Saturday, November 6, 2010

Day 6 of 25 Handmade Gifts to Give

I love all things picture related. I love taking pictures, editing pictures and doing something with my pictures once they are printed. Okay so I am horrible about printing my pictures. I mean HORRIBLE.

My gift for today is mini books. I wasn't always a big fan of mini books, but something recently has changed my mind. Not sure what it was, but something has changed.

The mini book I'm showing here was one I did for a friend after I took her son and his girlfriends pictures. I did one for each of them, just a little something to show off their pictures. They were so much fun to take pictures of.

Cover.

Very simple, but I like it.

Other side.

This isn't really a typical mini book, but maybe that's why I've decided I like them a little more, I've given myself the freedom to just create whatever I want.
Sorry I didn't get this posted yesterday, but today you have 2 gifts to look forward to.

Today's gift is handmade pillow cases. I have no idea how many of these I've made now. My kids currently have Snoopy jumping in leaves as their pillowcases. The wonderful thing about these is you can make them for your favorite team, character, to PERFECTLY match your bedroom decor. Also great to give as gifts, double bonus you can use it as the gift wrap. Also great for those who will be leaving for college in the fall. What student wouldn't love a pillow case featuring their future school.

This was the first one I ever made. Dart now has a Jaguars pillowcase as well.

This of course is Miss Audrey's pillowcase. She has more than I can count. Such a fun and easy thing to make.

Friday, November 5, 2010

...

Because of some unexpected things tonight Day 5 of 25 Handmade gifts will be posted tomorrow. Will do both day 5 and 6 tomorrow. Also have another project or 2 that I hope to post tomorrow and Sunday.

Thursday, November 4, 2010

Day 4 of 25 Handmade Gifts to Give

Great gift for the avid book lover in your life.

Book Labels. I don't buy many books for myself anymore, prefer to check them out from the library, but I do buy books for the kids and I will occasionally buy one that I fell in love with and want to have on hand. Great thing to put in those purchased books are book labels. Nothing to big or distracting, but easy enough to read so if you loan it out they know who it belongs too. Great for kids so they don't argue over who's book is who's.


With any book, you always need a bookmark. These are fairly simple bookmarks, great for guys! I'm always looking for a bookmark(usually end up using a post it note, guess I should make some for myself).

If you like a little more whimsical bookmark how about one of these...
Paper clip bookmarks. These can be used for so many other things as well.

I also have gift card holders available that would go great with this idea. Book labels, bookmark, gift card to favorite book store and your gift is done. Great for teachers, friends, and so many others.

If interested shoot me an email.

Wednesday, November 3, 2010

Day 3 of 25 Handmade Gifts to Give

Today's gift would be perfect for your child's teacher, your hairdresser, a friend and even a grandparent.

Today's idea is a set of greeting cards. I LOVE making card sets. My favorite is mixed messages. How many times have you needed a card and had to run to the store at the last minute? How many times have you looked through all the cards and cringed when you saw the price? Handmade cards are the best. 1. You have them on hand. 2. You get to write your own message. 3. Who wouldn't love to receive a card out of the blue in the mail that simply said "Thinking of You"? Think about that, in amongst all the annoying junk and bills there sits a beautiful handmade card that you wrote your own message to the recipient. The art of snail mail is slowly dying and I would LOVE to see it come back. Yes I know postage is going up, but think about it for a few minutes of your time and 44 cents or whatever it goes up to you can brighten someones day. Now isn't that worth the price of a stamp(and the price of the handmade cards).

Just a few samples:

I also love making those that incorporate the gift for birthday cards!! These can also come in a set, you provide the gift though of course!

I'm working to get sets on etsy, however if you are interested in purchasing a set shoot me an email and we can get it worked out. Envelopes are included with your order. I am also working on making boxes for them to go in as a gift wrap and storage in one!!

Tuesday, November 2, 2010

Day 2 of 25 Handmade Gifts to give

One of my favorite things to sew is Rag Quilts. I think it's one of my favorites because 1. it's easy and 2. it was something I figured out how to do with just a little reading on the internet. The first one I made as a gift for my mom and she was honestly very surprised and happy. My brother is a runner and one day when I was in JoAnn's I came across running fabric. I knew it would be the perfect part to her blanket.

Great in school colors, team colors, home colors, and more. Great for sitting on bleachers to keep yourself cushy or warm, great for kids in their favorite character print, great for tossing across the back of the couch and using on cold winter nights. Totally customizable in color and size.

If interested in purchasing one shoot me an email. I don't have any in my etsy shop yet, working on it, but am taking custom orders.

Day 1 of 25 Handmade Gifts to give

Meant to post this last night and it ended up being a rough day with a certain drama queen.

This isn't made by me, but my grandpa, however I am selling it.


What is this crazy contraption you might ask? Under the Cabinet Jar Opener. This is an amazing gift to give anyone from a college grad moving into their first apartment to your parents to even your grandparents. My grandma has HORRIBLE arthritis in her hands, to the point that she is unable to bend most of her fingers. However, with this she is able to open ANY jar or bottle with a screw top lid, including 2 liter bottles. You hang this under a cabinet so it is out of the way and then when you have a jar needing opened you simply slide it in and twist. That's it. Both hands are able to hold onto the jar because this is mounted up under your cabinet.

Great gift for many on your list. If you are interested in purchasing one either contact me via email or visit my etsy shop.

Day 2 coming soon.