Re-purposing

Back in May I made one of my last "new" purchases. It was some really pretty Papyrus stationary for a friend who loves that store. It was one of those purchases where you wanted to get one for yourself too! I refrained, but was lucky enough to get a note in the mail the other day, on that exact stationary, from that friend. A forgotten sentiment that I think should be re-ignited. Doesn't it feel great to get a handwritten note?

Anyway, it was even more beautiful than it looked in the box when I bought it!

I never realized how the pretty paper was on the inside of the envelope as well... nice job Papyrus. 

But what do you do with really great cards. You almost feel guilty throwing them away right? So I decided to share the love. I tore the portion off where the note was written to me (put it in my memory box) and decided the pretty top half would make a great postcard. Done.

Then there was that awesome envelope. But it had been written on (obviously addressed to me) so I had to think of a way to work around that...

I love paper bags. I can never throw them away. I use them for all sorts of things, and this looked like a perfect fit. Cut a piece to cover the front and up over the bottom, and extend the envelopes existing"wings" around the sides - and voila!

Now this the gift that just keeps on giving... 

The real question is, if the recipients were trying to do the same thing I am, what could they do with them next???

The Sassy Six

Every year six of us from college go on a girls trip. They're inevitably ridiculous, hard to plan, and even harder to explain to the free world. Regardless of what actually takes place during the weekend, I tend to be the sap who wants to make traditions, get all sentimental, and usually write a long love letter explaining how much they all mean to me, which I usually end up reading out loud, and crying (I worry they wouldn't get the inflection right if I didn't read it the way it was meant to be heard)...

And then they're are the gifts. Not "gifts" like presents, but meaningful treasures. At least that's how I imagine how it all plays out in my mind. This year, with my nothingnewforayear idea I started looking through the cupboards.

In the midwest we're raised that any situation can be made right or better with food. Preferably homemade, with real butter, and if baked, delivered warm. Ok, well we were all flying from around the country and so warm pie wasn't going to make it this time...
-However I could ensure some "cheerio" dispositions with some Fruity Cheerios I had in the pantry. Delish.
-Expressing how much I "care"d for them was easy with Care Bear Gummies. (random I know-from TriRock Annapolis care packages)
-To ensure we had plenty of "Power" for the weekend some PowerGel Blasts with caffeine. (Thank you triathlon training)


Throw in some Trader Joe's paper bags and here's what you get...

The snowflakes were actually part of the decor on the bag. The adornments were cut out of a magazine. Ribbon was leftovers. This was just one of them. The fun thing about using what you have is that no two are alike :)