Handmade Bridesmaid Gifts

Don't know what to give your bridesmaids but want something personal, useful, and unique?  Look no further! I made these super cute pouches out of bright material from Kaimuki Dry Goods and then filled them with an "emergency wedding day kit."  They were well received and I enjoyed making them.  :)

Stuffed to the max!

I embellished each one with pockets, ribbon, and rick rack so they would all be a little different.

Sunscreen, breath mints, deodorant, hairbands, wet wipes, and lip gloss were among other things.

The inside of each bag was a pink satiny material that I loved!  I am going to start making these for sale in the next few months, so keep your eyes out on my new shop kateandruby!  They would make great gifts for  any occasion, but I really like that they are all alike, but different for bridal party gifts.

Bridesmaid Gift Ideas

Here are some great ideas for gifts for your bridesmaids, or girlfriends.  I love all of these and want them for myself, but sometimes you gotta give for the girls.  :)

Love what you see?  Click here to go to the treasury page when you can click on each item!

Shell Jewelry and More!

I had a big day of creating and cleaning today.  :)  It turned out to be a lot of fun.  I spent a few hours this morning cleaning and organizing - spring cleaning a few months late.  Then I made jewelry for a few hours, and then it was back to cleaning!  I am super happy with my new pieces, and I love all the shell jewelry and hairpins. Here are a few items you can look forward to finding in my etsy shop soon!

I also made a few other necklaces, some earrings and hairpins...  All soon to be added.  

I love the hairpins and the baby pendant necklace...  A few of the pieces I have been collecting pendants and beads and today they just "came" to be.  I love a good day of success.

Wedding freebies and fun!

If you are planning your wedding, baby shower, bridal shower, or just love monograms, you have to check out this site.  Wedding Chicks has tons of free customizable templates that you can use on your own items.  I love them all, so it is hard to choose.  All you have to do is pick your color, fill in the blanks, and they will e-mail you your customized item instantly.  What is not to love??

You can make your own save the date with your names, colors, and dates - or you can make your own logo for a sticker, your napkins, or thank you's!  The possibilities are literally endless.  Click here for all their freebies, or go to www.weddingchicks.com.

Make your own custom candy bar label!  You can write whatever you want and change the colors to your wedding colors.  SO handy and cute.  OH and totally FREE!

Want to make a cute gift or card for your wedding party girls?  Put this logo on a bag/t-shirt/or water bottles. You can make them all one color or get funky!

Handmade Cards

 There's something about handmade cards:: the feel of the paper, the unique designs, and knowing it is one of a kind.  I recently ordered stamps from www.rubberstampme.etsy.com and they are so beautiful.  Handcarved stamps add an even more personal touch to handmade cards, and these are perfect.  These cards are a belated birthday gift to a close friend.  I hope she enjoys them as much as I enjoyed making them...

I added crystals for some extra cuteness and sparkle.

The back of the envelope closes with a ume flower and crystal.

A set of four in green, brown, and pink.

PiNk - sOft and FemInINe

I have always loved pink, and these sellers items are making pink even better.  Soft and feminine, fun and flirty.  Pink is still PINK.

Besides this being pink, which I love, it is awesome!  (I want one, no three...)

http://www.etsy.com/listing/44743569/tiny-cake-stand-lace-and-lilac-cupcake-p

This would be perfect in the kitchen or the bathroom.  It feels fresh and clean and would brighten up any space.

http://www.etsy.com/listing/44170107/pink-orange-flowering-tree-painting-art?ref=vl_other_1

Ummm.. seriously?  This is what I want to wake up to with late night munchies! Torture!

http://www.etsy.com/listing/17448092/biscuits-contemporary-art-print-by-kerry

If I had a keiki, it would wear this.  Everyday.

http://www.etsy.com/listing/41429292/new---roaring-red-dinosaur-light-pink-ba

Oh la la !  FUn! Wear on a bag, shirt, hat, etc.

http://www.etsy.com/listing/44517377/chrysanthemum-in-gray-and-magenta---felt

New Items in the Shop

I have been trying to put up some new items in the shop because it feels like it has been a little while!  So here we go.  New earrings and paper tags. 

http://www.barefootbeadshawaii.etsy.com/

I just got some new paper that is oh so cute and would make great gift tags, packaging decoration, or scrapbook embellishments! 

I love this flower power paper!

Tweet!

These bright birdies are a sure sign of summer!

A trio of bronze trees, sandalwood and blue agate simpletons...

http://www.barefootbeadshawaii.etsy.com/

Sakura Inspiration from Etsy

I love sakura flowers.  I browsed etsy listings for sakura flower items to brighten my day.  I thought these items were particularly beautiful.  I love the hair piece and the painting.  Another great stamp shop too.  You gotta check it out!  They are all fantastic shops.

http://www.artwallproject.etsy.com/

http://www.littlecookie.etsy.com/

http://www.zombieirish.etsy.com/

http://www.stampsbysachi.etsy.com/

http://www.moxieandoliver.etsy.com/

http://www.meekssandygirl.etsy.com/

http://www.saudadestudio.etsy.com/

Softies, again!

Meet Hazel.  She is a little crazy, I keep catching her singing at the top of her lungs while chowing down on chocolate truffles... Oh Hazel! What a trouble maker.  She likes long walks, any kind of chocolate, and loves watching romantic comedies. 

Handmade with upcycled fabrics, eco-felt, and vintage buttons.  She is truly one of a kind.

Softies

Softies are my new favorite pet.  I can't wait to start making these!  Here are some of my favorite and most inspirational.  You can find all of these on etsy by clicking on the link to the shop below the photo. 

http://www.ultrapunchtoyco.etsy.com/

http://www.pinkperch.etsy.com/

http://www.olivesandoats.etsy.com/

http://www.chunkychooky.etsy.com/

http://www.flufftail.etsy.com/

http://www.magicaldreams67124.etsy.com/

http://www.mookah.etsy.com/

RESOURCES FOR MAKING SOFTIES:

http://www.softiemaking.com/

(tutorials, photos, inspiration, books, etc.)

http://www.softiescentral.typepad.com/

(gallery, inspiration)

Simple Traditions Soap on Etsy

 I ordered a sampler pack of soap from simple traditions soap on etsy. Not only was the service extremely fast and professional, I got my package in 2 days from ordering it! Wow! The best part, I really like the soaps I purchased. In the sampler, I ordered Watermelon, Kumquat, Coconut Lime, and Oatmeal, Milk n Honey. My top 2, the watermelon and kumquat. The kumquat is so fresh and sweet smelling! I could smell it in my mail box before I even opened the package. I am already planning my next purchase. I had purchased the other two scents for a gift, and they are both fairly mellow and neutral. Overall, I am extremely pleased with my purchase, and would recommend this shop to anyone. The prices are also very reasonable. Check it out at http://www.simpletraditions.etsy.com/.

A Handmade Christmas

This Christmas I wanted to make as many handmade gifts as possible.  I usually make a lot of handmade gifts, but this year I had certain things in mind for almost everyone!  Here are a few of the items that were gifted this year...  I am going to start on next year's gifts already so I don't end up rushing or being late like a few of the items this year!  I know I am not the only one who feels the days flying by when Christmas is around the corner.  I love giving gifts that are made by hand though, hopefully everyone will enjoy them.

A stamped keychain for my boyfriend's sister in law that has their names and their keiki's name.

A handmade felt ornament for my boyfriend's parents.  ALOHAAAA!

Hand knit bag for Ryan with a needle felt mushroom

 A hand sewn pouch for my brother to go inside the knit bag

A quilted/padded case for the "kindle" for my brother Zach

Hand knit mittens out of 100% wool for my boyfriend's mom

Chocolate covered mac-nuts for the FAM

Handmade caramels to share

Octopus necklace from Cody to my mom-(he picked out the pieces and I put it all together)

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!  I hope everyone enjoyed their gifts and their holiday!

Stockings

http://www.handmadepretties.etsy.com/

My favorite part about Christmas is stockings. When I was a little girl, my brothers and I each has our own stockings. Santa would stuff them with all kinds of little treats and toys. I used to wake up before everyone else in the house and look through all the stockings before anyone else was awake. I loved looking at all the new toys and candies, exploring each stocking and noting what was different and what was the same. I would pull everything out and lay it all out in front of me, choosing my favorite goodies. Then I would put everything back in the stockings and wake everyone else up. Time to open PRESENTS! My next favorite thing… Well, that is besides family and friends. 

http://www.cheryland.etsy.com/

http://www.lelis.etsy.com/

These are some of my favorites that I found on etsy.  It is kind of hard to find stockings when everyone is tagging their "stocking stuffers" with the word stocking, but I managed to find these super uniqe ones.  I also fell in love with this baby cocoon in the shape of a stocking.  :)

http://www.joliem6201.etsy.com/