Aprons...

Homemade Christmas Gift Idea #4: Aprons

Again, with this gift, I don't use a pattern, I use my favorite apron (from Williams Sonoma) and make my own pattern off of it (tweaking it as needed if the person is taller or shorter, etc.). The same goes for the little kid pattern, I copy my daughters play apron or I measure her and make a smaller version. If you want some free patterns, google it- there are tons out there.

The best part about this gift is it can be so personal- you can match it to the person's personality, their kitchen, or just something fun! I use the thicker fabric (Home Decor) for my aprons so that they hold their shape, wash well, and protect your clothes! I always have fun embellishing them with ruffles, hangie balls, different color pockets, or fabric flowers. You can give this gift solo or make a whole package out of it with a baking pan, recipe, and some new kitchen towels! (This also makes a great shower or wedding gift!)

Flannel Pajama Pants

Stocking Stuffer/Gift Idea #3: Flannel Pajama Bottoms

Here's a great idea that everyone always loves- big kids or little- a new pair of Flannel Pajama Bottoms for the winter! To be honest, I don't use a pattern (because I always feel like when I do, they don't fit the normal way the ones in the stores do) so I find a favorite pair that I have or ones that fit my daughter well, and I make my own pattern off of that! If you don't feel comfortable with that, google free patterns and you will find a ton!Here's a SALE ALERT TOO- if you plan on making these, JoAnn's fabrics has a sale on their flannel the day after Thanksgiving and I think it's $.99 a yard! Always use a coupon and get 40-50 % off of one fabric piece!

Everyone loves a good sale!

Crayon Pucks for Kids...

Stocking Stuffer Idea #2: Crayon Pucks

Here's a great little gift you can make for kids- we are going to package them up and hand them out to friends this year, but you could also make some for stocking stuffers or gift toppers- the possibilities are endless! They are really inexpensive and the best part is, kids can help!

This is a great way to use broken or old crayons you have laying around!

You will need:

• a cupcake tin (I use an old one I got at a garage sale for 25 cents!)
• cooking spray
• crayons, old and broken if you have them!
• butter knife

Directions:

Spray your cupcake tin with cooking oil, peel your crayons (I used a butter knife to get them started then handed them to my 2 year old who finished the peeling process! Use good crayons (Crayola), not cheap waxie ones from the dollar store. Then break them up into 1 inch pieces and put them into separate compartments in the cupcake tin. You can mix colors, or leave them all the same- you can also use mini muffin tins if you prefer smaller crayons! Fill them up as much as you want (at least half way) then put them in the oven for 6-8 minutes on 265. When you take them out you can swirl them with a toothpick or leave them looking marbley. I stuck mine in the freezer for about an hour until they were completely hardened, then turned them over and they all popped out!

Head Start on Homemade Christmas Gifts....

Fabric Covered Bangle Bracelets...

So, I thought I would post some of the things I have been doing to prepare in advanced for Christmas (mind you I am trying to get a jump start on things since I will be having a newborn and very little time to be crafty!) So this week, you will find an idea per day- for friends, family, kids, neighbors, or whomever you find on your Christmas List.

Stocking Stuffer Idea #1: Fabric Covered Bangles

I saw this idea on a blog a long time ago and I made a few of them over the summer, they are super easy, really quick, and personal because

Head Start on Stocking Stuffers....

Owl Pillow Family Tree

So, if you read my family blog, you might be familiar with my sweetess nephew Jude who was adopted into our family by my sister and her husband when he was born a little over a year ago. The process was recently made official through the courts, and I wanted to make him a little something special to commemorate the day. So here's what I came up with... an Owl Pillow...

...with a book flap on the back featuring his family tree. I thought it would be a fun gift to give any new mom, something that a child can keep as a memory and keepsake as they grow up.

To make this, I simply drew a sketch on a piece of tissue paper to create a pattern for myself. Then I used pellon to back my pieces, cut them out, and stitched them on. I stuffed it with batting and finished it with a top stitch. I used pinking sheers around the edges so that I didn't have to be so accurate- my favorite way to sew!

Pinwheel Decorations

Recently we had a baby shower for my sister in law and we decided to do something different than flowers for the center pieces, so we went with pinwheels. Now because we had to make so many, we came up with a quick and efficient way to make them, they were just for looks so unfortunately they didn't spin, they just sat pretty!

Quick Directions on how to make Decorative Pinwheels:

Depending on the size pinwheels you want, cut perfect squares out of decorative paper. NOTE: both sides will show, so use a paper that is decorative on both sides, solid, or at least solid white on the back. I made 3 sizes shown above in the pictures:

• X-Large Pinwheels: 8 x 8 inches
• Large Pinwheels: 7x7 "
• Medium Pinwheels: 5 x 5 "
• Small Pinwheels: 4 x 4 "

First cut out your perfect square, then cut in a line from each one of the corners to the center of the square, stopping about an inch or two from the center. A paper cutter works great for this and made it go really quickly.

Next, put a dime size hot glue in the very center of the square and pull in one side of each corner (practice before your put the glue down.)

Hold it there with your finger for a minute until it dries.

Add a button or brad to give it a finished look. With a glue gun, attach a straw, skewer, or dowel to the back of the pinwheel. We were actually able to attach our straws to the inside of one of the loops of the pinwheels so that the back of them looked more finished.

If you use straws, you can stick one inside the other to give it more length and you can also cut them to different heights very easily so that you can display them at your liking!

*** We also filled our vases with candy for the center pieces, the ones in the pictures have the following candies (which we bought inexpensively in bulk from Winco). The candies held the pinwheels in place (and served as a fun snack for guests!):

• lemon drops
• bubble gum balls
• double bubble
• cinnamon disks
• orange slices
• mini and large marshmallows
• colored, wrapped swirly balls
• giant gumdrops

.....We stayed clear of anything that would melt in the sun!...

Table Top Centerpiece...

Here's a really easy craft- it would be perfect to do with a bunch of girls on a craft night because the supplies are minimal and the prep is pretty simple. All you need is a 2 x 4 and access to a table saw. I had my father-in-law cut these for me in 4", 5", and 6" blocks. I pre-marked them with a pencil, and he cut the whole 2 x 4 in just a few minutes. After that, I gave a quick sand to the ends to get rid of any sharp edges, then painted the blocks and wrote the letters. I originally saw them in a boutique downtown (they were pink and green with yellow letters and said "SPRING") I couldn't resist the chance of making a set of my own. You could get really creative with the season, sayings, or even use names on them for a kids bedroom. Use glitter or ribbon or whatever other embellishments you want and display them on any table or buffet for your next gathering!

Crawling on in.....

Here's another set of canvases I made for someone who chose this bedding, it's darling with all it's boyish bugs and snails, turtles and frogs. I chose 3 of the characters from the bedding and made canvases to go along... a rolly polly bug, a cruisin' caterpillar, and a pokey little turtle! I wish the pictures were in better detail, the different textures of the fabrics (corduroy, terri-cloth, and chenille) really made them stand off the canvas, as well as the hand stitched swirls on the turtle's shell!

These served as the back drop for the shower, as well as the gift from the hostesses! Hope the Mama-to-be liked them!!!!

Cookie Lollipop Favors...

So here's a fun idea for a party favor for your next bash... Cookie Shaped Lollipops! They are super simple to make and are a cute and personal touch for your guests. For the recipe that I used check out "Cocky Chocolate Chip Cookies"- you can use any recipe that makes fluffy or thick cookies (so that you're lollipop stick can be held in the cookie).

You will need:

Lollipop sticks (Michael's candy making section)

Small baggies (also sold at Michael's in the same isle)

Ribbon

Cookie Ingredients

** Optional: Tags or a sign "Thanks for POPPING by!"

Bake your cookies and as soon as they come out, stick your lollipop sticks in the center of the cookies and let them cool. Then with a spatula, slide them off and into a bag, tying them with fun ribbon combinations!

A touch of cuteness to a plain bib...

Here's an idea to create a little something special and unique for a little one- great for a gift or to tie to the top of the package. It's super simple, so even if you're not a gifted seamstress, you can pull it off- just get creative!

Babies R Us sells packages of plain white bibs (and colored ones too) so you can pick up a package and use your imagination. For this girlie bib, I cut out different sized petals, and two coordinating leaves, tacking them in the center with a matching button (which I hand stitched). Once your flower is assembled, run two stitches (like an X) threw the center of the flower to tack it to the bib. I left my edges frayed, and didn't back it with anything, but if you don't want it to fray you could iron on some pellon to keep it from unraveling.

Happy creating- and if you come up with something cute, email it to me and I will add it to the post!

Trees and more critters...

I actually haven't done a set of canvases in a while, I guess the holidays really did sweep us up!! My sweet friend from college had a request for a set of canvases that match this ADORABLE shower curtain from Target (see below picture), so here's what I came up with. I think they turned out pretty close to the original design, thanks Target for the inspiration! Hope you like them Krissa, they will be on their way to San Diego this weekend!