lesson for me when I'm stressed or short on time is to use things I have....especially since I have a very well stocked studio with years of accumulated items ready to be used.  

THREE THINGS

Here are 3 projects appropriate for the holiday season that I made with items 

"within arms reach"

IDEA #1 - Image transfer onto muslin bags
These bags were created to package ornaments for our family ornament exchange.  I think good packaging always bumps a gift up a notch.  The photos used were old family photos.  The kids loved seeing their grandpa and great grandpa in a different light and made their ornament more of a special gift.

Instructions:

Step 1 - Use a muslin bag that you have on hand or make your own with a drawstring top.

Step 2 - Make photo copies (dry toner) of your photos and cut them out. 

Step 3 - Wrap a piece of cardboard with waxed paper and insert it in the bag.  Place the bag face up on another piece of waxed paper.

Step 4 - Brush a thick coat of transfer medium onto the printed side of your photocopy.  I used "Picture This" by Plaid, but you can also use a matte medium or gel medium  (....and I bet most of you have one of those in your stash).  Place the copy onto the bag, photo side down.  Cover with a paper towel.  Using the transfer medium bottle, lightly roll over the entire copy.  Remove the paper towel.  Press around the outside edges with your finger.  Let dry for 24 hours. 

Step 5 - When dry, saturate the copy with a wet sponge and let it set for 2 minutes.  Gently rub off all the paper pulp covering the photo.  It really is an easy and fun process.

TAG - Here is a close up of the tag attached to the bag.   Cut a few paper scraps and sew them onto the edge of the tag.  Include a few strands of gold thread of whatever you have on hand to add interest.

Idea #2 - JOY

In my entryway I have a ledge that at Christmas time screams to be filled.  I wanted to use items that I had on hand and decided to use three of my four vintage typewriters to spell out JOY.  I might add that of all the other decorations in my house, this one gets commented on the most.  

HOW TO:  Using a typewriter style font I printed the letters on vintage sheet music.  I added a piece of chipboard behind the paper so it would stand up and not flop down.  A piece of jute was tied around the layers to hold them all together.....DONE, so easy!

Disclaimer:  I know that not everyone has 3 typewriters, but the idea is that you take something you have and repurpose it into a fun idea.

 
Idea #3 New Year's Eve Party Invitation
I know that this isn't a Christmas idea, but it is after all, time to plan for your New Year's Eve party so I figured it could still count.  This is a fun idea for your New Year's invitation (and don't forget to only use items on hand).  If you love to keep cool shopping bags, old maps, wallpaper, old music this is the project for you.   
Envelope -

Step 1 - Take apart an existing envelope.  

Step 2 - Trace the envelope onto a piece of bookboard and cut out with an xacto knife.  

Step 3 - Now for the fun part....place your bookboard template onto whatever paper you want to use (the one below I used old music paper).  You don't even need to trace just tear around the edge.  The torn edge adds to the look of the invitation.  

Invitation - 

Step 1 - Print front and inside of invitation onto cardstock or watercolor paper.  

Step 2 - Cut or punch small square approximately 1".  You can see they vary in size.

Step 3 - Gather some trims - lace, ribbon, cord, rick rack, string, etc.  

Step 4 - Lay squares and trim in place and stitch across.  

It is really very easy and you can create a large amount in a short time of you use an assembly line...I have made over 100 at a time!

Here's a couple of other options.  
You can see that the paper and trims you choose can change the whole look of the invitation.

I think some of the best ideas happen when we use what we have on hand. 

If you would like to enter to win today's giveaway

to win a stash of 7gypsies products, please leave a comment.

Today's question: At Christmas time have you ever had to use items "within arms reach"?  Whether by choice or by circumstances....we would love to hear about it.

(if not, you can still enter to win...no pressure!)

Day 6 Giveaway is open till 12 midnight pacific time.  

Winner will be posted tomorrow morning and you will have 24 hours to claim your prize.

Good Luck...Now I need to go do some shopping!

Enjoy,

deb