This past Fall, I found myself once again combing etsy for DIY gift-giving inspiration. My eldest niece is both a chemist and artist in her spare time and I discovered a wonderful way to combine her interests. This witty shop sells labels for crayons, pencils and markers that tell you the chemical formula to make each color. Brilliant, right? My inner science geek resurfaced for the first time since high school.
After I got my set of 50 colored pencil labels, I stitched a crayon roll-up in which to carry them and got a few of my favorite Doodle Books. Here’s to a clever and creative gift!
I was on a roll (teehee) and made a few extra of these handy traveling cases. There are a few in the shop now, with more on their way!
This next new item I could say was inspired by either of my nieces, but in reality, it’s something I would have loved to keep had there been enough fabric to make a larger size. I found this adorable blue dot fabric in the holiday section of my local fabric store, and while it evokes thoughts of snow days, it’s to charming to keep stored away only for winter. Since I had a limited amount of fabric leftover from my holiday gifts (and the crayon roll you see above), I decided to make these into child-sized placemats perfect for a tea party. There are matching coasters, which can be for grownups (I want to keep a set!) or used to accompany the placemats if you or your kiddo prefer.
Finally, each of the gals (my nieces) I so frequently mention had birthdays this past month. For the elder, I felt a full-sized apron would do her well during her frequent chemistry experiments. There is no reason we all must wear white lab coats, after all. This was my first attempt at an apron this size without a pattern and I am quite pleased with it. Sure, it could be a tad shorter, but as far as kid things go, I figure things that are bigger just get to be kept for longer, right? Note, the younger niece is actually modeling the apron that is for her elder cousin. Normally very camera-shy, the Little Miss wouldn’t hold still, hence the action shots. Yes, her cousin’s name is embroidered below, and my brother promises to get a photo of the actual apron owner experimenting away for my own benefit and smiles.
Little Miss (above) requested a purse this year. I made her one a year ago of which she was quite fond, but this time wanted to look for something that could be easily transported. The DIY goddesses were working in my favor, as the very next day I spotted this tutorial on Pinterest. It was so cute and sized so well for a wee one, that I couldn’t resist making two. I am not sure what a 7-year-old carries in her purse, but I gather the size will be sufficient for the majority of her appointments.
Of course, each of these voracious readers was also given a book or two for her birthday. What kind of Aunt would I be if not? And just because I don’t have a photo of the tad older Little Miss in her apron, I do have one from her birthday week. She’s quite a rock star, no?
Finally, I have not forgotten my most awesome nephew. However, he’s hit an age (middle school-yikes!) where homemade gifts that interest him are few and far between. That said, I’m determined. So if anyone knows of any cool Playstation/Steeler/aloof preteen themed DIYs, please send them my way!
<3
