Button Hair Clips

Dear Reader,

All has been silent on the blog for more than a week as our family recovered from the stomach flu.  Each of us took our turn, and we are so grateful to be on the other side of that.  No fun.

I have had in mind a little project for a few weeks.  I read Jami Nato's blog and have wanted to try out her fabulous idea for button hair clips.  I finally put some together this week and couldn't be happier with the result.  Cute.  Colorful.  Inexpensive.  What is not to like?!!

supplies: buttons, hair clips, and super glue

glue.  drying.

done.  pillow box for a few sets.  ribbon + a clip for decoration.

These will certainly come in handy for Easter baskets, birthday gift extra somethings, and big sister gifts when friends have new babies.  And, of course, I have a little girl whose hair would benefit from a hair clip now and then.

I'm linking up with Tatertots and Jello.  Hope your weekend is a great one (and germ free) - that's what I'm hoping for also!

Wrapping

Dear Reader,

I'm noticing all of these advertisements for the 12 days before Christmas and realizing just how soon this holiday will arrive.  I am trying to savor and anticipate.  I could mention many moments this last week that are so worth treasuring.  To be honest, I am also trying to check things off my ongoing "to do" list.  One of my favorite "to do" list items is gift wrapping.  I am not necessarily very creative or innovative in my approach, but I do enjoy the activity of wrapping.

This year many of our gifts have been packaged using the same formula (stamped kraft bag + red tissue + stamped tag + ribbon).  I actually love the simplicity of the result and think I may find a similar way to repeat next year. 

Back to School Care Package

Dear Reader,

I love buying school supplies.  I had fun with the experience as a child (shopping with my mom and the list provided by my school) and now enjoy thinking toward that experience with my son.  There is a wonderfully fresh feeling about starting the year off with new notebooks, ink pens that have a lot of writing-life in them, and pencils with completely unused erasers.

Over the last few years, I have tried to put together care packages for some family and friends who are starting a new year of school.  I find it a great opportunity to let them know that you're thinking of them, especially with extended family and friends to whom I don't send a birthday card or Christmas gift during the year.

I'm working on the finishing touches for a package headed out this week to a friend of ours, a young woman who is starting at a new school this year.  Here are a few of the standards that are making their way into the package:

{composition notebooks, highlighters, pens, dictionary, sticky notes, and a felt flower clothespin}

 And I also worked on a craft to send along - a pencil case.  I painted and then added decorative paper to the lid.  I sealed the box, hot glued a felt bottom to the box, and then added a mini chalkboard embellishment to the top.  The pencils are inside and ready to be sharpened!

I remember my back to school experiences always feeling somewhat bittersweet - excitement about a new academic year and what experiences to consider ahead, and yet also sad to let go of the carefree conditions of summer.  I imagine that words of encouragement, a thinking of you note, or small package may be a nice boost with school days and homework ahead.

I'm linking up with Heather today for Life Made Lovely Monday!

Tutorial: Fabric Framed Sign Art

Dear Reader,

I decided to try out a craft project this weekend with some extra linen from the wreath project and an old wall hanging frame that was sitting in our storage room.   Here is the result:

There are so many possibilities of art that could be crafted together in a similar way for gift giving.  A 5" letter followed by a name for a nursery (example: A, Abi), the name of a couple and their wedding date, a family name and the established date as a housewarming, etc.   Below are the steps to this project:

1. Gather supplies.  You'll need: one frame, one piece of foam board or cork board, fabric, chipboard letters, hot glue gun, scissors, pencil, ruler, spray paint, and any embellishments (I used ribbon.)

2. Begin by spray painting the chipboard letters.  They will likely need two coats of paint.  I used an ivory satin paint.

 
3. Take apart the wall hanging frame.  You will need the actual frame and the backing, but the glass and any matting will not be used. Using the frame's back, trace the size of the frame on the foam board with a pencil and cut.  Then take the foam board and cut fabric to size, leaving an additional inch on each side to fold over the fabric.

4. Hot glue the fabric to the foam board by wrapping the additional fabric around the back side of the foam board and placing a thin bead of glue around the perimeter of the fabric to attach.  With my project, I added the ribbons prior to adding the chipboard letters to help define the placement of the lettering.  Hot glue the ends of the ribbons to the back of the foam board, making certain to pull taut as you glue.

5. Lay out the lettering and use a ruler for even positioning of letters.  Hot glue letters to the fabric.

And that's it.  This was an easy project that I am likely to repeat.  Please feel free to contact me if any additional details would be helpful.

The Sincerely Abi sign is now on an easel in our office.  I've tucked a few business cards in the ribbons, and the sign is a nice reminder of the fun that I have with the shop and blog.

Sincerely,
Abi

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Bargain Shopping

 

Dear Reader,

My son and I spent a bit of time at Old Navy this morning combing through their clearance items.  I came across these metal lunchboxes (for $2 each) and decided I needed to purchase them, of course!  Getting ready for back to school in February?  Nope, I'm actually thinking that these boxes would be excellent for gifts.  I haven't decided if I will use them for baby gifts (maybe filling the box with some fun patterned burp clothes, onesies, or even a set of blocks perhaps!) or for a child's birthday (adding a great crayon roll or wooden toy.)  Lots of possibilities. 

I love coming up with gift ideas that are a bit unique and unexpected.  My morning finds certainly fit the bill.

Sincerely,
Abi