Father's Day Cards!

It always seems so hard for me to figure out presents for men: fathers, father-in-laws, grandpas, husbands, son-in-laws, etc.  Because, let's face it, I'm not a man and still don't really understand how they think and what they would really like.

Sooooo, the best option is a card!!!!!  I can't go wrong with a homemade card.  In fact, my dad loved my homemade cards (or at least he acted like he loved them!)  And the men in your life will love a homemade Father's Day card too!!!

This years Father's Day card is made with a regular sized (8.5" x 11") piece of paper.  I used scrapbook paper with a design on one side and white on the back.  First, cut 2 inches off the length so it measures 6.5" x 11".  Then, write your sweet Father's Day sentiments on the white side of the paper. Now it is ready to fold.  Here is a how to video I made to show you much better than I could type out . . .

How to fold a Father's Day card bow tie

You know how I have 5 daughters (no sons), so I conned one of my daughters into putting on a white shirt and the paper bow tie.  She was so sweet to model the tie for me!

I also made a tie out of fabric.  It only takes about 5 minutes to make this simple tie.  

It attaches to the shirt with a bobby pin. Simple, huh!

Here is a colorful paper bow tie . . .

To all the fathers and other wonderful men in our lives . . . 

Happy Father's Day!!!

To see last year's Father's Day card, click here: 

  Father's Day Shirt and Tie Card

Weave a Heart Basket

Here is a really fun Valentines project to make.  
The "how to" video I did has step-by-step instructions.  The link is immediately below:

How to weave a heart shape basket 

If the kids need something to hold their Valentines in from school, this heart basket is perfect and it is easy to make.

The large size (shown above)makes a great door decoration and you can either leave it empty or fill it with with stuff for your door decor (fillers could include red and white tulle, artificial flowers, more hearts, red cellophane, or whatever!).

On the large heart basket, I used two sheets of poster board (a red one and a white one).  For smaller ones, you can use regular copy paper or scrapbook paper.

The smaller heart basket also makes a pretty Valentine decoration and a great gift with a heart shaped sugar cookie or other Valentine candies inside of it!

This heart basket is a project for adults and kids both. It is quick and easy and only involves paper and scissors (a pencil, ruler, and tape or stapler are handy too).

Happy Valentines Day preparations!!!

~Feel the love start to flow ~

Scandinavian Star Bow

When I first saw this star bow, it was as a Christmas decoration.  I've seen it on gifts, as a tree ornament, and also as a Christmas tree topper. 

With two different colors of paper, I thought the star bow decoration would be super cute as a red and white Valentine decoration.
Here is a link to the You Tube video I made on how to fold the Star Bow:

Origami Star Bow video

For those with secret romantic inclinations, you can write love notes on the strips of paper or ribbon before you fold it for your lover to undo and read.  Oh!

The finished Star Bow measures 4 1/2 inches.  This size bow uses 1" by 20" strips of paper.  For a larger star bow you would use longer and wider strips of paper or ribbon (and, of course, for a smaller star bow, you'd use narrower and shorter strips of paper).

I will be using this as a hanging decoration on my three corner cupboard for Valentines Day.  Maybe, I'll use it as a gift topper too, if I actually decide to give anyone a Valentines gift, hmmmm.

This is a lot of fun to fold as long as the paper strips don't rip.  Ribbon is easier to work with, but it doesn't seem to hold its shape as well and it comes apart more easily.

Have a loving time getting into the Valentines spirit!!!

Simple Valentine Crafts Galore

Don't know about everyone else, but I appreciate simple, easy, inexpensive, and super cute craft ideas.   So, here are some Valentines ideas that fit the criteria ( they can be used for so many more things than just Valentines though -- like random "I love you" surprises and wedding or anniversaries, etc.).

 Here are some easy to follow (well hopefully they are easy to follow . . . ) links to youtube videos I did showing step-by-step "how to's":

Fan Heart YouTube Video

Heart Ornament YouTube video

Heart Wreath YouTube Video

Heart Chain YouTube Video

Happy  heart and love crafting!!!

Now a Star!

In my last blog post I showed how to fold flowers.  Here's another variation on this post. 
Instead of folding flowers and snowflakes, using the same simple technique you can make a beautiful star. 

So here is a quick video I did, to show how to make this star!

How to make a paper star video

There are lots of ways to decorate this simple star too.  You can keep it simple, or you can add glitter, or epsom salts (just spray with adhesive and sprinkle epsom salts on the star and it resembles sparkly snow), or attach stickers or rhinestones to the star, just whatever you have on hand. 

It's an easy craft for kids.  They can color the sheet of paper you are going to use for the star first, then they can fold it and cut it and then add decorative stuff to it after it is folded, cut, and taped together.

I also love how easy it is to attach to the top of your Christmas tree, or if making several stars for tree ornaments, the wire twist tie is so easy to attach to branches all over your tree.

If making the stars to hang from your ceiling, windows, or doorways, just staple the center instead of using a twist tie or wire in the middle of the center crease.  Then tape some yarn or string or fishing line to one of the points of the star and tape the other end of the yarn, string, or line to the ceiling or door frame. 
This is a pretty decoration, hanging from the ceiling or doorway because both sides of the star look beautiful (there isn't a "wrong" side).

Oh, I'm getting so excited for the Holidays!!!!!!!!