The Perfect Present

There are gifts that stick out in your mind, and for a variety of reasons. Some of them may be wonderful gifts that you cherish forever. I recall getting a gift from my husband in our dating years that was so beautifully wrapped, it forever sticks out in my mind. I still remember the pink little package tied with a beaded heart, so pretty I didn't want to open it! Since then, I try to give gifts that are as beautiful and thoughtful on the outside, as the time it took picking out the gift itself. Here is an idea for the perfect package:
You will need wrapping paper, a box, ribbon, wire, tissue paper, tape, scissors, "picks" or glittery sprigs from your local craft store, and any other charm or trinket you want to attach to the box.
Package and wrap your gift as you normally would. Tie the ribbon on. When it comes to the bow, lay a piece of wire down and keep passing the ribbon back and forth across it (perpendicular) like a "figure 8." Secure the bow with wire and fluff it to your liking.

Add your picks. I found a cluster of ornaments I stuck in the middle of the bow.

Christmas Party Table Setting

I love Christmas. It is so nice to get families together, eating, laughing, and making memories. It seems Thanksgiving is all about the meal, but Christmas is about love for Jesus....and cute decor of course! Here is a whimsical party place setting for your gathering.

The tree was purchased at Hobby Lobby along with the mirrors, present boxes, wrapping paper, and jeweled candle holders.
A plastic goblet from Walmart $2

Ornaments and table bling from Michael's

Who said presents only belong under a tree?

Mirrors underneath your center piece will highlight anything you want to stand out

I couldn't find napkins holders so I wrapped wired garland into swirls. Napkins and place mats are from JC Penney Home

Scrap Those Fall Memories!

It's so easy to get behind on preserving memories of fall family traditions and holidays. These are actually pages from a few years ago from my daughter's book, but some ideas none the less.

The Halloween web overlay I found was so cool! Since it is clear you can put it over any color paper. A ribbon and some letters are all you need to embellish it.

We visit a local farm every year called Schnepf Farms. I love going there and getting the pumpkin patch pictures. I never get sick of seeing my kids frolic around through the pumpkins.
I loved this button idea the moment I saw it! I decided to make a leaf and a pumpkin. It gives the page a lot of texture and color. JoAnn usually sells packets of buttons in the same color family. I printed the Schnepf logo from their website. Then I just drew a leaf on paper and cut it out. Glue the buttons on and attach to the page.

My favorite part is the pumpkin! The surrounding pictures are actually cut out from the pamphlet that the farm hands out.

Peppermint Tree Topper

Here is a fun Peppermint Tree Topper for a candy themed tree. Very easy and adds a very festive look

You will need some plywood discs, monster chenille wire, wooden dowels, glitter, Elmer's glue, hot glue or E-6000, white paint, a pencil. All supplies were purchased at Hobby Lobby
Paint your discs white. When dry: free hand some candy stripes. I did 6 sections

Alternate stripes with Elmer's glue and glitter

Once dry, bend your chenille into "candy wrappers." I did a heart shape and bent 2 together. Glue the ends on. You could skip the chenille and wrap the whole disc in cellophane and gathered the ends, but I was afraid it would rip on the tree

Glue on the dowel

Stick the "candies" in the top of your tree. I did two small red ones and a large green one.

I stuck some lighted candy canes in from Walmart ($2.50 each) for added sweetness

Boutique Preview!

I'm off to the boutique! Here is a sneak peek at the clips for sale. I will post whatever doesn't sell in my Etsy store: www.etsy.com/shop/lorraine1219

Halloween Table Party Display

Here is a display for a Halloween party. I am sure you can add adorable cupcakes or other spooky treats. Fancy food is not my best skill!

You will need a table runner, gift box, scrapbook paper, candy, tin buckets, pumpkins, ribbon, hot glue, scissors, and anything else you want to set on the table.

Happy Halloween!

This is a gift box wrapped in scrapbook paper and filled with candy bars wrapped in coordinating papers. I made the sign on my computer.

The cake stand consists of a plastic plate and cup glued together (see a previous post on how to do this). For this stand I added scrapbook paper cut into triangles around the edges and sequin string around the bottoms. Hot glue works great.

Wrap a tin bucket or aluminum can in the scrapbook paper and add you favorite candy bars wrapped in scrapbook paper and ribbon as well.

I got this spider from Target and filled it with a candkle and candy corn

I'm Addicted to Coupon Sense!

I recently joined Coupon Sense, which for those of you who do not know, it is a program to save money on your groceries using coupons combined with store sales and buying in multiples so that you pay rock bottom pricing and always have an item when you need it. I am sooooo hooked! I have been getting a lot of free items, some of which you see here. The best part is, that it is all name brand stuff. The shopping trip below I spent $25 on 48 items! And that was last week. Today I got free 3 Nivea body washes, 4 Riccola cough drops, 3 Crest toothpastes, 1 Skinny Water, and 3 Dial soaps. It is a great program and can save you 50% or more on groceries. The first month is $4 plus the cost of newspapers, and tell them Lorraine Kempton referred you :) My husbands laughs at me for getting so into it, but he loves it because I'm saving us money and I get to feed my shopping addiction. I also don't buy stuff not on my list as much because I don't want to mess up my savings percentage

http://beta.couponsense.com