Aly Dosdall: father's day gift idea: m&m's bow tie card

We always like to get something nice for Dad and the Grandpas on Father's Day. It's important to let them know how much we love and appreciate them. But even if we score the perfect Father's Day gift, taking the time to give them something handmade, even if it's simple, is often what they remember most.

This year I decided to make some bow tie cards using packages of M&M's. This Father's Day gift idea is easy to make and lots of fun for the men in your life to receive.

All you need for these M&M's bow tie cards is some plain 8 1/2 x 11 inch white cardstock, decorative paper scraps, washi tape, buttons or enamel dots, and regular size bags of M&M's.

Start by scoring and folding a sheet of white cardstock in half to create a card that opens to the right. Add a few thin strips of patterned scrapbook paper to the bottom to create some pants and a belt. I stuck to neutral geometric patterns and stripes to create a masculine feel. This is a great project for using up any paper scraps you have.

Create a shirt collar at the top of your card by folding a 2 x 7 1/2 inch strip of paper as shown below. Adhere it to the top of the card.

Add two lengths of washi tape to create suspenders above the pants. Be sure the ends of the suspenders don't extend above the collar.

To create the bow tie, tear off a 2 1/2 inch piece of washi tape and wrap it tightly around the center of a regular size bag of M&M's. It helps to squeeze the M&M's out to the ends of the bag first. Tip: I backed my washi tape with white cardstock to help it show up more clearly and to keep its shape.

Add the M&M bow tie to the collar on the card with a glue dot placed on the back of the washi tape center. That way your recipient will be able to remove the bag of M&M's without tearing it. Finish off the card with some enamel dots or buttons down the center of the white shirt.