5 things women find unromantic as gifts on Valentine's day

Tomorrow is Valentine's Day and it got me thinking.  I know that times are hard but you still can be creative on a low budget you just have to give it some thought and effort.  I saw a similar list on another web page and  thought it would be fun to come up with a few things that I have heard friends complain about.




1- Generic chocolates from a pharmacy store


2- A unscented or scented (doesn't really matter) faux Rose


3- Stuff animals


4- Anything on infomercials


5- Another Robe or slippers

                                                   
                                                   (This Picture says it all LOL)

Missing Peter the Rabbit

I had a pet rabbit which I adopted from a school that no longer wanted him.  At first I was hesitant and did not know if I could take care of him so I decided to Litter train him to make him more adoptable.  In the end I fell in love with him and our love affair began :) I had him for a long time and he behaved very well.  Sometimes getting into mischief but for the most part content to be by    himself.  I always wanted to hold him but he rather  I only pet him.  Pretty much he was either lounging in my room next to me or hiding underneath my bed.  He got a tumor one year and I was afraid it was cancer but I was so relieved when it was not.  Ironically a year later I got Thyroid Cancer but that is another story :(  Peter Kept me company during the most hardest times in my life.  When I put him to sleep it broke my heart.  I miss his hopping around my room and begging me for treats.  He taught me many life lessons and one of them was to Love unconditionally.  It may sound Crazy but Try as I may he only let me hold him when he wanted to.  At first I resented this because I swear I was going to turn him into a lap bunny LOL.  Later I understood his personality (yes I know.... it sounds unbelievable but they have personalities) and let him be.  One day when the time is right I believe I will adopt again.  I can't wait to blog about the process.   Not that many people know what it entails to care for a bunny and while it can be somewhat challenging it also can be just as rewarding (for the right Bunny Mom or Dad).  Research it and consider Adopting a bunny.

Tips on what to give expectant moms

It is tradition to give mom's to be a baby shower.  However it is a nice token to also give the expectant mom a little gift.  After all.... she has been doing all the hard work of carrying the little one for 9 months.  When a friend of mine did this for her sisters baby shower I thought that was such a good idea.  Moms need pampering too.  So here is a list of ideas I put together.

1-A gift basket filled with pampering toiletries. Shampoos, lotions, perfume and or anything else she may like.

2-A bag filled with stuff for the hospital.  A pretty Robe, Slippers, Magazines etc.

3-A gift certificate to her favorite spa.  After all the work of going through labor she should be rewarded to a day at a spa :)

4-A gift certificate to get her hair done at a local beauty salon.

5-A coupon book with coupons for promising to grocery shop for her, watch the baby for a date night with hubbie, or for cooking for one night.

Again these are just a few ideas but to me the best one is the Coupon Book.  The best part is that it requires no money just your time and love:)

Crochet Baby Blanket

I loved making this baby blanket for my dear friend.  This was a simple double crochet stitch with an added frilly border in pink.  I also bought this bib and crochet a simple pink edge to match the blanket. I think the baby loved it just by the look on her face LOL!

Baby Shower ideas continued

We set up the table with linen cloths and the China her Grandmother who had past gave to her.  The gifts for winning the games were simple body washes we tied a ribbon around and gave to guest.  We also made a bouquet from baby t shirst and onesies and some faux flower in between the clothing.   We also  saw this on a youtube video.  Some food we made like desserts and others were bought.  Kept presents in one corner and unfortunately someone move the  "reading basket" which we filled with popular baby books.  She is a teacher so she really loved the "reading basket". She later used the basket to decorate the baby room with :)

Baby Shower Ideas

We were throwing a first baby shower for a good friend of mine.  She was pregnant with a baby girl and   her favorite color is pink. So naturally we tried to make theme with shades of pink. We came up with this idea to crochet flowers so we could pin it on the guests as they arrived.  I got the pattern from a youtube video and hot glued felt to the back and later glued pins to the felt (Michael's craft store).  A Sweet little touch and it was a nice little keepsake which guest could use later on hats or scarves or just keep to remember this day :) We also bought little party cloth bags and stuffed them with pink hersheys chocolate as favors.  Put it in a basket and Voila! simple and inexpensive but still nice:)  At the time we were trying to go for the shabby chic look. We added her Grandma's China and other sweet sentiments she was thrilled!

crochet baby hat

I love baby hats they look so cute on the little ones!! I gifted these to friends that were expecting so simple to make and they were a hit at the baby showers.  Requires very little yarn, worked up really quick and is a great little addition to any other gifts you may give.  Besides handmade with Love Rocks!!! :)

Sweet little things: How to make an Elmo PInata

Sweet little things: How to make an Elmo PInata: Supplies Balloon Red streamers Newspaper flour water bowl (to keep balloon steady while working with it) as above black...

Crochet Baby Blanket

I was commissioned to make this blanket and it was supposed to be made in a color that was non traditional.  For some reason the colors are a bit off in this picture.  The original colors were blue and a puke green.  I crochet the ball as an extra because I had yarn left over.  I Loved working with this yarn it was the Lion Brand cotton-ease yarn. This was a simple single stitch with added strips to make it look different.  The mom to be LOVED IT!!!!

Baby Booties

I am very knew to knitting and this was my second knitting project.  The first little bootie at the top  I made slightly bigger than the ones on the bottom.  I changed the needle size.  By the second pair I also found this box at the container store that turned out to be the perfect gift box for them.  I made my own gift tag too which was a lot of fun. I love the fact that it requires very little yarn.  I got the pattern off of the Ravelry website.  They have tons of patterns.   I love to go there and dream of all the future projects I have in mind.  Everyone at the baby shower just loved them so this pattern is a keeper for a last minute baby shower gift :)

They had lots of fun!

Poor Elmo by the end of the night he looked like he needed an aspirin LOL.  I think next time I make a pinata I am  going to use strings to get the candy out.  The plastic bat can be a little dangerous when you have little ones :)

How to make an Elmo PInata

Supplies

Balloon

Red streamers

Newspaper

flour

water

bowl (to keep balloon steady while working with it) as above

black construction paper for the mouth

oval styrofoam (michael's craft store)

orange craft paint to paint the nose

Round white styrofoam for eyes (michael's craft store)

Round googly eyes and glued them to styrofoam

To make just youtube how to make a pinata.  Basically mixing water with flour. Cut strips of newspaper add to the balloon.  I covered the whole balloon with the exception of the top so I can put the candy in later. Once dried  (you may use a fan to speed up the drying)  overnight I then added streamers.  I cut the oval styrofoam egg in half so it would lay flat against the balloon then I painted it orange with craft paint.  Glued on the googly eyes and lastly cut out the mouth and glue TADA!!!! Oopss forgot made two holes on the side once the newspaper dried and added the string to hang from. OH yeah fill up with goodies Now TADA!!!  This was fun and did not cost much :)