Dot & Whimsy

The holiday brings lots of parties and open houses, so 

if you're planning to attend one and need a fun and functional gift, here is an idea!

I've taken a dollar store gift box (size 5"X5") and a few other supplies from Xyron & WRMK:

To the left is a look at the cardboard gift box.  I've also used a mason jar steel rule die that measures

5"W X 7"H and cut two pieces of chipboard with it.

Next, I cut out matching jar shapes from the Yuletide Collection from We R Memory Keepers.

Adhesive was applied using the Xyron Creative Station with permanent adhesive.  

Both sides of the chipboard was then dressed with the patterned paper pieces.

I also wanted to cover the sides of the box, so I cut another pattern of paper to size and 

then used the Xyron Creative Station Lite to add adhesive to those pieces.

For the top of the mason jar, I cut out a "lid" and used the 1.5" Sticker Maker to apply

 adhesive to the back.  

The mason jar pieces were adhered to the front and back of the box and then decorated

with other accents from the collection.

Now it's ready to be filled with goodies of any kind and the hostess will love it!

There are also other large shapes available such as houses, trees, stars, etc. that you

could use in place of the jar.

I love to add a new piece to my holiday decorating collection and this year I have a

 beautifully altered 3D star that I created with “The Story of Christmas” line by

 I’ve taken a wooden star that I purchased from Michael’s craft store.  It measures just 

about 11” and has an inset where I thought a 3D paper star would fit nicely.

 First, I traced around the back of the star onto the “Icons” paper and then cut the 

shape out.  Next, I scored the star from point to valley, as shown in the photo.

 The score lines were fan-folded so that the points of the star were raised and the valleys 

of the star were folded in.  Even if your star doesn’t have an inset, you can still use this

 method to add dimension to a flat wooden star.  I did make a few adjustments by

 trimming the star down a bit before gluing it to the inside with a glue glue. 

I added a bead of fabric glue around the edge of the 3D star and applied a trim 

of braided cording.  This helped to hide any of the areas where the 3D star didn’t

 quite meet the edges.

 The chipboard Santa was layered onto the Bingo Ephemera card and embellished 

with enamel dots and accented with a holly sticker and dimensional brad.

 A strand of baker’s twine was attached to the tops of the chipboard “Christmas” letters. 

 The sticky backing was peeled from the letters, or you could use baby powder

 to hide the adhesive. 

I used a couple of different pieces of May Arts ribbon to create a boutique style bow for the top of the star.  Now it’s ready for sitting on a shelf or even adding to a wreath!

I also have this FREE Project PDF available now at Echo Park as well:

Here is the link to the download...and be sure to check out all of the fun

inspiration projects...they're FREE too!

Enjoy this FREE printable from

of the barn star ornament that I made with the "Juniper Berry" Collection!

Click on the photo or try --here-- to download your project sheet :)

Happy Holiday Greetings! 

 I have a quartet of Cozy Christmas shabby chic-style gifting tags to share with you today.

  I've pulled together chipboard stickers, cardstock stickers, brads, enamel dots, 

bits 'n pieces, insta squares and SN@P! cards from the collection by

 along with a few other basic office supplies from my stash.

To begin I started with basic manila shipping tags, as well as a couple of metal rim key tags (these can be found at office supply stores).  I soaked the key tags in a tea solution overnight to give them an aged look.

Next, I prepared the tags by inking around the edges with a brown distress ink. 

I started each tag with a mat of paper that was cut from a larger SN@P! card or placed two of the smaller Insta Squares together to form a background. 

Add dimension by layering small stickers and die-cuts with foam adhesive.  When adding the brads, I made sure that I attached them to a piece so that the prongs wouldn't show at the back of the tag.

Use dies to create your own mats for the different bits 'n pieces die cuts.  And of course I had to add some pom pom trim and ribbon bows to the tops of each tag!

A bevy of beautiful, handmade tags can be whipped up in no time and they make lasting keepsakes for the recipients (or for yourself!).  Have fun tag making!

These wood pieces are inexpensive, yet well-made.  If you're looking for a
handmade gift to give this Christmas, consider crafting one of these!

Thanks for visiting me today!

I have a sweet Christmas tree tutorial with

"Evergreen Collection" available!

The BG Blog is down, but you can still download this easy-to-make decoration:

Here is a link for the FREE PDF Download...enjoy!

Hello and welcome tothe

May Arts, Authentique and Imagine Crafts Blog Hop.

I hope that you've had a chance to check out all of the fun

and inspiring stuff that's happened throughout the week!

 I chose to use the brand spanking new Christmas collection, "Believe" to

create this pretty altered tree that I found at Hobby Lobby.

Along with that, I'm using some ink and textured spray from Imagine Crafts and ribbon
 and trim from May Arts!  I purchased the inexpensive tree with a vision of covering
 the slats with Christmas patterned paper!  The sides of the tree are longer than a
 12X12 paper, so I went with a strand of 5/8" grosgrain ribbon, which worked perfectly.  

 I cut the paper strips to a 1" width and distressed around the edges with some 
Memento Luxe Tuxedo Black.  Next, I blended the ink in with one of the Ink Blushers 
sponges by Imagine Crafts.  To the plaid strips I also added flecks of irRESISTible
 Colored Textured Spray (Bamboo Leaves).  I removed the spray applicator from
the bottle and gently flecked the paint over the paper. It's hard to capture in a photo,
but there is a nice, raised and shiny texture to this spray!

The sides of the tree were longer than 12" so I went with a 5/8" grosgrain ribbon in
covering the sides.  First I attached a border of the new Adhesive Scallop Trim by 
 May Arts with the grosgrain ribbon following on top of that.  To attach the ribbon,
 I used the Xyron 1.5" Sticker Maker to create an adhesive backing.

To the back of the tree I added some of the off-white mini pom pom trim.

 Instead of going with a large bow at the top of the tree, I added two layered
boutique-style bows to the bottom sides of the tree.  I really love the Faux Canvas ribbon...
it has the look of seam binding but holds its shape much better when making bows.

I used several die-cut shapes and some of the punch-outs from the  
Believe Collection for the focal point of the tree.  I distressed with the same
 Tuxedo Black ink around all of the edges and then layered on to the
 front with foam adhesive.

Authentique Paper- Believe Collection: "innocence" 12x12 paper; "tidings"
 12x12 paper; "ideal" 12x12 paper; "components" 6x12 paper die cut; 6x6 "bundle"

May Arts Ribbon-  5/8" Faux Canvas Ribbon; 5/8" Dot Grosgrain Ribbon;
Mini Pom Pom Trim; Scallop Adhesive Trim

Imagine Crafts- irRESISTible Colored Textured Spray Bamboo Leaves,
 Memento Luxe Tuxedo Black Ink, Ink Blushers Sponge Applicators

 Be sure to stop by the Authentique Paper Blog and leave a comment
for a chance at a Prize Pack!

 HOLIDAY TRADITIONS
with
DOODLEBUG DESIGNS
www.doodlebugblog.com

Like many of you, we have a day set aside during December when we do the majority

 of our baking and candy-making.  Who needs supper when you've snacked on 

cookie dough, tasted fudge and finished off all of the broken dipped pretzels all day long? :)

Last year I was able to snap a few pictures of Sydnee

as she helped with the mixing of a family favorite: Dish Pan Cookies

For my 12X12 layout, I started with a sheet of Limeade Textured Cardstock for

 the base and then layered on patterned paper from the Home For the Holidays Collection. 

 I die-cut my photos and then cut four panels that measured 1/2" larger;  I added the pictures

 to the diagonal striped panels with foam adhesive (just around the edge of the photos).

Before attaching the panels to the background paper, I cut two paper doilies in half and
created a border. Using the Tiny Type alphabet stickers, I mimicked the shape of the doily
 to create part of the title.

Next, I added two standard tags behind each picture.
Because I only added foam adhesive around the four edges of the photos,
I was able to tuck in the journaled tags behind them.

To give a finished look, I machine stitched in a zig-zag pattern around the background paper. 
A couple of stitched X's (with Lily White Twine) helps to break up the 'boxed' look
and also gives a little soft texture.

My grandmother was a 'lunch-lady' for quite a few years.
She could make homemade yeast rolls like nobody's business!
Here is the recipe that we use for her Dish Pan Cookies...because it's
a 'lunch-lady' recipe, it does make A LOT of cookies :)

DISH PAN COOKIES
2 cups brown sugar
2 cups white sugar
2 tsp vanilla
2 cups vegetable oil
4 eggs
4 cups flour
2 tsp soda
1 tsp salt
1.5 cups old fashioned oats
4 cups cornflakes, slightly crushed

Cream first five ingredients together in a very large bowl.  In a separate bowl,
combine flour, soda and salt.  Gradually add flour mixture to the large bowl ingredients; mix well.
Fold in oats and cornflakes.  Drop onto cookie sheet by spoonful. Bake at 350 degrees
until lightly brown (approximately 10-12 minutes).
Yields: 6-7 Dozen Cookies

Enjoy!