South Korea/Amazon Gift Haul

So, my husband's aunt travels to South Korea a lot and she got me all this stuff! Treats and some things from Amazon too. I thought I would share it with you.

 Above are two rolls (total of 8) hello kitty ribbon! Can't wait to make bows from it. I might put one on Sookie (one of my dogs.) Next to them are three big foam character stickers! Below the ribbon are press on phrases that come with a little stick you push on them against something and it comes off onto the material. One bag of glue sticks which I've already used an entire stick! Ha ha. This stuff is my crack. Below the glue sticks are dry eraser markers which I use EVERY DAY on my dry erase board. Finally, those green packs are Christmas cardboard lettering.

In the picture above is a butter waffle cookie, some pineapple cookies with cream inside, a cracker with chocolate on one side, some seaweed strips, and training chopsticks. First off all.... all of this is gone. Ha ha. A picture of the seaweed strips is below. I had these for the first time while visiting Hubbin's grandmother in N.Y. I'm so glad she threw one of these in. Yum. Yum. I've used and mastered the training chopsticks I'm glad to say and I've started using them without the little monkey (I call him Chow.)

Hubbin's doesn't like anyyyyy kind of seafood so I had these all to myself!

In the picture below she got me a little lipstick case, some nail art dotting tools, nail art brushes, nail art strips, and a little bag she got in South Korea. I ADORE the lipstick holder. It lives in my purse now. I'm so glad my favorite go to lipstick fits inside. The nail art items have their home in the little orange bag. I'm thinking of two new nail looks I want to do with these! I'm for sure doing a snowman for xmas. Ha ha. 

 Below are three pictures of the lipstick case including one with my favorite lipstick in it.

 Soooooooooo lovely.

 Finally, she got me this adorable and FUNNY bag! It's "engrish" The way you would spell Yappy is .. Yappy not Yappee dog. I adore this bag and I take my books to school in it. It has a silky soft liner in it too. Adorbs.

Anyway, not bragging. I love to see what other people buy and get so I figure there has to be ONE person out there who does too. Enjoy! Especially, a haul like this when it is more unusual things. She is a gifting genius. Not everyone would love all of this. Anyway, I hope you have a fantastic day and thank you so much for following along.

Crochet Alice in Wonderland Doll and Mad Hatter Hat

As previously posted there are an abundance of baby showers. The one we are going to on Sunday (June 29th) is Alice in Wonderland themed and her nursery will be the same. That is exciting!

I know that it is going to be difficult for them to find a lot of "baby" items that are along with this theme though.. so I contributed. Here is a link to my previous post which included a picture of the registry present we got them in addition to these.

Two items:
1. Mad Hatter Hat (decor)

2. Alice doll (I'm amazing lol)

I'm going to preface this (kind of?) with the fact that I didn't write this pattern. I'm not doing a blog post on how to make either of these items because they have been done before.

Click here for the mad hatter pattern
Click here for the Alice doll pattern

That being said I'm kind of going to tutorial the hair for the Alice doll because it wasn't covered extensively in the pattern. I found this part particularly challenging.

The main differences between my finished doll and the pattern provided are as follows:
1. I used larger eyes. I decided to use size 25mm safety eyes (the size used for the pattern wasn't provided)
2. Her smile is larger (I think I had to make it bigger because of the large eyes
3. I crocheted a chain and sewed it on for her headband instead of using 3 pieces together.
4. I went traditional Alice and didn't give her stockings. Alice only has red/white stockings in Through the looking glass.

The main differences between my finished mad hatter hat and the pattern provided are as follows:
1. I made it green!
2. I didn't at the pins because it is for a BABY'S room.
3. I used blue/green ribbon instead of ..fushia?

Disregard the quality of the mad hatter photo by the way.... I didn't take it. :/ I actually snatched the photo used off of her Facebook page.

Hair Tutorial!

1. Cut strands 14 inches long. I honestly have NO idea how many I used but it was something like 160?

2. Fold the piece in half and create your hairline first. Use one strand in ALL holes all the way around her face. Just in an upside down U shape around her face. There is no need to make a hair line in back as the hair we put in later will cover this. For the hairline I recommend counting stitches out from the eyes. Don't try it willy nilly because pulling them out later to make it symmetrical, sucks. COUNT!

 3. Push your hook through the hole and grab onto the loop you made and pull it through the hole.

4. Then grab the strands and pull them through themselves (the loop on my hook I just made)

I started from the base of the hairline I made on one side and went around the back, every other hole, until I reached the other side of the hairline. Then I added one every other hole for five rows.

For the top of the head (just as the original pattern suggests) I used one strand in every hole to fill it in. This covers the holes skipped. In some places I noticed some thinning and added a second strand to holes just to get more coverage. This is the reason I can't remember the exact number of strands I cut. I also did a lot of backtracking.

She absolutely LOVED them though. :D I'm planning on making two more of these but giving them regular outfits and matching their hair to the child. I'll place those updated photos below.

Thank you so much for following along!

How to Buy Your Man a Valentines Day Gift

For actual men with individual personalities.

I get frustrated when I start shopping for presents for Hubbins. I have a strange URGE to look up lists like I will find a magical one that was made specifically for him. They usually look something like this:

1. Cufflinks
2. Shaving Kit
3. Wallet
4. Watch
5. Tie

6. Cologne
7. Beer Making Kit/BBQ Kit
8. Tools
9. Clothing
10. Games
11. Jewelry
12. Weird Novelty Items
13. Random Tech Gadgets
14. Accessories for Tech Gadgets

Cufflinks? I have never met anyone (outside of a wedding) who was wearing cufflinks. Only rich people and car salesmen look up LISTS for gifts apparently. Maybe it is because I'm below middle class but the same goes for ties. Shaving kit? My Hubbins keeps a full beard so that is out.

Case in point THREE emails I received with Valentines Day lists. Amazon, Walmart, and Etsy.. Lets compare.

Amazon's List Walmart's List Etsy's List

Amazon: Where is the "for him" section? I see several "for her" sections. Oh on the left bar there is a "fashion for him" but looks like other than that you are stuck looking for gifts in the "Gifts for the..." sections in the middle.

Walmart: Down toward the bottom there is a "Gifts he really wants" Which suggests a tablet, cologne, and a watch (surprise, surprise.) After clicking on it it takes me to a list of cameras, computers, tablets, and watches. There is a ring called Forever Bride 1/10 Carat T.W. Sterling Silver Men's Comfort Feel Diamond Ring in this section. It looks like..this.

 I support men wearing gems 100% but I feel like this "mens" ring is pushing that envelope. I mean... my husbands ring looks like THIS.

It is the one on the left with the ruby (mine is on the right.) It has a ruby.. correct me if I'm wrong.. but even the manliest of men couldn't sport this without some raised eyebrows.

Etsy: Out of all of them Etsy clearly shines. I wasn't expecting much... honestly. Even though I personally shop on Etsy F.O.R. everything. They have a lot of the most common suggestions wallets, a tie, cuff links, and shaving implements. I see so much more though.. customizable cell phone covers/cases, messenger bag, compass (love this idea), personalized pocket knife, and soap? I approve of this list. It could really get your ideas flowing. So B- for Etsy!

Anyway. You get the idea. Here is how to shop for YOUR guy.

Do what I do... make it a gift for HIM the easy way.

The first step is to pay attention to him. Does he complain about ANYTHING and can one of those complains (because I'm sure he does) be FIXED with a gift?? That is the easiest way to make someone happy. If his chair is uncomfortable get him a new one and have someone make a SEAHAWKS cover for it if he's crazy about his home team. (12th woman!)

If you don't find inspiration down that road here is a sure fire way to find SOMETHING for him.

1. Make a list. This is a list of everything he LIKES to do. Does he play video games? You don't have to be specific yet. Just make a list. Sports, Video games, Fishing, watching TV.. etc. Whatever it is. If he likes to DRIVE. If he likes to SIT OUTSIDE. Just make a list.

2. Make a list of things he uses. Does he have keys? Keychain. Does he WEAR jewelry? Rings? Does he wear CLOTHES? Does he drive a car? What kind of phone does he have? Does he read (bookmarks).... etc. Or even things you THINK he would LIKE to use.

3. RANDOM ITEMS! Just FUN stuff like magnetic poetry for the fridge, posters, and models.

Now that you have those chose something from 1 and something from 2 and put it together. If you want extra small stuff to go with more expensive items mix 1. and 3.

Examples:
1. Hubbins likes the game Eve Online
2. I got him a keychain that was the symbol for his favorite empire.

1. One of his favorite book series is The Wheel of Time
3. I had a woman on Etsy print the map from under the cover onto canvas

1. Quote from favorite show/video game/movie
2. PUT it on something. Shirt, book mark, cell phone case...

1. Hubbins doesn't love hunting
2. Don't make things CAMO! lol

Personalize with inside jokes, memories, or names.

We ALWAYS have spending limits for every occasion and they are never over $50 usually. So, we never have extravagent gifts. We never give each other anything we "need" but that doesn't mean they are always crazy. Last year one of the gifts he got me (not sure for which holiday) was an iced tea maker... its amazing. I didn't even know I wanted one.

On Valentines Day 2014 I will update this list with what we got each other so you can see how it worked out. I don't see Valentines Day as a "present" holiday so our spending limit is $30. This doesn't include dinner/flowers/chocolates we would like to get each other.

I'm excited. The presents that I chose for him this year are both very small. One of them is a fun item and one is a personalized (by this system) gift. Its on the sweet side because of Valentines Day.

Good Luck and don't stress. I'm sure if I got Hubbins a paper bag puppet he would love it.

LOVELOVELOVELOVELOVE

Thank you so much for following along!

8 Advent Calendars and Christmas

I'm so nosy. WHAT did you get for Christmas? I have no idea why I would like to know. I like to say its because it is how I collect ideas for others presents. Ha.

I loved giving out both bought and made gifts this year.We gave a gift card, a Christmas nativity scene and some crochet gloves for example.

(These are not available in my store at the moment. After the holidays perhaps.)
If you are a Crocheter though you can find the pattern by YarnBlossomBoutique HERE

Here is a little collage of what I got my husband. Not a huge Christmas this year because of car troubles, college costs, and starting a new job cost me $144... but that is for a different post.

1. A drawing print for Bill Murray and Dan Aykroyd from Ghostbusters (his favorite movie) HERE
2. A t-shirt that says "With great beard comes great responsibility (he has a beard and always will) HERE
3. Metalworks 3D laser cut models. They send you the sheets and they make tiny metal models. They have a variety of different shapes. I chose to get Gerry "The Black Pearl" he loves it and is almost finished making it. They are for children but make great little stocking stuffers. HERE

What I wish we had done this year? Get an advent calendar with opening doors. I made this one.

Which was nice. I like the way it turned out. You can purchase them from OhHelloMagpie HERE. I took inspiration from their picture to make mine.

At the same time though.. I like opening the little doors. I CRAVE it. There are a lot of DIY advent calendars but.. that doesn't help me does it? I'd be the one to make it. I was lured inspired to get an advent calendar by the vlogger (during her vlogmas videos) Zoella. She had FIVE to open every day. JEALOUSSSSS.

There are a lot of different kinds of advent calendars. Here is a list of 8 I wouldn't mind getting for us to open next year.

1. A DIY one that you've had bought purhaps? Still appeals to your DIY self. They have a nice selection on Etsy.  (The picture I used is from Shim&Sons blog. It is a tutorial in case you wanted to make one of these FOR me someone.)
2. Ciaté 'Mini Mani' Set advent calendar ($58) 25 NAILPOLISHES! (which is a $168 value!)
3. The coveted Benefit Countdown to Love advent calendar ($68) Which is an assortment of different beauty products.
4. David's Tea ($30) makes this adorable advent calendar full of a variety of teas. Each day is one cup of tea.

1. Freedom Advent Calendar ($56) JEWELRY ♥ Can you imagine? Rings, earrings, necklaces, and bracelets... the possibilities.
2. Whimsical Woodland Advent Cabin!($79.95) While this one is on the super spendy side. There is a plus. This is more of a "make a tradition" advent calendar. Something you keep. Inside each door is a little woodland creature. This would go great with a Christmas town set up. I adore it. Especially the little cabin front. I like that the back is where the bulk of the doors are. The front door is the extra special 25th surprise!
3. La Maison du Chocolat Advent Calendar ($50) gourmet chocolate.. if you are going to do chocolate. Do it right. Just take a look at their website. Ganaches, pralines...heaven.
4. Playmobil Princess Advent Calendar ($24.99) This is one of the things Zoella had. Click on her name to watch her Vlogmas for December 2013 and open all the doors and put it together! SUPERCUTE. Not even sure why I want this.

Well there you have it folks. Advent calendars. A delight. I want to get TWELVE and just open ONE each month and pretend there is something special going on on the 25th of each month.

I'll be back for a post about NEW YEARS resolutions!

Thank you so much for following along!