DIY: Christmas Card Wreath

One of my absolute favorite things about the holidays is giving and receiving Christmas/New Year's cards. I know that might sound silly, but it's the time to recognize how many loving family members, wonderful friends, and caring supporters you have at all times. Sometimes, especially when life is hard, we forget about all of the people that love us and are there for us in times of need and in times of celebration. That's why Christmas cards mean so much to me. They are that constant reminder that no matter what happens, you have so many people behind your back. And during this season, you have the chance to read special notes from so many of them, see pictures of their families, and celebrate how blessed you are to have those people in your lives.

Each year, though, I run out of space on the refrigerator to display all of the cards. Which, I have to say, makes me so happy. So, after seeing a friend's wreath that she made, I decided to make a Christmas card wreath that could display all of the cards. It's an easy, fun Christmas project, and it's definitely useful around this time!

DIY Christmas Card Wreath

You will need: scissors, scrapbook paper (Christmas-themed optional but a variety is best!), clothespins (I used 40), embroidery hoop (mine was 9" from Michaels), hot glue gun, ribbon (for hanging), foam paint brush, paint

Sorry about the quality of some of the pictures. My phone had to do that day. 

Directions:

1. Paint the embroidery hoop the color of your choice. Let dry for at least a couple of hours.

2. Tie a ribbon around the top of the embroidery hoop (I looped mine inside it after it was dry to cover the screw). The length of the ribbon solely depends on how long you want it to hang from wherever you place it! 

3. Cut pieces of the scrapbook paper to the size of the clothespins. Cut as many pieces as you have clothespins. I used about 40, which was perfect for the size of my embroidery hoop. Try to alternate scrapbook paper and use a few different themes! I used plain green, green and red plaid, festive Christmas paper, and an off-white Christmas paper and cut 10 strips of each. 

4. Glue the pieces of paper onto the clothespins and hold down for at least 10 seconds to fully secure.

5. Glue each clothespin onto the embroidery hoop. I left about 5 cm between each clothespin, but it doesn't have to be exact! For most of them, have them turned to the outside, so that they will clip outside of the hoop where most of the cards will go. Alternate each 4th or 5th clip to face inside, though, so you are able to display them all around.

6. Hang in place of your choice! I just used push pins since we live in an apartment, and it has never once fallen down!

7. Use the clips to hang your cards, and enjoy the display. :)

Again, sorry about the picture quality, but it looks so cute in my dining room!

Happy Holidays, everyone!!

12 Great Gag Gift Ideas

Have a holiday party coming up with a white elephant gift exchange? Those are my favorite types of parties at the end of the year. I just always have the toughest time trying to figure out what to bring to them! If you're like me, than you're going to love today's post. I'm listing 12 Great Gag Gift Ideas for you to use for your holiday party, either this year or next! :)

1. Shark Bottle Opener - My sister-in-law sent my husband this one for Christmas a couple years ago, and we love it! Anytime we use it when friends come over, they always notice it and think it's cool. :)

2. Pig Wine Stopper - Cutest wine stopper ever! I have this one and use it all the time.

3. Squinty Eyes USB Humidifier - This actually plugs into your computer, and you can use it at your desk while working if you have a cold! Easily transportable.

4. Splash Chopping Board - I found this the other day online and thought it was neat. Something different that's actually useful!

5. Measurement of Day Wine Glass - My mom and sister got me this wine glass as a random gift this year, and it makes my day. :) My husband can tell what type of a day I have by what line on the glass I pour it to!

6. Spin the Wheel Decision Maker - Have a tough decision or just can't make up your mind? Spin the wheel! It'll make your mind up for you. :)

7, Muffin Top Muffin Cups - Aren't these hilarious? Bake your muffins in muffin tops!

8. Desktop Skeeball Set - I, for one, wouldn't mind having this on my desk at work. Take a break, play some skeeball!

9. Lab Cocktail Set - Well, being a scientist, I absolutely love this! Shot set that resembles beakers and test tubes!

10. Mustache Drink Ring - Add a little personality when you're drinking out of a bottle!

11. Instant Excuse Ball - Don't want to do something but can't think of a good excuse? This will help!

12. "As Seen on Facebook" tee - Thought this was perfect! As long as you have a facebook account, this is a great shirt for you. Walk around town, and everybody will be sure to get a kick out of it!

Hope these ideas help when getting ready for that White Elephant Party coming up, or you can take a look back at them next year!

Also, have you entered the giveaway for the "Simplified Planner," yet? Remember, they're all sold out everywhere, so here's your chance to win one! Enter here!

Happy Hump Day, friends!

Surprise Visit Home + A Simplified Planner Giveaway!!!

I feel like I need to sleep for days to get caught up. Seriously. It's pathetic, but that's life. But it's all for a good reason, and I'm so happy with life right now.

When we first moved to Utah, my parents had started planning for a trip to come visit us over Christmas: to go skiing, shopping, stay in a nice cabin, etc. But, as I've mentioned before on this blog, my little sister is sick with an autoimmune disease, and it's not the easiest thing in the world for her to travel. Let's just be honest, it's darn near impossible to be away from all of her doctors and to be somewhere where she's not getting enough rest, etc. So, they sadly called me to tell me they wouldn't be able to come. My husband and I had just said that we would come home the next time he had leave, which we just bid for, and it's coming up in May. But, I miss them a ton, so my husband, being the incredible man he is, prompted me to go home to surprise them around Christmastime. Since my brother's graduation was scheduled for the 12th of December, it seemed like the perfect time. Voila! I had tickets, and I told my brother my secret so he could come pick me up from the airport.

Seemed like a perfect surprise trip plan. However, my big mouth got in the way because I was too excited, and I ended up telling almost everyone, except my mom. I still wanted it to be a surprise for her. And she was surprised!! I almost didn't make it there, but that's another lousy airline/airport story.

I did, in fact, though, make it home. I spent the night with my brother in Springfield after he picked me up from the airport, and then early the next morning, I met with a friend for breakfast, and then my dad came to pick me up and take me home. He first took me by our church where my mom was helping out, and the look on her face was priceless. I'm so happy I had the chance to do this! Then, I went to see my sister and my other brother. If only my husband could've gotten time off to come, it would have been perfect. But it was pretty fantastic as it was.

We ate tons, shopped even more, watched a movie and some shows together, and did some baking. It was a wonderful couple of days. I also had the chance to meet my younger brother's girlfriend and take them out to coffee. She's great, and I'm so happy for them together. Then, we all traveled to Springfield (about two hours away) together to be there for my other brother's college graduation where I had the chance to meet his girlfriend for the first time, too. She's wonderful, too. It's so nice to see them so happy! Ryan graduated with his Bachelor's in Civil Engineering, so he's officially a Civil Engineer and has already accepted a great job. We had a great time celebrating!

The week went by way too fast, but at the same time, I missed my husband and little family back home. Next time, hopefully we can all go together. :)

Sorry for the photo quality! The pictures are all from my phone. I'm also sorry that my eyes are squinty and one looks ridiculous, as I was having problems with them. That would explain the no makeup look, also. 

While I was home, I was looking for a new planner to use this upcoming new year! I stumbled upon the Simplified Planner. Have you heard of it? It's a perfect, simple planner that features only the most important spaces, nothing more! There's a weekly and monthly view, and the weekly view has spaces for each day's schedule, notes, to-do tasks, and dinner schedule. Everything that busy women need to keep everything organized! The monthly view comes with an inspirational quote. They are ALL sold out, but today, Jenni has teamed up a bunch of us fellow bloggers to give you the chance to win ONE!

The Christmas Season is such a spirit filled, cozy time of the year, but there is nothing quite as refreshing as a new year and new plans. There's so much hope & eagerness to see what the new year will hold.

To get you on the right track & ready for all that 2015 has to offer, I've teamed up with Jenni from Frankly My Dear & several other ladies to give away one lucky a reader a SOLD OUT 2015 Daily Edition of Emily Ley's Simplified Planner in Happy Stripes!

 The Williams Journey // Blonde Freedom // Joyfully Organized // New Home, New Name, New Adventure // Simply Complex Mom // Park Avenue // Rachel Rewritten // Heavens to Betsy // Frankly My Dear // Oak + Oats 

One Simplified Planner will be given away in Happy Stripes. Open to those with a valid US address for shipping. All entries will be verified. No purchase is necessary to win. Giveaway will run until 12/12 at 11:59pm. Winner will be emailed and have 48 hours to claim their prize or another winner will be chosen. 

Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Good luck to you all! :) 

Pet Gift Guide {Dogs & Cats}

This Christmas, we can't forget about our pets that constantly support and love us, now can we? They're always there for us. They know when we're upset and come to sit by our side. So, they deserve a little something, too. If you have no idea what to get your pet for Christmas, here are a few ideas! Some they may like better than others... ;)

For the Dogs:

1. FURminator - My dog doesn't especially enjoy this, but it helps so much with all of the hair she is constantly shedding! It's a great tool and gets underneath the top coat!

2. Bake A Bone Tool - Great idea for those pups that love their treats (who doesn't?)! This way you can know exactly what goes into their biscuit and still make it look like their usual treat!

3. IQ Treat Ball - They have to work to get their treat, but it keeps them occupied and rewards them for using their brain. ;)

4. Cute Pet Collar - I absolutely love this one and want to get it for my dog! I think it's adorable.

5. Antler Bone - My dog chews through everything. A rawhide bone (which we don't give her much anymore) is gone in minutes. But the antler is something that she absolutely loves to chew on all the time, and it takes her a lot longer to chew it down. She still manages to, but if you're looking for a durable bone, I definitely suggest purchasing an antler! They'll love it!

For the Cats:

6. Cat String - Has a handle you can hold or tape up somewhere to let them play! This would keep my cat from trying to play with my belts all day long. I come home to find them all on the floor.

7. Pet Scratch Base - Perfect for the cat that's always scratching on something (bed posts, anyone?)! Recommended as the best choice for scratch tools instead of something like a post that always falls over.

8. Maze Food Catcher - Sort of like the IQ Treat Ball except for their food! But if they don't seem to want to try for food as much, you could always try treats! Makes them work for the treats and keeps them playing instead of sleeping all day.

9. Comfy Pet Bed - My cat doesn't have his own bed, and he's always stealing Honey's. This would be perfect for him--a size that Honey won't try to fit in and his own personal nap station. I just hope if we get this that he continues to cuddle up with us at night! It's so cute. :)

10. Automatic Laser Tool - This is the best gift for a cat. My husband surprised me and my cat with this last Christmas in our stockings (he always finds small gifts for stockings, and I surprise him with something on St. Nick's Day--it's our little tradition!). We turn it on (you adjust the height of the mirror), and it automatically moves around a specific area of around 5 feet, keeping the cat jumping at a spot all over. It runs for 15 minutes. It honestly is the best laser pointer you could find, and seriously, we consider it to be the best toy for our cat!

Hope these suggestions help when finding gifts for your pet! I absolutely love giving them gifts because they immediately start playing with the toys and get so excited. It's like Christmas with children, which I can't wait for one day either! :)

Christmas Home Decor

I love decorating. It's truly something I enjoy, and though I'm not the best at it, it makes me feel good to walk around and see all the decor placed carefully around the house. If no one else ever sees my house, I at least want to be happy with it. And I absolutely loved decorating for the holidays this year, even more than most, since it's our first married Christmas. I thought I would show you a little bit of our house during this Christmas season!

How did you decorate your house this year? Did you go all-out or just decorate the main areas?

With love,