All posts tagged: Handmade Gifts

Groceries for Mom

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Okay, so I didn’t actually get her groceries, but I did make her a cloth grocery bag to go with her (very late!) birthday present this year. I used this super easy tutorial… and will definitely be making more of these for myself! Quick… easy… very useful!   This was also one of those times where I take pictures, but don’t load them onto my computer to realize they aren’t really in focus until after I’ve already sent the gift to its recipient. I hate when that happens. :/ Oh well… there it is nonetheless… more to come! In the meantime, my focus is on prepping for my sister’s baby shower coming up in September. Having way too much fun coming up with ideas (both things I’ll be making for the shower AND for my little nephew)! :) Until next time,

Handmade Gift Exchange, Part 2

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Can I just begin by saying how adorable this packaging is… haha “Dill with it!” :)   Julie, my handmade gift exchange partner, sent me some awesome stuff! Here’s what the note said: “Enclosed are a flower that will never die and a jar of stars. When you need a pick-me-up, shake the jar and pick a star. Pinch it flat and find the arrow. Pull out the flap and unravel the star for a special message. Enjoy!”   This flower will be making its home on my desk. And of course I was too curious – I had to open at least one of the stars – and luckily figured out how to fold it back up after :) This is such an adorable and thoughtful gift. Thank you, Julie!

Handmade Gift Exchange

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Sometimes I complain to myself because I can’t think of something to make for someone I know. Well, that mentality was turned upside down when I started brainstorming what to make for a complete stranger! Seriously. Never realized how easy I had it. :) I entered the Summer Handmade Gift Exchange put on by Craftaholics Anonymous. The only clues I had about my gift exchange partner were that she likes coffee and the color orange. Here’s what I came up with: Bow Clutch, with orange accents of course (made from this tutorial that I’ve been gawking at on my “Things To Sew” Pinterest board for some time). The outer fabric is actually from a thrifted shower curtain that happens to be the same shower curtain I have hanging in my bathroom. Can you tell I like the pattern!? :) You can’t really tell from the pictures, but the lighter color has a bit of shimmer to it. Also used it for the ABC bag I made last year. The inner fabric is a cotton I had from my grandma …

Happy Father’s Day!

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My dad is awesome. Check out his garden: Actually, this is an old picture… I think he has a bunch more growing in there now. But I like this picture with the rainbow :) So he’s retired and spends most of his time in the garden. Therefore a tie is probably the last thing in the world he actually needs. But then again I’m pretty sure he doesn’t actually NEED anything. For his birthday a little over a week ago I got him a Frog Log… yes, this is actually a thing… their website calls it a “Critter Saving Escape Ramp”. So you can tell how desperate I was for ideas. LOL… ok, actually I think the Frog Log is brilliant… but hey, that’s just me… I spent too much time in my childhood fishing out California newts (absolutely adorable creatures) from the pool to think this is NOT an essential device for everyone with a pool. But anyway – it’s Father’s Day, and a handmade tie seemed appropriate now that I’m sewing :) So that’s …

Sewing Double: My 1st Monthly Stitch Challenge

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A couple of weeks ago, in a search for inspiration for things to make, I stumbled across The Monthly Stitch. They put up a sewing challenge each month – whoever takes part in the challenge posts their creation on the site. It’s an awesome idea for a sewing community! Plus, as a beginner, I feel like it’s just the push I need to challenge myself with new projects. Hence… my first contribution! April’s challenge is to revisit a pattern you’ve already made and create another (or, however else you interpret the “sewing double/seeing double” idea). Well, I’ve been planning to make my sister a maternity shirt to go in her second trimester box (see her first trimester box here)…. and shhh… I’m still pretty sure she doesn’t read this blog, so hopefully she doesn’t see it (I’m going to be in trouble if my family ever starts reading my blog… I won’t be able to post things before I gift them…). So anyway, I’ve been looking at a few different patterns. I especially love the Megan …