Felt Mailing Envelopes

"Felt Mailing Envelopes" from Hello! Lucky.

My heart swoons for these felt mailing envelopes. I can just imagine what trinkets could be saved in such a lovely package. Maybe gifts that are swapped back and forth between secret pals. Maybe mementos from a special occasion. Or my favorite... maybe this is how letters to Santa should be sent. (Add some felt holly leaves or candy canes to get in the spirit!) And, maybe with such a fancy envelope, Santa might even be willing to respond with a note of his own.

Nativity Blocks

"Nativity Blocks" from I am Momma - Hear Me Roar.

Another great project from Cheri at I am Momma - Hear Me Roar. I love that this nativity set is kid-friendly, inspiring kids to build and play with the characters. I love that she suggests that older children could help make them--I think that's awesome!

Blessed to Bless bags

"Blessed to Bless" bags from Joy's Hope.

I, too, often feel the awkwardness of giving to people begging on the street. A part of me wants to help and knows that I should help, but I wonder what is the best way to help.

I love that Julie encouraged her extended family to help out in this endeavor after a holiday meal and celebration. That with a few small donations from each person they were able to make a big impact. Could you do something similar at a child's birthday party?

Coupon Books

"Coupon Books" from Good Look Cookbook.

I always love the personalization possible with homemade coupon books. They are also a wonderful way to give the give of time, rather than more Made-In-China crap. I think it would be a wonderful tradition to put a personalized coupon book in each stocking. And, these are some mighty pretty ones, at that!

Picture stand

"Picture Perfect Teacher Appreciation Gift" from Skip to My Lou.

Such a cute gift for those teachers, friends, etc. who need something a little special to remember how much their loved. These photo frames are made by cutting a slit in a wooden ball doorknob.

Dad Rocks paperweight

"Dad Rocks Paperweight" from Crafts by Amanda.

I always struggle with craft gifts for guys, so I definitely want to remember this. It would be super cute as a garden stepping stone, too!

1 and 1 makes a baby

"Wishing you all the best of everything" from Abbey Goes Design Scouting.

Love this Christmas card design she used to introduce her new baby. Would also be a cute idea for a baby announcement!

Stockings

"Of Christmas Past" from Inchmark.

I dream of sewing stockings for my future family, but it seems like it might be a project where I put so much pressure on myself to make them perfect, that I never attempt it at all.

But if my stockings looked half this good--I would consider it a success. I love the embroidered names under the cuff!!

Anonymous Christmas Elf

"Psssst!" by Elizabeth from Write. Click. Scrapbook.

What a wonderful way to share the Christmas spirit! Every year she makes a mix CD of Christmas tunes and then leaves them at public places for unsuspecting people to find. Sometimes she even buys at Target gift card and leaves it on a shopping cart in the parking lot.

Last year Rob was gifted with a pay-it-forward Christmas surprise at the mall, and he thought it was so cool--one of the highlights of the season, in fact. I'd love to be a part of making someone's holiday bright.

With kiddos, they could even help brainstorm where you should leave the surprises, and then of course accompany you as you deliver them around town.

"buzz buzz buzz: bee party" from domestic life.
I have a thing for bumblebees. I like 'em. What a cute party this is for a three-year-old! I love the bee costumes (striped t-shirts and antenna headbands)! And I'm impressed by the bee-themed activities: a pollen (butterscotch candies) hunt and transferring honey (yellow-tinted water) from bucket to jar.

Detective Parties

Nancy Drew Invitations from My Insanity and DIY Detective Invitations from Jordan Ferney via Cookie Nesting Blog.

If I have a daughter, I want her to love Nancy Drew. And, if I have a son, I want him to want to be a spy/detective/forensic science. How much fun would that be? Then, I could plan a fantastic detective party, complete with fingerprint art projects, sleuthing notebooks, mystery solving, invisible ink, mugshots, and crime scene tape decorations!!

red, white, and blue birthdays

"baby j's 3rd birthday bash" and "red+white+blue" from shimandsons.
Love these red, white and blue birthday parties. The pinwheels, mobiles, and pennant are so inspiring for a simple party.

Could be cute for 4th of July as well!!

Last Minute Christmas Tags

"Last Minute Christmas Tags" from inchmark.
What a cute idea for Christmas tags. I love personalized tags--I told my husband this year that if you make the wrapping look cute, then you can get away with giving a "cheaper" gift.

PS: I, of all people, know that it's not about how much the gift costs, but I'm afraid not all of our gift recipients are of like mind!

Awesome Valentines

Lots of awesome class Valentine's cards from DesignMom.
Here, here, here, and here.

Tomorrowland Trees

"Tomorrowland trees" from Wise Craft.
"The secret to making them stand up are the styrofoam cones the tree form slips over I found mine at the local Joanns. You could also make make your own cone shape out of cardstock, or anything sturdy.

Tomorrowland Holiday Trees

Supplies

Tree Templates download here

*Styrofoam cones of various sizes. I used 3 sizes, small- 6" x 2 7/8", med- 9" x 3 7/8", large- 12" x 3 7/8", and sized my paper template to fit these. Use whatever size you want, Keeping in mind that you may have to enlarge or reduce the pattern accordingly.

Fabric of your choice (you want fabric with a little body- home decorator weight or heavier, wool felt, synthetic felt, canvas, felted sweater, etc.)

matching or contrast thread (I used off-white thread for all of them)

embellishments (optional) I used small white crystals and felted wool beads, your imagination is the limit here. Fabric glue works great to attach these, the right fabric glue is like concrete that way.

To Make

1. Make a template of the pattern out of cardstock or heavy paper for easy tracing. As you can see, the tree template is only half a tree, so lay it on a folded piece of paper as indicated to cut a complete tree. Enlargement and reduction sizes are noted.

2. Cut out 2 pieces for each tree.

3. Pin these pieces together, wrong sides together, taking special care to pin at the pointy branches so the edges stay matched up as best they can.

4. Stitch through both layers using a topstitch, 1/2" from the edge, all the way around, but leaving the bottom completely open.

5. Trim a little off the edge all the way around, to neaten up.

6. You are ready to embellish. I only did one side, but you could do both if the trees will be seen from both sides.

These definitely look best in groupings, and they are so easy, why not do a forest? Wouldn't they look pretty with some tiny white lights surrounding them?"

How to make a snowstorm

"How to Make a Snowstorm" from CraftStylish.

"1. Simple labels (1-inch circles) and some dental floss is all you need to make a winter wonderland.

2. Attach the dental floss to the adhesive side of a label.

3. Place a second label over the top of the first, sandwiching the dental floss between the two.

4. Randomly space your labels along the length of dental floss to give your finished snowstorm a natural look.

5. Hang finished strands in front of windows using small pieces of masking tape affixed to the tops of the window frames."

What else can I use iron-on transfers for?

"Gentleman's Travel Shoe Bag" from Spoon Sisters.
"Numbered Napkins" from Susan Fredman At Home.

Paper Evergreens

"Paper Evergreens" from Martha Stewart.
"Step 1-For large Christmas trees, use an adjustable circle cutter to make 2-, 3-, 4-, 5-, and 6-inch-diameter circles from green card stock (for small trees, omit the 6-inch circle).

Step 2-Fold each circle in half 4 times with a bone folder (top). While circles are folded, snip off the tip of each piece, forming a very small hole in center.

Step 3-Place smallest circle on the pointed end of a wooden skewer (we used 12-inch skewers), letting the tip poke through the hole in circle. With a hot-glue gun, dab underside of circle, where paper and skewer meet. Hold for 10 seconds to secure.

Step 4-Working 1 at a time from smallest circle to largest, slide remaining circles onto skewer; secure with glue.

Step 5-Insert bottom of skewer into a spool; remove, and cut skewer to desired height (we cut ours to 6, 9, and 10 inches), keeping in mind that only spool should be visible beneath standing tree. Return skewer to spool; secure with glue. Add a dot of glue to top of skewer, and attach a gold bead."

Easy Paper Candy Favors

"Easy Paper Candy Favors" from Zakka Life.

"Suppplies
3" by 5 1/2" paper
double sided tape - scrapbook type that roll on (you could also use glue)
Flip paper upside down. Fold paper to make a small tab (refer to picture). Where yellow lines are, place double sided tape.

Fold in half to make a little pouch like the picture above. Seal the bottom.

Fill with candy. Squeeze sides togeather to seal. The favor should resemble a triangle.

Done!"

Oven mitts

"New Oven Mitts" from A Thousand Words.

Love this style with the bold print and long arm protection. Think it has velcro to attach it to the rod. Might be cute Christmas presents--do you need to put something special in there to protect from heat?