Handmade Gifts for a Bobby Birthday!

We went to a birthday party for my friend Nicole's oldest son Bobby.  He turned 7 and really likes science.  I've been trying to keep up my all-handmade gifts committment and though I don't always remember to take pictures, I have been pretty good about sticking to the commitment part.  For Bobby's love of science and learning, I thought he might like to do some screenprinting.  I got him two plain t-shirts.  I embellished one with this truck material I already had.  I left the other plain so he can design his own shirt.  I told Nicole they can come over sometime once he draws what he wants on his shirt and we'll screenprint it with the Yudu together.  I think he'll love it!

I just made a simple strip of the fabric in case he wants to screenprint his name across it or something else fun.  I made the bag of the same truck fabric as I don't like to use wrapping paper if I can avoid it.  It was also good practice for french seams.  Here's everything I included in the bag.

The party was at a local aquatic center.  It was so much fun!  Holden really enjoyed the water and the sand.  It was a great day for it!

Happy Birthday Bobby!  We had a great time at your party and we think you're a great kid!  I'm so glad we get to be friends with you and your family!

Heather's Handmade Holiday in Review

So, my all-handmade holiday didn't really happen.  I think I committed to it too closely to Christmas to make it a real possibility.  If I had been on vacation for another 3 or 4 weeks before Christmas, maybe it would've been realistic.  However, since I also work full time, have a husband with a long commute, and an adorable, but sometimes needy toddler, this didn't really work out very well.  Oh well.  I'm not too disappointed.  I'm one of those people who won't get a lot accomplished if I don't have REALLY BIG GOALS!  I figure I'll try again next year and plan ahead a little more.  It can only get better and easier, right? 

I did get a lot done though.  I've posted most of it, but here's a few more things I managed to finish before the recipients' Christmas celebration!  Here are some two shirts I made for my cousin's children, Katie and Ethan.  They are both 4.  Both finished shirts cost less than $10.  (The teal and celery polka dot fabric was actually a flannel receiving blanket that I had used with Holden, but it got a stain on it I couldn't get out...so I upcycled it into my fabric bin - YEAH!)

I cut the letters out of the iron-on type adhesive and cut the fabric a bit larger.  Then I ironed them on and used 4 strands of a coordinating thread to sew around the edge of the letter.  When they are washed, they will fray a bit more around the edge.  I used the Pea Mee-Mee font from Kevin and Amanda's Pea Fonts.  I LOVE their handwriting fonts.  I did tweak the e a bit, since I didn't think it would look as nice with some of the "hooks" on it.  This is the same font I used on the Santa Plates I made this year.  Super Fun!  I've considered having my own handwriting made into a font, since I do like my handwriting if I take my time (but rarely do).  I've just never actually taken the plunge.  Maybe I'll put that on my New Year's list.  It would be really cool for journaling and scrapbooking!

Anyway, I added some fun red and green juice boxes to the kids' shirts for Christmas.  This was kind of an after thought to the actual gifts.  Like, you see juice boxes (LOTS of them) and think, why did I buy so many juice boxes?  My son only drinks 1/2 a juice box a day at the most.  Hey those are red and those are green...Christmas present?  Yeah, I'm kind of ADD sometimes!  Anyway, I had Holden color with red and green markers onto some packing paper that came between my junk plates (that I bought for next year's Santa plates) and wrapped them up.  I thought they turned out pretty cute.

And, last but not least, I made these bear mugs for my Dad.  His house is very lodge-y so they'll fell right at home.  I got the mugs for $2.50 each at Wal-Mart.  I think I will fill them all with something different when I give them to him...maybe hot cocoa mix in one, toffee cracker cookies in another, oreo truffles in another and chocolate covered pretzels in the last one...all in cello bags, of course!  I might even make some for my brother down the road as he loves Bear Bows.  As in a bow-and-arrow type bow.  We grew up in the country, k? 

Sorry about the picture quality...on top of not being a good photographer in general, I am REALLY not good at taking pictures of etched glass.  I promise to all of you that taking better pictures is on my list too :)  I might even take a class?!?  Any recommendations?  Online vs. Community College?  Lansing, Michigan area?  Doesn't take up too much family time?

Anyway, now that the holidays are nearly over, I'm hoping to get everything at my house organized, cleaned up and cleared out.  Well, I don't actually want to clear everything out...but I definitely want to get rid of some stuff we haven't used in a while.  I'm hoping that 2010 is going to be the best year yet!  Hope it will be for all of us :)

-Heather

PS - I'm linking up to the Penny Pinching Party over at the Thrifty Home!  Go check it out and stretch your dollars :) 

Glittery and Monogrammed Gifts

These I made using a few simple supplies: sticky back glitter scrapbook paper, plain tags, chipboard glittery letters, and ribbon. I bought everything at Michael's except the ribbon at WalMart.





I also used craft glue and glued a letter to a store bought snowflake ornament. (Target 2 for $1)



This star I bought is a paper mache plain ornament at Michael's. I glittered it myself using Martha Stewart glitter glue and glitter. (I bought a Christmas pack at Michael's...great deal with a 40% off coupon!)

I also bought a paper mache box and decorated it using acrylic paint, a vintage postcard that I cut to fit the top, and glitter.

I have a few more I may or may not add later!

Have a great day! Erin

Glittered Gift Tags and other things made from scrap materials

I had some leftover burlap from the $.86 piece I purchased to make my candy cane vase. I didn't want to throw it away so I decided to make a few gift tags. I cut two pieces of burlap a little bigger than the paper tags . I glued one tag inside the burlap for stability. I also glued one of the back.

I used a stamp set I had with owls and birds and just stamped the design I wanted onto the burlap. I purchased a glitter glue pen from Martha Stewart Crafts and went over the area I stamped with the glue pen. Sprinkle some glitter on and you have a glitter design! If you want to use some embroidery thread to stitch around the edge, that's fine, too! Poke a hole through the burlap with a screw driver or pointed object and thread a ribbon through.


I also made another glittery monogrammed button star ornament. These buttons are available in our etsy shop.

The glue writing pen is the key to getting the glitter in the right spot.

Here is a cupcake embellishment or ornament. I cut out an embroidery design I made on my machine and glued pink felt to the back. I'm just learning how to do applique!

I linked this post to The Shabby Chic Cottage! Thanks again!

Getting Started: Christmas Decorating & the BEST giftwrap around is 50% off today!

I have to say I love gift wrap! I love colorful graphics and these are some really cute ones. Hobby Lobby has beautiful quaility wrap and today it was half off! I've been watching it for a few weeks now:)

I had an idea to hang a simple length of ribbon and attach my kids' Santa pictures with painted clothespins. I am going to look for some christmasy embellishents to glue on the clothespins.

Just an easy little thing that is cute, too!

This room is done for the season!

My husband wanted red shades so I found these today at Hobby Lobby. Too bad they were not on sale!