Neighbor's Christmas Gift (with Printable Tags!)

Every year, I love thinking about what to do for our neighbor's Christmas gift, making tags, putting on ribbons... I feel like I am working in my own Santa's workshop and that gives me a cheery feeling. I truly feel like I am surrounded by very nice neighbors, we have our neighborhood party, many people are looking out for each other, I know most people by their first name. I want to do something nice for my neighbors, but when you are working with a small budget and buying about 50 gifts, You really have to be creative. Last year, I did disinfecting wipes (I tend to lean towards practical gifts), and that would have been perfect for this year, but usually there is a limit on how many I can buy nowadays, so that idea went out the window.

One morning, I was looking at Pinterest while in bed searching for "Neighbor's Christmas gift ideas", "simple gifts" or "budget friendly gift ideas". I saw many things that had me thinking, "Hmmm... I have done that, that's over budget." Nothing popped out to me. I was thinking that 2020 was a hard year for most of us, but our neighbors have been such a silver lining in our lives. Then I had an "Ah-Ha!" moment! Silver lining... Aluminum foil!!! Yap, that's how my brain works.

I was super excited about this idea, and told Mr. TRH what I am going say on the tag which is:

"2020 was a very interesting year to say the least, but having neighbors like you is a silver lining as always. Have a very Merry Christmas!"

I was quite happy about this idea. It came from my heart, good tag line and budget friendly.(pat, pat...that is the sound me patting myself in the back) Mr. TRH was listening to me while busy getting ready for the day, then he said, "hum, that sounds good, and if 2021 doesn't improve, they can make tin foil hats." What??? who says that?... but then we laughed. So I decided to make the gift tag with both of our lines. We could all use some humor, right?

I created free printable gift tags if you have been looking for fun, budget friendly and practical neighbor's gifts. Simply click the picture and it will take you to the PDF. Enjoy! :)

Christmas Miniature Rooms Reveal and Little Thoughts to Share

A while ago, I shared my miniature sewing room with you. You might wonder if my obsession with tiny things has stopped after the sewing room was put together??? The answer is "NO". I have been working on some Christmas rooms lately.

I hosted a potluck/recipe exchange Christmas party last week. As a host, I really wanted everyone to have a good time and enjoy themselves. With good food and company, we played some games and visited with each other and it was so much fun! I was so happy to see a room full of ladies (17 of us! We missed some of them who couldn't make it) just chatting and laughing away.

One of the games we played was a game I found at Happy Home Fairy. It seemed very simple to prepare, and the people in the picture she posted looked like they were having so much fun, I decided to give it a try.

As prizes for this game, an idea popped in my head... miniature christmas rooms!

Are you ready for a closer look?

This one is very close to my color scheme. Lots of white and a hint of blue. I love the fluffy "giant pillow" by the fire place and the cake stand I created with buttons and beads.

Next one has true Christmas colors: Red, Green and white. I love the star in the background by My Minds Eye. Don't you think it adds a vintage feel to the whole room?

The last one is a tiny suite case. I painted the outside with light gray and metallic berry with the words "Joyeux Noel". When you open it up...

There is a fun little tricycle accompanied by a tiny Christmas tree and snow balls inside. Isn't is so fun?

When the party came to an end and people start leaving one by one, I had mixed feelings inside. A sense of relief for the success of the party mixed with a bit of sadness for the fun time coming to an end.

We all are always busy. On top of our own and family members' schedules, and other obligations to meet. Places to go, things to do... I feel like it never ends! After the party I sat in the empty room feeling so grateful for the people for taking the time to come to the party. Above all I was feeling so grateful for my family who puts up with me and my crazy ideas all the time. The big Christmas party is over, but the party I have with my family continues on. I need to remind myself to pay close attention to details and care for them like I did for the Christmas party.

Who are the important people in your life? How are you going to show them that you love them?

Those are the questions echoing in my mind lately.

Let me say thank you to you all, my beloved readers. I hope you are having a great Christmas season filled with love and joy.

LOVE

Sachiko

Counting Down to Christmas ~ Advent Calendar

One of our Christmas traditions is doing an advent calendar for the kids. Years ago, when the kids were still small I read about advent calendars and thought, "That is such a neat way to count down to the special day."

Our first year, I got 25 envelopes and wrote numbers 1 through 25. I stuck them onto the pantry door so they would form the shape of a Christmas tree after I filled them with some notes and candies. When I introduced the calendar and how it is suppose to work to the kids the next morning, they were so excited! Every morning, they couldn't wait to open the envelop to see what's inside. I can still remember their reactions and happy faces...

A few years later, the envelopes were replaced with a wooden advent calendar with tiny doors. This year I bought a new one because one of the doors was broken. Instead of doors, this one has deep drawers and I think I like this one better. Rachel couldn't wait for me to fill up the calendar for this year and she volunteered to write all the dates on the drawers.

I feel like it was so much easier and cheaper to please them when they were little. They would get excited about pretty much anything.

I will give you some of the things I used to put in to the calendar:


Mini candy cane
Chocolate coin
small toys from the dollar store

or papers saying things like:

Family movie night
Family game night
Going through the drive through and get donuts, ice cream and such
Going to the dollar theater

A couple years ago, I decided to do things a little differently since my kids are getting older. We had a discussion about the true meaning of Christmas and it is important to be giving rather than just focusing on receiving. They had the look on their faces like, "Where is she going with this?..." and I didn't feel much excitement from them. I explained that there will still be same type of small gifts, or notes with family activities, BUT, I will be putting in some notes with "giving" types of activities and assignments.

I think they weren't so sure about this, but they went along with it. Well, what other choice did they have?? I am the mom, and I am the one who fills up the calendar... muhahahaha

So, here are the examples of some of the notes:

Do something nice to your siblings without them knowing
Open the door for someone when we go out
Say something nice to 5 people today
Shovel the neighbor's driveway secretly

Then this year, I was looking at a box of candy canes and got new idea. I wrote on the note:

Be a ninja. Give candy canes to 4 people (I divided the dozen candy canes amongst my three kids) without getting caught.

I also told them a couple rules: first, they are not allowed to open someones bags to put it in. The people might think they are trying to steal something, that is the last thing you want! Second, they have to tell me who they gave it to and how when they get home. If they were able to witness the recipient's reaction, that would be better.

The kids were giddy about the new assigment and went to school.

The results? It was awesome. Even better than I expected!

I got to hear their stories of who they gave it to and how. The kids were talking and listening to each other's stories and we laughed about their experiences. Sounds like it is very difficult to be sneaky while giving something to someone! Three out of three kids said it was a lot of fun and they loved the assignment.

I think it comes natural to some to be generous and giving. To some, this needs to be taught.

As a mom, I want to make sure that my kids know giving brings joy. Whether tangible items, service or even a kind smile and kind words. Is there a better way to count down to the special day to celebrate the birth of our Savior?

There are 18 more days to go and I know there are more "giving" notes in the calendar. The thing is that I can't remember which drawer I put it in, so every morning it will be equally surprising and exciting for me as it is to my kids! Hahaha :)

Modes4U Christmas Fabric Giveaway Winner!

The giveaway is closed and it is time to announce the winner for the Christmas Fabric Giveaway by Modes4U!

Are you ready??? The winner is...


Michelle L


Congratulations! Please contact me with your shipping info so they can ship your fabrics soon. Thank you so much for participating!

Modes4U Christmas Fabric Giveaway!

Hello everyone! Do you remember the reversible cross body/tote bag tutorial I shared a while ago using fabric by Modes4U?

Guess what?? They are offering a Christmas fabric bundle giveaway to Tea Rose Home readers!

Mmm... my favorite is the fabric in the bottom left corner with the deer head. That is so pretty! Do you see something you like? What would you make with them? This giveaway is world wide, so go ahead and enter it doesn't matter where you live! I will run the giveaway until October 1st.

Modes4U Christmas Fabric Giveaway


I will announce the winner the morning of October 2nd. Good luck everyone!

Liberty of London Mod Podge Mini Tree

I had ambitious plans for projects that I was going to make before Christmas. Did I get to all of them? The answer is "no".

One of the projects I was going to do was to make a mini tree with Liberty of London fabrics. I saved scraps for this project; even the tiniest pieces! My Christmas decorations are all put away, but I still wanted to make this tree for next Christmas.

All you need for this project is a little wooden tree, white paint for the base if you decided to paint it, fabric scraps, little bit of Mod podge, and a brush. This is such a easy going and low key project. If you are going to try this, my advice to you is just go with the flow... cut, paste, look at the color combinations and cut, paste... so on.

I covered all the surfaces of the tree; even the bottom part.

I hear that many people say January is kind of depressing because all the excitement of Christmas has passed. I figured that it doesn't need to be that way... many of the things that make the Christmas season so special can stay with us year around; being charitable, forgiving, loving, inclusive, being thoughtful and so on and so forth. I have decided not to put away this mini tree. It will be sitting pretty on the shelf in my sewing room year round to remind me of all the good things about Christmas.

Hello, Shiny Pinecones!

Sometime in November when we had a nice warm day, Rachel and I picked up some pine cones. I wasn't quit sure what I was going to do with them, but I wanted to do some Christmas crafts. So, to start off, I spray painted them with silver paint... Then things got so busy. They have been patiently waiting for me.

Silly me, I started making a quilt for someone for Christmas. "Crafting with pine cones" went way down on my list of things to do, but I thought it is such a shame if they just sit in a bag. I decide to do this with them...

I displayed them with other Christmas-y stuff...

and scattered them around on the mantle...

This was pretty fun for Rachel too, her labor is displayed around house and making our home more festive and Christmas ready. What are your favorite Christmas decorations in your house? Are you all ready for Christmas?

Tutorial ~ Star Ornament

I shared this tutorial at Ucreate a couple weeks ago; here it is for those of you that may have missed it. This idea came to me when I was doing some origami (the Japanese art of folding paper into decorative shapes and figures). I thought why don't I do this with fabric instead of paper? I tried and it worked nicely, and get this ... there is no sewing involved with this project.

Are you ready to start?

No Sew Star Ornament Tutorial finished size 6 3/4" x 6 3/4"

{You will need}

4 different fabrics (if you want all different fabrics 16 scraps)
Best Press(or some other ironing starch you prefer)
Mod Podge and brush
string

{How to}

1. Cut out 4 pieces of 3 1/2" x 3 1/2" squares from 4 different fabrics. You need 16 squares to make one star.

2. Take one square. I found that when I sprayed best press first, the fabric kept its crease better when I folded it and it was much easier to work with. Spray, fold the square in half diagonally. Then, fold that in half again. Every time you fold, press with the iron to make a good crease.

3. Open the up the triangle to a square. Bring all four corners to the center one at the time and fold. Press with the iron.

4. Fold the sides. Use the picture as a guide.

5. Flip the fabric over to the back side.

Fold the bottom tip up and fold that in half. Now you have a piece done and get to repeat 15 more times!

6. Push the tip of the triangle to the opening of another triangle. I used my small scissors to push the tip in deep.

7. Repeat the process until you have...

8. This!

9. You are almost done. As I was finishing up, I did a coat of Mod Podge to protect the fabric and also to secure the part that is connecting each piece.

10. Add a string when it is completely dry.

I am so excited at how it turned out!

I can't believe it's almost Chrismas! Whatever you are busy with, I hope you are feeling the joy and happiness of the season. I will talk to you soon my friends!

Vintage Book Wreath

You might be in the same boat as me, but I have a lot of things on my "To make" list.

Recently I came across a vintage book "Little Women" at a thrift store. It is one of my ultimate favorite stories... unfortunately, it was not in good condition. I bought it anyways with the intention to make a book wreath which has been on my "to make" list forever.

I bet there were tons of tutorials out there, but I decided to share with my beloved readers what I did. So you need to look no further.

How to make Vintage Book Wreath

{You will need}

• Book (mine was about 7" x 9 1/2" size)
• Cardboard
• Staple
• Glue gun
• Ribbon
• Spray paint (optional)

{How to}

1. I used a 12" dish I had in my cupboard to trace a circle on the cardboard. Cut it out with an X-acto knife.

2. Tear out the pages from the book. I know, if my book wasn't already falling apart, I would have had a hard time tearing the pages out. I was taught to treat books nicely growing up. This was a bit out of my comfort zone! Start rolling them up to make cones.

3. Staple the narrow end...

4. Put a dot of glue on the wide end of the paper cone, so it will keep its shape.

5. Start gluing the cones onto the cardboard. When you are near the completion of the first circle, glue on the ribbon. Continue gluing the cones to fill up rest of the circle.

6. The Last three rows or so, I made my cones smaller by cutting the book pages in half. Some how it was easier for me to make the circle well balanced with smaller cones.

7. (optional) I decided to spray paint my wreath with white and silver. I sprayed the whole thing with white, but did not cover it completely in white, just enough to give it a muted look and you can still see the letters of the pages. Then, I sprayed silver randomly to give a splashed look.

I was walking around my house with the wreath in hand thinking of where to hang it. My choice? In our study/computer room and Mr. TRH actually likes it too!

It was lots of fun making this wreath. Best of all, this project hardly cost me anything! The book was $2.99, I already had spray paints and the cardboard was in my basement. Ha! I love projects like this. :)

Tutorial~ Liberty of London Framed Christmas Ornament

My love for the fabrics for Liberty of London goes back to when I was in junior high. There was a fabric store which carried them, in the city I lived, and whenever I had chance, I went to the store; I just admired it with sigh. When I had my first job in high school, I bought my first Liberty of London fabric... over the years I collected them here and there and I have a hard time cutting them.

But, what good would it do if I don't make anything and just let it sit on the shelf?

This year, I wanted to create a Liberty of London Christmas tree with hand made ornaments! Of course I will do the tutorials as well, in case you would like to make some. :) I have several ideas for the ornaments, and every now and then, I will post an ornament tutorial until Christmas. What do you think? Wouldn't that be fun?

So, the first one are these Framed ornaments. They are inexpensive and easy to make and I think this is one of the best ways to showcase some pretty fabrics.

{You will need}

Small wood frames
Acrylic paint
Card stock (index card would work too)
Liberty of London fabric scraps
Mod Podge
Cabachon or other findings to decorate the frame
Thin ribbons or trims
Small bell

{How to}

I found these ornament size wooden frames at Michael's for around $1.69 and they were 40% off! Not too shabby, huh?

1. Remove the twine and paint the frames. Set it aside to dry completely. Lay the frame on a piece of card stock. Trace inside of the frame. Then, add slightly less than 1/4" around the traced line and cut it out. You will need two to make one frame.

The card stock should be large enough to sit nicely but not too large to see from the front.

3. Apply a thin layer of Mod Podge to the card stock and lay that side down onto the wrong side of the fabric you are going to use. Add about 1/2" around it and cut it out.Apply a thin layer of Mod Podge on the card stock, then fold the corners first. This way you can fold the fabric in a miter, and the corners will be less bulky. Fold all sides and stick to the glue already on the card stock.

4. Apply more Mod Podge on the entire surface. Then stick the other card stock to it. Press and hold till dry or lay it on a flat surface with a heavy book on top of it.

5. Apply a thin layer of Mod Podge on the front to give a nice coat to protect the fabric.

6. Apply Mod Podge around the edges, then stick it to the painted frame. As you did on step 4, lay it on a flat surface with a heavy book and wait till it dries.

Nice clean back...

7. I added cabochons to decorate the frames, changed the string to a trim that I had and added a bell. This step is totally optional. Depending on what you use it will give a very different look to the finished ornament.

My Liberty of London ornament making has just started, but I am pretty excited about this idea. I can't wait to share the next one with you! :)