Saturday, December 17, 2011

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.
Blogger 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

133 comments:

  1. More great inspirational ideas-love your typewriter display :) x

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  2. Beautiful ideas, love them. Off to clean house. Thanks for the opportunity to win. Merry Christmas. Hugs, Terri

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  3. Oh yes, I've certainly had to do this and even had a basket of extra dodads ready to go. Thanks for a great giveaway season! Di@cottage-wishes

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  4. I ADORE the note cards!! I can do this....imagine the different looks to be achieved!?! Thanks for sharing your fgifts!

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  5. The only time I have to do that is when wrapping gifts. I always think I'll plan ahead, and have a nice assortment of wrapping supplies, but I always end up scrounging!

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  6. I saw a great christmas wreath made with old/vintage ornaments and then sprayed with the old spray on snow. It was amazing. I am going to make one this year with some old sentimental ornaments of my own. Maybe one for each of my sons using their favs.

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  7. Great ideas! I love your vintage typewriters! I only have one but I love the idea of using it in my decorations :)

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  8. Our first year of marriage (27 years ago) we had only money for a tree and nothing else. My brother and family sent us a small box of lights and ornaments so we could decorate our tree, however, there was nothing for the top of the tree. So, one of the ornaments was a wooden, with a keystone cop swinging on a star. Being the creative genius I am (lol) I took a toilet paper tube, wrapped colored paper around it and glued the ornament to the top of it. Voila!! Instant treetopper. Just slid the tube over the top branch of the tree and sat back and enjoyed!!! What good times!! ;D

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  9. Hello Ladies
    i love what you have shown to us today...particularly the typewriter invite. Very Cool! So happy that Tim pointed the way. i am not very organized when it comes to packaging gifts - I am forever without something - so I am always digging into my craft stash to see what I can do

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  10. Ha! The card idea comes at just the right time. I have a friend who's terrible to buy for but she'd like some hand made cards like these. Thanks!

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  11. LOVE the muslin bags!! So cute! May have to steal this idea!

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  12. Love the typewriter display and those photo muslin bags are amazing!!!

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  13. I can't think of anything off the top of my head, but if I had some vintage typewriters, I would for sure be stealing that Joy display! Love it.

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  14. LOL not by choice. One christmas mu husband and I forgot to bring the meat with us to our families dinner. We ended up with take away chinees food on the christmas table! But it was fun nevertheless!
    Love the idea of custom made envelopes out of pattern paper. I really have to try that!

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  15. LOVE LOVE LOVE the typewriter idea (had to write LOVE 3 times, once for each typewriter!).

    I ALWAYS run out of wrapping paper so end up using the brown parcel paper, stamped randomly and then tied with string. Funnily enough, it is always this paper that gets the positive comments rather than the carefully chosen shop bought wrap.

    x

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  16. The typewriter idea is so cool! I love the invites and the image transfers too, they are all so classy! I can't really think of an answer to today's question but wanted to comment on how much I love today's ideas!

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  17. Love your "JOY" so creative!
    and the envelopes!
    Since for the past 18 years we've lived in a small town about an hour away from "real" shopping. I've had to stock pile things when I see them to be used when needed. It's been good for me not to "have to have" the latest whatever. Thanks for your inspiration!

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  18. I love the idea of vintage typewriters, I have couple of old typewriters in my cellar and I'm sure I steal that display (but with different word)!

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  19. Great creations and ideas! There are times I've been frantic trying to package something for someone and will grab anything (including ribbon or decor off of our own gifted items), lol.

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  20. Love the typewriter idea - not that the others aren't adorable - I'm just vintage at heart.

    I can't remember ever scrounging for something. I often make my own embellishments because I'm too impatient and cheap to run out and buy what I want! :)

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  21. I usually use the "within arms' reach" principle since I am usually money shy at Christmas time! That, and too lazy to get up and dig through my stash for something else!!

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  22. what fun and clever ideas-LOVE the joyful typewriters-fabulous!! Ok I was so crunched for time and a fairly quick food item, that I emptied a can of plain cookies, drizzled some colored glazes on some, added colored sugars on some,added some Christmas jimmies on some,then placed them in a cellophane baggie with a gift tag made with stickers and a stamp-and guess what? it actually worked!!

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  23. Hmmm, I don't think I have. I am sort of a spender. Ask my husband- it drives him nuts. So I run out and buy.

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  24. I absolutely love the muslin bag idea--packaging becomes keepsake. GORGEOUS. As for using things within reach...my first Christmas on my own, I had no money for ornaments. I found some index cards and wrote various names from the Bible for Jesus (Son of God, Light, Messiah, etc.) in thick, wide letters, cut them out and hung them on the tree. I was a bit sad not having a "well-dressed" tree, but it made me focus on the True Meaning of the season! =D

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  25. Love the envelopes made from sheet music, wallpaper, etc.

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  26. Such cute ideas. I always seem to need(want) to run out and buy what I 'need'.

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  27. I was on a mission to get some Christmas greens to decorate the house. I was newly divorced with 3 small boys in tow. I stopped in at the florist shop & explained what I wanted to do with the greens. She told me that one of the tree lots a couple of blocks away had packed up but had left half a dozen trees behind. I roared over there and loaded a huge scots pine tree into the back of the wagon. It spilled over in to the back seat where the boys were sitting. I arranged the tree as best I could & drove off with three little blond heads poking through the branches. We laughed all the way home & I had my greens.

    Thanks for all the wonderful ideas! I'll have to start in July next year to incorporate them all. I love the typewriters. So much fun! Am so glad to have discovered 2gypsies!
    Have a joyous Christmas.
    Liz

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  28. I've been visiting sites with free printable downloads as their Christmas countdown (Cooking with Cricut & Go Make Something. I neede ANOTHER card the other day and one of the images was perfect for a quick card.
    Thanks for your inspiration and your giveaway.
    Rae Ann O.
    http://joyinart.blogspot.com

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  29. I'm a shopper, so I always have items "at arms reach" & yes I have used them in the past & am sure will continue so in the future!!!! What beautiful ideas today!!! I LOVE the typewriters!!! Merry Christmas & thank you so much for a chance to win!!!

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  30. If "within arms reach" means re-gifting....Yes I think so?? Love everything you ladies do....come down to S.CAL pretty please!!!!

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  31. I save ribbons and bows all year long and it all goes in one drawer. Come holiday time, I reach in and grab a piece and use it on my packages. Sometimes I run it thru my Distress Ink Vintage Photo first. Not much leaves my scrap table without some Vintage Photo on it somewhere!

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  32. That idea with the muslin bags is absolutely fabulous! I will definitely give this technique a try for next years wrapping fun! Thanks for sharing with us. I have a bowl on my craft desk within arms reach with bits and pieces of leftovers and I always try to incorporate those items into whatever I am crafting!

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  33. I seem to create fun things when I have cleaned my work area because of finding those things that I saved to use later but forgot I had. Today I just made a handful of gift tags from a single sticker sheet and grabbed some ribbon scraps that were in another drawer. Distressed the edges and they're ready to go and dress up a few of those packages I need to wrap. - Donna Jean

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  34. My decor is pretty much the same year to year, as I have a lovely collection of ornaments and such that came from my parents, grandparents, and great-grandparents. I feel such a connection to these old pieces, that I don't tend to add new things.

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  35. Just yesterday I had a birthday gift to give, and it was in a white box. Looked around - no wrapping paper! sooooo used a flourishy stencil cutout and placed the cutout around the top of the box as I spritzed some Radiant Rain Twinkling H2O's over it. Continued moving the cutout around with another color on top, and finished it off by dabbing gold paint onto the cutout itself and pressing that over the top here and there. Tied it up with a pretty coordinating-color ribbon and VOILA! The recipient LOVED it!...and of course the hand-made card that went with it ;-)

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  36. Gift wrapping, as others have mentioned, is always challenging! No matter how much you purchase, there's usually those last few gifts that I don't have enough for. I have used Christmas fabric many times to wrap presents.

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  37. First let me say I love love love it all! Now, to answer your question- YES! I often reach for things within arms reach! Most people decide on a project to do first. Sadly, I first look or think what I have on hand before deciding on a project. Fortunately, I usually have a lot of "junque" on hand, LOL!

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  38. I know I have sub'd things at times but can't think of any right now.

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  39. Fabulous ideas. I have used the envelope idea to make custom envelopes from all kind of papers, and they are very well recieved. Thanks for another chance to win

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  40. This year I'll be doing projects with things that I already have. I have no budget for crafting. Thanks for the chance, Johanne L.

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  41. Love the photo transfer baggies! What a precious gift! The typewriters are gorgeous as well!

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  42. This is something that my mom did for me and my siblings when we were kids. She made our Christmas Stockings from brown grocery bags. They were sprayed gold, trimmed in red rick rack and sprayed with snow and of course our names on them. To this day I love and remember those stockings. This year, my mom recreated one for me. I was in tears for the whole day over it!

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  43. The invitions are my favorite. I always have a drawer full of ribbon by my table. I love to add them to my handmade cards. I think they add a little something extra.

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  44. Yes I took a Melissa Francis Frame and one of her tags and made a darling ornament!

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  45. You inspired me to use my old typewriter. I have been trying to think of how I would use it.
    Years and years (!) ago I had no ornaments. We did the old fashioned thing and used colored paper chains and popcorn strings. We loved it and it is good to think back and remember.

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  46. Love the invites! Sometimes I'm super creative within arms reach and other times I just stare at the stash and have no idea what to do.
    I do decorate with the trimmings off the bottoms of our cut Christmas tree and nandina shrubs, so things within arms reach. Love those red berries.

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  47. I try to budget over the year and buy things when I see them, so I always keep a couple of spare gifts around in case I need them. Within arms reach. that way I don't have to worry about my budget at an already tight time.

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  48. These are all great ideas, and I love the three typewriters! The supplies that we seem to use the most around Christmas are all related to gift wrapping - paper, ribbon, tags, etc. We usually seem to have enough on hand and if we run out of something, there's always Wal-Mart. But growing up, there was one Christmas where my dad, brother, and I were wrapping gifts and we ran out of scotch tape. For some reason, it didn't occur to my dad to buy some more so we ended up taping every package with Christmas gift tags and duct tape. To this day, we still talk about that Christmas and my dad's creativity!

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  49. Such good ideas!
    Joy to all!
    Holly

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  50. When my kids were little and money was tight, we'd use what was around the house. We cut out paper links to make a chain of 25 for our Advent calendar.

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  51. I often cut up the pretty parts of old Xmas cards I've saved using a shape punch and use them for gift tags. Failing that, I use red dennison labels and decorate them with various holiday stamps. People in BC live a pretty "green" lifestyle, so I always reuse, reduce and recycle wherever I can.

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  52. Great ideas, love the Envelopes from sheet music:)
    cathyplus5.blogspot.com

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  53. I love all three ideas. The first thing that comes to mind when thinking of using whats around the house is a bell ornament that I made when I was probably 5 or 6 years old. It's made from a piece of an egg with tin foil wrapped around it and an ornament hook stuck through the center. 40 years later, my Mom still has it and loves to tell me how fancy I thought it was because it was so shiny. Thanks for such a fun week of giveaways and sharing! Happy holidays to all.

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  54. how do you make these things look so good? love the bags, the typewriters and the cards..

    within arms reach.. hmm... yes, i do projects within arms reach when my kids tell me about a project that is due the next day.. you have no choice but to improvise.. they're getting better of course ;)

    happy holidays! thanks for the chance to win..

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  55. Love the muslim image transfer technique! Back in the days before I was too "crafty", I admit to using the Sunday comics to wrap a gift when I ran out of wrapping paper.

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  56. Yes. I ran out of wrapping paper once and I had to make do with paper shopping bags. I cut them open, turn them inside out so the logo wasn't showing and I used ink and stamps to make my own "wrapping paper".It turned out wonderful!

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  57. I usually end up creating something every Christmas using items "within arm's reach", mostly because I get ideas at night when everything is closed or there just isn't time to go shopping for supplies. This year,I was putting together a gift for a 10 yr. old who has an American Girl doll. I bought a tiny tote bag ( actually was a keychain, took that part off) doll sunglasses & tiny plastic food, then decided it looked like a doll picnic. I sewed up a quick kerchief from bandana fabric scraps & made a little 'tablecloth' from some red gingham scrap sewed together with the bandana print.

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  58. Usually plan ahead, but sometimes for little thing like tags or giftwrap it's what's at hand

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  59. I can't really think of a time that I did. I am pretty good at making sure I have everything before starting on a project. Thanks!:)

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  60. Love the invitation/envelope idea. I use wallpaper a lot but never thought about using old maps! Drawing a blank on 'within arms reach' sorry.
    Patti

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  61. I haven't had to do this. I usually just eat crow and admit I didn't purchase a gift for them. Apologize. Ugh, hate when that happens.

    Linda
    linda.bertetta@gmail.com

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  62. oh how I love these envies and invites! what wonderful ideas! :)

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  63. I spend too much time looking for stuff I know I have "somewhere" instead of just using what I can find "at arm's reach"...great blog post!
    Thanks for another Giveaway!

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  64. That winning comment made me laugh!

    Tim Holtz posted a link to your blog - glad he did!

    Thanks!

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  65. Be still my heart....I love the typewriters (they spoke just to me). I will be duplicating the muslin bags tomorrow...with everything I have on hand (thank you!).
    Wishing everyone a joyous holiday.

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  66. Almost every year I find I break out my creative skills for a last minute gift or a hard to buy for persons gift! Most often it is scrap related! I am sure this year will be not different! I just love the little muslin bags with the pictures on them! have to try this for sure!Merry Christmas!

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  67. My son's teacher gifts were made with items on hand, but it's because I hoard...I mean collect...crafting supplies.

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  68. Hmmm, no, I don't think I have. I love the typewriter display. It's very unique. Love the bags too. So many cute ideas. Thank you!

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  69. During the year I am always accumulating some things to keep on hand to give as gifts...when I go to flea markets,garage sales, any shop will do if I can find something worth while (in my opinion!!!)I stash it away and it just may be the perfect gift for the holidays! I also maintain a ridiculous amt of fabulous bits & bobs in the studio so that I can bring an idea to fruition!!!
    Love your invites!!! Great stylish way to use up some scraps!!!

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  70. Not so much closest we come to it is using the bread knife to cut the xmas paper not scissors you get a better cut lol

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  71. Hi- two things come to mind ...once, I was wrapping gifts at the last minute (normal for me!) and completely ran out of paper with one gift to go: my Mother's! What to do? Grab all the little cut-off scraps and just start taping them on in a scrappy patchwork design. It ended up being the cutest package and she was so impressed! Another time I made-do was just yesterday; wrapping a gift for a gift exchange with quilty girlfriends. No bow! I had two 'fat quarters' of fabric as part of the gift. I remembered last week on Day 12 of Tim Holtz' 12 Days of Christmas Tags, that he made a flower out of tissue by pleating the paper, tying it across the center and fluffing it out. I did the same with the fabric: pleated, tied, and fluffed, and it was a huge fluffy flat bow which I taped onto the package. It was a big hit at the party!

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  72. I love making special Christmas tags or ornaments with what's on hand.

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  73. I've pulled out my stamps and made things on the fly more times than I can say.
    :)

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  74. My first Christmas home with my triplets, I couldn't leave the house very often, so shopping for Christmas presents was hard to do. I ended up making calendars for the grandparents by using pictures of the kids for each month.

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  75. I love the typewriter idea! And yes, I've pulled things together - whether gift related or food related - more times than I can count. Oftentimes, those are the best gifts/meals! Thanks for all of the inspiration this week. Happy Holidays!

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  76. LOVE the typewriters! When I see a craft I want to do, especially with kids, I look around to find what paper, adhesive, coloring, etc, I have and then tailor the idea I saw to work with the available supplies.

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  77. love the typewriter display! genius! i use things i have on hand. i purchased stuffs last year, and i might purchase more this year. i checked out michaels, and their selection was pretty low, so that might won't be on my "go after christmas" trips.

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  78. LOVE the typewriters and the invitations! I was just explaining old typewriters to my daughter the other day :-)

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  79. I try to use things "within arms reach" all the time (my desk is over crammed with items!). Bonus: if I use up what I have then I can buy new stuff right?!?! :)

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  80. Thanks so much for these inspiring ideas. Next year I'm definitely making the the muslin bags with my own old family photos. The family will love them.

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  81. Last year I bought a pre-lite christmas tree but no new ornaments. This year I decided to wait till after Christmas to buy ornaments so this year I used some pink velvet ribbon that I bought 15 years ago, cut into long sections and place on the tree. I also had some pink garland that I bought at the same time that I was able to use and a scant few silver ball ornaments that the heat in the attic did not destroy. Turned out pretty nice!!

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  82. i used to buy 'emergency' presents in case a neighbor of someone dropped by unexpectedly with a gift! I would try and hit a local family owned jewelry/gift store's yearly sale for this and could find some really beautiful items for very little cash. I still have a crystal vase tucked away...just in case!

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  83. I have a closet I keep extra gift items in and if I need an 'oops, I forgot gift' I check there first.
    Great holiday ideas!
    debbi g

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  84. Adorable note cards - a little stack of these would make a nice gift.

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  85. No, I really do not think that has ever happened to me. With the stores starting to put out Christmas merchandise in July, I find I always have at least one of everything I need...plus three of everything I don't need!! :) I also love the typewriter display in your entryway. Very Cool. Linda S. in NE

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  86. I am so glad that Tim referred us to look at your site. I love all the creative ideas that you come up with - and this time it's the invitation. Awesome.

    My daughter has been teaching in Japan for the past six months. We've always been like two peas in a pod and I just miss her so very much.

    Well, she's coming home for Christmas. It's only for ten days but I will enjoy absolutely every minute of it. Now that literally, she'll be in arms reach.

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  87. I have been shopping for hours and can't think straight (I'm just getting too old to keep doing this each year!) . . . so I can't remember improvising - but I enjoyed checking out today's blog share.

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  88. I am so glad Tim H sent me here, I love your blog. Have gone back several times today to check it out.
    If I need extra gifts and can't get to the store I bake. Who doesn't like cookies?

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  89. Love these little bags....awesome idea....I've had to pull a gift that was for someone else ....only having to go quickie to the store to buy another.....now I like to have universal gifts on hand just for that occasion.....tfs

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  90. I have only one vintage typewriter, it is a lovely green color. Not as old as yours, but still nice for me. Thanks for the chance to win some cool products.

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  91. Great projects! I love the ideas you're sharing with us!
    Yes, I have had to improvise with what I had on hand. I'm a last-minute kinda gal, so I do it all the time!
    DeniseB

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  92. When I first moved to California, I was seeing someone with a large, closely knit family and I was more than a little broke. What I had around were yards of heavy cotton fabric and trim that I had purchased when a local store went out of business. As Christmas approached, someone invited me to come bake cookies and it dawned on me... aprons! So I made more than a dozen aprons of every size and nearly every color. I personalized them with different appliques and pockets.
    Thank you for sharing a wonderful array of holiday projects!

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  93. Oh yes, isn't that why I buy stuff I like and want only to find it in several months that I had already bought it!

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  94. Beautiful cards and envelopes, thanks! I've even pulled an ornament off of the tree as a last minute package topper for a gift that just looked too plain as it was going out the door. My hubbie thinks it's a shame to give someone a used item. I think it's great to share a treasured item with them!

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  95. I try to keep some seasonal items-notepads, ornaments, etc.-that I can grab when I need a quick little gift, or something extra to tuck in with a gift card or hostess gift. I have something for just about every occasion/holiday, just in case.

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  96. Sometimes I have to make due because the closest craft store to me is ninety miles away... by boat (ferry)! I do use a lot of my handpainted items in a pinch!

    Kris in Alaska
    funamom at yahoo dot com

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  97. All of these were wonderful and I'll be bookmarking them, as I'm sure I'll have a time to need them! I've made last minute salt and/or sugar rubs. The cute muslin bags reminded me of the year I found myself short of bags so I scanned various family pictures and then made gift bags out of them. Some thought they were better than the small what-not inside. Loving this whole series and am getting lots of good ideas. Thanks.

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  98. Three great ideas. I don't have old typewriters but I do have an old Singer tredle sewing machine. I think I'll move it into the front hall and use it as part of a Christmas display this year. I think I'll be up all night moving things around. Thanks for the inspiration.

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  99. Wow, glad I stopped by, (thanks to Tim's blog)~ Fabulous ideas, cool end results! Yep. I have used what was at hand and most times it turned out being more special and personalized than something store bought. Best of the season to you!

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  100. I am really enjoying this week's posts and the idea's you both have shared. I love the muslin bags with the photo transfers...just have to figure out what a dry toner photo copy is! Thanks for all the inspiration this week.

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  101. Love the ideas....
    I wish I could say I am good at using anything within reach, but I am not.
    I fret over this when I do it. It just never looks pulled together.
    Thanks for a chance to win!!!!
    Denise C

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  102. Yes... I made angels for nieces with ribbon , feathers, and tulle... So pleased with them... I still make to this today but mainly in pink. Thanks

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  103. Three Denise comments in a row....that's weird!!!

    denise c.

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  104. I am not real good at arms reach type of throwing things together. First of all you have to have it within arms reach. I have to have an idea first and a whole thought process. If thats lacking I am not real good about getting it all together.
    Love the ideas this week! Thank you

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  105. Each year its my job to make the Christmas pud, it's different each year depending on what I thought I hsd and didn't in the end so something else goes in instead!

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  106. What wonderful ideas. I love the typewriters and that music paper is awesome. Thanks for sharing!

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  107. One year we had no power due to a storm - now that was definitely a year we had to use what was in reach!

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  108. These are such wonderful ideas. Thank you so much for reminding me about the photo idea.
    When I am at a crop and I have forgotten to bring something that I need for my project, I always improvise. Also, we tend to share small stash items at the crops and so it is fun to pick something from someone else's stash for your project.
    I am certainly enjoying my visits to your blog. Thanks!
    Karen :)

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  109. Love the typewriter decos. I have the old time plastic envelope templates and have used them over the years to make "special" eps for special cards. Lovely invite, too.

    Last year my cousin and her three children called an hr before they hoped to come over for a Christmas visit. I had some decorated bags on hand but no more Christmas candies/cookies/kid's items to fill the bags. I did want to give each child a gift so I raided my cupboards. I found microwave popcorn, hot chocolate and pudding cups. I had some M&Ms, peanuts, raisins, and granola. I quickly put together a "trail mix" which I put into snack size ziplock bags, and tied w/Christmas ribbon. Had just enough items "within arm's reach" to fill the three bags. The kids weren't expecting anything and were thrilled to receive a gift from me. :)

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  110. These are wonderful ideas! And I think I really, really, really need 3 vintage typewriters now! I'm not always good doing something "within arm's reach" under pressure and usually try to get to a store...quick! I'm better at using things on hand when I've got time to play. Thanks for all this holiday inspiration!

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  111. Hi, I just started getting in on these giveaways and they are the BOMB. Very cool idea today, hope to win!!

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  112. Gosh, how I love your ideas!! The bags are so cute! I've one vintage typewriter that I never ever thought about using in that way, duh! Great envelopes to spark a card. I've reused old empty food containers,decorated for the season, to hold holiday candy for friends. Then there are the crocks and bowls that make great holders of greenery and ornaments for decorating. Lots of resources in our homes if we look around!

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  113. Wonderful ideas. Those typewrites ROCK!For "within arms reach" I have had to do cards "at a moments notice" gifts would be very hard!

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  114. I've made sweet bread to pass around to widowers when we had little! Love, love, love the projects today! Thanks!

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  115. Love your projects! The muslin bags are just too cute and i have to give those a try.

    Yes. During the holidays there is so much stuff around my house everything is within arms reach to wrap, bake or clean. ;)

    Thanx so much for all of the inspiration!

    KimMJ
    bast830@comcast.net

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  116. Another beautiful production! One Christmas, I ran out of scotch tape when wrapping gifts once and had to use my more expensive tape from my art room. Then ran out of bows, so used ribbon from my art room to decorate gifts. I was almost at the point of going to my mother-in-laws when I finally finished the gift! You can barely walk in her craft room it is so STUFFED with craft stuff. It is a paradise of stuff!!! So yes, I have used things "within arms reach" and almost needed to go to the in-laws...but not quite.

    Enjoyed the post again today. Congrats to today's winners, both of them.

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  117. Thanks for sharing all these marvelous projects! Oooooh to have some vintage typewriters like yours --they are fabulous!!!

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  118. I'd have to say it is a wrapping paper issue that I have to use items within reach. Love the vintage typewriters. I have one so I'll be doing something similar to what you did.

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  119. I still have tears in my eyes from the "Ho Ho Ho merry christmas" story = that is very funny and I am totaly going to borrow that for our neighbors!

    Newspaper frequently makes an appearance under my tree for wrapping paper :-)

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  120. I'm afraid I'm one of those shop early people. While I wish I had more time to create awesome handmade gifts, the majority of those I give are store bought.

    Loving the ideas shared today though. I have 2 vintage typewriters - totally different looks and eras. Guess it's time to shop up another. Excellent display!

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  121. I had just "pinned" the ho-ho/Ding-dong idea yesterday - makes you wonder how many "degrees of separation" there are in the Pinterest world (more or less than FB?). It sure helps to see ideas like yours to view what we have in a fresh new way. I'm trying to break out of the box, but I sure value you creative types that make me see the world in a whole new way. TFS

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  122. The invitation cards are just great for using up all the leftover stuf on my desk! Thanks for the tip.

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  123. Lots of times we have unexpected guests show up for Christmas! Just have to give something from around the house or take from gifts we bought for other people! Love all your ideas!

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  124. This happens when I pack my giftz.. I always run out of packing tissue paper and end up using random old once which are hiding some place.. :)

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  125. never actually 'within arms reach' but i - like probably everyone else on the planet - have had to scrabble around for last minute gifts, wrapping, decor etc. depending on the circumstances, it can be a fun challenge!

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  126. I must admit that I have re-gifted, which I think is the ultimate in using items within arms' length!

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  127. Oh dear child, after 51 years of Christmases I have used many items within arms reach. If my arms were longer it was help also. We have used popcorn, poped of course fortrimmings, fillers when sending goodies to my brother in Viet Nam, we have used scrap felt to many projects. Don't think there isn't to much that we haven't used. Hubby is sometimes aftraid to stand still when I am in that creating mood, I might just use hime in a project.
    speaking of projects loving yours with the bad. I used this year his mother's typewriter she carried to school everyday, back in the 30's I wrote a letter to santa and put the paper in there. Hope he readys it. xoxo

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  128. I love your vintage typewriters spelling out JOY! The image transfer muslim bags looks so pretty! Love the idea. We didn't have to be too careful up until this year. We are just leaving the understanding adults out. Which is just fine since we never know what to buy for each other. TFS!

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  129. Having only one car between the two of us, when I get working on a craft and I am home alone or when it's too darn cold out to leave the house, I search around and make do with what I have on hand...last year I ran out of tags for gifts so I took small shapes of muslin and some stamps and ink pads and made my own...everyone loved them and I silently laughed...if they only knew I threw those together with stuff around my craft room! I love challenging myself to use what I have and putting the breaks on spending...BTW, love the JOY typewriter decor...brilliant!

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  130. When we hosted Christmas in our home (before moving to loneliness, USA) family and friends were known to bring some forgotten neighbor or friend along at the last minute so many dinners found me in the sewing/craft room putting together bags & tags to share jellies and dried fruits with their friends. I love what you have been sharing with us here ... Great additions to use things in our stash!

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  131. never had that experience. But would love to win nevertheless!

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  132. I am so so enjoying your blog and comments on your wonderful projects. I love scrounging and my favorite scrounge object is brown paper bags for gift wrap tied with whatever I have for ribbon. This year it is strips of burlap. Thanks for the great inspiration and Happy Holidays to all

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