Homemade Birthday Gifts

When thinking of what to give as birthday gifts for family and friends, I always like to at least try and make one gift homemade. I like receiving homemade gifts which is why I like giving them as well.

We had a very special little girls first birthday party last weekend, so it was important to me to make her something really fun! Here is what I came up with...

I found the idea for the little wooden peg people on Pinterest. When I saw them, I knew immediately that I had to make them for someone. This little girl seemed like the perfect fit! I painted six different wooden pegs a color of the rainbow and matched a little wooden bowl to their color. I made it into a matching game for the cute little one year old. I had such a fun time painting these little dolls that with the two I had as extras, well I couldn't resist making something fun for my little kiddos!

For Emma, a princess equipped with her own castle and Caleb, well I found this little green alien just too cute! He even flies around the room in his silvery spaceship!

The fabric bucket that I used to place her gifts in was made from this fabulous tutorial. I filled the little bucket with some books, the peg dolls matching color game, and a cute rag doll. The handles are just long enough for her little hands to grasp and carry around with her, placing any treasures she may find inside!

The bucket was so easy to make that I couldn't stop at just one! I ended up making one for myself!

I decided to make mine a little taller, instead of long and wide like the tutorial suggests. It is the perfect knitting bag. I also use it to tote my book and/or kindle in as well. I like having a fabric tote to carry my current knitting and book in wherever I go!

Emma is also getting a little bucket for her birthday and I am sure somewhere down the line Caleb will end up with one as well!

Do you enjoy making/receiving homemade gifts?

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.” ~ Jeremiah 29:11-13

Fall Craftiness

When Summer rolls around, you will very rarely find me sitting with a ball of soft wool knitting away at whatever project I have set my mind too.

It just never happens.

You will, however, see me sitting behind my lovely sewing machine pressing away and pushing soft cotton under the needle anxiously awaiting the final result.

I miss the wool and bamboo slipping through my fingers in the summer and the constant humming of my sewing machine in the winter.

I have to learn balance when it comes to making time for my two favorite crafty pasttimes. {add in my recent love of hand embroidery and I really have a problem!}

Now that the weather has cooled, alot, and my favorite season has finally returned, I am feeling the need to sit down and plan out some knitted projects!

Nothing sounds more cozy and inviting to me than a hot cup of tea, a warm blanket thrown over my lap, and some yarn and needles in my hands! {well, except if that yarn and needles were replaced with a book!}

I spent this past Saturday at home being lazy! {the weather was uninviting outdoors and we deserve a lazy day every once in awhile, right?!} I browsed a few of my favorite sites for crafty ideas {pinterest, ravelry} and came up with the following:

1. Simple Hooded Cardigan

2. V-Neck Pullover

3. Easy Cuff Down Socks

4. GAP-tastic Cowl

5. Infinity Scarf

6. Loose Strands Necklace

7. Braided Bracelet

8. Two-Stitch Necklace

{i actually bought the yarn for these projects at JoAnn's last week!}

9. Sev[en] Circle Necklace

10. Tangle Necklace

And something fun for Molly! Dolls need a new wardrobe as the seasons change, too!

11. Waldorf Doll Shoes

12. Twirl Skirt for Waldorf Doll

13. Cabled Sweater and Pant Set for Waldorf Doll

Do you knit, sew, crochet, hand embroider, or do another craft I may have missed? Would love for you to share in the comments below!

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She shops around for the best yarns and cottons, and enjoys knitting and sewing. ~ Proverbs 31 {the message}

Are you Pinning?

The latest craze to hit the internet realm is Pinterest! Are you using it? If you are not, you will be!
When I was first introduced to Pinterest I had no idea how to use it! However, once I figured out how it worked, I was instantly hooked!

Pinterest is basically a fun way to organize your "favorites" tab on your toolbar. While browing the web, whenever you come across something you like, whether it be a recipe, craft idea, or inspirational quote, all you have to do is hit the "pin it" button from your toolbar and voila! Your pin is saved! You can organize your pins into categories of your choice for easy finding later on.

Some of my favorite pins recently have been:

For Fall


Originally Pinned from zap-store.com


Originally Pinned from etsy.com


Originally Pinned from zemphira.blogspot.com


Originally Pinned from 1plus1plus1equals1.com


Originally Pinned from positivelysplendid.com


Originally Pinned from WomenLivingWell.org


Orginally Posted from WomenLivingWell.org

Can you tell I am getting ready for and am just a tad bit excited about the arrival of fall?!

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Not on Pinterest yet, but would like to be? Leave me a comment and I will send you an invite to start Pinning!

Happy Pinning!



Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? ~ Matthew 6:25

Christmas in July

Last year, I came across what quickly became one of my favorite blogs to read each day. Smalltown Simplicity. Much inspiration and encouragment can be found here. Lydia's post about making a Waldorf doll for her daughter inspired me to do the same for my little girl.

While browsing around on her blog, I found a post talking about a handmade Christmas and quickly became inspired to do the same. I decided to try my best at making this year a handmade kind of Christmas.

I've been brainstorming, trying to decide what to make for everyone. The kids will be easy! I am thinking of making them some PJ's, little wooden dolls, painted wooden trains, a car roll and crayon roll,

Photo Courtesy of Gluesticks

Photo Courtesy of The Pleated Poppy

and these awesome floor pillows:

Photo Courtesy of  Living With Punks

For my mom and mom-in-law, I was thinking of making them smaller versions {lap size} of this Stacked Coins Quilt:

Photo Courtesy of Moda Bakeshop

As far as my sister and all the men, well that is where it gets tricky. They are all rather picky and trying to find handmade items to make for them is proving to be rather difficult.  I was, however, thinking of making my sister one of these bags and stuffing it with some gift cards to her favorite stores.

Photo Courtesy of Made By Rae

I just need to keep brainstorming for the guys!

Have you ever done a handmade Christmas? What did you end up making?

Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth. – John 17:17

A Fun {and easy} Mason Jar Craft!

I came across this cute Mason Jar Craft while browsing Pinterest. {full original tutorial can be found here} I love taking things that are just lying around the house and turning them into something beautiful, which is why this particular craft was perfect for me.

Here is what you will need:

• Various shapes and sizes of Mason Jars and as many as you would like to make. {i used 5}
• Various colors of Spray Paint. {i used three different colors}
• Potting Soil
• Flowers or plants that you would like to fill your jar

I started by gathering my supplies.

I used three square shaped jars and two circular jars.

The pink was not my first choice, but Emma wanted it, so in the cart it went!

Look for plants that do well in small jars and do not need to be replanted to a larger area.

Now the fun begins. I shook my spray paint cans and began spraying.

Make sure to place your jars on either a paper bag or piece of cardboard so you do not ruin the surface underneath the jars while spraying them.

I applied a thin first layer, waited about 10 minutes, then sprayed on a thicker layer. Wait a few hours, I waited about 4 hours, for the paint to dry completely.

Fill the pots about halfway with the potting soil.

Next, remove the plants from their pots taking some of the dirt with them, and add them to your mason jars.

That's it! Simple and pretty, don'tcha think?

You can use them to decorate a windowsill, your porch, dining room table, or your front steps. The possibilities are endless!

Have you made anything crafty this summer?

I cannot take any credit for the craft project. The idea was not my own. Original idea can be found here. I just made some myself and wanted to share it with all of you!

Linking up at Sew Much Ado:

 

She shops around for the best yarns and cottons, and enjoys knitting and sewing. ~ Proverbs 31 {the message}