gag gifts, homemade gifts, etc.

One of my family's longest running traditions is the gift exchange.  Typically at Thanksgiving we draw names to see who we will be giving gifts to that Christmas.  For years, not only did we give a store bought gift but we also gave a gag gift as well.  Year after year the gag gifts became more and more elaborate.  Props, skits, and extensive directions accompanied many of these gifts.  There were often silly, sometimes disgusting, and finally humiliating.  Thus, the end of the gag gift tradition.  After several subsequent years of only store bought gifts, my family has found a new way to get rid of some of that excess creative energy.  As a mentioned in a previous post, for the second year in a row we are now giving homemade gifts along with our store bought. 

Because we alternate years of spending Thanksgiving and Christmas with my family and my husbands family, Sean and I typically only take part in the gift exchange every other year.  This year we drew names earlier and are exchanging gifts the day after Thanksgiving.  Hence why I was stressing so much about getting my gift completed. 

I'm excited to post about our homemade gifts next Monday to give you lots of good ideas in time for your gift giving. 

I love this tradition for so many reasons.  First, I love that we can go all out and get really into the gift that we are giving to our person because we aren't feeling drained of time, money or energy trying to purchase gifts for tons of people.  Off of that point, financially it is really a blessing.

It is also one of the most fun times for our family all year.  We get really cozy with hot drinks and really make an event of it.  It often takes a looong time, and we love that.  It is also so much fun to see everyone's creativity and hard work. 

Both last year and this year Sean and I shared a similar dialogue as we were working on our gifts.  We  noted how much we enjoyed learning these new skills and how we know we would never have done it otherwise.  There is something deeply satisfying about making something that you could have just as soon purchased.  And something ridiculously satisfying when you like what you made more than that something you could have bought. 

I am loving this new tradition.

{images clockwise: Marion, musicpb, kylanicole, rikrak creations}

anniversary gift

This is the anniversary gift that I made for Sean.  I haven't framed it yet but you get the general gist.  It was our seven year anniversary so I purchased each "love stamp" from the past seven years.  This was not nearly as easy as I thought it would be.  It wasn't even easy figuring out what the correct stamps were.  Someone should definitely come up with an organized stamp chronicling site, just sayin'. 

I decided to use the little envelopes to illustrate what vagabonds we have been during the course of our marriage.  Seven addresses in six years, that's serious.  So each year's love stamp corresponds with the address that we occupied at that time. 

The final envelope reads "forwarding address: home is with you. wherever that might be."

(This is actually going to be one of a three part series, more on those soon.)

Wool & Hoop

There's something about summertime that sends me looking for a little handiwork.  For some this may be a winter activity but for me - I love to have a little something to work on while I sit out back and let the kids run themselves silly.

I have really only done cross-stitch in the past but as soon as I saw the offerings at Wool & Hoop I knew that I needed to give crewel work a try.  In the first place, I adore nearly anything I find done in crewel.  (My husband has to literally tear me away from the rugs at Anthroplogie).  But beyond that - Wool & Hoop offers these fantastic little starter kits that seem manageable for beginners.  And all of the designs are fresh and modern, something not easy to come by in the handiwork arena.  No "Precious Moments" here. 

 

I think it may start with this sweet birthday wish one.  I have until the end of August til Eva's birthday and this seems like the perfect motivation.  Here are more of their adorable choices:

best of Santa Fe: La Manita

I met Becky of La Manita at the Sunday Community Fair in Santa Fe. I was immediately drawn to her colorful array of children's goods. Hand sewn hats, dresses and barrettes are the mainstay of La Manita and I would have cleaned her out of her offerings if I could have.

You can visit Becky's Etsy shop here.

Linnet

Let's just be honest right off the bat.  I don't sew.  I mean - I really don't sew.  Can't attach a button.  It's embarrassing.  I do want to learn how.  And after perusing Linnet's site, I want to learn now. 

Do you see how many images I used from their site?  Ummm...that'd be 58.  I may have just created their spring catalog - that's how ga-ga I am over their offerings.  I'm considering just strewing their ribbon and notions about my house and calling it decor - it's all that beautiful.

hope chest

 

I've never actually known anyone that kept a hope chest, that I can remember, so I'm unsure where or why the desire began.  I do have a deep love for traditions embedded with meaning and purpose (and a deep disdain for traditions lacking in those.)  Perhaps that is why the now nearly extinct tradition of preparing a  hope chest for one's daughter appeals to me so. I have been trying to research the topic some and there is surprisingly little out there.  Here's what I know.  A trunk of some sort is set aside for one's daughter as a place to store up mementos, heirlooms and practical tools for the time when the daughter is off to care for a home & family of her own.  Just typing that line sets my mind going with all the little lovelies I could fill a trunk (or truck) with for Eva.  And then once she is engaged (should she choose to marry) I could set to work on her trousseau (another dying tradition) to add it.  Of course I'll have to throw in a Le Creuet French Oven & skillet...

The fun part is that over the years, Eva can help me choose and prepare items for her hope chest.  It something fun for us to work on together.  We will also surprise her with new additions on her birthday or at Christmas.  And one day, when it's time for her to leave home for good - she'll take with her a chest filled with memories, treasures, love & hope.  Can you tell that I love this tradition? 

And can you guess what Eva is getting for her fifth birthday? 

Yep, me too.

If you are interested in preparing one of your own, this book is perhaps the best resource out there.

{images: illustration - mjkersen, chest - Lane Furniture, dishes- Royal Copenhagen, button jar - the fish knits, linens - Georgie Sharp, knitting basket - Martha Stewart, family Bible - Tad2106, Le Creuset - Dyxie, wedding dress - wiseacre, sewing kit - overmilkwood, wine glasses - Arte Italica, baby booties - woolybaby, cookbook - Kate*, apron - Tanya Whelan, bathroom items - Arte Italica}

Happy May Day!

I had never heard of May day prior to meeting Sean.  Just after we began dating, I was greeted, unsuspectingly, by a mason jar of flowers hanging from my front door. I have loved this day ever since.  

Sean's family celebrated it growing up in Nebraska and later I met many friends from Iowa that had always celebrated it as well.  It must be a regional thing.  Growing up in the Chicago suburbs we were ignorant of such festivities.  

This is how I was taught to commemorate such an occasion: create a lovely baskets full of flowers, candies and all such assorted frivolities.  Set said basket on a loved ones (or possibly just a neighbor that you more-than-tolerate's) doorstep.  Ring or knock.  Run.  Should you get caught, you get a kiss.  It's really a win, win situation.

Here are the baskets I made for my loves today.  Oliver helped a lot - as evidenced by my kitchen floor.  His "basket" is not pictured as it has already been desecrated. 

Martha's Eggs

I just spotted a roundup of the best egg decorating techniques through the years a la Martha Stewart.

You can find it here.  

twig & thistle valentine

I am loving this fantastic DIY valentine idea by twig & thistle.  All you have to do is make some yummy brownies.  Use a heart shaped cookie cutter. Download their fantastic graphic - (for free!) onto a paper bag or sticker. And there you have an adorable, handmade valentine!  Perfect for your postman or the love of your life. 

{first spotted here}