Paper Gift Basket

I love this paper gift basket. Probably a 10 minite make max. I was out shopping at one of my favourite craft shops in Irene when I spotted this on display in the craft class.

I was drawn to it. I picked it up, took a long hard look and thought, I can make this. Back home I used plain square paper and played around until I figured it out. Basically, fold your square double print card stock into 3 equal colums, repeat the 3 colum fold vertically. Now you have 9 equal square folds . Fold each corner inwards forming a triange. Punch the triangle tips and thread ribbon through, tie a pretty bow and you're done. A second option is to continue to tighten the fold, tuck the flaps in, hold the 4 sides together with ribbon or glue and you have a box. As you can see in the bottom photo, I didn't glue it as I just wanted to give you the idea.

Happy Crafting.

A Simple Paper Gift Bag.

Without a doubt this has got to be the fastest and most simple paper gift bag, made in under 5 minutes. Grab the kiddies for this one as it's simple enough with endless ideas to decorate it. I can think of a variety of goodies one can fill this gift bag with. Sweets, biscuits, chocolates and more.

Used for any and every season, use themed paper - valentines, Christmas, Easter, Halloween, party favours or thank you gifts.

Use double sided print paper. The size of the square depends on the size of the gift bag you would liketo create. In this particular craft, I was making advent calendar bags. Each bag had something different in it. From a treat to an outing. Fold a triangle then follow the pictures step by step. Decorate with ribbons, paper flowers, tags etc.

Happy Crafting.

Christmas Gag.

I really can't believe the Christmas season has come and gone. As January draws to a close too, I'm wishful Father Time will slow down, at least for me to catch a breather.

While squizzing through my Christmas album I came across this photo of the gag gift I made for all the men in our family along with a few bachelor friends.

Using white tic-tacs, glued onto Christmas paper, the scription inside read as follows.

"heard you've been naughty so here's the scoop,

all you get for Christmas is snowman poop"

I sent one down under to my pops-in-law but apparently someone else in the house mistook it as theirs. No worries-at least he knew of it :)

Can't take fullcredit as I had previously seen it on Pinterest. 

First Grade Surprise - The Schultute

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Our little man has reached his next big milestone in his journey through life. First day in First Grade. Without a doubt this was something special and something special was to be had.

With his godmother being german, a staff member of ours german and a few german friends within our circle - it was a no brainer when we were told of the age old german tradition for first graders celebrating their first day that a schultute aka Sugar Cone or Sugar Bag was that something special.

Using a huge piece of cardboard, cut and coned, we filled it with various goodies, treats and a few sweets. We went with an orangecone as that is my sons favourite colour. Of course the contents were a surprise.

The excitement of the first day, along with much anticipation, our little one was up way before Mr Sun, dressed and ready to go. The Schultute was the perfect choice. Hope you too will see the joy and memories shared with your little one when introducing this fantastic 'new' tradition. I've seen it used as popularity grows in quiet a few countries and I don't think you have to b german to enjoy this one. Oh, apparently the schultute is given by grandparents or godparents but I've seen more and more of it gifted from thr parents themselves. All the same I say as not all of us have the luxury of a living grandparent or a gran that lives close by.

Happy Crafting.The Schultute

Christmas Paper Bauble With Bling

This Christmas season, I enjoyed many paper crafts but making various paper baubles was by far my most enjoyable. My Christmas paper stock arrived and I couldn't wait to get crafting on the paper bauble ideas I had. Using various Christmas paper stock theme, I cut 12 circles with a radius of about 7 cm each.

After folding each circle in half, I began back to back gluing of the now semi-circles. Halfway through I added ribbon so that I would have something to hang the bauble from as well as something to add the 'bling' to. Once all were glued back to back, I threaded the beads onto the ribbon and whalla - a gorgeous big paper bauble with added sparkle. The kiddies and I made a few varying in size, colour and shape. Fantastic memories created with my special ones.

Happy crafting.

xx

Homemade Neighbour Christmas Gift

Those who know me know how I enjoy a little humour added to every thing I do. I wanted to put a home made Christmas gift together for our neighbours with that added touch of humour reflecting a little me. Looking for inspiration on Pinterest I came across the perfect gift. 

Using Christmas themed paper plates, paper cups and serviettes then a little added bonus of home made Santa chocolates - I wrapped the contents together with cellophane, tied a nice red ribbon on it and made matching cards for each gift. The cards read as follows:

'Merry Christmas to you and yours,

My gift for you is a little less chores.'

The gifts were well received with laughter and appreciation. Making all the effort that much worthwhile. 

Happy Home Made gift crafting.

xx

Halloween Treats

I'm a little late in posting I know but here goes.

Halloween is the time of year my boys get to enjoy the gore that goes with it. It's a boy thing I guess. Even though we bake and craft many Halloween goodies, the dress up and venture out for trick or treat is what goes down best. Especially seeing all the other little monsters come out to play. 

The cake we baked had to be chocolate of course. My little boy opt for a Jack-o-lantern. I like that jack-o-lanterns don't have to be scary. Butter cream icing is always a hit in this house so as usual I went with the obvious. Simple shaping of the cake and a layer of icing. I used left over fondant here and there. My boys don't like fondant so I don't use it much. A sprinkle of toy spiders to top it off - DONE. Note to watch the spiders when serving little ones.

Enjoy.

Treat bag filled with sweets & a few trick items. Made using tissue paper and cardboard for his face.

Jack-O-Lantern chocolate cake