Thrifty Christmas: Gifts under $5, for the Guys!

Guys can be difficult to purchase for, but MOST guys I know LOVE to BBQ (year round! LOL) So what would a BBQ chef enjoy? Spices and rubs of course! I found these in our local feed store, however I have found many more in the grocery store or more fancy versions in our farm type stores. So the purchase price of these particular spices are just a hair over $5, and again, I needed someway to make them look a little fancier. I made them a box (just like the snowmen salt shakers below) and nestled them in shredded paper so they didn't rattle around.


Since these are "western" style spices, I decided to do a "western/masculine" theme on my box. I used Kraft paper and found this Stampin Up set from 2002 (admittedly I have no idea the name of the set, but it worked for this gift perfectly!). So I cut out my box lid, scored it and THEN I stamped it (see below, because this time I stamped on the lid sides too!). I then added some masculine ribbon and the leaf and berries (cut off a $1 wreath from Dollar Tree...and dh wanted me to add that this was his part in this...he recommended the greenery!)
Here's the side view of this box;

Recipe:

• Stamps: '02 Stampin Up (western, I'm sorry it doesn't have the name on the set), CTMH Baroque Swirl
• Ink: Tim Holtz Distress Ink in Shabby Shutter and Old Paper
• Other: Double Stick Tape, Ribbon, Glue Dot (to hold on the greenery) and Greenery
  
  
  
  

Thanks a Million!

Here's my card for Circle Week on Card Sketch a Day. Let me tell you I stressed about this sketch for a very long time. I couldn't wrap my brain around it...it was a true stumper and a true test of my creative talents! LOL So did you catch that title? Do you GET it? My little play on words. I knew you would! (and for those that I'm too obscure for, there are a million thank you circles on the card...so thanks a million!) :) I amaze myself sometimes (ha ha!). Anyway, enjoy!



Recipe:

• Stamps: SU Think Happy Thoughts, Inkadinkado Round Thank You, Studio G Thanks a Million!


• Paper: Imagine That!


• Ink: Distress Ink Shabby Shutters, Stampology Onyx


• Punches: SU Scallop, EK Success small circles, Nestabilities large circle


• Ribbon: Grograin

Thrifty Christmas: Gifts Under $5, Snowman Salt/Pepper Shakers

Here's my first post for gifts under $5. I found these adorable snowmen salt/pepper shakers, at all places, Dollar General for $1.50 for the set...what a deal...however the packaging they came in made them LOOK like a $1.50! So I solved that problem... I repackaged them by making my own box!

What I did was measure the box they came in and replicated that. I also added shredded paper so my little snowmen were snug in their box!

I modified a box making tutorial found on Split Coast Stampers, found here;

http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/resources/tutorials/3x3notecardbox/


I kept up with my snowflake theme (found below in card and tag) since these were little snowmen (and my snowman stamp hasn't come in yet...boo hoo!) and stamped the lid BEFORE I folded it up. I used just standard double stick tape for both the lid and box bottom. I made the top 1/8" larger, so that it could easily slide on top of my bottom. I still scored in the same place (2" all the way around).


So now my $1.50 gift looks a little nicer than the box it came in... tomorrow I have a gift for the guys!

NOTE: I've been asked if the snowflake came glittered...LOL...HECK NO! I took my Martha Stewart Punch, punched out the snowflake and then tapped my snowflake on my Glue Pad and then sprinkled it with glitter...easy peasy! Kind of gives it that something extra, huh?

Recipe:

• Stamps: Inkadinkado Dot Flourishes, Autumn Leaves a Rhonna Christmas Card


• Ink/Paper: SU Bashful Blue, Martha Stewart Glue Pad


• Dies: Nestabilities


• Punch: Martha Stewart Snowflake
  Other: Ribbon, Prisma Glitter

The Beginnings of a Thrifty Christmas

I see on many of the message boards I troll around on, there are always threads looking for inexpensive ideas for gifts, for teachers, stocking stuffers, secret santa, etc. I have decided that since I'm a "thrifty" type of gal, that I'm going to showcase some of my gifts of thriftiness this season! I know for many of us, this economy has hit us hard, so I want to help make those little "inexpensive" gifts look a little bit better (it's all in the packaging, right?). So I'm going to post what thrifty gifts and their packaging I'm giving this year...be sure to keep checking back...I'll be adding more daily!

Swirling Seasons Greetings

I decided to play along with Card Sketch A Day today, below is the sketch and since I've been working on my Christmas shopping, I decided to do a holiday theme. This card was a lot of fun to make and I got to use one of my new stamp sets from Inkadinkdos Dot Flourishes. This card went together quickly, although every time I use glitter I ALWAYS have it somewhere on my body later...LOL... and since I made the card, it inspired a gift tag too... (see that's how quick this was!)...anyway, enjoy!

Recipe:

Stamps: Inkadinkado Dot Flourishes, Studio G Sentiment

Paper: SU Bashful Blue
Ink: SU Bashful Blue, Martha Stewart Glue Pad

Dies: Nestabilities Circle and Scalloped Circle

Punch: Martha Stewart Snowflake

Glitter: Prisma

Embossing Folder: Cuttlebug Swirls

Spare Ribs

Many have asked, so it's time for an update on my poor, broken ribbed dh... He is doing much better and is actually almost back to normal tasks...it's been 4 weeks today (wow, it seemed like it happened YESTERDAY!) I still won't let him ride some the younger, ranker horses, I still do that, I don't want one to twist him some way that he won't heal properly.
The big horse show (it's called Congress) took a heavy toll on him (well, both of us). Mentally draining, physically draining, quite frankly I'm amazed he's healed as well as he has. Luckily for us, MOST of the clients were very understanding of his dilema, in fact a few of them took REAL notice of him and monitored his health (aren't they sweet?). We really do have a great group right now, a bunch of fun people looking for a good time...LOL...
Anyway, he's doing much much better.

VIP Member

Now for those that follow Paula's Ponderings, you realize we go to horse shows...a LOT, and we just returned from a two week deal in Columbus, Ohio. So when we go, the whole family goes...meaning, our 3 dogs. Now for the younger two it's just a form of torture since they are crated while we work (at home they have the run of the farm...so you understand their thinking). However, HANK is pretty much allowed to roam at the shows. He never usually goes far and if he's gone he's usually only ONE or TWO rows away...the rest of the time you can find him lounging in one of our chairs.
EXCEPT for this show, the BIG SHOW...and the day WE SHOW (think mild form of chaosis to get ready). Yes, that is the day Hank disappears, not two rows over, not even in the barn...after searching frantically for an hour and a half ,we find Hank...or rather we are CALLED ABOUT HANK... he's over at the VIP MEMBERS ONLY restaurant...being fed...by the cooks....
So I hoof it frantically over there, and there he is...all wags and smiles...and the cooks tell me if he runs off again, you can be sure that's where you'll find him...we fed him lots of steak... Ummm, thanks...
Now tell me...HOW does my DOG get into the VIP lounge, when I, myself can't get in? sigh....LOL and wouldn't you know it, about 4 days later he disappeared again...at least we knew where to look! LOL

Looks starved to death, doesn't he?