Ten steps towards serenity now...Or at least soon.

Ah, the winter blues. I’ve heard of them, but this is the first year I’ve actually experienced them…or at least I think that’s what this is. I’ve been a bit down since the holidays, which would explain my lack of blog posts (poo), but I’m determined to beat these doldrums.

Here are ten things that have helped me shake the sads. I hope you’ll find something that speaks to you, too.

1. Love & Be Loved
Just as one of my favorite movies, Moulin Rouge, says, “The greatest thing you’ll ever learn is just to love and be loved in return.” I’m blessed with a beautiful husband who loves me, but sometimes I lose site of that fact and shrug off his affection with excuses—“he’s just saying that,” or “he’s humoring me because he feels he has to.” This needs to stop. I love him and am lucky to have him loving me in return. Cherish and appreciate the words and acts of affection offered by others, rather than second guessing at every turn, and prepare to welcome the warm feelings that come with that acceptance.

2. Add a Little Color
This morning I woke up before my alarm and decided to paint my nails a vibrant, sparkly shade of orange. It’s amazing what colorful toes can do for the soul.

3. Turn Off the News
Just five minutes of the news can get me down faster than a hearty laugh. (That’s a lame narcolepsy joke, because I fall forward when I laugh. Hardy har.) If you find yourself becoming bogged down by the doom and gloom in today’s top stories, simply change the channel or hit the power button. I’ve been doing this and find it’s a wonderful way to recharge the feel goods.

4. Take Joy in the Success of Others
My big bro won $200 on a $2 lottery ticket this week. My mom only has two cancer treatments left. Two of my friends have just purchased their first homes. These are all things to take joy in. It doesn’t have to be a victory directly related to you to make you happy. So, instead of saying, “I’m happy for you,” say, “I’m happy with you.”

5. Connect with Friends
My sweet friend called me out of the blue the other night, just to tell me how much she enjoys my Studio 5 TV segments. She didn’t follow that by asking a favor or fishing for a compliment in return. She simply wanted me to know how she felt. I’m going to take her lead and do the same—tell my friends how I feel about them. Making others feel good is a great way to boost your own spirits.

6. Play with the Pups
I tend to take my silly doggies for granted, when I should be celebrating the joy they bring me. The other day they were both crowded under my craft desk, even though it was a super tight squeeze, just so they could be close to me. I had to sit back and laugh at this gesture. Feeling sad? Give your pet a little TLC. I promise it will be returned tenfold.

7. Tackle a Task
Clean up, clean up, everybody do your share. If you can believe it, we just took our Christmas decorations down this week. Now, to be fair, we didn’t put them up until Dec. 23, but this was still far too long to leave them up. And even though it was a lot of work to take them down, it was totally worth it. Is there a project that’s been hanging over your head? Greet it head on, and you’re sure to find some relief.

8. Get Out
It’s far too easy to just stay in and do nothing when you’re feeling down, as I’ve learned the hard way. Well, no more. I went to the mall over the weekend. It was just a quick trip, but I left SO inspired. Take time to recharge with a little retail therapy. Even if you don’t spend any money, you’ll come home having purchased some mental uplifting.

9. Create
Don’t create because you have to (doing an assignment doesn’t count). Instead, create because you want to. I recently made a fun Valentine’s Day craft (more on that in a future post) for my cute coworkers and found so much delight in putting it together. Do something, anything, creative, and watch the serenity find you.

10. Be Okay with the Sad
Sometimes it’s hard to be at peace with the sadness, but doing so is a form of self acceptance. I read (and enjoy) the beautiful blog posts of others, with their seemingly perfect lives, their perfect photos, and their perfect ideas, and I inevitably compare—not good! I’m not them, and that’s okay. My life is far from perfect, but I’m doing my best to get by. If that means taking time to cry it out, I’m going to cry it out. If that means a messy house, then bring on the dust bunnies. All we can do is be ourselves and find contentment in doing so. Do that, and be one step closer to inner peace.

I’m still dealing with sadness, but this list has me a few steps closer to shaking those feelings. And for that, I’ll celebrate this small victory. How do you conquer the winter blues? I’m all for reading any advice you have to share.

We wish you a merry Christmas...

...and a happy New Year!

Thanks for making this blog year a wonderful one, dear friends. Your support, friendship and happy notes have definitely been a bright spot in our 2009. Let's say we do it again next year! :)

Do you have last-minute wrapping to do? You can still add a handmade touch to your presents. These tags are super easy to make and very inexpensive—just the right combination in these remaining hours before Santa makes his rounds.

I downloaded these awesome tags, designed by Rebecca Cooper, on Write.Click.Scrapbook.

I then printed several sheets of these beauties, punched them out and adhered them to scalloped pieces of cardstock (also punched).

These can do more than just make a gift look great; they can also make a gift all on their own. Simply slip them in a clear bag and add a bag topper made from scraps of paper and a few festive stickers.

Happy wrapping! Happy giving!

Gift Cards, the Finale (and more Studio 5 fun)!

Gift cards are the perfect last-minute gift. Is there a fashionista on your Naughty-or-Nice list? What about a photo enthusiast? Maybe someone who needs a little pampering? Or a bitty baby? Young or old, I have a few more gift card ideas that should do the trick.

Let’s begin with the youngest on your list. Slip a gift card in a baby sock and clip a hair bow on the sock for added decoration/a bonus gift (for the little girls, that is).


I created a similar project for Paper Crafts magazine a few years ago. This tag/hair bow combo was featured in their Gifts from the Heart special issue.

Along the same lines, you can give a gift card for a manicure in an inexpensive pair of gloves. This also works well for PF Changs gift cards. (You’ll see why when you watch my Studio 5 flick below.) ;)


This is a favorite of mine. Turn an office tag into a closet by tri-folding cardstock, wrapping it around a tag and attaching the “doors” together with magnetic snaps. To create the black around the doors, I simply cut a sticker from Glitz Girls Designs.

Give someone a pair of socks, a scarf or another inexpensive fashion accessory and attach this closet tag to the item with a card to a clothing store. On the inside, write something like, “Have fun completing the outfit!”

Say cheese! Here’s an idea for a photo-lovin’ friend. Give a gift card to a photo developing/gift site or store and attach it to a photo pick. For added festivity, put the pick in a little pail with a few treats to anchor it in place.


If you’re interested in seeing me present these on Studio 5, a local human-interest show, check out the video below. See if you can catch my word slip-up. I’ll give you a hint: it has to do with a water bottle clip and Santa's reindeer. Oh, the merry horror! ;)

Enjoy!

Creative Ways to Give Gift Cards, Part II

Looking for a last-minute gift idea that still has that personal touch? Here are a few more gift card ideas to consider. By pairing them with a small gift and/or a handmade touch makes all the difference between a thoughtless gift and a completely memorable present!

Gift the gift of music with a retro flair. Create a cassette tape from cardstock scraps and a few buttons and use a ball chain or ribbon to attach the cassette to a pair of ear buds.


Tip: To attach the card to the tag, use clear photo corners.


Speak to those fitness gurus with a metal water bottle and an attached gift card. This can be a card to Jamba Juice, a fun exercise class or a sporting goods store.


Bookworms will love this idea. Turn scraps of paper and a few stickers into a bitty book, Buying Books for Dummies. On the inside, insert a gift card to your favorite book store.


That’s all for now, but I have more gift card ideas to come, so please check back. And I’d love to know where you love receiving gift cards from. This little poll will help me with some of the last-minute shopping/paper crafting I have left to do. :)

Give a Gift Card in a Cupcake Container

Give the gift of sugar with a gift card to a gourmet cupcake shop. Insert the card in a cellophane bag, wrap it with a ribbon and tie on a tag. This project would make a sweet stocking stuffer or a tasty birthday surprise!

Add to the look with a little cupcake pick. I sandwiched a toothpick between a snowflake sticker and a scallop circle.



Attach the pick with a small piece of tape.



Rest the gift card inside a cupcake liner, using a small piece of tissue paper to secure the card in place.

This project was actually part of my Studio 5 segment today but I accidentally skipped right on by it when doing the show, so I thought I’d share it here. I’ll share some of my other gift card packing ideas and post a link to my segment in the coming days. You’ll have to let me know which project idea you like the best. I'm always interested in what others respond to. Thanks!

Ho Ho Ho Holiday Boutique

Still have some Christmas shopping left to do? Or maybe you just want to do some fun shopping. I'm joining a bunch of creative friends at a holiday boutique this weekend, where we'll be selling all sorts of goodies. Here's some of what you'll find:

* Handmade cards & gift wrap
* Handmade jewelry
* Handmade camera-strap wraps (the ones I make)
* Handmade hair bows
* Handmade scarves
* Home decor
* Amazing children's books
* Stylin' clothing
* Picture frames
* And so much more!

I hope you'll join me. Consider this your VIP invitation! :)

When: Sunday, Dec. 13
Time: 2-6 PM
Where: 922 E. 13400 S., Draper (you enter from Fort Street)

More Holiday Update Ideas (and another TV gig)

Well, I guess I did something right last week. Studio 5 has invited me back to do another segment tomorrow (Thursday, Dec. 8). Fun! I’ll be sharing creative ideas for giving and packaging gift cards. I’ll post some of those ideas here soon. In the meantime, I want to share a few more holiday update letter ideas with you from my last visit.

Crossword Puzzle Paper
This annual update it both interactive and entertaining. Add the highlights of your year in the form of puzzle clues.

As added clues, I included photos that coincide with each hint on the back of the puzzle. I purposely positioned my photos in cubes to complement the crossword look.

And what’s an update without a holiday sentiment. Again, playing on the puzzle theme, I added crossword puzzle patterned paper from Me and My BIG Ideas (MAMBI) to the center of my photos.

Make a free puzzle here. It’s quick. It’s easy. It’s good old-fashioned family fun! ;)

Year in Numbers Flip Book
Quickly transform an advent calendar kit like this one from Little Yellow Bicycle into a holiday update flip book.

I went with a numbers theme, including update information that coincides with each number.

Wall Hanging Update
Fill chipboard frames with photos for a fun update that double as décor.

Simply write fun facts about each person photographed on the back of the image. I used small rhinestones as bullet points for my list.

That’s all for now. I’ll have more holiday ideas for you again soon. In the meantime, I’d love to know your ideas for sending an annual update to your loved ones. Who knows, maybe it could make its way into a future issue of Creating Keepsakes (the mag I work for) or on a future segment for Studio 5. Plus, I always enjoy hearing from you!

BTW, some of you have asked me about the bitty kraft envelopes I used in my "Our Favorite Things" project. I actually bought those at a shop in NYC, but I believe you can get similar envelopes at stores like Xpedx, which carries a huge assortment of mailing materials. Hope that helps!

My 15 Minutes of Fame (okay, maybe it was closer to six min.)

I made my big TV debut this week. I’ve been on the boob tube a time or two, but this was my first time on “Studio 5,” a local human-interest program that airs here in Utah. I received a surprise greeting in my in-box from one of the show’s producers, asking me to do a segment based on one of the classes I taught for the University of Utah this fall. How could I resist?

Here I am on the Studio 5 set, just before going live. Eep!

My segment was on creative holiday update letters. You know what I’m talkin’ about when I say that update letters, also known as form letters, can be a bit ridiculous if not done correctly. Well, I shared a few ways to keep them less on the look-at-us-and-how-great-we-are side and more on the it’s-so-fun-to-reconnect-with-you-in-this-unique-way side. ;)

This is one of the projects I shared on the show, complete with instructions:


Step 1: Make a bitty flip book using small envelopes. To play on the “My Favorite Things” theme, I used brown paper packages…I mean, envelopes, brown paper envelopes!



Step 2: You’ll need one envelope for every member of your family you plan on including in your update, plus one for the cover. Add adhesive to the top, outside edge of all but one of the flaps.


Step 3: Stack the envelopes, tucking each flap inside the next and fold the flaps down to adhere them together.


Step 4: Add small photos (mine are 2" square) to the outsides of all of the envelopes, minus the cover. Don't forget the furry family members. Note: I also matted my photos on scalloped square pieces of patterned paper, which I punched.


Step 5: Give each of your family members a “Favorite Things” quiz and write the answers on small note cards that will fit your envelopes. This is a fun way to get to know the loved ones you spend everyday with, while also sharing your interests with your extended list of family and friends.

Step 6: Tuck each family member’s card inside the envelope with their photo on it.

Step 7: Tie up your brown paper package with string (or baker’s twine) and secure it in place by threading it through a button.

I’ll be sure to share some of my other show projects with you in the coming days on my blog. After all, now’s the time to get crackin’ on those festive greetings.

For now, I’ll leave you with a look at the show. Please don’t judge me too harshly. I’m use to being the publicist behind the talent, not the talent. Trust me, it’s a completely different view from this angle. If my video doesn't work, you can view it by clicking here. Enjoy!