Happy Holidays!

Happy Holidays from the Ginger Tea blog! There was so much I wanted to share with you this month - DIY decorations, handmade cards, and knitting! Unfortunately time got the best of me and I had to sacrifice some blog time in order to get everything done for the holidays! I will share everything with you when I return to blog land in the New Year!

I hope all of your holidays are merry and bright!

Love,
Mary

Papercraft: 2010 Holiday Cards

Happy holidays to you and yours from Mary and Roy!

Here's the whole gang of me, Roy, and my friends that I illustrated last night.

Sewing: Busy at Work for Christmas

I'm sorry I didn't have the gift wrapping post I'd promised up yesterday! I got sidetracked working on some Christmas presents. This is how I looked all day yesterday, making measurements and cutting out pieces to be quilted.

Stick around, later today I should have something up about gift wrapping!

DIY: Star Garland

{ via Creature Comforts }

Check out these super amazing (and super easy!) star garlands from Creature Comforts! Click on the image above to read all about how to make these adorable little decorations. They're great for your tree, centerpieces, adding a little extra spruce to your pine garland or your mantle. They're also perfect for gift wrapping!

Freebies: Holly Holiday Gift Tags

To & From Tag, Download PDF
Happy Holidays Tag, Download PDF

I have two more free holiday gift tags for you! These ones are round with a scalloped edge. I would suggest punching them out with a large hole punch if you have one, these tags measure 4"x4" or you can scale them when you print (make sure you have constrained proportions) to make them 2"x2".

For best results print these on card stock, or a thick textured paper. Check back later for examples of uses once you've printed them out in my gift wrapping post!

Wishlist: Silhouette SD

{ via Mubeimmik's Photostream }

I saw this cute little paper wreath on Flickr and I can't wait to make one! I asked for the Silhouette SD (newly mac compatible with their new software, and a plug in for Adobe Illustrator) for Christmas. My mind is completely boggled at the possibilities with this amazing machine.

Do you have a die-cutting machine? What do you like to use it for the most?

DIY: Decorative Snow

{ via Pottery Barn }

Last year my mom purchased the fake snow from Pottery Barn. It ran her about $20 a bag. When we opened the snow to use around the house we figured out that it was just cut up white plastic. Thus we vowed never to spend that much on fake snow again and opted to make our own this year. It's very simple to do and it looks great. Pottery Barn has several suggestions for how to use it.

Materials:

White plastic bags or Wax Paper

Scissors

Directions:

Step 1: Cut out any logos or non-white parts of your bags or wax paper. My bags were from Petsmart so I needed to cut that logo off.

Step 2: Twist your bag to make cutting easier, then cut at random spots on your twisted bag. You want to make your cuts as small as you can, going back later and re-cutting your finished pieces smaller if you feel it's necessary.

That's it! Now go and decorate something with it! They look great in hurricane vases or on tabletops!

Design Crush: Rifle Paper Co.

{ via Rifle Paper Co. }

Welcome to November 1st, 2010! This really kicks off the Holiday season for me - I start listening to holiday music all of the time, I work on Christmas presents, I bake, and I write and send out Holiday cards. I ADORE Rifle Paper Co. and their holiday designs are no exception to their beautiful work. The cheerful designs and beautifully colored illustrations always make me smile.


{ via Rifle Paper Co. }

And let's not forget my absolute favorite item from their store - the recipe boxes. I desperately want one. And they're gorgeous. And they're reclaimed wood. How cool are they? They're on my wish list this year!


{ via Rifle Paper Co. }

I'm hoping to screen print my holiday cards this year, but my time is drawing very very short for that. And I still have Christmas presents to knit! If you don't have time to make your cards this year I definitely suggest Rifle Paper Co. for your cards!