30 Days of D.I.Y. Gifts and Decor: All Wrapped Up!

Well Friends, this is the last post in my 30 Days of D.I.Y. Gifts and Decor. Yes, it is a day late but when family is in town and last minute trips to the beach are planned, those are more important (in my opinion) than whether or not a post is on time. Because family time matters! We all will be spending more time [hopefully] with family and friends this holiday season. Give them hugs and kisses, tell them you love and appreciate them because you never know when God will call you or them home! And, if you are giving gifts to your loved ones too, as my last post, I wanted to share some of the creative ways I have found online through blogs and Pinterest to wrap them up. I sincerely hope that the last thirty days have encouraged you to be creative this holiday season both in your decor and gift giving! 
From me to you all ~ Happy Crafting!

All Wrapped Up!

How to make a modular bow from UsefulDIY. This looks so simple it makes me shake my head and wonder how I never figured this out on my own before. ; ] You have to stop by and check them out!

A simple and quick wrap idea for a last minute gift ~ wrap up a candy bar. Check them out at The Frugal Girls 

Rebecca at Older and Wiser has a TON of awesome ideas for wrapping including this beautiful one from her Dollar Store Wrapping post!

Love this wrapping idea for the fashionista in your life. Wrap with a shirt and pin for a bow! Check out this and other wrapping ideas at Kollabora.

How to make a bow from anything at the blog 100 Layer Cake. Another great use for all those extra magazines I have lying around....

My favorite wrap idea from the list at Urban Farmgirl ~ old t-shirt ribbons.

If you are a paper-crafter, here are some super cute options from the blog, Stamped - Bettina and Mary.

30 Days of D.I.Y. Gifts and Decor: Gifts for the Gardener

Welcome to day 21 of

Hi All! I have switched my focus onto the up-coming holidays that will be filled with family and friends, love and laughter, giving and receiving! For me, some of the best memories and gifts have been what is handmade and from the heart. And, I love giving and receiving handmade and locally crafted gifts. So, I am going to share a new project every day for the month of November to get y'all (and myself) into the spirit of the holidays! I hope you enjoy the next thirty days with me! I would love to hear if you try any of the projects and how they turned out. <3 Erika

Gifts for the Gardener

Here are just a few D.I.Y. gift ideas for the gardener in your life. You can find more ideas at my Pinterest account. 

Seed bombs from Everything Nothing Wonderful with label download.

What gardener wouldn't love a good hand, nourishing hand scrub by Elizabeth at The Nourished Life.

Are you kidding me!? These are awesome! I may have to make these for myself! Project by Ann at Our Garden Path.

These are so cute! From Martha Stewart.

Giant Allium's are one of my favorite blooms in the garden. These are made with spray painted chicken wire. Check them out HERE.

Tomorrow: Giant Glitter Ball Ornaments

30 Days of D.I.Y. Gifts and Decor: Homemade Marshmallows

Welcome to Day 18 of 

Hi All! I have switched my focus onto the up-coming holidays that will be filled with family and friends, love and laughter, giving and receiving! For me, some of the best memories and gifts have been what is handmade and from the heart. And, I love giving and receiving handmade and locally crafted gifts. So, I am going to share a new project every day for the month of November to get y'all (and myself) into the spirit of the holidays! I hope you enjoy the next thirty days with me! I would love to hear if you try any of the projects and how they turned out. <3 Erika

Homemade Marshmallows

I made marshmallows a couple Christmas's ago after I watched how easy it was on a cooking show. Every non-homemade marshmallow I have had since just doesn't add up! And I love to see peoples reaction the first time they try one. I love this recipe from County Living because it also provides gourmet flavors to make like peppermint and coffee. 
(You can substitute vanilla for the peppermint extract if you would like to try vanilla like I made. I have also seen some peppermint marshmallows swirled with red food coloring to add a touch of festiveness!) 

Wrapped up neatly, these make a great little gift for holidays hosts or friends and neighbors.
Check out the full post with the recipe at County Living.
You can also find a link on my Pinterest board: 
Gift Ideas: Hand made or Hand picked.



Tomorrow: Elegant 'Thanks' Word Art Display

30 of D.I.Y. Gifts and Decor: Bath Salts

Welcome to day 15 of

Hi All! I have switched my focus onto the up-coming holidays that will be filled with family and friends, love and laughter, giving and receiving! For me, some of the best memories and gifts have been what is handmade and from the heart. And, I love giving and receiving handmade and locally crafted gifts. So, I am going to share a new project every day for the month of November to get y'all (and myself) into the spirit of the holidays! I hope you enjoy the next thirty days with me! I would love to hear if you try any of the projects and how they turned out. <3 Erika

Homemade Bath Salts from Martha Stewart

This project sounds quick and easy and, packaged just right, would make for a lovely gift. To see the easy step-by-step instructions, go to Martha Stewart.

For a great selection of essential oils to add to your bath salt project, check out Fit2B On Your Skin. 

This Weekend: Handmade Advent Calendars

30 Days of D.I.Y. Gifts and Decor: Scarves with a Purpose

Welcome to Day 14 of

Hi All! Now that Halloween is over, I am switching my focus onto the up-coming holidays that will be filled with family and friends, love and laughter, giving and receiving! For me, some of the best memories and gifts have been what is handmade and from the heart. And, I love giving and receiving handmade and locally crafted gifts. So, I am going to share a new project every day for the month of November to get y'all (and myself) into the spirit of the holidays! I hope you enjoy the next thirty days with me! I would love to hear if you try any of the projects and how they turned out. <3 Erika

Scarves with a Purpose

I literally just learned about this site a couple of hours ago as I was sitting in the laundry mat waiting for baby girls comforter to dry. I picked up the Woman's Day magazine and read a short write up on different charities you could donate to this holiday season. Scarves with a Purpose caught my attention especially because I love scarves. And I know many lovely ladies that are awesome at knitting beautiful scarves. I am not one of them but I have been blessed by them! Basically, Scarves with a Purpose collects handmade scarves to give out to whoever needs them. It stated in the Woman's Day article that they gave over 400 scarves to Hurricane Sandy victims last year! What a great D.I.Y. Gift idea! You are using your talents to make beautiful scarves that will give warmth to someone in need and bless not only them but you. No better gift! Stop by the Scarves with a Purpose page to learn more about getting involved! 
And please, help me spread the word about this great cause by sharing this post on Facebook and on Pinterest. Thank you!

Tomorrow: Bath Salts

30 Days of D.I.Y. Gifts and Decor: Send a {Thankful} Hug

Welcome to day 12 of 

Hi All! Now that Halloween is over, I am switching my focus onto the up-coming holidays that will be filled with family and friends, love and laughter, giving and receiving! For me, some of the best memories and gifts have been what is handmade and from the heart. And, I love giving and receiving handmade and locally crafted gifts. So, I am going to share a new project every day for the month of November to get y'all (and myself) into the spirit of the holidays! I hope you enjoy the next thirty days with me! I would love to hear if you try any of the projects and how they turned out. <3 Erika

Send a Hug from Bettijo at Paging Supermom!

Call me old-fashioned but I think we all should make sending handwritten letters and cards in the 'snail' mail more important. The joy it brings to see an envelope in a mail box with your name on it just can not be compared to email or anything else. Especially for a child!

And as the holiday of being thankful for the blessings in our lives approaches, how can we forget our loved ones that are not close by? I think this idea of sending a hug in the mail to those loved ones is great! To make it even more special, have each child write why they are thankful for and what they love about the recipient(s). 

Have you sent a hug before? Or received one?

To learn more about how you can send one, check out the full post at Paging Supermom!

You can also find it on my Pinterest board, Gift Ideas-Hand made or Hand picked. 






Tomorrow: Our Thank 'Fall' Mantel 

30 Days of D.I.Y. Gifts and Decor: D.I.Y. Wood Pencil Holder

Welcome to day 11 (a day late) of

Hi All! Now that Halloween is over, I am switching my focus onto the up-coming holidays that will be filled with family and friends, love and laughter, giving and receiving! For me, some of the best memories and gifts have been what is handmade and from the heart. And, I love giving and receiving handmade and locally crafted gifts. So, I am going to share a new project every day for the month of November to get y'all (and myself) into the spirit of the holidays! I hope you enjoy the next thirty days with me! I would love to hear if you try any of the projects and how they turned out. <3 Erika

D.I.Y. Wood Pencil Holder from Amy at Then She Made...

If you have kids that like to do art projects, you want to have one of these! This is one of those projects I will give to my husband to make for a Christmas present for our son. I love it and it is easily personalized by the pattern of paper you modpodge to it! Of course, as I am sitting here typing this, I am thinking this could also be a great gift idea for anyone that sits behind a desk. And, it could be fashioned to fit pens I will bet....

Check out the full project information and how-to pictures at Then She Made....

You can also find it pinned on my, Gift Ideas-Hand made or Hand picked, Pinterest board.








Tomorrow: Send a Hug

30 Days of D.I.Y. Gifts and Decor: Preserved Fall Leaves for Thanksgiving Name Cards

Welcome to day 10 of 

Hi All! Now that Halloween is over, I am switching my focus onto the up-coming holidays that will be filled with family and friends, love and laughter, giving and receiving! For me, some of the best memories and gifts have been what is handmade and from the heart. And, I love giving and receiving handmade and locally crafted gifts. So, I am going to share a new project every day for the month of November to get y'all (and myself) into the spirit of the holidays! I hope you enjoy the next thirty days with me! I would love to hear if you try any of the projects and how they turned out. <3 Erika

Preserved Fall Leaves for Thanksgiving Name Cards 

from Julia 

at Blissfully Content

I have been wanting to do this every fall but never got around to learning how. Then Julia posted this and my heart smiled! Preserved Fall leaves are great for name cards but OH think of all the possibilities! And look at that precious handmade cloth napkin the leaf is resting on! You could make some for your own table or you could make a set as a hostess gift for your Thanksgiving hostess. How else would you use preserved fall leaves in your Autumn decorating? 

Check out Julia's Preserving Fall Leaves tutorial post for the step-by-step instructions that are easy enough for the little ones to help make.

For a tutorial on making those beautiful cloth napkins, 

check out Julia's post HERE. 

You can also find this on my Pinterest board: Falling for Autumn.

Tomorrow: D.I.Y. Wood Pencil Holder

30 Days of D.I.Y. Gifts and Decor: Pencil Christmas Cards

Welcome to Day 7 of

Hi All! Now that Halloween is over, I am switching my focus onto the up-coming holidays that will be filled with family and friends, love and laughter, giving and receiving! For me, some of the best memories and gifts have been what is handmade and from the heart. And, I love giving and receiving handmade and locally crafted gifts. So, I am going to share a new project every day for the month of November to get y'all (and myself) into the spirit of the holidays! I hope you enjoy the next thirty days with me! I would love to hear if you try any of the projects and how they turned out. <3 Erika

Pencil Christmas Cards

Last year, I found a bag full of new Christmas pencils at Goodwill. I wasn't sure at the time what we would do with them but it was a great price. $1.00! Then one day my son was doing a project with his stencils and I got an idea, Pencil Christmas Cards for his classmates! Christmas break was just around the corner and he wanted to do something for all his classmates. So, I went through all of my scrapbook papers and gathered the green paper. We set up a little work area and started crafting!

We set out the bag o' pencils......

We traced and cut out twenty-some Christmas trees.....

{This is great for your child to do! Hands-on learning.}

I cut two thin lines in the trees, one near the top and one near the bottom......

'Thread' the Christmas pencils through the slits and Voila! Pencil Christmas cards for my son's classmates for $1.00 and some scrapbook paper I had on hand! 

And when your helper is a handsome little man like mine is, the time invested is priceless! He was very excited to take his classmates their Christmas cards that he worked so hard on! And, to make it easy on him to carry them all to class to handout, we put them all in a gift bag with handles. :  ) 

What kid wouldn't love to make these!  

Tomorrow: Pinecone Garland

30 Days of D.I.Y. Gifts and Decor: Homemade Play Dough

Welcome to Day 6 of

Hi All! Now that Halloween is over, I am switching my focus onto the up-coming holidays that will be filled with family and friends, love and laughter, giving and receiving! For me, some of the best memories and gifts have been what is handmade and from the heart. And, I love giving and receiving handmade and locally crafted gifts. So, I am going to share a new project every day for the month of November to get y'all (and myself) into the spirit of the holidays! I hope you enjoy the next thirty days with me! I would love to hear if you try any of the projects and how they turned out. <3 Erika

Homemade Play Dough

This has become one of my favorite things to make for the kids.

 One - because it is SO easy! And Two - because I (almost) always have the ingredients on hand. If I don't, they are very inexpensive at my grocery store's bulk bin section. This also makes a great gift for all those birthday parties the kids get invited to. You can personalize the play dough by coloring it the giftee's favorite color. And with the money you save by making it yourself, you can add fun play dough tools with it! I have a friend that used this recipe to make up multiple colors and divided it out in small containers as a take-home gift for attendee's of her son's birthday party. Love that idea! I hope you enjoy making this quick and easy gift, whether you make it for your own kids or as a gift for some one else!

Step 1: Combine all ingredients in a saucepan over medium heat.

 

Step 2: Stir constantly for 3 to 5 minutes.

 

Step 3: Mixture will form a ball. I added in the coloring while I was stirring instead of at the beginning so the color wasn't quite dispersed all the way at this point. Ooops!

 

Step 4: Remove from pan and let cool in a vented container. I use a recycled lunch meat container that has been thoroughly washed. I have found them to be the perfect size for one ball of dough. I place the lid side ways on top of the container so moisture doesn't build up while the play dough is cooling. 

Step 5: When cool enough, knead until smooth. Keeps well and for a good while in an airtight container. My daughter being impatient and playing with the dough while I attempt to take pictures! 

Homemade Play Dough Recipe

Yield: About 2 cups   

1 cup flour

1 cup salt

1 tbsp cream of tartar

1 tbsp oil

1 cup water

Food coloring

1/4 tsp peppermint or vanilla extract

Combine all ingredients in a saucepan over medium heat. Stir constantly for 3-5 minutes. Mixture will form a ball. When cool, knead until smooth. Keeps well in an airtight container. 

Tomorrow: Pencil Christmas Cards 

30 Days of D.I.Y. Gifts and Decor: {Everything} in a Jar

Welcome to Day 5 of

Hi All! Now that Halloween is over, I am switching my focus onto the up-coming holidays that will be filled with family and friends, love and laughter, giving and receiving! For me, some of the best memories and gifts have been what is handmade and from the heart. And, I love giving and receiving handmade and locally crafted gifts. So, I am going to share a new project every day for the month of November to get y'all (and myself) into the spirit of the holidays! I hope you enjoy the next thirty days with me! I would love to hear if you try any of the projects and how they turned out. <3 Erika

{Everything} in a Jar by Tonia at The Gunny Sack

Do you know why I love this gift idea SO much!!!!??? I love that they are basically mini gift baskets (which I love!) and that there are endless possibilities to make these personable and specific to the receiver and the occasion! Tonia has a whole big list of different gift jars from the above pictured to specialty ones like Ice Skating Date in a Jar. Go to her blog, The Gunny Sack, to get read her post with the step by step instructions! You can also find it on my Pinterest board, Gift Ideas- Hand Made or Hand Picked. 

Tomorrow: Homemade Play Dough

30 Days of D.I.Y. Gifts and Decor: Bath Tub Teas

Welcome to Day 3 of

Hi All! Now that Halloween is over, I am switching my focus onto the up-coming holidays that will be filled with family and friends, love and laughter, giving and receiving! For me, some of the best memories and gifts have been what is handmade and from the heart. And, I love giving and receiving handmade and locally crafted gifts. So, I am going to share a new project every day for the month of November to get y'all (and myself) into the spirit of the holidays! I hope you enjoy the next thirty days with me! I would love to hear if you try any of the projects and how they turned out. <3 Erika

Bath Tub Teas from Martha Stewart

Add to the peace and joy of a nice, warm bath with some handmade bath tub teas. Made with lavender and chamomile buds (among others), it is sure to be a gift that will invoke calm and relaxation. 

Check out the full post HERE at Martha Stewart. You can also find it on my Pinterest board, Gift Idea-Hand made or Hand picked.

Tomorrow: Glittered Falling Leaves Garland

30 Days of D.I.Y. Gifts and Decor: Rosemary Mint Shaving Cream

Welcome to Day 2 of

Hi All! Now that Halloween is over, I am switching my focus onto the up-coming holidays that will be filled with family and friends, love and laughter, giving and receiving! For me, some of the best memories and gifts have been what is handmade and from the heart. And, I love giving and receiving handmade and locally crafted gifts. So, I am going to share a new project every day for the month of November to get y'all (and myself) into the spirit of the holidays! I hope you enjoy the next thirty days with me! I would love to hear if you try any of the projects and how they turned out. <3 Erika

Rosemary Mint Shaving Cream by Shaina 

at Food for my Family

Pamper your self or some one you love with this homemade shaving cream! Made with Shea butter and oils, it is smooth and creamy and will leave the skin feeling oh so soft. Meanwhile, the Rosemary and Mint essential oils remind you of relaxing at the spa. Give it a try and let me know what you think! For the full post and printable recipe, check out Shaina's post

 HERE at Food for my Family. 

You can also find it on my Pinterest board, 
Au Natural Health, Beauty & Cleaning.

Tomorrow: Bathtub Teas

(musings on) A Life Worth Giving - Part Two: Giving Generously, a Month Challenge!

So, Part Two: How do we take this God given grace and our joy-filled, thankful hearts and be more generous with our blessings?

Take a moment and think about YOU. Yes, think about you and the gifts God has given to you. What physical, relational, and/or spiritual gifts has God given you? What about the talents and passions you have? How can you take any and every thing God has given you and bless others with it? What has God given to you that makes your Life Worth Giving away? 

Psalms 139: 13-14 ~ 13 

For you created my inmost being;

    you knit me together in my mother’s womb.

14 

I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;

    your works are wonderful,

    I know that full well.

Me, well, I like to share knowledge that I have picked up along the way that might improve others lives in some way. I like to help, in what ever menial task I can. I like the detailed work others don't so much. I like to garden and cook. I like to throw parties. : ) I love bargain shopping. I don't like to see bad things happening to kids. 

Where do I go from here? How do I give back based on just that little bit about myself. Well, here are just some ideas but I am sure you can take these ideas and come up with so much more.......

• Listen. Really listen to your kids' (or loved ones) stories
• Coach          
• Offer to watch a busy mom's kids
• Do a family member's chore for them
• Borrow a friends car and return it detailed and with a full tank of gas
• Teach your favorite hobby to a child
• Throw a birthday party for an underprivileged child (or adult) 
• Donate games to a local senior citizen center 
• Visit an elderly person
• Donate blood
• Weed a neighbor's yard
• Buy a gift card and give it to someone you hardly know
• Organize a block party
• Bring a treat into your office for everyone to share
• Give a big, genuine hug
• Give a fresh flower bouquet to your favorite store clerk
• Take a box of toys to a homeless shelter
• Pay for a single mom to get a mani/pedi
• Help a neighbor or friend build a garden box and teach them to grow their own veggies and fruits
• Have a garage sale and donate all the money earned
• Take dinner to a couple with a newborn
• Buy lunch for a coworker
• Volunteer at the hospital
• Send an anonymous encouragement card to someone in the 'snail' mail
• Turn off the t.v. and computer and phones and have a face to face conversation
• Look up and smile to that person walking by. Maybe even say, "Hello!"
• Say to all those you love, "I love you!"

Well, there you go! There is so much more you could do to live a generous life and give back with joy. And, you don't have to have a bunch of money to give generously. Many of the best gifts in life given and received cost nothing but your willingness to be open enough to give. So, here is my challenge to you. Take this list and whatever you have come up with to add to it and give once a week for the next month! Let's see how God works in us and through us. 

2 Corinthians 9: 6-7 ~ 6 Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. 7 Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.