From the monthly archives: March 2012
There is something special about receiving a handwritten letter. Why? Because in the age of technology it is rare. Consider making an effort to send out at least one letter or card per month to someone you care about. Even a heartfelt short note is a wonderful touch. I call these lunchbox notes.
Here are some ideas to help motivate and inspire:
At a Bridal Shower have the groom secretly write a love letter for the bride prior to the shower and leave it on her place setting. This letter should be kept private unless the bride wishes to share. Never force the bride to read it aloud.- Leave special notes in lunchboxes, on pillows, under place settings, in a wallet or purse, or tucked in a pack of gum.
- Use a dry erase marker and write a note on the mirror.
- Get an empty bottle, add a note and leave in the shower or floating in a bubble bath.
- Leave a note in a book you know they will open soon.
- Use handmade paper and envelopes and write with a calligraphy pen. Seal with wax.
- Make a handmade bookmark and add with note as a special touch.
Need more inspiration? Perhaps this one from Mr. Darcy will help … 
Door: “Why it’s simply impassible.”
Alice: Why, don’t you mean impossible?
Door: No, I do mean impassible (chuckles) Nothing’s impossible!
Lewis Carroll, Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland
Spools of inspiration are a unique gift idea and a perfect touch for any bridal or baby shower. This is also a fun project for kids and adults alike. All you need to do is consider the message you want to share, gather your supplies and begin!
What you need:
- Fabric or Ink Jet Fabric
- Fabric Pen or Ink Jet Printer
- Sewing machine or needle and thread
- Empty wood spool (the one shown is a vintage wood spool)
- Paint, crackle paint (optional) or miniature rubber stamps and ink
- Sealant
- Headpin or eyepin, wire cutters
- Beads (2 or 3)
- Glue
- Straight pin
Directions:
- Decide if you want a plain wood spool or if you want to paint. Rubber stamps look wonderful on wood spools. If you decide to paint then just choose your color. The one shown is crackled (follow manufacturers direction). You can also use chalkboard paint! Let dry.
- Seal the spool (unless you are using chalkboard paint). Let dry.
- Print your message on ink jet fabric or simply write your message on fabric using a fabric pen.You can stitch pieces together like the one shown or simply have a free-flowing piece of fabric. I prefer to stitch them together for a unique look. Make sure the width will fit nicely around the spool. Leave extra fabric at the end to wrap around the spool.
- Once you have your message completed, take the end of the message and glue to the spool. I like using Liquid Fusion because it’s maximum strength, nontoxic, waterproof and fast drying.
- Add a straight pin or decorative safety pin to hold together.
- Take a headpin or eyepin (I used a headpin) and add your beads. Trim the headpin so that it will not be too long. Add glue to the bottom of your beads and slide the head pin through the top hole. Let dry.
- You’re done!
Not everyone will know a reputable beekeeper. But if you find one, take advantage of the opportunity. If you do not have a reliable source then check with your local fresh market as they would most likely offer delicious choices.
Presentation is a big part of gift giving. Try this simple idea to make the recipient feel extra special:
- Place honey in a small basket with a tea towel, fruit, and recipe cards that include honey as an ingredient.
- Print tidbits of information about honey and its uses (see below).
- Bake bread or muffins using honey and place in the basket. Don’t forget to include the recipe!
- Make a homemade lip balm and add a handmade tag (recipe below).
- Add a book with recipes using honey.
- For less than fifteen dollars you can present a lovely and thoughtful gift. Perfect as a hostess gift.
Want to learn more? Keep reading.
- Most beekeepers do so as a hobby to produce honey for their families and for a small source of extra income.
- Worker bees leave the hive and collect flower nectar which will become honey in the hive. Unfortunately pesticides used in gardening can kill an entire hive.
- Honey, if properly sealed, is the only food that never spoils.
- When honey crystallizes it can return to its liquid state when heated.
- When measuring honey, 1 cup will weigh 12 oz.
- Honey is a wonderful humectant. Try this: add water to your fingertips and face, then add a dab of honey and gently apply to your face. Lightly pat dry. Add a moisturizer.
- Honey lip balm: 3 tbs. almond oil, 1 tbs. coconut oil, 1 tbs. beeswax (grated), 1 tsp. honey. Warm oil and beeswax over low heat until wax melts. Remove from heat, add honey and stir well. Pour in small glass jar. Allow to cool while stirring occasionally. Store in cool place.
Handmade gift tags are unique and a fun project for the entire family. Spend quality time together and see just how creative you can be!
Ideas:
- Make a miniature coat hanger out of wire and sew on your tag.
- Use fun quotes like this one (right) that I made up for a friend.
- Use old envelopes and greeting cards.
- Cut silhouettes out of paper.
- For a rustic look use paper bags and rubber stamps.
- Sew fabric together and make a pocket to insert a kind note.
- Sketch.
- Stitch the shape of a flower and fill in with water color.
- Make a bird out of vintage print.
- Use chalk board paper and write a message with chalk.
- Make a collage and cut out words from a magazine or book with the sentiments you wish to express.
- Make a paper doll that represents the character of the recipient.
- Cut passages out of old books.
- Find a leaf or wide stick and write a message using a sharpie.
- String yarn or twine across a card with glue. Add buttons to the corners and use mini clothes pins to hold special messages or add mini laundry cut out from paper.
- Use tags for showers, gifts, jars, organization, or simply fill a bag with a variety of gift tags and give to a friend!
A Bridal Shower is a special occasion but can be overwhelming for the host if not properly organized.
Here are a few tips to help keep a Bridal Shower running smooth:
- Always set a budget and make every effort not to exceed it.
- Make sure you have enough help. By asking close family and friends to be involved you can delegate tasks and spread out responsibilities. For example, you could ask a family member to be in charge of games or to bring the party favors. This will help off-set costs and stress.
- Ask the bride a few questions regarding her preferences if you are unsure, but keep it to a minimum. You don’t want to stress the bride by asking her to make more decisions!
- Decide how many guests you will have. It is important to include RSVP information in your invitation so you have an idea how many guests to expect. Unfortunately providing RSVP information is not full-proof. You will have many who will respond at the last minute. This is not a big problem unless you are having a sit-down luncheon verses a buffet and scattered seating.
- If you have a large number of guests, a buffet luncheon might be your best option. Sit-down brunches are ideal for smaller gatherings.
- Plan the location and time. Consider ambiance and size needed. A back yard if the weather is nice makes a perfect setting. Don’t be restricted by tradition. Morning, afternoon, and early evening showers are all great choices.
- Set up a gift area that should include comfortable seating for the bride. Leave a pen, notebook, and trash bag under the chair so that you are prepared to throw away the gift wrapping as the bride-to-be opens gifts. The pen and paper will be handy to keep track of the gifts and givers for thank you notes.
Game Suggestions:Be careful not to put your guests on the spot. If you wish your guests to say something in front of a crowd, it is best to prepare them. You most likely will have a multitude of personalities so be considerate of all your guests. I prefer to use games that are non-intrusive.
- Guess How Many? For this bridal shower we used marshmallows because the groom was quite fond of them.
- Advice for the Bride-to-be. Not exactly a game but it does provide an activity where guests write inspiring words of advice or quotes for the bride-to-be without having to stand in front of an audience. It is also a nice keepsake for the bride. For this shower we provided a mailbox and sheets of prepared journal pages that was later bound to a personalized altered art journal.
- He Said She Said. Ask the bride and groom a series of the same questions. Pick the answers you wish to use and have them prepared on paper. I usually add a silhouette of a girl and boy that the guests can circle. I also point out that the answer could be both!
- Hide a tag under a seat that reads “Congratulations” or something similar. The person who sits in the seat receives a prize.
- What’s in Your Purse? I usually have this typed up and handed out to guests. List at least 25 – 50 items that might be in a purse. The more common items would receive the least points and more unusual items more points. Whoever receives the most points wins. (i.e. lipstick, moisturizer, notebook, tea bag, screwdriver, picture of your mother-in-law, etc.)
Cottage bracelets are fiber art bracelets pieced together using threads, strings, yarn, scraps of ribbon, fabrics, buttons, beads and jewels to create a lovely cuff bracelet. The white bracelet I made (on left) was created from scraps of a vintage doily, feathers, fabric, felt, ribbons and pearls. A button is used for fastening. The pink cuff bracelet (below) is more intricate and took more time to create.
Supplies
- Sewing Machine and/or Needle and Thread
- Scraps of fabric, ribbon, yarn, strings, feathers
- Buttons, beads, pearls, jewels
- Felt
- Elastic or a covered elastic hair band
Directions
- Take a piece of felt and cut to the width you prefer. I use between a 1″ width and a 2″ width.
- Then measure your wrist for fitting. Add an extra inch.
- Decide on a color scheme and go on a treasure hunt around your house or in craft bins for the perfect colors to compliment your choice.
- The sewing process begins by finding a heavier piece of fabric or cotton fabric doubled. I cut this fabric using my felt piece as a template.
- Place pieces of cut up fabric, ribbons, and threads onto this fabric in a way that is visually appealing. Sew together. Your goal is to create an interesting new piece of fabric out of a variety of scraps.
- Cut a piece of elastic or an elastic hair band in half, fold and sew this piece on one end, between your newly created piece of fabric and the felt piece. (approx. 1.5″)
- Finish sewing the felt piece onto the finished fabric piece.
- Add extra ribbons, fabric flowers, pearls, jewels, etc.
- Measure the bracelet around your wrist and add a button in the appropriate place. The button is used to fasten the elastic and secure on your wrist. Make sure not to make it too tight.
- Enjoy!
real simple subscription
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