|
I don't know about you, but I love it when a friend surprises me with a hostess gift. It's not something that is required and certainly not something that I expect, but it sure does make me feel special when someone takes the time to do something just for me.
In This Newsletter
 |
Was this newsletter forwarded to you?
Want it delivered to your inbox every three weeks?
Sign up here |
In this newsletter, you'll get my ideas for heartfelt hostess gifts. You'll meet crafter Norma Addison and read about what she's working on right now. You'll lend a helping hand by answering a few crafty questions. You'll get reader-supplied ideas for making a sweet 16 birthday card and also for transforming coffee containers into useful projects. You'll learn how readers just like you keep their creativity going strong. Plus, you'll be given free instructions to make a Thanksgiving Ribbon Doily (a perfect hostess gift!), courtesy of e-PatternsCentral.com.
Back to top.
Lesson Learned
One Friday night this past September, we had friends over for pizza. These are friends we frequently see, so I never imagined I would be given a hostess gift for such a casual evening. Much to my surprise, they brought me a beautiful flowering mum plant. Not only did it add a personal touch to the evening, but it brightened my spirits for days afterward. Every time I walk past it on my kitchen table, I smile and think of the fun we had that evening.
That mum plant taught me an important lesson: Never underestimate how powerful a small heartfelt gesture can be. More times than I'd like to admit, I let my busy schedule get in the way of doing something special for someone. For many of us, Thanksgiving kicks off a period of time when our evenings and weekends are soon to be chock-full of get-togethers. Now is the time to plan ahead and get organized for the events to come. Write down the events you will most likely be attending during the holidays; then, set aside a few hours in November so you'll have a stash of hostess gifts at your fingertips.
Back to top.
Quick & Easy Hostess Gifts!
Here are some ideas to get you going:
| 1) |
Goodies for the Home -- I have learned from my mom that a set of handmade coasters makes a great hostess gift. She loves rug hooking and will often hook a set tailored to the colors of the person's home or a set with a seasonal design (her snowman coasters are always a hit!). Make the coasters using your craft of choice, stack them and then tie them together with ribbon. Attach a handmade tag for a finishing touch.
Looking for a bright idea? Give a candle! Dress up a plain pillar candle or create a holiday scent box. The nice thing about pillar candles is that they are readily available in all shapes and sizes at your local hobby store or at stores such as Target or Wal-Mart.
For a dressed-up pillar candle, first choose a tall candle in the color and scent of your choice. Then pick out a piece of paper (use card stock or handmade paper) that will be wrapped around the candle. If you want this gift to have a Christmas feel, go with red or green. Cut one piece to wrap around the candle, leaving enough room for the ends to overlap a little. Depending on the candle's height, you will want the height of the paper to be about three inches.
The next step is to embellish a small square of paper (cream-colored card stock works well) that will serve as the main design. This piece will be decorated (use stamps, watercolor pencils, rub-on transfers, stickers, etc.) and then attached to the center of the wrap. Center the square on the wrap, glue in place and then place the wrap snuggly around the candle, gluing the ends of the wrap together. For a pretty presentation, place the candle in a clear cellophane bag and tie closed with ribbon. Note that this candle is for decorative purposes only and should not be lit with the paper still attached.
For a holiday scent box, buy a small papier-maché box that will hold four votive candles. Next decide on the box's theme. A few ideas for Thanksgiving are Bountiful Harvest, Family & Friends or Spiced Cider. A few ideas for Christmas are Home for the Holidays, Christmas Kitchen or Fresh Greens. Next choose scented votives to fit the theme. Then decorate the box, nestle the votives inside (if desired, place a clear votive holder in the center) and attach a handmade tag that states the theme.
|
| 2) |
Tummy Ticklers -- Kitchen containers and jars (glass or plastic) are perfect places to house hostess gifts. For a quick and easy gift, fill with homemade cookies, granola, trail mix or a drink mix (flavored hot cocoa, spiced cider). Or use rub-on transfers to decorate a glass jar and then fill it with individually wrapped peppermint sticks.
Another tummy-tempting idea is to give a box of chocolates. You can make your own box by using a box template, or you can use a store-bought box. Decorate it, and then fill with handmade chocolates or use store-bought boxes. One thing to note is that artisan chocolates are really easy to find these days, and many are packaged beautifully (Target's Choxie brand is one that comes to mind). So if you're really in a time crunch, you can simply buy a box and go! For a really decadent treat, whip up a batch of Peanut Butter Smore Tarts. Click here for the recipe.
To give your hostess something to look forward to in the morning, make a loaf of homemade bread and include a bag of flavored coffee. Try the irresistible Apricot Nut Loaf featured here. Decorate a gift bag and tuck the coffee inside.
|
| 3) |
When in Doubt, Add a Personal Touch! -- One thing I know for sure is that a personal touch makes all the difference. Even a wine bottle, for example, can be made unique when you add an extra touch. Place the bottle in a decorated gift bag, or tie a handmade tag (use the first initial of the hostess's last name) or holiday ornament (a handmade beaded snowflake ornament works great) around the neck.
A timely idea for a holiday party is to burn a "From Our Family to Yours" CD filled with your favorite holiday songs. The hostess will be probably pop it into the CD player right away for everyone to enjoy. Another personalized gift that will be put to use right away is a set of monogrammed note cards or holiday thank-you notes or gift tags.
|
| 4) |
Make It a Family Affair -- My 2-year-old has recently begun branching out and watching movies in addition to cartoons (thank goodness!). Her two favorites are Charlotte's Web and Because of Winn-Dixie. This has been such a cute transition in our household that we have begun having family movie nights. After her bath, we put together a little snack and then we all sit on the couch and watch about a half an hour of a movie. During the holidays, when family time is at a premium, why not treat the hostess and her family to a movie night? Buy a gift card to a local video store and then make a cute card to go with it. Then, decorate a paper wrapper to go around a bag of microwave popcorn. Tuck the gift card inside the card and then attach the card to the top of the popcorn bag. |
What do you consider to be the perfect hostess gift? Please fill out my easy feedback form and let me know!
Back to top.
Reader Spotlight: Take Five
NAME: Norma Addison
AGE: 58
HOMETOWN: Preston, England
| 1) |
What time of day are you at your creative best?
Anytime, but mainly when I feel stressed. Being creative is my way of relaxing. |
| 2) |
How do you get into a creative zone? Are there certain mood-setting items (music, food, etc.) that help put you in a creative frame of mind?
I like to put a good light over my work area. I also like to have all my items on hand, so my desk is filled with shelves with lots of containers on them. Peace and quiet is also important! |
| 3) |
How do you squeeze crafting into your busy life?
I would rather craft than do the housework. I have to tear myself away from crafting to do the dishes! |
| 4) |
What are you working on now?
I am making beaded necklaces at the moment, in between quilting four cushion covers for my living room. Then I must make my Christmas cards. |
| 5) |
What three tools could you not live without?
A good pair of scissors, roller glue and a good light. |
This could be you! Please fill out my easy feedback form if you'd like to be the featured reader in an upcoming newsletter. Put "Take Five" in the subject line of your e-mail.
Back to top.
Readers to the Rescue: Questions of the Month
This month we have two questions:
| 1) |
What gifts are you making this holiday -- for friends, family, co-workers, teachers? |
| 2) |
Reader Norma Lewis writes -- I have crafted for over 40 years and have always tried new things, but now I feel burned out. Has anyone ever felt this way, and what did you do to get past it? |
Want to weigh in on the above questions? Or, do you have a question of your own?
Fill out my easy feedback form and let me know.
Back to top.
Readers Weigh In: Birthday Card Ideas & Crafting With Coffee Containers!
In the last newsletter (click here to read that newsletter), I included a question from reader Kayron Howard. She said, "I need some ideas for a 16th birthday card." Below you'll find a few of the fun ideas readers sent my way:
- Shesu Quintz shares: I always liked the song Sixteen Candles by The Crests. My idea is to put a cake on the front of the card and make sure there are exactly 16 candles. For a funny touch, put the candles on every-which-way (even upside down if you want). And then, since I'd be surprised if they've heard the song, include a copy of the song on a CD with the card!
- Rockie Hudson shares: Find something they liked each year from age 1 through 16 and then make a "memory card" showing them how much they have grown up, and how their ideas/likes are changing with them. Or use the letters in their name to spell out their good qualities. For example: (Jessica) J=Joyful, E=Enlightened, S=Smart, S=Sensible, I=Intelligent, C=Calm, A=Ambitious. When it is personalized, it tends to have more meaning.
- Maria Smith shares: I made this card for my friend's son's 16th birthday. On the front I printed, "What a 16-year-old wants for his birthday," and then attached a photo of a race car. On the inside I printed, "What a 16-year-old gets for his birthday," and then attached (with repositionable tape) a money origami shirt and pants (instructions for these can be found online). I embellished the front and the inside to match the theme. Both my friend and her son got a kick out of the card. And of course, he liked the gift of money!
I also included a question from readers Marcy Clark and Delores Figuly. They were both looking for ways to craft with coffee containers. Here are some of the ideas readers sent my way:
- Julia Simpson shares: I make piggy banks. I paint the cans white and then glue on scrap material or fancy knitting yarns. My 5-year-old granddaughter likes to help! They make great gifts, and there is no limit as to what you can put on the cans to make each one special.
- Vera Fernandes: Here's a great idea I found a couple of years ago. Use five large coffee cans to make a great family/dining room ottoman. Fabric can be casual or formal with various types of embellishments. Glue the cans together; add a foam core between each can where glued; add foam to the top and a wood-plank bottom; add feet and cover it in your favorite fabric and trim.
- Jennifer Harmon shares: You can use coffee containers to make toy drums, hold rock collections or as toy containers. You can also label them for storing pasta, sugar, flour, etc. Or place a crocheted doily on the bottom and punch holes in the side for storing garlic. Being a pack rat, I see potential with anything recyclable! If you're a school teacher, let the kids in class decorate them and use them for art-supply storage.
- Katie Carico shares: I've had an idea in the back of my mind for a while now that I thought would be fun to sell or give. I even have a dozen or more large coffee cans waiting to be used! Use a larger coffee can to make a felt play-set for a child. Cover the outside of the can with felt (use a good background color related to the piece you make to go inside). Make various felt pieces to be stored in the can. Sets could include letters and numbers with a black background like a chalkboard. You could include a doll with outfits (make a fairy-tale set with a princess, prince, frog, witch and other related characters). Make a set that includes wheels and car parts. The felt can be decorated with markers or stitches, and can be simple or detailed.
Making Your Creative Life Work!
Here are some ideas readers recently sent my way for how they get the most out of their creativity:
- Joyce Hardie shares: When my crafting juices are stagnating, that's the time I break out an everything-included craft kit. This way, I can sit down and do something without having to prepare. By the time I finish, my creative juices are flowing again! (Editor's Note: Click here to learn about the Creative Woman Kit-of-the-Month Club.)
- Laura Bernier shares: I find creative inspiration in various ways: a change of scenery; the change of seasons; bouncing ideas around with a creative friend or a stranger in a craft store; looking through magazines; catalogs or online; or looking through my stash of supplies for ideas. I've also scheduled craft projects to motivate myself, and many ideas have come from considering the likes and interests of the intended recipient. Some of the ideas that come to me are surprising.
- Lisa Hawthorne shares: I get a tall glass of Dr. Pepper or tea, my newest magazines or books, a notebook, and start planning. Sometimes I get out dozens of pieces of cloth and start to experiment with my ideas. Sometimes they work, other times they don't, but it is fun and I learn something new every time I do this.
- Jana Hunter shares: I love to crochet. I am a teacher living in Saudi Arabia. My crochet bag (and current project!) goes with me to school, where I crochet on the playground while my class is having recess. I often have a crowd of kids around me wanting to see what I am doing! I also take my current project into Ta'if with me. Here, everything closes for prayer time five times a day. If I am in town to shop and know a prayer time will be part of my time spent there, I simply plop down on a step, curb or wherever, and take up my hook! Naturally I do all of my different crafts at home as well, but find that crochet is very portable.
- Myra McElveen shares: I try to keep a small notebook in my purse. Sometimes you go somewhere and see tiles on a floor in a certain design, and wow, a new quilt pattern!
Back to top.
Free Project: Thanksgiving Ribbon Doily
This month's free pattern comes to you courtesy of e-PatternsCentral.com. Shop now for hundreds of one-of-a-kind craft patterns -- all available for instant download! Click here for instructions to make the featured Thanksgiving Ribbon Doily.
Back to top.
|
