First Mixed Media Attempt

Hello all. This morning I thought I would share a quick picture of my first mixed media attempt. This is a Christmas present for my sister. I used a canvas from Hobby Lobby, DIY Modge Podge, Paper scraps, a few cardstock embellishments, and brown, baby blue, gold, and white acryllic paint. I used a foam paintbrush to adhere the paper and cardstock to the canvas and then a 1 inch paint brush for the paint. I also used some napkins/papertowels to give the paint some texture. I still need to paint the sides to finish it off so my sister can hang it up, but I was pretty pleased with my first attempt. I'm working on a second one for her new home as well.

And Finally.......

A bit about our Dominican trip. Sorry it has taken me so long to get this up, but this month has been incredibly crazy!

We had a wonderful time in the Dominican. We stayed with the primary translator for the Bible Institute classes and his family. It was really wonderful being able to spend some time in fellowship with them and were so blessed to find out they both spoke English! So I was able to spend some nice time with the wife. They have a live in helper who made THE BEST food ever. I am pretty sure I gained 5 pounds just in the 3.5 days we were with them! They have this awesome way of making oatmeal (they add All Spice) that made it taste like no oatmeal I'd ever had....Actually, all of her food was delicious and hubby was very proud of me. I tried many things I had never had while I was there. :)

On Thursday two brothers from the church drove us to the resort we would be taking a short stay to rest. We had a gorgeous room with an awesome view though, and it was all-inclusive so all of the meals were included in the cost of the room, so that was nice. I spent several hours out on our balcony in the sun reading and enjoying the warmth.

There was a bit of excitement when I slipped getting in to the hot tub out on our deck at the resort - thank goodness hubby caught me just before my tailbone slammed in to the concrete. I wrenched my ankle and we thought I had broken my toe - almost the entire top of my toe and the knuckle turned this deep purple.... the next day we spent a bit of time in the ocean though and the salt water seemed to help the swelling and bruise dissipate much more quickly than I expected. It's still sore but thankfully no break! And I contracted a weird virus that made me spike a fever between 100 and 101 and get those shaking chills every night for about 6 straight nights (two or three in the Dominican and then probably 4 more days once we got home). Thankfully, I have been on the mend for the last week or so. I still am really drained of energy but the fever, sore throat and chills are gone, PTL!

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas...

Okay, so I am a little late to the sharing our Christmas decorations... December has been a busy month for us, we were gone for the first week on a mission's trip (which I still need to post pictures of, Sorry!), so we didn't put the tree up until a week after we got back. I'm still in the process of putting together our table for New Years Dinner (that will be when we celebrate Christmas with my parents and some other family), but I thought I would share some of what we had put together. I try to keep everything with a similar look and feel and color scheme because we live in an apartment and everything is so close together, that I don't want it to clash. Anyhoo, here's our home (or at least what I'm going to share with you - there are certain rooms that will not be seen by anybody until I get to cleaning them out....) :)

I still need to take pictures of our tree... as soon as our living room is fit to be seen, I'll do that. :)

Hope you enjoyed a little look into our home. :)

Border Punches Product Review

I like border punches. I think that they add an extra finished touch to cards. What I don't like is how expensive they are. With that said - you definitely get what you pay for when it comes to buying cheaper versions versus the more expensive brands.

Two Christmas's ago, I requested a Fiskars notebook border punch for Christmas from my hubby. It has been very easy to use. It doesn't have a plastic cover over the bottom to catch the punched paper, but I've realized that I don't really like that plastic piece there. You have to empty it after each other punch before the space gets too filled to be able to continue punching, which can get time consuming, especially when you are trying to do multiple cards at once. All in all, I have really liked the way the Fiskars border punches are built.

Then, a little over a year ago, my MIL bought me a recollections border punch. I was excited, because I only had one at that point. However, I was only able to get about a month of use out of it before the springs on one side of  the punch popped out of allignment and the punch got jammed. My hubby tried to "un-jam" it, but broke the plastic lever in the process. Then during a black Friday sale at Michaels this year, I tried another one, got about 1 week of use out of it this time and had the exact thing happen. I haven't tried to "un-jam" it though, because I am hoping to take it back to Michaels with the receipt and get a refund.  Ultimately, they are a few dollars cheaper than the Fiskars brand, but much more awkwardly and cheaply made. Also, these have a plastic door on the bottom that catches the scraps - which ends up causing the situation mentioned above. Overall, I am not a very big fan of the Recollections border punches.

Over the last several months, I've found that TJMaxx has been selling EK Success punches for about 50% of their price in the regular craft stores (with an even big price difference between those sold online) so I have slowly been buying them when I see a pattern I like. I haven't bought very many because, like most stores that sell overstock, there is a reason that they were overstocked, but I have found a few good border punches, including the Christmas tree one that I had been scouring TJMaxx for throughout most of the summer. It is normally 15/16 dollar punch on the EK Success website (It doesn't look like they sell the Christmas tree one there anymore), and I got it for only 3.99, which I was pretty happy about. Also, they are much more sturdily made and have a nice little feature that I haven't seen on any other punches. You can compact the punches to be flat (It works kinda like a hair straightener. You push the top down and then slide a button on the bottom to lock the punch in place). This makes storage much easier so that you can stack them on top of one another, which you can't really do with most other brands found in craft stores. (Note: EK Success punches do not have a bottom door over the punch section to catch paper remains.) I really like that the TJMaxx where I live sells the border punches because it has enabled me to buy some of the better punches for a really low price. 

Well, I hope that short review of these three different brands has helped. Has anyone else tried any other brands of punches that they like? Any other experiences like the ones I've had with the Recollections border punches?

My Brother-in-Law's Birthday

So, I have no idea what it is, but every time I go to make my BIL a birthday card, it always ends up looking like it is for a little boy. This year was no different, except I made another one. :) I did really like how the original one turned out though, there are a few little boy birthday's coming up in my family/friend spheres, so I think I will use it for one of them.

Supplies:
Paper: plain Recollections 8x11 card stock, Cosmo Cricket paper pack
Embellishments: American Crafts Thickers, Studio 1 orange bakers twine, Spellbinders circle and scalloped circle dies
Image: (need to look up)

It's My Birthday

Okay, so this post is a wee bit late in coming. As some of you know, I've been having some rather severe health problems the last couple months brought on by a nasty virus that will not go away, so for my birthday I was rather sick, but my hubby still was very sweet and brought me home flowers and some lovely gifts from Michaels and some other crafty things from Amazon. A few days later a package from a dear friend, containing 4 Cuttlebug embossing folders and then the next weekend he took me to Fredericksburg and sat with his ipad in the back of a small craft shop I have wanted to visit for 2 years now while I wandered and picked up a few crafting goodies.... It has been a rough month and I am still not over whatever it was, but I still am amazed by all of the ways that the Lord has blessed me with a dear husband who worries so much about me, dear friends who are continuously thinking of me and keeping me raised in prayer... So thank you dear friends and thank you honey for a wonderful birthday.

I don't really usually like to buy paper packs with Santa's in it, but the little Christmas pack was so cute and there are only a couple of Santa pages, and since they were 60% off I felt like losing 4 to 6 pages would be a huge loss.

Birthday Blessings

Hullo everyone, hope that you are all enjoying your Columbus Day off. I just got back from a nice one night stay in Fredericksburg, just to get away and b/c it was my birthday last Thursday. My hubby was sweet to take me down and then take me to a little scrapbooking shop that I have been wanting to get to for over a year now! So I got a few new little crafting things to play with, along with some stuff to start working on Christmas cards and gifts.

I also was surprised with some great scrap gifts from a dear friend in the mail when I got home today! I will post some pics later....Just wanted to say thank you to my thoughtful friends for wishing me a very happy birthday!

Thank you!


(On a similar note, I might be starting to freak out a little bit about the fact that I am only 3 years away from 30. Where did the last 7 years go? It seems like I was 20 just yesterday!)

Its a Strawberry Shortcake Kind of Birthday

Hello all, sorry for my long lapses in posting. I promise I had a good excuse. I had a nasty virus that turned into an upper respiratory infection and sinus infection. I've been flat on my back for the last several days. (See, told you it was a good excuse!) 

Even though I haven't been feeling too well, I still needed to whip up a card for my little cousin's first "real" birthday party (as in, her mom is going all out because she will actually remember this one ;) )  Our little princess decided she wanted a strawberry shortcake themed birthday party, and even though her birthday isn't until the end of October I wanted to get the card out in plenty of time to make it. (It is a good thing too, the post office sent it back saying the button I put on the card required an extra 20 cents to process because it couldnt go through the sorting machine (I have never had that happen and I've put tons of buttons on cards,  but such is life)... and I am thankful I sent it out early, because now I can re-send it out to get to her on time!

Since the theme is strawberry shortcake and she LOVES pink, I went all out with the pink. I used a bright pink so as not to be too pepto bismolly.

I used two cuttlebug embossing folders, the happy birthday one and one with rows and rows of cupcakes. The strawberry shortcake image is a free coloring sheet that I found on line. I saved it and reduced the image to fit on a card. I  also used a button from my stash and pink twine from Martha Stewart that I found for 50% off at TJMaxx (I have scored some real wins on some great crafting products for an awesome discount there lately). I used the spellbinders scalloped oval dies to cut out the patterned paper and cupcake embossed papers.

(Sorry for the horrid lighting in the picture! If I hadn't already sealed the envelope I'd try for a better picture.)

Happy Monday Everyone!!!!

Muchas Gracias

Well, last night my hubby got back from Guatemala, where he spent 9 days preaching and teaching at a Bible Institute and Orphanage. I am glad he is back and thankful for the wonderful hosts that took such good care of him while he was there. They were so nice and thoughtful, showering many blessings on both of us. He had some wonderful words prophesied over him as well as they prayed for him after he had prayed for them. Even though I was not able to go with him on this trip, I could still feel the love that they extended to me, even though they do not know me. 

Between purchases and gifts, hubby brought 20 lbs of Guatemalan coffee back with him. (This also makes me happy ;) We two are definitely coffee lovers!) He brought me back some lovely gifts, and the people that he stayed with also sent some lovely gifts back for me. I will have to take some pictures of the mounds of coffee we have in one of our cupboards right now!

Well, before hubby left I had made up two thank you cards for the people he would be staying with. I wanted to share them earlier, but have been having some problems with editing my pictures. I was finally able to edit them today, (yay!) so I will be sharing them with you.

I have been having massive mojo loss lately, but praise the Lord, he knew I needed to knock these out (as hubby was leaving the next morning!) and gave me inspiration to whip them up. (sorry they are so blue, I was photographing them in a hurry!)

Supplies:

Paper: Basic Recollections 8x11 card stock; Everyday Flair patterned paper pack from My Minds Eye

Embellishments: white ribbon from Dollar Tree; prima flowers from Michaels, pastel brads from Joann Fabrics (online); paper doilies from a dollar store 

Sentiments: printed from Microsoft Word; letters from dollar aisle at Target.

P.S. I would appreciate prayer - The muscles in my neck flared up over the weekend with the nasty front that came through, and I am in quite a bit of discomfort.

Because they believe not in God...

"Because they believed not in God, and trusted not in his salvation:" ~ Psalm 78:22

In Psalm 78, the children of Israel were being exhorted to remember all of the miracles that the Lord had done for them. In Psalm 78:1 - 7, it says "Give ear, O my people, to my law: incline your ears to the words of my mouth. ² I will open my mouth in a parable: I will utter dark sayings of old: ³ Which we have heard and known, and our fathers have told us. ⁴ We will not hide them from their children, shewing to the generation to come the praises of the Lord, and his strength, and his wonderful works that he hath done. ⁵ For he established a testimony in Jacob, and appointed a law in Israel, which he commanded our fathers, that they should make them known to their children: ⁶ That the generation to come might know them, even the children which should be born; who should arise and declare them to their children: ⁷ That they might set their hope in God, and not forget the works of God, but keep his commandments:"

The Lord wanted Israel to remember continually the things that he had done for them and to teach it to each generation that they might always have their hope in Him. What a father's heart!  He wanted His children to know him, to love Him because he wanted the best for them. He wanted them to stay under His commandments so that he could protect them and yet in Psalm 78:22 it says "Because they believed not in God, and trusted not in his salvation..." 

What a statement. Despite all that God had done for them, despite the love and protection He showed them, despite the supernatural provision, they did not trust or believe in Him. As I was meditating on this thought, I started thinking of all of the times we do this in our own lives. 

As a Christian, we can so easily say "Oh, yes, I trust in the Lord," but when it comes to the situations in our lives, how often do we try to fix the situations ourselves? How often do we react in our own wisdom and strength before going to the Lord for His wisdom and will?" It is a convicting thought. I know that I do this in my own life. I pray and I read the Word, but then I run in to a situation and I try to fix it in my own strength, in my own wisdom, trusting not in the Lord to be able to fix a situation without my help.

It is so easy to read through the Bible and look at the children of Israel and judge them and convict them, but when I examine my own life, how often to I fail in the same ways that they did? 

Is there a situation in your own life that you are trying to fix in your own strength today? Give it to God. Psalm 28:6-7 says "Blessed be the Lord, because he hath heard the voice of my supplications. The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusteth in him, and I am helped: therefore my heart greatly rejoiceth; and with my song will I praise him." 

The Lord loves each one of us with the heart of the Father and longs to step in and intervene in our behalf, he only asks that we trust him. So lets do that today, lets believe in him and trust that he can and will help us because he is our strength and our shield.

Be Encouraged

^"Awake, O north wind; and come, thou south; blow upon my garden, that the spices thereof may flow out. Let my beloved come into his garden, and eat his pleasant fruits." ~ Song of Solomon 4:16

"We are going to experience difficult experiences that will break us, even as the alabaster box was broken to pour out that beautiful oil upon Jesus (Mk. 14:3). Unless the severe cold of the north wind comes, and we have those cold, harsh experiences, our fragrance is not going to flow out: the fragrance is only brought forth through the breaking and the suffering. Nevertheless, we must also have the south wind, for its gentle warmth restores our souls so we are not destroyed by the bitter north wind. Both experiences are essential for the fragrance of our lives to flow out, pleasing in the sight of our Beloved." 
~ The Bride, Dr. Brian J. Bailey

If you are going through that breaking experience today, remember, it is only for a season and if you feel you are close to the breaking point, the gentle warmth of the south wind is on its way. The Lord does not wish to destroy us, but to purify us.

So, regardless of what season you are going through today, be encouraged by the verse above and remember that you are in the Father's hand and when you come through your north wind experience you will have a fragrance that flows out with a beautiful aroma.

Make a joyful noise unto God, all ye lands:

² Sing forth the honour of his name: make his praise glorious.

³ Say unto God, How terrible art thou in thy works! through the greatness of thy power shall thine enemies submit themselves unto thee.

⁴ All the earth shall worship thee, and shall sing unto thee; they shall sing to thy name. Selah.

⁵ Come and see the works of God: he is terrible in his doing toward the children of men.

⁶ He turned the sea into dry land: they went through the flood on foot: there did we rejoice in him.

⁷ He ruleth by his power for ever; his eyes behold the nations: let not the rebellious exalt themselves. Selah.

⁸ O bless our God, ye people, and make the voice of his praise to be heard:

⁹ Which holdeth our soul in life, and suffereth not our feet to be moved.

¹⁰ For thou, O God, hast proved us: thou hast tried us, as silver is tried.

¹¹ Thou broughtest us into the net; thou laidst affliction upon our loins.

¹² Thou hast caused men to ride over our heads; we went through fire and through water: but thou broughtest us out into a wealthy place.

¹³ I will go into thy house with burnt offerings: I will pay thee my vows,

¹⁴ Which my lips have uttered, and my mouth hath spoken, when I was in trouble.

¹⁵ I will offer unto thee burnt sacrifices of fatlings, with the incense of rams; I will offer bullocks with goats. Selah.

¹⁶ Come and hear, all ye that fear God, and I will declare what he hath done for my soul.

¹⁷ I cried unto him with my mouth, and he was extolled with my tongue.

¹⁸ If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me:

¹⁹ But verily God hath heard me; he hath attended to the voice of my prayer.

²⁰ Blessed be God, which hath not turned away my prayer, nor his mercy from me.

~ Psalm 66, KJV

Quick Post

Happy Monday All! I started this post like 3 days ago, but kept on forgetting to write down the type of paper I used!

Anyhoo, I put this card together for our pastor. I usually try to keep it in Spanish as our Pastor is from El Salvador, but time constraints (i.e. I whipped this up in about 15 minutes) dictated that I just grabbed my go-to guy birthday stamp (which is in English - I need to find some Spanish stamps, has anyone seen them sold anywhere?).

Supplies:
Paper: Recollections cream card, Recollections 8x11 plain card stock, the polka dot patterned paper is from a new pack from My Mind's Eye Lime Twist collection (I found it for 1.99 in TJMaxx... as they are usually 6 dollars, I also picked up one another pack that was 3 dollars.), The orange retro looking paper came from a Cosmo Cricket pack of paper, but I can't remember the name of it.
Sentiment: I have had it so long, I don't even remember.... I bought it before I started writing the names down on the actual stamp clear plastic backing
Embellishments: Orange buttons from Michaels dollar aisle, ribbon from a friend

I was worried that it looked a little juvenile, but I didn't have any time to make another one, so I hope that he liked it!

Hope that everyone is getting back into the swing of the school year! PS - They have pumpkin lattes back in Dunkin' Donuts.... Still waiting for the return of Starbucks and in Green Mountain k-cups.....I foresee another purchase of the 80 count pack when they are back in stock for the season!

When your brain won't work....

And your creative mojo is no where to be found, there are always Christmas cards to be made... lol... and that is what I made yesterday afternoon. I finished up 3 that I started about 5 months ago and made 4 1/2 more. I guess I felt like I needed to catch up from that "1 Christmas card a week" goal that I made in January.  Didn't get any pictures taken though. After this week, we look to have some downtime with the Bible Institute on break until September and I hope to get some more crafting done and pictures taken. Probably not this week though, because we will be getting ready to have some friends stay with us this weekend and I have no food in the house, (no joke - I have a freezer full of meat and that is about it) so I should probably do something about that!

My hubby and I had a lovely time on vacation last week, so I may get some pictures up of that. (Although we lost our camera battery charger and then forgot the camera anyhow, so ended up taking pictures with our phones...lol) We had many lazy days, doing a little bit of sight-seeing but for the most part we spent the week laying by the pool and at the beach. It was glorious. By Thursday, the muscles in my back actually loosened up enough for my back to crack! (It's the little things in life..... ;) ) But we did manage to take some pictures. :)

The only disappointment was that I was looking very hard for a nice pottery mug for a dear friend of mine to bring her back and I found a stand the first night, but she said she would be there for the entire week and I didn't want to risk breaking the mug because we were out walking about and I figured I could come back, but I couldn't find the stand again. All in all, Charleston, SC is a great city. I highly recommend it - very laid back atmosphere... super hot and humid, but has a lovely breeze from the ocean that blows through the entire historic district.

Anyhoo, pictures are forthcoming.

Record Month... Two postings in a row!

Well, as I mentioned in my earlier post, Wednesday evening I couldn't take it any more. I HAD TO CRAFT! So I probably spent 3 hours at my desk crafting away that evening while hubby studied. I took the pictures and edited them all at once, but decided to spread the pictures out over a few days, so I could highlight the different projects. I finished up 5 mini notebooks, which I have been slowly working on for probably the last 2 months (It's been a crazy year.) So I was very happy to have a project completed (I also finished up and sent out a project I have been working on with translating assistance from one of the ladies at church too last night, so I am on a role this week!). I hope to get some better pictures in better light and post them to my etsy shop this weekend, but we have a visiting minister so it might get pushed back a little.

Anyhoo, Below are the notebooks. I tried to make them all varied in appearance so I could have a broader selection to offer, plus I wanted to play with some of the new paper packs that I got in the goodie box I bought earlier this year from my cousin. One of the notepads I finished up on Wednesday evening, but modified it last night because it just didn't look right to me (Last 2 pictures shown below).

Supplies:
Paper: Recollections single sheet papers from Michaels, K&Company 4x6 paper pack, Cosmo Cricket paper pack
Embellishments: Ribbon from stash, Making Memories chipboard letters, patterned tape (don't know brand)

This one just didn't look right with only the thin narrow strip of tape - it was see through and just looked unfinished, so below is how I modified it last night.

Hope you all have a wonderful and blessed weekend!

Back to the crafting table.....

Well, last night I couldn't take it any more. My neck and shoulders were finally feeling calmed down enough to spend some time at the crafting table and so I took full advantage! I have missed my creative outlet these past few weeks and was very happy to be able to spend some time creating last night! For now, I wanted to share a birthday card I made. It is my sister's 22 birthday (Craziness BTW that she is turning 22! I remember going to the hospital to see my new baby sister after she was born!) and I wanted to make her a card. The card layout is one that I saw on a Paper Prairie Ink you tube video recently (If you are a paper crafter - her videos are great! Check them out.) Anyhoo, Hope you likie!

Supplies:
Paper: basic Recollections 81/2 X 11 card stock; paper scraps from my stash; it's the little things 6x6 paper pad from fancy pants designs
Embellishments: Pink thread from stash
Sentiments: dollar aisle stamp from Michaels
Image: Bailey Bears stamp set, colored in with colored pencils

A Start on May

Can you believe that we are almost into May already?!?!?!?!?!?! It seems like it was just February! May is a busy month for us, and this May will be even busier than usual. In the first two weeks of May, we have 4 birthdays and Mother's Day, and then our anniversary and Memorial Day at the end of the month. I haven't start much, but I have started working on a few cards and gifts.

Below is a simple card that will be going to my MIL. She loves butterflies. These butterfly stamps were from K&Company, as was the patterned paper. The card stock was basic Recollections cardstock, and the ribbon was from a gift that I saved the ribbon from.

I also put together simple thinking of you card, as I was being inspired by the butterfly theme. The butterfly is just one of the clip art graphics in Microsoft Word, with the color of the butterfly changed to black and the sentiment was typed out in Microsoft Word as well. The patterned paper was from the Recollections Teal Butterflies patterned papers. The button was from the dollar aisle at Michaels and the cardstock base is from the Recollections basic cardstock packs and their loose card stock options.

I live :)

Hello All, I thought I would share a quick picture of a card I made a few weeks ago for a friend... Sorry for the lack of blog posts, between the hubby and myself having bronchitis for a combined month (I'm still trying to kick the cough completely) and work, there just hasn't been much time to craft! 

But back to the card....

It is a small 4 1/2 by 5 1/4 card, with a piece of one of the standard Colors Fashion Packs you can find at acmoore or Michaels as the base. I used patterned papers from First Edition Papers' Bird Song 6x6 designer pad and used a flower digi stamp from D2D Digi Stamps. I colored the image with my Sharpee Markers. The pearls are the Q&Co line and the ribbon I got at the dollar tree. The flower came from Prima pink flower pack and the gem came from Q&Co as well.

Hope everyone is enjoying their Spring!

Giveaway

So....I have been building up a small pile of goodies for a giveaway....and eventually I shall have the time to take pics and post it!

Between studying Spanish with Rosetta Stone, a new job, church,  trying to get to the gym more often,  and another bout with Bronchitis, I just have not had much time to spend crafting or taking pictures. I did sit down and make a card last night and I do have a couple of other small projects to share soon though!

Hope you are all having a beautiful Spring!

Birthday Boys

Today I am going to share some more pictures of projects I worked on in February. My dad's birthday was on Valentine's Day and one of my co-workers had a birthday in February as well, so I whipped up a couple of cards for them. The third card I made to have a male birthday card on hand. I also made a card in the same layout as the first two and posted to my Etsy Shop.

Supplies:
Paper: Recollections pre-cut, pre-scored cardstock and coordinating envelope, scrap patterned paper and cardstock
Embellishments: earth tone brads from Michael's Recollections line and square metal brads from Joann Fabrics (online), ribbon from a friend
Sentiment: Happy Birthday stamp (unknown brand), hand written, balloon stamp (unknown brand)

Valentines Care Package

Hullo all, I finally got some pictures that I took with my phone about a month ago downloaded on to the computer and I thought I would share a quick post with you on sending care packages to college students. My sister is in her first term in a college in Florida by herself. She went to bible school for two years, but she was only 3 hours from home that time and my parents and brother could visit her there. Down in Florida she doesn't have that, so I thought I would send her a care package for Valentines Day.

I tried to mix things that were relatively good for her/necessities and also some fun, ridiculous things to make her laugh. Not all of the items are shown in the picture below as I bought them as I was on the way to the Post Office to mail her package!

When sending a care package it helps if you know what kind of items the person could use, especially with food and toiletries. I try to choose non-perishable/non-breakable items that will travel well and be useful to the recipient.

My Sister's Care Package:
1. Box of Sponge Bob Square Pants fruit gummies
2. Spong Bob Square Pants candy dispenser (got for like 15 cents in the Christmas clearance aisle in the grocery store. This is a great place to check after holidays. Things are UBER cheap and you can pick them up and either save them for the next holiday, or re-purpose them for something else.)
3. FiberOne Pretzel snack bars (something relatively healthy for her to snack on)
4. Hot cocoa packs (a must in a care package!)
5. Dove Chocolate Raspberry bar (It was Valentines day!)
6. Lip gloss
7. Bright green stuffed animal frog (If you knew my sister, you'd understand ;) )
8. Toothpaste and a toothbrush (She doesn't have much spending money, so my mom and I have been trying to give her every day supplies that she needs. We both gave her giant bags/baskets full of toiletries right before she went off to college as well)
9. Valentines Day Card
10. Sticky Note/Pencil holder (She loves the color pink ;) ) - I can't claim credit for the flower though, that was repurposed from a gift that I was given

I took a lot of the stuff out of their original wrappers for two reasons - I could fit the things in a smaller box with the items in bags instead of boxes and because it looked cuter all prettied up with special packaging.

Making a Chevron pattern with Microsoft Word and Paint

Hello all, today I thought I'd show you a quick way to create a customized chevron pattern using Microsoft Word and Paint.

Step 1: Open up Microsoft Word (I used 2010, these steps should also apply to 2007). Go to the insert tab and select the rectangle option.

Step 2: After you have drawn a rectangle on the page, go back to the insert tab and select the line option.

Step 3: Draw a line at a downward angle, starting in the top left corner of the rectangle.

Step 4: Selecting the line option once again, draw a line slanting up and to the right starting at the bottom point of the first line.

Step 5: Repeat steps 3 and 4 until you reach the far right line of the rectangle.

Step 6: Copy and paste the row completed in step 5 and position directly above the above row until you have completely filled the rectangle.

Step 7: After you have completely filled the rectangle, select each row as well as the bordering rectangle. Once you have selected the contents of the screen, hit CTRL + C to copy the pattern and open up paint. Once paint is open you want to hit CTL + P to paste into Paint.

Step 8: Go to the first tab and select Save As. When the Save As dialogue box appears save as chevron. (The default file type is PNG).

Step 9: To customize the colors of the chevron pattern, choose the paint bucket icon in the tools section of the Home tab.

Step 10: Then select your desire color and click on the lines that you wish to color. To change colors, choose another color from the options and then click in the space you want that color to appear.

Step 11: When you have achieved your desired look, you can save the picture, and then open the graphic back up in Word to adjust size and print.