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April 29, 2011

Mother's Day Gift Ideas

Can you believe Mother's day is May 8th this year? Just in case you want to get started on a few projects over the weekend, I'm going to recycle a couple of Mother's Day gifts that have become favorites at our house for all the special ladies in our lives. This first one is something that kiddos can actually help out with.



Supplies needed:

Box of tea bags
Photographs (or your kiddos can draw tiny pictures with crayons, markers and paper)
Scissors
Tape

Step 1. Open up a box of tea and pull out the individual tea bag envelops.

Step 2. Unseal each tea bag envelop and carefully pull out the tea bag.

Step 3. Take a bunch of pictures and cut them to fit onto the paper that is attached to the tea bag string. My printer actually has a photo ID function which allowed me to print them off quickly in smaller size which I then cut apart.


Step 4. Attach a picture to the tea bag string with glue or tape and then place the tea bag back in the original envelop (this is the most time consuming part).

Step 5. Repeat steps 1 - 4. Get the kids involved in this project. They might not be able to take apart of the envelops without ripping them, but they can help with assembling and taping the pictures. Your kiddos could also draw tiny pictures that you could scan and cut apart if you have two sets of grandmothers that need this gift.

What a fun way to start out each morning seeing a special loved ones face over a cup of tea!

For my adoptive Mommies who enjoy Jasmine tea, my favorite online store is Pearl River. Their prices are amazing (100 bags for $3.25). I've enjoyed this brand for the last five years.

While I'm focusing on tea, I have to show off my favorite tea set. When we were in Josie's province of Nanchang, I picked up this set. The teapot and six cups are handpainted and the butterflies are just gorgeous.

This second gift idea is a decorative candle project that I made last year for my mother, sister and aunts. I've made some new ones this year with a couple of beautiful images that I found on Miss Rhea's Sweet & Shabby Roses blog.

*Mom, Sis & Aunties...skip the rest of the post.



Supplies needed:
Sheet music (additional graphic optional) you can find sheet music all over the web
Jar candle
Lace/tulle
Silk flowers
Costume clip-on earring (optional)
Glue
Brush
Hot glue gun


1. Remove the label from your jar candle and cover your jar in glue. I poured my glue onto a paper plate and used a paintbrush to evenly cover my jar.

2. Cut your sheet music to the width of your jar and cover. I overlapped the edges of the music.


3. Take your lace and cover the sheet music. Use your hot glue gun to secure the lace in place.

4. I then covered the lace with a strip of pink tulle and tied the tulle into a knot. I secured a costume jewelry earring onto the center of my tulle knot and hot glued a couple of silk flowers around my earring.

Linking up with these fabulous parties:
Thrifty Thursday Blog Hop
Thrifty Things Friday
Inspiration Friday at the Picket Fence
Feature Yourself Friday at Fingerprints on the Fridge
Feathered Nest Friday
Crafty Soiree #35 from Yesterday on Tuesday

More ideas coming on Monday. In between watching the royal wedding and catching up on laundry, my craft room is going to get extra messy.


Have a thrifty/crafty/fairytale weekend!

XOXO

17 comments:

Number 6 and no more counting! said...

really cute!

lea
xo

Diann said...

I love the tea idea! that is so cute. Your teaset is gorgeous! And the candle redos are a great idea for Mothers Day! Thank you for joining TTF. Have a great weekend!

Heather said...

Once again, you've come up with some very lovely craft ideas. At my house, I try to stretch Mother's Day into Mother's weekend!!

My Vintage Mending said...

So cute. I wish coffee came in sweet bags like this. Darling candles. Love how you used the earrings. Enjoy your weekend...smiles...Renee

Vintagesouthernlife said...

Love the candle idea for Mother's Day! Visiting from TTF. Have a great week-end, Annette

Kim said...

CUTE...CUTE..CUTE..
Have a great weekend..

DearHelenHartman said...

The tender tea project is so perfect! Trying to imagine who would want to look at my mug hanging around their mug every morning already.

Nicole@Thrifty Decorating said...

I just love the idea of those personalized tea bags! My mother-in-law LOVES tea and would just love a personalized gift like that! Your candles are beautiful! Thanks so much for linking up to Thrifty Thursday!

Unknown said...

Hi Kim, It always is wonderful to hear from you because it gives me a chance to revisit your cute as can be blog. What an great MD gift idea! I have got to remember this one! I hope you have a lovely special day! Elizabeth

Jodee said...

Homemade gifts are the best. Your ladies are going to love them!

Hope you have a great weekend!

KJ@letsgoflyakite said...

Those handmade gifts are wonderful, thanks for posting them. I especially like those teabags. We are tea drinkers as well, so I find the photo idea so endearing.

Renée said...

Pretty, wrapped and ready to give. I love it!

Life in Rehab said...

Just lovely, Kim...and my mother does drink tea!

Donna said...

What great gift ideas for mom, Kim! I especially love the jar candles, yours turned out beautifully! And I also love your gorgeous tea pot and cups. What a great memento of where sweet Josie came from!!

~Lavender Dreamer~ said...

What a sweet idea! I may try to make one for myself! Enjoy your week! ♥

Anonymous said...

The tea is a very cute idea. But the candles. Love the candles. They are just beautiful!

Queenie's Vintage Finds said...

I love these dolled up candles Kim! Thanks for the How to :)
Love that cute little purse makeover too...I wish I had stopped in Target when I was near one on Saturday now!
Hope you have a very Happy Mother's Day :)
Big hugs,
Queenie