Stocking Stuffers how-to

Next week, Ross and I are helping host a party for about 80 guests. We want to send the guests off with nice favors and so we turned to good old Martha for ideas. And we landed on this very beautiful one that is gorgeous in presentation and idea. I wanted to share this idea as a stocking stuffer or quick and beautiful gift idea for those who like to give thoughtful gifts in multiples (for the co-workers or teachers in your life) this time of the year. I only know of one good stationary store off the top of my head in Pittsburgh that carries some beautiful papers, so we headed straight there. Wildcard is a great go-to place for stationary and other special gifts and they carry a good selection of local artists as well. We picked up 4 different papers and some chocolate from our trusty source- our fav Trader Joe's dark chocolate.

top row: Rifle Paper Co. wildflower and midnight floral wrap (I am obsessed with their loose, painterly, and dare I say- girly style), bottom row: traditional Florentine style wrap and Smock blue birthday wrap.

1. Measure your chocolate bars and draw out a grid on the back of the paper (this worked out to be 5.25 in. x 4 in. for a bar of TJ's chocolate). If you have a cutting matt, a good ruler, and an xacto, you can do this waaay faster.
2. Carefully, carefully unwrap the outside wrap. That foil is very delicate.
3. Wrap the chocolate bar and make creases on the edge of the bar. I used 3 little pieces of double-sided tape to stick it down. Note the one on the foil and wrap in the center, that holds everything in place.)
4. Finished back side.
5. Finished front side.
6. Voila! I gave myself many pats on the back for how nice this turned out.

Packaging is (almost) everything. Enjoy!

Sew Mama (Ross) Sew

James, originally uploaded by plumandlion.

Ross and I are totally on a budget this year for Christmas. And we stressed for a couple of days about it as we have quite a large number of family members that we are gifting. We kindly reminded ourselves that it's the thought and the ability to be able to gather together for the holidays that counts. So we thought about it, a bunch. We traditionally give handmade (as much as possible) but this year we're raising the bar for ourselves by giving more handmade. Many of our ideas are gathered from Sew Mama Sew's Handmade Holidays. Every year for the month of November Sew Mama Sew posts daily handmade gift themes with great ideas and tutorials. There are so many ideas to sift through, one is bound to work for someone you love.

This weekend, we'll be on the mission of getting the first part of the gifts finished so we can package them. We have to admit that we're having trouble making anything for the men. It's tough when the guys like cars and other things that aren't craft-able. We do plan on making James (above) into a little man with this mustache. (shhh, dont tell!)

Have a happy weekend!

Simple Mocs

It turns out that I think I'm pretty gifted. Check out the mocs I made from the Simple kit. To those who think they might want to rock the same look, be aware that this process makes your fingers really sore!!! (These run narrow and you have to order up. The kit is on super sale and is below $5- the price amazingly includes shipping!)

The Pink Girls

More sewing lesson photos. They are way too cute!

C with the napkins she made.


J with her stack.


J's little fingers working a practice piece on the serger.


We devised a simple little tank top pattern for them.


J in her stripey one.


C in her peachy king one.

Fashionistas

Ta daa! My little fashionistas and their completed tote bag projects. They are using them as school bags!



Juiszelle and her messenger style bag.


Camille with a very big red button to close her bag.


Enjoy your weekend!

Saturday Lessons

The last two Saturdays, we had Camiile & Juiszelle over for sewing lessons with R. First project: tote bags.
J learning how to use the serger.


J picked a fancy red fabric, for her messenger style bag. C picked a Denise Schmidt brown heavy cotton with flowers that Mags sent me for my birthday. She's making a more traditional looking tote with a funky yellow pocket.


They are pretty close to being done so I'll share photos when they are.

Ugh!

I just figured out that I'm going to miss the Renegade Craft Fair in Brooklyn this year because I'll be in LA! Well, if you can make it, be sure to take some photos and let kme know how it went.

This year's event will be held June 14 + 15 from 11am - 7pm at the McCarren Park Pool!

You can see some of my photos from last year, right here.

Magnet dork

I ordered some of these rare earth magnets for work a couple of weeks ago. They are super duper strong and awesome. I highly recommend them.

The wasp bag- ooh la la!

I just spotted this awesome handbag with a free pattern at machen/machen. It looks like a good roomy work bag...maybe something to pursue after the holidays?

(image from machen/machen)

An early little gift

Here's a peek at a knitted gift for Daphne I sent out earlier this week as part of our exchange.

For the holidays I'm giving out at least 75% handmade gifts. There's so many cool artists that make all sorts of stuff out there. Go on, support them. If you're up for it, take the Buy Handmade Pledge.

Crochet Totoro pattern

I randomly found this Totoro pattern online today. I don't think I can crochet this yet at my level but some of you out there may be able to. It's totally adorable, and who doesn't love Totoro?

(photos from heavens hellcat)

Reglazed silhouette plates

Danny Seo's reglazed silhouette plate project is a great idea for Christmas gifts. I might have to find a weekend where I can sit down and get a batch of these made. I love the way they look on his wall.

(photo from Danny Seo)

Blogging Apartment Therapy Chicago

Two posts on AT Chicago that caught my eye today:



A bricks and mortar store in Chicago for Renegade Handmade, I would love to browse.



For those trying to go green, a paper towel alternative.

(images via AT Chicago)

Specimen No. 04

I sent this baby out on Friday to Greece for my dear friend Daphne's birthday. I bought the four pack pattern from Wunderkammer's etsy shop. It's a great pattern, considering that I've only made crochet flowers prior to this, the directions were easy to follow.

Purl loot

This is my loot from Purl. I picked up some of their fabric bundles and quarter and half yards for the project and some for gifting.

Progress on the swatch portraits. I don't think I bought enough embroidery hoops to cover the wall. I will try and pick up some more soon and when I'm all done, I will show you the finished wall.

Swatch Portraits from The Purl Bee

I've book marked this project for months. I think it would be perfect for my mom's room, right above her antique wrought iron headboard. I think I might just make the time today to run downtown and pick up some fabric and embroidery hoops at Purl .

(image via the purl bee)