Another EASY Neighbor Gift!

I found another great idea this year for a friend/neighbor/teacher gift. I always try to give something that is not just food {even though I do give some food} and not something that you have to store or keep. I like gifts that are consumable and you don't have to hang onto them forever {or feel guilty for giving them to someone else}.

This year I made this amazing Holiday Spice Simmering Potpourri. I found several ideas on Pinterest and combined what I liked best. I added all the ingredients to a cellophane bag and tied it with a ribbon. I attached the tag and delivered them to my friends. It was super easy and it smells AMAZING!!

I added:

1 orange
1/2 C cranberries
3-4 cinnamon sticks
1 nutmeg {for them to grate into the pot}
5-6 cloves

You could also add:

vanilla bean or lemon

The top of the tag says Merry Christmas and the bottom has the instructions. Don't worry, the download doesn't have my name on it, but you can add yours easily with Photoshop or Picasa {or any photo editing software}.

Basically, put everything in a pot and add water. Bring to a boil and simmer to make your house smell amazing. Be sure to watch the water and don't let it boil dry.

HERE is the Printable so you can print the tags. Merry Christmas!!

If that Link does not work, try this one HERE.

FINALLY!! Something crafty from me...A Teacher Gift!

I finally got to do something crafty. I wanted something for my son's choir teacher. She is amazing. He loves choir and he will be leaving Jr. High and moving to High School this year, so I wanted to make her something special. I LOVE this quote from the last LDS General Conference. You can find the whole talk HERE. I really believe this...I have a {mostly} happy child who sings all the time!!

Amy helped me with the vinyl on her Silhouette. LOVE it! Thanks Amy. It was so fun to get to play for a few hours. The big one is 13x17, we cut the vinyl about 12x16. The little one is 7x10, we cut the vinyl about 6x9.

  

Teacher Gift

Sorry about the not so great picture.  I was trying to take this before I sent the kids off to school.  I spent most of last night trying to get it done.  Kirsten's Student teacher is having her last day today and the last couple of weeks have been way to busy to get anything done.  So I scrambled to the store yesterday thinking I would just get her a gift card or give her some handmade cards I already have made, but when I was there I saw this tote bag that was a blank canvas.  I had seen this idea on UCreate and thought - I can do that. And it will be easy.  I cut the fabric into 4 inch strips and roll hemmed the edges both top and bottom.  Then got out my ruffler and ruffled the top edge on both.  Followed the instructions from Ucreate and then added the pink rickrack.  I was trying to figure out what type of bow to make when I remembered I had seen a rickrack rose and thought.  Perfect.  That is just what I wanted.

I found the tutorial at Crafting Chicks.  They are pretty easy to make.  I loved how it looks on the bag.

The tote bag was only $3 at Joann's (with my coupon) and all the rest of the stuff was scraps.  It was practically free.  LOVE IT!!
Kirsten was so impressed this morning.  She said.  That Ms. D loves pink and black.  (Guess I am just lucky.  All I knew was that she liked pink.)  This turned out pretty cute and I am thinking I might need to make one for Peter's teacher and teacher aide.  We will see, I have two weeks to get those done and the one I bought material for Mrs. Duffy.


Speaking of not getting anything done.  I had to wipe away the cobwebs from this blog.  It has been awhile since either of us have posted.  It has been a slight dry spell around here.  Not much crafting.  More pinning then crafting I might say.  But this has been the kick in the pants I needed.  It was so much fun to make things and see your handiwork loved by your daughter.  Now on to the house work.  That won't do itself.