Archive for Holidays

[Handmade Holidays] Holiday Card Round-Up Part 1

Hellooooo Monday!

Today and tomorrow we’re taking a short break from the gift guides to bring you some holiday card ideas. Today’s edition features cards you can find on Etsy – some are single cards, most are sets. Take a look:

Candy Cane 4 pack 2 by Darling Clementine Candy Cane 4 pack by Darling Clementine

Candy Cane 4 pack ($15) by Darling Clementine

Gone Fishing by LookyLoo

Letterpress Gone Fishing Holiday Cards, set of 8 ($15) by LookyLoo

Letterpress Damsel by Lookyloo

Letterpress Damsel, set of 8 ($15) by LookyLoo

Hannukah by Foxy and Winston

Hanukkah Menorah, set of 6 ($18) by Foxy & Winston

Snowflake Girl by FuguFuguPress Reindeer Bear by FuguFuguPress

Snowflake Girl Letterpress and Reindeer Bear Letterpress, sets of 8 ($18) by Fugu Fugu Press

Red Bulb by GoldTeeth Candy Cane by Gold Teeth

Red Bulb ($3.50) and Candy Cane ($3.50) by Gold Teeth

Woodland Panoramic Scene by Modern Printed Matter

Woodland Panoramic Scene, set of 8 ($16) by Modern Printed Matter

Stitched Holiday Owls by PolkaDotShop Christmas Blossoms by tsktsk

Stitched Holiday Owls, set of 3 ($8) by Polka Dot Shop
Christmas Blossoms Greeting Card ($3.60) by tsktsk

Chrismtas Parade Cards by LilaB Custom Holiday Card by Olliegraphic

Christmas Parade cards, set of 10 ($18) by Lila B
Custom designed Holiday cards by Ollie Graphic

Christmas Baubles by MrsEliotBooks

Baubles, set of 4 ($6 – free shipping for two or more packs) by Mrs. Eliot Books

Ok, I have to confess: I adore that Snowflake girl card by Fugu Fugu Press. I also really love the Woodland Panoramic Scene by Modern Printed Matter and the Red Bulb card by Gold Teeth (a favorite shop at the Renegade Craft Fair in Brooklyn this summer).

What about you? Have any favorites?

Bookmark and Share

Comments (2) »

[Handmade Holidays] Gifts for Babies

I need all of my friends to start having babies right away, because I  have a lot of baby gift ideas…

Custom Name Plate by Ninainvorm Kanoe Baby Hammock by studioleroux

Custom name plate ($60) by ninainvorm
Kanoe Baby Hammock ($290) by studioleroux

Chubby Night Owl by Rabbitsmoon Baby spoons by beehivekitchenware
Chubby Night Owl ($21) by rabbitsmoon
Baby spoons ($22 each) by beehivekitchenware

Number Pipeline Print by ModernPop FLOCK organic cotton baby blanket by Organic Quilt Co

Number Pipeline Print ($25) by ModernPop
Flock Organic Cotton Baby Quilt ($44.50) by Organic Quilt Company

Happy Cloud tshirt by jenskelley Snookie by Chickabiddybaby

Happy Cloud t-shirt ($12) by Jen Skelley
Lovely Lilac Snookie with personalization ($40) by Chickabiddybaby

Elf hat by ManiMina Eames Rocker Custom Baby Print by PrettyMod

Elf Hat ($16) by Mani-Mina
Eames Rocker Baby Name Birth Date Keepsake Print ($35) by prettymod

Modern Striped Stocking by MissMosh Pear Tree Wall Art by khamm75

Modern Striped Candy Cane Stocking ($25) by MissMosh
Pear Tree Wall Art ($38) by Almost Sunday

Mix n Match Fruit Hats by KnitrGal Wooli Felt Garden Diaper Caddy by BabysBreath

Mix n Match Fruit Hats (Pick 3 for $60) by LA Originals
Wooli Felt Garden Diaper Caddy ($49) by BabiesBreath

Custom Silhouette Ornament by lepapierstudio Deer in the Woods Growth Chart by AnnaJoyce

Custom Silhouette Ornament ($30) by lepapierstudio
Deer in the Woods Growth Chart ($84) by Anna Joyce

Soft Blocks by Smidgebox Designs

Custom cloth blocks ($50 for set of 3, each additional block $10) by SmidgeboxDesign

♥ ♥ ♥

Is it Friday already? It’s been an especially fun week here – thanks to all of you for your kind comments, which we love reading.

The beauty of these gift guides is that if you really liked them, you can bookmark them for anytime you need gift ideas (and not just gifts for the holidays). Right? Karin and I both added a lot of new Etsy shops to our favorites.

Next week we’re starting the week off with some holiday card ideas, then we’ve got a whole lotta stocking stuffer fun, and finally, gifts for the person who has it all.

See you on Monday!

Bookmark and Share

Comments (3) »

[Handmade Holidays] Gifts for Little Boys

Ok, you’re right. We had just as much fun picking out these gifts for little boys as we did for yesterday’s little girls’ gift guide.

Tell us if there’s anything you especially love in today’s guide – we’d love to know.

Aquatic Cowboys by Jenskelley Bear Woodland Set by Smalltown Toys

Aqua Cowboy Print ($30) by jenskelley
Bear Woodland Set ($80) by small town toys

Beep beep car stamp set by The Small Object Bernard Monster Shirt by NissaLisa

The Beep Beep Car Stamp Set ($18) by The Small Object
Bernie the Monster t-shirt ($28.50) by NissaLisa

Blast Off Finger Puppet Set by Stay Awake Vintage Camera tshirt by bchildrenswear

Blast Off Finger Puppet set ($35) by stay awake
Say Cheese Vintage Camera t-shirt ($20) by b children’s wear

Child's Treasure Box by Illustrious Rose Cotton Circles Wooden Sailboat by Willowbaus

Treasure Chest ($55) by Illustrious Rose
Organic Cotton Circle Wooden Toy Boat ($19) by willowbaus

Lemon Ball vintage style baseball by LemonBall Winter Special Edition Boy Doll by Hasenpfeffer

Lemon Ball Vintage-style Baseball ($28) by Lemon Ball
Special Edition Winter Boy Doll ($104.25) by hasenpfeffer

Gertrude the Goldfish by MiChiMa Tiny Friend by KidsHaus

Gertrude the Goldfish ($7 each) by MiChiMa
Tiny Friend print ($25) by KidsHaus

Zoo Block set by Tiny Giraffe Shop Little Hero Lightning Cape by Discovery Denim

Zoo Blocks, set of 13 with drawstring bag ($30) by tiny giraffe
Little Hero Cape ($42) by Discovery Denim

Of course, pretty much all of these gifts work for little girls too.

Tomorrow: We’re going a little crazy with the Gifts for Babies guide. We can’t help ourselves.

Bookmark and Share

Comments (4) »

[Handmade Holidays] Gifts for Little Girls

Karin and I have three girls between us. No boys. We’re all girlie, all the time, so we especially loved picking out today’s gift guide.

How can you resist any one of these items? That’s right, you can’t.

Forest Friends Little Kid Satchel by Mee a Bee Custom Kid Portrait on Canvas by Little Pink House

Forest Friends Satchel ($30) by Mee a Bee
Custom Kid Portrait on Canvas ($165) by LittlePinkHouse

Block Printed Chickadee Shirt by 1girl1boy Hannah Flat Notecards by PeonyPaperie

Chickadee shirt ($22) by 1girl1boy
“Hannah” notecards set of 12 ($12) by Peony Paperie

Apple Maryjane Flats by Utopiapedia Hayride Ruffle Cape Tweed by Redpossum

Apple Maryjane Flats ($20) by Utopiapedia
Hayride Ruffle Cape in Tweed ($60) by red possum

Caterpillar Wool Felt Hair Clip by Sundrop Clips Nahla Bear by All Things Small

Caterpillar and assorted hair clips ($5) by Sun Drop Clips
Nahla Bear with Coloring Book Set ($57) by all things small

Forest Critters Wall Stickers by Mae Flower Fairy by Fairyfolk

Forest Critters Reusable Wall Stickers ($74.50) by Mae
Felted Flower Fairy ($30) by FairyFolk

Mary Had a Little Unicorn by Helen Dardik Nest Sweet Nest by SugarElf

Mary Had a Little Unicorn, 8 x 8 print ($20) by Helen Dardik
Nest. Sweet Nest, wool bird in a cotton nest ($25) by Sugar Elf

Sasha Dress by ManiMina Bunny and Radish print by yumiyumi

The Sasha Dress ($22) by Mani-Mina
Bunny and Radish, 8.5 x 11″ print ($20) by yumiyumi

Which is your favorite? I’ll confess: I bought one thing (so far!) in today’s gift guide. I can’t tell you which – but it’s more fun to guess anyway. (Ok, if you ask me on Twitter, I’ll tell you!)

Tomorrow: rats and snails and puppy dog tails.

Bookmark and Share

Comments (2) »

[Handmade Holidays] Gifts for Her

Happy Monday!

Today we’re kicking off our Handmade Holiday Gift Guides, which we will feature for the next two weeks. Karin and I have had a lot of fun picking out handmade items mostly from Etsy but also from Paper N Stitch, Craftsbury Kids, and Mahar Dry Goods. (Certainly not an exhaustive list of places where you can buy handmade items).

The first of our gift guides – and probably the biggest because we’re experts in this category (!) – is Gifts For Her. We hope these ideas give you some inspiration for your holiday gift giving.

The Letter Bag by Moop The orange book print by LilyMoon

The Letter Bag ($118) by Moop
The Orange Book print ($18) by LilyMoon

Bird Cupcake Stand by Whitney Smith Pink and Creme Plaid Notecards by Olive Manna

Bird Cupcake Stand ($38) by Whitney Smith Pottery
Pink and Cream Plaid Set of 4 Notecards ($7.50) by Olive Manna

Amoeba in Oval by Starving Artist Bazaar Chalk Cloth Table Topper by Modern June

Amoeba in an Oval Necklace ($35) by Starving Artist Bazaar
Chalk Cloth Table Topper ($21) by Modern June

Clouds are Raining Happily by Ninainvorm Block Printed Lampshade by Home Sweet

Clouds Are Raining Happily Medium-Sized Pitcher/Jug ($35) by Ninainvorm
Block-printed Medium Lampshade – “Minileaves” ($80) by Home Sweet

Letterpress Recipe Box by 1canoe2 Today is Awesome print by the Small Object

Letterpress Recipe Cards and Recipe Box ($46) by 1canoe2
“Today is Awesome” print ($20) by The Small Object

Birds on Chairs fat quarters set by Scarlet Fig Loveheart set of cards by modernemotive

“Birdies on Chairs” Fabric ($8.50 for a fat quarter) by Scarlet Fig
Personalized Loveheart Notecards, Set of 12 ($18) by modernemotive

Low wide Coper bowl by Jill Rosenwald Little Black House by Nora Aoyagi

Low Wide Coper Bowl ($200) by Jill Rosenwald
Little Black House ($30) by Nora Aoyagi

Dachshund Wall Hanging by BellaBluDesigns Bird Planter by Pretty Random Objects

Dachshund Wall Hanging, two 8 x 10 panels ($45) by BellaBlu Designs
Bird Planter ($48) by PrettyRandomObjects

Wide Collar Wrapped Blouse by Moon Circus Brown and White Vintage Ribbon Belt by Jessie Chapman

Wide Collar Wrapped Blouse ($93) by Moon Circus
Brown and White Striped Vintage Ribbon Belt ($25) by Jessie Chapman

See anything you liked?

Tomorrow: Gifts for Him

Bookmark and Share

Comments (10) »

[Family Friday] Happy Halloween!

Halloween parades are fun.

Elena and Rosa Halloween 2009

Elena Halloween Parade

Elena and Rosa Halloween 2009 2

Is it time to open the bags of Halloween candy yet? I could use a Butterfinger.

 

Comments (2) »

[Family Friday] Ghosts of Halloween Past

I rustled up some old Halloween photos of me (of which there aren’t too many), Rolando, and the girls.

Molly Halloween Kindergarten

Kindergarten. Scary witch mask!

Molly Halloween Candy Contest at Danners

First grade. That’s me in the polka dot clown costume facing the camera. Do you see me? My town mixed a bunch of candy into a pile of hay in front of the five and dime store, and then had all the kids scramble for it. Who thought THAT was a good idea?

Ro as scariest clown of all time

Rolando and his sister Diana. Scariest clown ever. The stuff of nightmares.

Molly as best Rubik's Cube ever

Fourth grade. You have no idea how proud I was of this costume, which I made all by myself. To clarify, the color in this photo stinks, because the two sides you see are orange and pink (and not both pink).

Nice bangs!

Rolando as a punk rocker

Punk rock love in California.

Molly and friends as Valley Girls

Valley Girl love in Indiana. (That’s me on the far left. My sister spray painted polka dots into my hair.)

Elena and Rosa Halloween 2007 2

Elena as Snow White’s evil stepmother. Rosa as a butterfly.

Elena and Rosa Halloween 2007

Waiting for it to get dark.

Elena as Pippi Longstocking

Elena as Pippi Longstocking.

Elena and Rosa Halloween 2008

From last year, Elena as a sushi roll and Rosa as Super Mario.

This is the first year I won’t be making any part of their costumes. Their grandmother bought them flamenco dresses in Spain, which they wanted to wear for Halloween. Pictures to follow soon.

I hope everyone has a fantastic, warm and sunny Halloween filled with only the best candy (i.e. no Good n Plenty!)

***

Starting to think about the holidays?

Karin and I have been collecting our favorite gift ideas. Starting on Monday, we’re bumping our regularly scheduled blog posts for two weeks’ worth of handmade holiday gift and stocking stuffer guides and as well as a holiday card round-up. Stay tuned! Lots of fun and pretty things for you to see!

Bookmark and Share

Comments (1) »

[Design Thursday] Night Owl Paper Goods

Just as a follow up to my 2010 calendar round-up, I wanted to share some pics from Night Owl Paper Goods and their Critter Calendar, which I already own and adore, and the Pattern Calendar, which is also lovely.

Night Owl Paper Goods Critter Calendar

I love the April duckies and the August otter.

The calendars (as well as many of their single notecards/postcards) are printed on eco-friendly yellow birch wood which has been sustainably harvested (yay!).

2010Critter Calendar_right

Here’s the Pattern Calendar:

NightOwlPaperGoods_2010PatternCal_2

I especially love those blue/green/yellow flowers of October.

If you follow them on Twitter, they often have one day sales which you can take advantage of, and visit the sale section of their website for some really good deals.

Night Owl also designs for Tiny Prints. You might remember that not long after Christmas last year, I totally fell in love with these Valentine’s Day cards:

Night Owl Paper Goods Big Hug valentine Night Owl Paper Goods Big Hug in blue

So, yeah, I’m pretty much a big fan of Night Owl. Can you tell?

Bookmark and Share

Comments (2) »

[Crafty Monday] Easy Sushi Costume

This sushi costume (all Elena’s idea) is the easiest Halloween costume I’ve ever made, and it’s probably also the one I’ve gotten the most compliments on, too. No sewing necessary.

Here’s what you need (feel free to experiment with colors!):

Enough of each to wrap around your kid’s body (like maybe a yard and a half):

  • Black or dark green fleece
  • White fleece (the kind that has some texture, like a sheep, to resemble rice)
  • Salmon colored fleece

Some large safety pins

A couple of strips of the black fleece for tying the roll around the body

Put the layers of fleece on top of each other (black on bottom, then white, then salmon), pin them together at the ends (not totally necessary, but just in case), roll them around your kid’s body, then tie with a couple of strips of the black fleece (which is stretchy and makes an excellent tie).

Add some chopsticks and a wasabi colored t-shirt and you’re good to go!

Sushi Costume

Sushi Costume Back

With my permission, the Cardstore entered this costume (and Rosa’s Super Mario costume) into their Silliest Costume Contest. If you like it, vote for it on their Facebook fan page (see the link in their blog post – and you have become a fan of Cardstore on Facebook to vote). The costume with the most “likes” wins a $100 Barnes & Noble gift card. That would be a nice thing to have, but you have to vote today (and you have to vote a bunch, because so far it’s only got a couple of votes!)

Happy Monday!

Bookmark and Share

Leave a comment »

[Crafty Monday] Peek-a-BOO! Haunted Houses

This lift-the-flap haunted house craft is something I used to do all the time when I was a kid. I don’t know if I learned at school, or I made up on my own,  but it’s a fun and easy craft.

You’ll need:

  • Construction paper
  • Glue
  • Scissors
  • X-acto knife, or small sharp scissors
  • Markers/crayons/colored pencils
  • Stickers (optional)

Step 1:

Draw freehand, or use a template to cut out the outline of a haunted house. I printed this one out, then drew it freehand on a piece of black construction paper

Haunted House template

Step 2:

Take a white or silver colored pencil and draw some windows in the house

Drawing the windows and doors

Step 3:

For some windows, use an x-acto knife or small sharp scissors and cut out three sides (for the lift-the-flap windows). If you want to have open windows too, just cut out the whole outline. Once you have cut out the windows/doors, flip the house over (so you don’t see your pencil lines) and glue the house onto another sheet of construction paper. Orange makes it spookier, but white makes it easier to draw the crazy characters who will appear behind the flaps.

Glue Haunted House to paper

Step 4:

Draw your scary creatures behind the windows and doors and decorate the rest of the page too. We used a combination of drawing and stickers. I resisted getting out the glitter.

A spooky haunted house

What's behind the doors and windows

This is a fun book for learning how to draw goofy monsters:

Ed Emberley's Weirdos

Here’s Rosa making her haunted house:

IMG_8787 IMG_8788

Rosa's Haunted House 3 Rosa's Haunted House 4

Creak creak creak creak! Go away!

Of course, this same idea can be adapted for other designs: a gingerbread house, a cute country cottage, an apartment building in the big city. I have in mind the idea to make a little woodland animal/fairy cottage scene for Elena.

Elena, meanwhile, was not so much into spooky Halloween scenes. She was too busy making portraits of her Little People (of the vintage Fisher Price variety). How cute is this?

Elena's Little People drawing

Elena and her drawing

One of the easiest ways to get crafty with the kids is to take a big roll of white paper (I get mine at the teacher supply store), tape it to the top of the table and let them draw whatever they want.  They love it.

Girls coloring at the table

Rosa's Happy Drawing

When the trees and sun are happy, the whole world is happy.

Bookmark and Share

Comments (2) »