Great DIY Christmas gift ideas ... Add more if you'd like!

It's that time of year again when we start pondering (struggling) about what to get our loved ones for Christmas. You think of some really great ideas and then head online or to the store and then .. it happens... sticker shock! The ginormous amount of money spent at Christmas time can be overwhelming (and so can the numerous trips to the store!).   I'm here to try and help you a little ... a few Do It Yourself project that are perfect for Christmas gifts and are inexpensive ..but will mean lots to the person getting the gift!

 Let's first talk about leg warmers. It doesn't get much easier than this one. First, visit either your closet or a nearby thrift store and find a sweater you no longer want or need. Make sure that the arm holes (where your wrist and lower arm would be) are stretchy because this will be the end that will sit up by your knee/leg. Here we go ...grab a sweater and lets do this!

 

Grab a sweater or two!

 

Next- cut the sleeves off the sweater (straight across under the arm pit!)

 Now..if you want to get all fancy and like things to look perfect , you can hem up the raw edge of the sweater (the edge that used to be near the underarm).  Don’t be scared off with the word “hem” which means “sew”.  It’s not complicated..it involves a straight stitch on a sewing machine and it takes about 60 seconds.

Voila …slip them on or wrap them up as a handmade gift!

 

Now, don’t throw the rest of the sweater away just yet!  We’re going to also make a matching cowl (given the sweater is large enough on the bottom portion of the sweater).  Here we go!

           

 

Step 1: Cut from bottom of armpit to armpit.

Step 2:  Stitch or hand sew along the edge to keep fabric from unraveling.

Step 3: Fold edge under and stitch along the edge of fold.

Step 4: You’re done! Double up around your next as an accessory / protection from the cold.

 

Next…slip it on or wrap it up in gift wrap!!

 

 

 

HAND WARMERS

The next logical DIY craft is hand warmers ….so go grab a few pair of new socks (or I guess you could grab some old ones but only if you’re NOT going to gift them!) and here we go!

 For long socks:

Cut off just the toes and then snip a small hole in the heal of the sock.

Voila!  The raw edge should fold itself down automatically.

 

For shorter socks:

                                                          Snip below the heel instead! 
Then it’s just a matter of making a thumb hole in the right spot (use your hand as a guide).

 

How about something simple but thoughtful?  How about a nice latch jar filled with crayons for the little ones in your life?  Their parents will thank you!  No more crayons being fetched from under the stove..or refrigerator…or who knows where?? Add a fancy bow to the top, add their name to the jar!

How about a baked goods jar with a cute fabric cover, tied with leather roping?

 

 

Or for the seamstress (or single man!!) in your life:

  

Another great gift for little children!! Sparkle Play Dough!

 

Homemade Sparkling Playdough Recipe

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup salt
• 2 cups water
• 1 Tablespoon oil
• 1 teaspoon cream of tartar
• food coloring
• glitter

1) Add food coloring to water for easiest, even distribution. This is especially helpful if you're using a gel or paste food coloring.

 2) Place flour, salt, colored water, oil, and cream of tartar in a large saucepan. Cook over medium high heat, stirring constantly, until it turns into playdough.

3) Turn dough out onto the counter to let sit until it's cool enough to knead. Flatten a bit on the counter, and sprinkle generously with glitter. Knead the glitter into the playdough. If you want more sparkle, repeat this step.

4) Store in an airtight container. One batch of this recipe filled four jam-jars perfectly.

 

How about some super cute treats to bring to gatherings?

                                    

Bite-sized bits of North Pole magic are just what your holiday party needs! This delectable balance of salty and sweet is a wonderful way to give everyone an irresistible taste of the Christmas spirit.

Ingredients

·         Mini Twist Pretzels

·         White Chocolate Almond Bark

·         Red Sanding Sugar

·         Mini Marshmallows

Instructions

1.      Melt the white chocolate almond bark according to the directions on the package.

2.      Dip each mini twist pretzel halfway into the melted white chocolate almond bark.

3.      Dip each almond bark covered pretzel into the red sanding sugar until only a small amount of the almond bark is showing. Place on waxed paper.

4.      Cut the mini marshmallows in half. Use additional melted almond bark to adhere a mini marshmallow half onto the side of each pretzel. Allow time for the almond bark to set.

 

FINALLY...my favorite…for the love in your life… you CAN’T go wrong with this one.  BIG brownie points.  This would be a good one to print off and leave lying around the house as a huge HINT for your husband!

 

1. Find some playing cards! These fabulous cards from Ellusionist shown here are great as they have a pre-aged Vintage look.
2. Scuff them up with some sandpaper to give them a used feel as well as a used look
3. Create a template with one of the spare cards (for example one of the Jokers)
4. Punch two holes in each cards using the template as a guide
5. Create your reasons labels to attach to the cards - detailed information below. Use another Joker card to create the front cover.
6. Using double sided tape and/or glue - attach the inserts to the cards. Using glue will take longer to dry and will stiffen the cards up adding more dimension.
7. Create all 52 of your reasons cards and let the glue dry
8. Thread onto book rings and voila…perfect!

I hope you enjoyed and hope you make some of these creative, fun DIY project for Christmas.  I know I will!

      Be Well!!

Amy

 

 

 

 

 

New additions to LS!

Sometims life gets so busy that before you know it, you're completely tangled up in the web of life.  Once in awhile, you slow down a bit and take a look around ...and ... you see more clearly and you breath.

It'll be two years in April that I started Little-Snuggle Boutique.  I remember I started off by putting a few of my sewing creations on Etsy... and I would stalk the page looking to see if anyone was looking at my baby items... and waiting patiently for a sale.  Yes, it shows you how many times your item hs been viewed by others (worst.feature.ever for me!!).   Oh my gosh..it seemed like forever .. and then I got my first sale ...and ..it was to a gal in Great Brittan. I was so excited.. I finally had a sale and it was even an international sale!!  From there, things slowly trickled in ... life wasn't so busy for me and I was able to enjoy my little ones and still do my hobby.  How lucky I was ... and I knew it and I appreciated it. 

Here I am 2 years later ... sometimes getting caught up in things and having those moments where I've seemingly lost track of what matters most to me...my family.  It's sometimes really tough to run a business and balance it with family.  I'm one of those people who listens to those that are older than me... I listen when they tell me that life goes by quickly, that children grow up way too fast and to spend every free moment with them.  That you not only need to cherish the "firsts" in your childrens lives but you also need to hold on to the memory of the "lasts" ..the last time they use a bottle.. the last time they need a sippy cup, the last time they NEED to be tucked in, etc.  I get that and I believe ALL of it.

Little-Snuggle is my release.. my chance to take something simple and make something beautiful from it.  I'm not doing this for the money (have you seen how expensive yarn is lately!!!??), I'm not doing this because I have to... I do it becuase I love doing it and I love using the talents that God has given me.  My business has grown substantially over this past year... I have awesome customers, period.  Recently I've been scratching my head trying to figure out how I'm ever going to get caught up or keep up with the custom orders that are coming in.  For those of you who know me well, I never rush through a project "just to get it done" ..each item I make gets my full, undivided attention.  I thought about cloning myself but I'd hate for there to be another one of me around;)  So I did the next logical thing ..took a step back and decided I needed some help.  I needed someone that loved making handmade things as much as I do, someone who makes them not becuase they HAVE to but because they love to.  There is a huge difference in quality of someone making things because they have to, and someone who is making things because they want to.  So this person needed to be someone who had passion and talent.  It took me about 2 seconds to figure that out... a good friend of mine (also named Aimee, just spelled the wrong way...ha!) is a wonderful knitter .. and she doesn't knit because she has to or needs to, she does it because that's what she loves to do.  She is very talented.  I immediately sent her a message (literally dug out my phone and sent her a text at that very moment) and asked if she'd be interested in adding her line to Little-Snuggle...and the rest is history! 

I never ask for help ... but seriously ..I only have 2 hands and no matter how much I love making things for others, I can only do so much and I really owe it to my customers to have a nice variety of things to choose from, shorter wait times, etc.  Up until now, I handmade every single item that I sold.   Adding Aimee's line to Little-Snuggle makes perfect sense... customers will have more to choose from and hopefully it'll give me time to get caught up and stay caught up with orders and also spend a little more time with my little girls and that amazing husband of mine.

It will be a couple of weeks of preparing and getting everything ready and set up to bring Aimee's items in.  You'll be able to custom order directly through Little-Snuggle and/or purchase items from my Etsy store.  Our combined efforts will give customers more options and more choices. Who knows ... adding more in the future is always a possibility as well.  A one-stop-baby-shop?:)

Thanks everyone... thanks for taking my tiny little business and making it into something so wonderful.  Thank you for inspiring me to always go beyond what I believe I'm capable of.  I can't thank you enough.

Be well!

Amy

The Ruffle Scarf DIY tutorial

So I stayed up and made a DIY tutorial video last night (so, so may "retakes") and then woke up this morning and found an even better video right on YouTube!!!  So I'm going to share the video I found on YouTube because the angle of the camera is much better in that video (I am not a contortionist and I felt like I was attempting that feat last night, trying to get the right angle!).

If you have any questions..please feel free to ask me!  Here's the video:

Thanks for tuning in!  You can find a great selection of crochet hooks (remember, something between size G and J) at the Purple Iris Yarn Shop in Marshall, MN along with some great ruffle yarns.  The Purple Iris sells the exact same yarn as used in the video tutorial and I believe it's only about $8.50 or so per skein and you only need one!  Panton pirouette yarn is GORGEOUS for making these scarves as so is Red Heart's "Boutique Sashay".  Happy shopping and happy crocheting!



 

As always...take care and be well!

 

Amy

Solutions to stop flannel from pilling!

Flannel...good old flannel...it's so soft and snuggly ..and...full of pills!  A couple of nights ago, I made a rag quilt from designer flannel so that I didnt have to worry so much about it pilling (it does make a difference ..so don't buy the cheap walmart flannel if you're going to make a flannel blanket!).  Anyway, I pulled it from the drier ..and ... saw some pills.  For any of you who know me well, you already know what I'm about to say.  It made my skin just crawl!!  I immediately ran to Walmart and bought some new razors, ran back home and layed the blanket out and started shaving the pills off.  I don't like spending that much time making something and have it not be perfect...it must be perfect.  My husband looked at me like I was a complete nut that I was shaving a blanket. lol

So..after that episode, I decided it was time to hunt for a solution for me and a solution for my customers, family and friends.  Here's what I found:

First- Never wash flannel in anything but cold/warm water. Never wash it in hot water! 
Second- Always wash flannel on the gentle cycle.
Third- always dry flannel on the gentle/delicate cycle (or better yet, let it air dry).

With those three "rules" in mind, here's what you need to do:


Wash your flannel blankets, sheets, etc. in one cup of White Vinegar without any detergent or liquid fabric softner.  Dry them on delicate (or air dry).  You can use a fabric sheet if you wish.  After you have done this method the first time, this will remove the pilling.  To keep the items from pilling in the future, was the flannels on cold/warm on gentle cycle with your regular detergent but then add a half cup of vinegar during the rinse cycle!

I hope this helps!  If I find an even better way to prevent pilling, I'll update the blog.  I've looked high and low and keep seeing this method to be the best.

Happy washing!  Be well!

Amy

A peek inside my world....

Good morning!  What a beautiful Sunday morning....a slight chill in the air, reminding me that Christmas is on it's way...yes... I like to think ahead and I'm thinking about  Christmas already:)  It's so, so my favorite Holiday!!

Anyway- I wanted to write a little about myself, give you the low-down on what makes me, me and who's beind the scenes that makes my life so wonderful.

I'm currently in my 30's...yeah..I'm at the upper part of the 30 range so  I decided that I'll go by "10's" ..and I'm pretty sure when I get to 40, I'll probably proclaim that I'm "just past 30".  It's not a lie, right?  I'd be past 30!  I have a terrificly amazing husband and three gorgeous little girls.  My husband is Wade...I'd like you to meet my super-star, rock and best friend, Wade...he's the second hunk in from the right ..standing right next to Allister Overeem.  The other men in the photo (with the exception of the one to the far left) are Wade's brothers:

 

Wade is a Computer Programmer and works for the State of Minnesota.  He also owns and manages his own sports equipment business at night... it's also his hobby!  He is also a spokesman for GNC (as seen in the photo) and GNC flies him around to various events throughout the U.S. to do autograph signings and run a fun challenge called "The Grip Gauntlet" at the GNC booth.  I am so proud of my husband.. ..he's an amazing husband and an equally amazing father.  His three little girls mean the world to him and it shows!

Wade and I married in July of 2003.  The following year, we were blessed with our first daughter, Maysa.  She is currently 8 years old ... she is a complete drama queen but I do love her so:)  Our next daughter, Paige, was born in 2006... she's our "Tom boy" and likes to do whatever Wade is doing!  Our last daughter, Brooke, was born in 2008 (only 1 year and 3 months age difference between the last two....can you say "Shocker!"?) ...Brooke is our little princess ..refuses to wear pants/jeans and insists on dressing like a queen on a daily basis.  I could just as well throw out everything but dresses in her room.  They are all so different from one another ...and I love them more than anything.  So long as I have my husband and my three little girls, all is right with the world.  Meet Maysa (blond hair), Paige (light brown hair, 2nd oldest) and Brooke (darker brown hair, youngest):

 

 

Last is me (it always seems like a Mother is last with just about everything, right?).  I've worked in the legal field for my entire career as a Litigation Spcialist (managing attornyes and large ticket lawsuits).  Three years ago when our youngest was 1 year old, my husband and I talked about me resigning from my job in the workforce to start a "new job" as a "Domestic Engineer".  The decision was made and I resigned from my job (which was really tough... I'm a career woman) and became a "Domestic Engineer" (aka, stay-at-home-mom.. but I prefer to be recognized as a Domestic Engineer, it sounds flashier!!).  It's been the best three years of my life and I wouldnt trade it for the world.  I've had a few people make the remark that it "must be nice" being a stay-at-home mom... I quickly reply and tell them that being a stay-at-home mom is much harder than working 50 hours a week at a "commerical job".  Raising kids comes with so many responsibilies, smiles, laughs but it truly is a lot of work.  I've spent the past three years walking in circles ..from room to room... picking up after three kids, wiping tears, comforting, feeding, holding, reading to, driving from here to there, doing laundry (even the clean clothes they feel the need to toss in the middle of the floor making it impossible for me to determine if they are dirty or not ..so back in the laundry they go), etc.   Here's one of my favorite past-time jobs (notice that even Brooke thought she stunk):

 

 

 There are so many "jobs" a mom has.  So to all of you Mom's out there...CONGRATS for making it through every single day:)  So the myth that being a stay-at-home mom makes you a "lady of liesure" has offically been BUSTED.  :)   In March of 2011 I decided to take up a hobby ... my kids were at an age where I didnt have to attend to them every minute of the day.  So I decided to start sewing .. sewing baby things.. and that evolved into selling baby items.  In July of 2011 I was in a store (can't remember which one) and saw a beautiful baby hat ...I asked how it was made and someone though it was crocheted.  I went home that same day and went online ... I was going to teach myself how to crochet.  The rest is history..it's a little over a year later and I'm still crocheting.  So no, crocheting isn't for just old ladies!! :)    It's not all work and no play for me.  I do enjoy some hobbies... 4-wheeling, lifting weights, camping and spending time with my family.  That's me in a nutshell!

 

One last thing-  my husband Wade lost his Dad almost a year ago.  It was a sudden, unexpected, tragic loss for all of us.  Wade's dad is Gale Gillingham...Regarded as one of the best Offensive Guards to ever touch the field.....Green Bay Packer Hall of Famer ... 5 time Pro-Bowler  (1969, '70, '71, '73 and '74), six-time All Pro, and two-time NFL First Team All Pro (1969 and 1970). He was inducted into the Green Bay Packers Hall of Fame in 1982.  We are coming up on the 1 year anniversary of his death which is hard for all of us.  Here's a photo of him ...in rememberance of him!  We love and miss you Gale...you will always be our Hero #68!!

 

 

I'm sure I've missed a ton of things but right now I'm going to go get ready to bring my three princesses to the Hilltop Acres Farm for their wonderful Fall Trunk Sale...I love beautiful antique furniture thats been redone and distressed... if my husband would let me, I'd have two houses just so I could keep buying more furniture!!!   

 

Be well everyone and enjoy each day!

 

Amy

 

 



 

Giving, crocheting and just having fun...

Yeah…so shame on me for not keeping up a blog!  Life just doesn’t cooperate and give us enough time to do all that we need to do and still have extra time left over for blogs;)

I’ve been SO busy lately with crocheting… it’s been just crazy.  I started my business about 1 ½ years ago and it started out with just sewn items (burp rags, rag quilts, blankets, bottle covers, clothing, etc) and then in July of 2011 I taught myself how to crochet …and the rest is history.   I have purchased more yarn than any one person should ever be allowed to purchase … I have never looked to see what my “yarn bill” total has been for this past year but it’s well into the $1,000’s.  I have learned so much this past year and have come to really love crocheting baby items… it actually makes me want to have another baby …but luckily (for my husbands sake) I had my tubes tied when our last child was born (she’s 4 now!). 

Tonight I was able to kick back and do some sewing … a custom order diaper bag.  It turned out pretty darn cute….white chenille, blue chenille, brown minky and a cute little birdie cotton print ..carefully placed pattern and lots of snipping.  It feels good to do some sewing… I haven’t been able to do much of it lately as crocheting has taken my world by storm.  Here's some photos... it hasn't been washed yet so doesn't yet have that "rag" look to it ..but it'll be going in the wash just as soon as I finish up with this blog.

I have a craft fair coming up the first Saturday in November.  I am FAR from ready for it… I checked out my inventory yesterday only to find… I don’t have any!  So… guess I know what I’ll be doing over the next few weeks.  I did start to make some really sweet headbands (nylon headbands with tulle roses) in preparation for the craft fair… those will be part of the “Flowers for Brooklyn” project.  I am always trying to find ways to “give back”.  My husband always tells me that I give more than I get… but so long as I stay afloat, I’m okay with that.  This past month I’ve given away 7 hats, $35 in gift certificates and will be cutting another check for $100 to a Flowers  for Brooklyn recipient.  So I guess that’s around $300 worth of giveaways this past month.  God is good… …giving is essential.

Well, I’d hate to try and outdo myself on a long blog post!!  I’ll try and keep that up better from now on.. maybe post about the latest happenings, the cool things I’ve come across and the wonderful people I’ve met along the way.

Stay well everyone!

-Amy

Flowers for Brooklyn!

"Flowers for Brooklyn"

I’d like you to meet Brooklyn Grace Rochel.........

   Brooklyn was born on April 20th , 2012 in Sioux Falls, South Dakota when her Mommy was just over 27 weeks pregnant with her.  The next 35 days would prove to be a very wonderful, emotional, scary and difficult time for Brooklyn and her Mommy & Daddy.  Brooklyn fought for her life for 35 days, enduring heart surgery and many complications that came her way.  Due to extensive complications, sweet little Brooklyn Grace passed away on May 25^th, 2012 at the Children’s Hospital in Philadelphia, PA where she was receiving care. 

Brooklyn Grace is my little cousin…during her 35 days here on earth, Brooklyn made a huge impact in many lives, including mine.  I immediately wanted to do something for her…for her parents..and I just couldn’t find any words that would make things better or different.  I sat and thought about it… and then it hit me……"Flowers for Brooklyn".

I will be adding couture flower headbands (pictured to the left), flower clips, flower broaches, etc. to my line of products in womens size as well as youth, toddler and infant sizes.  Each flower will be handmade by me ..and either attached to a headband, clip or pin.  I will be selling these “Flowers for Brooklyn” in all outlets available to me.  The best part…. 100% of the profit will be set aside and put into a fund that will go to families in similar situations as Brooklyn and her family….premature babies …or babies with health complications!  My hope is that the money given to the families will make life a little easier with all of the expenses associated with room and board, healthcare costs, etc. during their time at the hospital with their little ones.  I feel completely BLESSED to be able to do something in Brooklyn's memory and also to help others out in similar situations at the same time.  These flowers can be clipped to headbands (extremely in style right now!), clipped to a belt, clipped to a shirt, clipped to a hat, clipped to a purse, used as a clip, etc....

You can order Flowers for Brooklyn directly from me (amy@little-snuggle.com) and you will also be able to purchase them at Italy Ava (Marshall, MN), Etsy https://www.etsy.com/people/LittleSnuggle, and possibly Gracie Margaret's Childrens Boutique (Willmar, MN mall) in the very near future.  I will post different flowers/colors as they become available.  This will be something I will always continue to do!

Thank you for your continued support.  I look forward to "Flowers for Brooklyn" and hope for much success so many families can be helped!

God Bless,

Amy Gillingham