Gifting Ebooks and Making It Personal (with a note on ebooks during the time of COVID)

When I was a little girl, too young to even be in school, my mother worked nights, so in the mornings after everyone else had left for school or work, she would let me "read" for a few minutes on the bed while she woke up to the new day. I always had a pile of books available to me. I loved that, so reading quickly became known to me as an important and fun thing to do. Years later as a preteen and teenager, on lazy summer days I borrowed my mother's books and devoured them. 

Years have passed, but my mother and I still share our love of reading and reading (and crossword puzzles) are still hobbies that she loves. So on birthdays and holidays I gift her books, usually ebooks because she can increase the font size (also, if I gift it to her and it turns out to be a book she's already read, she can trade it for a different book or a credit without downloading it, so there's that advantage, as well). Since I can also set these purchases up in advance and schedule the date when Amazon (in my case) sends the emails to her to know that she's been gifted books, I have plenty of time to research, pick and choose.

But gifting an ebook often seems like a bit of a cold enterprise. There's no actual object to unwrap, no ribbons or bows. So, I try to dress things up a bit. I buy (or make) a nice card. Then I set up a separate Word file, copy and paste images of the books along with any info I want to include (titles, authors, descriptions, my own personal notes on each book), write any kind of message I wish to convey, print it out in color and enclose it in the card.

Here's a portion of one of my drafts (not particularly fancy, but it was a starting place. Obviously, it needed fancying up along with more of a personal message and a suitable greeting card to go with it).

Alternate methods (some may involve mailing a small package):

Version 2: From a simple start like this, you can dress things up a bit. Print out larger versions of the cover (or covers), fold a decorative piece of paper in half, affix the image to the front like a book cover and write a personal message inside. If you have several books you're giving to the same person, enclose all these "books" into a pretty box, add wrapping paper and a bow.

Version 3: Buy a small and simple photo book (I used to get these in the mail as giveaways for charities. They're probably still sold at dollar stores). Print out the images of the book covers, put each one in a separate page of the photo book and wrap it up.

Version 4: Embellish. In addition to your book list (or your pretend books from version 2 or photo books from version 3), add in some of the things the recipient might like to enjoy with the book (tea, coffee, hot chocolate, a nice mug, snacks, mood music as background music for reading, a simple throw for those cold evenings). 

Version 5: (No need to leave your house for this one). Purchase multiple ebooks, schedule them to arrive on consecutive days (kind of a 12 days of Christmas idea) and send an ecard or a an email or text with a photo of the book cover (or simply a pretty holiday image and message) for each day and each book. And if you want to go all out and send out a video with you singing a 12 Days of ebooks song, go for it!

One last note on gifting during the days of COVID: I understand that not everyone feels comfortable receiving physical things during a pandemic. That makes gifting ebooks even more special. If you don't want to send a paper card, there are so many ways to make beautiful images online. I recommend Canva as a free service. It's drag and drop and super easy to use. Create your image, add it to an email or a word file and then send it online, letting your special someone know that you're thinking of them, and books are on the way!

Have fun thinking of other variations on ways to creatively send ebooks during the upcoming holidays!

Best wishes!

Unique Gift Wrapping Ideas

I've mentioned it here before (several times, I'm sure), but I'm not much for fancy gift wrapping when it comes to my own gift giving. That's because I'm a)lazy about some things, b)usually forget/put off gift wrapping until the last minute and therefore am short on time and/or supplies and c)a fancy wrapped gift is more difficult to transport than something less crushable.

That said, I used to love decorating gifts and I am still in awe of those who can and do create works of art when it come to gift wrapping. I'm a little bit fascinated by gift wrap artists in the same way I'm fascinated by street artists, television painters (Bob Ross, anyone?) and cooks (The Great British Baking Show is a current favorite). So, here are my latest finds on the internet (not all of these are new, just new to me).

A cute way to wrap a t-shirt or other article of clothing:

A mini-bag (this looks like something you could easily dress up):

I love this next idea. It's simple (so simple even I could pull it off), but also rather elegant.

Happy wrapping!

Myrna

DIY Gifts and Stocking Stuffers: Part 1

Every year I resolve to get started making gifts early, and I almost always end up rushing things at the end. I'm sure I'm not alone in this, but there are undoubtedly those of you who are on top of things and want to get started. For those of you looking for some inexpensive and fun ideas, this post is for you. NOTE: I haven't tried these yet myself, but I intend to. They look as if they would be fun and are also practical.

Jewelry Refrigerator Magnets

Here's your opportunity to reuse/recycle some of those brooches/pins in your jewelry box or to pay a trip to your local thrift store (or visit some garage/estate sales) in search of thrifty treasure to turn into special gifts. The basic idea is that you're removing the back part of the jewelry and affixing a magnet to it. I could easily see sewing a little cloth bag or decorating a small box and tossing a few of these in for a pretty and sparkly gift. 

Source

For detailed instructions on how to make this happen, here's a written tutorial (with photos), and here's a video. (Here's the URL for the video, just in case.

Mason Jar Lid Coasters

If you visit this blog regularly, you'll know that I'm rather fond of DIY coasters. So these mason jar lid coasters are right up my alley. I've seen them with the lid painted, the cork liner decorated in numerous ways (including colored patterns) and others, like these on Amazon that are more rustic. You'll find many on Etsy, on Amazon, and elsewhere.

Purchase on Amazon

You can, of course, make your own. Here's a link to some instructions (these have lids that are spray painted, but you can, of course, leave yours the traditional silver). And here's a video

If you don't care for the mason jar lip part, you can always cut shapes from the cork and decorate those. The lid isn't really necessary, I suppose.

Key Chain Wristlet

I'm not a super fan of key chains, because...how many do you need and don't we all have more than enough? But these were so pretty and easy, and they had the added convenience of being a wristlet (I'm always worried I'm going to drop my keys), so here goes. 

You'll find some pretty ones online. Try Etsy and Amazon.

Buy from Amazon

But here are some simple instructions. Very few materials are needed. The ribbon is stitched to the cotton webbing and then inserted in the key fob, so not much sewing is needed. Most of the videos I saw demonstrated this sewing method, but I also saw one where fusible tape (iron-on tape) was used to affix the ribbon to the webbing and also one where only fabric glue was used. The very short video (here and below) uses both the fusible tape and stitching, so it's all up to you whether you prefer to stitch the ribbon to the webbing or to fuse/glue the parts together.

That's all for today. It looks as if I have plenty of simple crafts to get me started. More to follow.

Have a great day! (Also, check out my book pages. I've finally got them up on the site again).

Myrna

Personalized DIY Greeting Cards: The Waterfall Card

I used to write and sell greeting card verse, so I have a soft spot for cards. Here's one I wrote. I'll freely admit that the art is what makes the card, and I have no idea who the artist was. I would love to know so that I could credit them. This card is many years old.

So, I buy a fair amount of greeting cards, but sometimes it's just fun to make your own. So, in the spirit of personalizing the message, how about a waterfall card? 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iMTgJFUquKc

Here are some instructions for one type of waterfall card.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y3En1-xWoiA

And another:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=15OfdFi_wZY

There are some very elaborate ones on YouTube. Just type in Waterfall Card and you'll find some patterned ones, stamped ones, ones where the waterfall parts are shaped like hearts and so on.

Of course, the cards can also be bought. Try Etsy.

With the holidays coming (Halloween, Christmas), this might be the perfect time to start making cards. Have fun!

Note: Also check out: Part 2 of DIY Greeting Cards: Pop Up Cards.

When You Need to Wrap a Tiny Gift...or a Large One

Well, I was all ready to do a post on office supply crafts when I ran across this little video on making cute little paper gift bags without any cutting. This would only work for a very small gift, but I like the fact that it's entirely made from paper folding and glue (and some ribbon). And the best part is that this looks like something I'm actually capable of making.

Here's another one with a link to the instructions:

Source
http://www.gavethat.com/2013/08/diy-paper-gift-bags.html#.V5AlekYrKUk

Along the same lines, here are the instructions to make some larger bags from materials most of us have at home. (Note: the beginning of this is mostly the woman in the video promoting her favorite craft site, so if you want to get right to the instructions, skip ahead to about 1:44).

Having ended up scrounging for wrapping paper at the last minute several times, I love the fact that the first bag she made was from newspaper. I think I can do better than that, but it's nice to know that in a bind, I could come up with the materials to wrap a gift. I always have plenty of ribbon, because years ago when a local craft store was going out of business, I managed to snag a number of large spools of curling ribbon in different colors.

Happy gift bagging! (Is that a term)?

Have a great day!

Myrna

Wrapping Gifts with Less Paper

It's getting close to gift wrapping time (for me, that is. You may have already wrapped some or all of yours). I'm always looking for ways to either reuse items, upcycle unconventional materials into wrapping materials, or, as in this case, use conventional wrapping paper but consume less of it.

I've seen the method used in the two videos below referred to as the Japanese method, although I haven't actually researched it. I like the first video, but the box he is wrapping is a perfect square and I wondered how that would work in a less ideal circumstance, so I found the second video to be very helpful. See what you think.

Have a fantastic day!

More Gift Wrapping Ideas

I really had no intention of adding another gift wrapping post, but then while searching for something else, I ran across this video, and the idea was just too cute (or maybe gorgeous is the word) not to share. I'm not sure I have the talent to do this, but I'd definitely like to give it a try (this is for you scrapbookers out there. You know who you are). LOL

The one below is super cute and simpler than it looks. It's made from one sheet of 12" x12' paper.

Note: There is one error in the video's audio. Beneath the video she said, "There is a mistake when I give you the first set of score marks for the box I say score at 1-1/2", 3" and 3-1/4" it should be 1-1/2", 3" and 3-3/4" sorry .... I get it right the second time I give the dimensions!

Lastly, there is this blog (link below) that has 187 templates for paper purses (which, I assume, one would use for wrapping gifts). It's a stamping blog, with lots of cute ideas for gift tags, but today I'm all about the gift boxes.

Some Homemade Gifts

I'm a little late posting links to craft instructions this year, so I'll keep them small and simple. It's always nice to have a few ideas that can be made up quickly.

These key chains would make a nice stocking stuffer if you like to sew.

Source

This Popsicle stick bracelet is a bit more work, but cute.

Source

Here's the link to the instructions.

Last of all, how about decorating or personalizing a clipboard? With a few simple supplies you can turn a plain clipboard into something special.

Source

Source



Source

Instructions are here.

Have fun!

Dressing Up Your Gifts

When I was young, I would spend hours meticulously wrapping each Christmas (or birthday) gift, adding decorations and turning the presentation into a work of art. Then as the years passed, time became an issue, and gift wrapping became more of a way to conceal the present rather than a way to dress it up.

But now and then, there's a special gift or a special person who requires something different. Below are two ideas on ways to make a gift stand out from the crowd (assuming it's the right size for these projects). From Paper Guru.

Make Your Own Luggage Tags

I've been thinking about the fact that Christmas is coming, and I don't have a lot of time for gift making this year. But one article I'm considering making is a homemade luggage tag, since I never seem to have enough of those myself. I either misplace them or they break, and suddenly I'm getting ready for a trip and don't have a luggage tag. Plus, distinct tags make it easier to locate luggage at the airport, train or bus station. So, I think that one-of-a-kind luggage tags would make cute stocking stuffers this year.

The ones in the video below use a couple of specialized items, but the instructions can easily be used as a general tutorial that can be adapted in different ways to suit one's needs.  And for those of you who are into scrapbooking, you may already have the supplies on hand.

The card holders she mentions are inexpensive and readily available on Amazon or in stores. However, an alternative might be to use self-adhesive laminating sheets, clear Contact paper or even (if you made the tags small or long and narrow) clear packing tape. 

There are also alternatives for fasteners ranging from bead chain to plastic loops to various kinds of key rings readily available in bulk at craft stores. 

Designs could be handmade or printed on a computer. And, of course, there are other alternatives. I saw videos and/or tutorials of tags made from Sculpey clay, from Duck brand duct tape and, of course, ones that were sewn (with the name and address info written on white backing with fabric pens). 

It's the kind of thing that can be elaborate or very simple and, if you don't want to use them as the main gift, might be affixed to a package as both a gift and a gift tag. I'm enjoying coming up with some fun ideas. Let me know if you have others alternatives to what is suggested above. 

I Can't Believe I'm Thinking About Christmas Already...But I Am

The other day the first calendar of the season arrived at my house, and I know that the Christmas catalogs will soon be filling up my mailbox. There won't be as many as there have been in the past. The internet has taken care of that, but still, they'll come.

Don't get me wrong. I love catalogs (at least I love thumbing through them) and I love Christmas with the music and the gatherings and the whole spirit of things, but...I'm ready to be less of a gift recipient these days. I like simplicity. I don't have a lot of space, I don't actually need anything, and I don't buy a lot of things beyond books. So, I was talking to a relative and reminding them that a couple of years ago, my niece and I wanted to have everyone in the family contribute to charity in lieu of giving each other gifts. Somehow we never got that going. I realized that I couldn't orchestrate everyone else's ideals or interfere with their ideas of what constituted the perfect Christmas. But I finally realized that I could control my own Christmas. Sort of.

Aren't These Gift Decorations Pretty?

Homemade, sparkly flowers to decorate your gifts. From Perma Cultured on Flickr. To find the actual photos on her page, click on Albums and then on Handmade.

Here are the instructions (from Perma Cultured's posts on Flickr. Check out her other images and ideas):

"1. Cut out paper circles and fold them in 8 (like a pizza pie slices)

2. Create a decorative edge by rounding off the slice end
3. Stack the paper circles in layers and glue together

That's it! You can add a gemstone sticker in the middle to add some sparkle to your flowers. Use double-sided tape or glue to attach the flowers to gift wrap or cards."

Even More Gift Boxes (with Instructions)

These Exploding Gift Boxes are so amazing! The box itself is a bit of a gift. Instructions are at Glitter Adventure (with another very pretty box).

The inside of an explosion box (in this case a World Map Explosion Box) (all images on this page are by The Gentleman Crafter):

A Paris Explosion Box


And the inside:


Here are some video examples:

There are many videos showing how to make this type of gift box, but most of them are long, so I didn't include any here. If you'd like to look for them yourself, just type in Exploding Gift Boxes or Explosion Gift Box (not sure I like the names, but I wasn't in charge of that). Here's a link to just one of them.