"You Are Loved" Greeting Card Book :: Tutorial

I have a collection of cards that has been given to me over the years. The greeting cards may have come from work, family or friends, but I always save the ones that touch my heart and remind me of how much I am loved and supported.

I have always saved these cards in my nightstand drawer, but what good do they really do there? Sometimes I forget they are even there, so I decided to make a book of my special cards I could display in room. So when I need a moment for myself I can take the book and read the sweet things people have written me.

You will need:

* Two pieces of small cardboard

* Your special greeting cards

* Hole punch

* Scissors

* Glue

* Decorations for the cover

* Yarn

* Yarn needle

1. Cut your cardboard to your largest card. These will be your front and back cover.

2. Punch holes in each of your pieces of cardboard and cards.

3. Then use a yarn needle to tie your book together at each hole.

4. Tie together

5. Decorate and ENJOY!

I think we all need a pick me up sometimes. Right? 

april

xoxo

December sponsorship.

Spots are open, enough said.

You can find out prices and sizes HERE.

april

xoxo

DIY :: Breaking Dawn Ornament

So you all know I'm a nerd right? But I'm sure you didn't realize how deep my nerd roots go, they go pretty deep people! I have a small group of friends and family who love the books and movies as much as I do, and we indulge ourselves with all things team Edward and team Jacob. 

Remember this shirt I made for the premiere?

Well I felt this ornament was a perfect companion that I needed for my tree:

You will need:
* One plastic clear bulb ornament
* White feathers
* Red sharpie
* Black sharpie
* Red ribbon or fabric for hanging on tree

Write your movie quote on the bulb using your sharpie, I went over the writing twice so it would be very dark. After you let dry for a few minutes place white feathers inside and your done. Enjoy!

I made a few more of these for some friends and family, I hope they love them as much as I do!
Do you have your tree up yet? We are in full swing hanging lights on the house and drinking peppermint flavored coffee! Swoon!
Happy Tuesday friends!
april
xoxo

P.S. - There is only one more day to enter the Just Knot Beanies giveaway HERE!

DIY Schoolhouse Light and Inspiration

My new not so new obsession is schoolhouse themed decorations and lighting. Maybe it's because I was a teacher, I dunno, but I seriously swoon over every chalkboard, lighting fixture and map I see. 

I recently found this website:

Every inch of their website is full of sweet lighting and decorations, and just in case you think I'm being compensated for all this lovely hype, I'm not. I just really love them!

Schoolhouse is my new inspiration, but I simply cannot afford a $130 light, nope.

This light fixture was something I wanted in my dining room.

I love the silver finish and wide glass bulb, but I needed a flush mount light. So I went to Home Depot and bought a cheap mount and separate glass bulb that resembled the schoolhouse bulb above.

In total these were $20. Can you believe it? Sa-weet!

Check out the Schoolhouse website. You will love it.

april

xoxo

P.S. The new winner for the Shabby Apple giveaway is Lindsay from Southern Lovely! Congrats! Shoot me an email friend.

Sponsor Love :: Knot Just Beanies

Today's giveaway is from a sweet friend of mine. Jaime has an etsy shop full of handmade crochet beanies, booties and photo props for newborns. She is truly talented and puts her heart and soul in every project!
Here is Jaime:
Hello, my name is Jaime and I own an etsy shop called knot just beanies. I'm a mommy, wife and work full time. By the time the kids are down for the night and the house looks semi descent is when I sit down and play!! I love all things handmade and DIY! I first learned how to crochet from my grandma, and the basics of crocheting in HS. I'm so inspired by others' talents and creativity!

Jaime is giving away a super sweet dino beanie to one of YOU! How super cute would this be for the holidays?  

To enter this giveaway all you need to do is be a follower of gingerbread, check out Jaime's shop HERE and tell me what your favorite item is.
Extra entries:
* Follow gingerbread on Facebook
* Follow gingerbread on Twitter
That's three ways to win! Please leave a separate comment for each entry.


Good luck! I will choose a winner via random.org on Wednesday {11/30}.
P.S.- If you are Kaycie from Redhead Memories please shoot me an email, if not I will choose another winner for the Shabby Apple giveaway Monday.
april
xoxo

Sweet Saturday V.15

Happy Black Friday! Did you brave the crowds? Stand in long lines outside in the freezing cold weather? If the answer is yes than I was right along with you! I hit Target, Kohl's and Michael's for some awesome deals. I think I bought 60% of my shopping just last night! My best find was a shark floor cleaner, for me. HA! A girl never loved clean hardwood floors more than me. ha!

I was only run over once on accident and I counted in my head to five and then turned around to reply "it's OK", although my foot hurt really bad. Patience April, patience. 

Last week there were super sweet links, here are a few features:

Ice Skate Wreath
By: Alderberry Hill

Black Glue DIY

By: Mess For Less

Chalkboard Placemats

By: Hating Martha

If you were featured feel free to grab a button from the right hand column!
Congrats!

HERE IS THE 411:
*Please link up your post, not your blog address
*It would be great if you could include the button from the sidebar or link back to gingerbread
* Comment on other friends' post, comments are sweet!

Every week I will highlight a few projects from the previous week, so you can check back next week to see if you were featured!

Ok, let's see what you have to share!

april

xoxo

Burlap vase and wildflowers

I wanted to give give my mom a {thank you} when we showed up for Thanksgiving yesterday. I didn't want to go buy flowers but have something the boys could help me make. I had all these supplies at home, I just grabbed some lovelies and stopped by an open field on out way to my moms house.

Dylan picked the flowers and he kept saying we were on a "treasure hunt". Cute right?

You will need:

* A mason jar

* Yarn

* Doily

* Burlap

* Glue gun

1. I wrapped the burlap around the mason jar and fixed it together with a dab of hot glue.

2. Then I cut my doily in half, wrapped it around my jar and wound a long piece of yarn around the jar and tied it in a sweet little bow.

3. Fill with your favorite wildflowers, twigs or branches.

4. ENJOY!

 My mom was so excited and used it as our centerpiece at the table. Dylan couldn't have been prouder! 

Simple and sweet!

april

xoxo

thankful.

1.  I have an amazing family who loves me unconditionally through good times and bad. No matter how ugly I feel inside or out they are always there to lift me up.

2. I have my health. That's a touchy subject for me right now. I have many looming health issues that my doctors are curious about, and those curiosities may turn into bigger issues in the future, but for now, I can engage my normal routine with some sort of normalcy. I deal with the physical pain as it comes, and always look forward.

3. I have amazing friends who make me laugh a ridiculous amount. We never take ourselves too seriously and are always looking for the funny.

4. My sister is having a healthy pregnancy. I am going to the doctors with her in two weeks to see if she is having a boy or girl! Then we are having cheesecake, her craving of choice lately! 

5. My boys are thriving in school. I am very thankful for this as an educator. I feel knowledge is so important to raising independent, successful children. Kaleb will be taking his GATE test in the next few weeks and Dylan thinks he is the coolest kid in preschool. He has no trouble with modesty. ha!

6. I am thankful for gingerbread. For having a place to write down my thoughts, share projects and meet new people.

7. I am thankful for the great friends I have "met" through blogging this year. There are so many wonderful women out their! Thank you!

8. I am excited to see my family tomorrow for Thanksgiving. I will fill my plate with way too much food and enjoy every bite!

9. I have all the necessities of life. If you take out all my wants, I have everything I need. I have food in my fridge, a roof over my head and a bed to sleep in. I also have heat to keep me warm, clean water to drink and a car that gets me around. I am thankful for those the most.

10. I have hope. That may sound silly but I always feel that things will get better. If I hang in their God will always provide for me.

What are you thankful for? Have a wonderful turkey day friends!
april
xoxo

Shabby Apple and Blueberry's Blog giveaway winners!

Shoot me an email Kaycie and meg! Congrats!

Did you not win but still wanna shop?

You can find Shabby Apple HERE and Picking Blueberries HERE!

Eek!

april

xoxo

December sponsorship.

Are you looking for a place to advertise your blog, shop or event?  I am currently scheduling sponsorship for December. Each sponsor gets the opportunity for a feature post that includes the option of a giveaway and/or coupon code.

This past month gingerbread had:

* 56,000 page views last month

*315 followers through GFC

* 161 Twitter followers

* 161 Facebook followers

You can read more about sizes and pricing HERE.

april

xoxo

Recipe :: Baked Butternut Squash and Apples

This is another one of my moms yummy recipes, perfect as a holiday side dish or simple dinner side. We had a baked ham with this yummy goodness, and the kids ate every bite!

You will need:

* 2 cups cubed and peeled butternut squash
* 1 cup cubed and peeled red apples
* 2 tablespoons butter
* 1/4 cup water
* 1 Tablespoon brown sugar
* 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

1. Place apples and squash in small casserole dish and pour in water. Cook for 25 minutes uncovered at 400 degrees.
2. Then fold in butter, brown sugar and cinnamon. Place back in the oven for another 10 minutes.
3. Enjoy!

Happy cooking!
april
xoxo

around town :: Chinatown that is

Have you ever been to Chinatown? It is literally one of my favorite places to visit in California. Whenever we visit my moms house I always wait in anticipation for when we can go into the city. I love the food, colors, culture and shopping. Whoa the shopping is amazing! They have paper goods, clothes, shoes and housewares. I looked high and low for bento boxes, but they were pretty expensive, who knew? 

This little boy was still pretty grumpy from feeling yucky. He feel asleep in the car every time we buckled him in to drive somewhere new. He rode on Aaron's shoulders throughout Chinatown.

We are headed home today, so can you say a little prayer for a safe trip? Tomorrow will be back to normal in full swing for Thanksgiving! YES!

april

xoxo