Getting Creative with Colleagues

This fall, I started a program at my workplace called "Crafting and Camaraderie" where I invite colleagues to spend their lunch hour with me making a craft once a month.  We all bring our lunch and create something together!  I appreciate the fact that I work in an organization that supports this type of thing.  I really see it as a ministry to be able to provide something like this.  Trust me, I always feel inspired and ready to face the rest of the day after expending a little creative energy.

Today being Valentines Day, it was appropriate to make some extra special goodies.  We had a blast! What I enjoyed the most was interacting with my colleagues in a fun new way.  And the fellas?  They got in on it too.  Their lucky wives get homemade goodies for this Valentines Day!  Our little craft time was something we all could share together.

Look at Andrew stampin' away! (Left)  Meredith and Michael are seriously intent on their creations.

I love how Jessica took the basic idea I gave her and ran with it, making her own unique design. (Left)  Tina is hard at work creating what I've officially dubbed the "sour cream treat bags" since they look like a sour cream packet.  Lucky for us, there is nothing but sweetness inside these packets!

Andrew was so very proud of his creation!  On the right, Doug and Janet consult on what Doug named the "toilet paper roll technique" where the paper for the treat packet is rolled over on itself to create a hollow roll.

Here are the goodies we made.   First, these little treat packets are so adorable and super simple.  I got the idea original from Julie Davison on her site (juliedavison.com).  A paper stack, sticky strip, candy, and embellishments have these finished in minutes!

Next, some modge podge, designer series paper, crochet trim and linen thread were used to turn a drab baby food jar into a cute votive.  I cut the paper into a 1 1/4" by 7 1/4" strip.   Folding the paper over, a heart shape was cut out so the candle can be seen through the glass.  Modge podge glued the paper to the jar.  I call this "let your love shine!"

Finally, we made a cute little box!  This was easy thanks to a few stamps (Happy Watercolor using Strawberry Slush and Pool Party ink), some ruffle trim, and the spiral flower die.  The guys said that the process of curling the flower up looked like trimming off an apple peel, and that is exactly the way it looks as you start to curl it up.  I was so impressed with how easy everyone caught on to these techniques.  I have some future craft geniuses in my colleagues!

Have a blessed Valentines Day!  I hope the day leaves you feeling as special as you really are!