erin terrell clarkson [etc]

Photo Gift deals...

I wish I had checked my email earlier today so I wouldn't be posting this deal so late, but I'm still posting it so someone can hopefully benefit from it. 

If you use Groupon (or even if you don't - you should) click on the Groupon link over there on the right side of my blog [the fourth and fifth blinkies down under the "for the holidays" link section] --------->

You can order a 16x20 canvas print for only $45. THAT is an amazingly good deal for that size on wrapped canvas. There are only 3 1/2 hours left to get the deal, though. That even includes shipping and handling! Or you can get a gift card worth $126.95 (the regular price for a 16x20 print). It's one of the daily deals for San Antonio, but it's an online website, so you don't have to live in San Antonio to cash in on it. 

Same thing if you want to order a photo book. One of the daily deals for Chicago today is $10 for a 40 page 8x8 soft cover book from A&I Books. That's an online site, so you can order the deal no matter where you live. 

I happen to love giving photo books for Christmas. I have one I recently made for this awesome lady, and I can't wait to give it to her. It's full of photos from a recent trip to the Bahamas. Here's a little peek (a tiny photo because I have no idea if she looks at this little website of mine):

Also, did I mention that I received my Christmas card order from Tiny Prints? (that link is also under the "for the holidays" section) So pretty... I highly recommend that website for Christmas cards. I'm hooked on them, 100%. They have amazing customer service.

OK, I'm off to watch bridalplasty. Daisy and I are hooked on it - it's like watching a train wreck. Check back tomorrow because I'm going to show an easy idea for Christmas decor!

*edited to add... if the groupon link doesn't work, try this one: groupon link

Quick Teacher or Neighbor Gift

The end of the school year is fast approaching, so I realize I need to get busy wrapping teacher gifts. I just created this unbelievably fast and easy card and thought I'd share. Mine is a gift for a new neighbor (hence the "welcome" rub-ons), along with a candle and some freshly baked cookies. But it would make a very easy teacher gift, particularly for those of you who have multiple teachers to thank.

I purchased a candle, then wrapped the top with twine and Self-Adhesive Ribbon Doilies by BasicGrey (the Cappella collection: click HERE to view or purchase). Next, I trimmed a small card with paper from BasicGrey Kioshi collection. I used a circle punch to add a purple circle from that same paper pack. The sticker across the bottom is from the same collection. The beautiful fabric flower is from the Kioshi Collection, as well (click HERE to see the entire set of flowers--so pretty!). I added rub-ons from Doodlebug Design to personalize the card, and the alphabet letter stickers are from Making Memories.

Decorating: Kid's Room Frame Project

Today I'm going to share a decorating idea that you can alter to use anywhere in your home, but my example happens to be for a child's room (Daisy's room...which happens to be blindingly bright orange!! "Home Depot orange" as I call it.)

I purchased a frame with multiple openings from The Pottery Barn outlet center. I'm sure you've seen this type of frame at many stores, though. 

Instead of filling the frame with 4x6 photos, I decorated a few of the openings to add a bit of interest and color to her room (sorry, there is a reflection on the glass in this photo):

 

Here are a few detail shots:

I used scraps of patterned paper in colors to match the decor of her room. Because there is a raised mat in this frame, I was able to add a bit of texture by using covered chipboard and ribbons. If your frame doesn't have a mat, then you'll want to stick with flat embellishments.

Daisy wanted colorful photos in the frame (because she is almost a teen and is into the bright stuff), but I've also done this using B&W's only. The pop of color against B&W photos looks really pretty in a room!

This also makes a great gift if you don't want to give an empty frame. You can add photos yourself or just add the artwork and have the recipient add their own photos. I've given a similar gift before for Mother's Day and had children draw their own artwork and messages in a few of the photo openings.

Gifts: Back to School

Every now and then I decide to get a bit crafty with my teacher gifts. You would expect me to take this route on a normal basis since I create things for a living, but I usually prefer to purchase something quick and easy.

That's not always the case, however, as evidenced by this little project:

 

This is a really easy project to complete. You can find the free download here:

A Little Hut.com

Patricia Zapata is a graphic designer I discovered through HGTV (all of that tv watching while I work is good for something). I downloaded the teacher gift cards and printed about 25 of them (so I could make a few gifts at one time). You get 4 cards, each with a unique design, from each page. Use a paper trimmer to trim the page to 4 equal cards. Punch the edges using a corner-rounder punch, then bundle them together using school-themed ribbon (mine is from Autumn Leaves). I added a "Just Because" rub-on from American Crafts to a rimmed tag as the finishing touch.

What are some of your favorite ideas for back to school gifts?