Showing posts with label gift ideas. Show all posts
Showing posts with label gift ideas. Show all posts
Wednesday, May 7, 2014
This Heart Ring Is So Cute & Easy to Make!
Saturday, December 1, 2012
Just Saw This Awesome Recipe / Gift Idea on the Today Show
Hug Bites:
1. Preheat the oven to 200 degrees.
2. Line pretzel twists up on a baking sheet. I stuff as many as I can onto each one. They are not in nice little rows, more like jam packed, and they can butt up next to each other. I do as many trays as will fit into my oven at one time. I put about 25 in each mason jar, so you can figure that out based on how many people you are giving these to. Be sure to make extra for your family too!
3. Place a Hershey Kiss Hug (the white choc and milk mixed) on top of each pretzel. Unwrapping them is the ONLY part that takes a few minutes.
4. Put the trays into the oven for 2-3 minutes. The Hershey kisses should be soft, but not melted.
5. Remove the trays and put an M&M on top of each kiss and press down to smush it. I do some red and green, some all blue, and some mixed.
You can package these in ANYTHING. I like mason jars because they are inexpensive and make a cute presentation. They can be purchased just about anywhere, but I got mine at Michael’s.
For my packaging:
1. Cut a piece of ribbon approximately ten inches. You can trim it, but you don’t want to waste too much. Try one piece before you cut them all to make sure you like the size.
2. Stick a one inch piece of double sided tape in the middle of the ribbon on the side you want to stick to the jar. Stick that part on the back. Wrap the ribbon around the jar and tie a bow or knot. (You will need less ribbon for a knot.)
3. I got one package of snowflake stickers and one of holly bush, which I just stuck on or above the ribbon. This is optional, but you get about 24 stickers for around $3.50 and it adds a nice touch.
4. I got the ribbon and stickers at Michael’s, and most was 50% off at the time. They are always having sales and coupons so make sure you check before you buy! I also got gift tags that just happened to be the perfect size to slip over the top of the mason jar. I simply wrote To and From in a red or blue pen.
When I tried to figure out how much I spent on this project I estimated a little less than $4 a jar. I don’t think you can beat that price for something this delicious and packaged.
Monday, November 19, 2012
Sweet, Simple and Budget-Friendly Gifts for Children
Rubyellen Bratcher is a homeschooling, crafting, blogging mama of four. She spends her days trying to manage all the happy chaos that ensues in her home. You can visit Rubyellen at her blog, Cakies, and see how she tries to capture the chaotic beauty and fun of having four little ones.
I have four little girls who are pretty close in age, so I am used to having a plethora of toys everywhere, all the time. Life is just plain messy (and wonderful) with kids, and we try to be intentional in the gifts we give our children. This helps make our chaotic lives a bit simpler with four little ones (and their things) everywhere. One of the biggest things I have learned is that children really don’t need a lot of toys. I find that their favorites aren’t the fancy ones with batteries, but ones that really encourage their creativity.
[1. Circus folk paper doll by kissabug; 2. Hand carved "Winter Street" stampsby talktothesun; 3. Miss Sunshine tote bag by misakomimoko; 4. Flip topsby TheLittlestLearners; 5. Mouse softies by krakracraft; 6. Old McDonald finger puppet set by WeeKnit; 7. Gnome baby by warmsugar; 8. Waldorf wooden carsby Imaginationkids; 9. Vintage duck pull toy by CLEOandBLANCHE; 10. Wooden toy camera by twigcreative.]
I love that the sellers making these wonderful toys are often other moms and dads who come up with ideas based on things that have worked well for their own families. It makes handmade gifts even more special!
[11.Plush fox by sleepyking; 12.Retro toy watch bracelet by misakomimoko; 13.Vintage doll's high chair from SweetBread; 14. Geometric rubber stamps byJulietCaesar; 15. Wooden doll kit by SophieTilleyDesigns; 16. Vintage toy pianofrom suziesvintage; 17. Vintage tin cars from nanascottagehouse; 18. Vintage Marx dollhouse from BlackEyedSusanShop.]
Vintage toys make great gifts. They can be re-used and loved over and over again while giving children the opportunity to create and imagine.
[19. Mid century tricycle from zomodern; 20. Radio Flyer push bike fromPropParadise; 21. Vintage wooden scooter from WhimzyThyme; 22. Tiny turquoise leather locket by JENBOOTHLOCKETS; 23. Vintage push kick scooter fromsugarSCOUT; 24. Wooden blocks wagon by asummerafternoon; 25. Mini fold away teepee (a splurge!) from houseinhabit.]
Other favorites in our home are toys for building and riding. And of course, kids love little hideaways. Every child must have some sort of tent. It guarantees lots of special memories!
When we give to little ones, their delight and excitement gives us a sense of joy better than any present.
What gifts will you be giving to the children in your life this year?
http://www.etsy.com/blog/en/2012/sweet-and-simple-toys-for-children/?ref=fp_blog_title
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
Romantic V-Day Gift Ideas
Gifts for the Romantic
Pam Grossman is the creator of Phantasmaphile, a blog which specializes in art and culture with an esoteric or fantastical bent. As co-founder of the Brooklyn arts & lecture space,Observatory, her programming aims to explore mysticism via a scholarly yet accessible approach. She lectures on such topics as “The Occult and Modern Art 101,” and teaches classes on herbalism and ritual.
With a February 14th birthday, it was inevitable that I’d be a born romantic. Dedicated to love and decadence, Valentine’s Day ignites imaginations and calls upon us to dream and swoon. But it’s not all candy and roses. The holiday was originally derived from the pagan festival, Lupercalia, which celebrated the she-wolf, Lupa, and consisted of raunchy shenanigans like parading naked through the streets to spread fertility throughout the village. Rrrrrowl, indeed.
But ultimately this day is about generosity and figuring out creative ways to dote upon your partner, your pal, or most importantly, your darling self. That said, here’s a myriad of marvels to help capture any heart.
For Sweet Hearts
If you think love is a fairytale, then you’ll fall head over winged-heels for these treasures.
Clockwise from top left: This Titania necklace by Larkandlotusjewelry is fit for a queen. Lock your secrets up in this red leather wallet with skeleton key byUrbanheirlooms. A magic love potion by Whitemagickalchemy: enough said. Hawthorn is known for its heart-opening properties, so this Hawthorn Rose Kyphi incense byForestgrove should get your pheromones flowing. This psychedelic Victoriana “I love you” card by Inkadinkadoodle is right out of Alice in Wonderland.
For Dark Hearts
Gothic gals and guys need love, too. Here are some gifts that like to lurk in the shadows.
Clockwise from top left: Get soft as angel wings with this black soap by Soapychica. This key will set you free in Monpetitfantome’s stunning “This Is Your Only Escape” papercut print. Light up the night with a tainted love candle by Witchcitywicks. Thisbutterfly-heart biology mash-up patch by tsl8 is a peculiar and lovely way to say “I’m yours.” Remember those packs of valentines you would sign and hand out in school? Yeah, this five pack of valentines by dollfacedesign is not them. And the arrow is such an apt metaphor for the exquisite pain of love, and this wounding necklace by Bloodmilk is beyond gorgeous.
For Twee Hearts
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Sometimes I feel like being cute to my cutie, without drowning him in a saccharine typhoon. Here are some options that make me go “awww,” but don’t feel too cloying.
Clockwise from top left: Theo Ellsworth has become one of my all time favorite comic artists (side note: you must read his book CAPACITY if you haven’t already). I am loving his romantic beastie card. This “You’re Fantastical” card by Happydappybits says it all and is appropriate for friends and lovers alike. I haven’t yet grown out of my unicorn phase, and don’t ever plan to. This unicorn card from Ferdinandhome puts a sophisticated spin on mythic love. And I can’t resist this take on Cupid’s bow that is “tiny but tough,” as the maker, Datter, puts it. These star spangled chocolate-covered Oreosby Sweetiesbykim are a stellar alternative to Whitman’s.
For Sensual Hearts
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At this time of year, Eros is in the air. Here are some treats to turn on your lust light.
Clockwise from top left: This surrealist sea nymph tank by Jamesanthony makes me weak in the knee-shells. Smother your smoocher in this heavenly wild rose balm byPhoenixBotanicals. These silk panties by Honeycoolerhandmade are sexy while still being elegant. Sacred Vibes is an herbal apothecary here in Brooklyn, and everything they make is pure and potent. Their love oil can be used in a long bath or as part of a slow massage. You’ll be a living fantasy is this lace butterfly mask by 1274PeriwinkleLane.
For Retro Hearts
Sometimes it seems our ancestors had a better sense of style than we do now; I long for a past age of opulence and fine detailing. No matter, here’s modern spin on good old-fashioned romance.
Clockwise from top left: Herbal Alchemy’s all-natural Elysium perfume is filled with rose, vanilla, and orange peel. It looks beautiful on your vanity to boot. In Reality Bites, when Ethan Hawke says to Winona Ryder, “You look like a doily!” I always thought she should have taken it as a compliment. These red heart doilies by Knot & Bow are pretty, pretty, PRETTY! Lover’s eye jewelry began being worn in the late 18th century, to remember those dear or lost. You no longer have to scour estate sales for one, thanks to thishand-painted eye pendant by Swanbones. I’d love nothing more than to lounge languidly in a nest of pillows covered in these damask velvet covers byMogirldesigns. This rose-bedecked cocktail hat with detachable birdcage veil fromVelvetowl will make anyone feel like a real dame.
Here’s wishing you a day filled with love and a heart full of wonder. Viva la Valentine!
Tuesday, December 6, 2011
Even More Gift Ideas!
Editors’ Picks: Gifts for the Finicky
When it comes to pack rats of discerning taste, I’m blessed to call many friend. However, finding a just-so gift for the impossible-to-shop-for is a formidable task. What do you get the aunt with a novelty-cow-collecting problem or the sister who insists she’ll have an aneurism if she receives another bottle of lotion? The answer is simple: blow their lotion-hating, cow-obsessed minds.Give those finicky folks something they never would have thought to want. Whether it’s an architecturally stunning tea pot or a classic signet ring, you’ll be the holiday hero.
For the Eccentric Aunt
[Clockwise from top left: Vintage Wood and Brass Bangle from The Deeps; Mating Earrings by Carrie Bilbo; Crocheted Lace Stones, Collection of Three by Monica J; Stoneware Dragon Tea Pot by 42 Pots; Hidden Messages Double Brooch byIvy Nixon Jewellery; Hand-knit Washable Wool Socks by LizSox; Ceramic Head Vase by AdrienArt]
For the Person With Everything
[Clockwise from top left: Calligraphy Address Stamp by Emilie Friday's Calligraphy;Quirky Ceramic Mouth Vase by Reshape Studio; Hand-Dyed Silk Scarf byshoprarebird; Ceramic Stoneware Mug by Leah Sheely; Narrow Signet Ring byNeta Jewelry; Cumulonimbus Brooch by The Oak Leaves; Mittens by Sarah McNeil;Son-of-a-Bee-Sting Pencil Pack by Earmark]
More Mind-Blowers
[Clockwise from top left: Gold Female Torso by Elke Hutchens; The Gentleman's Hat by Heart Pump Arts; Circles and Bars Original Painting by flatfile; Porcelain Lightbulb Candlesticks by Eco Elements; Buddy the Elf Cat Hat by Scooter Knits;Glow-in-the-Dark Radium Soap by amandalouise; The Painted Masterpiece Ring by Art by Winona; Cat House / End Table by Modernist Cat]
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