cards – Page 2 – Mediocre Mum

Thank you cards using left over Wrapping Paper!

What on earth can you do with all the left over wrapping paper? It takes you ages to wrap them and about 5 seconds for the kids to tear them apart. If I’m honest we do burn a lot of it but I do hold a small selection back for crafting.

I’ve done this in the past for Birthdays but decided to do it again for Christmas as it’s incredibly easy. I’m a bit of a stickler for Thank you cards as I feel it’s very important but do find them taxing at times.

You will need

Selection of wrapping paper
PVA glue
Water
A4 paper
Prit Stick
Scissors
Wiggly Scissors (Pinking or Scalloped)
A4 Card – any colour will do.

How to:

Tear the wrapping paper into pieces
Mix a bit of PVA glue and water
Cover the A4 paper, the more random the better using the PVA Glue
Leave to dry
Cut out a random selection of shapes. We chose hearts as it as for Thank you cards, but you could be a bit more creative and cut out a big T and Y for Thank you.
Cut the A4 card in half and then fold to make A5 cards.
Use the Prit Stick to Glue the shapes on the front of the cards
You can use the wiggly scissors to cut the edges of the card.

Voila you’re done!

If you decide to have a go I’d love to see the results! I’d also love more ideas for using up some of this paper.

I hope you’ve had a fabulous Christmas!

Between good friends……

If I’m honest, I’d prefer to get experiences as presents rather than gifts. I know it’s nice to have a little something nice to open under the tree but, we’re not flush by any means, if there is something I want I tend to just go out and buy it myself even if I can’t afford it.

Plus, not being ungrateful, my hubby has a dreadful problem listening or taking subtle hints. Last year, we went to the shops, I said I’d like a new pair of PJs, and then pointed at a stack of them saying ‘any of these would be fabulous, except those ones’. Guess which ones he bought? This is my point exactly.

So, I’m all up for buying experience days as the recipient can choose something of their liking. Can someone give my hubby a nudge?? Last weekend we had the opportunity to try out a Spa Day for two that included 3 treatments. No, I didn’t take my husband, but a friend that I’ve been meaning to catch up for ages.

We had an entire day child free, with no interruptions, gassing, being spoiled and laughing a lot. I saw a few things in the women’s change room that no person should ever have to witness.

We were then led down to the Spa in our fluffy robes and complimentary slippers for our Facials, Massages and Manicures. The facility was gorgeous; low lightening, relaxing music and the therapists were lovely.

Seriously?

They walked us down a long candlelit corridor to a treatment room at the end. You should have seen the look of surprise on our faces when we were led into the same room with not one but two treatment beds side by side. We were going to have our massages half naked right next to each other! OMG!

You have no idea how relieved I was that I took a friend that I’ve known for years and not one of the new mums from school that I’ve recently met, my boss or worse my mother in-law (if she was still with us)! That would have been incredibly awkward.

Once we got over the initial giggles while side stepping around each half naked and crawling onto the treatment beds, very ungracefully I may add, it was all good. We quickly forgot that the other person was in the room. The massage was amazing and my mate said it was the best facial she ever had. Note: That is not us in the photo.

The rest of the day was spent sitting by the pool, nattering with the odd venture into the Jacuzzi, Pool, Steam room and Sauna. I took a book but we were so busy catching up I never opened it.

This is an experience the two of us will never forget and I’m sure we will look back on it and giggle for many years to come.

Disclosure: The Spa Day was courtesy of the Activitysuperstore.com

How many birthday parties?

Now that Madame has started school, I’m finding that the number of Birthday invitations is rapidly increasing.

According to my calculations, with 60 children in Reception there is a likelihood that she could have a party a week to go to! That’s a lot of presents, cards and gift wrap.

Realistically, how many parties do your kids go to in a year?

I have to run out this morning and get a present for a 6 year old boy which I’ll find challenging. I’m okay with buying presents for girls the same age as Madame, but when it comes to boys I’m a bit clueless. I’m thinking of some kind of construction kit.

Luckily I have a selection of cards and wrapping paper at home courtesy of Orchard Cards, who also have loads of gorgeous Christmas Cards, wrapping paper and Late Advent Calendars. They have also kindly offered a £25 worth of Orchard Cards products to one of my lucky readers. Simply enter using the Rafflecopter form below.

(UK residents only) Full Terms and Conditions at the bottom of the form

a Rafflecopter giveaway

ThePrizeFinder – UK Competitions

Valentine’s Day Cards (Fingerprinted)

I wish I could take credit for these lovely Fingerprint Valentines Day cards but once again it was thanks to a Google Image Search.

My daughter is 4 and managed it and I think you could do it with young babes as well but you’d have to position their fingers.

You will need:

White paper
Selection of coloured paint (I used red, orange and pink)
Coloured Card
Prit Stick
Gel Pen

How to do it:

1) Have your children create a couple of sheets of the heart fingerprints so you have a few good ones to choose from

2) Cut and fold the card
3) Once the prints dry carefully tear them out. If you’re kids are old enough they could probably do this bit themselves.
4) Use the Prit Stick to glue the fingerprint hearts onto front of card.
5) Personalise them, I used a silver pen

Happy Valentine’s Day!

How to Find the Right Save the Date Cards

With so many choices these days, people still manage to pick all the wrong stationery for their special events. How long do we spend really checking out the card we get in the post? One minute tops (more likely seconds) and then it gets tossed into the waste basket. So when brides-to-be start looking for perfect wedding save the date cards for the upcoming nuptials, the first question they should ask themselves is not how to pick out something very white, romantic and … well, boring. They need something to grab full attention of the recipients and make them run straight to their kitchen calendar and circle the date in scarlet.

Here are the three alternatives to traditional save the date cards that a newly engaged couple could consider (and their guests would love to get):

1. Cupcakes Save the Date Card

What better way to get the attention of friends than to present them with save the date cards featuring delicious cupcakes? It will help things if they are hungry when opening the envelope…Friends and family members will salivate at this prim bride and groom in cupcake form. It’s a truly satisfying design for food-lovers and can hint about the delicatessens waiting for the guests at the wedding party.

2. Bridal Shoe Save the Date Card

After a tiring day of being charming, this bride has kicked off her shoes in preparation for a night of romance… The glowing satin of the shoes paired with the single rose gives you a glimpse of an upcoming event almost making it real, as if it’s about to happen today (not a year from now). This provocative save the date card is a definite attention-getter.

3. Thailand Save the Date Card

A couple who’s throwing a wedding in a beautiful, warm climate would find this design ideal. A card featuring the calm sea and the white sands undoubtedly has the power to lure guests to a wedding! The azure sky as well as the inviting seat on a boat combine to make an appealing save the date card (and will look good on the fridge too).
No engaged couple wants to find their wedding invitation under a stack of bills, put aside to look at later, or even dumped in the round file. Save the date cards with a dash of flair are a must-have for couples who want to ensure their guests remember to slip on their fancy dress shoes and show up!

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