Handmade Sustainable Gift Pack

Using eco friendly, reusable items and living a more sustainable, less packaged existence, has not only had an impact on our immediate family, but also extended family and friends. 

Reusable bread bags 

I've had a lot of people asking me how to make something, or where to get an item from, or how they can make it themselves.

Beeswax Wraps
Plastic Wrap Alternative

So I decided to come up with a Handmade Sustainable gift pack. A pack full of goodies that I have made to gift to people for housewarmings, birthdays, or whenever! 

All the items are easy to make, and are not only a great gift, they are also a great talking point. When you gift these items, it gives you the opportunity to not only explain how they work, but also make people more aware of the disposable way in which we currently live, and introduce a way of reducing their waste and living more sustainably (without freaking them out or lecturing them!).

I have made all of these items, and blogged about them previously, follow the links to find out more on how to make each one.


My pack includes; A cotton bread bag (made from a 100% cotton tea towel). Three felted dryer balls, and two reusable beeswax wraps.

A Handmade Sustainable Gift Pack
Your friends and the environment will thank you!

These are the items I included in a gift pack, however you include any number of things. Items that you might prefer to make, or already make. Items such as shampoo bars, a pot of flowers, or even herbs, in a handmade pouch (as pictured). Even a few good old handmade handkerchiefs! There are a myriad of possibilities.

What items would you include in a handmade sustainable gift pack?

Ice Cream Party, Easy as Thank You Tags!

As I am writing this post, it's hardly ice-cream weather. We've had some small glimpses of spring, but it's not sunshine and swimwear just yet (thank heavens says my winter body!)

It is less than a month until my little little man turns three, and he has decided he wants an Ice-Cream Party. Fingers crossed the weather comes to the party!

I am pretty excited at his request actually. He had previously asked for a Thomas cake, which was to include pretty much the entire cast of Thomas and Friends. An ice cream party provides the opportunity for a lot more creativity, possibility and I think fun!

When he made this request, I just happened to have my little bundle of goodies from The Make Good Co. in front of me and was hit by a brain wave. So I have decided to share with you my first little DIY in a while. 


Easy Ice Cream Thank You Tags

Oooh I love stationery

What You Need;

Felt Tip Pens - One Black, One Red
Large Kraft Gift Tags
Alphabet Stamps + a black ink pad (or your message can be handwritten)
Pastel Heart Stickers - your choice of colour for the ice-cream
Mini Bunting Stickers
Mini Polka Dot Stickers - bright pink for the cherry or a red felt tip pen

It's seriously very simple! 

1. Get your gift tags.

2. Put down a heart sticker close to the top in the centre as shown (leave room for a cherry). Then place a mini bunting sticker over the top where the sides of the heart just meet with the corners of the triangle.

See, not rocket science...

3. If you have some bright pink dot stickers, put one down above the heart in the centre for a cherry. Draw around the circle and make a stalk with the black pen. If you don't have a dot sticker, simply colour the circle in red as I have.

Yummy!!

4. Lastly go to town with your little stamps and stamp out your message or handwrite it. Such fun!

You can get all of the things you need to make these from The Make Good Co. They ship worldwide and have an amazing range of stickers, tags, bags and even yarns for all your crafty needs. 


This is not a paid post, however I am currently a brand ambassador for The Make Good Company who have kindly provided the products I've used for this DIY.

Has preparing for a party, ever led you to come up with a crafty handmade solution?

Handmade Biggest Kids Christmas

Here are the last of my handmade Christmas gift suggestions for this year.

FOR HER

1. Knitted Necklace - These are my take on a Mollie Makes tutorial. Quick, easy and a little bit different
2. Personalised Bracelet - From Debby at 2Roads Designs. These are lovely and you can have your own message stamped onto the bracelet, so thoughtful
3. Crochet Rug - Add a bit of cute and cosy to her life with a hand crochet rug from Castle Handmade**
4. Cookies - Yum, I love to give and receive baked goods! Bake some or buy some (preferably that someone has handmade not from the supermarket). I made some of these up for gifts a few Christmases ago. The little owl I made from a kids' sock, following this free tutorial

FOR HIM

1. Tie Bar Clip Set - Debby at 2Roads Designs will customise these for your man, very suave
2. Ugly Jumper Card - Write him a lovely festive message in one of these awesome Christmas Cards from Mum and me Handmade Designs
3. Knit Something! - There are so many good things out there to knit for the man in your life. If, like me, you have a bit of a nerd, head to ravelry and look up Doctor Who, very cool gift ideas for Whovians
4. Personalised Luggage Tags - Again from Debby at 2Roads, personal and practical, that says man gift to me

**please note, I have not actually purchased anything from Castle Handmade at this stage, I just think her stuff is so darn cute!

Handmade Big Kids Christmas

Here we are, my handmade suggestions for the bigger kids, the biggest kids to follow tomorrow.

BIG BOY GIFT IDEAS

1. Ninja Doll - Little Sew & Sews have this cute pattern to make your own ninja For the little man in your life of course!
2. Pirate Hat - Ahoy! I am currently in the midst of knitting up a couple of these scurvy hats for my land lubbers. Free knitting pattern
3. Pirate Sword & Map - I bought this from Kerry at What-nots for Tiny Tots last year for my eldest. Seriously awesome handmade toy
4. Pool Noodle Sock Horse - Need I say more? Seriously, make one, free tutorial

BIG GIRL GIFT IDEAS

1. Felt Food - These yummy pancakes are another amazing creation by Kerry at What-nots for Tiny Tots. If you are feeling you have more time up your sleeve, there are heaps of tutorials online for felt food
2. Floss Dress - This stunning dress is by Tam at Dandelion and Boo. I bought one of her beautiful dresses and bonnets earlier in the year for our princess, really well made and one of a kind
3. Super Doll - Another super pattern and tutorial from Little Sew & Sews
4. Ladybug Sun Hat - Yes Pleats and Treats, if you have little ones, they need one of these adorable hats!

Handmade Little Kids Christmas

I have been excited about writing these posts for a while. It's just been a matter of finding the time to put it all together.

Below I have made lists for handmade items you can make yourself, or purchase from a talented crafts person, for the little people on your Christmas list. I have personally selected these items as I have either purchased something from the maker myself, or made it myself so I know that it works.

I hope to get to everyone on the Christmas list, however it seems Christmas crafting and looking after my brood takes up quite a bit of time!

Baby Gift Ideas

 

1. Baby Block - Make your own baby block with this tutorial
2. Santa Sack - You can buy one of these gorgeous ones that my own mum has made, or make one of your own by searching tutorials online
3. Taggie Toy - Ever notice how kids just play with the tags on toys? Pleats and Treats make the cutest taggies 
4. Mobile - It doesn't take long to put together a few bits and pieces to make a really effective mobile. I made this one for my little girl

Toddler Gift Ideas

1. Sun Hat - My son loves his handmade Pleats and Treats sun hat
2. Plush Tool Set - I made these for my boys last year (not pictured) using a pattern and tutorial I bought from Little Sew & Sews. The boys still love them and Bel has other super cute patterns to choose from too
3. Crocodile Scarf - Download the pattern instantly from Morehouse Farm and get knitting!
4. Fox Neck Warmer - This free pattern knits up really quickly

Next time, things for the big kids!