How to Easily Sew a Monogrammed Fauxdori

Hey, y'all!  Are y'all into the whole traveler's notebook phenomenon that seems to be sweeping the  nation?  Okay, maybe it isn't exactly "sweeping the nation," but for a while now, I've been seeing all these cute fauxdoris all over the internet and social media.  Every time I see one, I think, "Oh, that's so cute!!!  I want one!"  But then I talk myself out of ordering one because I know I could make one.  But my sewing machine isn't exactly my best friend because it scares me a little, so I don't make one. Well, I DIDN'T make one for a while.  But a few weeks ago I decided to just go for it, and, y'all, it was so easy!!!  So I knew I just had to share the tutorial with y'all.  That's right: today I'm showing you how to easily sew a monogrammed fauxdori!!!

 Like I said, I am not totally comfortable with my sewing machine, but if you can sew a decently straight line, you too can make your own fabric-dori.  This is normally the part of the post where I would share a supply shot and then a supply list, but since this was the first time I created this and I didn't really know what I was doing, I neglected to take that picture, so today we're just starting with the supply list.  This supply list contains affiliate links, which is just a fancy way of saying that if you decide to purchase a product through one of my links, you'll be supporting my blog at no extra charge to you.  (Thanks!)

Handmade Shaker Bookmark

I received product from Stampin' Up in exchange for this post, but, as always, all opinions are 100% mine. Hey, y'all!  Earlier this week, I shared my love for shaker cards with y'all.  You seemed to love my Handmade Mason Jar Shaker Card just as much as I did, so today I wanted to share another shaker project with you.  I'm calling today's project my Handmade Shaker Bookmark.

The great thing about this shaker bookmark is that it can double as a card.  Send one of these cuties in the mail to a friend.  Rather than having a handmade card she feels badly about trashing or either doesn't know where to put after she reads, your friend can tuck this inside of a book.  Every time she opens the book, she'll be reminded of what a thoughtful friend you are!

Handmade Mason Jar Shaker Card

Hey, y'all!  If you've been following my blog for a while, you know that I LOVE all things sparkly.  I've recently seen some different crafters make shaker cards--cards with a clear window housing sequins and glitter and other bits and bobs that sparkle like nobody's business when you shake them.  I have been dying to try making one myself.  When I looked through my newest Sizzix dies, I saw the mason jar Bigz die just screaming to be made into a shaker, so today I'm going to show you how I made my sparkly shaker card dreams come true!

Make one of these cards to put in your journaling Bible or gift one to a friend who is in need of a little joyful sparkle in her life!  You'll be surprised how easy these are to make.

Handmade "Thanks a Hole Punch" Card

I received product from Stampin' Up in exchange for this post, but, as always, all opinions are 100% mine! Hey, y'all!  Do you like sending happy mail?  I sure do!  It's so fun to slip a little something in the mail for someone who doesn't expect it.  A simple handmade card in the mail can brighten someone's day, and there's just something extra special about receiving the now almost-extinct thank you note as well!  Today I want to show you how to easily make a handmade thank you card with a crafty theme using an adorable stamp set and other products from Stampin' Up.  Whip one of these lovely cards up, and the next time someone does something special for you, you'll have an extra special thank-you to send to them to show just how much you appreciated their gesture!

 I'm calling this beauty my "Thanks a Hole Punch" Card, and it's so easy to make!

{DIY Christmas Nativity Card}

Hey, y'all!  Do you send out Christmas cards?  I don't normally because I never remember to mail them in time, but I love to have cute cards on hand in case I need to give one to someone as part as a gift.  This DIY Nativity card is something that can easily be made with the help of a Silhouette.  And if you hang around to read this entire post, after the tutorial you'll find links to thirty-four other Silhouette projects AND an AWESOME giveaway! 

I began the card by creating my design with my Silhouette software.  Here's the steps I followed: 1.  I drew two rectangles--one inside the other--to create a frame.  The outside of your frame needs to be the size of the front of your card. 2.  I opened a nativity design (#52103) from the Silhouette store.  The design contains all of the people and animals you would expect to be in a nativity set. 3.  I ungrouped the shapes and deleted all the ones I wasn't going to use.  I kept Mary, Joseph, Baby Jesus, the large star, and the little stars. 4.  I then selected Mary, Joseph, and Baby Jesus and grouped them back together. 5.  I positioned them and the large star within the frame that I had created.

6.  I selected those and the inner rectangle and used the "Subtract All" tool found under the Modify icon to get rid of all the extra cut lines that would keep my design from being one piece.

I was then left with the image above.  (Please note that if you need to move or resize the design after you finish this step you will need to group all the pieces together.)  7.  I added a few of the smaller stars to the background and cut the design with my Silhouette.  

The process may seem like a lot of work, but it really wasn't.  It took more work to explain the process in this post than it did to actually create the design.  

The rest of the process of creating the card was even easier.  I folded a piece of card stock to create a card, and I used double sided tape to adhere a piece of glitter card stock to the front of the card.  I then taped and glued my nativity scene to that.

I glued on the extra stars and some rhinestones to complete my card.

I love the way it turned out!  I've been guilty of normally only using my Silhouette to create stencils, so it was fun to use it for something different.   Are you like me and need more inspiration to create projects with your Silhouette?  Well, this part of the post is just for you.  I have teamed up with thirty-four other bloggers to share links to some amazing Silhouette projects with you.  The projects are part of what's called the Silhouette Challenge.  Check out the links below!

1. 2013 Snowman Christmas Card by Please Excuse My Craftermath...
2. Christmas Hoop Art by Lil' Mrs. Tori
3. Silhouette Nativity Advent Candle Box by One Tough Mother
4. Christmas Party Photo Booth Props by unOriginal Mom
5. Another Stenciled Tea Towel by Cutesy Crafts
6. Silhouette Gift Tags by Rain on a Tin Roof
7. Snowflake Pin / Ornament by Coley's Corner
8. State Sign Couple Gift by It Happens in a Blink
9. Mason Jar Christmas Ornaments by Vintage News Junkie
10. Merry Christmas Wall Decor by One Artsy Mama
11. Deer Head Holiday Banner...featuring Santa's Reindeer by The Thinking Closet
12. Restore your UGGS (with PAINT) by From Wine to Whine
13. Monogrammed Snowflake Ornaments by Architecture of a Mom
14. Christmas Countdown Sign by The Girl Creative
15. Elf Chalk Sign: "The Best Way to Spread Christmas" by Weekend Craft
16. Glittery Christmas Subway Art by The Turquoise Home
17. Sketch Pen Labels by Sowdering About in Seattle
18. Snowflake NOEL Sign by My Favorite Finds
19. DIY Holiday Hostess Gift by Everyday Paper
20. Folding Nativity Backdrop by Chicken Scratch NY
21. Recycled Glass Jar Advent Calendar by Nearly Handmade
22. Reindeer Card: Double-Sided Print & Cut by GetSilvered
23. Personalized Block Ornament by Suburble
24. Paper Medallion Christmas Tree by Create & Babble
25. Mini Mid-Century Homes by Tried & True
26. Glitter and Vinyl Minecraft Christmas Ornament by A Tossed Salad Life
27. DIY Countdown to Christmas Refrigerator Style by My Paper Craze
28. Reversible Recipe Holder/Block Frame by The Sensory Emporium
29. DIY: Lettered Christmas Pillows by The House on Hillbrook
30. Simply Charming Christmas Ornaments by Life After Laundry
31. No Glitter was Worn by GiveMeAPaintbrush
32. Make Easy Ornaments from Paper Circles by Bringing Creativity to Life
33. Cutting Machine Embroidery Applique by Terri Johnson Creates
34. "Believe" Christmas Banner by Daily Dwelling
35. DIY Christmas Nativity Card by Pitter and Glink

Do you have a Silhouette machine?  Looking for Silhouette inspiration, support, or trouble-shooting? Interested in joining us for our group posting event next month? Then we'd love to have you join our Silhouette Challenge Facebook group. 

To join, simply fill out the new member request form, and Lauren from The Thinking Closet will get you squared away.

Amazing inspiration, right?!  Well, maybe you were reading this post, and you were sad because you don't have a Silhouette to create these projects.  You're in luck!  Along with today's post, the Silhouette Challenge Group is also hosting a giveaway.  One lucky person will win a $155 Amazon gift card that she can use to purchase her very own Silhouette!

Thirty-one members of the Silhouette Challenge group made this giveaway possible, so there are thirty-one potential entries per person.  Please note that the giveaway runs from  Monday, December 9th - Monday, December 16th at 11:59 pm eastern.  This international-friendly giveaway is open to anyone 18 years of age and older.  The winner will be contacted by Lauren from The Thinking Closet by email and will have 48 hours to respond, so watch your spam folders!  The rest of the giveaway terms and conditions can be found in the Rafflecopter widget below.

a Rafflecopter giveaway
Good luck!

{Inexpensive, Personalized Stationery}

Hey, y'all!  Last week I had the privilege of hanging out with Through the Eyes of the Mrs. followers and sharing my tutorial for personalized stationery.  (Cards and envelopes and such are stationEry.  If you're not moving, you're stationAry. )  Today I want to share the tutorial with you.

Creating personalized stationery is very simple and inexpensive.  (Remember my embellished stationery?)  Start with plain notecards from the craft store, an ink pad, and a large stamp.

Ink your stamp and then press it on the front flap of your notecard.

If your stamp doesn't cover the entire notecard, repeat the steps above.  It's okay if you aren't able to exactly match up the pattern if you plan to add something to the middle of the card.  Then add washi tape.

You can place as many strips of washi tape on your notecard as you'd like.  Then it's time to add the personalization.

I added an adhesive-backed card stock diamond shape to the center of the washi tape, and I used double sided tape to stick a card stock initial in the center of the diamond.

I rubbed the surface and edges of the notecard with ink to give it a bit of a worn look, but you don't have to do that, of course, if it's not your style.

All that's left is to write a sweet note inside the card and mail it to someone special!  You can read all about who I sent mine to {HERE}.  Whoever you choose to send it to, your card is sure to brighten a day.  :)

{Embellished Stationery}

Hey, y'all!  Recently I shared a fun post on The Hair Bow Company's blog. I showed their readers how to easily embellish plain stationery, and today I want to show y'all the how-to. 

With minimum supplies and a few simple steps, you can have a beautiful card to send a special person.

One: Gather your supplies.  You will need blank notecards, scrapbook paper, washi tape, an ink pad, glue and a flower embellishment.  (I used a shabby flower from The Hair Bow Company.) Two: Trace the top flap of your notecard on the back of your scrapbook paper.  Cut it out and use a glue stick to adhere it to your notecard.  (I cut my scrapbook paper to only cover the bottom half of the notecard.) Three: Add washi tape strips to the top of the note card. Four: Lightly rub an ink pad around the edges and top of the card. Five: Hot glue a fabric flower to the top of the card as your finishing touch.

With minimum effort, you have a lovely card to send to brighten someone's day.

In the age of email and text messages, there's something really special about finding a beautiful, handwritten note in the mail. Disclaimer: While I was given flowers from The Hair Bow Company to use in my crafting, all opinions in this post are completely mine!  For further info on my disclaimer policy, see the side of my blog.