Gift Ideas for the Aspiring Seamstress on Your List

I have several friends and readers that either have a sewing machine that they have never used or wish they could sew! Maybe you have one of these people on your Christmas list this year. If so, here are some gift ideas you might be interested in to get them going on their journey.

Remember: If you see something you like, don't wait too long as prices are subject to change.

The Brother 17 Stitch Sewing Machine JX2517 has a 5 star rating. I have a Brother machine and I love it. It's a name you can trust. Here are some great features:

Easy to use basic sewing and mending machine

Included are 17 built-in unique utility and decorative stitches and an included automatic 4-step buttonhole maker

A compact, lightweight sewing machine

Features a jam-resistant quick set drop in top bobbin

Also included is a brightly lit LED work area

Repair a hem with the built-in blind hem stitch or create a home decor project

Right now, this is listed for $74.97 and you can get free shipping or ship to store! Perfect for a beginner!
Before you buy, go to EBATES**, click on Walmart and then find this machine. You can get 3% cash back now!

**If you are not familiar with EBATES, click here and sign up (free & fast!!). Click on the store you want to purchase from. Ebates takes you right to the store's site. Then, shop as usual and pay on the store's website. Once it ships, your cash back will show up in your ebates account.

This Cardboard Pattern Sewing Cutting Board 36x60 is one of my most used items when I sew. I use it for quick measuring, cutting and making my own patterns when sewing. It's much quicker for measuring than using a yard stick. I love my board and use it every time I sew.

Gingher Knife Edge Dressmaker's Shears 8-inch
Every seamstress needs good quality, sharp scissors (only to be used on fabrics)! These are a great pair. I love the cutting sound these make as they cut fabric so swiftly and crisply. These would be a perfect gift for your favorite seamstress - beginner or advanced!

I love this Dark Grey Twill Sewing Basket with Luggage Print on it! SO CUTE!

Fabric covered sewing box with the look of buckled straps as closures. Resembles a train case.

One removable storage tray. Rivet detail. Magnetic snap closure.

Elastic satin pocket in lid to hold scissors, tape measure, etc.

Pin cushion in the lid holds pins/needles in place. Convenient carrying handle.

Perfect for the beginning sewer or quilter. Supplies NOT included.

Hope these ideas are helpful to you and at least spark a creative idea in your own mind for that aspiring seamstress on your list this Christmas!

What sewing items/accessories can you NOT live without?? I'd love to hear!

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Hostess Gift Roundup

I've never met a hostess that didn't like a hostess gift. It's always appropriate to give a hostess gift when you are invited to a home. It doesn't have to be expensive or big, just something that says 'I appreciate the invitation and am happy to be here.' This post is dedicated to hostesses near and far who have taken that next step toward hospitality and opened their homes to guests young and old.

These are some ideas for you. Maybe they'll spark some creative ideas in you to make your own hostess gifts for those hospitable friends and family of yours.

Hostess Gifts to Buy or Make:
{because I realize sometimes we don't have the time to make a special gift}
~These adorable Acorn Ornaments are way too cute and would be perfect for giving to your hostess on Thanksgiving or at another Fall get together!

{Moths and Rust Etsy Shop}

~Tea for the Season along with a tea ball or cute tea cup would be very cute!

 

{Stash Tea}

~Bread with Homemade Jam would be a great hostess gift, wrapped in a new kitchen towel. So cute! Get FREE PRINTABLES for your jam here.

{Life is {Sew} Daily}

~This Peppermint Sugar Hand Scrub is divine....and SO easy and cheap to make!

{Less-Than-Perfect Life of Bliss}

~This Homemade Vanilla Extract looks like a great idea!

{The Happier Homemaker}

~ You can also check out my Pinterest board - Hostess Gifts - for more great ideas! While you're at it, Follow me on Pinterest!

This is part of my 31 Days of Home Economics series. You can find the whole series at the tab above {Home Economics}.

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Thank you for stopping by today! I hope you will come back soon!

How to Say Thank You

There are a million ways to say 'thank you'. It's a phrase that is spoken in countless languages and understood by the youngest of our kind. It's easily spoken, but it means so much to the one receiving the thanks. One thing about thank you is that it doesn't always have to spoken in verbal communication. It is sometimes more meaningful and more accurately conveyed when written in a letter or note. And dare I say, even remembered longer when written in a note?

When is a thank you appropriate? We teach our children at a young age to say 'thank you' when they are given something and when they finish eating a meal or snack or when they receive a compliment or whatever it may be. It's not a natural thing to be thankful. It's even more unnatural to speak the words. We live in an age of entitlement. People feel they are entitled to anything they are given and therefore neglect to say thank you for it. They don't speak it because they don't feel it. But, this is a sad way to live. Our thinking needs to be reprogrammed to see that everything we have is a gift. Ultimately, a gift from God, but especially when we receive something (by word or deed) from another person, we should be thankful and convey our thankfulness to them.

How do you say thank you? Well, you can verbally speak it when it's appropriate to do so (which, in most cases, is always!) like when you are handed something, complimented, given food at the dinner table, or when someone holds a door open for you or blesses you when you sneeze. Those kinds of things obviously warrant a verbal thank you. But what types of things should we write thank you notes for? Here are a few:

1. When someone gives you a gift (birthday, Christmas, Mother's Day, etc.) it is highly appropriate to write a thank you note. {I used to be so good about this and it's something I'm working hard on again. AND I'm teaching my kids to do this, as well.}
2. When someone invites you over to their house for any reason. It's a nice gesture to have someone over as we talked about here. Always show your thanks.
3. When someone makes you something - handmade gift or item or food, etc. ALWAYS appropriate to write a thank you note. The kind you put in an envelope and either mail with a real stamp or hand to the person.
4. When someone does a service for you without much recognition, it's a very kind gesture to occasionally write a note of thanks to them. (i.e. Mailman, Cleaning Lady, Teacher, Pastor, a friend who has greatly encouraged or inspired you, a child who has been working hard to do their part at home, your spouse who works hard to provide for the family, a nurse, a doctor, a parent, etc.)

A note of thanks can be just the thing that person needs to keep on doing what he/she does well. It can really lift the spirit and make someone's day. But most importantly, it is good for us to reflect on those things that we don't deserve, but for some reason have received and offer up thanksgiving for those things. Being thankful probably works more for your own benefit by recognizing there are so many things we have to be thankful for. A thankful heart is so refreshing to the giver of the gift, as well as, the recipient.

Check out my Pinterest board "Say Thank You" for some cute printables and ideas of ways to say thank you!

Who do you need to write a Thank You to? I have a few I need to write and need to help my girls write. Are you in the habit of writing thank you notes or is it just not a big deal to you? Have you ever received a thank you note? Have you ever not received a thank you note?

This is part of my 31 Days of Home Economics series. You can find the whole series above at {Home Economics}.

I'm sharing this with a few of these friends. Thank you so much for stopping by! Hope you have a blessed day!

Wishlist Ornament {DIY}

Christmas is a time where tradition comes alive. Memories are made, family recipes are shared and many cultures celebrate Christmas in their own, special ways. When I was in elementary school, I remember learning about how Christmas was celebrated in different countries and it was so interesting to me. I tell my girls about Christmases over my lifetime that are very special to me - like the Christmas I got a Popeye gumball machine. I just LOVED that thing. I also remember making ornaments in my classes at school or church and it was always fun for me. So, when I saw these clear Christmas ornaments at Hobby Lobby {50% off}, I knew it was time to make ornaments with my girls. I wanted to help them make something useful that would leave us with fun memories for years to come. So, I gathered my supplies and we made Christmas wishlist ornaments.

First, I cut small pieces of paper to write our lists on. Then, the girls wrote in their own handwriting their lists. {I helped the youngest.} Be sure to write the year and child's name on the top of the list so you can remember for years to come!
Next, I shredded a small rectangle of scrapbook paper in the color of their choice to make filler for our ornaments.
Finally, we took the tops off, added our filler and strategically placed our lists in the middle. Just add ribbon of your choice to the top hook and you're done!
I'm linking up with some of these parties.
If you didn't see my post yesterday about making money while shopping online....GO HERE!