Decisions. Decisions.

I've got a real problem right now.  I mean a BIG problem.  Every night (well on those nights that do not involve either soccer or singing lessons) so yeah, like 4 nights a week, I am forced to decide how I will spend my free time.  I know you guys are all in the same boat too.  Free time is scarce and we MUST make hard choices.

In the winter it's easy.....paper crafting is the clear winner.  I do not watch TV (well, except for American Idol) and I like to be active.  Nothing makes me happier than to be in my craft room listening to John Tesh share his team's wisdom.  Side note:  "Did you know that people who choose the self check out aisle consume 14,000 fewer calories per year?".  This is all because we are not tempted by those impulse buys while waiting in line!  Who knew?

Where was I?....
However, this time of the year (yes, glorious SPRING!) causes me much agony.  I absolutely feel the need to work with my pretty papers (have you been in the store and seen all the wonderful items?!?  How can you not want to craft?).  But I have a second love, which many of your may not know about.  My second love whispers in my ear each calm, spring evening....and it's name is "Gardening".

Gardening is messy.  Gardening encourages you to work with your hands.  Gardening is creative.  Gardening constantly craves attention and your time.  And when your gardens are on nearly 2 acres of property, "Gardening" is never done.  Ha.  Another side note:  It's funny but I never really realized how similar my two LOVES are until I reread  my list of descriptives above.  No wonder why I always choose inks, sprays and watercolors over the "cleaner" products.  Ha!

Tough Decisions
These were just a few funnies I found while Googling "decisions" images.  Ha.  I could not resist sharing them with you.....

Honestly if that sign said "Applewood Smoked Cheddar and crackers"
all bets are on me making a right hand turn!

O.M.G-osh.  Tilley is that you?  (This IS my cat!)

My Strategy
So what's a girl to do?  Do you have any tips? Should I be choosing "Gardening" from 7-9pm and "Crafting" from 9-11pm?  Do I split days and Garden one day and Craft the next?

Actually lately, I have been going with "you can't have too much goodness in your life" route.  I am just doing ALL the little things that make me happy.  I got a ton of perennials from Debbie yesterday so I spent the evening gardening (got them all planted btw.  Whoot.  Whoot!).  After working a full day, these little accomplishments should and WILL be celebrated.

I have also been writing notes to teachers on pretty papers and using washi at EVERY possible opportunity adhering toonies to year end trip forms....all to add a little paper love in my life.  I have cranked through a few dies on beautiful papers.  I will take these paper pieces to the office to mull over my card design for my next class (yes, we are working on this.....just blame "Gardening").  These little activities make me happy.

I will just carry on, juggling ALL my wonderful loves, and do MY BEST at all times.

Kim

Store Hours
Wed-Fri - 10am-5pm
Sat - 10am-3pm

It's ALL about the DETAILS!

By no means am I an expert in gift wrapping and gift giving, but I do know that it is the little touches that make the recipient REALLY feel the love.  And isn't that the whole point of gift giving?  You want to make sure the person you are giving the gift to knows you care.

I have blogged about gift wrapping before and with Mother's Day coming up this weekend, this topic is again quite relevant.

This was a gift I pulled together for a good friend's birthday.  I absolutely LOVE giving themed gifts that are all matchy-matchy.  Themed gifts are perfect for those hard-to-buy-for people and even those easy-to-buy-for people.  Included in my gift was a cozy throw blanket, citronella patio candle, cocktail mix and cocktail napkins.

To me, the most important and KEY part of the gift was the simple little tag.  This was actually two cards from the We R Memory Keeper Instagram album themed packs.  The packs are inexpensive but they have some of THE cutest little pre-designed cards ready to pop into the adorable 4x4 albums or use on their own like I did here!

You can also achieve the same look by using the great 12x12 sheets of paper from companies like Webster's Pages which we have in the store by the way!  *wink*

These sheets of designer papers (which are a fabulous weight by the way!) have cards that can be cut out and used on a layout, on a card or on a gift!  Round out the corners and your set!  It can't get much easier than that!

On these cards, you can have fun writing about why you chose the items you did.  I wanted my friend to kick back and relax on a summer's night and know that she deserves a quiet moment to herself....and that's for sure with two busy boys!  These cards can be dressed up with glitter, ribbon, and more.

Why this Blog Post?

The reason I thought it was so important to blog about this was because I think we all put too much pressure on ourselves to create these masterpiece cards and projects like EVERY TIME!  I know more times that not, that I just do not have the time to do that.  And rather than NOT doing anything, I would rather do SOMETHING.  You know, if there was no time to pull out the stamps and the ink and the die and the....I would grab a cute little card like this and write my heart out.  It is the thought that goes into gift and the little touches that I think matter.  We have TONS of products just like this to make you look like a superstar!

Have fun!  Create!  Think outside the box!  Get off the computer and work with those beautiful hands!  Enjoy every minute of it!

Kim

Back to Simpler Times - A New Concept?

So I normally like to post at least a couple of times a week to keep you guys in the loop with the happenings of The Paper Pickle.  I share new product information, special events and sometimes often ramble on about my life.  Today I am having a very difficult time finding words that will be light and entertaining.  With the events of yesterday, I think many of us have found ourselves touched and altered permanently.  It's funny how this can be the case, when many of us have no direct connection.  What got me what when I was watching 20/20 and they interviewed this little girl who was missing her two front teeth.  She reminded me so much of my daughter, Julia.  It was if that could have been her.  What if that was her?  What if she had been there?

Back to Simpler Times
This leads me to my point.  It is something I have been wanting to do for sometime now.....I think it is time to get back to simpler times and I think you guys are just the people to help me lead the charge.  It is time for all of us to slow down.  To not do things just so we can check them off our list.  Remember, each of these moments, each of these to-do items make up our life.  This is your life!


I would like to start posting little things on the blog about things we can do to bring joy to others through our love of the hobby.  If we all start doing these little things, I believe we can bring more love to those we know, more appreciation for others in the communities in which we live and ultimately more peace in our lives.

A Small Application - Gift Wrapping
Take wrapping your gifts for example.  Are you the type who runs to the dollar store, buys any old bag and tissue just so wrapping will be a breeze?  There is nothing wrong with this practice but do you realize how much fun and meaningful it can be to wrap a gift?  Here is what I like to do....turn on some music - ideally music that reminds you of that special person or when all else fails, how about some Christmas tunes?  Then go to my collection of wrapping paper (notice the key word here...collection!  I LOVE paper in ALL forms!) and pick a paper that I know that special person will love and I take my time adding little goodies like ribbons and tags or other fun embellishments (and we all know we got a few of those!).  All of this must coordinate with the gift and person in mind.  Have a look at the gift I just wrapped for my cousin's baby shower.  It uses very inexpensive kraft wrap, a little twine and literally scraps of decorative paper I had in my pile.  A little money spent and little extra time but a big payout when I see her smile....

Assembled with love....the adorable hat was attached with a large glue dot to keep it in place.

The gift without the adorable bear hat.

I once heard someone say "No one notices the packaging or wrapping."  Really?  When you take that little extra time to pull a gift together, that person will know that you thought of them all the while.  I do know there are others out there who will agree with this idea and live by it.  Now don't get me wrong....the packaging and wrapping does not have to be extravagant.  It can be some old kraft packaging paper like I used here or newspaper shredded and crimped in the bottom of a fun basket or jar or what about wrapping a baby gift with reusable swaddle blankets or cheese cloth?  This use to be common practice in simpler times....ah.  Simpler times.


I would love to hear some of the simple things you do to bring joy to others through your love of hobbies.  Please feel free to share here on the blog or come in and chat.  I know gift wrapping ideas will not change the world, but maybe our mindsets while partaking in these activities will....

K