That's a Wrap!

Here in Arkansas, we are smack in the middle of a Winter Storm today.  It's a good thing quite a bit of my Christmas shopping is done.  I thought I'd spend the day wrapping gifts. 

 

I'm not really a fan of regular ol' gift wrap.  I prefer the wrap be functional or at least hand made.  Here are some things that have worked for me.  Maybe you'll like them, too?

 

 

Zebra Box  For this fun option, I used a plain box and dressed it up with some duct tape.

 

 

DIY Envelopes  Are you giving gift cards?  I made these envelopes with paper scraps!

 

 

Got Tu Tus?  This is my solution for rumple free wrapping.

How 'bout a silly recycled container?  Gobblin' Gus techniques could be used for young (or goofy) gift recipients!  ;-)  There's more than one "GOOFY" on my list!  'Just saying.  ;-)

 

 This Quick Zebra Pouch was big hit wrapping nail polish for a chic teenager!  She used it as a coin purse for a very long time!

If you read my blog much at all, you know how I love Hand Stamped Brown Paper Bags!  They always make me smile!

Bandanas are great for  lots of things, especially books!
 

So, there you have it!  These are some things I'll be doing today while we ride out our winter storm.  How do you wrap gifts for the people you love?

;-)  -Marci

The Great Blog Train Blog Hop and Giveaway!

All Aboard!!!

The Great Blog Train

A monthly blog hop departing from your online train station on the first Wednesday of every month!

<a href="http://www.godsgrowinggarden.com/p/great-blog-train.html" rel="”nofollow”" target="_blank"><img alt="God’s Growing Garden" src="http://i1145.photobucket.com/albums/o501/AngieOuelletteTower/My%20Blog%20Stuff/BlogTrainNew200_zps7e9c8369.jpg" /></a>

 Have you heard? -

The Great Blog Train has 5 Engineers!!

If you link up that means your blog will be seen on 5 different blogs!!!

 

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The Great Blog Train's fifth Great Giveaway!!!

1 Lucky winner could win the following:

$20 Starbucks Card
- 2 Drop Cloth Pillow Covers by Marci
-1 Ruffled Scarf by Laura
-Ad Space on Kaitlyn's blog
-Ad Space on Marci's blog
-Sidebar Ad Space on Angie's blog
-"My Cookie Creation Countdown" ebook by Angie
-"Making Your Own Cedar Roping or Pine Garland" ebook by Angie

There are many ways to enter & then don't forget to link up to the train below!!

(Due to Postage prices - You must live in the "lower 48" of the United States of America to enter this Giveaway - Thank you)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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<a href="http://www.godsgrowinggarden.com/search/label/Train/" target="_blank"><img alt="God’s Growing Garden" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SOE_IrX-cwM/UQGe049266I/AAAAAAAAVAs/23laIjVCON4/s1600/BlogTrainFinal+featured+caboose.png"/></a>

 

Remember to join the fun even if you are running a little late.  The last entry will receive the Caboose Feature! 

November's Caboose and featured blog happens to be:

 

 Caseperlatesta Congratulations!

I have to apologize but this blog was in Italian or Spanish (I think) and the English translation button wasn't working - so I had to use my high school & College French from decades ago to try to translate myself (please forgive me if some details are a little off).

This blog "Caseperlatesta" is all about creating an oasis in our homes.  It is written by 2 sisters who love architecture and that love shows in the decorating ideas that they share with us on their blog.  They also love to visit the sea and love to eat Nutella (that word was an easy translation - hahaha).  Please visit their creative blog!

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1. Follow all five of the hostesses in at least one of the following ways: GFC, Twitter, Pinterest, Bloglovin, Linky, Networked Blogs, or Facebook. Then leave us a comment telling us how you followed so that we can come back & visit you! The hostesses are:

Angie            Marci              Laura             Kaitlyn          Lynn

 

2. Now link up your family friendly blog to the train

3. And last, but not least, connect to the boxcar in front of you (the blog in the linky just before you). Stop by that person's blog, have a look around and leave a comment letting them know that you stopped in!

Now that you have your ticket you are

ready to board the rest of the train!

OPTIONAL:You may grab our “Great Blog Train” button and post it on your sidebar or link page.
Also, feel free to spread the word – the more the merrier!

Sign up to receive emails about The Great Blog Train

 

 

Thriving on Thursdays Feature!

Exciting news!  My Men's T-Shirt Makeover #3 has been featured at Domesblissity!

 

 

There's still time to join the party!

  Please join the fun!   ;-)  -Marci

The Great Blog Train GIVEAWAY and BLOG HOP!

 

I am having technical difficulties this morning. 



Will you please visit the other hostesses to hop on board The Great Blog Train?  We are having an AWESOME giveaway!

Angie            Marci              Laura             Kaitlyn          Lynn

 

;-)  -Marci

LINK PARTY! Tuesdays with a Twist #35

Welcome to another fantastic party!

<a href="http://back2basichealth.blogspot.com/"><img border="0" src="http://i1287.photobucket.com/albums/a627/greenmary_smith/ad9dc0c5-5f80-4ed7-a18c-c6e9fb42d156_zpsde41d9bb.jpg"/></a>  

 

 

 

Are you ready to party?
 

We're your co-hosts:
 

Mary @ Back to the Basics

Joyce @ It's Your Life!
 

Marci @ Stone Cottage Adventures

Jenn @ Endlessly Inspired

 

Each co-host will be sharing her own picks for Features. This gives everyone a better chance of being featured.  Be sure to check all of our blogs!

 
My features this week are Holiday Signs



from Three Dawg Lady Designs!  I hope you hop over and see all the fun ideas

and...

Five Reasons to Exercise 



from Organic 4 Greenlivings!  A very informative post about WHY we need exercise.  (OK, beside the fact that I ate half a cheesecake last week!)
 

If you've been featured we'd love for you to grab a button.

<a href="http://back2basichealth.blogspot.com/"><img border="0" src="http://i1287.photobucket.com/albums/a627/greenmary_smith/FeaturedMorningglory_zps96ec9fee.jpg"/></a>

We all love comments!  we try to comment on each and every link. 

Please hop around and show some love!

The party starts every Tuesday at 7am EST and will continue until Friday at 11:59pm.  Feel free to stop back any time and "like" your favorites.  Please visit other blogs if you have a moment. 

Share older posts as well as new ones.  No limit on links!

*Pictures should be your own* 

By linking up you give us permission to use these photos

 (with proper link backs) in our features. 

And now for the party!

;-)  -Marci 

Follow my blog with Bloglovin  

Garden Guest: House Finch

The north side of our front yard is a certified  National Wildlife Federation Backyard Habitat.  Really!  We have a certificate!  You can do the same by providing food, water, cover and places for wildlife to raise their young.  It is so much fun to see all of the critters that stop by for a visit.  I've begun a new series of posts to show you our Garden Guests. 

If you would like to see more, check my Gardening Page!

Take a look at these House finches.  You can see they are eating sunflower seeds from a tube feeder.  The redder ones are the males.  Aren't they pretty?

They definitely brighten a cold winter day!

How 'bout some bloggin' music?  Leon Redbone and Zooey Deschanel singing "Baby, It's Cold Outside".

Warm wishes from our home to yours!

;-)  -Marci

Follow my blog with Bloglovin

Snickerdoodle Sunday Link Party Feature!

Have you seen my Men's T-Shirt Makeover #3?  It's an older post on my Sewing Page.  Here's a photo of the finished product.

 

 

Last week, I had the crazy idea to throw it in some link parties.

 

Well, it was The Most Viewed post at Snickerdoodle Sunday link party at 2 Crochet Hooks!  I just couldn't wait to share the exciting news!!

 

;-)  -Marci