12 Days Blog Hop: Sugar Scrub Tutorial and FREE Printable Tag

Who says you have to spend a lot of money to give a great gift?! I certainly don’t buy into that myth!! In fact, many of the most welcomed and meaningful gifts I have given to others have been handmade by me! And, although I’d like to devote a lot of time to each individual gift, I only have so many hours in the day, and I have a HUGE family. Spending hours and hours on making gifts is just not realistic.

However, this gift is quick, easy, FRUGAL, classy and luxurious! Anyone can make it - even non-crafty types!

Today, we are going to make a batch of sugar scrub for the ladies in your life.


What you will need:

  • 1 Cup of Vegetable Oil
  • 1 Cup of Sugar
  • One or two drops of an essential oil like peppermint, orange, lavender, etc.
  • The oil from a vitamin E capsule (optional)
  • A mixing bowl, measuring cup, and spoon
  • A small, decorative jar with a lid

In a mixing bowl, combine the vegetable oil and sugar. Add a drop or two of essential oil, and mix well. Stir in the oil from the vitamin E capsule, if desired. Fill small jars with the sugar scrub, and tighten lid.

My cost: 1 large bottle of Vegetable Oil cost me 25¢ after coupons, and I used about 2¢ of it. Sugar cost me $2.09 after coupons, and I used about 25¢ of it. I asked my Facebook friends if they had any essential oils that I could use, and a couple of them offered theirs, so it was FREE for me. I opted not to add the vitamin E capsule, and I decided to package my scrub in used baby food jars that I picked up at a garage sale for free last summer. I painted the lids with black spray paint that I already had. SO, this batch of sugar scrub, which I divided into 2 jars cost me 52¢, or just 26$ per gift.

{Little tip - stock up on all of your baking items this time of year!! Even if you are not an extreme couponer, like me, you will still save a lot of money!}

To make it pretty, I simply printed out this FREE printable gift tag set and tied it on with a little ribbon!

Click on the image to download your free printable gift tag designed using my Ornament Cuts template set and digital designs by Pamela Donnis.

You can purchase this printable Canister Box to hold your luxurious sugar scrub gift! Include a spoon that you picked up from Goodwill for 29¢ and you’re all set!

Looking for more frugal gift ideas?

Merry Christmas to you, and come back tomorrow to grab the next freebie in the 12 Days Blog Hop!

You may want to subscribe now so you don’t miss anything!

12 Days Blog Hop: Christmas Cash Envelope

Welcome to the first day of the 12 Days Blog Hop hosted by Mari Koegelenberg of My Digital Art Studio, Melissa Wilson of Domesticated Lady, Pamela Donnis of Keeping Life Creative and myself, Kelleigh Ratzlaff of Kelleigh Ratzlaff Designs. We are all designers in the digital scrapbooking and papercrafting industry and we are SO excited about the next 12 days! We plan to bring you frugal gift ideas, fun tutorials, free downloads and lots of great inspiration to put you in the Christmas mood.

All of our freebies are designed to coordinate with our 12 Days of Christmas digital scrapbooking Grab Bag, which is available at The Digichick. Digital papers come in jpg format, so you can print them out right on your regular ol’ printer at home! You will also find files that come in png format, psd format (for use in Photoshop) and pdf format, which can be opened up using the free download, Adobe Reader.

I’m honored to be kicking this blog hop off with something that is as cute as it is practical!

My regular blog readers know that I am totally down with using CASH to pay for groceries, gas, haircuts, gifts, fun stuff . . . pretty much anything that is not paid through online bill-pay. When we pull out the plastic, it’s easier to overspend, but when we hand over cash, it hurts! It makes us really think hard about each purchase, which makes us better stewards of the resources God has given us. I explained that a little bit yesterday when I released my new envelope template, the Tab Envelope Template Set and Cutting Files.

Today’s FREEBIE is an envelope that was created specifically to help you keep on track with your Christmas spending. I used my brand new template and some digital paper and elements designed by Mari Koegelenberg which is available in the 12 Days Grab Bag.

Click on the image above to download the Freebie, and then make sure you keep reading to see what I did with it!

First, open up the jpg file. You could open it in your preview mode or in a photo editing program, and then just print it out on white paper. I printed mine on matte photo paper so that the colors would be vibrant and I would conserve my ink, however you can print yours on regular copy paper or white cardstock.

Next, I used my ruler and a bone folder to score on the lines where indicated. If you don’t have a scoring tool, just use the dull edge of your butter knife or a single tine of your fork!

I used my craft knife (glorified Xacto knife) to cut the template out, and then I got all lazy and used my 1 1/4″ circle punch to cut the circular portions of the template. Of course, scissors work just fine.

Fold on the scored lines until it starts to look like a little tab envelope. I used my favorite liquid adhesive to adhere the tabs to the inside of the back. Of course, you could always wrap the tabs around the back, too! Do what feels natural to you. A glue stick might not stick very well, but some Elmer’s white glue should be fine if you don’t have “good” scrapbooking adhesive!

Add the little label, and there you have an adorable cash envelope that will hold your Christmas cash! Of course, this would also make a cute little gift all by itself (with cash tucked inside, of course), but keep reading so you can see what else I did with it!

The first envelope is free, but if you want to get serious about managing your Christmas spending, you might need more than one category, so I created an entire printable set which is included in the 12 Days Grab Bag.

Using designs by Mari Koegelenberg, Pamela Donnis and Melissa Wilson, I put together a set of 5 printable tab envelopes that you can slip into your wallet. Let me show you!

First, I printed, cut and assembled all of the envelopes. Then, I used some clips to hold them together on both sides to stabilize the stack.

I cut a piece of cardstock 6.5″ x 3″ and added that to the back of the stack. I used my Crop-o-dile (a super strong hole-puncher and eyelet-setter that can punch through a thick stack) to punch 7 holes across the bottom of the envelopes.

Then, I used some ribbon to “sew” up the envelopes to hold them together, tying the ends in knots. (Which, of course, I did after I took this picture. Just pretend, okay?)

And, here they are slipped into my wallet!

There are lots of possibilities for this little Christmas Cash Envelopes set. I plan on putting the initials for each of my boys on the tabs and slipping our budgeted amount into each of their envelopes. I’ll do the same for my husband, and then have one envelope that is just for Christmas supplies like wrapping paper and tape. The other envelope will be for random expenses like admission to an event or charity giving.

The cool thing is that I have been setting aside money in our “gift” category in savings all year long! I’ll just withdraw some of that cash, put it into the envelopes and have it with me if I come across a big sale. (Don’t freak out, though! It’s not THAT much money! LOL!)

PLUS, I can fit these envelopes right behind the cash envelopes that I use to keep track of my regular monthly budget. Awesome!!

If this whole concept of using cash to help you control your spending, or, to put it another way, only spending money that you have, is new to you, I’d like to invite you to explore my blog a little. I’m a work in progress, so I’m certainly not an authority on the subject, but I’m excited to report that this month marks the 1 year anniversary of cutting our grocery budget down to $200 a month for a family of four using cash and by extreme couponing, thus saving our family over $2400. It’s been SO freeing to live this way so that we can be more generous with our giving, more deliberate with our spending and more intentional with our savings.

Some posts you might be interested in:

If you like this little template and want to see the rest of my papercraft template designs, go check out my store at The Digital Press.

Above all, enjoy your Christmas season and remember that this holiday is not about spending money and buying gifts. It’s about celebrating the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ.

Merry Christmas to you, and come back tomorrow to grab the next freebie in the 12 Days Blog Hop!

You may want to subscribe now so you don’t miss anything!

$2 Tuesday and a FREE Template!

That’s right, it’s $2 Tuesday again (and I remembered!!). The Hourglass Template is on sale for only $2 today! Go grab it at this super price while you can!

AND, I put a little freebie in my store yesterday so you can test your digital die-cut machine! Of course, if you don’t have a machine, you can STILL use the freebie, and just cut by hand.

Paper Flower Pieces is designed to help you create a pretty, handmade paper flower for your projects. It is SO easy to do! The hardest part (for me, anyway) is finding and resizing a flower shape. SO, I created this freebie out of selfishness, I suppose. I wanted to be able to just open a template and go. No thinking. No math. Just creativity!

If you do not have a digital cutter, simply print the PDF format onto some cardstock.

If you want to use digital paper, add your paper using a clipping mask (tutorial here), then print and cut!

If you DO have a digital cutter, I have made it super easy for you to just open the entire file with all nine flowers. Just press cut. Viola!

Now, I have a Cricut. I don’t have any other digital cutter, and I am still learning about what types of files the different cutters need. This freebie was designed so that you could test the files I have included in my new templates on your digital cutter. Some of you may have to import an intermediate file (maybe DXF) and trace it in your specific program. Some of you are going to like having the AI or JPG file to trace in Inkscape. And, of course, some of you are just going to be thrilled with the SVG file. PLEASE let me know how it goes for you!!

As for creating a pretty paper flower, I simply followed the paper flower video tutorial that was linked up for us in the Hybrid Forum over at The Digichick. If you have any questions or want to show off your creations, please pop in there!! The ladies LOVE to gush over projects and are so helpful when we have questions. It is a fun place to hang out!

If you create a pretty paper flower, will you send me a picture? I’d love to add it to my product images!!

Free Cash Envelope System Template and a Tutorial!

Update: I opened up an Etsy shop!! Go purchase your pre-made cash envelopes!

As I’ve mentioned before, we went to the cash system endorsed by Dave Ramsey not too long ago. We literally froze our credit cards (in a cup of water in the freezer) and started to pay cash for everything that wasn’t a regular bill (which I pay online). I spent the first month or so figuring out how we were going to make it work for us. I used a plastic accordion coupon organizer that I already had, and stuffed plain, standard sized envelopes inside of it. Each envelope contained cash for a specific category. We started small - with groceries and gas - and then eventually added a few more categories as we discovered how we spend.

The idea behind using cash is that it hurts to hand over that $20 bill. Right? It’s a lot easier to just hand the cashier the credit or debit card and not really calculate how much you have spent. ALSO, you can see how much is still in the envelope and change your spending patterns accordingly. When the cash is gone . . . it is gone!

I can’t even begin to tell you what this has done for us. Not only did we discover that we can live on less than we thought, but we have actually been able to give more generously, too! Plus, I’ve mentioned before that I really don’t like spending money. Well, okay, that was before we went to the cash system. See, it felt like we never had any money, so I never spent anything on myself, and that was just miserable. Now that we have money designated for me, I don’t have any problem spending it and having fun! FREEDOM, I tell you. It’s wonderful.

So, today’s FREE template is in honor of the cash system. It’s an envelope! Click on the image to download it for FREE! But, keep reading, because I want to show you what I did with it.

I decided that it was high time I had prettier envelopes. I purchased a new wallet recently which came with cash envelopes. However, the envelopes had LINES on them. You know; like you fill them out. Oh, the pressure. I like my plain ol’ envelopes, thank you very much. So, I modified the wallet and just put plain envelopes in there instead. NOW, thanks to my new template, I have pretty ones! Here’s how!

Before I get started, let me direct you to some pretty good tutorials (if I do say so myself!) found at The Hybrid Chick:

Where to Start – offers suggestions for basic materials to get you started with hybrid, if you are interested in using digital papers with your template.

Using Templates – guides you through the process of using my templates from downloading to adding digital paper, and preparing to print.

Borderless Printing – shows you how to find your borderless printing option on your printer . . . or at least gets you headed in the right direction.

Now, print your project! Of course, you can use digital paper or simply print the lines only version on some of the patterned paper or cardstock in your stash.

For my project, I chose to print the lines only pdf file directly onto some Close To My Heart patterned paper from my stash. (From the Emporium Collection.)

I scored on the dashed lines with a bone folder and cut on the solid lines using my craft knife.

Then, I folded the sides in.

And folded the bottom flap up.

Next, I used a double sided tape runner to adhere the sides to the bottom flap.

And, the envelope is done!

However, I had other things in mind. So, I mass produced.

And gathered all of the envelopes up, stacking them nicely.

I cut a piece of cardstock that I would eventually slip into my wallet, and punched some holes at regular intervals. I think I punched 7 holes.

The other side of this piece of paper has a small strip of patterned paper just to act as a reinforcer. Plus, it’s kinda pretty. You’ll see that later on. For now, I used my Crop-O-Dile to punch holes through all of the layers.

And then I sewed a loose blanket stitch with ribbon. I actually didn’t know how to do this, so I Googled it. Hee, hee!

I flipped the cardstock around so that it could tuck inside my wallet.

I created some labels in Photoshop that contain some of my regular categories. (Click picture to download.)

I talk more about my envelope categories and how I use them in this post: Cash Envelope Categories: What Works For Us.

I punched them out with my 1 3/8 circle punch and mounted them on a scalloped circle punched with my scalloped punch!

And, I tucked some cash inside!

This is what my wallet now looks like:

So pretty! I will totally enjoy whipping this bad boy out at the grocery store!

OF COURSE, this envelope template is just a regular, run-of-the-mill, standard sized envelope. However, now you can pretty it up with your papercrafting supplies and go to town! Oh, I just love that! If you decide that you like this template, please check out my store to see the rest of my items! I have all kinds of fun, unique papercraft templates to choose from!

Edit (11/24/10):

  • This cash envelope template is still FREE (and always will be!), but now you can purchase Cash Envelope Cutting Files for your digital die-cut machine!
  • Interested in another cash envelope option? Check out my new Tab Envelope Template Set and Cutting Files!

Update: I opened up an Etsy shop!! Go purchase your pre-made cash envelopes!

Stocking Stuffer for Your Man! 12 Days of Christmas Freebie!!

Okay, so I was reading my blogs this morning and came across this fun tutorial by Jessica at The Hybrid Chick blog. I commented, she responded, we giggled, and I got an idea!! Actually, I had the idea last week, but was reminded of it today. It sort of started with this post which led me to this post.

And, here we go! Another freebie because I’m doing last minute Christmas gifts. Of course, if you don’t end up reading this post until Christmas day, you can STILL get in on the action.

I’ve created some little “coupons” for you to fill out on the 12 Days of Christmas (which traditionally fall on the days after Christmas). They match the Gift Card Envelope freebie I posted earlier (but I included the envelope in your card download for your convenience).

Click on the image to be taken to the download page!

They go all the way up to the twelfth day!

What I plan to do:

Print out the envelope and the “coupons” onto plain cardstock (because my husband won’t care if the colors are a bit muted! LOL!). Fold up the envelope and put “the first day” coupon in there with a little “something” written on there just for him. That will be a stocking stuffer. Then, each evening I will write another little “something” on another card (as the mood strikes me over the next 12 days) and leave the cards on his pillow. Get it?

I have also included a blank version that doesn’t have any words on it so that you can just create a coupon book (or maybe gift tags) for anyone! Ahh . . . versatility.

And, for you digi gals, I’ve included the psd. You love me, don’t you?

Merry Christmas everyone!!

A special Thank You to Danielle Engebretson for allowing me to use her digital kit, A Time of Wonder, on this fun project! (Gorgeous, isn’t it? And, it’s the same one I used on my Advent Calendar!)

I’m linking this to:

Get Your Craft On at Today’s Creative Blog

DIY Day at A Soft Place to Land

Gift Card Envelope Freebie!

I promised you a gift card envelope freebie, and I’m delivering!! The catch is that I haven’t printed out a sample for your viewing pleasure, so you’ll just have to go on faith that this is a perfect gift card holder. PERFECT. I actually made two for you because I’m having a major brain storm right now, so I’m working on a last minute stocking stuffer for my handsome man. If I finish it soon, I’ll share that with you, too!! (No promises, though. I’m not super woman, and I have children to care for. LOL!)

Here are the gift card holders!! (Click on the image to be taken to the download page!)

You put it together like THIS ONE. (Yer gonna wanna click there, too!)

Thank you again to Danielle Engebretson for allowing me to use her digital papers for this freebie!! YOU ROCK.

I’m linking this to Get Your Craft On at Today’s Creative Blog!