Simple Christmas Gifts & Projects

Catch the key word in that title? Simple. The more people I talk to the more I find people having a desire to make Christmas simple so they can focus on the true meaning of the season.  Over the last couple of days I've seen some great simple gifts and projects that I wanted to share with you all. Then hopefully later today or tomorrow I will have a great tutorial posted for you all. And you guessed it. It is SIMPLE.

So here we go.

#1 Felt Initial Ornaments from made

There isn't anything Dana does that I don't love. I wish I had her clothing skills. Seriously. I digress.. I  love these ornaments  and am planning on making a set for my family and some people on my list. Perfect to do while relaxing with the family and watching a Christmas movie. My favorite thing about this project...hand-sewing. I know. Crazy...but I love hand-sewing. (Plus I have all the materials on hand to make a cute little set. Yay!)

#2 Girly Print from Lilly and Thistle

When I saw this print I fell immediately in love with it. (Plus it is free!!!) I love the simplicity of the print and adore the quote. The wonderful thing about this print is that it can be used as a gift for any occasion. Baby shower, birthday, baptism.... the list could go on. Now only if I could find cute cupcake liners she used for the skirt. :)

#3 Quick Fabric/Felt Flowers from Tater Tots and Jello

Fabric Flowers. Enough said. Cute, quick, and a glue gun. My kind of quick project. A set of three of these flowers would make a perfect teen gift!

#4 Candy Cane Kiss Cookies from Our Best Bites

For the bakers in the room, you've got to try these beauties. WOWZERS! They are delish and a tad rich. So make sure you've got milk handy. Bake these babies up toss them in a cute container. Done.

#5 Reindeer Noses from Crafting Chicks

I love these ladies. They have amazing ideas. The first idea on this list is the most simple of the ones they mentioned. (Reindeer Noses) Maybe I love this idea because I LOVE Peanut M&Ms. This could be even more simple by just sticking the tag on a whole bag of Peanut M&Ms. Or maybe because that is the way I'd love to receive this. ;)

#6 Car Cozy from Homemade by Jill

I had to stick a boy idea on here! I made a couple of these last year and they were a hit...and very simple to make.  If you've made a crayon roll before it is the same concept, the pockets are just wider! (Note: I didn't add numbers on my cozy.)

So there you go! Some simple hand-made gifts. Now if you are going to attempt all of these, that might defeat the purpose of being 'simple' but I am just sayin'...

See ya in a bit...with a SIMPLE tutorial

LeAnne

Quick and Almost Free Christmas Project

Have you all seen the fabulous FREE subway art and banner downloads over at eighteen25?

photo from eighteen25

Personally, I haven't gotten into the whole subway art craze, but I am loving this. (But you are talking to a girl who doesn't have a lick of vinyl lettering in her home. So...go figure. This is not in retaliation of disliking it, I simply like it in limited quantities.) Oh, eighteen25 also has a quick tutorial for the darling glitter trees.

So what is the 'almost free' mean for this project? Simply that. To print this size at Sam's/Costco is about $6.00. Then depending  if you have an empty frame laying around you can spray or can find for a couple of bucks at Goodwill/DI...this is a seriously affordable project.

Hmmm. After looking at the whole shelf, I think I just want the whole thing in my home. Loving it.

Happy Monday!

LeAnne

The Christmas 'to make' list - Decorations

How many of you have a growing project list for Christmas?  {raises hand}

I found two Christmas decoration projects that are are at the top of my list to make this year. To be honest, my list is much longer, but I this short list is much more realistic in what I can accomplish.

1. Christmas Lanterns. Aren't these beautiful? I think it would look lovely on a table or in an entry way. You wouldn't even have to light the candles. However,  I have an issue with the directions. They don't tell you where they purchased the LANTERN! I love the lantern they used and would love to get one. (I wouldn't mind getting a lantern in a smaller size though, watch the video and you will see it is rather large.)

2.  Patchwork Pillows. I love when my Ballard Designs catalog arrives in the mail. I saw these great pillows the other day but about dropped dead when I saw the price... $75.00!  But wait for it. That is cost per pillow!  (Of course, this is Ballard Designs, but still.) I could make dozens of my own pillows for that price. I will definitely attempt to make a knock-off version.










That is truly my 'short' list of Christmas projects. Even still, with it being only the beginning of November, my list is sure to grow. Anyone else find any Christmas decorations to DIY?

Thanks for reading,

LeAnne

To Do Projects: Pincushions

The most basic of sewing supplies; the pincushion. I've been wanting to replace my giant red polka dot one with ric rac that I made last summer...

It turned out a little more 'giant' than I anticipated.

Cute...but I am phasing out of my red and brown phase. I am loving bright colors right now; aquas, pink, turquoise, yellow.....I know quite the change. I've been eyeing some of Heather Bailey's adorable pincushion patterns. Bright and colorful, just what I want.

I am loving the little turtle, it is just too cute. She has kits for all the above patterns, which would be so convenient, but with the pattern that is a $$$ little pincushion.

Then of course I could buy one off of Etsy. (Plus sometimes I enjoy just buying it instead of making it myself.)  However, searching 'pincushion' results in far too many pages for me to search through. As I am trying to limit computer time...not wasting it on that.

Eh. Maybe I'll just stick with the red and brown one.

Cute Crafty Ideas for the Little Guy in Your Life

I think we can all agree there isn't a shortage of cute ideas out there for little girls. (I've got a huge list of ones I want to whip up for my little miss.) Recently, I've spoken with many friends who have boys and want to see more boy ideas. You all better head over Made by Rae or MADE. This month they are 'Celebrating the Boy' by dedicating the month to cute boy projects! What a marvelous idea. I know I will be staring many of their ideas in Google Reader for future use!!!



Let me just add that I was sooo bummed when Dana's Parade Jackets didn't win during So You Think You're Crafty. That was the one tutorial from the whole event that I WAS DYING to get my hands on. I am going to have to figure out how to make one.

Great Everyday Tip

This morning I found this great blog with lots of printable FREE downloads. I am a long way off from needing these but thought I would share. They are called 'morning routine' cards.

I used similar cards when I taught for students who needed help keeping on task/remembering things. I would put the cards out on their desk in the morning and as they came in they would be reminded of the things they needed to do. Doing this saved my life! Then I could be sure to tend to all 28 kids coming into the classroom at once in the morning.

Here are some other back to school cards that you may find helpful! What great ideas! I love that the cards have simple and clear illustrations so both readers and non-readers can easily be prompted of what to do.

Sock & Glove Animals & Great Place to Find the Gloves

I just was at Joann's stocking up on thread, BOGO this weekend, and while I was in the LOOONG check out line I spotted some great deals in their $1 bins. They had a load of the stretch gloves that are perfect for making the cute animals in Sock and Glove. You get a pair for a dollar. At my Joann's in Florida, they had them in white, gray, sage green, and pink. (I figure if you can find gloves at a Joann's in Florida...you can find them most anywhere else.)

If you haven't made any but don't want to buy the book you can get the bunny and dog patterns for free off of Martha Stewart's site. My mom has the book and I flipped through it A LOT this summer but never could find gloves in the dead of summer! In my opinion a great book to get or if you are like me get it from the library.