It's better to give....

(I wonder how many people know they're quoting the bible when they use that phrase?) 

Anyway. :o)

I just wanted to share a few gifts that I've made so far this season for some of Paige's little friends at church!

Cozy fleece scarves with embroidered felt appliques:

(I just googled images for applique inspiration)

A silk ribbon-wrapped headband with felt flower.

A bookmark made from on old vinyl(?) frangrace giftbox. I used an engraving pen that I got the the Dollar Tree not long ago to make the designs and monogram.

A little man-tote for a baseball-loving boy.

An I-Spy bag with fun little trinkets inside. 

And a personalized coloring book with coloring pages made from photos of this little boy's family. 

The coloring book was the most fun to make. I used Photoshop to create the coloring pages, and it was so simple! I've been going crazy making some for Paige and I to color as well. :o)

If you have Photoshop and you'd like to try it on your own photos, here's how:

• Filter>Sketch>Photocopy: Detail=3, Darkness=50
• Invert
• Image>Adjustments>Brightness&contrast: slide both to 100%
• Clean up by covering unwanted marks with white paintbrush tool.

I love making homemade gifts, don't you?! Maybe sharing mine will help inspire you for some little ones on your list! 

And by the way, since I'm probably confusing some of you (Is she back? Is she still gone? What is she doing??) I don't really know what I'm doing. I'm just posting when I have a little extra time! I hope that's ok for us all. :O)

Love,

-Disney