InspireMe Crafts

Happy Holidays!!

 

I know I'm a few days late wishing everyone a Happy Holiday season and Merry Christmas, but this has really been the first chance I've had.  The hubby and I came down with the flu right before our holiday guests arrived so that put us behind on just about everything.  Luckily lil man didn't catch it, but we quickly realized that's just as bad because he's running around wild while we can't even get off the couch.  Luckily it was only a couple days and then the lil man had his partners in crime back in action :).  We are extremely thankful that we were healthy for the holidays so that we could begin some new holiday traditions and carry on the ones from our families.

We started off by decorating a mailbox for Santa.  Lil man then told me what to write to Santa and personalized his letter by drawing what his daddy use to call "bookas" a.k.a circles, circles and more circles.  We put the letter in the mailbox and on Christmas morning he went to see if Santa had taken it.  Of course he did :) and left him his special ornament to add to the tree.  He also made cookies for Santa, or should I say a plate full of sprinkles?  I can't believe the sprinkles actually made it to the cookies because lil man has a natural reflex that takes the sprinkles from the hand to mouth over and over again. 

I hope your family and friends had a wonderful holiday and Happy New Year to you!  Now that our house is in the transformation of post holiday chaos back to regular chaos, I should be able to post some more ideas for you shortly.  Until then have a fabulous New Year!

Be inspired, get creative and have fun!

Gotta Make It...with the Kids: Button Snowflake Ornament

"Let it Snow!"

 

Here's an easy one for you!  Just a few supplies and your little ones will create some masterpieces to showcase on your tree.  They will be so proud of their button snowflake ornament they'll want to make one for everybody.  Hang them on your tree, attach them to the ribbon on gifts, or if you don't think you'll see real snow this year, just hang several from your windows! 

MATERIALS:

Popsicle sticks (3 for each ornament)
Buttons (I chose white ones so I wouldn't have to paint them)
White glitter
Glue
Ribbon

HOW TO:

1.  Glue the popsicle sticks together one on top of the other, attaching at the middle.  Space them out to make the shape of the "snowflake".  Let the glue dry.
2.  Spread glue over the top of the popsicle sticks.  Apply the buttons.  Let dry.
3.  Spread a light coat of glue over the buttons or use a spray adhesive.  Apply glitter.  Shake excess glitter off.
4.  Glue ribbon in a loop at the top of one of the popsicle sticks. 

Enjoy and maybe you'll get to see some real snowflakes this Christmas!  In the meantime, we'll keep dreaming for that White Christmas :) !

Be inspired, get creative, and have fun!

New Decorated Letter Design - "Kaylin" Purple and green flowers

 

This new "Kaylin" collection is now available on my Etsy account.  This adorable purple and pink flower design was specifically made to match the NoJo Razzle Dazzle Bedding.  You can check out my designs and place custom orders at MY SHOP.  In addition, you can always email me at inspiremecrafts@yahoo.com to get started! 

I hope your holiday shopping is almost done!

Be inspired, get creative, and have fun!

Clever Gift Ideas for Christmas

“A hug is the perfect gift; one size fits all, and nobody minds if you exchange it".

 

Now's the time where you may need some ideas for those little gifts for co-workers, teachers, mail person, babysitter, etc.  Below is a list of some simple, cute, and cheesy (of course) ideas that are sure to make that special person smile. 

1.  Measuring Cups with a note that says "Wishing you joy beyond measure".  This is actually a great gift because there are so many cool new measuring cups out there (I never thought I would say that).  Whether you pick the person's favorite color or the cool new collapsible ones, the thought will surely be appreciated. 

2.  Cookies with note saying "Wishing you a wonderful Christmas from your "crummy" neighbors (co-worker, students, boss, etc)

3.  Popcorn with note saying "We just 'popped' in to wish you a Merry Christmas".  You could purchase one of those plastic tubs that look like movie popcorn bags from the DollarTree and fill it with bags of popcorn, movie gift certificates, candy, etc.

4.  Pencil & Notepad with note saying "Hope your Christmas is something to write about".

5.  Cookie Dough with note saying "Here's a little extra dough for Christmas".

6.  Basket of Bath Items with note saying "When you feel like a basket case, take a break and slow your pace". 

7.  Muffins with note saying "You're getting muffin for Christmas".

8.  Fudge with a note saying "Fudge a little on the calories and enjoy the holiday season". 

I wish I could take credit for these ideas, but I've come across them at Craft shows, the internet, and magazines so I'm not even sure who to give the props to.  I'm sure there are plenty more so if you'd like to add to the list please leave a comment for send me an email!

Be inspired, get creative and have fun!

Gotta Bake It: Cranberry Orange Nut Bread

 

I noticed this recipe for Cranberry Orange Nut Bread on the back of a package of frozen OcenSpray cranberries that I had left over from Thanksgiving.  Let's just say my taste buds were delighted that we decided to try it and the waist wasn't quite as happy.  It's definitely worth making and is wonderful for the holiday season!

INGREDIENTS

2 cups flour
1 cup sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
3/4 cup orange juice
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 tablespoon grated orange peel
1 egg, well beaten
1 1/2 cups Ocean Spray fresh or frozen cranberries, coarsely chopped
1/2 cup chopped nuts (I chose the hubby's favorite, pecans)

DIRECTIONS:

Preheat oven to 350.  Grease a 9x5-inch loaf pan.  Mix together flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, and baking soda in a medium mixing bowl.  Stir in orange juice, oil, orange peel and egg. Mix until well blended.  Stir in cranberries and nuts. Spread evenly in loaf pan. Bake for 55 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.  Cool on rack for 15 minutes.  Remove from pan; cool completely. 

I couldn't quite wait until it was completely cooled to try and it was delicious warm!  Enjoy!

Be inspired, get creative, and have fun!

NEW DESIGN - Pink Toile Decorated Letter

This was a custom order from ABC Baby Boutique and was requested to match the pink toile in the bedroom.  And its another GORGEOUS nursery!  Thanks to ABC Baby Boutique and her wonderful customers, I've been quite busy and unable to share all the letters I've completed lately.  But I thought this one might be quite popular so I wanted to make it available in my Etsy Shop.  Stay tuned because I've got some new designs and am putting together a collage of all the latest orders.

Don't forget that I LOVE made-to-match orders and can always send samples to you. 

Be inspired, get creative, and have fun!

Gotta Make It: Paper Christmas Tree

"He who has not Christmas in his heart will never find it under a tree."  ~Roy L. Smith

 I decided to take a moment to review some of the Christmas craft projects from last year to see if they sparked any new and exciting ideas and I thought I would share the Paper Christmas Tree again since it was such a hit last year.  If you decide to make it please send pics to inspiremecrafts@yahoo.com!  I'd love to share all the various versions with the readers!

Here's what you need:

-Favorite patterned paper (I chose 5 different ones)
-Tree shaped craft Styrofoam (find in floral section of craft store)
-Scissors, glue (I used glue gun), ruler, pencil
-Stick (smooth and rounded)  Can find at craft store.  Size depends on Styrofoam
-Ribbon and other embellishments (optional)
-Spray Glitter (optional)
-Terra cotta pot (optional)
-Small piece of craft styrophoam to put in terra cotta pot (optional)
-Glass marbles (optional)

Now the To Do's:

1. I used 8x8 scrapbook paper since my Styrofoam base was relatively small (around 5 inches tall).  I measured and cut it into 2cm wide strips.  I then cut the 2cm wide strips into thirds.  You can adjust the width and length depending on what size styrophoam you choose.  The bigger you go the bigger strips you'll want otherwise this will truly turn out to be a loooonnng  project.  The is the part that takes awhile so if you have kids who are old enough to cut and measure....for goodness sakes get them to work!
2.  Take a cut strip and attach the ends together with glue.  Don't fold it though...you want to keep the other end rounded.
3.Attach the glued ends to the Styrofoam with glue.  Start at the bottom.  Continue this all the way around.  When you finish one layer move up and start on the next level. Indent where you start on each new level.  A few tips:  If you have more than one child helping you on this it would go extremely quickly if you have one gluing the ends together and then the other gluing the finished piece to the Styrofoam. Next tip:  I layed out my 5 different cut papers in piles and lined them up in the order I wanted to attach them. For the most part I used that same pattern.  However, sometimes I came across areas that had too much red or too much green so I did change it up a bit when needed.  So go with what your eye tells you. If it doesn't look right...change it up.

4.  Attach any embellishments.  For example, I added a star to the top along with ribbon hanging down.  I also used a star punch and red scrapbook paper to make "star ornaments" that I glued to the tree.  At the end...spray the tree with some spray glitter to give it that extra ummphh.

5.  You could call it quits here and your paper tree would still 'wow' everyone as a unique Christmas decoration.  But if you want to do it like the picture I show then keep going.....

6.  Take a stick and stab it into the bottom of the tree.  I put a little glue around it with the glue gun to make sure it wasn't going anywhere.  Confession:  The stick I had was too short.  Being lazy and not wanting to go to the craft store again I started looking around the house.  I had a red colored pencil.  So I took it and used it.  It worked out great and I didn't have to paint it or anything!

7.  Put the small piece of Styrofoam into the terra cotta pot.  Take the other end of the colored pencil and stab it into the terra cotta Styrofoam. I once again used the glue gun to make sure it wasn't going anywhere.

8.  Take some glass beads/marbles and put them around the "trunk" of the tree and to cover up the Styrofoam.  You could also use fake snow if you wanted to.

9.  I added a large red ribbon to the terra cotta pot.  If you choose to paint or decorate the pot any other way it would probably be easier to do before step 6.

Well....there you have it.  It really is a fun Christmas craft project and rewarding when you finish.  And who says you have to use red and green?  Use the colors that go with your Christmas home decor and get creative.  Instead of paper star cutouts for ornaments why not use some buttons?  You always get those extra buttons with your clothes...so put them to use!

Anyway, I enjoyed sharing this with you and will be bringing some more. 

Be inspired, get creative, and have fun!