Day 18: Creative with Stamps

As we approach the holidays it always surprises me each year how much I spend on the extras. Not the gifts themselves but the wrapping paper, tape, cards, tissue paper, bags, gift tags and so much more. It really adds up.

There is an more inexpensive and creative way. It is easy and FUN to boot! I just recently fell in love with stamps. When deciding on my Etsy shop packaging I knew I wanted something beautiful but something that was cost effective and that I could do myself.

I found a small leaf stamp that with a coupon to my craft store ended up only costing me $2.00. I purchased some tissue paper and some unlined index cards. A blue ink pad also from my craft store (and also with a coupon only cost me about $3.00. So for less than ten dollars I created beautiful packaging with coordinating not cards to my customers.

This could easily be used on plain brown craft paper, paper bags, and like and you could have your own personalized wrapping paper. Those index cards could easily be turned into a gift tag with one click of a hole punch. That you could make year after year. There are thousands of stamps out there and I think a few shops on Etsy even will create custom stamps for you.

Have fun and be creative!

So far I have not needed to purchase a new ink pad and I have stamped it hundreds of times.

Day 17: Creative with Coasters

Looking for some inexpensive hostess gifts for the holidays? Or may small gifts for teachers, neighbors, and friends? My suggestion is to get creative with coasters! Everybody needs coasters but especially if you entertain or have a busy house full of kids.

All you need is some fabric swatches and some cotton or polyfil batting. I like to use 5 inch by 5 inch squares.

Place right sides of the fabric together. Place on top of same size piece of batting. Pin together and sew along the edges leaving about a 1 inch section open.

After sewing, turn right side out using the small 1 inch opening. Gently work the corners fully out using a pin or (very gently) seem ripper.

Sew closely around the seams of the coaster to close the opening and give a uniform look. If giving as a gift, I like to tie up the set with a cute coordinating ribbon.

Looking for more ideas? Check out the coaster section of my shop.

Day 16: Be Creative with Costumes

My children are still at an age where they are unaffected by trends, fashion statements and name brands. Their beautiful, unique, individual tastes are all that matter to them. How I wish it could stay this way forever. It is a lovely reminder of how to truly live.

My son loves trains. Correction: he is obsessed with trains. Last year we managed a Steam Locomotive out of card board boxes. This year he wanted to be a Bullet Train. I wasn't sure where to start. Thankfully my husband was and stepped in to manage this project.

Two card board boxes. One can of white spray paint. Three pieces of black and yellow construction paper. One small bottle of green acrylic craft paint. Duct Tape.

He was so happy and proud parading through the neighborhood on Trick or Treat night. They best thing was that many neighbors remembered his costume last year and loved this year's as well. My husband was beaming. There is nothing better than a handmade Halloween costume.

Day 15: Be Creative...Snowman Style

Its not often that you carve pumpkins and build a snowman in the same weekend. But then again this year has been full of things that don't happen often, at least not often the Northeast United States. Maybe Mother Nature is having a mood swing? Maybe creative nature needs to change it up.

So get out there and get creative in the snow. Take some pictures, paint a scene, make some snow angels..whatever you fancy!

Day 14: Be Creative...Pumpkin Edition

When was the last time you carved a pumpkin? Years ago? Never?

I have to admit this was only the second time in my life. It was so much fun. Even my hubby had a blast. The kids had a great time. The mess was not unmanageable. No knives for the kiddos but they had fun drawing faces and watching us do the carving.

Sometimes it is just so fun to get messy! And then you get to eat roasted pumpkin seeds as a healthy treat!

31 Days: Tomatoes in a Row (Day 13)

Sometimes creativity strikes you with the most everyday of things. These tomatoes were on a row on my deck baluster trying to get the last of the autumn sun to change their coats from green to red.

They struck me funny. I had to get my camera to share with you. These might be a sketch or a watercolor in my art shop someday.

31 Days: Creative in the Kitchen (Day 12)

Yeah! Almost halfway through the 31 day series. This is a 31 day series devoted to the many ways that we can be creative in simple everyday life. Today is all about being creative in the kitchen with leftovers. This simple Spanish rice dish is super tasty and super easy!

Ingredients:

1 cup of rice (uncooked or 2 cups of cooked leftover rice)

1 lb of ground turkey or beef

1 half onion minced.

2 cloves of garlic minced.

1 8 oz can of tomato sauce or crushed tomatoes (whatever you have in the pantry.)

2 TBS olive oil

salt

pepper

1 cup of shredded cheddar, mozzarella, cheddar/jack (again whatever you have on hand.)

First saute the rice uncooked in some olive oil for a few minutes until it starts to turn opaque. Add two cups of water or chicken broth and cover. Stir occasionally on medium heat until tender.

While the rice is cooking add the second tablespoon of oil to a large skillet. Add the beef or turkey and begin to brown on medium to high heat. Add onions, garlic, salt and pepper too cook with meat. Use a spatula to break up the meat mixture and cook evenly.

When the meat is thoroughly cooked add tomato sauce and stir. Turn to low heat. When rice is cooked add to the meat mixture and stir. Transfer the dish to a large casserole dish. Top with your favorite cheese and bake in a 375 oven until cheese is bubbly.

This will be a quick easy weeknight favorite!