Jog Your Memory Monday

Dove of Peace

Ahhhh we are back — took a little hiatus while preparing for and participating in the holidays. See I’m on vacation from work so I reckon I applied that to everything!

I pray all have a joyous holidays and for those still celebrating Kwanzaa many blessings as you fellowship with love ones.

With the new year’s so soon — I’d thought I remind you to send a 2009 greeting to all wishing them a joyous and prosperous new year. I’m actaully working on my greetings to send. I’ll post pictures as they are complete. The card above is our Dove of Peace which you can locate in our Etsy site – Dove’s are my favorite symbol.

Ask yourself — do I have any special events coming up? If the answer is yes you better verify the address, pick a handmade greeting for that special person in your life, and put it in the mail or hand deliver!

Keep Making Gifts Within A Card!

Maranda

Teach You Thursday – Recycled Gift Tags

As someone that LOVES to recycle — I’ve been wanting to make something with those pesky weekly sale mailers… In today’s tutorial I’m going to show you how to make your own holiday gift tags using images from a sales mailer.

Step One: Gather Your Materials

Materials weekly sales mailer, scrap ribbon, coordinating scrap papers, recycled envelope

So I had this one mailer that had holiday themed images that I thought would be perfect for a card or gift tag. I found some coordinating scrap papers and scrap ribbon to make the tag. Knowing that I might want a white surface to write a little note I grabbed an envelope I got in tha mail as well. This project is completely scrap materials!!

Step 2: Make first layer of gift tag

Two images cut out from Mailers

Pick out the images you desire for the tag and cut it out from your mailer. Then using adhesive (I used glue stick) place centered on your coordinating scrap paper. I tried to leave the equal amount of distance aroudn entire image.

First Layer of Gift Tags

Step 3: Finish the Gift Tag
Now take your image layer of the tag and adhere it (using glue stick) it to another coordinating paper. Make the image layer centered on this paper as well. Once everything is in place you can take your recycled envelope and adhere the correct amount on the back for your writing area (if you desire that).

Second layer of the Holiday Gift Tag

Then to make it a tag punch a hole in either corner and thread your coordinating scrap ribbon through. And you have your final product – Recycled Holiday Gift Tags!

Recyled Holiday Gift Tags

Have fun Making Your Own Gift Within A Card!
Maranda

8 Days of Giving Challenge – Day 2

 Hello

I hope all have taken time today to give back to someone else!  As you know yesterday we started our 8 Days of Giving Challenge.  We got a comment earlier and I’ve had people attend the event on my facebook so hopefully by Day 3 more of you will partake in the challenge.

Today I did something I’ve been meaning to do for weeks but never remembered to do it.  The route I walk to my yoga class always has me pass this gentleman that plays the flute — it is a glorious sound especially when you finish a good yoga session.  Well I always want to give him some money for he has the can and he plays in all types of weather – rain, sunny, snowing, or just like the other day sleet.  Today I made sure to put whatever change I had in my pocket (which was about $3 – much weight relieved from the bag) and was praying I would see him and I did!  He was playing but as I put the money in I told him how I enjoyed his music and wanted to do this sooner.  It made me feel so good — I don’t know how much money he makes in a day but I wanted to let him know he is appreciated for he makes my wonderful peace continue even after yoga.

Now here are some suggestions for today:

• Donate food to an homeless shelter OR buy some groceries/coffee for an homeless person!
• Pay for a random stranger’s meal!
• Take your co-workers a special treat — that you made!
• Anytime a thought of generosity comes about – act on it!

Enjoy your day and Keep Making Gifts Within A Card!

Maranda

 

 

 

 

8 Days of Giving – A ZeVin Creations Challenge

It is that time of the year where everyone “SHOULD” be in a giving mood.. and we’d like to encourage our readers to achieve the goal of using their GIVING spirit!  We started this challenge back in 2007 and we had a good response so let’s double the efforts of everyone giving back unto others when people need it the most!

For these 8 Days left before Christmas we want to challenge you to GIVE to others during this season of giving which of course is the true reason of the holiday season.  In my personal opinion, it isn’t about getting all these gifts and spending tons of money but to be with your loved ones and do for others however you can.

These next eight days I’ll post how ZeVin Creations has done something to make a difference in another person’s life.  We will also provide some suggestions on what you can do…  We hope that you our readers will also post or comment on what you did each day…AND in exchange we will randomly select from the comments to get a FREE CARD from us each day (that’s a total of 8 Cards we are giving away).  Can I just repeat — 8 FREE CARDS!

So here are some suggestions -

1. Shovel snow from your neighbor’s driveway and sidewalk (unfortunately we didn’t get much snow here but hoping)
2. Volunteer your time to help a local homeless shelter or food pantry
3. Bake some cookies and/or candy for your postman, garbage man with a card expressing your thanks
4. Pay for a cup of coffee/tea for the person behind you  at your favorite coffee shop
5. Put extra money in the parking meter for the next car to park.
6. And an easy way — just say hello to everyone you see!

Today I put extra money into two parking meters — typically I walk to my yoga course but I was running late so I decided hey since I’m driving I can give the change I had brought for another purpose and put it in the meter longer than my hour class.

Take this time to inspire others to make a difference this holiday season and you’ll in exchange be rewarded within your spirit knowing you impacted someone that wasn’t expecting it!(And possibly a FREE CARD)

Keep Making Gifts Within A Card!

Maranda

Inspire Me Tuesday

Life Is Sweet

Please take time to let this quote marinate in your soul and inspire you! You know during the holiday season many question the value of their life — Our life is exactly what the card says — SWEET! You have to make the most out of what you are given.. if given Lemon – make Lemonade! Later tonight I’ll be starting a challenge called the 10 Days of Giving so that we can all focus on the real meaning of the holidays – so stay tuned…. But for now take time to comment on how this quote inspires you!

You can purchase this card at our Etsy Site here.

Current Countdown for the Winter Holidays:

5 days till Hanukkah, 10 days till Christmas, 11 days till Kwanzaa

Keep Making Gifts Within A Card!

Maranda