Creative Gifts {Lady Style}

{Toad's Sweet Gifts}

Looking for great easy gifts?  Here you go!

Meaningful Picture:

Shopping for my mother-in-law can be tricky, so last year I thought I'd do something a little bit different.  She is an avid gardening woman & spends hours in her yard with her plants.  When these tulips came up last year I snapped a snot, stuck it in a little dollar store frame, wrapped it with a ribbon, and gave it to her on Mother's Day. 

She's still talking about it.

Fabric:

If you have a crafty, sewing type mom fabric would be a great gift! Its especially fun if you get coordinating prints like these ones from Riley Blake.  

Camera Coat:

Of course, my personal fave. The best thing to hit the market for your camera since the lens cap.

Twig Frame:

Send those kids out to get some stick and make something pretty with them!  Click on the picture for the tutorial.

Ribbon Belt:

Made one of these for my gram and she loved it. Click on the picture for the tutorial.

Cookie Flower Bouquet:

Complete with printable flowers. 

Apron:

Can't go wrong with a quick & cute apron!  You can see my step by step via the Riley Blake Cutting Corners 101 website. 

Organizer:
Made this for my dad one year, but it would be great for anyone who needs to organize anything!

Hope that helps! 

Love ya!

Toad

Big Can Bouquet!

{Flower Ville}

Do you think its a coincidence that Mother's Day is in May when flowers are in full bloom?  I'm thinking that whoever makes the calendar may have had Mother's in mind when he picked the month!

If you're in a area that fresh flowers are hard to come by, here's a simple solution for that lady you love so much...a Big Can Bouquet of tissue paper flowers!   

Aren't they pretty?!

{Queen Bee}
Last weekend I decorated my little Camera Coat booth for the Queen Bee Market.  Only a few things ever turn out how I imagined, and this is not one of them.  I wrapped up these cans in fabric and then I was going to glue flowers to the to of the lids.  Never happened.  I totally ran out of time.

So the cans sat by themselves on the shelves...which was cute, but not THAT cute.

It wasn't until I got home that I realized how cute these flowers would be IN the cans...but hey, now we know! ;)

{Can Mania}
You may remember these little guys from last year.   I can't get enough of these cute cans and have them all of over my house.

As you can see, this year we upgraded to the Big cans.  Coffee cans will work for this one as well as those food storage cans you have stashed away.  {You could actually do this with the food still in them and they'd be super cute in your cabinet or on your counter!}

You just wrap them up!  

I measured the length and width and then cut the fabric to fit around the can...leaving the edges to overlap a bit.  I used hot glue to stick it on the can {since I have no patience}, but I'm sure Modge Podge or any type of glue would work.

NOTE: Keep in mind you can use these cans for much more than a table centerpiece!!  I have one in my bathroom that hold my brushes and straightener, they'd be awesome with large utensils, or you could even storage things like cotton balls in them!


Now for the flowers. Tissue paper can be found all over the place and you can cut the edges to make the flowers.  {I have another DIY post on how to make these.}  But I got lucky and found these great packaged of tissue paper that were pre-cut around the edges.  This Toad is always looking to speed things up and this saved a step.

Isn't it pretty?

Once you've made your flowers you just stick them in the cans!

So simple & pretty.  

More Mother's Day ideas coming! 
Love ya Mothers!
XOXO-
Toady

Grow a Gift!

{Veggie Gift}

Have you ever wondered what to get that birthday boy or girl?  Usually I dread it...walking up and down the toy aisle with the kids (yuck) trying to get a present that we'll give away (yeah, that always goes over so well).  So lately I've been on a quest to find gifts that will be easy to get and won't just be lost in the toy chest and forgotten.  After all, if I'm going to spend the money I want it to be worth it! 

My aunt Diane is so great about getting meaningful and usually educational gifts for the boys and I love it.  She's given them the Grow a Butterfly kit, ant farms, books like "Everybody Poops", and other super fun and memorable presents.  Following in her footsteps I've found a few "birthday gift gems!"

The first one is a Veggie Tales grow a garden kit! We love those silly, funny,  dancing, & sweet singing vegetables that teach such great lessons...and having a garden full of them put a smile on this mom's face!

It comes with this darling garden tote & tools.

It also comes with everything you need start your own little garden. Mini-style.

April may bring showers, but we'll make the most of it! Talk about a fun, dirt filled afternoon (or at least 1/2 hr :)!

Ethan has already decide what Aidan should draw on his pumpkin.  Aidan has already tried to dig up the seeds.

I guess the lesson of patience will be next!  (And I hope my lack of a green thumb doesn't thwart their efforts!:)

Veggie Tale Garden Kit $9.99 at Walmart.

{Seeing is Believing}

This next find is definitely a step up from sprouting a bean with a paper towel in a plastic bag. (Remember that?)

This Root Viewer has high expectations among these boys...and I'm hoping that these seeds really take root!  (Although if we can't grow something with Miracle Grow on our side we have a real problem...)

No, this is not crushed up Oreos...you may want to let your 3 year old in on that secret before the dirt leaves the container...:)

Another fun-filled gift...watering, waiting, watching...repeat.

This one even comes with a an information triangle full of knowledge!  (This comes in handy when those questions come and you're like me and haven't had a science class in a while...:)

Root Viewer $9.99 Walmart

{Throw It}
I just walked right by these little pedals, not even thinking twice. But Aidan (as usual) had another idea. I giggled as they flew all over the place, including right back into his little face.
No, its not a gift you can give as a present...but just a little gift Aidan gave to me yesterday and one that is always great to pass on...

Enjoying the Moment.

{A&E}
Last one, if you have kids with names that begin with an A or E here's some cookies they might be fond of...

let me know what you end up doing with the I and K's! :)

What gifts do you like to give?!

Love,

Your gift giving Toady

DIY Cute Holiday Gift Tags & Merry Measure

{Glitter & Circles}

Yes, you can.  And its super easy.

Just go gather up a few things:

Cool Cardstock (preferrably with lots of glitter;)
Holiday Stickers
1 3/8" Hole Punch or some scissors to cut circles with
3" Hole Punch or some scissors to cut circles with
A regular hole punch or some scissors to cut circles with
Some string

Optional: 1/4" sticky foam (you can find it at Joann's-its for the "3D" effect!)

{Picture Perfect}

Okay, I'm not going to talk your ears off during this one.  (I know, I know...you can stop gasping!:) I just love how festive and fun these picture are so I'll let them do most of the talking!:)

{Got these darling stickers at Xpedx.  They are from thegiftwrapcompany.com.  I'm in love with their stuff.}

Wait a minute...Perry, how did you get in there? Oh, my 7 year old who couldn't resist taking a snapshot as soon as I set the camera down?  Got it.



Back to business...

Sweet-a-lishious.  And if you get a Camera Coat for Christmas you might just see one of these cute tags come to your doorstep!

{Winter Wonderland}
Oh, and for merry measure...

Riley Blake 2010 Colorful Christmas by My Mind's Eye.  I'm thinking maybe a few festive pillowcases may be in order!:)

{Take a Breath}
I heard the sweetest words today. The ones that cause you to think about what you're doing with your time.

"Mom, can I cuddle with you?" 

So here's a friendly reminder...
The million and one things we do this season will always be there.

Don't forget to stop and cuddle.


Oh, and Happy Tagging!

Love,
"Snuggle" Toad