International Friendship Day: August 5th, 2018

Contributor post by Mairi from mairidesign

International Friendship Day is on 5th August. What a wonderful way to celebrate the good times you’ve shared with your friends and to show them how much you appreciate them. Spend time with those who make you laugh and support you when you’re feeling low, or maybe it’s a time to re-connect with long lost friends from school. However you celebrate, wouldn’t it be nice to get some special gifts for those you appreciate?

The CIJ team have selected some gifts that they know your friends would love.

Przemila K from CanisArtStudio says

The best friend is someone really important. This person deserves a large and valuable gift. But if you want to make a small surprise, I suggest a small oil painting. Perhaps your best friend is an animal lover or dreams about a pet or maybe not. But always a dog is a perfect symbol of friendship. A miniature oil painting will be perfect for this occasion. If you need another pet portrait, please visit my shop. You can also order a portrait from your own photos.

Gordon Setter Dog Portait

zizzybob fromzizzybob  says

What better way to say Merry Christmas than a very unique, quilted fabric postcard for your Best Friend Forever.

BFF Quilted Fabric Postcard

Margie Sarrao fromFunNFiber says

At <$15.00, any BFF can remember that you love her “to the moon and back” every time she dons this sparkling crystal heart necklace! It is adjustable from 17.5″ to 20″ long, making it versatile as well.

I Love You to the Moon and Back Necklace

Cristal Hughes fromDesignsbyCristal says

Greatest Of All Time – G.O.A.T

The g.o.a.t of all times. Do you have a shero who you’d love to give a lanyard or key chain to? Well, this simple yet meaningful Greatest Of All Time accessory is just waiting to uplift her.

G.O.A.T – Greatest Of All Time

Judy Merashoff fromJAMsCraftCloset says

This framed positive saying/affirmation wall art is the perfect gift for your BFF. Friends are Flowers in the Garden of Life says it all!

Upcycled Cottage Chic Picture Frame

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Happy Etsy Christmas In July 2018 To All, And To All A Good Night! – #EtsyCIJ 2018

Contributor post by Michelle of EviesToolEmporium

I heard him exclaim as he drove out of sight, Happy Etsy Christmas In July 2018 to all and to all a good night.

Thank you

Thank you to all the Etsy Christmas In July team members who participated this year.

The Etsy Christmas In July team leaders spent the past year working hard behind the scenes for the Christmas In July 2018 event!

I would like to take a moment to thank the Christmas In July leaders! Please visit their shops!

Alicia from AliciasFindings

Barbara from MermaidsHatbox

Cindy from Cynhumphrey

Lisa from SpoiledFelinesArt

Mairi from mairidesign

Megha from byTheArtBug

The blog contributors wrote great blog articles during #EtsyCIJ 2018!

Thank you for joining us on Monday July 9th for the #CIJParty 2018.

Schedule

Here was the schedule of our events!

July 1st – Welcome To Etsy Christmas In July 2018 – #EtsyCIJ 2018
July 2nd – CIJ Team & Wandarrah Team Cross Promotion
July 3rd – Must Have Stocking Fillers
July 4th – Red, White And Blue
July 5th – Favorite Holiday Recipes
July 6th – A CIJ Year In Review
July 7th – Holiday Goals
July 8th – What Makes Christmas Special
July 9th – #CIJParty 2018
July 10th – Happy Etsy Christmas In July 2018 To All, And To All A Good Night! – #EtsyCIJ 2018

Social Media

Please continue to use the hashtag #EtsyCIJ on social media!

We are ready with social media for a fantastic holiday 2018 season!

Facebook
www.facebook.com/EtsyChristmasInJuly

Instagram
www.instagram.com/etsychristmasinjuly/

Pinterest
pinterest.com/etsycij/

Twitter
twitter.com/EtsyCIJ

Tutorial: Christmas Paper Stars – #CIJParty 2018

Contributor post by Michelle of EviesToolEmporium

Christmas Paper Stars by Barbara of MermaidsHatbox

What is your Christmas Inspiration?

These Paper Stars are quick to make and you need a minimum of material. The effect is fantastic. I made this tutorial in May and looked for Christmas inspired papers in my stash. If you would love to make these stars for your Christmas decoration, Christmas tree, or very small to embellish your Christmas presents, look for papers at Christmas time. I am sure you find truly beautiful papers.

Materials Used

Paper / Cardstock Paper – not to strong Scissor /Cutter Glue Ruler Clips or Needles

Tutorial Directions

1. You need 12 Stripes of Paper. Cut it in 1 cm x 15 cm Stripes.

2. Wove 6 Stripes together in the middle.

3. The distance between the stripes are about 4- 5 mm.

4. Where the stripes crossed, fix it with glue. Take the same with the other six stripes. Be sure that the glue is dry, before you take the next step.

5. Wire the outside Stripe a half and glue it together with the other 90° outside stripe. Clip it together with a clip or a needle and let it dry very well. Do it also with the other three edges, and also with the second woven piece.

6. Now you have two shells.

7. If all is dry, bring the two shells together.

8. Glue the three stripes together. And clip it with a clip or a needle. Let it dry very well.

9. If all is dry you can cut the tips in shape.

10. Now you need always a needle, to punch a hole for a thread in one tip, to hang the star up in your Christmas tree.

Conclusion

Enjoy!

Share Your Social Media Sites

Etsy Shop: MermaidsHatbox
Pinterest: MermaidsHatbox
Twitter: OllerHut
Instagram: mermaidshatbox
Facebook: MermaidsHatbox

Tutorial: Chinese Lucky Stars – #CIJParty 2018

Contributor post by Mairi from mairidesign

Chinese Lucky Stars by Mairi of mairidesign

When I was at art school, my friend gave me a jar filled with these lucky stars for Christmas. I thought they were wonderful so she showed me how to make them. Thank you Wing Mun!

What is your Christmas Inspiration?

Perfect for recycling scraps or used wrapping paper, which can be scattered over your dining table at Christmas, or given as a good luck in the New Year gift in little jars. As a relaxing family activity, it is great for calming things down when the festive excitement is high.

Materials Used

wrapping paper, pencil, metal ruler, craft knife, scissors, cutting mat

Tutorial Directions

Chinese Lucky Stars Tutorial Video

1. Measure out and cut the paper into strips 1 cm x 23-35 cm (approximately – shorter for thicker paper, longer for thinner).

2. Make a knot at one end, flatten, and tuck in the excess to make a pentagon shape.

3. Wrap the paper strip around itself, following the natural folds and edges, continue until all the strip is used, tuck in the end and trim it if necessary.

4. Using both hands, pinch the points and press in the edges to make a star pillow.

And that’s it!

Conclusion

Now, start saving all those scraps and used bits of paper and create jar loads of lucky stars for your friends and family.

Share Your Social Media Sites

Facebook: mairidesign

Instagram: mairidesign

Pinterest: mairidesign

Twitter: mairidesign

Google+: Mairi Thompson

What Makes Christmas Special: SpoiledFelinesArt – #EtsyCIJ 2018

Contributor post by Mairi from mairidesign

What makes Christmas special? – spoiledfelines1 from SpoiledFelinesArt

1. What makes Christmas special to you?

I think what makes Christmas special for me is being able to spend the holiday with my family. I have a very small family, and when we were young it was easy to get everyone together … now that we’re older it seems to be harder to get everyone together during the year … but we do come together for the holidays, especially at Christmas time!

2. How do you make Christmas as special to others?

Everyone comes over to our home, and mother has always cooked our Christmas dinner … but she’s been ill, for several years, so I’ve taken over cooking Christmas dinner to keep that tradition alive!

3. What are three words that best describe Christmas to you?

Family, Food and Fun!

4. What are you most looking forward to for Christmas 2018?

My niece is expecting her second child around the end of Nov./early Dec. … so I am looking forward to the arrival of the newest family member, and also spending time with her young son (he just made 1 yr. old)!

5. What are your social media sites?

Facebook: www.facebook.com/spoiledfelinesart

Twitter: www.twitter.com/spoiledfelines1

‘Twas The Night Before Etsy Christmas In July 2018 – #EtsyCIJ 2018

Contributor post by Michelle of EviesToolEmporium

‘Twas the night before Etsy Christmas In July 2018 when all through the world Etsy shop owners are putting the final touches on their events!

The Christmas In July team leaders have spent the past year working hard behind the scenes for the Christmas In July 2018 event!

We are excited to share handmade, vintage and supply items directly from creative people around the world!

Popular Items For Christmas In July

We have many fun opportunities for you to be involved! Click our logo and it will take you to the list of daily events!

10 Day Christmas In July Photo Challenge

Join the 10 Day Christmas In July Photo Challenge! Use the hashtag #CIJLovesJuly in the caption of your challenge photos! We look forward to getting to know you!

Please use the hashtag #EtsyCIJ on social media!

We are ready with social media for CIJ 2018!

Facebook
EtsyChristmasInJuly

Facebook Event Page
Etsy Christmas In July 2018

Instagram
etsychristmasinjuly

Pinterest
EtsyCIJ

Twitter
EtsyCIJ 

#CIJParty 2018

On July 9th we will host the #CIJParty 2018 right here on our blog! We are working behind the scenes right now prepping for the party!

Curious about our #CIJParty 2017? Here is the link:

#CIJParty 2017

We are looking for team members to make this #CIJParty 2018 creative and innovative! Please see the following links to submit a Christmas Inspired Tutorial or Christmas Inspired Printable:

#CIJParty 2018: Submit A Tutorial

#CIJParty 2018: Submit A Printable

Every year we invite team members to write Christmas Inspired Guest Blog Articles. This year the first step in the process will be to pitch us an idea. Then the ideas we choose will receive a submission form for writing the article.

#CIJParty 2018: Pitch A Guest Blog Article Idea

Want a sneak peek of one of the Christmas Inspired articles? Here’s one from Cindy of Cynhumphrey! A big thank you to Cindy!

More Fun To Come

We will share more details with you in the days to come!

We are ready to celebrate #EtsyCIJ 2018!

Etsy Christmas In July 2018 – Begins In 4 Weeks

Contributor post by Alicia from AliciasFindings

Etsy Christmas In July 2018 begins 4 weeks from today! This year our event will be held July 1st – July 10th!

#CIJParty 2018

On July 9th we will host the virtual #CIJParty 2018 right here on our blog! We are working behind the scenes right now prepping for the Christmas Inspired party!

Curious about our #CIJParty 2017? Here is the link:

#CIJParty 2017

We are looking for team members to make this #CIJParty 2018 creative and innovative! Please see the following links to submit a Christmas Inspired Tutorial or Christmas Inspired Printable:

#CIJParty 2018: Submit A Tutorial

#CIJParty 2018: Submit A Printable

Every year we invite team members to write Christmas Inspired Guest Blog Articles. This year the first step in the process will be to pitch us an idea. Then the ideas we choose will receive a submission form for writing the article.

#CIJParty 2018: Pitch A Guest Blog Article Idea

You are all invited to join us in the fun and festivities! We will be sharing more information in the weeks to come!

We have created a Facebook Event Page! Please join us and invite your friends! Christmas In July 2018!

Mark your calendar today and let the preparations begin!

Want a sneak peek of one of the Christmas Inspired tutorials? Here’s a teaser from Barbara of MermaidsHatbox!

Christmas Inspired Tutorial From Barbara Of MermaidsHatbox