Another Pretty Package

I got these little packages in the mail a few days ago.


Itty bitty packages wrapped in sewing patterns, tied with knots made of strips of vintage sheets.


The contents aren’t a surprise, so I haven’t unwrapped them.  I like having them sitting there waiting.

They make me want to go hunting for vintage sheets.

{Restraint, Jennifer.   This is the year to finish, not to start more projects.}

Isn’t it awesome that you can use just about anything to make something a bit more special?  I love the creativity out there.  So fun!

What creative thing will you do today?

Hopeful Homemaker

Thoughtfulness through Presentation

As I’ve mentioned before , I’m re-developing the habit of thoughtfulness.

Time and budget constraints often prevent us from giving gifts, so I’m training myself to give smaller, simpler things.  I’ve even used my brownies a lot lately as gifts.   I watch for little things on sale that I can use as gifts or which can be used to package gifts in.

Wrapping a gift with someone special in mind can be a creative and happy experience.  It’s fun to rummage through bits of paper or ribbon and find ways to use them.


For President’s Day I gave away a couple copies of this amazing book .  I wanted the package to be patriotic and a bit more masculine in feel.  Lincoln and fluff just don’t go together in my mind.  For the first I used a simple red wrapping paper, followed by a rich blue raffia wrapped and criss-crossed around the book several times.  A patriotic tag tucked in and it was just right.


The second book I wrapped in the same wrapping paper.  I embellished the package with some navy tulle and burlap ribbon.


I tied a simple knot in the ribbons before taping them to the package.  I really like how it looked.  A tea-stained tag was hung on a Christmas ornament hook, which I then hooked to the ribbon.


I enjoy this process so much I would love to wrap a gift every day.  That would be a fun New Year’s resolution, wouldn’t it?  To give a gift every day of the year.  I love the creative experience of preparing the package and the feeling of anticipation it gives me to present it to the recipient.

Who doesn’t like a pretty package?  Have you given a beautiful package lately?

Have a great day!
Hopeful Homemaker

It’s a Party! Pillow



When I finished this pillow I was giddy with excitement.

I actually had an idea that I’ve never seen before, executed it, and it turned out as cute as I pictured!

I can’t remember the last time that happened.


I made a bunch of miniature bunting flags, turned them right side out, and arranged them on my current favorite Kona solid:  ash.


White rick rack finishes it all off.  I love the way the colors look against the gray, and I can’t stop looking at how all the little flags hang on the pillow.  So cute.


The inspiration for this pillow came from this project .  With three little girls sharing the room, I’m trying to make some pillows that reflect each girl’s age, tastes, and how I feel about them.  This pillow is for my three year old.  She’s just a precious little thing, and at such a perfect age, she makes me want to celebrate every day.  I am so happy to be her mom,  so she gets a party pillow.


I was thinking what a cute pillow this would be for a nursery.  You could embroider the baby’s name and birth statistics in the top right corner of the pillow.  It would be a really cute gift.

As usual, I made this pillow with a zipper for easy washing and easy changing.


Like I said, I’m giddy about how cute it is.  And it looks great next to the other pillow I made, also.


Two down, lots more ideas to come.  We’ll see how much time I can find to experiment.  Meanwhile, we’ve got a happy three year old!

Jennifer Pillow submitted here .

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