Cute Gift Project

It's graduation time and the usual gift is a check. Although it is surely very much appreciated by the recipient, I wanted to make it just a little more special. I purchased a card, but made a fabric envelope - a little more special than a paper envelope.

Here's how: Carefully undo the envelope and lay it flat. Take two pieces of coordinating fabrics cut larger than the envelope pattern, and fuse them together. Trace the envelope onto one of the fabric sides and cut out. Score the fold lines and fold. I used a strip of fusible web to close the envelope sides, or you could use some glue.

I then positioned a button on the back so the envelope flap would slip under the button. I added a couple of beads to the button that just happened to match the fabric patters - how cute is that?! To personalize the envelope, I painted the graduates initial with Lumere paint on the front of the envelope. It was quick, fun, and easy and hopefully will be a little keepsake.

A Patient Craft

Uncle Jasper, my husband's sister's husband, is one of those men who can tell a story, or "spin a yarn," like no other. My son especially, can listen to his storytelling all day. Always amusing and interesting. Now retired, Jasper has built himself a super man cave in the form of a large barn where he "piddles" with various projects. He recently gave my husband some of the arrowheads he had fashioned from stone and glass - he very patiently sits and grinds and shapes each one until it is just the right shape. As most treasures of this kind, it was headed for Bob's dresser drawer. I couldn't help think that this would be such a shame, so I mounted them on velvet and placed them in a frame so we can hang it on a wall for us to admire whenever we pass it by. We are honored to have these treasures, and best of all, it will always bring to mind Uncle Jasper (we don't get to see him too often as he lives in Alabama). Can't you just hear him telling one of his tales as he painstakingly crafts an arrowhead?!