Ornament Gift Card Holder – May 2026 Christmas Card

Posted on May 26, 2026 by Anita

Hi friends,

I created this month’s Christmas card using the Ornament Gift Card Die and Ornament Nested Die Set from Emily Moore Designs. It will be such a fun way to give gift cards this season. 🎄

Disclosure: Some of the links on my site are affiliate links, meaning, at no additional cost to you, I will earn a small commission if you click through and make a purchase. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

You can find my other monthly Christmas cards so far this year in these posts: January, February, March, and April.

To make the base of the card, I folded a piece of red card stock in half. Then using the largest of the Ornament Nesting Dies, I aligned the top of the ornament with the top of the card and slightly overlapped the die over the folded edge of the card. After running it through a die cut machine, it will look like the right photo below.

Then I cut the piece for the inside using the Ornament Gift Card Die from patterned paper. I also die cut 4 ornament toppers from the die in the Ornament Nested Die Set from silver foiled card stock.

I stamped the “merry” circle with red ink on white card stock and die cut around it using these Scallops & Circles Nesting Dies. This stamp is a very old one from Hero Arts so it’s no longer available, but you can use any of your favorite Christmas stamps from your collection. I layered it to a piece of green dotted Swiss card stock die cut with the same die set. You can achieve the same effect of the dotted Swiss card stock by embossing plain card stock with a dot embossing folder before die cutting it.

To assemble the card, slightly trim the left side of the patterned ornament for the inside to give in a flat edge and attach it to the card. Attach 2 of the ornament toppers, back to back, on both the front and back of the card. Attach the “merry” circle to the front of the card. I added 3 silver sequins and finished it off by tying a loop of red/white bakers twine to the topper on the front of the card.

Slip the gift card into the slots and you are ready for gift giving.

You can find step by step instructions by Emily Moore Designs on how to create using these fun dies here on her website. She has so many wonderful products for card making!

Anita

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Crochet Crunch Stitch Dishcloth

Posted on May 22, 2026 by Anita

Hi friends,

Crochet dishcloths are always a great little project to stitch up in between those bigger creations. 🧶 I stitched up some fun Crunch Stitch Dishcloths in Patriotic colors to use all Summer.

Disclosure: Some of the links on my site are affiliate links, meaning, at no additional cost to you, I will earn a small commission if you click through and make a purchase. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

I used I Love This Cotton yarn in Red, White, and Royalty with an H/5mm crochet hook to stitch up my dishcloths. You can find the pattern below along with links to free PDFs – one with photos and one without – if you’d like to easily print it.

Crochet Crunch Stitch Dishcloth 

Worsted weight (4) cotton yarn – I used I Love This Cotton in Red, White, and Royalty 

H/5mm crochet hook

Stitches used in US terms:

Chain – ch

Slip Stitch – ss

Half Double Crochet – hdc

Back Loop Only – blo

Chain 22.

Row 1: ss in 2nd ch from hook. *hdc in next stitch, ss in next stitch*. Repeat from * to * across. Turn. (21 stitches)

Row 2: ch 2 (counts as hdc) *ss in the hdc of previous row, hdc in the ss of previous row*. Repeat from * to * across. Turn. (21 stitches)

Row 3: ch 1 (does not count as a stitch). ss in first stitch. *hdc in next stitch, ss in next stitch*.  Repeat from * to * across. Turn. (21 stitches)

Repeat Rows 2 and 3 until dishcloth measures about 5 inches. 

Do not turn after last row. 

Border:

Begin working in Rounds. 

Round 1: ch 1. sc evenly around, working 3 sc in each corner. Join with ss to first sc. 

Rounds 2-3: ch 1. sc crochet in blo of the same stitch as ss and in each stitch around, working 3 sc in each corner. Join with ss to first sc. 

Fasten off and weave in ends. 

Finished dishcloth measures about 6.5 inches square. 

Here are the links to the free PDFs…

Crochet Crunch Stitch Dishcloth pattern with photos
Crochet Crunch Stitch Dishcloth pattern without photos

Of course you can stitch up the Crochet Crunch Stitch Dishcloth in any color to match your kitchen. They also make a great little hostess gift! I have a simple wrap label PDF that you can print out to use for gift giving…

Crochet Dishcloth Label

What color will you make your dishcloth?

Anita

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Country Mouse Hello – Handmade Card

Posted on May 20, 2026 by Anita

Hi friends,

This cute little mouse is part of the Country Mouse Hello stamp set from Unity Stamp Company and makes the sweetest birthday card. 🩵

Disclosure: Some of the links on my site are affiliate links, meaning, at no additional cost to you, I will earn a small commission if you click through and make a purchase. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

I stamped the mouse with Memento Tuxedo Black ink on white card stock and colored it with Copic markers. I die cut around the image using these Scallops & Circles Nesting Dies.

To make the card, I die cut a piece of patterned paper using these Scallops & Rectangles Nesting Dies and attached it to a white card. Then I embossed a piece of aqua card stock with a diamond embossing folder (similar to this) and attached it to the card. The sentiment is stamped with aqua ink on white card stock, die cut with these Scalloped & Stitched Sentiment Nesting Dies, and attached to the card at an angle. The mouse is attached to the card using foam tape. To finish the card and add a little bling, I added 3 aqua sequins.

This sweet mouse can be used for lots of different occasions other than birthdays – thinking of you, hello, just a note, thank you – simply change the sentiment.

Whatever the occasion, he’s sure to bring a smile. 🙂

Anita

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Patriotic Wood Popsicles

Posted on May 19, 2026 by Anita

Hi friends,

These fun Patriotic Wood Popsicles will add a cute whimsical touch to your patriotic decor. They were so fun to paint! 🙂

Disclosure: Some of the links on my site are affiliate links, meaning, at no additional cost to you, I will earn a small commission if you click through and make a purchase. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

The unfinished wood popsicles are from Hobby Lobby and measure about 4 inches by 1.5 inches and are about 1/2 inch thick. They come in a package of 6 for $6.99 – but I got them for 40% so they $4.19. Hobby Lobby puts their supplies for various crafts on sale about every other week, so watch for sales on the items you need.

You’ll also need acrylic paint in red, white, blue, and light brown, a sanding block or sandpaper, and various ribbons.

I used masking tape (you can also use painter’s tape) to tape off the sections and painted each section of red, white, and blue with 2 coats of paint. Then I painted the stick with the light brown. To give them a bit of a rustic look, I lightly sanded each popsicle. I tied 2 different ribbons in a double knot around each stick to finish them.

They turned out so cute! ❤️🤍💙 I think they will look cute grouped in a bowl or basket. I think I’m going to add them to my dough bowl along with my Patriotic Rag Balls.

You could also paint these in bright colors, maybe add polka dots or vertical stripes, and they would be fun for your decor all Summer long!☀️

Anita

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Patriotic Clothespin Wreath 🇺🇸

Posted on May 15, 2026 by Anita

Have you been thinking about making a new patriotic wreath for your front door? This clothespin wreath is really easy to make and could be a fun project to do with the kids.

The base of my wreath is a 12-inch flat wooden wreath form. You’ll also need wood clothespins, 1-inch wood star cut outs, and acrylic paints in red, white, and blue.

I started out by clipping the clothespins around the wreath to figure out how many I would need – I needed 68 to fit my wreath. Then to mimic the 13 stripes on the USA flag, I set aside 28 clothespins to paint red and 24 to paint white (4 for each stripe). That left me with 16 to paint blue. Depending on the size of the wreath form you choose, just adjust the number of clothespins you’ll need for each section.

I painted the wreath form white, along with 24 clothespins and 10 stars. Then I painted 28 clothespins red and painted 16 blue. I used two coats of paint on everything. You could also use spray paint which would cut down the time to create this wreath quite a bit. I had the acrylic paint in my craft stash so I just used what I had on hand.

After everything is dry, simply clip the clothespins on the wreath creating the stripes by using 4 red alternating with 4 white. Add the blue clothespins and glue the stars to the blue section. I used E6000 clear adhesive to glue on my stars. I finished the wreath with a couple coats of a matte sealing spray.

A fun addition to your Summer decor! 🇺🇸

Anita

 

 

 

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Springtime Birthday Wishes – Handmade Card

Posted on May 13, 2026 by Anita

Hi friends,

I used this cute gardening boots stamp from the Springtime stamp set from Creative Worship Stamps to create a sweet Springtime Birthday Wishes card.

Disclosure: Some of the links on my site are affiliate links, meaning, at no additional cost to you, I will earn a small commission if you click through and make a purchase. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying 

I stamped the image with Memento Tuxedo Black Ink on white card stock and colored it with Copic markers. Using this Make a Tag die set, I die cut around the image and layered it to pink card stock die cut with the same set. I added a hole reinforcement – from the same die set – cut from pink card stock and tied on a piece of aqua/white bakers twine.

To make the card, I used a dot embossing folder to emboss a piece of aqua card stock and attached it to a white card. I attached a strip of flowered patterned paper to the card and then attached the tag with foam tape. I stamped “happy birthday” with pink ink on white card stock, die cut around it with these Scalloped & Stitched Sentiment Nesting Dies, and attached it to the card.

A bright and colorful way to send birthday wishes any time of the year! 🌷

Anita

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USA 250 Sign🇺🇸

Posted on May 12, 2026 by Anita

Hi friends,

This year in the USA, we are celebrating 250 years on July 4th! 🇺🇸 I created a “USA 250” sign to add to my patriotic decor this year.

Disclosure: Some of the links on my site are affiliate links, meaning, at no additional cost to you, I will earn a small commission if you click through and make a purchase. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

I found my sign at Hobby Lobby on sale – it measures about 17 inches by 9.25 inches. My letters (3.5 inches) and numbers (2.5 inches) are also from Hobby Lobby. Other supplies I used are acrylic paint in red, white, blue, and brown, red and blue star patterned scrapbook paper, red and white beads, and some natural twine – this all came from my stash in my craft room. 🙂

I traced the USA letters on the back of the patterned paper and cut them out. Using Mod Podge, I attached the cutouts to the front of each letter. Then I added a thin coat to Mod Podge over the top.

I painted the frame of my sign with 2 coats of red paint. I also painted the entire back of the frame red to give it a finished look, but this is totally optional. Once dry, I painted the inside of the frame with 2 coats of white paint. I painted the numbers with 2 coats each of red, white, and blue.

To make the sign look a little rustic, I dry brushed the sign, letters, and numbers with brown paint. It also helped to hide any imperfections when painting the sign. 😉

I hot glued the letters to the center of the sign and the numbers to the frame.

To make the beaded hanger, I tied a knot at the end of a piece of natural twine leaving a short tail. Then I simply strung the beads onto the twine and tied a knot at the other end, again leaving a short tail. I used hot glue to attach the ends of the twine to the back of the frame – be careful not to burn your fingers! 😳 You can make your beaded hanger any length you want.

This project could be changed for so many different types of decor just by changing the letters and colors. It would make a cute sign with a child’s name, a family last name in colors to match your decor, a seasonal sign – Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter, Easter, Noel, Halloween – there are so many options! You may have to change the size of your letters to fit, but you can be so creative! 🙂

Anita

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Crochet Summer Tote Bag😎

Posted on May 8, 2026 by Anita

Hi friends,

Just in time for all the warm weather activities, I have a Crochet Summer Tote Bag pattern to share with you today! It works up quickly holding 2 strands of worsted weight cotton yarn together. It is a great size to take to the pool, beach, or the farmer’s market this summer. 😎☀️🏖️

Disclosure: Some of the links on my site are affiliate links, meaning, at no additional cost to you, I will earn a small commission if you click through and make a purchase. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

The tote bag is completely washable, but here are a couple of tips. Wash it in cold water on a medium cycle and lay flat to dry. Also, add a Shout Color Catcher to the washer because cotton yarn sometimes wants to run – this will help keeping the colors from running into the white.

I used I Love This Cotton Yarn in Red, White, and Royalty with an N/9mm crochet hook to stitch up my Summer Tote Bag. You can find the pattern below along with a link to a free PDF if you’d like to easily print it. There is also a link to a free PDF without photos if you would prefer that.

Crochet Summer Tote Bag

Worsted weight (4) cotton yarn – I used I Love This Cotton in Red, White, and Royalty – Two (3.5 ounce) skeins of each color

Note: You will not use all of the Royalty or Red, but you will need more than one skein of each. 

N/9mm hook

Stitches used: US terms

Chain – ch

Single crochet – sc

Half double crochet – hdc

Slip stitch – ss

Back loop only – blo

Note: Bag is crocheted using 2 strands of yarn held together

Ch 36 loosely with Royalty (holding 2 strands together)

Row 1: sc in the back bump of 2nd ch from hook and each ch across. Ch 1 and turn. (35 stitches)

Rows 2-5: sc in each stitch across. Ch 1 and turn. (35 stitches)

Row 6: sc in each stitch across. Ch 1. DO NOT TURN (35 stitches)

Begin working in rounds.

Round 1: Work 4 sc across end of rows. Work 2 sc in next stitch. sc in next 33 stitches. 2 sc in last stitch. Work 4 sc across end of rows. 2 sc in next stitch. sc in next 33 stitches. 2 sc in last stitch. Join with ss to 1st sc. (82 stitches)

Round 2: ch 1. sc in blo only of same stitch as ss and in each stitch around. Join with ss to 1st sc. (82 stitches)

Round 3: ch 1. Skip stitch that has the ss. sc in next stitch and in each stitch around, ending with final sc in skipped sc at the beginning of the round. Join with ss to 1st sc. (82 stitches)

Round 4: ch 1. sc in same stitch as ss and in each stitch around. Join with ss to 1st sc. (82 stitches)

Rounds 5-10: Repeat rounds 3 and 4 (3 times).  (82 stitches)

Change to White.

Round 11: ch 2. Skip stitch that has the ss. hdc in next stitch and each stitch around, ending with the final hdc in skipped stitch at the beginning of the round. Join with ss to 1st hdc. (82 stitches)

Round 12: ch 2. hdc in same stitch as ss and in each stitch around. Join with ss to 1st hdc. (82 stitches)

Rounds 13-26: Repeat rounds 11 and 12 (7 times). (82 stitches)

Change to Red. 

Rounds 27-32: Repeat rounds 3 and 4 (3 times). (82 stitches)

The next round will form the handles of the tote.

Round 33: ch 1. Skip stitch that has ss. sc in next 13 stitches. Ch 40. Skip next 14 stitches. sc in next 28 stitches. Ch 40. Skip next 14 stitches. sc in next 12 stitches. End the round with a sc in the stitch that was skipped at the beginning of the round. Join with ss to first sc. (134 stitches)

Round 34: ch 1. sc in same stitch as ss and each sc and ch around. Join with ss to first sc. (134 stitches)

Round 35: ch 1. Skip stitch that has the ss. sc in next stitch and in each stitch around, ending with the final sc in skipped stitch at the beginning of the round. Join with ss to first sc. (134 stitches)

Round 36: ch 1. sc in same stitch as ss and in each stitch around. Join with ss to first sc. (134 stitches)

Round 37: ch 1. Skip stitch that has the ss. sc in next stitch and in each stitch around, ending with the final sc in skipped stitch at the beginning of the round. Join with ss to first sc. (134 stitches)

Fasten off and weave in ends.

Finished tote measures approximately 17 inches wide by 15 inches tall plus handles and about 2.5 inches across the bottom. 

Here are the free PDF links…

Crochet Summer Tote Bag with photos
Crochet Summer Tote Bag without photos

Of course you can stitch up your Crochet Summer Tote Bag in any color combo, or even just one solid color. What color will your tote bag be? 😊

Anita

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Graduation Card 2026

Posted on May 6, 2026 by Anita

Hi friends,

It’s Graduation season! 🎓 I needed to make bunch of graduation cards this year so I chose a simple layout that I could use for all of them.

Disclosure: Some of the links on my site are affiliate links, meaning, at no additional cost to you, I will earn a small commission if you click through and make a purchase. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

I stamped a graduation cap with Memento Tuxedo Black ink on white card stock. I punched around it with an oval punch and layered it to a larger oval punched from black card stock. My stamp is an old one from Stampendous, but it’s discontinued. ☹️ You can also use any simple graduation stamp you have in your collection.

To make the card, I embossed a piece of white card stock with a graduation cap embossing folder (similar to this). Using these Deckle & Stitches Nesting Dies, I die cut the piece and layered it to black card stock die cut with the same set. The piece is attached to a white card.

I attached a “class of 2026” ribbon that I found at Hobby Lobby to the card. The stamped image is attached to the card at a slight angle. To finish the card, I added 3 gold sequins.

Congrats to all the 2026 grads! 🎓🎉

Anita

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No Bake Avalanche Cookies

Posted on May 5, 2026 by Anita

Hi friends,

No bake cookies are so quick and easy to make – and they’re yummy, too! 😋

Disclosure: Some of the links on my site are affiliate links, meaning, at no additional cost to you, I will earn a small commission if you click through and make a purchase. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

This recipe is called No Bake Avalanche Cookies and you can find the recipe here at Cookies & Cups. They are super easy to make with just a few ingredients.

Add the crispy rice cereal and marshmallows to a large bowl, melt the peanut butter and white chocolate (I melted mine in the microwave), stir together, pour over the cereal and marshmallows, and mix well.

Drop by spoonfuls onto a parchment paper lined baking sheet. I added some colorful sprinkles over the top of my cookies and then put them into the fridge until they were firm. You can make your cookies any size you want. I used a cookie scoop for my cookies.

You’ll want to store these cookies in a cool place so they don’t get too soft – in the fridge is great! You can eat them right out of the fridge or let them warm up a tad before eating them.

If you like peanut butter, I think you will love these cookies! 😋

Anita

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