The "No Gifts" Rule

Let's get things straight. I hate the "No Gifts" rule given by well meaning friends and family. I know it's given as a means of controlling the intake of crap, it's often a heartfelt "please don't spend your hard earned money on us" plea, and I don't know, is there another reason?

Well, I have a loop hole. Homemade gifts.

It can't just be Handmade, like you can't pay someone else to make it, that's cheating and and not covered by the Loophole. The aim is to give a gift that you made. That's the loophole.

The buying of supplies doesn't count, so shop away.

Unfortunately, or fortunately (we are trying to save for a house now. Remember my dream house?) I had all I needed for this little project.

First, I checked with the hostess on the colour scheme for her home. This is when the "No Gifts" rule was proclaimed and I hit back with my loophole (while also promising that I would only make something if I had the time. Pfft! I make time for crafts baby!)

Next I grabbed an inherited-from-a-friend, mini square canvas.

I covered it in a grey/white scrapbooking paper, using double sided tape to stick it down.

Add another strip to that thing and it's covered!

Then I printed out An Irish Blessing, using grey and yellow ink.

I stuck it on my covered canvas with tape.

It looks like it's coming off, but I assure you I fixed it!

Then wrapped a yellow ribbon around it, taping it all around.

Cute enough to display and small enough to stash in the cupboard if they hate it.

Voila!

Wrapped it with some inherited-from-a-friend wrapping paper, tied a bow with a strip of scrap fabric, and That's it!

I love this green paper... but I only have a little bit left *sob*

Gratuitous bow shot.

I did fail to make a card, but I wrote on the back of the canvas. That'll work.


What do you think of the No Gifts rule? Do you bend it, or smash that sucker?

The Blahs

Did you miss me? No post yesterday... serious case of case of the blahs happening yesterday and not even a viewing of "There's No business Like Show Business" could pull me out of it. And if nearly two hours of song and dance and Marilyn can't do it, well, nothing can.

I still managed to put some finishing touches on mums present, and do a little on dads... which I've been avoiding because I've lost my inspiration for it, work out what I might make "The Girls" for xmas and that's about it.

Today, I'm getting out of the house, and not just to do groceries. Although I will need to get a few things (I'm thinking roast chicken for dinner?)
 I'm off to see a Domestic Goddess. (She has a blog too, http://musedomestgoddess.blogspot.com.au)
We'll exchange magazines, my Vanity Fair for her Delicious, and discuss food, husbands, her kids, other people, her blog, my blog, and the world at large. Or something like that anyway. In the process, the fresh air will blow the cobwebs from my creative corners, the warm sunshine will lighten the dark spots in my mind, and a good friend will give me strength.

Some days, you get lucky like that.

MC