One of my favorite things to do during the holidays is wrap gifts, weird right? While most people dread it and find it to be an inconvenience, I find it relaxing. Part of the fun is picking out the paper, decorations, ribbon and creating a theme (yep, I usually have a gift wrap theme). Somethings I make and some things I buy.
This year I stumbled upon a way to make a bow after finishing off a bag of candy. I was inspired by the actual candy bag, the inside foil reminded me of Christmas Bows. So, that's what I set out to make. The result, a surprisingly quick and easy way to make a bow. I didn't time myself but I'm sure it took no longer than two minutes to make. Here's the how-to.
Supplies:Food packaging lined with foil - For this craft the package should be constructed with two sheets sealed on all four sides.
Double stick tape - I used tape that's
pre-cut for
scrapbooking.
Scissors
*Click on pictures to get a larger view.
Starting with a food package, cut strips horizontally. Next, turn all the strips inside out.
The strips naturally coiled into a figure 8 shape. The left "8" I taped the center together to make two loops. The right "8" has not been taped, it's just to show you how the strips naturally form. Next, take one loop and push it down in the center to make a bow shape and tape (refer to right picture).
Now push down the other loop just like you did in the last step and tape. Make three of these and one basic loop (refer to right picture).
Take two of the bows you made and tape them
together in an "x" shape. Next tape another bow vertically down the center of the bows.
Last, tape your basic loop in the center. Done.
Here's an instant way to make hot cocoa a little extra special for the holidays, just add a candy marshmallow. You can find these kinds of marshmallows in the candy aisle at most stores. They're relatively inexpensive and come in all kinds of holiday shapes. 
Thumpetty thump thump, 
Now that Thanksgiving is over I'm getting everything prepared for Christmas. As I've shared before, I like to put the tree up the day after Thanksgiving. I know that might sound a little rushed but Christmas is one of my favorite times of the year. I used to spend my holiday breaks with my Grandmother and everything about that time was wonderful. We would go shopping, out to eat, and to the movies. Her house would be filled with all kinds of treats, pies, cookies, candy, etc. And the best part, I pretty much could eat anything I wanted when I wanted. So it's with those memories that I want to make the holidays special for my children.
I was looking through the new Pottery Barn (PB) catalog when I stumbled upon something that looked very familiar, paper stars. And they weren't just any paper stars but over sized lucky stars. Did anyone else catch that? Every year PB comes out with something to fill their vases and apothecary jars. This year one of the fillers was over-sized lucky stars.
Instructions for Small Stars
Other option - use wrapping paper to make the stars. You will be able to make them just about any size that you want, due to the width and length of the paper.
New to the E-zine scene is Kireei magazine. The magazine emerged from the site Kireei which focuses on design and products in the following categories; home, children, eco, kitchen, and photography (many of which are handmade). In this first issue of Kireei magazine you'll find interviews, child book reviews, tutorials, and much more.
One of my favorite things to do during the holidays is wrap gifts, weird right? While most people dread it and find it to be an inconvenience, I find it relaxing. Part of the fun is picking out the paper, decorations, ribbon and creating a theme (yep, I usually have a gift wrap theme). Somethings I make and some things I buy. 
Starting with a food package, cut strips horizontally. Next, turn all the strips inside out.
The strips naturally coiled into a figure 8 shape. The left "8" I taped the center together to make two loops. The right "8" has not been taped, it's just to show you how the strips naturally form. Next, take one loop and push it down in the center to make a bow shape and tape (refer to right picture).
Now push down the other loop just like you did in the last step and tape. Make three of these and one basic loop (refer to right picture).
Take two of the bows you made and tape them together in an "x" shape. Next tape another bow vertically down the center of the bows.
Last, tape your basic loop in the center. Done.
