Fast Father's Day Gift with Heart

Finding that perfect gift for Pop can be tricky. What do you get the guy who has everything? You can’t go wrong with a gift card, but some feel they lack that heartfelt touch... until now. Here’s an idea that combines the ease of gift cards with the heartfelt touch of a handmade gift. 

It’s an envelope mini album!  

Attach several small envelopes (you can even use the envelopes that come with the gift cards) together using scrapbook adhesive. Decorate the envelopes, and fill each individual pocket with a gift card to one of Pop’s favorite shops. 

This is a Valentine’s Day gift I made for Cor this year. He actually carries it with him, so you’ll have to excuse it’s worn exterior. 

I filled the first envelope with a special love note to my sweet, but you can just as easily fill it with some special words for dear old dad. 

This project can double as your greeting card. Simply fill the inside of envelope #1 with a special sentiment.

I wrote a little poem for each of the remaining panels. The words are clues to the gift card contained within that envelope. 

Cor love coffee beverages, so his first card was to Starbucks--an affordable option.
The sentiment reads: "To show you that I love you a lot, let's start the fun with something hot!"

Another cost-effective choice, I included a card to Cor's favorite fast food restaurant, In n Out. Yum!
The sentiment reads: "The way to a man's heart is the tum, and this surprise I know you'll find num."  

Who doesn't love iTunes? Cor used his to purchase apps, but this is  also a nice choice for the music-lover dad.
The sentiment reads: "To the cutest tech geek I've ever known, here's something to use with your iPhone."

Include a gift card for something you can do with your dad. I went with a movie card for Cor, as we love seeing flicks.
The sentiment reads: "I love time spent with you, Romeo; let's take a night to enjoy the show."

If it's in your budget, include a bigger ticket item in your last envelope. Cor loves shoes more than I do, so I knew Foot Locker was an ideal choice for him.
The sentiment reads: "Last but not least, one more special treat; a card just for those beautiful feet."

Get the Kids in on the Fun!

Here’s an idea! Do you have more than one child. Have each child decorate an envelope, and then hook them all together. That would make this extra personal and special. 

This project can come together in minutes, and it will make for a fun shopping spree for the man who means so much to you. For a quick how-to on connecting the envelopes in a slightly different fashion, you can watch my very first Studio 5 segment (don't judge me; I was a rookie), where I demo a similar project I created for Christmas. 

Happy Father’s Day weekend to all the fabulous papas out there!

Was it Intuition?

This and many other prints that I adore are available on the Skippy Designs Etsy shop.. 

Confession: I absolutely believe in intuition. Do you? 

Call it what you will. A voice. A feeling. Energy. A dream that feels like so much more than just a dream... Intuition is a way of feeling or sensing things. A way of connecting with yourself, others, and even a higher power. 

I think all of us are intuitive. Some just know how to tap into it better. I’m fortunate enough to have some VERY intuitive people in my life, and I love it! I, on the other hand, am still learning to understand my own intuition and how to hear it/know it.

What’s the point of this, you ask? Well, I had a strange encounter with my own intuition today. To the outside observer, it won’t amount to much. But it brought me some great, much needed joy. So, to me, it amounts to everything. Interested?

These prints are very similar to the ones discussed in my story below. You can find these amazing images at the Skippy Designs Etsy shop.. Love them! 

Here’s the story:

About a Year Ago: I visit Gardner Village and see this incredible set of printed canvases for sale. They’re pink. There’s a scrabble one. There’s a typewriter one. There’s even one with a bitty white dog on it. So many things that I adore! They scream “Megan.” Alas, the set is almost $200. This does not scream “Megan.” I leave, not to think about them again, until... 

6 Months Later: I visit the same store. The set is still there. I discuss my love for it with the clerk. She informs me it’s the last one. She also informs me it’s still $200! Dang. I want it, but I leave. I just can’t spend that kind of monies on an unnecessary item.

This Week: If you read my “C Word” post, you know I’m stressed. I’m tired. And I don’t feel too hot. More on this in a moment. 

* This Morning: I come out of sleep thinking about those prints. Pictures I haven’t thought of since my last store visit. Not only am I thinking about them, I’m very sure that I’m going to buy them today. I have no plans to go to Gardner Village today. And I certainly didn’t find $200 of spare change in my couch. But I know they will be mine. As I become more alert, the thought leaves me. 

This Afternoon: I’m in Target with a friend on our lunch break. We’re walking down the picture aisle. I ask her about another picture we both want. Another pic neither of us can justify spending the $ on. Neither she nor I have purchased it yet, either. “Oh well,” I tell her, “if we wait long enough it will end up here anyway.” As I gesture to the pics in the aisle, I notice it. Them. The pink, “Megan”-screaming pics! They ended up in Target! Now, they’re not on the same large canvas ones, but the prints are identical. And I love them just as much. I almost squeal with delight. Me, the sick, sad girl, is now so, SO happy! 

Later this Afternoon: I buy the art! And I love the art! And, guess what! My friend buys similar art. And she loves hers just as much.

Here I am, just after my moment of Target bliss. I was so excited that I asked Joannie to snap a picture of me with the art. 

And here's Joannie with her purchase. It's in a red color scheme and is equally as cool! 

Sure, you can call this coincidence, but why would I wake up and not only thinking about these pics, but knowing they’d be mine today if it weren’t for intuition? 

The funny thing about my personal experiences with intuition is that they’re so often random. I don’t know why this happened today. It’s not like a vision of the winning lottery numbers hit me or something. This is often how my intuition works, which makes it hard for me to understand or recognize. 

And the same kinds of things happen to my sweet mama. I hope she won’t mind me sharing that with you. Her scenarios are often as random and seemingly ordinary as mine. But it’s intuition. And intuition is so not ordinary. 

What about you? Have you had intuitive experiences? I always love hearing about them if you’re open to discussing them. If not, I completely understand. This is a personal thing, and it can be a sensitive subject. If you are up for a little chitchat, I’d also love to know how you recognize your own intuitive abilities. Care to share? 

Cheers! 

*Note: All of this actually happened on Thursday, which is the day I wrote the post. So if you happened to see me today and think, she didn’t go to Target today, this would be why. Of course, knowing me, there’s a very good chance i’ll go to Target again the day this posts anyway. Not intuition at work; just me knowing myself and my predictable shopping patterns. ;) 

Handmade Bibs from Oilcloth and Laminated Cotton

Is it rib night yet? Because, boy do I have the bib for you! Make that three bibs. Bibs I made using laminated cotton and oilcloth. I’m super excited about this particular project, because it’s my first sewing project made from a pattern. Everything I’ve sewn up to this point, I’ve sort of made up. This time, however, I had a fun design to follow.

My cute new friend, Kirsten, who works at Material Girls Quilts in South Jordan, UT, designed this pattern. I saw it and immediately thought of another friend of mine, who was about to have a baby. Of course, that was months ago. Her beautiful babe is six months old now, but I suppose they still wear bibs at that age. Heck, I still wear a bib. ;)

Anyhoo, here’s the bib I made for little miss Claire. I hope she likes it. 

I had so much fun making it, that I decided to make a couple of others. Maybe I’ll use them on my own sweets someday. Or, if not, it’s always good to have a few handmade gifts on hand. 

Which one do you like the best? I prefer Claire’s, but most people have said they like the black and white one.

Want to make your own bib? Here’s how:

Step 1: Fold your laminated (or oilcloth) fabric in half and trace fabric on back of one half. 

Step 2: Cut out shape. 

Step 3: Repeat with cotton fabric, which will be used as back of bib. 

Step 4: Pin cut pieces together around edges and sew together using a zigzag stitch. 

Step 5: Tear cotton fabric into strips, pin those strips around bib (like hem tape), and sew hem to bib using a straight stitch. 

Note: Make sure you stitch an elastic to the top of the bib. This will act as your closure. 

Step 6: Create a medallion flower, adding a large button to the center. This is what your closure will wrap around to keep the bib on. Note: For instructions on creating a medallion flower, click here.

Had lots of fun making my first pattern project. Who knows, maybe I’ll get up the courage to try it again sometime soon.

Cheers!

The Dreaded C Word...

...Change!

I had a fun, crafty blog post ready to share today, but it’s going to have to wait. I have something on my mind that I could really use your help with. 

Change. 

Change is hard. Change is also inevitable. Things never stay the same. They’re in a constant state of motion. Ebb and flow. Evolution. Shift. 

I have and always have had a hard time with change. Especially big change. I like comfort. Things I know. People I know. Skills I know. The life I know. Don’t get me wrong. I love spontaneity. I love meeting new people. Learning new skills. Taking on new challenges. But I like these things happening while the foundation stays the same. 

Change. scares. me.

I know. It happens everyday. I see friends, family, and coworkers making major changes in their lives all the time. But, even if it’s THEIR change, if it impacts me in the slightest way, I feel it. I worry. I think about it. A LOT. And I often get sad, especially if their change involves them not being a regular fixture in my life anymore for whatever reason (move, new job, etc.). 

Today, however, I felt a big push for change in a particular area of my life. I didn’t see it coming. And I don’t want to see it now. But it’s here. It’s tapping on my shoulder, telling me... 

...something needs to change. 

I don’t know what that looks like, exactly. I don’t know if it’s a change in thinking or if it’s bigger than that. Honestly, I’m probably lying to myself (and to you) by saying that. I think I really know that it IS bigger, but I don’t want it to be. I want to be comfortable. I want to be confident. For me, confidence comes from doing what I know. Being who I know. Change takes all of that and turns it on its head.

My question for you--how do you know when it’s time to make a change? 

Do you just feel it in your gut as I did today? If so, do you acknowledge that feeling, or do you shove it back down? If you acknowledge, how do you go about doing that? Do you act on it right away? If you shove it back, do you find it ultimately shows itself anyway, or do you move on and still feel fulfilled, never to hear from it again?

I’m torn. I want to shove. I want to ignore. Who knows, maybe it won’t even be an issue when the sun comes up. What if I act prematurely and find myself regretting the decision? 


I’m sick. I’ve been sick for over a week with the cold that won’t die. This has to alter my perspective. 


I’m on a new medicine, which is also messing with me. 


Speaking of medicine, I’m currently without my narcolepsy medicine, which always makes a BIG impact. 


I’m stressed. I’ve been away from the office for two full weeks. That makes for a lot of catch-up. 


In other words, I’m probably not of sound mind. And I probably wasn’t when this desire for change hit me. SO, I’m left. Pondering...

My Secret's Out! (And a super cool prize!)

At last, it’s May 10th, which means all secrets can finally be revealed. Okay, perhaps I won’t be sharing ALL of my secrets, but I can share a BIG one that I’ve been keeping for the better part of year. Ready?

Creative Spaces with Megan Hoeppner hits newsstands today! 

At last, the project that consumed my life for a while is here. Well worth the work and the wait!

I was given the opportunity to write this Creating Keepsakes special issue, based on my former magazine column of the same name! And I’m so, so excited to finally be sharing this news with you. (It was a difficult secret to keep.) *doing happy jig* 

See the bitty text beneath "Spaces?" That's my name. Me! Isn't that neat?

This special issue is about a creative topic near and dear to my heart--organization. In it, I take you on an impressive tour of craft rooms around the globe. A total of 45 scrapbookers you know and love have invited us into their homes for a look at how they set up their creative surroundings. This includes a stop at my home, so I thought I’d share a peek of some of what you'll see inside my room. 

These boxes contain my stamp sets and stamping supplies. I have the sets divided by type (wood and clear) and theme (background, alpha, sentiments, holidays, natural elements, etc.).
As seen in the Creative Spaces 2011 special issue of Creating Keepsakes magazine. Copyright Creative Crafts Group. Posted with prior permission from the publisher.

I put some of my smaller sets and loose stamps inside of this wrapped shoebox.  And those basic (and cheap) mag boxes were dressed up with decorative packing tape. 

You can see more of this issue in the Creating Keepsakes online sneak peek here, including a look at Amber Packer's spectacular space, which happens to be one of my favorites. 

Gift for You!

Since this is a release party, I thought I’d provide a favor. How does free shipping on this issue sound? If you purchase the issue in the CK store, you can get free shipping on US orders by entering SPACESBB when you check out. 

Win a Copy!

Speaking of FREE, how does a free copy sound? I have one to give away. Simply leave me a comment here, and I’ll randomly select one as my winner. You have until Friday, May 13 to be eligible. 

Thanks SO much for celebrating this accomplishment with me. The entire CK team and I are very proud of this issue and hope you’ll love it as much as we do. 

And I'd like to add a great big word of thanks to the CK team. There's no way I could have done all of this without them. Especially you, Miss Jackson. Love you gals! 

Cheers! 

Thanks, Mom!

Mom card: Patterned paper: BasicGrey, Jillibean Soup, and Making Memories; Letter stickers: My Mind's Eye; Star: Studio Calico; Baker's Twine: Papertrey Ink; Border punch: EK Success. 

Today and always, I’m thankful for my sweet mama. She does so much for our entire family. She’s our star, which is why I made her this card. Mothers are such gifts to our world. Happy Mother’s Day to my own Schmom and all the other beautiful mothers out there. Thanks for all you sacrifice to make this world a better place.

A blurry photo, but still one of my favorites. Mom and I were on our way to Denver. She's one of my favorite travel companions! 

Cheers!
Megan

Free Fun for Nat'l Scrapbooking Day (and a giveaway)

Hat image from Creative Party Blog

Party hat? Check!
Streamers? Check!
Cake? Check!
Scrap Stash? Check!

Looks like we have everything we need to celebrate National Scrapbooking Day, so let's get this party started. Hop on over to the Big Picture Classes website and join me for a little scrapbooking fun. (Click here to register.) I've teamed up with 11 other amazing women to host an all-day scrapping extravaganza. There are free prizes, free downloads, free classes, and more! That's a whole lotta free.

The schedule is below. Look at all of the creative folks joining in this celebration. Wow! I hope you'll be by to say hi at 11:00 PDT, which is when I'll be sharing my ideas. I have a fun storage project, a challenge for you, and a giveaway that I'm super excited to tell you about. Looking forward to "seeing" you soon.
  

• 9am PDT: Claudine Hellmuth
• 10am PDT: Stacy Julian
• 11am PDT: Megan Hoeppner
• 12noon PDT: Cindy Tobey
• 1pm PDT: Kim Jackson
• 2pm PDT: Tami Morrison
• 3pm PDT: Suzy Plantamura 
• 4pm PDT: Deena Wuest
• 5pm PDT: Elisha Snow
• 6pm PDT: Lisa Day
• 7pm PDT: Mou Saha
• 8pm PDT: Katie Nelson

Win Stuff!
Leave a comment here for a chance to win a scrapbooking mystery box. After all, what would a party be without the favors? I'll randomly select a winner on Tuesday of next week, so you have until then to comment.

Happy Nat'l Scrapbooking Day!
Megan

Charity Boutique this Weekend

Hi there, friends! It's been a while. How have you been? I've been busy, busy, working on several projects. I'll share info on those projects here on my blog over the next week, starting with this post. Check out this pile of posies. My fingers are basically nubby stumps at this point, because I've been making so many bracelets.

These happy accessories will be available at a charity boutique this weekend. Proceeds from this event go to the Children's Miracle Network. If you're in the Salt Lake area, I'd love for you to stop by and visit. There are SO many amazing things for sale, whether you're looking for a Mother's Day gift or just some fun new spring treats. I hope I'll see you there. Here's the info:

Spring Boutique

Friday, May 6th 2:00 to 6:00 p.m.

Saturday, May 7th 11 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. 

13400 South  922 East  (Draper) 

(Take Fort Street to 13400 S.

Turn East,  2nd house on the Right) 

* Look for Pink & Yellow Balloons  

P.S. If you're not in Utah but you're interested in ordering a posie bracelet, e-mail me at M2E2G @ aol.com. I take custom orders and would be happy to make a bloom for you. Thanks! :)

My Portland Playground

Today I had the pleasure of spending my afternoon and evening on the streets of Portland, OR. I didn’t have a plan in place, so I typed “fabric shopping, Portland, OR” in Google. One of my search results caught my eye--Bolt Neighborhood Fabric Boutique. “Neighborhood,” “boutique,” AND “fabric” in one name? This store had to be good. So I hopped the hotel shuttle and headed the way of 2136 NE Alberta. 

At the risk of sounding dramatic, I’ll say that my journey lead me to so much more than a neighborhood fabric boutique. It lead me to some much needed rejuvenation. 

It was a plan-free day. I day with limitless possibilities. Just some time for me. No obligations. No deadline. No worries (beyond the usual). Just me time. What a blessing!

Here’s how my happy time was spent. 

Stop #1: Bolt Neighborhood Fabric Boutique

Highlights: Opening the door and breathing in the pure fabric joy. Meeting store owner, Gina, and her kind helper. Buying fabric, oilcloth, bindings, burlap, thimbles, patterns, and even chalkboard fabric!

Stop #2: Close Knit

Highlights: Being inspired by the shopkeeper to take knitting lessons as soon as I get home. Buying puffy yarn made from baby alpacas. Watching my yarn be wound into balls. (The shopkeeper said it was like yarn on a ferris wheel.) 

Stop #3: Tumbleweed Boutique

Highlights: Chatting with the gals running the store. Perusing the books in the shop. Buying a couple of those books. Discussing the joys of marriage and wonderful husbands with a fellow customer. Being inspired by display pieces (like the one above). 

Stop #4: Collage

Highlights: Chatting with fellow scrapbookers who are in town for CKC. Buying new stamps, a paint marker, burlap butterflies, and delightful set of bitty box drawers (for possible use in a future issue of CK). Being inspired by a banner made up of some of my crafting favorites (burlap, baker's twine, and washi tape)--yum!

Stop #5: Frock

Highlights: The store owner unlocking the door and inviting me in, even though it was clearly after their business hours. The quirky, comical, and clever merchandise. Finding a fun new sweater that’s very Portland. 

Stop #6: Screaming Sky Gallery

Highlights: The display of doughnut chotchkies that greeted me as soon as I stepped inside the door. The super sweet shopkeeper. A small gallery of art from local artists. The shelves of “blind boxes,” like the one below, which you open to discover what toy surprise is inside. 

This sprinkled doughnut came from my blind box. I chose to switch him for this jelly-filled chocolate doughnut--a nice surprise offered by the shopkeeper. 

Stop #7: Modern Domestic

Highlights: Seeing (and purchasing) adorable supplies from one of my favorite crafty ladies, Kata Golda. Taking time to enjoy the vintage store displays. Admiring the window display. 

Stop #8: End of the Road, 900 NW Alberta

Highlights: The stunning church on the street corner. The Alberta market where I was able to wet my whistle. The bus bench outside the market that kept me dry until the cab arrived. The nice cabbie who picked me up.

Notice a pattern in all this? Yes, I probably spent a little too much $, but that’s not it. Nope, the pattern is the people. From the shuttle driver who dropped me off at the beginning of my journey to the cabbie who picked me up at the end and everyone in between--the people in Portland are incredibly cool and kind. Such a relaxed and big-hearted population of creative people occupy this crafty, boutique-lined streets. 

What a great way to start my weekend. I simply can’t wait to meet more creative ladies and gents tomorrow and Saturday at the CKC scrapbooking convention. Hope I’ll see you there. 

Cheers!