neighbor gift 2011

I love the look of luminaries. This is what we did for our neighbor gifts this year. We gave everyone a luminary kit.

5-white paper bags

5-tealights

about a pound of birdseed or kitty litter.

It was so fun to drive around the neighborhood and see all the luminaries.

Jewelry Stands

This is what I made my YW for Christmas this Year. A cute little Jewelry "stand". I attached a cute little pair of earrings to the card.

They are so simple to make. Just like making the cake stands (SEE HERE)

All you need is a glass candlestick holder, a cute picture frame with a little bit of a raised edge, some cute scrapbook paper or fabric, and E6000 glue.

Put your cute paper in the frame and then glue the candlestick to the bottom of the frame. Don't use a glue gun it will not stick and will pop off over time. The E6000 is very durable and dries pretty quickly. I recommend letting it dry at least 24 hours.

The frames I used held a 5x7'' picture.

I made each of them in their favorite color. This was the 2010 YW theme but I added the words STAND TALL to help tie in my jewelry STANDS.

I think it would be a cute friend gift too. You could put a cute picture of their friends in the frame instead of paper.

Tutorial: Crayon Roll

Cut (2) pieces of Fabric 8.5'' x 16.5"

(I used 1 patterned and 1 plain)

Put Pretty Sides together and sew 1/4'' seam around entire rectangle. Leaving a 2'' gap un-sewn so you can turn it inside out.
Turn inside out, and sew shut the 2'' gap you left to turn inside out.
Iron
Fold Fabric 1/3 of the way to create a little Pocket.
Iron

I put my elastic right where my little "pocket" is and sew it in the pocket about 0.5''
Then go around entire rectangle with a 1/4'' seam (top stitch) just to finish it off nice.

Now to get the little Crayon pockets.
I just use a piece of masking tape and sew vertically along that line. Then move the masking tape to my next seam and sew another line.
You could get a fabric marker and draw perfect lines to sew on exactly 1'' a part.
But the masking tape is faster for us lazy, non-technical sewers!


That's it.
Put your crayons in their individual little pockets.

roll it up and wrap your elastic around the roll.

These would make cute little stocking stuffers, or little preschooler friend gifts.

subway art

I am loving all the subway art I've seen online.

So I made some up for the holidays.

What an easy neighbor or friend Christmas Gift.

Just print it (these are 8x10), then put it in a cute frame. EASY

I think it would look so cute on a canvas too. (see here)

Dry-erase board

What an easy way to "make" a dry-erase board
Supplies: Frame w/glass (I got mine at Wal-mart for $3), scrapbook paper or fabric cut to the size of your frame, and a dry-erase maker. Pretty simple but oh so cute!

(just put your paper or fabric in the frame instead of a picture)

I put the orange paper in mine for fall. You could change the paper for a whole new look with each season.

I added the vinyl "good job!" on the glass. What a fun way to remind your family they are doing a good job! Just keep it on your kitchen table and write a "good job!" for the day, ("good job" on your spelling test, "good job" on the delicious dinner), then erase with a paper towel.

I thought this would be a cute, cheap, and easy Christmas gift. Perfect for friends, YW, VT, neighbors, or family.

other ideas for vinyl: Good Job, Groceries, Reminder, weekly Menu, goals, or Thank You!