Holiday Gift Guide: for the Ladies

We rounded up a few of our favorite gift ideas for all the moms, sisters, nieces, wives and girl friends on your gift list this year. You can find even more of our favorites on our team's Etsy page.

Cupcake Quote Poster by Silently Screaming, $12.00 and up

Cashew Cardamom Brittle with Black Lava Salt by Catskill Candy Co., $18.00

White Feather Ornament by HestersStudio, $14.00

Moon Phase Necklace by Incarnate Anew, $30.00

Pink Druzy Earrings by Nixe Jewels, $39.99

Lavender Roses Bath Soak by Beau Tea Studio, $14.00

In My Studio: Plastic Bag Dispenser Tutorial

In an effort to save some money this holiday season I decided to make all my sons teachers one of these plastic bag dispensers as a 'green' Christmas present. They are quick and easy to make and useful for every household. Here is a tutorial to make your own for gifts or just for yourself!

Materials

Three different fabrics in coordinating colors.

One piece of thin elastic 16" long

1) Cut the top piece of fabric A into a rectangle 15" by 18"

2) Cut the middle piece of fabric B into a rectangle 15" by 5"

3) Cut the bottom piece of fabric C into a rectangle 15" by 6"

4) Cut a strip of any of the fabrics (piece D) 2" by 10"

4) Fold over 1/4 " and iron fabric C (along the 15" side).

5) Fold over, iron and pin fabric C again, leaving a hem of half an inch.

6) On the sewing machine hem along this edge.

7) Fold over twice and iron the top of fabric A and sew it down (along the 15" side).

 8) Pin and sew the fabric piece B to the un-hemmed bottom of piece A, right sides together.

9) Pin and sew the fabric piece C onto the bottom of the piece you just sewed, right sides together.

10) Iron the seams open on the reverse side.

11) Take your strip piece D and fold in half along the long edge, right sides together and iron. Sew down the long side and then turn inside out to make the long 'handle'. Over stitch along both edges.



12) Mark the center at the top of the main fabric piece and mark 3 1/2" either side of this center point.

13) Pin the tie at these points to the inside of the main fabric making a loop

14) Sew these down.

15) Take the piece of elastic and attach a safety pin to one end. Thread this through the bottom hem and leave hanging out of both ends.

16) Fold along the middle and pin down the sides (right sides together)

17) Sew down this edge from the top. When you get to the bottom pull the elastic tight (as shown) and continue to sew over the elastic ends. Reverse to make it extra strong

18) Trim the excess of elastic and turn inside out.

19) Hang up and stuff with bags!

Less then 1% of all plastic bags in the US are recycled- help change this frightening statistic

Good Luck and Good Making!

Sarah Omura

SO Handmade



In My Studio: Gift Ideas for Teachers

As the holiday season is well and truly upon us I am busy trying to buy gifts for all my family and friends. One set of people that I usually leave to the last minute- or unfortunately forget entirely are my sons ever patient, loving and truly wonderful teachers. This year I have begun to early; umming and aahing over what would be the most perfect gift. Amongst my deliberations are these cool ideas.
Make up a box filled with supplies that your teachers use daily at school such as Kleenex, hand sanitizer, crayons, construction paper etc. Teachers often have to purchase these with their own money so they will be thrilled to receive extras.
Gift cards. Teachers are always happy to receive gift cards, especially from a local coffee shop or regular lunch stop near the school
Donation to charity. A great idea is to make a donation to a charity in your teacher, or your child's class name. One example is Oxfam's donate school supplies program which for $25 provides school children in rural areas with lesson books in subjects such as reading, writing and arithmetic.

Oxfam's school supplies program 

Books for the classroom. Teachers are always happy to receive new reading material for their classrooms, consider some new books maybe on a theme that is close to your child's heart.


Homemade: Making cookies and other goodies is always appreciated especially if your child helped in the process. Personalize the goodies with the child's artwork. Another idea is to give the ingredients and the recipe of a family favorite dish.

And what better way to appreciate your kids teachers than by giving a truly unique and locally made item by one of our own Hudson Valley Etsy Team. Here are some of the items on offer which any teacher would be thrilled to receive:

Organic Chai Tea Loose $5 from TeaandSensibility

Gift basket $35.00 from Medicine Garden

Multi-Colored Christmas Tree Ornaments Holiday Tea Towel $18.00 from Wicked Mint

It's not how much we give but how much love we put into giving.” Mother Theresa

Good Luck and Good Making!

by Sarah Omura - So Handmade