Teacher Valentine's Gift Idea and Giveaway

It seems like I was just running around doing Christmas shopping and now here I am trying to figure out Monkey's Valentine outfit, photo shoot, and what to get or make her teachers for this Hallmark holiday known as Valentine's Day.

Thankfully we function on a budget and cash and not on credit cards so I don't have bills coming in to try to pay for Christmas but still, funds aren't just overflowing either.  It seems like I'm always needing to buy something for someone.  Don't get me wrong, I love giving, LOVE it!  I really do, but it does take a lot of effort, thought, and planning which can be tiresome at times.  I know that the 14th is going to be here before I'm ready for it so I need to do everything I can to prepare.

I've always had many adults purchase the zebra initial scrabble necklaces at my shows so I knew they were a good fit for any age.

But this year due to my cousin ordering a set I added earrings to the necklaces.

And well the initial scrabble tile necklaces with matching earrings were selling like hotcakes!  And they were selling to all ages, about 7 years old to little old ladies in red hats.  I kid you not!  I saw that moms and teachers and grandparents were getting these sets for themselves and decided that these would make cool presents for Monkey's teachers.  So that was nice to have that part of Valentine decisions taken care of.

I love that they are handmade with love, have put the thought into it for the receiver, and that it didn't cost me much.

I'm bagging them up in little bags with a special note and candy for Monkey to give out.  I'm pretty excited about it. 

I also realize that not everyone has the supplies or maybe not the time to make these and so for those of you interested, I do offer these and have lowered the price to try and help make your Valentine gift giving a little easier on your budget.  So now through Feb 4th, instead of $15 they are now $10.  And if you want them sent regular postal mail without insurance it's free shipping.

What's even cooler?  I have a set to giveaway to one of you readers.  I will announce the winner on Friday the 28th so that I have time to make it and get to you in plenty of time.

How do you enter?
Mandatory Entry:

• Become a fan on my Facebook page.  That's it.  Pretty easy. Just leave a comment with your facebook name.    

Bonus Entry

• Suggest us to your friends and tag Texas Monkey Boutique and leave me a seperate comment telling me your name it will show up under on my wall and you're entered again. 

That's it, easy entry, and a fun gift to give! 

Happy Hump Day!

Holiday Open House - Making Gifts

It’s officially the start of the Holiday Season since it is NOVEMBER 1st. Do you have a Holiday Entertaining Post or Tip or Idea?  Then Link it up for a chance to win $2,000 in prizes!

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Last year I made personalized chargers for gifts for my mom's co-workers.  She's a teacher and they exchange gifts with everyone so that's a LOT of gifts and when you're on a budget like most of us are then that can blow you out of the water if you're not careful.  I love doing homemade gifts for people and I love receiving homemade gifts but let's be honest here, sometimes homemade gifts are well.... not usable.  So if I'm going to give something that I've made then I want it to be something the receiver will be able to use and enjoy.  These chargers hit that spot and was fun, easy, and well within the budget.  Click HERE for more details and instructions but here are a few pics. 

Do you have homemade gift ideas?  Link it up so we can see and get ideas for our list this year!

• Please ENTER THE DIRECT URL to YOUR Holiday Entertaining post(post must include our giveaway button in it) in the link up below for YOUR chance to win the over $2,000 in prizes* – all chosen to make you the Holiday hostess with the MOSTESS!! You can link up every single day…
• PRIZE LIST HERE on ParkerPROnline (subject to change and more to add)
• You can enter once a day with a NEW holiday entertaining post! Feel FREE to visit the blogs on this list for great ideas to enjoy this holiday season! You MUST post this button on your post.

*All links must link directly to a winter/holiday entertaining post. Links to main pages will be deleted. All linked posts must include our giveaway button. Any posts without our button in them will be deleted. Winner will be chosen using random.org. from all eligible (remaining) links and announced on www.parkerpronline.com on Nov. 11, 2010 and winner will also be contacted via comment on winning post. Winner will then have 72 hours to submit their contact information to blogmaniapr@gmail.com in order to claim the prize package. If not claimed, a new winner will be selected from remaining eligible links.


This is featured on almost all the dream team’s blogs, it is the same linky, this is ONE BIG prize for one winner pulled from the linky below

Thursday's Tutorial - Ribbon Key Fob

Before we get to Thursday's Tutorial which are these adorable and fun key fobs, I'd like to get a little feedback or info from you awesome readers. 

First, I'm in search of a vinyl store/business to purchase a few wording and designs for my home.  I don't have a cricut although if Poppa is reading this then he knows what Momma would love for Mother's Day, well that and some new shoes that rock!  Anyways since I can't make my own I'd love to give my business to a fellow mom or blogger that is trying to build her business or make some extra money.  I could go to one of the big places but thought ya'll might know someone trying to get their name out there.  And if all goes well then I'd like to offer that mom/blogger space in my advertising section for 3 months for free.  So please let me know if you know someone. 

Second, while I have a few Thursday's Tutorials already done and lined up and have some ideas of tutorials to do there will quickly come a point where this gal just has brain fart of a week and will have nothing to offer my lovely readers and well we just can't have that now can we? 

So I'd like to offer any bloggers who have tutorials they'd like to have featured here to please contact me and if you don't have a tutorial but have something you'd like to see how it's done then send that to me too, if I can't do it myself then I'll find someone for you that can, that's how I roll people! :)

Ok enough business let's get to the goods.  We've probably all seen how to make key fobs so this basically is just another same ole same ole, just that it's my same ole same ole. 

Since I'm in the ribbon business of bow making I opted to use ribbon instead of making fabric pieces like most I've seen.  I made one of these for my mom and she used it at her school one day and send me 5 orders.  I also took these to my show this past weekend and sold all of them so needless to say people really seem to like these and they make great gifts. 

First gather your supplies:


Webbing 1.25" heavy Cotton (hot pink shown in the crappy pic below.  This should be around .75-$1 a yard, Etsy is a good place to get this)
Key Fobs (These should be around .35-.40 each, I buy mine in bulk from group buys but a lot of sellers on Etsy sell them for around this price)
Hand Towel
Lighter
Tape Measure
Pliers
Ribbon in color and print of choice smaller than the webbing
Heat N Bond Ultra Hold
Iron

I found this Etsy Seller, BAG Lady Of SC that sells it as a package which is perfect for making a few for friends and gifts.

Step 1:
Cut your webbing and ribbon to 10" (you may vary it depending on child or adult size)
With your lighter heat seal your ribbon ends. (This isn't a must but it's such a pet peeve of mine!  I can't stand going into stores and boutiques and seeing $20 bows for sale and the ends are not even heat sealed so I heat seal everything even if it won't be seen.)

Step 2:
Press a piece of 7/8" Heat 'n Bond to the WRONG side of your ribbon. Don't press it too long, as this is the point where you can disintegrate the glue. Make sure the piece has cooled before you strip off the paper- otherwise, you tend to take some of the glue with it.

Step 3:

Center the ribbon on the webbing and press it with the iron. Now you need to press it longer, as it takes longer to get the heat through the ribbon. Steam also helps.

 
Step 4:
Fold the webbing in half, with the ribbon showing on the outside. Stitch or hot glue the raw edges together. This just helps it keep from slipping when you attach the hardware. You can also trim up the ends and use your lighter to prevent any ragged edges, if you prefer. (I prefer )
 

Step 5:

Clamp the key fob end tip over the raw edges of the webbing with pliers. Use your cloth towel to prevent scratching the hardware, but unfortunately, that makes it harder to see what you are doing and you can end up with crooked fobs so be careful. Make sure you crimp the hardware as tightly as you can to the webbing.

Step 6:
Slip the key ring unto the hook of the key fob.

Step 7:
Stand back and admire your work.

Here are a few different patterns and sizes (made for both adults and kids) that I whipped up in a mater of 15 minutes.

Here are some other sites and pics that have made some to give you inspiration.

You can personalize them like I found here.

Use them to Raise Breast Cancer Awareness like I found here

Show your teacher your appreciation this year like this one found here.

Or even show your a fan with a sports themed key fob like here.

The possibilities for these little babies really are endless! 
Hope you have fun making one and be sure to let me know about moms or bloggers that sell vinyl and tutorials you have or want to see.
Happy Thursday Ya'll!

Fun Party Link Up
Monday



Tuesday

Wednesday

Mother Day Gift Ideas

I had a deep and serious and meaningful post scheduled for today but if you're like me something light and inspiring seemed to be more fitting for today.  Just been one of those weeks so far ya know!?! 

So what's better than deep and meaningful?  UH duh, shopping people, shopping! 
With just 12 more shopping days left for Mother's Day I thought I'd post for you some fun and amazing ideas that your mom might enjoy receiving as a gift this year.   I have my aunt and Nana and Mother in law gifts already but I'm stuck as to what to get my mom.  My mom is the type of person you want to go all out for because she's the type of person that goes all out for you.  So just getting her a random kitchen gadget or framed picture just doesn't seem to measure up in my book, although she'd love nothing more than those items.  It's me that knows she deserves so much more but what?  I'm still trying to figure that out so if you have ideas feel free to send them my way! 

But on to ideas for you. 

Is your mom green or wanting to go green?  Then help her along with this Go Green Basket including the recipes for how you made them so she can continue staying green.  This particular basket is for cleaning supplies but you could tweak it to your mom's personality, spa, garden, cooking, all stocked with green materials. 

All moms love cards, the thought, the words, the images, but think how much more she'd love to receive this handmade Card in a Can.  And you probably already have all the supplies on hand keeping this a very inexpensive way to express your love for mom.

Most moms love to wear flower corsages to church on Mother's Day, why not have her stand out in this beautiful Handmade Corsage!

If Poppa happens to read this then he might find it beneficial to know that I'm a mom that LOVES girlie things like ribbons and pearls, oh who are we kidding Poppa doesn't need to read this to find that out, he's very well aware but he might not know that I love this beautiful necklace set made from Ribbon and Pearls, it just screams mom and girl all in one statement!

My aunt would love one a hand made Garden Flag.  This would look great in any mom's front lawn.

I love candle holders and candle sticks and I'm so digging the thought of making your very own Handmade Candle Sticks and it's a way of recycling and going green while being oh so chic in one step, how can a mom resist that? Seriously even if already did your shopping and crafting make some of these for yourself!

This beautiful and awesome little Bird Bath is exactly what I'm doing for my Nana.  She's got a HUGE one in her front yard but this one will be perfect to add near all of her bird feeders.  So pretty and so simple!

And since I make and sell these of course I think any mom would love them, Key Fobs are great gifts to hand out.  I did make one for my mom and gave it to her already, she took it to school and on the first day I had 5 orders for them to make!  She's great for doing my advertising.  See what I mean about a mom that makes you want to go all out for!

Would you like to make one of these?  Come back tomorrow for Thursday's Tutorial and I break it down for you.
So what are you doing to make your mom feel special this Mother's Day?  I'd love to hear about it.  If I featured you here grab my button.
Happy Wednesday Ya'll.