31 Days of Handmade Gifts: Day 31 {DIY Clocks}

Welcome to Day 31! You can find the other 31 Days posts here.

Well the last day is here!  I had planned on doing another gift idea, but it was something I wanted to make but I never got around to making it before today.  But I will be making it soon so stick around!

I don't know about you but I've seen quite a few DIY or revamped clocks out in blog land and they are too cute!  Here are some of my favorites that you could make for gifts to just about anyone on your list.  Everyone needs to know what time it is!

Landee See, Landee Do made this adorable photo clock.  Instead of the traditional numbers, she used family photos.  It's a great way to personalize a clock and make it a centerpiece on the wall instead of a boring wall decoration.  If you have an old clock you aren't using it would be perfect for this project.  Or you could find a cheap clock at a thrift store.

This photo clock by Rosy Red Buttons would make a great wedding gift or Christmas gift for a newlywed.  And it is pretty affordable too!  With the right coupons you could make this for under $10.

This clock by Le Petite Sweet was made using an old picture frame.  Once again, you could make this for under $10 and could be personalized in any way you want.  I think scrapbook paper would look great as a background!

Hope you all have enjoyed 31 Days of Handmade Gifts!  I definitely have.  I also surprised myself that I was able to post everyday (well some were scheduled, but I wrote 31 posts in a row!)  I have some tutorials to share in the coming weeks as well as finish up and share a few sewing projects.  So stick around!

31 Days of Handmade Gifts: Day 30 {Necklaces}

Welcome to Day 30! You can find the other 31 Days posts here.

A piece of jewelry is always a great gift for a woman.  On limited budgets accessories can sometimes be the last thing people buy for themselves so they appreciate when they receive them as gifts.  Here are some great necklaces that you can make for gifts.

Pom Pom Necklace by Stay At Home Artist
 

This necklace would not take very long to make at all but it is very stylish and cute!  I found the supplies needed at JoAnn's, but I'm sure Hobby Lobby would have them as well.  The tutorial can be found at Stay At Home Artist.


Mixed Metal Tassel Necklace by Infarrantly Creative
 

I love this necklace as well!  It would go with just about anything and since it has three different metals you can mix it with different colored metal pieces.  Head on over to Infarrantly Creative for the tutorial.


Fabric Bead and Knot Necklace by See Kate Sew

This necklace is great for moms of little ones, its safe for teething babies to chew on!  It is just fabric wrapped and knotted over wooden beads.  Cute!  You can find the tutorial over at See Kate Sew.

See you all tomorrow for the last day of 31 Days of Handmade Gifts!

31 Days of Handmade Gifts: Day 29 {DIY Photo Canvas}

Welcome to Day 29! You can find the other 31 Days posts here.

I'm sure you all have seen the photo canvases that are becoming very popular.  I have only purchased one (as a gift) since I found a good deal with a coupon code.  I recently saw on Pinterest that you can make your own photo canvas, for just the price of a blank canvas and the print.  Now that's definitely cheaper since a 11 x 14 can run over $50!  Here are some tutorials you can try.  I plan on it!

This canvas was made by adhering the picture with modge podge.  The edges are covered with scrapbook paper and some acrylic paint was added to the corners to give it an antique look. You can hop on over to Girl.Inspired for the easy tutorial.

Blue Cricket Design has a tutorial similar to the one above, but I like that they connected three canvases using ribbon.  What an easy way to display family or wedding photos!

Another option is a distressed photo canvas. Delia Creates has a tutorial for a distressed canvas using a gel medium.  This tutorial is a little more involved and uses a product you will probably have to buy, but I really like the look of the distressed photo!

Only two more days left in October!  Wow!

31 Days of Handmade Gifts: Day 28 {Baby Blankets}

Welcome to Day 28! You can find the other 31 Days posts here.

A great gift for a new baby is a baby blanket, especially if that baby is born during the colder months.  Gotta keep that little one warm!  Even better, there are a vast amount of ways to make baby blankets at all sewing levels.  Here are some of the more simple ones (that I plan to try for our little one!).

Knit Swaddle Blanket

Everyday Beautiful has a great tutorial to make this swaddle blanket out of knit fabric.  A must for babies that like to be swaddled!  This is a great project if you haven't sewed with knits before. 

Simple Snuggly Blanket

This blanket by Prudent Baby is one that I plan to make (I even have the fabric washed, just need to sit down and do it!) as it is so simple!  It's like the one above, just different materials (cotton print and a cuddly fabric like minky).

Knit Receiving Blanket

This blanket by Make It and Love It is great as a receiving blanket.  Since it is one piece of fabric it is quite easy!  The outer edge is ribbed knit folder over, so somewhat like bias tape, but in my opinion a little easier since it is stretchy and conforms to curves well.  If you haven't sewed with bias tape before (like me) this might be a good start since the ribbed knit doesn't have to be cut on the bias.  But I could be wrong since I have no experience in knit or bias tape! Ha! 


Soft Baby Blanket

This blanket by Momtastic is another simple blanket!  It looks like it has mitered corners (which I have no idea how to do!) but they are faked.  My kind of blanket!  You just need a cotton print and soft fabric like minky. 

Taggie Blankie

If you don't want to make a full size blanket this taggie blankie is a great option.  And it is so easy!  I will have a tutorial posted next week after the 31 Days of Handmade Gifts is over! 

What's your favorite baby blanket?

31 Days of Handmade Gifts: Day 27 {Organizing Clutches}

Welcome to Day 27! You can find the other 31 Days posts here.

So I am finding that my "nesting" tendencies are starting to set in.  Last week I spent hours organizing both of our clothing closets and our bathroom.  It wasn't entirely necessary since strangers movers will be coming in a couple months to pack it all up, but it made me feel so much better!  I have also gotten on an organizing kick in other places, even sewing and crafting.

Today's handmade gift idea falls in the organizing category.  One place that get can quite disorganized quickly is a purse or diaper bag.  Here are some solutions that would make great gifts.  What person doesn't like adding a little organization to their life?!


Potholder Emergency Clutch

This clutch, made out of a potholder, is a quick way to organize all the loose items in your purse, diaper bag, car, etc.  I use a zippered pouch, but it overflows quickly!  I picked up several potholders from Target for $.98 so I will be making a couple of these soon!  You can find the super easy tutorial over at Tidy Mom.

Place Mat Purse Organizer

In a few simple steps you can covert a place mat into an organizer for your purse. I have seen these in Bed Bath and Beyond, but using a cute place mat is way more stylish (and affordable)!  This organizer would make switching purses a breeze!  Especially if you switch often and/or like using big purses where things can get lost.  Footprints has a great tutorial for this easy project. 


Place Mat Diaper Clutch

In looking at all of the baby gear available I have been quite annoyed surprised at the price of the diaper/wipe organizers.  Making your own is definitely a great way to save money for yourself or as a gift to a new mom.  You can make a diaper and wipe organizer from one place mat and use another as a changing pad.  You can find the tutorial at Junk Mail Gems.

Well I didn't intend to, but today's post was all about re-purposing kitchen items! Funny how things work out that way.  Have you seen any other tutorials for things to keep you organized?

31 Days of Handmade Gifts: Day 26 {Tote Bag}

Welcome to Day 26! You can find the other 31 Days posts here.

In my opinion, one can never have too many purses and bags.  And I think most women are this way (if they're not, it makes me feel better to think they are! haha).  A handmade purse or tote is a great gift for a female of any age.  There are a lot of purse tutorials available out there, but I'm sharing the ones that are pretty simple so that you can knock out gifts quickly. 

20 Minute Tote

The Purl Bee has a great tutorial for a 20 minute tote bag.  It might take a beginner more than 20 minutes, but not too much!  Part of the ease is that the straps are cotton webbing so you don't have to spend time making them.

Ruffle Embellished Tote

Stripes and chevron ruffles...my favorite!  This tote found over at UCreate is super simple, as the actual bag is pre-made!  I have a couple of these and have embellished one for a gift before (last Christmas, seen here).  You can find the plain bags at Wal Mart for about $6 in a pack of 3.  So a simple and affordable gift!

Lined Scallop Tote

For See Kate Sew's anniversary she is giving away a free pattern for this cute scallop tote!  She is also having a link up party with everyone's finished totes (by November 15th) which means I need to get started on mine!  Be sure to head over and get your pattern (and follow along if you don't already!).

Bamboo Handled Purse

I wanted to also include a tote that was more like a purse since all of the previous totes are pretty similarly shaped (but remember you can simply add more width to your fabric to make them wider!).  And Little Birdie Secrets delivered!  I love this purse!  For one I just love that fabric (why can't I find that kind of fabric!?) and it is a simple project-no handles to make!  I actually have some purse handles like this (for a project that never got done...sad face) so I might have to make it to clear out some of my fabric stash!

What's your favorite tote bag tutorial?  Do you have another one to add?

Hope you all are having a blessed week!  October is almost over...wow!

31 Days of Handmade Gifts: Day 25 {Decorated Onesies}

Welcome to Day 25! You can find the other 31 Days posts here.

Everyone knows that onesies are a necessity for a baby, so they make a great gift.  It's even better when they aren't just the store bought onesies, but are personalized and unique!  The great thing is that they don't take too long to make.  And they can be quite affordable too.  Craft stores (Michael's, JoAnn's) sell Gerber onesies in a multi-pack for about $10.  If you have a coupon you can get 5 or 6 onesies for about $5-6!  And with dye (I've used Rit dye successfully) you can make them unique colors too!
There are lots of ways to embellish a onesie...

1. Appliqued Onesies

Image Source: Bump Smitten

 
How adorable are these!  My favorite is the turtle.  You don't have to do anything elaborate, just a simple shape adhered with something fusible (Heat N Bond) and outlined in a simple topstitch is perfect! 

2. Simple Onesie Dress

Image Source: Prudent Baby

With just a little fabric, you can make a onesie into a complete outfit for a little girl!  Prudent Baby has a super simple tutorial for a onesie dress.  You could even embellish the top to add to the cute factor!

3.  Painted Onesie

Image Source: Faye Dodges Zombies

 
I love this one and will definitely be making it for our little girl!  The flower stems were painted on with a freezer paper stencil and the flowers are fabric circles sewed on.  You could also use rosettes and use fabric glue to adhere them (that stuff is strong!).  I'll be doing a freezer paper stencil tutorial after the 31 days, so stick around if you're interested in learning how.

4.  Heat Transfer Onesie

Image Source: Homemade By Jill

If you have a way to cut out heat transfer material (Silhouette, Cricut or super awesome scissor skills) heat transfer is a quick and simple way to embellish!  I haven't tried it with my Silhouette yet, but I will be soon!


5.  Ruffled Onesie

Image Source: UCreate

Who can resist a ruffled bum?!  I know I can't, and I'm sure other mommas would say the same!  Ruffles don't take long to make, so this could be done in less than 10 minutes.

I hope you are onesie embellishing inspired!  Have you made any embellished onesies?  Please share if you have!

31 Days of Handmade Gifts: Day 24 {Book Page Gifts}

Welcome to Day 24! You can find the other 31 Days posts here.

One of the biggest "crazes" of the craft blog land is book pages.  They are cheap (Goodwill sells books for $.50) and make unique decor.  I have gotten a lot of comments on everything I have made out of book pages (now that I think about it I think that's only three items, but people have loved them!)

Here are some of my favorite book page crafts.  I think for gift recipients that like home decor items, these would be great gift options.

Book Page Wreath

This is the book page wreath I made. (Inside the frames are more book pages).  My tutorial for the book page wreath can be found here. 


Glitter Book Page Ornaments

Image Source: Flea Market Style Mag

I found these on Pinterest and they are on my must make list!  I might even make some for myself they are that cute!  You just need any ornament (craft stores sell glass and plastic ones in packs and with a coupon they are quite cheap), book pages, glitter and modge podge.  A sealer would help the glitter stay in place.  I also really like the Noel tag, it gives them a great vintage look.

Rolled Book Pages Monogram 

Image Source: Little Things Bring Smiles

Ahh how cute is that!  This is just book pages rolled up and glued to a wood letter from the craft store. You could also use flat book pages or little ripped up pieces and modge podge it on.

Vintage Book Page Pomander

Image Source: Our Footprints

 This is definitely on my DIY decor to-do list!  It's so vintage and cute and would look great anywhere!  The hard part would be deciding where to put it!  You can find the tutorial over at Our Footprints.  But all you would need is a candlestick and foam ball from the dollar store, some book pages and hot glue!

What's your favorite book page craft/gift?

31 Days of Handmade Gifts: Day 23 {Camera Strap Cover}

Welcome to Day 23!  You can find the other 31 Days posts here.

If you have anybody on your list with a digital camera that has a strap, a personalized strap cover would be a great gift!  I made one last year for myself. 

Since it was my very first sewing project it is so not perfect (one end is smaller than the other!), so I will be making another one that is much cuter!  I have found two tutorials that I really like.

Finding My Feet has a great tutorial for a ruffled camera strap with a lens cap pocket.

How cute is that!  This tutorial is for any camera strap so it's great to follow if you are making a gift and don't have the strap to measure.

Cluck.Cluck.Sew. posted a tutorial over at Make It Do for this next camera strap.

This strap cover doesn't have a ruffle so it could be used for a guy or a girl that isn't a big ruffle fan (although I don't know why anyone wouldn't be!).  It does include batting which in my opinion isn't completely necessary (especially if you don't have it).  Mine was made with the batting but I don't think it's that uncomfortable to have to have it.  Your choice.  :)

If you or the gift recipient doesn't have a SLR you can always make a strap for a point and shoot camera.  I made a couple last year when I made my strap cover. (Sorry for the terrible picture!)

You can find the tutorial over at A Pretty Cool Life.  It's very simple and takes less than 30 minutes to make one!

Have any of you made a camera strap before?

Bacon Wrapped Chicken Recipe at Tummies Full of Love

I just posted a recipe over at my friend Lindsey's recipe blog, Tummies Full of Love.  It is for Bacon Wrapped Chicken that was delicious!  Head on over to check it out!  There are lots of other great recipes posted there too.

31 Days of Handmade Gifts: Day 22 {Game Night & Movie Night Bag}

Welcome to Day 22!  You can find the other 31 Days posts here.

For the people that "have everything", finding a gift to give them can be tough!  A great gift to give them is the gift of an experience.  For example, you can give them a game night or movie night in a bag.  Or if they have any special interests you could center the theme around that interest.  Or if you give them tickets to an event you could out items in the bag that relate to that event.  Just let your imagination run wild! :)

Today's Fabulous Finds

The game night that Today's Fabulous Finds made included:

• Homemade Farkle game cards (you can print off cards from the Today's Fabulous Finds blog)
• Game bag
• Die
• Candy
• Microwave Caramel Popcorn recipe

You could include any game that you can find at the store too (cards, board games, video games, etc,).  It would be fun if your family had a favorite game and you gave them that one too.  I remember seeing games on sale around the holidays last year so I'm sure you could find one this year too.



For a movie night you could include:

• A DVD (or gift card to a movie rental store)
• Popcorn (microwave, jiffy pop or even kernels and topping to cook on the stove)
• A couple bags of candy (depending on how many people in the family)
• Sodas (2 liters or cans, whatever you may have on hand)

If you like to have healthier snacks nuts, pretzels, dried fruit, etc. would be great to include.

If you want to give a date night to a couple you could include a restaurant gift card, tickets to a play, concert, movie, etc., and cash for a baby sitter if they have kids(or your own babysitting services!).  What sort of gift bag/basket would you like to make?

31 Days of Handmade Gifts: Day 21 {Laptop/iPad Sleeve}

Welcome to Day 21! You can find the other 31 Days posts here.

Chances are the majority of people own a laptop or another portable device that you want to keep protected.  Well a handmade case for that item is a great gift!  And the best part is that you can pick fabrics that you know that person would like and you can make it for anyone (male or female) of any age!  Here are some of the tutorials I have found in my search to make an iPad case (that I have yet to make!).

The Cottage Home

This laptop sleeve is made by The Cottage Home.  It is a great tutorial for a padded case that uses buttons (so no zipper!)  It seems to be a pretty straight forward project.  And the dimensions of the fabric depend on the size of your item so you can make it for anything that you want to protect!

Crap I've Made

Isn't that sleeve awesome!  I'm partial to the ruffles/pleats, flower and colors (so all of it!), but you definitely don't have to add the embellishments (especially if it's for a guy!).  This tutorial can be found over at Crap I've Made.  The closure on this case is a zipper and once again you are using the measurement of your item to make the case.

Sew Mama Sew

This last tutorial is from Sew Mama Sew (they also sell fabric and always have some on sale!).  Once again this one is based on the size of your item and it has a velcro closure.  The tutorial (a free pdf  download) is awesome so be sure to check it out.

I know these are all kind of similar, but I know some people probably prefer one type of closure over another.  Plus the more you see the more you can be inspired! 

On a personal note I just finished my class for this semester (literally just finished...I just turned in my final exam)!  That means that I can now focus on completing projects on my to-do list and work on nursery projects!! And of course share them with my lovely readers!  I'm very excited to start nursery projects and other stuff for our little girl.  Right now everything is just swirling around in my head and I'd like to see it in person (and finished)!

What things have you all made for your kid's rooms?

31 Days of Handmade Gifts: Day 20 {Fort Kit}

Welcome to Day 20! You can find the other 31 Days posts here.

Today's gift idea is a fort kit for the imaginative child in your life.  What a great idea!  It would be perfect for almost any child from about 5 to 10 years old. 

The items that you could include in the fort kit are:

• several flat sheets (I'd say 2 - 4, and work best if you sew strings/ties on the edges to hang the sheets up)
• rope (to drape sheets over)
• clothespins (to attach sheets to rope)
• suction cups (to put on wall to hold up sheet)
• flashlight
• large clips ( to attach sheets to whatever is available)
• any other fort building accessory you can think of!

Saltwater Kids has a great tutorial for making a fort  as well as a tag that you can print for your fort kit bag!  Bloom has another tutorial you can use.  Would you all include anything else in the fort kit?