Gifts made and given

Thanks to everyone for the rave reviews on the fairy house! It is definitely a hit around here, too.

While we're on the subject of gifts given this holiday season I thought I would show you more of the gifts we made to give to friends and family this year.

chocolate truffles in handmade origami boxes for the teachers
(paper decorated by the kids before folding)

super yummy apple wine à la Skye

simple and modern candle holder made with this tutorial along with fabric bag wrapping (which has a second life as a baguette bag)

more bread bags for my Mom (who makes the best bread in town)

monogrammed pencil case and notebook set for the cousins

:I feel like I must have gotten the idea for these little notebooks somewhere online this fall but I can't seem to find any tutorial that I referenced. It's not like I invented anything here but it's such a cool idea and so easy to make (with all recycled and vintage materials!) that I think everyone should have a go at making at least a few of these. If folks are interested in hearing my process I'd be happy to share!

Playing catch up

Yup, I'm still alive. This here blog might be on its last legs but I'm determined to rejuvenate it! I have so, so much to share and am brimming with ideas and have just accepted that "the time to blog" will never just appear so I need to make time.

I've been dying to show you the Christmas gift that Skye and I made for Tigerlily for Christmas. It was such a perfect collaboration of his carpentry skills and my sewing skills and we had a blast working on it together. So, of course, it turned out wonderfully!!

Presenting: The Fairy House!

Skye had this hollow tree stump that he thought would be perfect (and it so totally was). He cut off a bit of one side and attached it to the top for the roof, drilled some large holes for windows and made a door. He also added an elevator and made the table, fireplace (complete with firewood!) and bed. So cool!

I made the bendy fairy dolls (with this tutorial--so easy!!), a little fairy hut, lots of leaves (including the leaves on the roof, the leaf sleeping bag, leaf bench, and lots of "throw" leaves), log and bark benches, mushrooms, and scattered logs. I had to stop myself, it was so much fun!