39 Valentine gifts to make and give.

I’m a bit in two minds about Valentine’s Day. Some of me sits on the “It’s a created day that is all about retailers and spending money” and the other side of me feels it’s great to be reminded to tell the people we love….that we love them in a more intentional way.

This year I feel more of the second…. hence the post….. but have tried to make it a little more creative (rather than spendy) because self created things almost always* help communicate the love better.

Ideas For Creative Dates

1. Ice skating date in a Jar. Image from The Gunny Sack.

2. Hot Chocolate in a Jar (stay in) Date. Image from the Wintrop Chronicles.

3. Spar in a Jar. Image from The Gunny Sack.

Super Lovey- Dovey

4. 52 things I love about you in a jar. Image from The Gunny Sack.

5. Love Potion No. 9. Image from Shaken Together Life.

6. A little envelope of notes for your loved one. Image from Oh hello friend.

7. Sharpie Mug. Image Sister’s Suitcase.

For the Kids

8. Love Lead pencils. Image from The Gunny Sack.

9. Robot Valentine’s. Image from Lisa Storms.

10. Monster Pencils. Image by the 36th Avenue.

11. Don’t ever change…. Image from Jac & Lyn Murphy.

12. Burst My Bubble Valentine’s. Image from The Gunny Sack.

13. I’m Bananas for you and You’re Grrrrrreat. Image from Lisa Storm.

14. Arrow pencils and printables. Image from Design. Wash. Rinse. Repeat.

15. Origami Heart Wrapped lolly Pop. Image A Kiss Of Colour.

Ideas to Bake

16. Nutella Love Letter Pancakes. Image by Kitchen Simplicity.

17. Sparkly Cookies. Image from The Gunny Sack.

18. Valentine snack mix. Image by Glorious Treats.

19. The Nutella/Espresso cup cake.Image from mandy Ash Craft.

20. Valentine’s cookies. Image Wedding Chicks.

21. Heart shaped pies. Image Babble.

22. Red Velvet Cupcakes in a Jar. Image My Baking Addiction.

23. Strawberry and Cream scones. Image Sanae Ishida.

Countdowns to Valentine’s Day (or count on….) 

24. The Valentine tree. Image from Simple as that blog.

25. Cute countdown. Image by Dear lizzy.

26. Bit late for this year….. A countdown to the day. Image from THe House Of Smiths.

27. 14 acts of love. Image from Make and takes.

28. Countdown to kisses. Image from the Olds family

29. DIY printable calendar. Image from Paige of Style.

30. Just one of the activities in the 14 days of love. Image from Pink Pistachio.

Cards

31. I love you this much. Image from Day in my life.

32. Sewn hearts card. Image from The creative Place.

33. Birthday candle card. Image from Real Simple.

Everything else.

34. Mini polaroid Magnets. Image from Ambrosia Girl.

35. Valentines “fortune’ cookies”. Image from Design. Wash.Rinse. Repeat.

36. Message in a bottle. Image from Oh hello friend.

37. Wall heart. Image Oleander and Palm.

38. Washi banner. Image: Fancy Little Things.

39. Printable PDF. Image from The girl creative.

* Yes if you have asked for something specifically ….or have been promised something and you receive a sweet handmade gift, you won’t feel the love!

The other half of a GIANT list of fete and fair tutorials and printables…. (Part 2)

Oh, I bet you thought this was never coming!

You can find the first half of the giant list of fete and fair tutorials and printables here, along with the criteria I used to decide on what was included and what I left out.

If you still want more ideas you can see some past items we have made (although not all have accompanying tutorials)

Enjoy.

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1. The Scrapbooking Jar by Crate Paper Blog
2.  Chalkboard Serving Platter by Wit and Whistle.
3. Knitted Snake by Purl Bee 
4.  Paper Fortune Cookies by design wash rinse repeat.
5.  Pebble Mat by Junk Hippie 
6.  Clay bird ornament by JessicaJane Handmade.
7.  Owl cushion by button bird designs.
8.  Pillowcase shopping bag by Grow Mama.
9.  Mouse Ornaments by Family Fun 
10. Crocheted Washcloths by Purl Bee 
11. Monster Bags by harrysdesk 
12.  Pram cards by The Pleated Poppy
13.  Salt dough Christmas Ornaments by Oleander and Palm 
14. Rice filled heating Owls for children by Just another Hang Up.
15.  Beaded Heart Wand by First Palette
16. Circle Zip Earbud Pouch by dog under my desk
17.  Tea Bag gift Tag by The Studio Of Mae.
18. Cardboard Horses by Design Sponge
19. Mooshy Belly Bunny by Chez Beeper Bebe 
20. Felt Crowns by hellobee
21. Easy Drawstring Bag by Purl Bee 
22. Recycled Book Bird Decoration by Under the Table and Dreaming
23. Present Cards by Craft and Creativity
24. Babies Triange Dress by Purl Bee 
25. Monster Slime by all things simple 
26. DIY ice cream sundae box by family bits.
27. Monster bibs by stubbornly crafty.
28. Cloud and rain mobile by dailylike recipe?
29. Bunting by the yvestown blog.
30. Lunchsacks by All people quilt.

Enjoy….and let me know if you think you might make anything.

Half a GIANT list of fete and fair tutorials and printables.. (Part 1)

Often we are keen to help with school or church fetes but are not sure where to start.

So, I have put together a giant list of fete and fair tutorials from around the blogging world.

So many clever people out there!

For me…. what makes a great craft to make for a fete or fair, is one that is inexpensive to make and buy , fun, quick to make, fairly easy to put together, and something people would want to hand there money over for.

All the images below are by the original tutorial writers. If you want to try one… just click on the creators name and it will take you straight there.

Stay tuned for the next instalment.

Let me know what you think.

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1.  Bunting Cards (tiny party invite) by The Pleated Poppy.
2.  Tissue Paper Pom Poms by diy Wedding 
3.  DIY sugar body scrub by Craftiness is not an option.
4.  Waterproof shower caps by Smashed Peas and Carrots.
5.  Felt Tissue Pouches by My Growing Home
6.  Simple Shopping Bags by The Purl Bee
7.  House pillows by Craft and Creativity.
8.  Beaded Heart Wand by First Palette.
9.  3D Owl printables by Craft and Creativity.
10.  Any colour chalk board paint by Salt Tree.
11.  Angel placecard by Allsorts.
12.  Covered Mouse pads by Coming Home To Roost.
13.  Fairies in a Jar by Organised Chaos.
14.  Paper Decoration Star by Craft and Creativity.
15.  Button Thumbtacks by FellowFellow 
16. Reindeer Gift Tag Printable by Eatdrinkchic.
17. Knitted Mini Stockings by Little Cotton Rabbits.
18.  Edible Teabag Cookie (Gluten Dairy and Sugar free)  by Whatever’s left 
19.  Wooden Fork Dolls by Craft and Creativity.
20.  Spray Painted Animals on lids by Pysselbolaget
21.  Fabric Covered Lights by Rebeccasdiy.
22.  Time for tea Soap by Cumbersome. 
23.  Owl iphone case by handmade. 
24.  Tea bag gift Tag by the studio of Mae 
25.  Monogram bags by zszywka
26.  Plush Monsters by Blueberry Moon.
27.  Plush Penguin by Purl Bee.
28.  Felt ball garland by The SoHo
29. Lavender Satchels by Purl Bee 
30. Chalk Paint Cheese Tray by Wit & Whistle

21 Handmade Wrapping and Decoration Ideas…. with tutorials.

Wrapping:

1. Button Cards by Martha Stewart.

2. Downloadable Gift Tags by hello, Good Gravy.

3. Paint Chip Wrapping by D sharp.

4. Pop Up Christmas Cards by Martha Stewart.

5. Nature Packaging by Justina Blakeney.

6. Stitched Wrapping Paper by Redefining Creativity.

7. Fabric Giftwrap by Chewing The Cud.

8. Recycled Fruity Packaging by Tokketok.

9. Threaded Christmas Cards by Bleach Black.

Decorations:

10. Paper Bauble Garland by Kidspot.

11. Filled Baubles by Country Living.

12. Felt Doves by Elsie Marley.

13. Photo blocks via Screen Print Blog.

14. Pomanders via Ohdeedoh.

15. "You mean the world to me" Ornaments by Maya Made.

16. Wire and Twine Star Garland by The Handmade Home.

17. Paper Christmas Tree Ornament by Elsie Marley.

18. Chalkboard Wineglass Tutorial by Just short of crazy.

19. The Gumdrop Garland by Martha Stewart.

20. Lego ornaments by Chris McVeigh via Ohdeedoh.

21. Christmas Tree Mobile by Not Martha.

Wrapping and cards to make and give.

The folded fabric wrapping trend known as furoshiki. Image from II-NE-KORE

Furochic has video how-to's for many different shaped gifts. You can even buy the book on it. Image from Furochic.

Make the perfect snowflake... with the help of kerliand animals. Image hers.

 

Martha Stewarts tutorial for dying doilies for using in gift wrapping. Image hers.

Yes Martha does it again! Muffin papers topping homemade jam. Image from martha stewart.

 

Beautiful and simple 'paperpoms'. Tutorial and download. Image from Nice package.

Lino print Christmas cards to make. Tutorial and photo from Apartment Therapy.

 

The school fete craft stall

Lots of beautiful head pieces.

 

The lovely Sharon....

...and Mark ran the stall

A few of the pieces we made on location.

Gorgeous wristbands and corduroy bears.

Giant personalised pinwheels....more about these soon......

These are some of the shots I got before it bucketed down with rain.

We ended up relocating the stall to the veranda outside the classrooms. This way all the beautiful pieces were dry… and happy fete goes could shop without umbrellas.

I don’t know the final figures for the day, (I’m not even sure if I would be allowed to publish them if I did) but we think it went really well.

Thanks to all the crafty mummies who helped produce goodies for the stall. Your work was much appreciated.

School Fete Making. Part 2

Cards in packets of 6.

Last night , a few of us got together to create for the fete.

Laura made these.

Once again, they are super easy and inexpensive.

A large packet of pre-cut people is about $3. Cut into twos

Fabrics scraps… and buttons sewn on.

We are also planning to make some kits for the kids with fabric scraps and cardboard people to decorate themselves.

Bib anyone?

A few of the rather large collection of bibs Beth, Abbey and I have been putting together for the fete. I downloaded the pattern from Nested: Something to make . The pattern has a pocket, but we made them without the pocket.

Between us, Beth and I have 10 children, and have never felt a need for a bib pocket.

Last week Tilda, Belinda and I had a great time putting a pile of owl appliques together. I later put three of them onto t-shirts. One for me to wear on fete day, and these two to sell.

You may recognise the owls from my Christmas applique post . The pattern is original to Lil Blue Boo and is available to download. We changed it a little by not including the beak. This can be hand stitched on after the applique is on.

The fete is on the 6th of November from midday. If you are free I would love to see you. Email me for the other details.

Love It! (10)

Image from Cara carmina