Neighbor Gift DIY Gold Cookie Plate {Holiday gift guide}

It's that time of year, the giving of gifts, thinking of others, and all that goodness. Every year the hardest part for me is thinking of the neighbor gifts. We have some of the best neighbors, they are older, they love our kids and they put up with all the noise and craziness that often comes from our house. One even entertains our children on a regular basis for several hours a day. (she is amazing) So even this year with all the craziness going on I knew we had to do our neighbor gifts to thank our dear sweet neighbors, but this same idea could be used to give a gift to anyone you like, or add to your holiday decor, whatever you like it's really easy and I love the way it turned out. 

You need 2 things really, a ceramic plate and a Sharpie marker (permanent marker)They recently came out with gold, and I thought it was perfect for this project. I got my plates from the dollar store. (I also like cheap :) Wash the plates. Then I used my Silhouette to cut out a reindeer out of vinyl but you could go free hand, or use any sticker. I just cut it out and stuck it on. Then I colored all around the sticker. Then peel off the sticker. Bake the plate in the oven at 350 degrees for 30 min. This makes the design baked on and should be dishwasher safe, although I have only ever hand washed the plates. Then top with cookies and deliver to your neighbors, they get a yummy treat and a new Christmas plate.

Looking for other gift ideas? I had fun putting together my annual Holiday Gift Guide with ideas for almost anyone on your list:

The Sewing lover:

1: Bukhara Orange Stencil Floral
2: Bukhara Multi Fez Yardage
3:Bukhara Multi Henna Yardage
4: Small Cheveron Rolie Polie
5: Basic Grey Notations Polished Blossom Linen in Blush
6:Basic Grey Notations Delicate Blossom Seaspray in Bloom
7:Small Basic Dots Charm Pack
8:Blue Cool Cords
9: Notting hill Aquamarine
10:Bermuda Chevron


For the girls:

1:Ballerina Kitty Sewing Pattern
2:Baby Blanket Lovey with custom embroidery
3:Fairy Fun
4:Kitty Bowling Set
5:Mini Frida Doll Sewing Pattern
6:Barefoot Roses Dress


For the boys:

1: Personalized Helicopter Toy
2:Space Hero Capes
3:Baby Boy Quilt with custom embroidery
4: Captain America Hooded Tee

For Men and Women:

1: How I met your mother cufflinks for Him
2: Bird Nest Necklace
3: Men's Abstract Art Watch
4: Chevron Clutch with Chain

Super Hero Dolls, and a sale!

 So I made some dolls for Jude for Christmas. Jude like playing with dolls and although I am sure he "likes" pretending his little bunny doll is a super hero I thought it was time for some actual super hero dolls. All of which were sold out everywhere. So I made some for him.

 All of his favorite "guys" I can't wait until he opens them up Christmas morning and sees that he can ditch his bunnies and play with some real super heros. They are all made from fleece so they are soft and cuddly, which is nice since a lot of his toys end up "flying" around.

 I think Captain America ended up being my favorite but, Spider-man, Thor, and Thing are all fine too.

I even made a PDF pattern for the super hero dolls. (incase you find yourself wanting some) Of course for copyright issues the pattern is not specifically for any of the super heros, but just a generic super hero. All of the pieces would be really easy to customize into any of the super heros above or any other favorites. (pretty sure Jude would love the Hulk but I didn't have any green fleece on hand) I think Jude will even like playing with "super Jude" right along with his super heros.

Looking to stock up? We just added Pattern Bundle prices!

Buy 2 patterns for $12  Use the code: BUY2

Buy 3 patterns for $15  Use the code: BUY3

Buy 4 Patterns for $20  Use the code: BUY4

Buy 5 Patterns for $25  Use the code: BUY5

Codes can be used in BigCartel shop only

We will be spending time with family over the next 2 weeks so while we may pop in here or there it will be pretty quite, so Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!

Holiday Gift Guide {stocking Stuffers} and a tutorial

It's that time of year... for me anyway, all the major presents are bought and either on their way here or wrapped and under the tree. This may surprise you but I don't make many gifts. Every year I tend to make at least one home made gift for someone, but the holidays get a little too crazy and busy if I start making something for everyone on my list. I do however like to make a few stocking stuffers for my kids. Stocking gifts are from Santa, and Santa has a workshop and little elves that make things so I love making, or buying homemade, so when my kids see the gifts they think of the little elves that made them. So I have some ideas to share with you after the tutorial, since I thought I would share the super easy and quick little doll clothes I whipped up for Abbey's stocking. (Jude's stocking stuffers will likely be shared after Christmas due to time, but they are pretty awesome) 

 Abbey is getting a little dolly wardrobe this year. She is really into dolls and it's fun to see her play with them and dress them up.

 I grabbed these two dolls from her stash they are just a simple baby doll but you could follow this to make doll clothes for any baby.

 You will just need a stash of scraps. This is why I never throw away scraps from something I make, since now Abbey can have clothes for her babies that match her clothes. (she likes that)

 To make a little pattern lay the baby flat on some paper. Then trace the arm and body. Remember that you will need to add seam allowance. Also I recommend making the pattern a little fatter than the baby all around so it is easy for little ones to get on and off.

 Then for a little design I cut the pattern across the top. (add an extra seam allowance) Then I cut out a top and bottom piece. I did one for the front and one for the back I cut the back down the middle to have two pieces. I also made the skirt piece wider than I needed it so I could add some little pleats.

 Then sew the top and bottom pieces together. You can't see really well but I added little pleats to the skirt piece.

Then you should have the front and back pieces done.

 Sew the front and back together along the black lines in the picture.

 Then hem the bottom. I also made some super tiny bias tape (you could use pre-made stuff) and I sewed it around the neckline and back edge.

 Lastly I attached some little velcro dots to the back to fasten it. Super easy for a little girl to use.

 Then done. Now her little baby has a cute little dress that matches her Mixed Print Top.

 For another variation I made a few layers out of folded strips. Each one gets longer.

 Then I made the top part the same way I did the first one. So I had a tiny little cropped top.

 Then I sewed the slightly ruffled layers to the top. I finished it the same way with a little bias tape around the neck and back sides then I added velcro.

Dolly number 2 has a cute little top. (she just needs some pants) Hopefully Abbey will be so excited Christmas morning to find a whole slew of clothing for her little dolls in her stocking.

If you are short on time for making things this year there is probably still time to get orders in on some super cute handmade goodies from Etsy:

Here are some things I found that I liked:

1: Wooden Numbers Puzzle.
2: Felted Owl Pillow (get 15% off with code SHWIN at checkout)
3: Elephant Pull toy
4:Wooden Train

Holiday Gift Guide {For Baby}

Is someone on your holiday list this year having a baby? Or maybe there is a baby on your list? Well here are a few ideas of some easy holiday gift ideas for the baby's in our lives. 

Home-made ideas from us:

Dressed up:

For Baby Boy, get him all dressed up in:

Bow tie onsies

Baby Pants

Little Man Shoes

 For the sweet little girls:

The Abbey Dress

Pleated Mary Janes

For Playtime:

Try out the fabric flash cards. Bright and colorful sure to keep all the little ones entertained and educated, while being drool proof.


Buying Hand-made:
Don't have the time to make something special? Buy something special.

 Like some super cute Baby legs. The argyle is so sweet. Baby legs are perfect for winter, whats not to love about cozy baby legs? Even Better? Shwin&Shwin readers get 15% off this month! Just use the code SHWIN at checkout!

 Let's not forget about the boys here with the sweet hand embroidered lovey. I love the fabric combination on this one. Perfect for any baby to love.

How about some super cute hair bows? How about a whole set? One for every outfit they could ever wear.

DIY Ranunculus Flower Clips

 Ok these flowers are everywhere. So before we start let me just say that I did not "make them up" I have just seen them for sale, but I am cheap so I make my own. When I saw the pretty Ranunculus flowers at the craft store I knew it was time to make some with them. So incase you have never made some and wanted to know how I will show you how I made them. I even added my new love (if you remember when I confessed my love a while back) They add a cute little pop in the middle but you could use a regular button or jewel, or anything you can hot glue in the middle really.

 So here are the ranunculus I found in the floral section of the craft store. Pretty and vibrant orange. I also picked up red and regret not getting the plum purple. (I guess I have to go back)

 First you will want to pop the flower off the stem. Then remove the little green piece.

 Then you will pull the petals off the stem I pull a whole group of them all at once, just stop when you get to the little plastic pieces that wrap around the center.

 Then just peel off layer by layer until you have the petals you want to use. Discard all the plastic pieces.

 Then to make the the fabric covered button grab your button making kit. (can be found at any craft store by the snaps)
1. cut your circle according to the package.
2. put the fabric face down in the mold. then put the dome piece down into the mold. press the fabric into the center of the mold.
3. press the button piece down on top.

 Then pop your button down in the middle of the flower. I hot glue them all in place. Then you can glue the flower onto a hair clip, or a broach clip to make a cute broach. The perfect gift for the friends on your list.

Especially when it is easy to make a bunch of them. I am making a hair clip for each of the girls in my achievement day class (it's a group in my church that is basically boy scouts for the girls and I think they will all be thrilled to have a cute hair piece.)

Customized Plant Pots

 The first gift of the season is done. As it should be since it was super easy. I will likely be making several more. The perfect gift for the green thumb on your list, or as shown above with just a fake flower it can be a cute decor item. I am so making a set as a gift bundled along with some seeds for a fresh herb garden. The perfect addition to any kitchen window sill that will provide fragrant and yummy herbs.

 I snagged up these clay plant pots at Joanns (or any craft or garden center) they were 75 cents a piece. I like the tan clay color, but you could easily spray paint them to be any color you wanted.

 I also bought a stencil since it is plastic so re-usable and that means I can make them over and over again. Some black acrylic craft paint, and some cream colored linen. You could use any fabric or even burlap if you wanted.

 I cut the linen in strips that would fit around the base of the pot. Then I lined the stencil up in the center of the strip and painted the letter. The paint will bleed through so be sure to paint on top of something. (like a Jo-anns add minus the coupons of course)

 Then when the paint dries (about 30 min) I used a hot glue gun to add a blob in the center of the pot. Then I first glued the letter in place so that it would be nice and even.

 Then pull each side to the back and hot glue in place. Make sure you pull nice and tight so it has a snug fit. Glue both sides and you are done.

 You could spell anything you wanted, like someone's last name, LOVE, HERBS, initials like S+R for a couple, you could easily do anything.

 You can plant a fake flower if you want it to be easy to care for. Just use some tissue paper wadded up in the bottom to center the flower.

That's it. Super easy gift. With tons of possibilities. (there may be more ideas coming :)