gifts

Not long ago, I saw this fabulous tutorial for how to make fabric flowers and knew they'd make great little-girl barettes. 

With a little girl birthday party coming up for a little girl with ADORABLE pig tails, it seemed like a good time to try it out. 

I raided my stash of random fabric scraps and pulled out this turquoise fabric that I used in both kids' bedrooms.  I'm a sucker for turquoise.  I bought lots of extra...

Here's how it's done (remember, not my original idea...I followed this great tutorial):

1. Cut a flower template from scrap paper and trace it onto the fabric and cut them out.  You'll need 6-8 flowers per bloom.

   
    

2. Cut a circle from the fabric to use as the base for the bloom.  Then fold each bloom into half, then again into thirds.  It helps to trim the point with scissors before then using hot glue to attach it to the circle.  Keep adding flowers around the circle with hot-glue until you have a full bloom.

   
    

3. Use hot glue to attach the bloom to a ribbon-covered hair clip. I actually bought these at Target, and they were already covered with ribbon - score!

   
    

4. To present it as a gift, I just cut a piece of coordinating patterned paper and made slits in it to add the clips:

   

Love it! I will definitely be making more of these...in fact, I made a larger version for Ayla:

Looks like maybe I should branch out to some different colors & materials though. :)

This week is Teacher Appreciation week, so we sent little gifts to all of Ayla's teachers at school.  One of the projects I made was a very simple paper pocket for a small tube of chap stick.  Take a look:

First I cut several pillow boxes with my Silhouette from some pretty patterned paper:

Then I inserted the chapstick and closed up the sides:

Made some quick labels with this postage stamp QuicKutz die cut and some alphabet stickers:

Then tied ribbon around each box and labeled it:

Easy peasy.  And cute. :)

Spring brings all kinds of celebrations and parties.  In our family, from Easter through Father's Day in brings a long string of birthday parties, family celebrations, school milestones and wedding events.  And each celebration is a great opportunity to show your appreciation for the people you love -- and if you're like me, you're never *quite* sure what to buy!

Let me offer to help you shop with a few personalized and hand-made gift-giving ideas that are sure to leave a lasting impression:

Custom Painted Personalized Signs - $20 & up

My personalized signs are great ideas for Mother's Day gifts, Father's Day presents, wedding gifts, bridal showers, and housewarming gifts.  Customize them with family names, favorite quotes or special phrases. 

Dated Wall Art - $19.95

Use your family members' birthdates & wedding date to make this one-of-a-kind frameable print.  Perfect for mom or dad!  They would also make a great housewarming gift or anniversary gift. You can make your own fully customizeable version of this Dated Wall Art at Zazzle!

Inspirational Pebble Magnets - $10 / set

These 6-set magnet collections make an adorable (and useful) teacher gift, Mother's Day or even birthday gift for a girlfriend.  Colors & words can be customized! To order, just email me at mrs(at)bensteed(dot)com.

You Are My Sunshine Canvas, Poster or Card -  $3 & up

Go small with a greeting card, or big with a poster print.  Either way, these You Are My Sunshine posters & greeting cards are so cute for a baby shower gift or dear friend birthday card.

Personalized "I Love You Song" Greeting Card  - $5 & up

This makes a great one-of-a-kind birthday card, Mother's Day card or Father's Day card.  Just customize it to add their name!  It can be made as a poster too! We made a card for my mom's birthday from the kids:

And, you can visit some of my very talented friends' web sites for even more great gift-giving ideas:

• Oh Suzy Q Designs - Personalized labels, enclosure cards, stickers, and kid's room prints.
• E.Bailey Photography - Birmingham, AL area photographer
• My Fine Art - custom photo canvases
• Custom-Made Jewelry by Shelley Burkett
• The Younique Boutique - amazing personalized artwork