Jennifer Andrew

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Crafty Christmas | DIY 3D Christmas Tree Ornaments

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Here is the last of my Christmas DIYs! I got a late start this year but I’m so happy that I was able to cross almost everything off of my list. That never happens! Yay.

These little trees turned out less than perfect, but I still had a great time making them. To make them, just find some pretty paper (I used these patterned postcards) and cut out little trees using this symmetrical tree clipart. I recommend using paper that is lighter than postcard-weight paper because it will be easier to fold. Mine ended up with lots of white creases on the pretty sides of the paper.

Next fold them in half and glue the blank sides together with hot glue. As you’re gluing them together, stick a loop of twine between the trees as an ornament hanger.

Happy last-minute Christmas crafting!

Crafty Christmas | DIY Christmas Gift Box Ornaments

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At one of my holiday work meetings, we were taught how to perfectly wrap a gift box. It was so much fun even though I couldn’t really replicate that technique at all when I got home and tried wrapping real gifts. This tutorial has nothing to do with that gift wrapping technique but it was inspired by it. :)

 To make the boxes, print out a small box template (I found mine here via google images) onto card stock paper and cut it out. Then use glue or a tape runner to attach the plain side of the template to the wrong side of a decorative sheet of paper. Cut out the template again, fold along the dotted lines, and assemble. I used a double-sided tape runner to attach it but dabs of hot glue would also work. It’s pretty self explanatory, just make sure that the opening part of the box doesn’t have “wings”. At least I’m calling them wings. In the photo below, you would want to keep the left flap free of tape or hot glue so that the box can open and close.

After putting the boxes together, you can add tiny gifts if you’d like to use them as actually gift boxes rather than just decorative ornaments. These would be great as little jewelry boxes. They are also the perfect shape for the hedgehog shaped lip balms I just bought for my sisters. Fun stuff. :)

Tie up the boxes with ribbon, twine, yarn, or all of the above. Then hang them on the tree with ornament hooks or string.

I love the idea of having presents hiding on the tree instead of just under it.

Five more days!! Are you finished with your Christmas shopping/crafting? I’m not. Thankfully I ended up with the day off so that it was I’ll be doing all afternoon. :)

Crafty Christmas | DIY Christmas Silhouette Wall Art

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I am having a very Rifle Paper Co. holiday season if you can’t tell already. I bought lots of holiday gift wrap with the intention of not using it as gift wrap. It’s kind of a big waste if you ask me. Why not use it for something that will last? Like wall art!

First print out some Christmas clipart silhouettes. I found mine here. Then cut them out and adhere them to solid or decorative paper with a tape runner or a glue stick. Cut out the silhouette again and attach it to a contrasting paper background. I used sticky tac to attach them in case I wanted to change my mind.

Put them in some frames and display your festive handmade decor! If you’re like me, you might break some glass or one of the wooden frames. It’s alright.

I know that Christmas is six days (!!!) away, but I’m not quite finish with my Christmas crafts. I’m so excited for next December when I will open up a box of already-made holiday decorations. I guess you could say I’m planning ahead. :)

Crafty Christmas | DIY Instagram Ornaments

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Like I said a couple days ago, I have stacks of Instagram prints from PostalPix just waiting to be used. The possibilities are endless! I decided to turn a few of them into ornaments, many of which I’ll be gifting to friends and family. And here I thought I wouldn’t have time for handmade gifts. These are so easy it’s ridiculous. Also, really fun. :)

First get your hands on some Instagram prints. I absolutely love PostalPix. The shipping is free and they always arrive so quickly. I suppose you could also just use regular photographs huh? :)

Trace a circle onto the back of the print and cut it out. Then cut an ornament topper out of gold paper (I traced a bunch of them on the back of the paper to get it right). Attach the paper ornament topper to the photograph with a dab of hot glue. The gold paper I used was really thin so I put card stock behind it.

Punch a hole in the top and attach some thread or wire to it. Then go crazy decorating your tree with memories. :)

Ps. The sticker letters are from the Target dollar bin!

Crafty Christmas | 10 DIY Holiday Gift Tag Ideas

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And so it begins… Christmas crafts!! I had just about given up on posting Christmas DIYs this year, but I miraculously had the past two days off from work. I made a huge mess in the living room, but no regrets! I crossed some things off of my list and I’m very excited to share them.

A few days ago, I made a bunch of holiday gift tags! Working at Paper Source has really awakened my love for paper crafts. I had been a little apathetic about paper. Thankfully, that is over. Paper forever. :) Here are a few ideas for making your gift tags personal and special this year!

1. Instagrams! I printed mine through PostalPix a while ago, and I have been using them projects here and there. This season, I am going a little Instagram crazy. This is a really fun way to make a gift tag memorable. All you need is a paint pen or sharpie to add a note! Any color would probably look pretty.

2. For this tag, I used the Martha Stewart set of Christmas stamps and I embossed the border stamp. Heat embossing is one of my very favorite things to do. We’re all about heat embossing at Paper Source. I think it is the most exciting way to make a paper craft look fancy. You can find a full tutorial here! I’ll probably write my own one of these days. It’s all just kind of magical.

3. Rifle Paper Co. has the most amazing holiday paper ever! I bought some from Paper Source and Anthropologie recently and I plan on using them for anything and everything I can think of.

4. More heat embossing! I also used gold glitter Stickles on this one. I can’t really get over the word “stickles”.

5. This one was made with textured gold paper from Paper Source and red and white craft straws. Kinda like candy canes. :)

6. Heat embossing! Again. I seriously love these stamps.

7. Here is another tag using that pretty gold paper and Rifle Paper Co. paper.

8. Target has the most amazing, cheap wrapping paper. I bought a roll of this pinecone wrap, some gold wrap, and another roll that is silver with glittery silver trees. On this tag, I also heat embossed. This is my favorite gold embossing powder called Queen’s Gold.

9. I made this tag while I was working at Paper Source, so I all of the supplies I used are Paper Source brand tools that I don’t actually own. :)

10. And lastly, washi tape! This has to be the most simple way to decorate anything ever. Love!

I had so much fun making each of these! I’m not sure all (or any) of my gifts will be handmade this year, so it will be nice to add a little crafty touch to them.

Have you been decorating tags or gift wrap this season? Send links to your projects!

I’ll be back tomorrow with a tasty holiday recipe. :)

new to the shop!

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Hello! I’m finally getting around to uploading some new items to Earl Grey Shop, and I am super excited. :) I think this will be my main focus this month as it is crocheting season and all. Motivation is something that comes in waves for everyone, I’m pretty sure, but I am trying to separate “motivation” from “inspiration”. Making myself stay motivated regardless of how much or how little I am inspired is really important. While I was getting ready this morning, I watched this interview with Grace Bonney. She is the one who got me excited about blogging in the first place, and I admire and respect her more than I can say.

Anyway, here are a few slouchy beanies. Sara modeled them for me (thank you!) in my backyard with only twenty minutes of daylight left. It is really hard to come across good lighting with all of this daylight savings nonsense. :)

Next up: new cozies! Have a great Thursday. :)

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