Day 13 of 25 Handmade Gifts to Give

My paper crafting obsession started with scrapbooking and it's been a while since I've done an actual scrapbook page. I've been thinking a lot about mini books lately and making them for various events. I came across this shop on Etsy and my eye was immediately on the mini books she has. The shop is the Spunky Spider She has several cute Holiday items.

How cute is this!! You have to check this out because it does not open like your traditional mini book. Would be so cute for babies first Christmas or snow done up as a brag book for grandma. Talk about a great Christmas gift!

Day 12 of 25 Handmade Gifts to Give

Today's gift idea is something I LOVE making....garland or banners. So many different things you can do with them. Today's shop I came across while searching for a bit of inspiration. Simple Whimsey has some gorgeous banners. Love the different shapes for the flags too.

Love the fabric in this one.

Day 11 of 25 Handmade Gifts to Give

Today's Etsy shop is The Happy Octopus. I LOVE the name of the shop. She has some amazing jewelry, but not your normal jewelry, very fun and happy stuff.

My favorite:

Are those not adorable?!!!

I would love one of these with a baseball instead of the football.

Hope you enjoy.

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Day 11 and 12 of 25 Handmade Gifts to Give will be posted tomorrow. Today was Parent/Teacher Conferences and Book Fair so I was at school for a long time. Got great updates on both kids! YAY!!

Day 10 of 25 Handmade Gifts to Give

So today's gift idea I didn't even know about until today. Actually it was just a little while ago I knew about this shop on Etsy. I'm all about the classic clean lines and simpleness and this just describes those things to a T. And best of all, she's a local girl for me. Love finding other Etsy people from Columbia.

cjane create

My favorite item in her shop and best of all it's AFFORDABLE!!!

I want one with graph paper!!!

Day 9 of 25 Handmade Gifts to Give

Today's shop is another Etsy shop. I cannot express how much I LOVE Etsy.

My idea today comes from Pirate and Princess.

How CUTE is that skirt? She also has jeans that say Gobble. I so want to make a pair for Audrey, might do a pair for Christmas instead. She has tons of cute things in her shop.

Day 8 of 25 Handmade Gifts to Give

So this week I'm going to recommend some gifts that aren't made by me, but still are handmade gifts. Some of my favorite things out there.

Today's is Lens Pets and Sock Monsters made by Mandee Franee. Here is the link to her etsy shop:
Mandee Franee  Tell me those are not the cutest things you've ever seen. I "know" the owner strictly from a scrapbook message board/store I used to be part of, Lifetime Moments. I really miss Lifetime Moments.

Just a few samples of her work:

Lens Pet by Mandee Franee

Lens Pet by Mandee Franee

 

 

 

 

Sock Monster Owl by Mandee Franee

I of course LOVE the Owl Sock Monster.

Hope this gives you a good idea for a Handmade Gift.

Day 7 of 25 Handmade Gifts to Give

So today's is a bit different. The finished project can be handmade, but my gift today is pictures. As I said before I LOVE pictures, my husband is a video kind of guy, but me it's all about pictures. I am a huge believer in a picture is worth a thousand words. Having lost 3 VERY important people in my life, I love having pictures of them to look back on.

So what can you do with a picture or pictures aside from the basic album/scrapbook:
1. Make a video. I love putting pictures to music and making slide shows. I don't have a fancy Mac(it's on my someday list), but I have found using Movie Maker in Windows works fine for me.
2. T-shirts, I think most grandparents would love to have a shirt with their sweet angels on it.
3. Home Decor-canvases, frames, wall hangings, etc. I have 2 pieces done on canvases and another canvas to use. I decorated the base of the canvas with pattern paper, embellished just like I would a scrapbook page and added the pictures. One even has a doll on it, dressed like an angel for our angel.
4. Quilt. A few years ago we made a quilt for my grandparents with everyone's picture on it. It hangs above their stairs for everyone to see. It was not as complicated as you might think either.
5. Calendars. So many make your own calendar kits out there and so many photo printing sites offer calendars as well. Great for grandparents. 

With the changes in technology printing pictures to add to different mediums is easier than ever.

I am sure this picture of Audrey will be appearing in some gifts I am making this year.