Last Minute Valentine's Day Ideas

#1 Decorated with Paper Lanterns

This craft comes straight from Make Me Grow a blog all about handmade crafts. This is my attempt at her decorated paper lantern, originally a summer craft; I transformed it for Valentine's Day. It took me about an hour and a 1/4 a glue stick to finish one lantern. If you're looking to get decorative on a budget this is the way to go; I bought the lantern at the dollar store and used tissue paper left over from the holidays. 

Here are my results:

 

#2 Last Minute Valentines

Some of you may be rushing out to buy a last minute Valentine, so here's a quick idea. Print a sheet of quotes, sayings, or messages of love and make these "lucky stars" (see video below). Then, throw them in a box with some miscellaneous candies. There you have it! A quick, but personalized gift for the people you're thinking about this special day. I made some miniatures for my coworkers. See them here:

#3 Valentine's Day Comes But Once a Year

So you're at the point of no return... you know you're not going to get a gift today, but that doesn't mean you can't give a gift that counts. Browse around for something personal, even something handmade. You can use this extra time to make sure your gift is extra special. And while you're shopping, check out Mind Ruffle's shop; you may find just the gift you're looking for.

Happy Valentine's Day!

Recycled Chalkboard Business Card

I was recently in need of business cards for my Mind Ruffle shop on Etsy, so I recycled some old cards in a new way. Using spare chalkboard paint from my basement, I was able to give these old cards a new face, and repurpose them for my shop. See how I did it here:

1) I gathered my materials: business cards, chalkboard paint, sponge applicator, chalk, chalkboard eraser, and a permanent marker.

2) After stirring the chalkboard paint thoroughly, I collected a little paint on the tip of my sponge.

3) Then in three even strokes, I covered the card with the chalkboard paint,...

4) ...waited til the paint was dry to the touch (you can add another coat if needed)...

5)... , and wiped them down with a used chalkboard eraser to provide a chalky surface for the writing to stick to.

6) Now, I can write and erase on these cards, or even add my shop's website on the back with permanent marker.

There are lots of ways to get creative with this concept, so try it out and see where your creativity takes you!

Merry Christmas from Mind Ruffle!

Mind Ruffle on Etsy & Facebook

Quick and Easy Gifts for the Office

This year I made all of my coworkers ornaments with their names on them. It only took a couple hours, was super simple, and perfect for this festive time of year. Here's how you can make your own:

Step 1- Procure some sparkly baubles (I recommend plastic, or "shatter resistant" bulbs). I also bought mine at Target.

Step 2- Get out your Prismacolors! I used metallic silver.

Step 3- Draw on the person's name with a festive design (the bauble above has candy canes drawn all around it)

New item: Cake Pop Ornaments

Brand new from Mind Ruffle - Cake Pop Ornaments! These fabulous little ornaments are handmade by yours truly and are now available at my shop. Pick a custom color, or choose from the three options seen here. These ornaments are the perfect gift for the baker in your life. Give a sweet gift this holiday season with Mind Ruffle's hand crafted Cake Pop Ornaments.Check 'em out!

Multistrand Bracelet Giveaway

This handmade Multi-strand Bracelet from Mind Ruffle is one of a kind and comprised of five elastic strands of glass, metal, and for the first time SWAROVSKI crystal elements. This design is snowflake blue, and is available in other custom colors at the Mind Ruffle shop. To enter, see details below.

When: December 6, 2011 to January 4, 2012

Where: Youtube & Facebook

Why: To Win the exclusive Snowflake Blue Mind Ruffle Multi-strand Beaded Bracelet

What: Just follow these three easy steps to enter for your chance to win:

1) Subscribe to fr0ggyfbaby’s YouTube channel; then like and favorite the contest video.
2) Comment on the contest video and include: your favorite color, the name of an item you like from the Mind Ruffle Shop, and your Facebook user name.

3) Finally, "Like" Mind Ruffle Designs on Facebook, and you're on your way to owning this one-of-a-kind bracelet from Mind Ruffle!

Good Luck!

A lifetime of memories

As some of you may know, I've been living with my grandfather (aka. Papa) for just over two years now. And he has been an tremendous encouragement and fan of my crafts, and at times an inspiration. Papa has shared so much wonder and joy with me through his stories, friends, and life mementos that, I thought it important to make him a part of the story of my shop.

At this time of year I usually pull out my Kodak photo scanner and start loading up memory cards as gifts for my family, but this year it takes on a whole new meaning because Papa was diagnosed with terminal cancer about two weeks ago. So, as you can imagine it is especially touching for me to go through his life's collection of pictures and see what precious moments he has held dearest to him over his 83 years. Here are a few from the latest batch, that I'd like to share with you now:

Aunt Kris blowing out her birthday candles.

Neighborhood block party

Grandchildren of the next generation

Grandma Maddie and Kass

New born Aunt Kris with her Mom

Great-grandma, Great-grandpa, and more

My little mom

Grandma & Great-grandpa

Aunt Kris, Mom, and Papa

Cousin David

Aunt Kris & Mom

Even though some of the pictures are faded and as time goes on we may not remember the faces smiling back at us, we are blessed because we had the chance to live these memories and had the time to make them our own.

Happy Holidays