Here’s the first of many more how-to Cami’s videos to come! Check out how to make your very own origami kimono. Great for cards, kids crafts or giving to your favorite kimono wearing friend. Enjoy and be sure to rate!

Get it while you can! Only available today at one of my fave sites: Crop Chocolate

Writing thank you notes can be quite a big job, especially if you wait until the last minute. If you start the job as soon as gifts begin to arrive, you’ll find this final important task congenial and gratifying.

Get Organized!
Buy thank-you cards ahead of time and set up a spreadsheet when you begin addressing your invitations. This will help to help keep track of the correct spelling of names, addresses and phone numbers. Use this list to record guests’ responses and, ultimately, gifts you receive. When you open presents, immediately record who gave you what. Despite your best efforts, a few gifts may become separated from their cards. If the gift was from your registry, call the store to see if it has a record of who purchased it. If not, you may have to try figuring it out by the process of elimination.

How Much Time Do You Have?
Ideally, you should acknowledge every present immediately; writing a note within a couple of days is best, But sending it within two weeks is also acceptable. Absolutely do not wait any longer than three months. Contrary to popular belief, you do not have one year.

To ensure the task doesn’t become too overwhelming, write notes in small batches. Diane Warner, author of “Contemporary Guide to Wedding Etiquette” (Career Press; 2005), offers this strategy: “Set a goal of writing three or four thank-you notes per day. Don’t try to tackle them all at once, otherwise they may tend to become too brief or start sounding trite.” She also recommends that both the bride and the groom divide the note-writing duties, which theoretically should cut the time it takes to complete the entire job in half.

What Should Our Notes Look Like?
For weddings, the most traditional thank-you cards are white or ecru and measure approximately 3 1/2 by 5 inches, with a top fold. They can be monogrammed or embossed with a motif you’ve used on other decorations; many couples buy thank-you notes that match the style of their invitations. With a monogram, remember that it’s improper to adopt your married monogram until after the ceremony. You might combine the initials of your first names, instead, or use different cards for thank-you notes that are sent out before the wedding date. There are also lots of beautiful store-bought note cards, even some with letterpress designs.

What To Say?

You don’t need to write a lot — four or five sentences will suffice — as long as what you do express is heartfelt. Identify the gift, say why you appreciate it, why it has a personal meaning for you, and how you plan to use it. If the giver came to the wedding, especially from a distance, also include a sentence thanking him for attending: “Thank you for coming to our wedding. Your presence made our day extra special. David and I love the coffeemaker. We’ve used it every day since we got back from our honeymoon. Thanks so much.” For cash gifts, you need not mention the dollar amount, but it’s a nice touch to say how you plan to spend the money. (”Robert and I are putting the money toward our new patio furniture. We hope you’ll come for a visit with us soon.”) Every giver — even someone whose present you did not like very much — deserves to receive a sincere expression of your thanks.

Who Should Write and Sign?
It is customary for just one person to write and sign each note, mentioning his or her spouse’s appreciation (”Robert and I want to thank you. . . .Love, Sarah”). However, co-authored notes, signed by both the bride and groom, are also acceptable. One easy way to share the work is for the bride to write to her own family members and friends, and the groom to his. The sign-off should reflect your relationship to the recipient. “Love” is suitable for close friends and family;  “sincerely” may be the most appropriate when you’re writing to someone such as your manager at work. You needn’t sign off with your full names with people you’re close to, but you may want to use them in thank-you notes to business associates and friends of your parents.

Hi All!
So sorry for the quiet week on the blog. I’ve been super busy (in a good way!). I am somewhat back to my regular schedule and wanted to post this super easy how-to project. Keep in mind, this works great with mini pumpkins, leaves, funky gourdes or really just about anything. The trick is to use a LIGHT COATING of SPRAY ADHESIVE (NOT white or paste glue) and SUPERFINE GLITTER (not the chunky glitter that kids use). Seriously folks, I can’t say it enough - a LIGHT coating of adhesive or you’ll surely wind up with a mess. Remember to spray outside. It’s super smelly and super-er sticky.

Step one: gather up your spray adhesive, newspaper, glitter and whatever it is you’re glittering. Pour glitter into a large ziplock bag.

Step two: Spray pinecones with a light coating of spray adhesive using the newspaper to protect the surface below. Seriously, the concrete will be sticky forever if you don’t protect it. Make sure you cover all sides of your object.

Step Three: Place pine cones in ziplock bag, zip it up and shake!

Voila! Done and oh so pretty! 

Another cute oragami project I just couldn’t pass up.  Click on the image for instructions

Congratulations! Now you’re married! If you’ve made the decision to take your husband’s last name and you’re not sure what to do next, here’s a site makes it super easy: www.MissNowMrs.com Although this site charges a fee of $29.95, they will do all the legwork for you by sending all the forms to the various agencies. Totally worth it in my opinion. When I had to change my name, it was a royal pain in the butt having to deal with all the agencies. I wish I could have just gone to a site like this.

This is just plain fun. I taught this once as a make-it-take-it at the Purcellville store using Hawaiian print paper. VERY cute. I think the receiver may like the money better
Just show me how to make the darn shirt

Okay, seriously now, I’m posting this for the TECHNIQUE of using multiple pumpkins, not because I’m a Minnie Mouse fan (not that there’s anything wrong with being a MM fan). It has nothing to do with paper (as many of my “how to” projects don’t) but it’s just that I find it quite interesting that I (the creative one) was creating a pumpkin masterpiece yesterday (can you guess what it was?) and was less than thrilled with the stupid ears I had to draw (because I had no ideas for anything else!) WHY didn’t I think of using mini pumpkins or gourdes as the ears??? Arghhh! I’m off to fix my super pumpkin masterpiece (which I’ll post soon).

(I seriously hope this thing turns out as cute as I think it will)

(Gasp! IDEA!) Submit your best guess as to what you think my super pumpkin masterpiece is. Those who are correct will receive a cool free gift - and yes, it will be a REALLY cool, quality, “definitely worth the time to submit my best pumpkin guess” gift, (NEVER anything junky from the Paperie!)

I will accept submissions from October 27th through midnight Friday, October 31st. Submit your guess by posting it as a comment right here on this blog.
I will be posting a pic of my S.P.M. on November 1 (no laughing, I’m a paper artist, not a pumpkin artist).