Gifts to Give

Thanks to all of you who linked up for Thrifty Thursday, as well as those who paid visits to all the participants. I am still making the rounds, there are so many fabulous ideas, interesting treasures and wonderful blogs to enjoy, I am really taking my time and enjoying browsing and prerusing through all of your gorgeous Christmas decor!

Every Year, in the swing of Christmas shopping I always publish my list of gift ideas. Yes, you will see a trend here, I love self employed people who have creative minds, a passion and a dream-meaning I will often be promoting bloggers who create, but this list is certainly not limited to bloggers. You will find some delightful businesses that carry unique and creatively different gift ideas, sure to please most everyone on your guest list.

Let's get right to it.
1. The French Elements has something for every woman on your list. Offering beautiful custom made and embrodiered linens, this gift is certain to become a family heirloom.

















2. Mamie Jane, it is no secret, is a favorite of mine. She is always cranking out the most wonderful creative crafts. And lucky for you and me, she sells her masterpeices. I would suggest going by her blog and inquiring if you see something you like. For example, search for her gorgeous sugar/creamer sewing cushions. Makes a Gorgeous and memoriable gift and is very inexpensive.

3. Gina of  The Shabby Cottage has an etsy shop in which she sells many hand crafted wares. As does my friend, Jen of Dust Bunny Hostage. A portion of Jen's sales goes to cancer research and all of her etsy items are donated by dear sweet giving people for a good charitable cause.


4. The Monkey Basket is a local business in Helena, but don't let that stop you from shopping if you live further than a car ride to the shop. Owner, Judy Ellington stocks her shelves full of delightful specialty gifts, many of which are locally made or southern made distributors. You can shop by the Monkey Basket website, or call Judy for a custom made gift basket to be shipped anywhere. Judy works with any budget. Beleive me. I know. Aren't these "Merry Christmas Y'all" plates a must have? I purchased both of these couple years ago, and use them all through the season-year after year.


5.Jessica of Thoughts from a Bama Belle custom makes monograms and various designs for just about anything or anywhere you can think to put it. Jessica even has her potty monogrammed. I had Jessica make our monograms for our Girls Getaway Trip/craft time buckets. I also have some monograms from her on my plates, cloches and jars. It's a inexpensive way to customize a gift for someone. The possibilities are endless. Contact Jessica  for ideas and pricing.

6.Al Malekovic is the creator of Country Bob's Sauce. It's a sauce that can be used on about near anything. Perfect for the cook or grill master on your list. WHy not consider a Country Bob's gift basket?  Each Gift Pack Includes:1 Bottle of Original All Purpose Sauce,1 Bottle of Spicy All Purpose Sauce,1 Bottle of Barbecue Sauce,1 Container of Seasoning Salt as well as the Country Bob's Cookbook. I own this cookbook. In it are some wonderful recipes featuring The World's Greatest Sauce, as well as The history of Country Bob, Inc. . But what I really appreciate about both the cookbook and Country Bob's Company is their steadfast stance on morals, values, family and most of all-God. Throughout the cookbook you will find inspiring scriptures for living an abundant life. This giftpack has a value Price of $28.95.
http://www.countrybobs.com/try-a-free-bottle.html


7.I have discovered a website that I am in love with. Junk Gypsies!
From their website:" The raucous and rowdy home of gypsies, junkers, DREAMERS and true-blue REBELS! The Junk Gypsy company, with our TROUPE of talented scavengers, travels NEAR and FAR to find roadside treasures, decadent decor and exotic goods for your home.And our team of rebellious designers work to bring you spunky COUTURE through the Junk Gypsy tees, jewelry and other charming wearables.So with a little wanderlust in your soul and a rebellious gleam in your eye. . . take a magic carpet ride through our wild and spirited world!!!!"
They have so much eye candy on this site!! Currently I have spied this adorble belt-On Sale !! $25.00

8.Another website I adore is Junk Market Style.
From their website: "At JUNKMARKET and junkmarketstyle.com, we pride ourselves on our ability to keep pressing that refresh button; always creating and recreating to meet the shifting demands of the public. We work on the edge of creativity, offering products, design formats, and ideas that are sustainable and functional. From traditional to urban industrial, our styles for life at home inherently embrace the recycling of trends, producing classic adaptability with a dash of comfort."

From great ideas on what clever and creative things to do with your junk...like the burlap bag project that is still underway at my home, to thrifty shopping tips, this is a site you will want to visit!
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


9. One Blue Moon Charms is whimsical wearable vintage art pieces that you can wear.

You custom create your own piece by chosing "a charm, a stick, your initial, and finally your chain. The necklaces make an adorable personalized statement piece.One Blue Moon Charms was established in 2007 by Linda Chay.  Each charm is designed by Linda and made lovingly made by hand. I know you’ll fall in love with her whimsical creations. How can one not?  (Linda is also a blogger. Visit her blog: http://www.mybluemoon.typepad.com/ )

10. This is a good one for the man in your life....Save Mother Earth by recycling. I love these cool ways to do it through Elsewares.com ...Check out these glasses made from...well old glass bottles. It's Ingenious and a conversation piece. And for those tailgating men, they even had beer bottle glasses.

Boylan Soda Glasses-These cool tumblers are recycled in Wisconsin from assorted clear Boylan soda and seltzer bottles, each a classic. Extremely durable, and the assorted glasses look incredible. Set of 4. Made in USA. Price $34.00

11.Save MOther Earth Recycling also sells these candles made from recyled parts: Recycled Tea Light Holder

Its a simple, elegant design that is both charming and practical. Made from recycled bicycle freewheels and cogs, tea light candle included. Sold individually. Made in the USA.
Price $12.99

12. Speaking of recycled, I recently purchased a lil something for myself from the store, Four Seasons Art & Antiques, in Homewood, Alabama....

Do you know what it is? Sure, it's geese....but it is made from a Grey Goose vodka bottle. But this is only one design. There are many designs and colors and shapes made from all kinds of glass. I also loved the blue heart made from a blue glass wine bottle. The cost is $16.00 and comes with either a magnetic black chain or a silver screw style chain.  The store also has many other gorgoues pieces of unique artwork and antiques.
Ask about the white feathered owl Christmas Ornaments. I purchased one of those too for $9 for my Christmas tree. He's beautiful! I will share a picture of him in an upcoming post.

13. As a kid, every Christmas I asked for cheese. I kid you not. As an adult, cheese still tops my list of wants. I just LOVE a good cheese. One of my most favorite cheeses comes from Mississippi State University (SEC football fans, no bias please). My personal favorites is the Swiss vallagaret and the incredible Edam.Oh, Edam.  Cheese.

14. If I may toot my own horn, what about purchasing a beauitful piece of photography to personalize a space. Check out my Smug Mug Store for a lil somethin, somthing for your space. If you live local, check out my Photo Blog, where if you live local you can purchase a gift certificate for a family or pet portait package, which includes all proofs and sitting fee for $125.00 How is that for thrifty? That's what most photographers charge just as a sitting fee! I just enjoy doing it.

15. Sandi of Whistlestop Cafe has cookbooks, seasonings, aprons and more.

16. For the kid on your list, I have to share... My daughter got a nintindo DS last year for her birthday. I LOVE this little game system. I love it because it is little. She takes it on roadtrips, to her brothers wrestling matches, to doctor appointments, etc. It's a great device to monopolize her time when she is somewhere she doesnt want to be (of course, school and church of off limit times to play). It saves a mothers sanity and a child's boredom from rearing it's head.  There is also a long list of games for creative minds.

Recently we were given the opportunity to "test drive" the DS Game, "Littlest Pet Shop Friends ". Littlest Pet Shop brings the magic of owning your own pet shop to your home.  The second edition of the LITTLEST PET SHOP video game brings the party to you with a new cast of quirky pets and their best friends. Play tons of new mini-games and explore new towns with your favorite pets. Venture on quests, deliver invitations, serve up ice cream, and style your pets as you get ready for the biggest LITTLEST PET SHOP party of the year.  My daughter loves this game! You can find all of the versions  for purchase on Amazon.

You can read more about the game and learn what other game systems (and phones) offer it by clicking here. The game retails for $29.95

Hopefully I have given up some things to think about. There are alot of great and reasonably priced ideas to make someone on your list happy.

Be sure and check out my list from years past...I think these gifts are still really great ideas!

2008 List

2008 Homemade Christmas Gifts

2007 Gifts to Give List

Gifts to Give

It's another edition of Gifts to give this holiday season. Here are some really sweet ones!

My dear blog friend, Mrs. Jules has announced the start of her new business. It is called Panda Designs. They create handmade bookmarks using exotic papers from around the world, giving each bookmark it's own unique charateristics. At $5.99 each, it's a steal of a deal. Perfect for the bookworm in your life, tucked between the pages of a new book for Christmas. Or within agiftcard to the bookstore. In a stocking....and teachers, I am certain, will love them. As will the minister at your church, the Sunday school teacher, that person who makrs pages in magazines and cookbooks. It's a nice little "thinking of you" that truly says that you put thought into a gift. Check out Panda Designs at their etsy store, or their blog ....and wish them good luck.

Check out the gallery of Hard Working Women for some fab-u-lous t shirt designs. Perfect for that hard working woman on your Christmas list. And after you decided which one you would like, head on over to The Sassy Southerer for her great giveaway in which you can win one of these designs! Enter to win a T-Shirt by Hardworking Woman http://www.thesassysoutherner.com/?p=2811

Go, shop. Support one another ths holiday season. And if you do visit any of these fine blogs or etsy shops, tell them that Leigh sent you! Happy Holidays!

Gifts to Give

It's another edition of Gifts to give this holiday season. Here are some really sweet ones!


Kira and Kjisa are the multi talented sister duo who are always cranking out clever crafty ideas and sharing them with the world. If you are not as skilled as K&K, and really, who is, then check out their etsy store and have a look at their cute "vintages" silhouettes, perfect for your holiday vignette.



Mind Your Manors, Please! It is the cute blog of yet another crafty pair. These hand painted pillows will be perfect for any Christmas decor. Actually, I would leave these lovelies out year round. They are to pretty to hide away. Email them if you are interested. mailto:mindyourmanors@insightbb.com




Drama Mama is cranking out all kinds of Zemkoofies Whimsical Designs available in her etsy store. There you can find all kinds of beauties from earrings to wine charms to frames-customized for that someone special (HELLO! Sororities!). And do inquire about her crosses. They are "Gaw-jus!!!"




Looking for someone who is an art aficionado....or someone that just needs that perfect something to fill that space on the wall. Look no further, "K-9" art not only will fill a space, it will speak to you.




K-9 has a site on Esty, where you can find her artwork that speaks to you too. This one is saying, "Big Daddy, Big Daddy! Leigh loves this!!!"

Ah! And be sure to check out her ornaments. I am wild about her "day of the dead" one. I have never seen anything like it! Amazing!




Go, shop. Support one another ths holiday season. And if you do visit any of these fine blogs or etsy shops, tell them that Leigh sent you!

Happy Holidays!

Sisters Two Open House

Oh, good! There you are! Just in time for the Holiday Open House at my friend Judy's store, Sisters Two!



There is nothing like a good window display to get you in the mood for the holiday's. I love window shopping, but come on! Let's go inside for the real goodies.



Lets begin with samples of cheese balls, there has to be 7 different kinds just to sample! Brownies and candy.....breads and candied nuts! Ummm!


OH! And drinks! Hello, Mojito. Hello Cranberry Fruit Drink that makes me blush. Hello Mango Margarita! This huge drink containers are sold for $12.99. Perfect for any party.

And there is also some spiced cider in the peculator. Now that says holiday!
Now that we have gotten ourselves something to drink...lets shop!

Cute Kids gifts.....


Everyone needs a candle. Especially Tyler candles. And Judy is offering a free candle to all holiday open house shoppers. So sweet!

This cute cutting board is a great but for a teacher. At just $10.00, it comes with the cutting board, napkins and a spreader knife.

Oh, these are great too! They are packaged together: oven mitts and hand towels for less than $12.00. Click to read the clever sayings. This would make a perfect hostess gift. You cannot walk into a party empty handed, ya know!

A perfect ornamental sign for the Sunday School Teacher....

Oh! I see an Elf! They are all over Judy's store!

I love these two platters. One says, Bless this Home", the other says, "Everything Taste Better with Beach in It!" I want that one!

Oh, look! A section for my son Bama...and Jen! "Dear Mr. Dust Bunny, You can get anything from the Alabama side for Jen and she'll be happy. Just a Christmas gift hint....."

Christmas Decorations with a holiday theme, as well as some for the Alabama and Auburn Fan in your house. I believe these balls were $12.99 each.




And look at these platters. I can name a few SEC tailgaters that would put these to good use! And look at the little frames below, $12.99! I am picking up a few to put our family Christmas photo in. We have one for each year. I take them out each season to display.



OH! Look! A Gnome! Does that say Hewy or Henry? Well, in any case, it has Hewy's name written all over it. Mrs No Sleep, here is an idea for the gnome on your list! It says that you can record a message and then the gnome will say it in "gnome voice". Or, I guess you could just ask "Hewy" to say it.....

Well, my arms are getting heavy. And I have found enough cheese balls for my pantry to get me through new years. For less then $6.00 a pop! I can't complain. Except when I hit the scales.

Oh, my gosh! Look! It is soooooo me!

A linen fingertip towel! Look what is says!

$12.99! It will go perfect in my kitchen!

What? More Southern Goodness?

Look at the plates, "Merry Christmas Y'all" and "Y'all Have Yourselves a Merry Little Christmas!"

My friend grabs a few, she is shipping them to Seattle and one is going to England! How cute!

I have to have one too! I am getting this one! Perfect for my kitchen counter!

Well, thanks for coming along! I sure bought alot. But I got all of my Christmas Shopping done, all while sipping a mojito. That's the way to do things!

Hey, should you find something in the store you want, give Judy a call, or email her with an order. Judy specializes in custom gift baskets for both the average person to corporate accounts. Judy will ship items too! Judy rocks!

Christmas on the Bluff
November 7 & 8- 10am-5Pm
November 9- 1-5PM

Sister's Two
589-A Shades Crest Road
Hoover, AL 35226
(1-205-824-8376)
Next To "Bert's On The Bluff" And Across The Street From "Tip Top Grill"
Click here to Shop online
Web- http://sisterstwo.com/

(Tell Judy that you saw on Bloggeritaville!)

Great Gifts To Give

This is the first of what will be a series of Gifts to Give. I wanted to do it, as the holiday season approaches. We all look frantically each season for something nice to give, something that will be adored from yeasr to come. I am also in the process of making my list in it's entirety for quick glaces. I did one last year and had fun doing it. If you need to refer back to an idea, go to my sidebar, at the bottom and click in the archives in gift ideas, where you can bring up previous gift idea post.

I am currently on a lucky streak! I recently won two giveaways. One was from a blogger friend, whose blog I just adore, Whistlestop Cafe Cooking. It's the blog of Sandi & her husband Bill where they blog about the Whistlestop Cafe. It's about good home cooking, recipes and tips; food, family, and fun. If the Whistlestop Cafe sounds familiar, it should....It was once owned by Fannie Flagg (a personal friend of Sandi) and was loosely based on the movie Fried Green Tomatoes.
As a southerner, it's a blog I can relate to. And as a southern girl who enjoys cooking, I was ecstatic to find that I won a copy of Sandi's cookbook, Whistlestop Cafe Cookbook "Starting Fresh Fun and Easy Recipes", which she was kind enough to personalize to me. I will treasure this cookbook for-evah!

I also won a custom Whistle Stop Cafe apron. It retails for $19.95

The pocket reads, "Give me some Sugar!" How cute is that!?!

This cookbook has quickly become my favorite. I have quite a collection of cookbooks, and some have some good recipes, but there sprinkled in between those pages are recipes I would probably never make. This is Not the case in the Whistle Stop Cafe Cookbook, where I can and will make and use every single recipe in the book. The recipes are easy to read, they use ingredients found in any pantry, and sprinkled between the pages are some great words of wisdom. It's a great "go to" book when you need inpiration or ideas for the table. I will not be putting this one on the shelf. This one has quickly earned it's place displayed right on my counter top.

What? You want one too? Well, let me say don't just get one for yourself, pick up a few because this makes the perfect Christmas Gift for everyone. It is perfect for empty nesters, to picky families, to kids leaving for college. Which was the very reason for Sandie writing the cookbook. It is a "love letter" for her kids, if you will, by sharing these great family recipes with her own family.

Sandie sells the cookbooks along with many specialty food staples and seasonings through her web site A Pinch of This and a Pinch of That! You can email Sandi regarding cookbooks, and if you would like, request that she sign a book for you. Cookbooks sell for $15.95 each. Please, tell her that Leigh sent you!

Natalie at Marginally Bright participated in the bloggy giveaway by hosting an Etsy $50.00 shopping spree at her blog.

Natalie is a big fan of Esty. Who isn't, right? Well, guess what? I won! Natalie asked that I go to Etsy, shop around and email her back the items I wanted her to order. She would be willing to include the shipping charge, in addition to my purchases. What a generous giveaway. I wouldn't be lying to say I LOVED it. And I had a really hard time deciding. IN fact, I made myself a personal shopping list of the things I didn't make the budget that I still want to get. So.....into the savings my change will go.

These are the things that I loved and forwarded onto Natalie to purchase and have shipped to me:

I am huge on personalized/monogrammed items. This plaque caught my eye since the day that my fellow blogger, Shannon, at Bless Our Nest ordered her's from Etsy. Forgive me, I coveted. I cannot wait to receive mine. I will proudly display it on a plate holder in my family room. Of course mine will have the name and establishment date of my own family. It's quite an heirloom keepsake at $28.00


I have mentioned before my love of all things trees. I loved the stark contrast of the colors in this scrabble tile necklace with a sky blue tree against a black background. It's a perfect gift for anyone at $ 5.50


These are called the first date earrings. True, I am long past my first date with Big Daddy, but I will certainly grab these beauties to dress up an outfit. I love things that are different and I think these are so unique. They sell for $18.00


I cannot begin to tell you how fun that was! It isn't everyday, or week-or month or like ev-ah! for that matter that someone tells me to go shopping and get what I want. That was Fun with a big capital F. If you are interested in purchasing any of these items, you can click on the photos and it will take you directly to the Etsy store where they are available. Thanks Natalie, for such a great giveaway!

My new friend at Glitter and Bliss found this super cool website http://labs.wanokoto.jp/olds from My Green Notebook. You can download current pictures and it converts them to a vintage looking image that looks to be 100-150 years old. It was super easy. And just imagine what a cute gift this would be for someone. Just convert, print out the photo and put into either a store bought frame of one that you have made or custom embellished. You have a great gift that is personal and inexpensive!

Check out my examples.........

I actually have a program on my own computer that will do this, but for those that do not-this is a great way to do it and it's free! These pictures above were done through the web site.

While I am on the subject of great gifts and Glitter and Bliss, be sure to check out the Etsy website of Glitter and Bliss. There you will find some amazing gifts, for example her crystal necklaces for $12.00

My personal favorites are the ones that say "Moms Rock" and "Girls Just Want to Have Fun!". She is currently working on some cute expressions written in French. Tres'Chic!

Her vintage photo holiday necklaces are show stoppers too. These are also a bargain at $12.00. The backs are also decorated. There is great attention to detail in her pieces.

Check out her etsy store, Glitter and Bliss also has some precious custom frames and magnets there too.

If you are shopping for younger ones on your list, you will want to read my post on Marne Maykowskyj Nordean at Cat in an Apron http://www.catinanapron.com./ She also has some great finds that moms will love. Her site had much to chose from for handmade items. And Marne is wonderful to work with, I know from first hand experience. She is a mom (of a brand newborn too!) that has created the web site as a place for people to shop handmade. Most items sold are from her region of the states in the North. It is an easy to navigate site and Marne is happy to answer any questions you might have.

Finally, I want to brag on my blogger friend, Valarie Lea from Tennessee Now From Alabama. She has a great Christmas Craft Idea over at her blog. If you want something personalized, it is way cute, something that will be cherished and doesn't require alot of skill. I know, because when I was a kindergarten teacher ions ago, I did this project as a Christmas Craft. It is precious. Although, Valarie's have much more artistic talent involved, it is something that anyone can do.

So, there you have it, the first installment of my Holiday Gift Ideas. Should you use any of these ideas, or shop at any of these places, visit any of these blogs, please tell them that you came by way of Leigh From Bloggeritaville. I would appreciate that!

Shop Mom and Pop.