Handmade Gift Exchange

Summer is here!  We had a busy few weeks with lots of traveling leading into our summer break, so this week was the first chance I've had to just breathe.  I was going to force myself to relax and do nothing, but anyone who knows me knew that wasn't going to happen!

One fun thing I got to do this week was to finish and send off my gift for the Craftaholics Anonymous' Handmade Gift Exchange.  Put on twice a year, it's like a giant (giant as in 553 participants!) Secret Santa pool.  The lady who drew me lives in Florida, and the lady who I drew is from Idaho, so it's a fun way to meet other creative people from all over the country.  

My 'giftee' was Maryanne from Crafty Mommy Diva.  It was really fun checking out her blogs and Pinterest page, but felt like a total stalker!  There were a few things about her that I was trying to find out with all the searching...... first, did she have kids and what were their ages? ...and second, I wanted to know her personal style.  You can ask your giftee questions through the gift exchange website, but I didn't want to let on anything about what I was planning to send.  I lucked out on her blog, because she has a whole feature every week devoted to style. I was able to look back a few months and get a clearer picture of what she might like. 

Here's what I sent Maryanne.

 First, I made these Button Magnets.  I saw them here a while ago, and when I signed up for the gift exchange I knew these would be a fun little thing to send.  I tested them on my fridge to see if the magnets stuck well, and my daughter was sad when she realized they weren't for us!  So we'll have to make more to match our own kitchen.  They were a really simple project- just buttons, cut magnet strips, and super glue.

 Next were these flower pins.  From what I saw, Maryanne has a really fun, young, and feminine style, so I thought these would be right up her alley.  I chose these colors to coordinate with the buttons, and because I knew that teal was one of her favorite colors.  I wish I had taken a picture of the back of these, because there's a metal part on the back with both a pin and an alligator clip, so they can be attached to clothes, purses, a headband, or just clipped right into your hair.  I'll post a tutorial on these soon!

 Next was the sleepy bunny.  I got the pattern here; it's one of my favorite patterns!  This was where all my stalking paid off!  In one post, Maryanne had posted a picture of a crib mobile she made her daughter...... in the background, I saw these colors.  Also, they were the colors of her daughter's birthday party, so I figured they were special.  My girl has one of these bunnies too, and they're perfect for carrying around by the ear.  I hope her girl enjoys it.

 Lastly, I decided to make her little guy a robot.  What boy doesn't love a robot?  I wasn't sure what to make him at first, then I came across a cute robot pattern.  Instead of following the pattern, I just created my own, and I think he turned out alright.  I am sad that his body ended up a little lumpy!  In hindsight, I probably should have overstuffed him.... but I wanted him cushy for snuggling.  I really wanted to add buttons to his front, but since those could be choking hazards for his little sister, I just sewed on felt control panels.  (BTW, those eyes are safety eyes, and should stay put really well)  He's smaller than the bunny, so I hope I didn't cause any sibling rivalry!

It was really fun doing this gift exchange, and I will be doing it again this winter.  I can't wait to see what comes in the mail for me!