Silhouette Machine Creations

Since I had just shared a my newest creation with the Silhouette machine, thought maybe I would make a compilation post of all the items I have made and shared.

Heat Transfer

• Silhouette Heat Transfer Gifts Created for Tweens (Headbands, pants, pillowcases)
• Silhouette  Heat Transfer Creations (headbands with various titles)
• Road Trip T-Shirts
• Silhouette Teacher T-Shirts
• "I FLY! What's Your Super Power?" Sweatshirt
• Basketball Coach Personalized T-Shirt
• 4-H T-Shirt with the Silhouette Machine
• Silhouette "Swim Mom" Shirts
• DIY Concert T-Shirts
• Girls Weekend Beach Tank Tops
• Personalized Beach Bags (End of the Year Teacher Gift)
• EAT. SLEEP. SWIM. REPEAT. T-Shirt
• SWIMMING Flannel Pajama Pants
• State Swim (Headbands and Hats) Silhouette Creations

Vinyl

• Harry Potter Golden Snitch Valentine Box
• After School Snack Wine Glass - Teacher Gift
• RETIREment Gift Idea
• Fall and Christmas Reversible Blocks
• Easy Vinyl Lettered Cups for Teachers and Bus Drivers  
• DIY Cabin Sign

And these are just the things I have shared with you on my blog. You probably noticed I haven't posted on here as much lately, but have been trying to post in other places. So, please Follow my FB page or Follow me on Instagram to see more Silhouette items I have created.

DIY Headbands using your Silhouette machine

Just finished making our "Shop with Santa" gifts. If you don't know what it is, it is an event coming up on Saturday, December 1st where kids can shop for homemade gifts (made by 4-H families) with assistance from a 4-H member and have them wrapped by an adult. Most gifts are priced around $1-2. This allows kids to pick out affordable presents for their family and have it be a surprise.

My daughter and I made these together. You can see the other (Name) headbands I created in the post Silhouette Heat Transfer Gifts Created for Tweens. There are some other fun ideas there too.

7 Handmade Easter Gift Ideas

Peep Finger Puppets



Easter Bunny Smores



Loom Knit Stuffed Bunny




DIY Peep Hair Ties



Jelly Bean Filled Easter Egg



Easter Applique T-Shirt


Upcycled Easter Bunny Ears Hat

Homemade Holidays

I wanted to share some pictures of some other things that we made this holiday season. In the top picture you can see some hand-painted plaster ornaments that our family made. We like to make new ornaments every year.

Next is some blocks that say Merry Xmas on one side and then on the other side say Happy fall. I had never gotten around to sharing that craft project I will probably share it another time later on.

And there is some glycerin soaps that my daughter made to give as gifts that have different plants and essential oils in them.

 These are a couple of the yummy treats that we made early on. Sugar cookie cutouts and Rolo Bites.

I asked the kids what treats they for sure wanted me to make this year and my daughter said homemade peanut brittle (I had bought some from a store and she said it wasn't as good as mine.) And my son said peanut butter blossoms. The only time I make gingerbread men is the holidays and after my son brought home the book from school ( then looked on our shelves to find our copy of The Gingerbread Girl), I knew I needed to make some.

Easy Vinyl Lettered Cups for Teachers and Bus Driver

It is teacher appreciation week so giving you an idea of something you can easily make to give to a teacher, a coach, or a bus driver. I made mine using the silhouette machine but if you don't have one of those machines to cut out vinyl letters you can just bye your own vinyl stickers and put on. We filled our drink cups with drink mixes as well.

20 Elementary Age Boy Gift Ideas

Be sure to check out my list of Tween Girl Ideas that I posted  last week!

FYI - there are NO affiliate links in here and I wasn't asked to put any of these items on here, these truly are all items that my kids want or I want to get for them.

Stocking Stuffers (Under $10)

Geyser Tube with Caps https://www.amazon.com/dp/B002RBEHKY/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_nS_ttl?_encoding=UTF8&colid=22SN3QPF6OLB&coliid=I2KBUTYVLGVFHN

Bird Call https://www.amazon.com/dp/B002P3850W/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pd_nS_ttl?_encoding=UTF8&colid=22SN3QPF6OLB&coliid=I20FL0QEP7I4R5&psc=1

The Dangerous Book for Boys https://www.amazon.com/dp/0062208977/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_nS_ttl?_encoding=UTF8&colid=22SN3QPF6OLB&coliid=IN2849V4HJJOC

Energy Ball Scientific Fun     https://www.amazon.com/Energy-Ball-Scientific-Lights-Sound/dp/B010OEFVP0

Magic Wooden Box https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0096E7M4S/ref=ox_sc_sfl_title_1?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=A7I2GMSDXJA22

$10-25 Price Range

ThinkFun Maker Studio Gears Building Kit https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00TLEMN92/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pd_nS_ttl?_encoding=UTF8&colid=22SN3QPF6OLB&coliid=I1NIKAUZBLBBSR

Lulu Jr. Illustory Junior https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00TLFTTB6/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_nS_ttl?_encoding=UTF8&colid=22SN3QPF6OLB&coliid=IASODVZANTGPX&psc=1

Amazing Toys DIY Solar Powered Scientific Dinosaur https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00WL6L8IY/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pd_S_ttl?_encoding=UTF8&colid=22SN3QPF6OLB&coliid=IYCGEGE3ZO5MY

The Lego Adventure Book Vol. 1 https://www.amazon.com/dp/1593274424/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pd_nS_ttl?_encoding=UTF8&colid=22SN3QPF6OLB&coliid=I174GSL6E5U0Q4

Exploding Kittens Card Game https://www.amazon.com/Exploding-Kittens-About-Explosions-Sometimes/dp/B010TQY7A8

Snap Circuits Jr. Electronic Discovery Kit https://www.amazon.com/Snap-Circuits-SC-100-Electronics-Discovery/dp/B00CIXVITO/ref=zg_bs_toys-and-games_19

Star Wars Death Star Planetarium https://www.amazon.com/Uncle-Milton-Science-Death-Planetarium/dp/B00339P9ME/ref=sr_1_5?s=toys-and-games&ie=UTF8&qid=1475172381&sr=1-5&keywords=star+wars

$25-$50 Price Range

Jolly Lama! Performing Juggling Sticks https://www.amazon.com/dp/B008BJCVPE/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_nS_ttl?_encoding=UTF8&colid=22SN3QPF6OLB&coliid=ITGDXV70ZJ7D6

GoSports Slammo Game Set https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00K8ANYZU/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_nS_ttl?_encoding=UTF8&colid=22SN3QPF6OLB&coliid=I3BCWFJ0LGMRZ0

Camouflage Mummy Sleeping Bag https://www.amazon.com/dp/B008L0YTGC/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_nS_ttl?_encoding=UTF8&colid=22SN3QPF6OLB&coliid=I1JWN2FMJ1KMNH

Geospace Walkaroo Jr. Stilts https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00175XCCU/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pd_nS_ttl?_encoding=UTF8&colid=22SN3QPF6OLB&coliid=I3601LJ9R7JMO8

Thames and Kosmos Little Labs Intro to Engineering https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001TG20S4/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_S_ttl?_encoding=UTF8&colid=22SN3QPF6OLB&coliid=I3MOHFYI1PDW1X

$50+ Price Range

PlasmaCar https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000GUGY1S/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_nS_ttl?_encoding=UTF8&colid=22SN3QPF6OLB&coliid=ILVPM45K20UWL

LEGO Star Wars Imperial Assualt Hovertank https://www.amazon.com/LEGO-Imperial-Assault-Hovertank-75152/dp/B01CVGV93C/ref=sr_1_23?s=toys-and-games&ie=UTF8&qid=1475172514&sr=1-23&keywords=star+wars+rogue+one

Thames and Kosmos Remote Control Machines https://www.amazon.com/Thames-Kosmos-Remote-Control-Machines/dp/B003KYXAQO/ref=lp_11177497011_1_4?s=toys-and-games&ie=UTF8&qid=1475173140&sr=1-4

20 Tween Girl Gift Ideas

I have a daughter right in the Tween age and she has been giving me ideas to add to her wish list and I have added even more of my own as I come across items I think she would really enjoy. Of course, she will only get a small percentage of these items because we do stick to a budget and I make homemade gifts as well. I just wanted to share some of the things on the list in case the readers of Northern Cheapskate are looking for ideas.

As a tip: I have all these items added to an Amazon Wish List and I periodically check the list to see if prices change and if I see a price is dropped to a price I think it a good deal I will pick it up.


FYI - there are NO affiliate links in here and I wasn't asked to put any of these items on here, these truly are all items that my kids want or I want to get for them.

Stocking Stuffers (under $10)

Be Amazing Toys Energy Stick https://www.amazon.com/dp/B004K0DSDC/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_nS_ttl?_encoding=UTF8&colid=3U031QMTZWNFQ&coliid=I18VMXJE1OLWJ9

Toysmith Garden Root Viewer https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00025EIZQ/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pd_nS_ttl?_encoding=UTF8&colid=3U031QMTZWNFQ&coliid=I2CAJKDODZME9K&psc=1

Sleepover Party Mad Libs https://www.amazon.com/dp/084312699X/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_nS_ttl?_encoding=UTF8&colid=3U031QMTZWNFQ&coliid=I2AI6DC1D9EZR9

Mermaid Fish Scale Leggings https://www.amazon.com/dp/B015VU4ITM/ref=twister_dp_update?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

The Daring Book for Girls https://www.amazon.com/dp/0062208969/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_nS_ttl?_encoding=UTF8&colid=22SN3QPF6OLB&coliid=I1G9M8QP033T4I

$10-25 Price Range

4M Doodling Robot https://www.amazon.com/dp/B002EWWW9O/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_nS_ttl?_encoding=UTF8&colid=3U031QMTZWNFQ&coliid=I1ZF0SGKCJJ469&psc=1

Melissa and Doug Craft Weaving Loom https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00KO6UGXG/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pd_nS_ttl?_encoding=UTF8&colid=3U031QMTZWNFQ&coliid=I309YMZ5E0735E

Be Amazing Toys Test Tube Adventures https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00KO6UGXG/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pd_nS_ttl?_encoding=UTF8&colid=3U031QMTZWNFQ&coliid=I309YMZ5E0735E

Rainbow in My Room Night Light Light Projector

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000TK8440/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_nS_ttl?_encoding=UTF8&colid=3U031QMTZWNFQ&coliid=I31XSMRERLRJ54&psc=1

Sew Everything Workshop Beginner’s Guide https://www.amazon.com/dp/0761139737/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pd_nS_ttl?_encoding=UTF8&colid=22SN3QPF6OLB&coliid=I2ZKP3E9WAOSV2

Glow’n’Grow Terrarium https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00I9KDFK0/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pd_nS_ttl?_encoding=UTF8&colid=22SN3QPF6OLB&coliid=I1PZTPOL1K56W

4M Magentic Mini Tile Art https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0016ISNW2/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pd_nS_ttl?_encoding=UTF8&colid=3U031QMTZWNFQ&coliid=I36W49PJ0084UN

$25-$50 Price Range

Chicago Bullet Roller Skate https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0047HDHZC/ref=twister_dp_update?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

Ozobot Programmable Toy Robot https://www.amazon.com/dp/B015TCC9MA/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_nS_ttl?_encoding=UTF8&colid=3U031QMTZWNFQ&coliid=I1UPGRBTFRKPAH&psc=1

Sound Soul Music Fountain Speakers https://www.amazon.com/dp/B014MCIGYS/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_nS_ttl?_encoding=UTF8&colid=3U031QMTZWNFQ&coliid=I36Z4Y1TDAUFC9&psc=1

Go Sports Slammo Game

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00K8ANYZU/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_nS_ttl?_encoding=UTF8&colid=22SN3QPF6OLB&coliid=I3BCWFJ0LGMRZ0

Intex Inflatable Pull-Out Chair Bed https://www.amazon.com/dp/B005OHEYZG/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pd_nS_ttl?_encoding=UTF8&colid=22SN3QPF6OLB&coliid=I3QZUHYMVPGMGZ

$50+ Price Range

Snowboard: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B002DREG5I/ref=twister_B01LXV9OFA?_encoding=UTF8&th=1

Razor Powerwing Scooter https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001K3JUHA/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_nS_ttl?_encoding=UTF8&colid=3U031QMTZWNFQ&coliid=I3Q6TLKUYCFR22&psc=1

Perfume Science Kit https://www.amazon.com/Thames-Kosmos-646517-Sophisticated-Science/dp/B001ALLMWS

8 Fun DIY Gift Ideas for Your Book Club or the Book Lover in Your Life

Since I am traveling today, I thought I would share some ideas that I thought were pretty awesome from other bloggers. I might need to do some of these with my book club.


DIY Book Jars - These are such cute candle holders and look super easy to make. Check them out at Arrow and Apple.

Library Tote Bag - What could be easier than an inexpensive tote bag and an iron-on Tranfer. See how it is done on U-Createcrafts.

Beaded Bookmarks - You could easily customize these beautiful bookmarks to suit the taste of any book lover you know with this idea from Tip Junkie. 

Rolled Book Page Wreath - This one looks like it may take a bit of time, but if you have time to spare you could make this beautiful looking wreath from Brassy Apple. 

Book Necklace -  This is just darling and looks like it is a quick and easy gift to make. You can find the tutorial on the Darice website.

Fabric Covered Book - I am just in love with all the beautiful colors of fabric used in these journals. I have made a few of these before and they are always well received. Check out how they are make on two twenty-one

Paper Mache Bowl - What a clever use of an old book that is falling apart or just something you picked up at a thrift store. See how to make your own on The Lulu Bird.

Hardcover Book Purse - OMG! I have to make this! I just need to find a book with a really interesting cover to make this with the tutorial on HGTV and then I can use the pages from inside for some of these other crafts.

Non-Traditional Golden 50th Wedding Anniversary Gift Ideas

 Earlier this month, I presented you with an idea to make a handprint golden pineapple craft for a child to do. This was a craft project that my son completed to give to his grandparents as a 50th wedding anniversary gift. My husband and I wanted to be creative in what we gave to his parents for their 50th wedding anniversary and we're trying to think of a variety of things that were non-traditional but still considered golden for the golden 50th wedding anniversary.

I thought there may be some other people out there who wanted to not just give a gold frame or some other kind of gold decoration and would like to see what ideas we had.

Those ideas include Bacardi Gold rum, gold gummy bears, Gold Toe socks, a golden frame, a golden helium balloon with a card that wished them well on their golden wedding anniversary, a painting of the Golden Gate Bridge in a gold frame that my daughter made for them, gold Hershey Kisses put in a handmade Pottery dish that I made, and everything was put into a gold gift bag.

Square Pottery Candy Dish

I just love how this dish turned out. I had all these ideas swirling around in my head that I wanted to try and I tried several of them out on this dish that I hand built.

First off, I slab rolled out my clay. Then I used a ruler to make a square template on newspaper and then cut that out of the slabbed clay. I did not use a mold with this one. I used slip and scoured my corners to join them and then made a small coil that I put inside each edge that I smoothed in to place.

After I finished making the body of the dish, I used the tip of a fettling knife to create the detail inside. Once that was finished, I made the feet, which I did my rolling balls and flattening them on both sides, then using a sculpting too I carved out the details that make it look like bottle caps. I put those in place by souring and using slip between the feet and the dish, the smoothed edges together.

Next was the detail on the outside with the coils. I made those to help fill in and strengthen the joined edges of the dishes.

Finally, the glaze. I really wanted to see the knife detailing I did inside so there is only a clear glaze on the inside sides. On the bottom I used a sandstone glaze with clear glaze over top and on the outside I did a dark blue glaze. This piece for me was more about the details I put in the clay rather than the design of the glaze.

Small Pottery Trays

Here are just a few small pottery trays I have made in the last year.....I have actually made several more than this. Some of them I made specifically for someone, but in other cases I use these trays (about the size of a butter dish) as a way to try out glaze combinations or texture techniques and if they turn out I have an actual piece I can give someone rather than just testing out on flat pieces. So, at Christmas this year, several of my daughter's teachers received small trays (not an of these pictured) with candy on them.

Pottery Dinosaur and Butterfly Ornaments

These are ornaments I made for my children (they each have their own little Christmas trees), a niece and nephew and our own tree. I had been making a lot of pottery items and pottery is the one thing I do that no one else in my family does, so it's something I can make for them that they can't make for themselves. I started an ornament collection for my children from their first Christmas and gave them small (we're talking about 2.5'-3' tall) artificial trees and each year they get a new ornament from St. Nick but we also add to that collection some homemade ornaments. I also wanted them to have a keepsake ornament that their mom/aunt made. Plus, making ornaments are a easy way that uses a small amount of clay to test how some glazes work together.

I made these by slab rolling out clay and using cookie cutters. Simple to make and a big impact on the tree and their memories. I really how using a small piece of thick ribbon added to the luxuriousness of the ornament.

#ad How to Make Custom Marbled Gift Boxes PLUS GIVEAWAY for 10 Gift Boxes

Directions:

Supplies needed:

• Acrylic paint
• Shaving cream
• Knife or stick
• White Gift Boxes
• Squigee
• Large container or box

To make these custom marble gift boxes, it doesn't take much time and they dry fairly quickly, but I would allow 24 hours before packaging them up to give away just to be sure everything has cured.

1. Just spray shaving cream in the bottom of a large container or box. 
2. Drizzle a variety of acrylic paint colors over the shaving cream. 
3. Cut in the paint to the shaving cream to create swirls (don't overs to this or the colors will become muddled). 
4. Dip your box or paper on the top layer of painted shaving cream.
5. Using a squigee, scrape off the shaving cream. Don't worry, the paint will stay on.
6. Allow to dry for 24 hours before handling

I did mine in the bathroom so that I could easily wash off my squigee from excess shaving cream.

My Thoughts

I was excited to try out this pack of 10 gift boxes from MyPresentforyou because I knew it was going to be fun to decorate up a blank canvas. The boxes are all white and come in a set of 10 of them. The size of mine are 9x4.5x4.5 which is a decent size for a lot of things including some of my handmade pottery items and bakery goods.

The boxes do come with little bows that you can use. There are no instructions on how to use the bows, but you just pull the little bow strands in the center between the bigger ribbon strands and pull until you have made the bow and then tie it so that it stays in place. I used the bow on my first time using one of these gift boxes because I had done the marble technique and didn't want to take away from having the recipient see that. But other times I think I will leave the box a plain white and really do up the bows and ribbons with other ones I use. The possibilities are endless on how to decorate up these boxes whether you are changing up the ribbon or decorating the box. I even thinking that the next present my kids have to give someone I will let them color on the box and put stickers to make it more fun for them.

Buy these gift boxes on Amazon!

Product Description from Giving gifts is great by itself, but the very best part is opening them! That's why having a great gift box for your gift makes a big difference. This complete set contains all you need to wrap up your presents, cupcakes, cookies & bakery Items or baby clothes. The set includes 10 white gift boxes (9x4.5 x4.5") plus 10 shiny butterfly pull bows and complimentary tissue paper.
The high quality boxes are made of one piece with a deluxe white high gloss finish on the outside and a fine-looking matte white on the within. Boxes have a tuck top and a lock tab bottom and are shipped flat. The boxes are perfect to wrap gifts for your loved ones and friends!

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Homemade Christmas Gifts

This holiday season our family has received so many awesome homemade gifts from friends and family and I wanted to share with you the hard work others have done. Maybe these ideas will help give you some ideas of your own for gifts that you want to make in the future.

This is my son with his Stegasaurus backpack and hat that my parents gave him.

This is my wooden door mat that my parents made for me.

This is my daughter with the quiver my parents made for her. Her arrows are all at home and weren't available for this picture, but she is anxious to use this with them when she goes to Archery practice.

Some yummy ice cream toppings that my parents made (well, probably just my mom.)

This is some homemade lavender-mint fabric softener that a friend made. I have already been using it so the cute tied on label is gone, plus 1/4 of the fabric softener is gone.

My MIL made me this present, which will go to the cabin with us. It is a table runner (folded in half in this picture), a button on towel, napkins, and potholders.

My parents made this wooden slide-in sofa side table for my husband. He actually has one they made him a couple years ago but we use it so often (usually the kids have confiscated it) that he really wanted to have a second one.

My MIL made this beautiful dress for my daughter and a matching one for her American Girl doll. 

My daughter made me this bracelet.

My son made these bird feeders for his grandparents.

What is missing from these pictures of homemade gifts we received are:

* Winter Survival Kit (we have already taken this apart to use, it had in it Kleenex, Airborne, Ricola cough drops, lip balm, hot cocoa, and tea) - from my parents

* Homemade Candies - caramels and peanut clusters made and given by a friend in book club

* Homemade Playdough with a cookie cutter- for my son from his preschool teacher

* Handpainted Snowman Jar filled with a tealight and candies made by my son while at preschool

* Elf/SantaCandy Jars filled with Hersey kisses and a little felt hat on top and black belt for the kids from my parents

* Hand painted picture of our cabin from one of my friends (this is still in process, I was just given a picture of the work in progress so I haven't actually received it)

Plus, I wouldn't want to forget about the gifts of time a couple of friends have given me. One friend treated me to a pedicure at a local spa and another friend took to to a dinner at a winery with thieving from the barrel. 

Gosh, I hope I didn't forget any homemade gifts. They are all wonderful and I really appreciate the time people have spent making those gifts and thinking of us. 

We also received lots of other wonderful gifts that we are extremely thankful to have received and feel very blessed to be gifted with. We are very fortunate.

Try It Tuesday: Sequins and Lace Cowl

Another loom knit gift. I used the yellow knifty knitter loom to make this and the yarn is Patons Sequins Lace Yarn, which is a weight of 2 and has the sequins already. By using this thin yarn, it gives it a lace look and the stitches look different with more emphasis put on the spaces and how the yarn is knit together.

I used a basic e-wrap stitch  to construct this cowl. You can read the linked post and see the video tutorial if you need more explanation on how to do that.

To cast off and finish the piece, I did a simple chain by picking up a loop and then a second and pulling the second loop through the first loop so that I was left with only the second loop on the crochet hook, and then pick up another loop and continue doing this until you have taken all the loops off the loom. Tie in your end.

This will create a tighter circle on one end and I think it looks good to put the cowl on with the tighter end first so that the end that is more loose drapes over the top.

You will want to keep creating rows until you have your desired length. I made mine about 16-17" long.

If you are looking for another idea to use this yarn with, I also made a headband with it using straw weaving, if you haven't tried that, it is pretty fun.

12 Gifts of Christmas: Elegant Snowman Earrings

I didn't want something over the top and blantently snowman or anything that was a holiday cliche. I was going for elegant and something that could be worn year round with the subtle reminder of a snowman. I decided on two different styles, one using all white glass pearl beads and the other using a combination of white, pink and a grey-white glass pearl bead. You may remember the grey-white pearl beads from the drop earrings that I made myself.