Digital Scrapbook Papers are not only for scrapbooking. You can use them for a a lot of different craft projects.

Where To Get Them

• Digital Scrapbook Place: You must register to gain access to their freebies page, which offers a myriad of digital papers
• Crafts Beautiful: this British DIY site provides a ton of tutorials. Every month Crafts Beautiful introduces a new set of “backing papers.”
• Shabby Princess: Here you can find gorgeous sets of papers and embellishments. I used the 2005 holiday sampler for the projects on this post

What To Do With Them

• Print on paper and make paper beads, paper boxes (Mirkwood Designs has nice templates), envelopes, stationary

• Print on fabric using either inkjet fabric sheets or, for larger pieces of fabric, have your designs printed by Spoonflower and make appliques, key chains, napkins

• Print on shrink film (Shrinky Dinks) to make tags, earrings, charm bracelets, mobiles, drink charms

• Print on iron on transfers and decorate onesies, T-shirts, did I mention napkins?

• Create cross-stitch patterns using a tool like Artopik

What do you like to do with these papers?

P.S. Thank you to Meggie Cat who inspired this post with her collection of online tools and freeware.

A few years ago a friend showed me how to make my own earrings (thanks Vanessa for another addiction!). After making a million pairs I convinced my husband to let me sell them in his classroom on special occasions. I targeted the men in his classes to buy them as gifts for their girl and even provided wrapping for them! This part I found to be almost as fun and rewarding as coming up with the bead combinations. It is fun to find or make tiny wrapping just right for earrings and the ideas are everywhere once you start looking for them.

By piercing holes with a tiny hole punch or even the earring post you can custom make anything into an earring holder. The little brown bags came with a piece of cardstock inside. The tiny white cards open and came with envelopes. Then I found sets of the little woven baskets at the dollar store. I love anything in miniature size!

Another fun part is decorating the wrapping. I bought this Love stamp since Love is my last name, to stamp on things I make and because I was selling these for Valentine’s Day. I love giving these miniature gifts as a small thank you or inside of another package. I am looking now for new wrapping ideas. Is there any you would like to share?

In need of a quick and inexpensive gift for Valentine’s day?
These candy gift bags are fun and versatile for any occasion.

I got these little plastic baggies in different sizes from the dollar store. I fill them with candy or marshmallows (and attach a packet of cocoa), or any small gift. I cut about a 3 3/4 x 4 1/2 inch sqare and folded it in half to decorate. I like to use black paper and stamp with white craft ink or write with a white color pencil so it looks like writing on a chalkboad. This one went to our beloved Candace!

I have a 1 1/2 inch circle punch that I stamped the heart message on and stuck it to the black cardstock with a piece of 3-D double-sided tape. I have a tiny set of alphabet stamps that are great to use for stamping the name or a message on the back. When I am done I just staple the card over the ziploc part of the baggie. Perfect for friends, co-workers, or classmates!

Adding a 3D element to your homemade cards is a great way to make them look unique and stretches your creativity.

Try adding a fake flower, using a brad as the center of the flower.

Another idea is using paper folding techniques to add dimension. The cupcake paper is simply folded in a fan shape and glued on. It adds a different look to the card than you would expect.

Other 3D elements you can add include ribbons, yarn, twine, foam cutouts – the possibilities are endless! Try to go outside your regular train of thought and I’m sure you’ll be pleased with the results, and your recipients will be as well!

Before you decide to toss all those Christmas cards sent to you, save them and use them as gift tags for next year. It doesn’t require a crafty-hand, just a pair of scissors and a hole punch.

Cut around specific shapes, or take a decorative backdrop and cut shapes in it. Punch a hole in the top for tying them on and cover any writing on the back by gluing a piece of paper over it. You can even embellish them with glitter, sequins or ribbon.

It doesn’t take any time at all, and you’ve turned those beautiful Christmas cards into beautiful gift tags for next holiday season.