that's a wrap

This was a gift we got for a little girl.  It is an adorable handbag in different shades of purple.  Inside I tucked a diary.  I finished it with some cellophane and ribbon and an initial sticker. 

that's a wrap

We gave this gift to a little girl who turned five this summer.  She loves Fancy Nancy so we gave her a copy of  Fancy Nancy and the Mermaid Ballet.  I also gave her somes fun melissa and doug sand toys.  I wrapped it in my signature cellophane with a number "5" gift tag and some purple shred.

that's a wrap

My baby is one today!  I still can't believe it.  I was having a hard time deciding about what to get him since he is our third child and we just celebrated Christmas.  His older sister (age five) decided that the perfect gift would be a jack in the box.  We found this Eric Carle one and I have to say that it is darling.  The box is tin and it has a soft caterpillar inside that pops out after the song plays "pop" goes the weasel.  I love that my daughter thought of this gift all by herself.  It was the perfect gift for a one year old.

that's a wrap

Last weekend my daughter attended a really fun Zumba birthday party.  Our gifts for the "rock star" were some candy rocks, an American girl book with lots of different star activities and a graphic t-shirt (with a guitar on it) from mini boden. 

that's a wrap

Sorry about the lack of posts - we were out of power for three days due to Hurricane Irene! 
This was a gift for a five year old girl who loves art.  We gave her an over sized coloring book, this book, a new box of crayons and a paint can filled with miniature art supplies.  I love how the wrapping paper picks up the colors on the crayon box and the combination of b&w stripes and polka dots pulls the whole thing together.
Our schools have been delayed until next week, but we have been counting down the days until kindergarten with some fun activities.  I will try to post about them soon.
I'm hoping all of our readers are safe and with power. 

cape cod

We are back from a week at the cape.  Here are just a few things that we love about the Cape....

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you get to eat pizza at the beach

You can paint your toes pink and wear fun flip flops!

You can get up-close and personal with lobsters.

                                                 


And they throw candy at the parade!

                                                   

                                                  

Hope you had a fun holiday weekend too!  More next week.

that's a wrap

This was a birthday gift for a little girl who had a red, star, and sports themed birthday party.  We gave her a pair of red sneakers that had white stars all over them!  I wrapped the gift in some red and white striped paper and then again with some thin tissue paper.  I like the way it turned out.  The red and white star ribbon and red star box (filled with star gummy candy) completed the gift.  Hope you have a wonderful holiday with your family and friends.  We are leaving for the Cape tomorrow so I won't be posting again until the end of next week. 

monkeying around

We are leaving this week for a family vacation in Ireland. While we are there, my husband and I are also flying to Italy for a wedding over Memorial day weekend. The kids will be staying with their aunt, uncle and cousins. I wanted to leave them little presents each day while we are away so that they will know that we are thinking about them. Since I am always calling them my little monkeys I went with a monkey theme. I found monkey jammies, books, stuffed animals and a puzzle. I even found a mix to make some monkey bread. I labeled bags for the days that we will be gone so all I have to do before we leave is stick one item in each bag. My daughter is already excited for us to leave knowing that she will get a little present for every day that we are gone. I am hoping that it will make it a little easier for all of us to be apart.

a pocket full of kisses

(photo courtesy of Barnes and Noble)

Here is how I turned the idea into a gift for a friend having her second boy. I used this book as the inspiration. It is about a raccoon named Chester that feels a little left out when his new brother arrives. His mother gives him extra kisses (for his pocket) and her gesture makes him feel much better. I wrapped and numbered the gifts and sent them off to my friend in CA. I told her what I had done for my daughter's visits to the hospital and let her decide when and where would be best to give these gifts to her son. Along with the book I sent a big brother t-shirt, a stuffed Chester, and a bag of Hershey kisses. The book alone, maybe with a pair of pants and some Hershey kisses tucked into the pocket, would also make a sweet gift for someone.

jelly beans

Can't decide what to get from the Little Red Wagon? Laurie also has gift certificates! I designed these packages, which are little clear pillows filled with jelly beans and a gift certificate in any amount you choose. What little girl wouldn't want one of these in her Easter Basket? Candy and the opportunity to pick out an adorable hair clip or head band, awesome! Contact Laurie for more details.

how does your garden grow?

As I mentioned before I have been working with the Little Red Wagon designing the packaging for their hair accessories. Above is one of the examples. These pots come with one flower clip and either a ladybug or bumble bee clip and are packaged in a cellophane bag. You can purchase these from Laurie at her etsy shop here . These would make a darling gift for a little girl who has a spring/summer birthday or tucked inside an Easter Basket. More to come later....

** Laurie and all of her cute hair accessories will be at a craft show at the Ellington Center School in Ellington, CT. from 10-3 on March 6.

Paperwhite

This is a gift basket that was made for one of my favorite little gardener friends. Inside a Terra cotta pot is nestled a favorite book called "Paperwhite," an oil cloth Cath Kidson gardening apron that I picked up on a trip to Ireland, and a hot pink watering can filled with paperwhite bulbs. I love to give gifts that include an activity and this one will hopefully bring a little bit of Spring to a long New England winter.

Beach Baby

This gift idea is for a baby celebrating her first birthday this summer. Pottery Barn Kids sell the most adorable petite towels. I tucked one inside a beach pail and added red and white polka dot sunglasses and a beach themed book. Sticker letters were used to personalize the shovel and bright green grosgrain ribbon tied around the handle were just the right details for this beach baby.