Brooke's Wedding Blanket

One of my favorite gifts to give for a wedding is this wedding blanket.  I lucked out right at Christmas time this year and found these throw blankets at K-Mart for less than $20, which is way cheaper than buying the fake fur and minky fabric out of which these are made.  One side is the soft and slinky minky fabric, but the other is like a fake sheep's wool.

I bought three and planned on saving them for future weddings, but I couldn't help myself.  Adam and I now have two of them on our couches because they are so soft and comfy.  The third I used for my sister's wedding.  All I had to do was rip out the seam in the corner to separate the top and bottom fabrics, embroider, and resew the seam right up.  It was quick and easy, and made this gorgeous blanket.  My sister and her husband said it is their favorite blanket to cuddle under.

Guest Post {Gift Card Holder}

Hi there all you awesome followers!  Today I am really excited to share this gift card holder with you.  This was submitted by Barb for the guest post in the “Happy New Year Giveaway.”
Supplies

• 1 sheet 8.5x11 cardstock
• 1 sheet coordinating decorative paper
• Paper cutter
• Adhesive
• 10-12 inches ribbon
• “Cropodile” (or other hole punching tool)
• Stamps & Ink

Directions

1. Cut the cardstock into a strip that is 4.5 inches by 11 inches.

2. Fold the cardstock at 2.75 inches and 5.5 inches (folding opposite directions).

3. Cut the decorative paper into two pieces.  One measures 2.25 inches by 4 inches. The other measures 5 inches by 4 inches.

4. Adhere the decorative paper to the cardstock.  The rectangles should both be placed on the same side of the paper, on the outside portions.
5. Collapse the folds and punch a hole roughly 1 inch from the outside edges and 1 inch from the fold.

6. Lace the ribbon through the holes and tie in a bow.
7. Decorate.  Barb used a “Celebrate” stamp with coordinating ink.
8. Slide the gift card into the fold between the ribbon-filled holes.

5 Minute Gift Card Holder

Despite my best intentions, I was too busy the last few days to post anything.  The day I made chocolate covered coconut almond clusters, my friend Barb showed me how to make this super simple gift card holder.  While the one pictured is for Christmas, it is really easy to customize for any occasion.

Supplies (enough for 2 holders)

• 1 sheet 8.5x11" card stock
• Decorative Paper
• Colored Pens or Markers
• You may wish to use stamps
• Double-stick tape, adhesive, or glue
• Scissors or paper cutter, you can use scalloped scissors
• Ruler

Directions

1. Cut the card stock in half "hot dog" style

2. Fold the card stock (if it has a "right" side the first fold will be "right" side out) at 3"
3. Fold the card stock the opposite direction ("right" side in) at 4"
4. Fold the card stock opposite ("right" side out) at 5"
5. Fold the card stock the same direction ("right" side out) at 8"
6. Cut a slit in the paper at the 4" fold--make sure that you leave about 1/2 an inch on both sides of the slit

7. Use your adhesive to secure the two sides of paper around the slit together (you will adhere the bottom, and the sides, but not the entire paper (your gift card will slide into the empty space)

8. When you fold all the folds closed, you should have all "right" sides out

9. Decorate any way you choose!