Handmade Gifts {Etsy Finds}

For the holidays this year I am doing a lot of handmade/crafted gifts.  As I am short on time and because there are some awesome handmade goods out there, I am planning to do much of my holiday shopping on etsy.  Here are a few of my favorites that I think would make excellent gifts for women (I have already purchased a few or similar items as gifts or for myself)...

Genevieve Cowl Knitting Pattern (perhaps to make the gift yourself or as part of a gift for one who loves knitting projects) - AtellierTPK on etsy

Snow Cowl 12 - madebyscarlet on etsy

Soft Crochet Slippers - FiveSisters on etsy

Modern Mustard Hand Printed Tea Towel - ShopAmySullivan on etsy

Crocheted Granny Circle Christmas Decorations - peaqo on etsy

candle. peony geranium & neroli - paulova on etsy

Fabric Seahorse Family - Kirsty Elson Designs on etsy

Quintette Necklace - ViolasBoutique on etsy

String Cuff Bracelet - Thief & Bandit on etsy

Navy and Lavender

I received a note about a new fine gifts and favor shop and of course had to check it out... Navy and Lavender is such a pretty site with such lovely little gifts that I had to share.

Is this little favor cake just so incredibly pretty!?  It would be such a charming detail at either a wedding or a shower...

And how perfect is this little picnic kit for a newlywed couple!  This would be such a nice little gift to receive...

Navy and Lavender is definitely a site to keep bookmarked for elegant gifts to give and for sophisticated favors.

DIY Ribbon Holder

Trying to figure out a way to organize the tangled ball of ribbon as you clean up from the holidays?  This ribbon holder DIY project on Curbly is incredible cute and looks really easy to make.

What a pretty way to keep ribbons tidy and ready up for future gift giving occasions.

Last Minute Gifts: For Him

Realized that you aren't quite finished with your holiday shopping?  Rather than fight through the crowds at the mall, sip a cup of coffee while you click through adding the last gifts to your shopping cart.  Here are a few recession-sized-budget friendly ideas for a guy in your life...

Magazines are the gift that keeps giving.  And at Amazon they have a nice little 'gift certificate' that you can print out along with the subscription to wrap...  Best Life or Men's Health (1-year) get good reviews.  For his game room: ChipsAndGames Premium Poker Set or Accudart Classic Bristle Dartboard and if game room is more likely to mean Wii head to the Amazon Wii Store for games and accessories.  The Citizen Eco-Drive Men's Watch which is solar powered! Or go for the gift of comfort - Men's Minnetonka Moccasins.

Packaging: Gift Tags

For the gift tags this holiday season I decided to try the Amy Butler pattern for paper pinwheels.  I used the same paper that I used for lining the envelopes of our holiday cards.  They are pretty simple to make but another set of hands cames in handy for the step of securing the pinwheels, my husband was delegated to the job of gluing while I was holding the paper in place.  I am pretty happy how with how they turned out...