Vintage doilies garland

I am still adding little touches of festive to the flat in preparation for the big day, when both our families will come round here to celebrate together.
Latest entry is a sweet garland I made a few things I found in my crafty stash. Lately I am in love with doilies and I am using them everywhere: to decorate wrapped presents, on cards and now this garland. I apologise the pics aren't great, I will take them again as soon as I have a better light!

Holidays Tags - Free Printable

Happy Friday everyone!
I hope you still have some gift wrapping to do before Christmas so you can use some of these gorgeous freebies. If instead you have been very organized ( unlike me this year!) then just save for next year.  Today I am sharing a round up of my favourite ones: just click on the link in the photo capture, download, print and enjoy! 

Christmas Tags from The Caroline Johansson

Christmas Tags from Hey Look

Christmas Tags from Living Locurto

Holiday Tags from Love vs. Design

Yuletide Christmas Gift Tags from Kelli Murray 

With so much choice, which ones will you choose? I'd say, don't choose, just get them all!

Happy Holidays!

P.S. if you missed last year's freebies then check them out here and here.

Recycled Christmas Cards Tutorial

Hello my dear darlings!
I am excited because today I am going to share with you my first tutorial! How to make your own Christmas cards by recycling old ones, it's so easy and quick! If you have already got your Christmas cards for this year, why not save this year's cards and use them for this project?

If you remember, last Christmas I used Christmas catalogues I received for free in the post and cut out pretty images to stick on my cards, then embellished them with gems and stickers, you can take a look at last year's post here.

This year I wanted to do something similar and since I keep all the greeting cards I receive (yes, all of them!) I decided to have a look at them for inspiration and suddenly I realised I could recycle the smaller ones by cutting the front and sticking them on some blank cards.

So here is what you'll need:
blank cards and envelopes ( I used Papermania square cards, made from recycled paper, bonus!)
some old Christmas cards
ruler
scalpel (or scissors will do just fine)
cutting matt
round corner punch
sticky pads

I realise some of this material can be quite craft-specific however you can easily substitute items, for example if you do not have a cutting mat just use a thick piece of card or cardboard or even an old chopping board ;-)

Start by cutting the front off your chosen Christmas card. I used a scalpel however a pair of scissors would do just fine as you just cut through the crease of the card.

I then round off the edges, I just prefer it that way as I think it's gives it a more finished look, ( it's become a sort of trademark for me!), but you don't have to if you don't want or do not want to invest in a punch.

Then stick enough pads on the back of your piece of card.

Now it's time to stick it on your blank card. Press it down gently so the pads adhere to the card.

To finish it off I just round the card edges as well.

Simply fold and ta dah! Here is your card.

I made 50 the other day in no time. Here are some of my favourites. I am so chuffed as now I have such a big selection of cards, from traditional to modern to funny. 

If you were going to recycle your cards anyway you may as well use them for this project instead!

I am looking forward to hear from you if you ever give this a go, let me know!
Happy crafting!