Free DIY Mother's Day E-Book at Fave Crafts

Need more ideas for handmade Mother's day gifts? My friends at Fave Crafts for included my sachet tutorial in their Mother's Day Craft e-book! You can download it for free right here.

Do Dads get the fuzzy end of the lollipop?

According to this, Mother's Day has the highest volume of long distance phone calls and is second only to Valentines Day for florists. Father's Day, on the other hand, has the highest volume of collect phone calls, and probably breaks records every year for hideous tie sales.

Father's Day is tricky. We appreciate our Dads but don't know how to tell them so. Choosing a card for my own dad is one of my most detested chores. He just does not fit into any of the usual Father's Day card imagery. He doesn't golf, fish or barbecue. He doesn't wear a tie to work and he doesn't own a hammock. He's not into baseball and I can't ever recall playing catch with him. He has a deep and abiding love for chainsaws of all stripes. He is a talented Argentine Tango dancer and instructor. In lieu of a car, he rides his bike everywhere. Lets see you put all that on a card Hallmark! My relationship with my Dad is complicated and rich and definitely can't be summed up with something store bought. And I like it that way. So, thanks Dad for being yourself, and for showing me how to do the same.



These two Dads are dearly missed. They are getting a kick out of one another on the occasion of the marriage of their children; Momma D and Daddy G. I love the affectionate expressions on their faces...its one of those wonderful serendipitous snapshots that perfectly captures the relationship of two people to each other. Happy Father's Day to all the Dads out there! Wishing you a lovely brunch, a few long distance calls, and no ugly ties.

Mother's Day Lavender Sachets

I'm not gonna lie. This project will take a bit of planning and time, but I was really pleased with the results. I'm so looking forward to giving these handmade sachets as gifts. They are simple but personal. I think when times are hard, a small thoughtful gesture that involves time and effort means much more than an extravagant something ordered online in five minutes.

And besides, embroidery is quite theraputic. At about sachet number three, I found the rhythm of the needle piercing the fabric and drawing through reminded me of breathing. It became quite meditative.

You will need: scrap fabric, an iron, a sewing machine (you COULD hand sew, but these are time consuming as is...your call.) bulk lavender (I got mine here) silk embroidery thread, small embroidery hoop and needle.

Let's get started, shall we? First, cut your scrap fabric into a rectangle. Mine is roughly 4.5 x9", but make a size that works for you.

Iron your rectangle in two.


Then fold in the two raw edges at the ends and press them too.

These will be your finished edges.

Use a pencil to draw out a simple design. I put mine directly on the fabric for minimal fuss.

The embroidery is the most time consuming part, so keep your design simple. I used no more than three colors for maximum impact and minimal hassle.

Now you'll want to press out the hoop imprint.

There we are! Nice and crisp.

Turn your handiwork inside out. Use your sewing machine to make two neat seams along both raw sides.

Next, trim away any excess fabric and threads. I like to snip the corners at diagonals which gives a tidier looking corner.

Now turn it right side out again. (And suddenly your embroidery design has magically transformed into something more elaborate! Kidding Kidding- I just lost track of my photos in the process of documenting all these steps! So we've switched from lavender embroidery to tulips and violets. You get the idea.)


Gently fill your sachet. You want it plump, but not overflowing. Close with a straight pin.

One more pass on the sewing machine, snip off the extra thread and...


Ta Da! You've just made a pretty sweet smelling gift for Mother's Day. (Or any gal who likes sweet smelling things.) I use sachets in all my drawers, and love to toss them in my luggage when I'm traveling so things stay smelling fresh even when less than so.

What lovely things have you been making lately?

Last Minute DIY Mother's Day Gift: Don't Worry. I promise it's not a lame coupon book!

Need a last minute Mother's Day gift that DOESN'T involve making her a lame coupon book for hugs and car washes? Try making an amazing homemade sugar scrub with things you've already got in your kitchen! You will need:

Brown and/or white granulated sugar

Olive Oil

Honey

Essential Oils or Cooking Extracts

Air tight Containers- mine were 25 cents at the thrift shop.

You'll also need tags and ribbons to label them when you are finished.

There are plenty of exact recipes out there, but I just eyeballed it. The idea is to create a mixture that resembles coarse sand. Add olive oil to your sugar mixture first,

Then honey for an added skin softener.

Mix untill you have what looks like coarse, damp sand.

Then add a few drops of the fragrance of your choice. If you don't have essential oils on hand, you could try some of the extracts form your cupboards. Lemon, orange, vanilla and almond would all be lovely.

I used three to four drops each of lavender and tea tree essential oils from this incredible rainbow collection my husband surprised me with. I love having so many scents to play with.

A bit of label making...

These were gift ready, but I thought they still needed a little something...

So I added some satin ribbon and a few little paper millinery flowers. Now you'd never guess they didn't come from some fancy pants store.

Also, I tested these scrubs on myself- I was totally thrilled! The sugar gave a wonderful massaging exfoliation, and the honey and olive oil left my skin moisturized and soft. I'll definitely be keeping a batch handy in my shower.

Fresh Mother's Day Ideas

Did you know that the woman who invented Mother's Day eventually grew to detest the commercialization of the holiday she invented? She was also penniless at the end of her days, but never knew it, because the American Floral Society paid her bills as a sort of tribute.

So instead of flowers this year, I'm brainstorming alternate ideas. Here's what I think my own wonderful Mother might like.

This adorable print would be perfect on the white brick wall in her bedroom above her glorious stacks of books.

This set of cheerful reusable tote bags that fold flat might come in handy. (She can keep a few in the trunk for her tango shoes and one in her handbag!I love how they look all together- groceries and miscellaneous who knows what never looked so cute in plain old plastic grocery bags!)



Fragrance from Jo Malone in Fig and Cassis? (Never floral perfumes for my mum! She quite prefers men's cologne.)
I think she needs this bicycle basketfor her adorable vintage Schwinn. (And a bell too! Ding Ding!)



I'd love to send macarons from Paulette and a nice big bottle of bubbly. (Sicillian Pistachio, New Orleans Praline and Passion Fruit all sound heavenly to me!)


Instead of flowers that will wilt in a few days, perhaps something that will come back year after year, like this Peony in an unexpected shade of green.


What are you planning for your Mom this year?

Mother's Day Cake

This cake appeared in a Martha Stewart Weddings spread, but I can't help but feel it would be just as pretty (and maybe even more appropriate) for a Mother's Day Luncheon. It looks quite labor intensive, but has a lot of wow factor when you serve it. Don't you love the striped layers? I'd love to do something similar. Stay tuned.

Instead of Flowers this Mother's Day, Why Not Chocolate?

Have you already got your Mother's Day gifts ordered? If not, I have a suggestion! (I discovered these in last month's Martha Stewart Living Magazine. They suggested 'em for an Easter basket, but Mom will love them too.)

How sweet are these little bees from John and Kira's Chocolates? I love how glossy and stylized they are! The ladybugs are adorable too.

And these mice are awfully dapper too- I love their colorful little tails! (They're from Burdick Chocolates). Oh yes, they make Penguins too.

How are you celebrating Mom this year? I wish I could take both my Mum & Momma D out for a fabulous brunch, but greeting cards and phone calls will have to do this time.

New for Mother's Day!

New illustrations in my shop for Mother's Day. I think I'll do a few more- should I do one with just Mom and little boy, a pair of sisters, or perhaps three little boys in honor off Momma D? (She always says "Mother of three boys- automatic place in Heaven, and I think that's true! Think of the hell three boys must have raised!) Hope you're all having a lovely weekend!

Happy Mother's Day

William Wegman image via Evan Sklar

Thoughtful Gifts for Mom

Mother's Day gifts can be tough. Flowers and chocolates are nice, but year after year, they get a little dull. Here are a few little luxuries Mom will enjoy just as much, that go a little off the beaten path.

Lobster Plate 

What Mom would really love is to skip a night of cooking. Grill up some lobster tails, toss a salad, pour some champagne and plate it all up on a pretty piece of china that she can enjoy for years to come.

Tarte lip tints

These Tarte lip tints are my new favorite product- they give a glossy hint of a color far bolder than you would apply if you had to commit to real lipstick, and they smell lovely with a hint of beeswax and mint. Why not let mom try three different shades?

Customized Monogrammed necklace

This tortoise shell necklace will never go out of style. There are lots of colors available, and you can choose your own chain length too! She'll wear it for years to come. 

Personalized Stationery from Tiny Prints 

Custom printed stationery is always an elegant gift, and wasn't it your mother who taught you the importance of hand written thank you notes to begin with? 

Agraria Bath Salts from Gifts that Give.

These super luxe bath salts come with a little shell to scoop them into steamy water. Purchase them from Gifts that Give and part of your purchase goes to charity. What Mom wouldn't love that?  

Fancy Pants Sugar Cookies by Sweet Ambs

I cannot seem to make gorgeously iced sugar cookies featured in the pages of Martha Stewart Living. Mine always end up a sad gloppy, oozing mess. Sure, they taste great. But pretty? Not so much. Not to mention what a huge ordeal it is to make, roll, cut, bake and ice sugar cookies. Ugh!

So I admire these decadent little works of sugar artistry from Sweet Ambs even more. I think they'd be a refreshing alternative to the usual flowers for mother's day this year. Or for a fancy all girls Marie Antoinette inspired tea party!