Creating Me

Quick and Easy Crochet Gift Card Holder

Posted on December 1, 2023 by Anita

Hi friends,

I have a super quick and easy crochet pattern to share with you today. When giving gift cards or cash I like to dress them up a bit to make them a little more special. This Crochet Gift Card Holder is crocheted in the round and works up quickly. You can make a few while you’re watching your favorite Hallmark Christmas movie! 🎄

I used I Love This Cotton Yarn and an H/5mm crochet hook to stitch up my gift card holders. Any worsted weight (4) yarn will work – these are a great stash buster project! 🧶

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 the pattern below. I’ve also included a link to a free PDF if you’d like to print it. Don’t forget to Pin it to your crochet Pinterest board for later. 😊

Quick and Easy Crochet Gift Card Holder

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

H/5mm crochet hook

3/4 inch Button

Stitches used in US terms:

Chain – ch

Single Crochet – sc

Half Double Crochet – hdc

Slip Stitch – ss

Note: I carried my yarn up when changing colors – less ends to weave in and the project goes much faster.

Chain 11 with Red or Green.

Round 1: sc in 2nd ch from hook. sc in next 8 stitches. Work 3 sc in last stitch. Working on the other side of beginning ch, sc in next 8 stitches. Work 3 sc in last stitch. Join with ss to first sc. (23 stitches)

Rounds 2-3: ch 1. sc in each stitch around. Join with ss to first sc. (23 stitches)

Change to White.

Rounds 4-5; ch 1. sc in each stitch around. Join with ss to first sc. (23 stitches)

Change to Red or Green.

Rounds 6-7: ch 1. sc in each stitch around. Join with ss to first sc. (23 stitches)

Change to White.

Rounds 8-9: ch 1. sc in each stitch around. Join with ss to first sc. (23 stitches)

Change to Red or Green.

Rounds 10-11: ch 1. sc in each stitch around. Join with ss to first sc. (23 stitches)

Change to White.

Rounds 12-13: ch 1. sc in each stitch around. Join with ss to first sc. (23 stitches)

Change to Red or Green.

Rounds 14-15: ch 1. sc in each stitch around. Join with ss to first sc. (23 stitches)

Change to White.

Round 16: ch 1. sc in each stitch around. Join with ss to first sc. (23 stitches)

Round 17: ch 1. sc in next 19 stitches. ch 12 for button loop. sc in next 4 stitches. Join with ss to first sc. (23 stitches)

Fasten off and weave in ends.

Sew on button.

Here’s the link to the free PDF…

Quick and Easy Crochet Gift Card Holder

Of course you don’t have to crochet the gift card holder in just Christmas colors! Any color combination from pastels to brights to a single color will work great for any occasion when you want to add just a little something more when giving a gift card.

Anita

Posted in Christmas, Crochet, Gifts | Tagged Christmas, Crochet, Gifts | 6 Comments

Special Birthday Delivery (Handmade Card)

Posted on November 29, 2023 by Anita

Hi friends,

I know it’s the holiday season, but we don’t want to forget about those special people who have birthdays! 🥳 This sweet little mouse delivering a bucket of flowers is just so adorable for sending birthday wishes. 🙂

The stamp is from Unity Stamp Company and it’s called Special Delivery Mouse. She is so sweet and fun to color!

I stamped the mouse with Memento Tuxedo Black ink on white card stock and colored her with Copic markers. Using the Scallops & Circles Nesting Dies, also from Unity Stamp Company, I die cut around the image and layered it to a larger circle die cut from pink card stock. I embossed a piece of light turquoise card stock with the Quatrefoil Embossing folder from Taylored Expressions, tied a pink ribbon around it, and attached it to a white card. I attached the stamped image to the card with foam tape.

Don’t let those birthdays get lost in all the holiday hustle and bustle! Create a sweet card for those special loved ones! 🥳

Anita

Posted in Cards, Stamping | Tagged Cards, Stamping | Leave a comment

Christmas Tags for Mini Stockings

Posted on November 28, 2023 by Anita

Hi friends,

You can find these mini stockings everywhere during the season! They are the perfect size to fill with treats to bring a little Christmas cheer to your kids’ teachers and friends, your neighbors, Sunday school classes, or anyone who needs a little smile. 🎄

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.

Adding a little hand stamped Christmas tag will make them even more special! All you need is your favorite small Christmas stamp, some card stock, and a little red and white baker’s twine.

My Christmas tree stamp came from the 2022 Advent Calendar from Unity Stamp Company. The 2022 calendar is sold out, but it looks like there may still be some 2023 Advent Calendars available (at least as of the writing of this post) and they are so fun! You get 24 little stamps that are perfect for making gift tags and cards for the season. You can open them all at once or use it at a true Advent calendar and open one stamp each day. 🙂 Of course, any small Christmas stamp in your collection will work great!

I stamped my trees with Memento Tuxedo Black ink on white card stock and colored them with Copic markers. I punched around the tree with an oval punch and layered it to a larger oval punched from light green card stock. Using my Crop-A-Dile, I punched a small hole in the top of the tags and tied them to the mini stockings with red and white baker’s twine. I added snack size candies to fill the stockings for gift giving.

The mini stockings are about 4.5 inches tall and they can be used as ornaments after all the treats are gone. Who will you share a little Christmas cheer with? 🎄

Anita

Posted in Christmas, Gifts, Stamping | Tagged Christmas, Gifts, Stamping | Leave a comment

Slow Cooker Meat Lovers Chili

Posted on November 24, 2023 by Anita

Hi friends,

Looking for a yummy chili recipe for the cold winter days ahead? You need to try this Slow Cooker Meat Lovers Chili! You can find the recipe here at Passionate Penny Pincher.

It’s super easy to make and because you make it in your slow cooker, you can start it in the morning, get on with all the other things you need to do, and dinner will be ready in about 6 hours.

To make my prep time even shorter in the morning, I browned my meat along with the onions and garlic the night before and put it in a container in the fridge. Then all I had to do was add the meat and the rest of the ingredients to my slow cooker and turn it on.

I took the Slow Cooker Meat Lovers Chili to share with some friends for dinner and one of them said “I think this is the best chili I’ve ever had”. 😊 It really is yummy!

We added cheddar cheese, a dollop of sour cream, and some Fritos on the side (or mix them into your bowl 😊). A little side salad with your favorite dressing and you’ll have a great meal!

Anita

Posted in Recipes | Tagged Recipe | 2 Comments

Happy Thanksgiving

Posted on November 23, 2023 by Anita

Hi friends,

I just wanted to pop in and wish all my friends in the USA a HAPPY THANKSGIVING!! I hope your day is filled with lots of family, friends, and food! 🧡🦃🥧

To make this Fall card, I stamped the pumpkin from the Pumpkin Spice Please stamp set from Unity Stamp Company with Memento Tuxedo Black ink on white card stock and colored it with Copic markers. I die cut around the image using the Scallops & Circles Nesting Dies from Unity Stamp Company. I layered the image to a circle die cut from orange card stock. Then I layered it to a scalloped circle punched from brown card stock using foam tape.

I stamped “happy fall” from the Planner Gal: Seasonal Hello stamp set, also from Unity, with Memento Rich Cocoa ink on white card stock. I punched around the sentiment with a scalloped circle punch and layered it to a scalloped circle punched from orange card stock.

I wrapped natural jute twine around a piece of patterned paper, tying it in a knot. I attached the paper to a white card. I attached the pumpkin image to the card and added the sentiment over the twine using foam tape.

I’m so thankful for all of you who take a moment out of your busy day to visit my little blog – it means the world to me! 🥰 Thank you for coming along with me on my journey!

Anita

Posted in Cards, Fall, Stamping, Uncategorized | Tagged Cards, Fall, Stamping | Leave a comment

A Little Hello (Handmade Card)

Posted on November 22, 2023 by Anita

Hi friends,

This sweet Winter Birdie Swag stamp from Unity Stamp Company makes the cutest winter card! The set includes 3 fun sentiments, but the one I used on my card is a discontinued stamp from Stampin’ Up. You can really use any sentiment on this card from the ones included with the cute bird to thinking of you to Merry Christmas.

I stamped the bird image with Memento Tuxedo Black ink on white card stock and colored him with Copic markers. Then I stamped the sentiment with red ink next to the bird. I used the Scallops & Rectangles Nesting Dies from Unity Stamp Company to die cut around the image. I also die cut a piece of red card stock and layered the stamped image to it.

I used a dot embossing folder to emboss a piece of bright blue card stock and attached it to a white card. Then I attached the stamped image to the card.

I love the way the colors on this card pop! You can color up this sweet bird in so many different ways – he’s perfect for sending out warm wishes all winter long. 😊

Anita

Posted in Cards, Stamping, Uncategorized | Tagged Cards, Stamping | 2 Comments

Easy Crochet Christmas Cup Cozy

Posted on November 21, 2023 by Anita

Hi friends,

Do you have a coffee lover on your Christmas gift list? Or maybe a Chai Latte is their favorite hot drink. ☕️ Either way, the Crochet Christmas Cup Cozy will make a great gift!

This is an easy pattern that works up quickly. I stitched up my Christmas Cup Cozy using I Love This Cotton Yarn and an H/5mm crochet hook. You can find the pattern below. I’ve also included a link to a free PDF for easy printing. (There’s also a link at the end of the pattern for the cup cozy template in the pictures below.)

This is a great video on how to crochet in the 3rd loop from Moogly if you need help with that. 🙂

Easy Crochet Christmas Cup Cozy

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

H/5mm hook

Buttons (optional)

Stitches used in US terms:

Chain – ch

Slip Stitch – ss

Single Crochet – sc

Half Double Crochet – hdc

Half Double Crochet in 3rd loop

Note: chains at beginning of rounds do not count as stitches.

Chain 30 with White and join to first chain with ss to form a ring.

Round 1: ch 1. sc in each ch around. Join with ss to first sc. (30 stitches)

Rounds 2-4: ch 1. sc in each stitch around. Join with ss to first sc. (30 stitches)

Change to Red.

Round 5: ch 1. hdc in each stitch stitch around. Join with ss to first hdc. (30 stitches)

Rounds 6-12: ch 1. hdc in 3rd loop of each stitch around. Join with ss to first hdc. (30 stitches)

Change to White.

Round 13: ch 1. sc in the 3rd loop of each stitch around. Join with ss to first sc. (30 stitches)

Rounds 14-16: ch 1. sc in each stitch around. Join with ss to first sc. (30 stitches)

Fasten off and weave in ends.

Sew on buttons if using.

Here’s the link to the free PDF…

Easy Crochet Christmas Cup Cozy

Here’s the link to the Cup Cozy Template from The Knotty Boss.

Stitch up an Easy Crochet Christmas Cup Cozy and add a gift card to their favorite coffee shop for a fun Christmas gift. ☕️ The cup cozy would also make a great stocking stuffer! It would be so cute in red and green or green and white, too. ❤️💚🤍

Anita

Posted in Christmas, Crochet, Gifts | Tagged Christmas, Crochet, Gifts | 2 Comments

Merry Merry Merry (Handmade Card)

Posted on November 17, 2023 by Anita

Hi friends,

November’s (November!! 😳) Christmas card is simple but really cute! I love this Santa image 🎅🏼 and the sentiment is fun.

This cute stamp set is called 3 Times as Merry from Unity Stamp Company. The set also includes some festive Christmas lights and a star tree topper stamp.

I stamped the Santa with tree image using Memento Tuxedo Black ink on white card stock and colored him with Copic markers. I used the Wonky Stitched Rectangle STAX Die-Namics from MFT Stamps to die cut around the image. Then I stamped the sentiment in the top left corner with red ink.

Using a snowflake embossing folder, I embossed a piece of light green card stock and attached it to a white card. (Here’s a similar embossing folder.) Then I attached the Santa image to the card.

FYI – this is my favorite adhesive for card making and the refills are available here.

This is a quick and easy card and so cute for sending out Merry Wishes! 🎅🏼

And how is it already halfway through November?!?!? 😳

Anita

Posted in Cards, Christmas, Stamping, Uncategorized | Tagged Cards, Christmas, Stamping | 3 Comments

Bountiful Blessings (Handmade Card)

Posted on November 15, 2023 by Anita

Hi friends,

Sometimes all you need is a great image and some card stock to make a beautiful card. This Bountiful Haul stamp from Unity Stamp Company is perfect for making a wonderful Fall card. 🍁🍂🍁

I stamped the truck with Memento Tuxedo Black ink on white card stock and colored it with Copic markers. Using the Deckle & Stitches Nesting Die Set from Unity Stamp Company, I die cut around the stamped image. With the same die set, I die cut orange and turquoise card stock and layered them into a white card. I attached the stamped piece to the card with foam tape.

It’s an easy, clean and simple card – I love the way it turned out! 🧡🍁🍂🍁

Pull out your favorite larger image stamps and try your hand at making a similar card. 🙂

Anita

Posted in Cards, Fall, Stamping, Uncategorized | Tagged Cards, Fall, Stamping | Leave a comment

Little Wood Dice Snowman

Posted on November 14, 2023 by Anita

Hi friends,

Have you seen these unfinished wood dice from Dollar Tree? They measure 1.5 inches and when I saw them I immediately thought they would make a great snowman! ☃️

I pulled out some acrylic paints in white, black, and orange – thinking I would paint the face and button details onto the dice. That didn’t quite work out as planned, so keep reading and I’ll tell you what I ended up doing instead. 🙂

First I painted each die with 2 coats of white paint. Using my Crop-A-Dile tool, I punched 2 different sizes of circles from black card stock. Then I cut the noses from orange card stock. I used Art Glitter Designer Dries Clear Adhesive to adhere the pieces to the dice after the paint was dry.

I glued the dice together using E600 clear adhesive and tied ribbon around the snowman for a scarf.

These cute Little Wood Dice Snowmen are the perfect size to add to your tiered tray or to scatter among some greenery on your mantle. You could also add a screw eye to the top, tie some bakers twine through it, and turn the snowman into an ornament. ☃️