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Handmade Burlap and Evergreen Tree Craft

December 1, 2014 by

Are you tired of hearing me talk about handmade holidays yet. There’s something about creating gifts and decor that suit perfectly one’s taste that really appeals to me. Each year the kids and I make ornaments, cards and decorations not just for our home but to share with the grandparents and other family.  I still unwrap ornaments Sabreena made when she was little and they each bring a smile to my face. This Burlap and Evergreen Tree is a more recent creation. I took some inspiration from pictures I saw on Pinterest but definitely made it my own.

Handmade Burlap and Evergreen Tree Holiday Craft I had everything I needed to make this; card stock or , felt, hot glue, burlap roll, evergreen clippings from the yard and scissors.Handmade Burlap and Evergreen Tree Holiday Craft

Handmade Burlap and Evergreen Tree Holiday Craft

Handmade Burlap and Evergreen Tree Holiday Craft

Handmade Burlap and Evergreen Tree Holiday Craft

Handmade Burlap and Evergreen Tree Holiday Craft
Handmade Burlap and Evergreen Tree Holiday Craft

Handmade Burlap and Evergreen Tree Holiday Craft

 

 

Directions

  • Create a large cone with your cardstock or posterboard. This particular tree is tall I used a posterboard that was tucked away in the closet. The best cones come from a Pac Man shape rolled tighter for a thinner shape or kept wide for a fatter cone like party hat.
  • Secure your ends with tape from top to bottom.  I then spray painted my coat with a quick coat of brown so that any cone showing through wouldn’t be too obvious.
  • Measure a length of burlap around your cone base. Cut it, fold in half (tack with glue if needed) and clip 75% up on the folded edge about 1-2 inches apart.
  • Glue this around your cone and repeat all the way up ensuring there is sufficient overlap.
  • Tuck in sprigs of evergreen or other greenery, real or fake.  Personalize by cover with glitter, holly berries, fake snow or mini ornaments.
  • Top your tree with a hand cut felt star glued to the top of the cone.
  • Your tree is ready to display.Handmade Burlap and Evergreen Tree Holiday Craft

Complete this tree in less than a half hour or make an entire forest in a day. These on a mantel, paired with long pillar candles is a subtle but gorgeous display of the season.

I think this would be beautiful made in muslin, lace or even felt.  I have another prepared cone waiting for a makeover.




34 Handmade Gift Ideas for the Holidays

November 19, 2014 by

Each year as the holidays roll around I rack my brain to come up with great gift ideas for my friends and family.  I like giving things that mean something. It could be an personalized ornament or sentimental piece of art or home decor.  Whatever the gift it I try to put lots of thought into it so that it’s special and they know I thought about them.  This year I really want to give completely handmade gifts for my closest friends and siblings.  I need some ideas since each of them are so different.

In the past I’ve given my sister handmade jewelry and best friend a heart embroidered map like one I made for my own home. This year I want to expand my creativity and have hit up my favorite blogs and websites for inspiration.

What speaks to you from this list?  What would you love to receive as a handmade gift?

Kitchen

Personalized Cutting Board Upcycle

Stenciled Party Tray

Mason Jar Soap Dispenser

Three Tiered Tray

DIY Sharpie Mugs

Handpainted Tea Towels

Handmade Gift Ideas for the Kitchen

For the Home

Heart Embroidered Map

Glitter Dipped Vase

Jewel Coasters

Gold Colorblock Mug

Key Artwork

Chunky Crocheted Throw Blanket

DIY Photo Canvas

Custom Pillowcases

Pallet Board Coat Rack

Tin Can Planter

Handmade Holiday Gift Ideas for the Home

Personal & Accessories

Fabric Flower Rings

Beaded and Floral Hair Pins

DIY Photo Pendants

DIY Animal Ring Holder

Cinnamon Vanilla Sugar Scrub

Customized Wooden Storage Box

DIY Tote Bag

Leather Wrap Bracelet

Handmade Gift Ideas for Friends and FamilyHoliday Decor & Gifts

Clay Star Garland

Winter Wreath

Fabric Pine Cones

Twine Spiral Tree

Snowflake Embroidered Ornament

Handmade Gift Ideas for the Holidays and Christmas

For Kids

Superhero Mason Jar Bank

Child Size Apron

Kid’s Tent or Reading Nook

DIY Stick Horse

Headband HolderHandmade Gift Ideas for KidsDid you see something you’d love to make for someone else?  Are you making any gifts this holiday season?

 

 




Unique Ornaments for Gifts

December 2, 2013 by

Gift giving for the holidays can often become a chore especially when the receiver is hard to shop for.  I know many of people like this in my life and the end result tends to be gift cards.  I don’t know about you but gift cards are my least favorite gift to buy.  I know they are practical and perfect for any situation but they are boring.  Here is a collection of gorgeous  and unique ornaments that don’t have to go on a Christmas tree.  They would work hanging in a window or from a shelf.  Take gift giving an extra step and use an ornament along with a gift tag for a spectacular presentation.

All of these choices come from Etsy and are handmade. This guarantees their individuality from big box store purchases.

Burlap Rag Ornament

Key Ornament

Hot Air Balloon

Button in Resin Ornament

Sparkling Starfish Ornament

Sequin Cupcake Ornament

Quilled Snowflake Ornament

Paper Flower Ornament

Christmas Tree Stained Glass Ornament

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DIY Handmade Coasters

February 21, 2012 by

For some reason we go through a lot of coasters. We either by crappy ones that get moldy or don’t keep the water off the table or they break or we lose them. Over the last 10 years we gone through dozens easily. I made a couple trips to home stores looking for new coasters and couldn’t figure out why they cost over $10 for just a set of 4 ugly ones. NO way was I spending that much just to hold my cup. I knew there was a way to make my own. Off to Pinterest I went. I went over a few different tutorials and come up with these.

Here is how I made them.
4-6 plain white (or cream) glossy tiles found in Home Depot, $.19 each
2 sheets of patterned scrapbook paper, $.40 each
Felt pads or sheets of felt, already owned
Mod Podge, already owned it
Foam brush, already owned it.
Polyurethane spray, $7 from craft store

Cover your work area with a drop cloth or newspaper. Measure and cut your sheets of paper to fit just inside your tiles. I like mine slightly smaller than the tile to give it a border.

Smear light coating of ModPodge on tile and place a cut piece of paper and quickly center it. Gently smooth it out so there are no air bubbles, wrinkles, creases and so that all edges are sticking. Set aside for a few minutes to dry. Repeat this step on your other tiles.
craft prep, making coasters from tiles, using tiles and scrap paper for coasters
Once the paper is set into place apply another coating of ModPodge ON the paper. I like to cover it completely in one direction then another coating in the other direction. Set aside and continue working on other tiles. After 20-30 minutes apply another coating, this time just paint in one direction and take measures to apply it more smoothly, avoiding lines. Continue with the rest of the tiles.
applying modpodge to tiles, making coasters from tiles
Apply about 4-6 coats of ModPodge, let completely dry overnight and then finish with a glossy Polyurethane spray. Let dry overnight again, apply felt sheets or pads to the bottom and your coasters are ready to use!
handmade coasters, diy coasters from tiles.
I only made 4 because I doubted they would actually turn out. I was wrong and now I need to make 2 more for me and 6 for my best friend to match her bright new living room.







I Disclose




Handbags with a kick PonyUP! Kentucky Recap

February 16, 2012 by

ponyup kentucky logo handbagsHandbags for a mission.

That’s a simple way to explain what PonyUP! Kentucky is all about. In an effort to raise funds to aid in horse rescue facilities PonyUP! Kentucky was created. Founder Rallie McAllister knew the gorgeous details of riding equipment horse leather would also make great details on handbags. Using this idea PonyUP! Kentucky has created a collection of beautiful totes and bags in a large variety of colors and patterns. There is a style for every woman no matter if she’s a horse person or not.

(Please excuse me chopping off my head)

At least 10 percent of all PonyUP! Kentucky profits will be donated to horse rescue operations. All bags are made in the USA; that means money spent here stays here. Horses are beautiful and majestic creatures. PonyUp! Kentucky is doing their best to maintain environments where retired horses can spend the rest of their days in peace.

Win you own PonyUP! Kentucky hobo bag (same size as mine) here at LookWhatMomFound…and Dad too! Check out the Rafflecopter widget below for contest details and entry opportunities.
[Read more…]




Holiday Wishlist 2010-Simon & Lucy My Story Necklace Giveaway

November 13, 2010 by

Gift giving should be from the heart whether it’s Christmas, Mother’s Day or a Birthday. Give mom the gift of love and honor this Holiday Season with a My Story personalized necklace from Simon and Lucy.

simon and lucy my story necklace

I design and hand stamp a collection that I call: the My Story collection. I love to design a piece for a person that encompasses everything important to them from the past, present and perhaps the future. It’s a unique process that allows me to learn a little bit about the person I am designing for in order to design a necklace just for them. Even if you don’t know where to start, I do and I will help you through the process and make it relatively painless for you.

It’s quite magical when my clients see their necklace and they start reminiscing as they look at each charm. I LOVE it and so do they!

All pieces are one-of-a-kind and created with you in mind.

A My Story necklace is a custom piece of jewelry that tells your story, your journey, your life, your future. Included are the details closest to you; children’s names, birthdates, symbols and more. Earlier in the year I received my own My Story necklace; it included of course my kid’s names, my nieces, my parents, a blue crystal to symbolize my birthstone and a special pendant for my mother, a very special person on my life.

my personal my story necklace

Simon and Lucy want to giveaway another My Story necklace (value $155) this season. Visit Simon and Lucy and tell me what you would include in your necklace. If you are giving this to someone else, what do you think they would include.

EXTRA ENTRIES:

To receive these extra opportunities for entries, you must fulfill the first REQUIRED entry above and please be sure your email in your comment or have it attached to you blogger dashboard. I will not search through About Me/Contact Me links. Please note the changes to the entries or frequency, entries that don’t follow rules will be disregarded/ignored/deleted.

  • Subscribe to LookWhatMomFound…and Dad too! via email or RSS feed
  • Follow Mom and Dad and Simon and Lucy on Twitter and Tweet this giveaway 1 time per day, please leave your twitter link each time, tweet a form of this message: Personalized My Story necklace from @SimonandLucy #giveaway http://bit.ly/bHsoNT
  • Like LookWhatMomFound…and Dad too! and Simon and Lucy on Facebook AND share this giveaway including link on YOUR WALL.
  • Enter another Holiday Gift Guide Giveaway – let me know in a comment which one (one extra entry per giveaway you enter, just leave separate comments)

Your entries must follow the rules or they won’t be eligible for prizes. This contest ends 11:59 pm, Sunday, November 28, 2010. The winners will be emailed and will have 48 hours to claim their prize. This contest is open to US residents only. For complete rules please read our contest rules page. Previous winners of Simon and Lucy contests are not eligible to win.

This is a sponsored post but the opinions and descriptions presented belong solely to LookWhatMomFound…and Dad too! Your experiences and reactions may differ from ours.




Rebagz Redefines Fashion with Recycling

October 18, 2010 by

Reduce Reuse Recycle. We’ve all heard it a hundred times but what does it really mean. Rebagz has it down with their collection of handbags, totes, wristlets and more. All Rebagz Handbags are made using recycled materials AND under fair labor conditions.

Rebagz uses coated recycled paper, recycled PET plastic, recycled juice packs and recycled rice sacks that already have beautiful graphics printed on them. These bags are handmade so may vary slightly than the picture you see online. The Juicy Hand Woven collection is made from-you guessed it-juice pouches so they are water resistant and washable with a simple wipe down. The Rice Sack Graphics line is made from rice sacks that already come beautifully designed, no screen printing is done to these bags.

All rebag. She’s made several trips to ensure her vision is carried through properly. Rebagz is also proud to carry Green America’s Seal of Approval; a unique non-profit dedicated to promoting social justice and environmental sustainability through economic action.

Sabreena was given the Juicy Hand Woven Wrap Around Bag in red. If you know anything about Sabreena you know she’s our advocate for a greener, cleaner more sustainable world. I knew she would love this bag as soon as I stumbled on Rebagz. I personally love the Rice Sack Cinchy Tote either as an all purpose tote or diaperbag or overnight bag. The design is beautiful, the print is feminine and the end result is truly unique.

This is a sponsored post but the opinions and descriptions presented belong solely to LookWhatMomFound…and Dad too! Your experiences and reactions may differ from ours.




Handmade Halloween

October 11, 2010 by

I’m crafty but also really short on time so I leave the handmade goodness to the experts at Etsy. If you’re still looking for awesome Halloween costumes and décor stop by and see what these cool shops have to offer

Instant Dinosaur Costume
Pip and Bean produce oodles of cool costumes not just for Halloween either. My kids dress up everyday, so should yours

Too Many Tutus
I don’t need another tutu in this house but a tutu tote would be perfect for collecting Trick or Treat goodies. Naptime21 has a selection for every style princess you know.

Time for Tea
My mother collects teapots and those made from pottery are her favorite. This year she didn’t get one at our annual Art/Crafts Festival but I think this one would be a perfect addition anytime of the year.

Spiders Aren’t That Scary
Halloween isn’t complete without a creepy spider. Red Pine Designs are handmade using several techniques all of which produce beautiful pieces of stained glass.

This is NOT a sponsored post, the opinions and descriptions presented belong solely to LookWhatMomFound…and Dad too! Your experiences and reactions may differ from ours.




My Story Necklace from Simon and Lucy GIVEAWAY-CLOSED

May 27, 2010 by

Family is so important to me. My kids, my husband, my parents, my siblings and my new little nieces mean the world to me. My new “My Story Necklace” personalized jewelry from Simon and Lucy represents all of these parts of my life in one lovely piece of jewelry.

Simon and Lucy was born out a mom’s desire to create something that represented the things that were most cherished to her; her children. With some hand-me-down tools and a bit of inspiration simple metal shapes and stamps are transformed into family trees and keepsakes.

I was given the opportunity to review a custom “My Story Necklace”. I give up some information about life and those that fill it and the jewelry was designed just for me. Each tag signifies something a little different.

  • Letter B for our last name and then the years of our anniversary and the kid’s birth
  • MomMom for my mother, she’s a very significant part of my children’s lives
  • A beautiful disaster of my the kid’s names, nieces names, my dad, grandfather and grandmother
  • My birthstone
  • Me and my siblings

It’s jingly sound is a pretty but casual touch to everyday. I’ve been stopped and asked what it was and asked to explain each tag and word and their meanings. The “My Story Necklace” is a unique option for mother’s and grandmother’s jewelry.

WIN your own “My Story Necklace” here at LookWhatMomFound..and Dad too!  What special moments/people/things in your life would you want represented on your custom “My Story Necklace”?

EXTRA ENTRIES:
To receive these extra opportunities for entries, you must fulfill the first REQUIRED entry above and please be sure your email in your comment, attached to you blogger dashboard or easily seen on your website/blog. I will not search through About Me/Contact Me links.

  • Subscribe to LookWhatMomFound…and Dad too! via email or RSS feed
  • Leave a relevant comment on a non-giveaway Review, Family Story or Article; let me know where to find your comment.
  • Enter any other current Giveaway for an extra entry for each one entered
  • Follow Mom and Dad on Twitter and Tweet this giveaway 3 times per day, please leave your twitter link each time, tweet a form of this message: Personalized “My Story Necklace” from Simon & Lucy #giveaway @lkwhtmomfound @and_dad_too http://bit.ly/9jqb6N
  • Like LookWhatMomFound…and Dad too! on Facebook
  • Blog about this giveaway, including links to this post and the sponsor as well as a complete description the the contest and prize.
  • Follow LookWhatMomFound…and Dad too! via Google Friend Connect (bottom of page)

Your entries must follow the rules or they won’t be eligible for prizes. This contest ends 11:59 pm, Thursday,  June 17, 2010. The winners will be emailed and will have 48 hours to claim their prize. This contest is open to US residents only. For complete rules please read our contest rules page.

This is a sponsored post but the opinions and descriptions presented belong solely to LookWhatMomFound…and Dad too! Your experiences and reactions may differ from ours.




Strapped Belts blings out 2010 Olympic US Women’s Alpine Skiers

February 24, 2010 by

He always had a love for art but when life left him “strapped” for cash John Frechette was forced to change direction and a new passion was born. Strapped Belts is the result; a store built around fused glass belt buckles, earring, cufflinks and other accessories.

Based in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, Frechette was lucky enough to work with training Olympiads Hailey Duke, Sarah Schleper and Megan McJames. These Team USA Women’s Alpine Skiers were in town getting in some last minute training before their events this week. Strapped Belts hooked up the ladies with great pieces such as belt buckles, rings and earrings. Sticking around for a photo shoot and a tour of the studio the women were excited for the fab gifts

(photos credits to Kelli Baxendale) 

I got the chance to ask Strapped Belts owner/designer a couple questions
What inspires you each day to create something different than the day before?
 The craziest things give me ideas. TV, Magazines, and lots come from friends and fans!

What were you feeling working alongside US Olympic Athletes?
 It was really great. I have been an athlete all my life (nothing close to the Olympics, but I played Hockey all through college) and it made my heart race to think about the opportunity these women have, and how hard they have worked to earn it and be at the Olympics.

If given the chance what winter sport would you choose to train in for the next winter games.
 I have tried with hockey and that didn’t work! I think I would be a snow boarder in the half pipe!

Today is a big day for Women’s Alpine Skiing, it the start Giant Slalom. Lets wish them the best and maybe their Strapped Belts trinkets will work as good luck charms.

Shop Strapped Belts for unique and funky jewelry and accessories and use coupon code OLYMPICS for 25% off your total order.

This is a sponsored post but the opinions and descriptions presented belong solely to LookWhatMomFound…and Dad too! Your experiences and reactions may differ from ours.




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