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October Umba Box

October 22, 2012 By Leave a Comment

I got back from vacation yesterday. I’m currently having major beach withdrawals but we had a great time. Ate lots of seafood and soaked up lots of sun…maybe a little too much sun, but that’s ok!

I’m slowly getting back into the swing of things from being gone and trying to catch up.

I have some projects to show you guys soon, including what I made to hang over my bed and our Fall front porch. But today, I thought I would show you guys what I got in my October Umba Box.

In last month’s Umba Box, I got a cute dish towel and candle. This month’s goodies didn’t disappoint either.

October Umba Box

The fabric pouch is actually a re-usable sandwich bag from Forgotten Shanghai. How fun! Forgotten Shanghai also has lots of other cute travel accessories and home decor.

Gem Necklace

Also included in the box, was this gemstone necklace from Hide Your Feathers. Jana has some other incredible jewelry pieces in her Etsy shop you should check out.

If you would like to receive a box full of handmade goodies each month too, you can sign up here.

Sorry for a short and sweet post today. I’ll be back later this week with more fun posts I promise!

Happy Monday!

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I Heart Etsy:: Digital Window Shopping

August 8, 2012 By Leave a Comment

This past weekend here in Tennessee it was a tax free weekend. All clothes under $100 were tax free. So me, trying to save money and find deals whenever I can, I decided to venture out and do a little shopping. What I didn’t anticipate {don’t ask me why} was the ridiculous number of people who had the same idea I had. It was super crowded everywhere I went! Not exactly what I had in mind.

For me, I have to be in the mood to shop. I have to really be in the mood to look and be willing to make purchases. But sometimes, I just like to window shop. I just like to peruse from a distance and just browse, with no intentions of buying anything at all.

So  since I love Etsy and since I’ve been in a ‘shopping mood’ you could say, I decided to do a little digital window shopping. Here’s a roundup of things that caught my eye on Etsy.

I heart etsy

Etsy Roundup

1. iPad Cover // 2. Rusted Metal Letter // 3. Kraft Paper Recipe Cards // 4. Dictionary Washi Tape // 5. Clutch //  6. Twine // 7. Wood Picture Frame // 8. Bird Pottery Bowls

I don’t have an iPad, but if I did, I would be all over that grain sack cover. I threw in the recipe cards because my organization method for my recipes I’ve collected is embarrassing. It mainly consists of  a stack of papers bulging from a folder in no particular order. {I do organize a lot of recipes I find online on Pinterest, but I’m one of those people that likes to have a hard copy most of the time}.

And that rusty metal letter that lights up, ah-mazing!

What about you, are you a window shopper? Do you ever digital window shop?

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Filed Under: gift ideas, inspiration, shopping

Father’s Day Gift Ideas

June 8, 2012 By 2 Comments

Father’s Day is right around the corner.

I don’t know about your dad, but my dad is super hard to buy for. He typically says he doesn’t need anything or if he’s wanting something it’s usually something he needs to pick out himself {which takes the fun out of it}.

I’m a gift person. I love getting people gifts, even if they are small items, that are personal and things that they will really like {and possibly have maybe even mentioned in passing that they needed/wanted}. But, since my dad is hard to buy gifts for, sometimes I have to throw my love of tailoring gifts out the window, and just find anything that might work.

In my quest to attempt to find the perfect gift for him, I’ve come across some fun gift ideas that I’ve rounded up that might help you in your own search. And bonus, most of these are handmade. :) Love that!

1. Lisa Leonard Collar Stays // 2. iPhone Wallet // 3. iPad Case // 4. Bow Tie //

5. Journal // 6. Handmade Card

Hopefully this is somewhat helpful!

What about you, is your dad hard to shop for? Do you know what you are going to get? Would love any and all ideas! ;)

Hope everyone has a fabulous weekend! I’m hoping to knock out a lot more projects for my room this weekend {and hopefully squeeze in some pool time as well}. I heart summer!

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Filed Under: gift ideas, inspiration

12 Days of Christmas:: Christmas Gift Wrapping Ideas

December 21, 2011 By 1 Comment
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Hopefully you’ve gotten most of your Christmas shopping done by now. Now all that’s left to do is wrap! I personally like to take the time to make my gifts look pretty. I think I get this from my mom. She’s always made amazing bows and each year at Christmas her Christmas presents are almost too pretty to unwrap.Image and video hosting by TinyPic
I snuck a picture of one of the presents at my parents’ house this weekend just to give you an example.

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If you follow me on Instagram (mbhandmade) or Twitter you saw me post this picture last week. I commissioned my mom to make these bows for a work event last week.

She’s pretty talented, huh?

A few months ago I rounded up some general gift packaging inspiration. This time around I’ve rounded up some Christmas gift packaging ideas from Pinterest if you’re wanting to add a handmade touch to your gifts this holiday season.

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Here are some adorable handmade gift tag ideas that you can make.
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1. Ornament Gift Tags // 2. Photo Gift Tags
3. Recycled Christmas Card Monogram Gift Tags // 4. Pipe Cleaner Monogram Gift Tags

If you aren’t the craftiest person, here are some free printable gift tag options as well.
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5. Free Printable Gift Tags // 6. Free Printable Gift Tags

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Here are some ideas for your Christmas gifts if you’re just wanting to add a fun/unique embellishment.

Baker’s twine, felt, & wooden spoon.

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Ribbon & vintage hair pins.

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Make your own diy felt pom poms.

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Make your own washi tape.

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I was hoping to have more time this year to make my presents look super cute. I totally ran out of time and I didn’t want to go out and spend a lot of money on supplies. So, I just used wrapping paper I already had and added some handmade gift tags and baker’s twine for a special handmade touch. I still think they turned out pretty cute.

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What about you, do you spend a lot of time trying to make your presents look pretty?

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Filed Under: Christmas, gift ideas, inspiration Tagged With: ,

12 Days of Christmas:: Food Gift Ideas For Neighbors, Teachers & Co-Workers

December 19, 2011 By 3 Comments
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Well friends, we’re in the final home stretch to Christmas. Only 5 more days until the big day. If you’re like me, you’re scrambling to get all your last minute shopping, wrapping and baking done.Most of us probably have an idea of what to get our family and close friends but what do you do for your neighbors, kids’ teachers and co-workers? It’s hard to get individualized gifts for all those people so, if you’re like me, you end up baking something for them. While cookies are a great go-to option, I thought it would be fun to round up some unique food gift ideas to give to your neighbors, teachers and co-workers this year.

For those coffee drinkers, these homemade chocolate spoons would be a great addition to their morning cup of joe. Add some cute packaging and voila, you’ve got an adorable gift!

{Chocolate Spoons}

We’ve all probably seen homemade cocoa mix given as gifts. It’s all in the packaging though. Here are a few cute ways to package this staple gift option.

I love the adorable mason jars and embellishments used on the front here.

{Hot Cocoa In A Jar}

And how cute are these ornaments turned homemade cocoa mix containers? Add a little fun paper straw and package them up all pretty!

{Hot Cocoa Mix In An Ornament}

Cake pops are all the rage right now. Give them your own flare and decorate them in a cute & unique way as another gift option.

{Christmas Cake Pops}

This time of year people are inundated with baked goods. It’s hard to really enjoy all the treats you get and eat them before they go bad. So instead of baking something, make a homemade mix that they can make themselves later.

Like this homemade chocolate chip & oatmeal quick bread packaged all cute.

{Chocolate Chip & Oatmeal Quickbread}

And this homemade CinnaBun Butter Cake Mix.

{CinnaBun Butter Cake Mix}

That way when the holidays are over and the yummy baked goods are all gone, they can whip out these mixes and make the holidays last just a little longer.

Hopefully some of these suggestions were helpful to you. Let me know if you make any of these. Would love to know how they turned out!

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