Last Minute Christmas Gifts

Last night and early this morning I finished up the last few Christmas gifts I am making excluding baking cookies and making fudge.  I didn't forget these lovely individuals and families I just did start until the lat minute.  I do better under pressure even though it stresses me out greatly.  I am stressing now thinking about having to go BACK to the store again today because someone ate the Oreos for the Oreo truffles!!!

I whipped up these super cute dish towels to give to my husband's aunts and their families along with a tin full of goodies.  They were easy and helped use up some fabrics in my stash.

I made these headbands to give to as a couple of little girls I know.  Since they are sisters I made each one an anthro-inspired headband and a ribbon wrapped band. 

Now to go feed up some baby calves, clean the kitchen, bake some cookies and a couple of cakes, make two loaves of bread, a couple of batches of fudge, wrap the remaining presents, clean my little man's room and the den and perhaps sit back later with a cup of coffee and a good book!

Merry Christmas to you all!!

Linking up at

Hairbows, Hairbows, and more hairbows!!!

Now most of you know I don't have a little girl.  My precious little one is ALL BOY!  Tough and rough are the words most used to describe him but I do have a few little girls (like 10) on my shopping list.  Since the majority of them aren't able to read or if they can their Aunt's blog is not on the top of their list I decided to share a few of my gifts early. 

I have made hairbows for most of them.  They are simple bows made out of ribbon, clips, buttons, and hot glue.  Nothing fancy just simple and cute gifts for the darling little girls in my family.  I have also made a hairbow holder for my youngest niece.  Below are pictures of the creations. 

Hairbows-Korker Bows

The second bow to make takes a little more time but not any more skill.  Any your little girl will love the cute new bow.

You will need: (not all supplies pictured)
Ruler
1/4" dowel rods
wooden clothes pins or binder clips
baking sheet
grosgrain ribbon 3/8"
oven
scissors
hair clip
needle
heavy duty thread or embroidery thread

1. Begin by putting your ribbon at the top of the dowel rod and securing it with a clothespin.  Twist the dowel in your hand and wind the ribbon snugly around the dowel.  Once you get to the end of the dowel trim the ribbon and secure the end with a clothespin.  Place the finished ribbon dowel on a cookie sheet.

Once you have all the dowels you need (or want) wrapped in ribbon place them in a 275 degree oven for 25 minutes.  You can bake longer if you would like, however I would keep an eye on them since each oven is different.

Once your ribbons have cooled completely remove them from the dowels.  I made a 3" bow so I cut my ribbon 2 1/2".  Depending on the size of bow you want cut accordingly (4" bow= 3 1/2" cuts). 

Once you have cut all of your ribbon stack them together. 

Begin placing korker ribbon on the needle but do NOT thread it all the way down (just yet).  Continue to stack the ribbon onto the needle, keeping your finger at the bottom of the needle to prevent it from sliding.  Make sure you put each korker in a different direction.  Now pull the thread through the ribbon until the knot in the thread stops it.  Push the needle back down through the middle of the ribbon.  You will need to do this several times be careful (needle pokes hurt).  Seal the ends of the ribbon and attach to a clip or barrette.  You can attach using hot glue or sewing the bow to the clip or barrette. 

(I will post pictures of the finished product later!)

Hairbows-pony tail holder

Making your own hair ribbons or pony tail holders is quick and easy and much cheaper than purchasing from a bonqtiue.  For all my supplies to make both of these items I spent less than $10. 

The pony tail holder is the simplest to make and requires the least amount of time.  You will need some scrap fabric, cover button kit, scissors, and ouchless elastic bands.

Next using the button shell trace the outline of the shell onto the fabric.  Trim fabric leaving a 1/2 inch of fabric around the shell. 

Using the mold that comes in the kit place the mold on a solid surface.  Lay fabric right side down onto the mold.  Push button shell into the mold.  The fabric will cover the top of the shell and the excess will be push out above the sides of the mold.  Trim the excess fabric.

Put the back of the button cover into the mold.  Using the pusher push until the back is firmly set into the shell.

Unmold the finished button.  Turn the button over to show the back.  Through the small hole insert a hair elastic and pull the long side of the elastic through the small loop that has formed. 

Pull tight.  The hair elastic is now secured to the button cover and is ready to use.

Enjoy your new hair accessories.